The world was spinning at an uncontrollable rate for a few moments until finally, Harry landed on hard, cold ground. Sitting up, he found himself on a long dirt road with tall trees on either side, which cast shadows in all directions. The place was very dark and had an unnatural feel about it.
*Where is this place?* Harry thought, having a very bad feeling about it.
Looking up both ends of the road, seeing it wind out of sight into the dark emptiness, Harry thought deeply about what to do. He stood up and brushed the pebbles and dirt off his clothes and then decided to follow the left side of the road and just hope for the best.
*Hannah, where are you? Please don't let anything bad have happened to you.* He prayed desperately.
Harry began to walk along the road, looking behind him every once in a while. He felt the hair on his neck stand up on end, like it did when someone was watching him. He tried to swallow but his throat was too dry, he was too nervous.
The light became even dimmer as he walked on and he felt himself shiver, not sure whether it was due to the soft, cool breeze or because he was completely spooked out by this dark and deserted countryside.
After what seemed like an hour of walking with no change in scenery, Harry started to lose hope. He could tell that it was starting to get quite late in the afternoon and it would be dark soon. He had to hurry.
*Please be safe Hannah. I will find you wherever you are, I won't stop till I do.* Harry whispered. *I can't lose you now*
Suddenly, Harry heard a noise coming from behind him in the bushes and he stopped dead in his tracks.
'Who's there?' He asked loudly.
When there was no reply, he decided that it must have been a lizard or maybe an animal.
*Probably just imagining things* He told himself. But all the same, he took out his wand and muttered "Lumos". Light shone from the end of it and he scanned the area carefully but there was no more movement.
He started walking again but just as quickly stopped. 'Blood!' He took a closer look at the large red spot on the ground. Yes it was blood but he couldn't tell if it was human or animal. Only one thing was certain; it was definitely still fresh.
Harry started to jog up the dirt road. Maybe he was getting nearer. He certainly hoped so. He took another few steps before encountering more blood but this time he only saw a few drops, he hoped it meant that whoever or whatever was bleeding might not have a serious injury. Harry's instinct now told him he was definitely going the right way and he quickened his pace.
It seemed that the trees were finally thinning as well now because Harry could make out some stars shining brightly above him. Blood pumping, heart thumping and body sweating, Harry continued to run, not allowing himself to rest for a minute. Time was too precious to waste.
*I'm not far now Hannah. I'll make it, I can feel it.* He thought.
Unfortunately, Harry was concentrating so hard on running that he didn't notice the log lying on the ground in front of him and he tripped and fell. Luckily he didn't receive more than a few scratches and maybe a bruise but he was very shocked by the fall. It took him a few seconds to recover but as he did he also noticed something lying next to the log. A headband and it had black strands of hair dangling from it.
*It has to be Hannah's!* Harry pocketed the band, a little hope coming to rest in his heart, when he heard more movement in the trees.
'Someone's there! Who is it?' He shouted. 'Show yourself!'
Still nothing happened but again Harry had a feeling he was being watched. He nervously tightened his hold on to his wand, ready to use it if he needed to. All of a sudden, he stepped into a clearing and could see the night sky clearly now.
'It must be around 7:00pm' He muttered. 'I have to hurry.'
Harry was now sweating profusely but kept running until he came to the end of the road and instead was now facing two separate roads. One seemed to lead up hill and the other followed a narrow gravel path, which looked as though it would lead to a farm or something.
'Great, which way do I go now?' He said, feeling annoyed and increasingly desperate as he thought about what might have happened to his sister.
*FOLLOW* Came another voice.
Harry jumped in surprise and pointed his wand around him but he couldn't see anything.
'Come out and show yourself!' He yelled.
He heard movement in the shadows behind a large bush and then something long and very big slithered out. Harry almost fell over with shock. He recognised the snake from his fourth year, when he had encountered Voldemort then.
He aimed his wand at the snake and said 'If you come any closer I will cast a spell on you!'
The snake did not move but simply said in a slow hiss, *FOLLOW, FIND SISTER, FOLLOW*
'Hannah? Where is she, what have you done with her!' Harry shouted desperately.
*FOLLOW* The snake repeated.
Harry knew that he was being led into a trap that could cost him his life but he felt he had no other choice. The only thing that mattered to him now was to try and find his sister and if possible save her from Voldemort. Harry decided to follow the snake but he kept a good distance. It led him up the hill but there still seemed to be nothing in sight. Harry knew that he was being led straight to Voldemort because the snake belonged to him, but if he was going to have any chance of saving his sister, he had to follow. He swallowed hard and pushed on.
After a few minutes, they approached a gate, which led to two houses. They both looked very old and abandoned but one was a small run down shack and the other was a very large, two-story house with overgrown grass and creepers growing up the sides. Harry stopped and watched the snake slither up to the large house and disappear inside it.
*So this is where she must be.* Harry opened the gate determinedly and took a few steps toward the house but suddenly felt a rush of pain in his scar. He clutched his forehead and bit his lip hard to stop himself from screaming out in agony. He knelt on the ground and held his head in pain.
*Stop it. Just go away.* He willed urgently.
Before Harry could think any further, he felt a hand grab him and pull him up forcefully and then shake him. He opened his eyes and saw Lucious Malfoy glaring at him.
'So nice you could join us Potter.' He spat. 'We've been waiting for your arrival for some time now.'
He shoved Harry forward and forced him to proceed up to the creepy old house. Fortunately, the pain had started to ease but not completely. They arrived at the front door and Malfoy announced, 'Welcome to the Riddle House,' before opening it and pushing Harry inside.
An eager, crazy looking Bellatrix then greeted them. 'You've got him. Good, we'll finally be rid of the wretched brat.' She hissed.
'Here, help me take him upstairs.' Said Malfoy. 'I can walk myself!' Replied Harry angrily, who was still feeling light headed and dizzy.
'Not afraid huh?' Said Bellatrix maliciously. 'You will be soon enough!.' She made to grab his arm and drag him up the stairs but he moved out of the way just in time and made to kick at her but missed. Seeing his actions, she grabbed her wand at aimed it at him. 'You will pay for that!' She yelled.
'Stop!' Ordered Malfoy. 'The Dark Lord wants to finish him off himself. Remember his orders?'
She looked furious but said, 'Very well. Hurry up boy! I can't wait too much longer to see you dead.'
Harry continued up the stairs, very aware that he had no plan for an escape and didn't know what to do once he came face to face with Voldemort. There was no escape from this place.
He was then led down a hall and into a large room. In one corner of the room were many bookshelves that looked quite old and were covered with dust. Beside them was a stool with a burnt out candle on it. In the centre of the room was a large object covered with a cloth. It looked odd but Harry didn't take too much notice of it; he was more focused on the other side of the room where Voldemort sat looking especially evil and bloodthirsty. Beside him was his pet snake and behind him were many Deatheaters, all wearing identical devilish grins.
'Well done, Nagini.' Said Voldemort to his pet. 'Welcome to my humble abode, Harry.'
'Where is Hannah?' Harry asked Harshly.
'Now, now, be patient. We will get to that.' Voldemort replied calmly.
Harry took out his wand although he knew it wouldn't do much. 'Where is she!?' He repeated.
Everyone in the room stared back at him, amused.
'Put it away Harry. There won't be any duelling this time. It will be quick and easy. I'm tired of playing games.' Voldemort stroked Nagini.
But Harry didn't move. He didn't know what to do or what to say but somehow he was very curious to know where he was. It seemed familiar.
'Where are we?' He asked.
'It shouldn't matter to you. You won't be around for much longer, but I don't mind explaining. This was my father's house many years ago. I lived here for a short while before killing him and framing my own death.' He said.
'But I thought you were an orphan?' Said Harry.
'I lived in an orphanage because my mother was dead and my father was nowhere to be found. But he was tracked down eventually and I was forced to live with him and his new wife. I was your age in fact when I killed them both. Our bodies were found in the kitchen and everyone thought me dead. That was all part of my plan, now look at what I have achieved. Look at my supporters. And now I have you. You will die tonight Harry, just as your parents died.' Voldemort motioned for Wormtail to come to him. 'Uncover the girl.'
Wormtail crossed over to the large object and removed the cover to reveal a tied and bound Hannah.
'Hannah!' Cried Harry. He tried to run to her but Bellatrix restrained him.
'You're not going anywhere tonight Potter.' She said.
'Let her go!' Harry yelled.
'Unbind the ropes.' Voldemort ordered.
Wormtail freed her but held a knife to her throat.
'Let her go!' Harry repeated.
Hannah was too scared to move and just shut her eyes.
'Do you want her to live Harry?' Said Voldemort. 'Very well, but under one condition.'
'What condition?' Asked Harry.
'You give yourself up to me freely and you die.' He said.
Harry gulped. 'Fine. But how do I know you will free her?'
'You see the candle over there?' Voldemort gestured toward the stool. 'That is a portkey. It will take her back to where she came from. I do not need to kill her, it is you who has to die. She is nothing to me, just bait. But I will kill her if you put up a fight.'
'I won't.' Said Harry. 'Let her go.'
'No! Harry don't do it.' Hannah begged. 'Please.' Tears were streaming down her face. Wormtail pushed her over to the portkey and tried to force her to touch it. 'No, I won't! Harry!' But it was too late, Wormtail was too strong for her. Harry watched her disappear; he would never see her again.
'Good.' Said Voldemort, his voice sounding triumphant. 'Now bring Potter.'
Wormtail positioned Harry a few feet away from Voldemort and stood behind him. Harry determinedly looked up into his face and said softly.
'Why are you doing this, Don't you have a heart? I saved your life, remember?'
For a quick moment, Harry thought he saw sadness or maybe regret flicker across Wormtail's features but then it was quickly covered again.
'Now Harry, ready to die?' Said Voldemort powerfully. 'Say hello to your parents from me! Hahahaha!' He raised his wand at Harry.
'Quick, run for it.' Wormtail whispered. A second later, a jet of bright green light exploded from Voldemort's wand and as if in slow motion, Wormtail pushed Harry out of the way and the green light hit him in the chest. He fell to the ground, dead.
Everyone stared at his body in astonishment and then suddenly Harry rushed over to the candle.
'Quick, he's getting away!' Voldemort yelled.
But before anyone could catch him, Harry grabbed the candlestick and disappeared from sight.