Chapter 2
Trapped
Harry stood still shocked, his dream had come true; he still even now couldn't believe it. He made his way slowly and painfully home. When he arrived, a visibly shaken Mr. and Mrs. Granger were waiting for him, he quickly got his trunk and broomstick. They left the Dursley's and Harry still had no idea where they were going. "Umm, Mr. and Mrs. Granger, where are we going?" asked Harry tentively. "Sorry Harry dear, I forgot to tell you, Dumbledore asked me to inform you Hermione has been kidnapped by Lord Voldemort, he wants you to go to the Headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix." Came the reply from Mrs. Granger in a very strained voice.
Harry made no reply, no sound. One of his best friends was in danger again. Harry hid his tears, now it seemed real. They stopped between number 11 and number 15 Grimmald place, Harry recognize it immediately. As they approached a house appeared from nowhere. Harry was greeted by Dumbledore and Lupin. "Hello Harry," Dumbledore said, "I'm sorry to ruin your summer like this." Harry nodded, he looked positively sick. "Why don't you go get rest?" Dumbledore finished, "Would you take him Remeus?" Lupin nodded and took Harry upstairs. He found his trunk and broomstick already there. Harry sat down, Lupin sat down on the other bed and waited. "What happened?" asked Harry shortly. "Voldemort kidnapped Hermione," replied Lupin. "I know that, how, when?" asked Harry. "Voldemort's Death Eaters showed up at Hermione's house, her parents were out… Good thing too, or else they would have been killed right off, this was about a month ago." said Lupin quietly, "Ron is coming in a week." "WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME EARLIER!" Harry wanted to shout but he couldn't speak, Lupin left quietly closing the door. Harry realized for the first time, he really was alone, in times like this, he depended on Hermione, especially in emergencies and Ron of course. 'But,' Harry thought, 'he does tends to panic.'
An owl tapped on the window, Harry looked up and almost in a dream state let it in. He saw it was Hedwig. She was bearing a letter, Harry ripped it open,
Harry,
You are to give yourself up to Voldemort at Hogsmead, 1:00 a.m. Shrieking Shack on Saturday, please don't worry about me.
Love from,
Hermione
Harry looked at the calendar on the wall, he only had 3 days. He agonized for the first day about it, he understood Hermione's hint but he would not, COULD not leave her to Voldemort. 'I failed both of them before summer,' he thought. He made up his mind quickly after that, on the third day without telling anyone, he got out; his wand, money bag and invisibility cloak. He checked the hall and put it on, then slipping out without any difficulty he pulled off the cloak and summoned the Knight Bus, the conductor stepped out and started to announce, "Welco…" but was cut short by Harry, who said, "Alright I know, hurry up." The conductor looked at him closely, "Hav' we met befor'?" he asked. Only then did Harry realize it was Stan. "No," he replied quickly as he brushed past him. Stan shrugged and got back on the bus. After telling the driver to take him to Hogsmeade and paying them Harry selected one of the chairs in the upstairs, near the wall, and sat down. There was nobody there. Harry almost felt as though something was wrong. He heard two thumps and went to investigate, a Death Eater stood over their bodies laughing as he took the wheel. "Well Potter," said the Death Eater, "I see you DO care for her, to bad for you." Harry ignored this, "Where is she?" he demanded. "Why Potter, I should think you had learned manners." He replied. "Where is she" Harry repeated. The Death Eater hit the brakes hard, Harry flew forward and fell flat on the floor. The Death Eater chuckled, "Nice one, Potter." Harry got up and looked around, he recognized this place, but he couldn't quite place it. "That's right, Potter, shouldn't be to difficult, even for you." The Death Eater taunted him. Harry felt as though the answer smacked him in the face, "You… you are in the Riddle's Mansion?" Harry asked, he had only seen it once, in a dream involving Voldemort. "Congratulations, Potter, now you are learning." The Death Eater replied voice full of contempt. The Death Eater led Harry up the hill to the mansion, inside Voldemort waited…
Voldemort hissed to his snake, "Potter is coming… Soon…Soon…"
Just then the Death Eater brought in Harry, "Well, Harry Potter, we meet again. By now I think you know what I want," said Voldemort. "Oh really?" asked Harry. "Take his wand and invisibility cloak, then throw him in with his friend." Voldemort said dismissively. The Death Eater grabbed Harry roughly and pulled out his wand. Then led him down to the dungeon below the house, after grabbing Harry's invisibility cloak, he unlocked the door and literally threw Harry in. As the door banged shut he heard a voice, it croaked, "Harry?" Harry sighed with relief, it was Hermione, Harry hugged Hermione. Hermione seemed sick, at least she wasn't taking this well. "You okay?" Harry asked concerned. "You know I asked you to stay away," she said quietly, "He still won't let us go you know." Harry sighed, "Yeah, I know, but now we have a chance, and you didn't answer my question." Hermione stayed silent for a minute, "I was tortured, until I wrote what he wanted, I'm sorry Harry." Harry sat next to her, "Don't be sorry, we'll get out of this." "Excellent Potter, unfortunately that won't be possible," sneered a familiar voice. "Malfoy," Harry said, "You actually came to visit us?" Harry looked incredulous. "Oh, no, Potter I wanted to watch you suffer," said Draco Malfoy, "Ferret or not, Couch won't save you now. I also am to tell you, Hermione will not be released." "Guessed that genius boy," replied Harry. Malfoy left looking positively gleeful. Harry started looking around, as much as he could in the dim lighting. He couldn't find any weak spots, yet. "Already checked that Harry," said Hermione, "I've been here a long time." Harry picked up a metal pipe and started tapping the rocks. "What are you doing?" asked Hermione, "You expect to break down the walls with that?" "No," said Harry, "I'm looking for something I've read about." "What? A mixture of stone and metal?" asked Hermione testily. "No, a lot of these muggle castles had secret passages in the dungeons and other places too," replied Harry, as he continued. He was ¾ done with the walls when it sounded hollow. "Like this one!" exclaimed Harry, "Now we have to find the trip for it." Harry had looked for several days in which they were both being tortured slowly to death, he could no longer tell time, the only thing keeping both of them sane by now was each other's company. "How long have I been missing?" asked Hermione. "A month when I came in," said Harry looking discouraged, "I can't find it." "And you won't," said a quiet voice.
"Master, they may have found the way out," said Wormtail, "Do you want me to stop them?" Voldemort waved a dismissing hand, "I have been waiting for this Wormtail, do not stop them. It is part of my plan." Voldemort started laughing. Wormtail added quietly, "I believe they are getting help." Voldemort stopped dead and muttered, "Impossible. From whom?"
