Harry Potter and the Eye of the Golden Dragon
Chapter Three
When Harry awoke, he felt like his chest was being squeezed tighter with every breathe he took. His hard pounded and he couldn't move his arms, even if they weren't tied down, he doubted that he would even have the strength to lift them anyway.
He opened his eyes to darkness. At first, he thought that his captor had struck him blind, but slowly he realized that to be false. As his eyes adjusted, he made sense of his surroundings.
He was in a square room with a window on either wall to his right and left. If front of him, a door, the only way out. The windows had been blacked out, however, light passed in through the cracks and fell on the old brass doorknob, which managed to light the rest of the room with a dull, gray light. The worst part of it all, was the smell. It was like he was surrounded by sewage and rotten eggs.
Harry wriggled in the ropes that bound his hands and feet to the only piece of furniture in the room, an old creaky chair. But the ropes were too tight and he was too weak.
There was noise outside, he guessed that he was still in Knockturn Alley, but as to where exactly, he hadn't the slightest idea. Maybe in one of the many abandoned houses that filed along the deserted street. Second floor? Third floor, maybe?
As Harry sat there, the brass doorknob turned and the door creaked open loudly and a dark form moved into the room.
"Finally awake are you? Good. I hope you don't mind the ropes. Can't have you getting away or anything. I had to use your wand. It seems mine was broken in that little scuffle in the alleyway."
From his pocket, the man pulled out what looked to be Harry's wand. He waved it around and then re-pocketed it.
"You know for being the famous Harry Potter, you're not all that frightening. From the stories I've heard I was sure you were a seven-foot tall troll or something like that. I'll never come to understand just how you were able to elude the Dark Lord for this long."
The man chuckled before shuffling closer to Harry.
"Look at you. You're just a boy. Lucky me, I guess."
The Death Eater chuckled hoarsely and moved over to the window and peeked through a crack. The light that fell on the man's face was not enough to see any clear facial characteristics. His long dark robe was pulled down so it obscured his eyes so that only below the tip of his long nose could be seen.
"Let's get down to it, shall we?" He turned and smiled.
In the smallest sliver of light, his wicked smile was easy to make out. His teeth were bright white and almost perfect. The only flaw was a gold canine that dimly glittered in the light.
"First thing's first. You need to answer some questions."
He sighed deeply as he moved toward Harry. The smell didn't seem to bother him at all, while Harry did his best not to breathe through his nose.
"I'll never tell-"
"Shut Up!" He roared. "I'm fully aware that you won't be cooperating with me. So I came prepared."
He grinned once more as he took out a small vile of clear liquid.
"Know what this is?"
"Veritaserum." Harry said slowly as glared at the bottle that he could just make out in the darkness.
"Why yes, yes it is. Good boy. It's my favorite of all the potions in the world, but it's not easy to make. However, I'm quite skilled at potion making and I never miss a chance to use "
"I don't understand. What do you want from me?"
"I have a few inquiries for personal reasons. I have big plans you know."
He started to pace around Harry in a slow circle.
"Actually, you are suppose to be delivered to the Dark Lord at sundown, but I thought, well, it wouldn't hurt if I got a little information from you first, before I kill you."
"But won't Voldem-"
Before Harry could finish, a hand came down on his face, knocking his glasses off and sent sharp pains tingling all over his cheek.
"You will not say his name. You will address him as 'the Dark Lord' unless you want me to teach you some more manners."
Harry gasped for air and tried to ignore the pain but it was too much for him.
"What were you saying before I cut you off?"
Silence.
"Speak!" He yelled, raising his hand once more.
"Won't the Dark Lord be angry with you if you bring me to him dead?" He managed to get out at last.
"Ah, good question. Trying to persuade me to spare your life for a little longer?" He said sounding rather amused. "Heh, well, at this point it doesn't matter. I can deliver your head to him with or without the body attached. It's your choice."
"I like my head where it is, thanks." Harry responded coldly.
"Still have a mouth on ya, even though you're about to die. Don't worry, I'll fix that. You'll be begging for death soon enough. But for now, I'll just settle for this."
The Death Eater then pulled the stopper from the top of the vile and advanced. He stepped behind Harry and wrapped an arm around his neck. Harry struggled for air but refused to open his mouth.
"Open wide, Harry!" He laughed as he pushed the vile up to Harry's lips.
"Reducto!" Came a shout as the old door in front of Harry was blasted apart.
The Death Eater fumbled for Harry's wand and in the process, dropped the vile, spilling it all over Harry.
"Crucio!" He shrieked.
Who ever was at the door tried to block but was in the middle of "Protego" when the spell hit, sending painful shouts ringing through the room.
"Impedimentia!" Came another voice as a dark form entered the room.
The spell was a direct hit and it sent the man to the floor, away from Harry.
"Expelliarmus!"
And there was a clatter of what sounded like a wand hitting the floor.
The Death Eater roared with anger as he jumped to his feet and charged the dark form that blocked his way out. Harry couldn't tell what was going on but it sounded like a violent struggle.
"Incarceros!"
A shout of surprise, a thud of a body hitting the floor and then silence.
Harry looked around frantically. Someone lay a few feet from him on the ground and wasn't moving. Suddenly, a second form entered the room.
"I...I think I'm dead!" Said the man the floor. "It's all going black...this is the end! I can't move!"
"Oh shut up already. You're not dead." Said the other man as he walked over to the corner and picked up Harry's wand.
"Who's there?" Harry asked trying to hide his fear.
"It's alright, Harry, it's just us. Lumos!"
And light filed the room.
Harry squinted from the sudden burst of light.
"Fred. George. How are you?"
"No time for small talk Harry. Let's get you out of here first." Said Fred as he tapped Harry's bonds, which made them loosen and fall to the ground.
"Hey now, what about me."
"Get up you big baby." Fred said giving him a hand. "Here's your wand." He smiled as he handed it back to Harry.
When George was freed, the three of them quickly made it back to Diagon Alley.
"Alright, so who did you come here with? Is Ron and Mum around here somewhere?"
"No, I came alone." Harry said quietly.
Fred and George looked down at Harry with stern faces.
"Now, Harry," George began, "We're all for going off alone and breaking the rules but this is dangerous."
"I'm old enough to take care of myself, George. I could have handled it."
"Yes, we know." Fred sighed. "But this isn't Hogwarts. When you get caught out here in the real world, you don't get a detention. You were lucky that we saw you in Knockturn Alley. We were just replenishing our supply of dragon dung and spider eyes when we saw you step out of that shop and get ambushed like that. What were you doing there?"
"Getting the ingredients on my list for school." Harry said going through his pockets and taking out the list.
Fred and George looked thoroughly confused as they read over it.
"What's this? This can't be right. Even in seventh year we didn't have to deal with these items. Harry, this list, it can't be real."
"Where did you get it?" George asked as he folded the list and handed it back to Harry.
"It came in the mail with my other letters from school." He replied
"That doesn't sound good. You need to tell someone immediately. If you got these letters with your others, they either know where you live, or are working from the inside."
"You mean...?"
"Someone from Hogwarts could have sent this to you."
"I say, it's Filch."
"I'll second that one, bro. He's always been rather suspicious if you ask me."
"Maybe the owl was intercepted by someone." Harry reasoned.
"Maybe." Fred and George shrugged.
"Take it to Dumbledore. He'll know what to do."
The three of them nodded in agreement.
"Now that that's settled, let's get you home, Harry."
The three walked quickly and vigilantly toward the Leaky Cauldron.
"You don't think there were more of them, do you?" Asked George.
"No, from what he said, it sounded like no one knew we were there but him."
"Good. Makes it easier for us to get you out of here safely. So how did you get here anyway? After the way we trashed your fireplace two years ago, I didn't think they'd let you use it."
"No, I took the Knight Bus."
"Gah! Are you crazy Harry? That bus came barreling out of hell, it did. We tried riding it once. I felt sick for a week." Fred exclaimed, rather horror struck.
"I don't mind it so much." Harry lied.
They gathered all of Harry's things and helped him out to the London street in the muggle world. However, when Harry summoned the Knight Bus, they looked less then thrilled.
"I'll be fine on my own. You don't have to do with me."
Fred and George looked at each other uneasily.
"As soon as I get home, I'll send you a letter. I promise."
"Well alright. Send us a letter immediately."
Harry thanked the Weasley twins and boarded the bus. Harry took a bed to the far back slid into the covers.
A loud bang, a sudden jolt and they were off. His limbs felt so heavy with exhaustion that he could barely move. His wrists were still aching from the rope that had bound him.
His eyelids dropped as he thought of what the man had told him. He knew it was only the beginning. If Voldemort didn't need Harry alive anymore then he was sure he would never be safe anywhere ever again. Well, except for Hogwarts. In less then a week, he would be back at school. That was the only thing he had to comfort himself.
* * * *
He drifted in and out of consciousness as the bus swerved and jerked. It was as if Harry has just laid down when he heard Herbert called to him.
"Privet Drive sir, I uh, yes, I think this is your stop."
Reluctant to leave the warm linen sheets, Harry sighed and sat up. Herbert was dragging his luggage out the door when Harry reached the front of the bus.
"Well, see ya around Neville!" Stan nodded happily as he sped off.
Harry carried his new things to the door and jiggled the knob silently to see if it was open. Being around midnight, the Dursley's had already gone to bed and the door was bolted shut.
Harry pulled out his wand but stopped himself. Being expelled was not what he needed right now. He reached his long arm through the mail slot and felt around for a lock. His shoulder muscles strained as he reached for the bolt latch above the doorknob. It seemed out of reach for him but as Harry thought about giving up, he made one final grab and with a quiet click, the bolt unlocked. He twisted the knob slowly and began pulling his things inside. He shut the door behind him and began to creep to the stairs.
Suddenly, his foot caught on the invisibility cloak and with a loud thud, Harry landed on his side on the hall rug. He drew in a sharp breath as he listened intensely on the floor. There were some muffled whispers from upstairs and then a door creaked open.
Harry quickly stood and this cloak over his packages. He could just make out Uncle Vernon in the dark, shot gun in hand, descending the stairs.
"Who's there?" Vernon hissed. "I'm armed and I know how to use it!"
"It's me Uncle." Harry called, pretending to be in a sleep haze. "I woke up and came down for a glass of water. I must have tripped on the rug."
"Boy! You scared the daylights out of your Aunt! Why, I should just shoot you where you stand. Get to bed!" He said hoarsely as he tried to maintain a whisper.
Uncle Vernon's large, figure angrily stormed up the stairs. Harry exhaled heavily and gathered his things in the invisibility cloak. He moved up the stairs to his room and pushed everything in his arms under the bed. Finally, he wrote a quick letter to Fred and George and sent out Hedwig.
Still clothed and with his glasses on, Harry fell forward onto the bed and passed into a deep slumber.
Chapter Three
When Harry awoke, he felt like his chest was being squeezed tighter with every breathe he took. His hard pounded and he couldn't move his arms, even if they weren't tied down, he doubted that he would even have the strength to lift them anyway.
He opened his eyes to darkness. At first, he thought that his captor had struck him blind, but slowly he realized that to be false. As his eyes adjusted, he made sense of his surroundings.
He was in a square room with a window on either wall to his right and left. If front of him, a door, the only way out. The windows had been blacked out, however, light passed in through the cracks and fell on the old brass doorknob, which managed to light the rest of the room with a dull, gray light. The worst part of it all, was the smell. It was like he was surrounded by sewage and rotten eggs.
Harry wriggled in the ropes that bound his hands and feet to the only piece of furniture in the room, an old creaky chair. But the ropes were too tight and he was too weak.
There was noise outside, he guessed that he was still in Knockturn Alley, but as to where exactly, he hadn't the slightest idea. Maybe in one of the many abandoned houses that filed along the deserted street. Second floor? Third floor, maybe?
As Harry sat there, the brass doorknob turned and the door creaked open loudly and a dark form moved into the room.
"Finally awake are you? Good. I hope you don't mind the ropes. Can't have you getting away or anything. I had to use your wand. It seems mine was broken in that little scuffle in the alleyway."
From his pocket, the man pulled out what looked to be Harry's wand. He waved it around and then re-pocketed it.
"You know for being the famous Harry Potter, you're not all that frightening. From the stories I've heard I was sure you were a seven-foot tall troll or something like that. I'll never come to understand just how you were able to elude the Dark Lord for this long."
The man chuckled before shuffling closer to Harry.
"Look at you. You're just a boy. Lucky me, I guess."
The Death Eater chuckled hoarsely and moved over to the window and peeked through a crack. The light that fell on the man's face was not enough to see any clear facial characteristics. His long dark robe was pulled down so it obscured his eyes so that only below the tip of his long nose could be seen.
"Let's get down to it, shall we?" He turned and smiled.
In the smallest sliver of light, his wicked smile was easy to make out. His teeth were bright white and almost perfect. The only flaw was a gold canine that dimly glittered in the light.
"First thing's first. You need to answer some questions."
He sighed deeply as he moved toward Harry. The smell didn't seem to bother him at all, while Harry did his best not to breathe through his nose.
"I'll never tell-"
"Shut Up!" He roared. "I'm fully aware that you won't be cooperating with me. So I came prepared."
He grinned once more as he took out a small vile of clear liquid.
"Know what this is?"
"Veritaserum." Harry said slowly as glared at the bottle that he could just make out in the darkness.
"Why yes, yes it is. Good boy. It's my favorite of all the potions in the world, but it's not easy to make. However, I'm quite skilled at potion making and I never miss a chance to use "
"I don't understand. What do you want from me?"
"I have a few inquiries for personal reasons. I have big plans you know."
He started to pace around Harry in a slow circle.
"Actually, you are suppose to be delivered to the Dark Lord at sundown, but I thought, well, it wouldn't hurt if I got a little information from you first, before I kill you."
"But won't Voldem-"
Before Harry could finish, a hand came down on his face, knocking his glasses off and sent sharp pains tingling all over his cheek.
"You will not say his name. You will address him as 'the Dark Lord' unless you want me to teach you some more manners."
Harry gasped for air and tried to ignore the pain but it was too much for him.
"What were you saying before I cut you off?"
Silence.
"Speak!" He yelled, raising his hand once more.
"Won't the Dark Lord be angry with you if you bring me to him dead?" He managed to get out at last.
"Ah, good question. Trying to persuade me to spare your life for a little longer?" He said sounding rather amused. "Heh, well, at this point it doesn't matter. I can deliver your head to him with or without the body attached. It's your choice."
"I like my head where it is, thanks." Harry responded coldly.
"Still have a mouth on ya, even though you're about to die. Don't worry, I'll fix that. You'll be begging for death soon enough. But for now, I'll just settle for this."
The Death Eater then pulled the stopper from the top of the vile and advanced. He stepped behind Harry and wrapped an arm around his neck. Harry struggled for air but refused to open his mouth.
"Open wide, Harry!" He laughed as he pushed the vile up to Harry's lips.
"Reducto!" Came a shout as the old door in front of Harry was blasted apart.
The Death Eater fumbled for Harry's wand and in the process, dropped the vile, spilling it all over Harry.
"Crucio!" He shrieked.
Who ever was at the door tried to block but was in the middle of "Protego" when the spell hit, sending painful shouts ringing through the room.
"Impedimentia!" Came another voice as a dark form entered the room.
The spell was a direct hit and it sent the man to the floor, away from Harry.
"Expelliarmus!"
And there was a clatter of what sounded like a wand hitting the floor.
The Death Eater roared with anger as he jumped to his feet and charged the dark form that blocked his way out. Harry couldn't tell what was going on but it sounded like a violent struggle.
"Incarceros!"
A shout of surprise, a thud of a body hitting the floor and then silence.
Harry looked around frantically. Someone lay a few feet from him on the ground and wasn't moving. Suddenly, a second form entered the room.
"I...I think I'm dead!" Said the man the floor. "It's all going black...this is the end! I can't move!"
"Oh shut up already. You're not dead." Said the other man as he walked over to the corner and picked up Harry's wand.
"Who's there?" Harry asked trying to hide his fear.
"It's alright, Harry, it's just us. Lumos!"
And light filed the room.
Harry squinted from the sudden burst of light.
"Fred. George. How are you?"
"No time for small talk Harry. Let's get you out of here first." Said Fred as he tapped Harry's bonds, which made them loosen and fall to the ground.
"Hey now, what about me."
"Get up you big baby." Fred said giving him a hand. "Here's your wand." He smiled as he handed it back to Harry.
When George was freed, the three of them quickly made it back to Diagon Alley.
"Alright, so who did you come here with? Is Ron and Mum around here somewhere?"
"No, I came alone." Harry said quietly.
Fred and George looked down at Harry with stern faces.
"Now, Harry," George began, "We're all for going off alone and breaking the rules but this is dangerous."
"I'm old enough to take care of myself, George. I could have handled it."
"Yes, we know." Fred sighed. "But this isn't Hogwarts. When you get caught out here in the real world, you don't get a detention. You were lucky that we saw you in Knockturn Alley. We were just replenishing our supply of dragon dung and spider eyes when we saw you step out of that shop and get ambushed like that. What were you doing there?"
"Getting the ingredients on my list for school." Harry said going through his pockets and taking out the list.
Fred and George looked thoroughly confused as they read over it.
"What's this? This can't be right. Even in seventh year we didn't have to deal with these items. Harry, this list, it can't be real."
"Where did you get it?" George asked as he folded the list and handed it back to Harry.
"It came in the mail with my other letters from school." He replied
"That doesn't sound good. You need to tell someone immediately. If you got these letters with your others, they either know where you live, or are working from the inside."
"You mean...?"
"Someone from Hogwarts could have sent this to you."
"I say, it's Filch."
"I'll second that one, bro. He's always been rather suspicious if you ask me."
"Maybe the owl was intercepted by someone." Harry reasoned.
"Maybe." Fred and George shrugged.
"Take it to Dumbledore. He'll know what to do."
The three of them nodded in agreement.
"Now that that's settled, let's get you home, Harry."
The three walked quickly and vigilantly toward the Leaky Cauldron.
"You don't think there were more of them, do you?" Asked George.
"No, from what he said, it sounded like no one knew we were there but him."
"Good. Makes it easier for us to get you out of here safely. So how did you get here anyway? After the way we trashed your fireplace two years ago, I didn't think they'd let you use it."
"No, I took the Knight Bus."
"Gah! Are you crazy Harry? That bus came barreling out of hell, it did. We tried riding it once. I felt sick for a week." Fred exclaimed, rather horror struck.
"I don't mind it so much." Harry lied.
They gathered all of Harry's things and helped him out to the London street in the muggle world. However, when Harry summoned the Knight Bus, they looked less then thrilled.
"I'll be fine on my own. You don't have to do with me."
Fred and George looked at each other uneasily.
"As soon as I get home, I'll send you a letter. I promise."
"Well alright. Send us a letter immediately."
Harry thanked the Weasley twins and boarded the bus. Harry took a bed to the far back slid into the covers.
A loud bang, a sudden jolt and they were off. His limbs felt so heavy with exhaustion that he could barely move. His wrists were still aching from the rope that had bound him.
His eyelids dropped as he thought of what the man had told him. He knew it was only the beginning. If Voldemort didn't need Harry alive anymore then he was sure he would never be safe anywhere ever again. Well, except for Hogwarts. In less then a week, he would be back at school. That was the only thing he had to comfort himself.
* * * *
He drifted in and out of consciousness as the bus swerved and jerked. It was as if Harry has just laid down when he heard Herbert called to him.
"Privet Drive sir, I uh, yes, I think this is your stop."
Reluctant to leave the warm linen sheets, Harry sighed and sat up. Herbert was dragging his luggage out the door when Harry reached the front of the bus.
"Well, see ya around Neville!" Stan nodded happily as he sped off.
Harry carried his new things to the door and jiggled the knob silently to see if it was open. Being around midnight, the Dursley's had already gone to bed and the door was bolted shut.
Harry pulled out his wand but stopped himself. Being expelled was not what he needed right now. He reached his long arm through the mail slot and felt around for a lock. His shoulder muscles strained as he reached for the bolt latch above the doorknob. It seemed out of reach for him but as Harry thought about giving up, he made one final grab and with a quiet click, the bolt unlocked. He twisted the knob slowly and began pulling his things inside. He shut the door behind him and began to creep to the stairs.
Suddenly, his foot caught on the invisibility cloak and with a loud thud, Harry landed on his side on the hall rug. He drew in a sharp breath as he listened intensely on the floor. There were some muffled whispers from upstairs and then a door creaked open.
Harry quickly stood and this cloak over his packages. He could just make out Uncle Vernon in the dark, shot gun in hand, descending the stairs.
"Who's there?" Vernon hissed. "I'm armed and I know how to use it!"
"It's me Uncle." Harry called, pretending to be in a sleep haze. "I woke up and came down for a glass of water. I must have tripped on the rug."
"Boy! You scared the daylights out of your Aunt! Why, I should just shoot you where you stand. Get to bed!" He said hoarsely as he tried to maintain a whisper.
Uncle Vernon's large, figure angrily stormed up the stairs. Harry exhaled heavily and gathered his things in the invisibility cloak. He moved up the stairs to his room and pushed everything in his arms under the bed. Finally, he wrote a quick letter to Fred and George and sent out Hedwig.
Still clothed and with his glasses on, Harry fell forward onto the bed and passed into a deep slumber.