Thanks again, everyone. Sorry this was a little late also. I have school to worry about also. Plus I'm sick, again. I've been watching Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, I love this movie. It's one of my favorites. Probably 'cause Alan Rickman and Kevin Costner are in it. I love Alan Rickman!!! He plays a wonderful bad guy, and he plays one of my favorite characters in "Harry Potter".

If you haven't seen the movie, bloody hell, you're missing out on a brilliant medieval story. It's a 'must-see'!

Chapter 17: Die Dunkelheit von die Nacht

"What's the matter? Don't have anything to say to your poor godfather?" Sirius gave him a fake concerned look, "Oh Harry, I'm hurt." The boy would have gladly replied to that if he could, but unfortunately, the chances were against him and the hand covering his lips tightened. It was almost painful.

What should I do? What should I do? Ran through Harry's head. There was nothing he could do. The man had his whole body in a tight bind against his, his wand still in his right hand. But even if Harry could get his wand hand free, his mouth was still sealed. Harry was trapped and no one knew that he was in trouble.

"Now, my dear, sweet Harry, what we're going to do is first get out of here and then I'm going to take you to my Master's company…and I'll finally be rid of you." Sirius whispered.

The pain in his leg was somewhat forgotten as he tried to figure a plan. If only Filch or Mrs. Norris would just pass by and look in, but it never happened. Instead…

"Relashio!" Came a voice from behind, and Harry was practically thrown from Black's grasp. Harry turned immediately and found his Uncle Tom Riddle near the doorway, "Expelliarmus!" yelled Riddle. And instantly, Black's wand was thrown from his hand and across the room along with some other weapons that he had been carrying. Harry knew the last spell to be an effective disarming spell.

"By Merlin, Black. I beg to differ." Harry's Uncle kept aim at Black as he started forward, "Harry, are you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm fine." Save for the pain in his left leg.

"Then grab your wand and come over here behind me," said Riddle. Harry grabbed his wand that had fallen just next to him and repositioned his glasses as he stood. He stumbled a bit under his injured leg, but tried to make it unnoticeable as he limped over. He made his way around the steady man, once his godfather, over to his uncle, "The Headmaster should be on his way now along with Severus."

"Petrificus Totalus!" Black fell hard to the floor hard in a leg and arm bind. Harry wanted to laugh, but he bit his tongue. His Uncle knelt down to him and rested his hands on his nephew's shoulders.

"Harry, pay close attention." Harry nodded, "When Dumbledore and Severus arrive, I'll have to leave. I'll be going on a short trip. Do not leave Professor Snape's side. Do you understand? He knows of this."

Harry nodded again, "We think that Dumbledore is up to something…something horrible that involves you. Besides, Hell will freeze over before I trust my nephew over to Dumbledore," he smirked, but soon became serious again, "From now on, I don't want you to be alone with Dumbledore…There's something up and Severus and I want to know what. Promise me that you won't follow him when he asks you to, unless you're with Professor Snape."

"I promise." Harry's eyebrows drew in, "Uncle Tom…what is all this about?" asked Harry.

"All will be explained in due time, Harry." Riddle stood, "But now is not the time or place. We better get you back in bed. You're still not well enough, though I'm very happy to see you conscious again." They smiled to each other as Uncle Tom picked Harry up and strode over to the bed, stepping over Black in the process.

"How did you know that I was in trouble?" asked Harry as he was set upon the bed.

"I didn't," Tom answered, and Harry gave him a questioning stare, "I've come to visit you for the past month that you've been in a coma. I came in the later hours than this, but since I'm leaving tonight I've come earlier."

Harry only nodded, "I'm really glad to see you awake, now. You've had us worried, and now there's no reason to, though I'm sure that Madam Pomfrey will insist that you stay in the infirmary for a while longer."

It was silent for a while, and right when Harry was about to ask a question he had been meaning to for several months, the Headmaster and Snape ran in, just as his Uncle had said they would.

"Sirius Black!?" The Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher gasped.

"I petrified him. We should owl the Minister at once." Said Tom.

"That won't be necessary," said Dumbledore, "for he's already on his way with the Hit Wizards. They will arrive tonight."

"Good," Tom stood, "Then if there is no further use for me, I'll be on my way. I should return within a few days."

Dumbledore nodded, "We should leave also to give Harry his much needed rest."

"I would prefer it if Harry were to be watched over," Tom stated, "I'm sure he doesn't feel safe alone anyways."

"I'll take him to my rooms where he can sleep. He'll be comfortable in the dungeons that he's use to." Professor Snape spoke up, "And he can be reassured that he'll be safe there."

Dumbledore turned to the green-eyed boy in the bed, "If he agrees…" his eyes widened a bit and he turned to his Defense teacher and then to his Uncle who stood behind the Headmaster. His Uncle was nodding.

"Yes, I'll go."

"Then, so be it," Dumbledore turned to the two Professors, "I wish you well on your trip, Professor Riddle."

"Thank you, sir," Tom said, "I'll be on my way then. Get well, Harry."

Harry merely smiled and nodded. Severus never said anything; simply observing. Uncle Tom left the room and the three of them were left in there; Snape eyeing Dumbledore, Dumbledore eyeing Harry with the usual twinkle in his eye, and Harry eyeing Sirius's still body on the floor.

"We should be off then," Snape spoke up, "I'll just be taking Mr. Potter along."

"Yes, good idea," the Headmaster nodded, "The Minister should be here soon."

"Come along. Mr. Potter." Snape said.

Harry slowly stood, ignoring the pain in his left leg, which wasn't easy. Snape stared at him for a bit before turning around and walking off with Harry not far behind. They left Dumbledore to tend to Black.

"Why are you dawdling?" Snape turned around to see that Harry was quite a ways behind, "We could be half-way there by now."

"Because my leg is still hurt. I can't help it."

"What are you talking about?"

"My leg," Harry pointed at it, "I suppose it was broken and it's not healed all the way yet."

"It's either it is, or it's not. Which is it?"

"I don't know," Harry seethed, "I'm not Madam Pomfrey, nor was I awake when she was counting broken bones."

"There were only five, luckily for you. You're right arm and several ribs."

"Then what about this?" He pointed again.

"Gee, Potter. I guess she missed one," he stood right in front of the boy, "If we can get to the dungeons, I can get you a potion that can fix that. But if we don't get down there…"

"Fine, let's go." Harry started walking ahead of Professor Snape.

"That's what I though, Potter."

Harry didn't say anything. He kept walking, not slowly, but not fast paced either. His leg throbbed. The throb that felt as if his leg was on fire and a knife was cutting it's way slowly through it.

No other words were thrown between them and it felt as if a century had passed before they reached the dungeons. They arrived at Snape's rooms and the professor showed him to his spare room.

"Wait here. I'll be back in a moment with your tonic." The man left and Harry sat alone in the dark room. Yet, no matter how dark and dreary it seemed…it felt like home. He smiled. Harry, for as long as he can remember, was always in the dark. But, what he remembers most…is the cupboard. He slept there every night, no exceptions. He was locked in there when the Dursley's left, and he was thrown in there after beatings. It soon became his sanctuary, and he learned to love it.

"Here. Take this. It takes a good twenty-four hours to work, but it's highly effective, and it'll reduce the chances of it breaking again." Snape handed a small glass bottle to Harry. The raven-haired boy opened the corked lid and sniffed it. There was no smell, thankfully. But the taste was absolutely horrid, "Maybe I should have warned you. There may be no sent, but the taste makes up for that. I've tried to fix that, but everything I've used just makes it worse."

All the while Harry was coughing Snape stared at him, "Oh, come off it, Potter. It's not that bad. Don't choke, you twit. What would I tell Tom?"

His cough turning into a laugh as he couldn't help but imagine Professor Snape stuttering, trying to explain to an angry Tom Riddle.

"Get some sleep," Snape stood at the door, "It's a Friday, if you wanted to know. Unlike the infirmary, no one is allowed in here, and you are to stay in here until Sunday at the least. Any questions?" Harry shook his head.

"Good night, then." And Snape left.

End of Chapter 17