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Sorry, I didn't explain how Severus' mother's body was still fully intact very well; I was trying to get across that they had used an anti- decomposing charm or something on her body. I figured being wizards and all, they would be able to do something like that. I mentioned it before when Harry wanted Severus to dig up "Scabbers" but again, sorry!
A Different Life
Chapter 35 - The Letter
Ron was more then a little out of breath when he made it to his dorm room. He immediately fell to his knees at the foot of Harry's truck and opened it. Searching for the map he knew that Harry had in there somewhere.
After a few seconds of frantic searching he found it. He quickly pulled it out and ran over to his bed, kneeling in front of it, he placed the map on top and then took his wand out from his robes and pointed it at the map.
"I solemnly swear that I am up to no good."
The map came alive in front of his eyes and he searched for either Harry's or Draco's names.
Dumbledore and Remus finally entered.
"Ron- what do- you think- you are- doing?" Remus gasped out, trying to catch his breath.
"I can't find them anywhere. Not Harry or Draco."
Remus looked down at the map and picked it up, he too searching. Finally having caught his breath he spoke. "Why is it that in every situation where the map would be most useful, we are always last to think of it?"
"Now you are certain that you do not know where Harry or Draco could be at this time Ron?" Dumbledore asked seriously, not answering Remus' question.
"Well all I know about Harry is that he was supposed to meet his dad in his office for something. And then Draco left to..." Ron's eyes widened.
"Yes Ron?" Remus prompted.
"Draco went to his common room because he was getting a letter from his father."
"What was in the letter?" Remus asked.
Ron shook his head and shrugged. "His father mentioned his Christmas present. He said that his father was going to get him tonight to show Draco. Draco was going to check where it was that he was going." Ron then frowned. "So Draco's father must have come and collected him to take him wherever it was that he was to be going. But that doesn't help us with Harry though does it?"
"Perhaps it does..." Dumbledore seemed to be thinking, scratching his chin.
"Remus, I want you to take the map and get the rest of the students to the Great Hall, and try to and find Draco's letter."
Remus nodded and started to head towards the door, map in his hand.
"Wait, Draco said that he had put it in his trunk."
Remus nodded at Ron and then left.
"Come along Mr. Weasley. I think its time I took you to the Great Hall."
Ron's shoulders slumped, he still wanted to help. But he nodded at Dumbledore and let him lead the way towards the Great Hall.
They walked in silence and when they were about half way there, a frantic Pomfrey found them.
"Headmaster quick, Severus has awoken."
She hurried off and Dumbledore and Ron quickly followed.
***
"Severus?" Dumbledore said urgently as he rushed into the Hospital Wing.
Severus looked up from what he was doing. Once Madam Pomfrey had gone he had got changed as quickly as he could. His ankle was a hit sore and his ribs felt bruised. But the worst was his head, it ached. But nothing was going to stop him.
"Severus, I thought I told you to stay in bed. You are in no condition to be out-"
"I'm fine." Severus snapped out while tying up his shoelaces.
"And where do you think you're going?" Pomfrey glared at him.
"To get Harry, that's where!"
"Do you know where he is?" Ron stepped forward and looked hopefully into Severus' eyes.
Severus stopped what he was doing and looked up and at Ron.
"No, but I know who has him."
"Severus, I insist that you tell us all that you know."
"Albus, Harry needs help. I'm not going to just sit around here and tell you a long bloody story." Severus snapped and made to get up but Dumbledore put one strong hand on Severus' chest and pushed him back down.
"Severus, please." His voice though sounded pleadingly, had a tone that left no room for argument.
Remus rushed in at that point, quickly muttering to Albus that everyone was now in the Great Hall, except for Ron.
"Remus, would you please escort Mr. Weasley-"
"No, Sir please, I want to hear this." Ron begged Dumbledore.
"Severus, continue." Dumbledore finally said.
Ron smiled at Dumbledore thankfully and then paid attention to Severus.
"Well after I left here, I found my office and classroom in a mess. There were curse marks all over the place. I quickly went in search for Harry and I found him with a Death Eater. I was hit from behind before I could do anything, but I did see who the Death Eater was. Their mask wasn't on." Severus looked up at Remus. "It was Peter Pettigrew."
Remus took a step back and gasped.
"The next thing I remember was waking up with a Death Eater next to me." This time Severus looked at Dumbledore. "It was my father. He said that he had made a deal with Voldemort. That he would give him Harry, if Voldemort gave him something. I'm not sure what, he wouldn't tell me. Then I passed out and woke up in here." Severus finished quickly.
"Are you saying that Harry was taken away by Death Eaters?" Ron gasped.
"Was Lucius Malfoy there?" Remus asked.
"He could have been, but what does it matter?"
"I'm not sure. But I found out where Draco is." Remus held up the letter to Dumbledore.
"What do you mean you found out where Draco is?"
"He too went missing."
Severus sat back down on his bed in shock.
Dumbledore looked over the letter and frowned.
"Where is the 'Lair de serpent'?"
***
"Come on boy, wake up!"
Harry felt someone slap him across his face and he quickly snapped his eyes open, feeling startled.
"Now Potter, we wouldn't want you to miss all the fun now would we." Voldemort sneered at him from across the other side of the circle.
Harry retreated back into himself and tried to move back from Voldemort but the Death Eater standing behind him kicked him back into the middle of the group.
Harry whimpered, and looked up and into Draco's eyes. He could see the fear and shock in his eyes. They were all laughing at him except for Draco. Why was he here?
"I like to reward my faithful servants well, which is what I plan to do here tonight. Wormtail, bring Potter to me."
Harry saw a Death Eater, Pettigrew, walk over to him, and will trembling hands, he grabbed him by the arms and dragged him along and unceremoniously dropped him by Voldemort's feet.
"Blood" Voldemort casually said to Pettigrew.
Pettigrew pulled a dagger from out of his robes, bent down next to Harry, and then tightly held his arm with his hand that had the missing finger. Harry could tell because the glove he was wearing only had four fingers to it.
He slowly brought back the dagger and then stabbed Harry in the arm, dragging the blade down and causing the cut to go deeper.
Harry cried out in pain and tried to pull his arm away from Pettigrew, but his grip was too strong.
Harry saw Draco take a step towards him but his father placed a strong hand on his shoulder that stopped him from moving, giving him a warning look.
Pettigrew put the dagger back into his robe and then pulled out a vial, his other arm still holding Harry. He then put the vial up to where the blood was pouring freely out of his arm and let the vial fill.
After what felt like a very painful eternity Pettigrew pulled away, giving the now full vial to Voldemort who held it up to his eyes and smiled.
While he still looked at it, he spoke to Harry, but still loud enough for everyone else to hear. "I realized what happened that night Potter, but what it really was, was a blessing in disguise. You're blood is different, unique you might say. The love-" Voldemort spat out that word. "-you have running through you, in your blood is very powerful. And I intend to use it to its full potential."
Harry was barely listening; instead he was cradling his arm and trying to be as small as possible, huddling up into a ball.
Voldemort then went and tipped the blood into the cauldron and watched as it sizzled and hissed before finally settling.
Everyone watched in either horror or anticipation at what would happen.
After a few moments Severus' father took a flask and filled it up with the potion. Everyone was finally able to get a look at it, and it looked positively disgusting. It had blotches of green, red, and occasionally yellow could be distinguished. Harry felt his mouth go dry and any thought of eating food in the near future were gone. But then he doubted he would have much of one, it didn't look like he would live past tonight.
Severus' father walked over to the body of his wife which was now lying on the ground. He smoothed her hair back and then he opened her mouth and poured the potion inside. Once he could fit no more into her mouth, he put the flask back and kept one hand over her mouth keeping it shut tightly.
He kneeled down next to her and lifted the top part of her body off the ground and rested her upon his legs and began to stroke her throat, helping the potion to slide down and into her stomach.
Everyone seemed to hold their breath as they waited for something to happen. But the seconds started to turn into minutes, and still nothing happened.
Severus' father looked up from what he was doing and to Voldemort, who nodded his head at him signaling to keep going.
Then suddenly her body jerked, and it started to spasm uncontrollably. Her mouth opened and it seemed as if a silent scream was coming from her mouth, and yet not one sound came out, not a whimper, not a cry. Nothing.
Finally she stopped moving, and opened her eyes.
"Amanda?" Severus' father gasped, a tear falling down his face. "You don't know how long I've waited for this moment. I've missed you so much." He then pulled her close and hugged her tightly, but she didn't return it, she didn't even move her arms. He seemed to notice this too and pulled back.
"Amanda honey, are you alright?" He brought his hand to her chin and looked deeply into her eyes. And still, she just stared at him and didn't move.
Harry could see the love and hope in his eyes, yet in hers he didn't see anything.
"What's- What's wrong with her?" He asked, not taking his eyes away from his wife.
"Nothing is wrong with her. She is perfectly alive you idiot." Voldemort snapped at him, obviously getting angry at him. Any sane person would have kept quiet after that, but it seemed Severus' father had a death wish.
"Then why isn't she responding to me?"
Voldemort's nostrils flared and his top lip twitched in anger but he spoke with a dead calm voice.
"That is what you get, you can do as you please with her, she won't complain." Voldemort had as sick, twisted smile on his face, one that made Harry feel like throwing up again.
"That wasn't our deal"
"Our deal was that you bring me Potter, and I bring you your pathetic wife back from the dead. She is quite clearly alive-"
"Alive! She doesn't move, doesn't say a word, does she even have a bloody soul?" Severus' father stood up to face Voldemort.
"How dare you! I have been more then generous to you and this is the thanks I get? I don't think so." Voldemort lifted his wand and barely was able to get any words out before he spoke again.
"You told me I would get my wife back-"
"There is no bloody way to get a whole person back from the dead. Don't you think if there was then it would be more known? Even if it were dark magic, more people would be walking around-"
"Then our deal is off. I'll just take Potter back-"
"You're not going anywhere." Voldemort hissed.
Harry and the rest of the Death Eaters plus Draco had been watching the conversation get slowly into more and more dangerous ground. It seemed Voldemort's anger was evident to everyone there except Severus' father. He didn't even seem scared of him. Completely blinded for the love of his wife, enough so to join Voldemort, bring him back to the world, harm his own son and deliver an innocent boy pretty much to his death, just to get his wife back. It would have been sweet if it hadn't have cause so much damage and pain to so many people.
"Crucio" Voldemort hissed.
Severus' father hit the ground and ducked the curse easily, causing a Death Eater nearby to take the curse instead
Voldemort soon ended it and pointing his wand at the now crouching man.
"Avada Kedavra"
This time his aim was true. Severus' father now lay on the floor not moving. His face showed no sigh of shock or pain, it was just blank.
***
Severus looked up quickly.
"This is where it says Draco was to be taken." Dumbledore explained, still scanning the letter.
"What" Severus huffed, he again stood up.
"Where is it Severus?" Dumbledore asked urgently, looking up from the letter.
"I-I don't know. But it was what Voldemort would call his headquarters. It's French for Snake Lair."
"Then you must know, you were-" Remus started but Severus cut him off.
"He would change it all the time. I doubt he would have kept the same one he had all those years ago Lupin. Especially now the Ministry is now aware of it since all those trials happened" Severus glared at Remus.
"Why would Draco's father take him there?" Ron asked confused.
"That is most likely where Harry has been taken, so why would Lucius take him there? It makes no sense." Remus agreed with Ron.
"Oh no." Severus closed his eyes and brought his hand to his head, rubbing it lightly.
"Severus? Are you alright? Is it your head, come on, let me have a look." Pomfrey walked towards Severus but he shooed her away.
"Albus, may I have a look at that letter." Severus tried to stay calm.
Dumbledore wordlessly handed the letter over to him.
Severus skimmed through it and dread filled his eyes. "You bastard." Severus whispered.
"What is it Severus?"
Severus sighed and looked into Dumbledore's eyes. "I know why Draco is at 'Lair de serpent'.
***
Harry was slightly fascinated as he saw the curse fly through the air and hit his Severus' father. That same curse had killed his parents.
He got the feeling that Severus' father could have moved out of the way that time, his face also sided with that realization. There was no shock there, just resignation.
"My Lord-" A Death Eater came running in and was breathing in deeply, obviously he had run to get there. "-the wards have been broken. Aurors are on their way."
"Impossible, how did they know we were here?" One of the Death Eaters shouted, sounding worried. There was a soft murmur that went through the crowd of Death Eaters but Voldemort silenced them with a loud hiss.
"Silence, they are here for the change of night shift at Azkaban you idiots. Now we just have to make sure that we don't attract any attention to ourselves and they shall pass." Voldemort looked accusingly down at every one of his Death Eaters, eventually resting on Harry.
"Nagini-" A snake Harry hadn't noticed before looked up from its nap from the other side of the room, where it had been hidden by the Death Eaters previously and slowly slid its way to Voldemort. "-go outsssside and make ssssure the Aurors keep going."
Everyone seemed edgy in the room as the snake wove in and out of their feet, making its way to one of the two exits. It stopped in front of Harry.
"Ssssoon I'll get to eat you, sssssoon..." It then kept going, leaving Harry feeling pale and even more scared.
Voldemort smiled at him. "Lucius, take Potter down to his cell, As much as I would like to finish him off now, I'm not done playing with him yet."
Harry shivered at the thought and then was roughly pulled up into a standing position.
"Come along Draco."
They walked along the halls until they finally came back to the cell Harry had been in earlier.
Lucius chained Harry back up against the wall and started to walk back out.
"Father, can I stay here?" Draco asked timidly.
"You need to get back to Hogwarts Draco."
"Please father, just for a little while."
His father smiled at him and ruffled his hair. "I suppose you can taunt him for a little while, but I have to take you back to Hogwarts soon, that muggle-loving fool has most likely noticed you missing by now."
"Thank you father" Draco said sweetly, a grin covering his face.
"That's my boy. You'll do me proud one day Draco" His father then left through the doorway, leaving it open and stalked away. He obviously didn't think Harry would be going anywhere.
***
"Are you sure Severus?" Remus gasped, shocked at what Severus had just told them.
"Yes, I remember Lucius bragging about it the next day. He would always say that when it came to his kids, he wouldn't wait that long. I hadn't even thought about it until now."
"So Draco is seeing Harry getting tortured?" Ron felt sick.
Severus felt sorry for Ron, this boy he had known for almost as long as Harry.
"What are we going to do Albus?" Remus asked quietly, feeling lost and hopeless.
"I'll need to contact the Ministry immediately. They may have some leads on where they could be." Dumbledore looked gravely at them all and then quickly exited.
***
As soon as Lucius was gone the grin left Draco's face and turned to a wince.
"This place is disgusting." He put his fingers to his nose and blocked it.
Harry stared wearily at him, still a bit unsure of him.
"You alright Harry?" Draco walked over to him and kneeled down so they were eyelevel.
"Why are you here Draco?" Harry ignored his question, not really sure how to answer it.
"This is my Christmas present." Draco looked around in hatred. "If I had known, I would have purposely done something so bad that he would have taken this 'privilege' as he calls it away from me."
Harry sighed and looked Draco in the eye. "So then why are you still here now? You could be back at Hogwarts by now if you had left with him"
"Well to get you out of course" Draco answered as if it were obvious.
"Draco, you do know that you could just stay with your father and get out of here alive."
Draco looked down at his lap and fidgeted with his wand which he had just pulled out from his robes. He sighed and then looked up at Harry. "I know."
"Then why don't you?"
Draco sat down on the ground fully and let his shoulders slump, thinking about Harry's words.
"I guess because, I'm not prepared to just let you die here, I'm not ready to say good bye to you just yet." Draco smiled a bit shyly at Harry.
"Draco, there's a good chance that we won't make it out of here alive. Any Death Eater who will see me would kill me straight away, and there's a good chance they would to you as well."
"I would rather at least try Harry; staying here you'll die for sure, at least out there we have a chance."
"I would prefer you to stay with your father; at least I would know you were safe."
"Two wizards make a better team then one Harry, besides I know you'll need my help." Draco said smugly.
Harry smiled at him. "Okay, then you can lead the way."
Draco's face fell and he looked at Harry in shock. "Why do I have to lead?"
"Well you know the way out right."
"I wouldn't have a clue." Draco asked honestly.
Harry rolled his eyes. "How about you get me out of these chains? It will be a bit hard to escape with me stuck to this wall"
Draco pointed his wand at them and did a simple banishing charm.
"Thanks" Harry said while he got up off the floor, trying to steady himself. He still felt weak from having the Cruciatus curse on him for so long, plus his scar was still hurting. He straightened his glasses up, which he was sure the only reason they hadn't been broken throughout this ordeal was because of the Unbreakable charm he had put on it after he had broken them at least twenty times since the start of term.
Harry then walked over to the entrance and looked out, seeing there was two ways they could go, either left or right. "What way did you come from?"
Draco peered out as well and looked down both of the ways, trying to figure out which one looked more familiar. But both were poorly lit and looked identical both ways.
"I'm not sure. But we should get a move on before they send someone down here."
"Yeah" Harry agreed and they made their way down through to their left, deciding that was the way they should go, not for any particular reason.
They crept slowly along the hall, Draco behind Harry. Every few minutes they would stop and listen, just making sure there was nobody around.
Harry was sure they couldn't have gone this way before when he was brought into the cell, he didn't remember traveling for this long. When they first took Harry to his cell he was too busy with his thoughts to take any notice of where he was or what his surroundings were, he only took notice when he was already in the cell. And then he wasn't conscious when he was taken out. And again, when he was literally dumped back in there, he was in too much pain and shock to look at what way they were going.
Harry was so lost in his thoughts that he didn't hear the footsteps coming towards them. But fortunately Draco did and he pulled Harry into a room that broke off from the wall and they both quietly hid in one of its dark corners.
Harry was sure they would be able to hear his heart beating. It was pounding so loud and Harry tried to steady out his breathing and make it as quiet as he could. Looking at Draco, he imagined he was going through the same thing, but it was hard to tell since it was so dark.
A few minutes later the footsteps went past the room and slowly died out.
Harry let out a sigh of relief. He looked around the room to see what it was, but it was completely bare, it was just like the cell he had been in but it smelled fine and the walls weren't covered in blood and vomit. Harry felt himself pale as he thought of it.
"Harry look!" Draco pulled on his arm and pointed to the other end of the room.
Harry looked closely and saw what looked like a small hole. They quietly ran over to it and Harry looked out of it. There was grass on the other side. If they could get through there, then they would have a good chance of getting away.
"Draco, do you think we could fit through here?" Harry asked as quietly as he could while trying to move some of the solid dirt away from it.
"Are you kidding? I'd get stuck half way!"
"Come on Draco, I bet you we could."
"Yeah, you could. You are heaps skinny. But I actually eat Harry. There is no way I'll be able to fit."
Harry glared at Draco in frustration and then sighed.
"Then we will just have to make you fit. Come on, help push me through."
Harry laid down flat on his stomach and slid through the hole. Once he had his head through, he had to try to squeeze his shoulders in. He brought them as far to the front on his body as they would go and uncomfortably shuffled through the hole, with Draco pushing from the other side.
Finally once his shoulders were through he was able to use his arms to aid him the rest of the way.
He stood up and looked around, taking in a deep breath of fresh cool air. It was absolutely freezing out there, and the fact that it was the middle of winter was more then likely why.
Shivering he bent back down and told Draco to come through.
He saw Draco's hands merge through first, which Harry was able to grab hold of and pull, and much like Harry had, Draco finally got through. It was a tighter fit and Draco would probably have a few bruises where his ribs and shoulders had been squashed, but he was alright.
Smiling at each other they quickly made their way to the corner of the building. Looking around it they didn't see anyone. You would think they would have guards around the place, but it seemed they didn't. Probably to make it seem to anyone else like it was abandoned and empty.
Harry nodded to the forest and frowned as Draco's eyes widened and he shook his head.
"What's wrong?"
"I don't like the forest."
Harry's shoulders slumped and he looked at Draco pleadingly. "Do you have any other better ideas?"
Draco looked around and tried to find another way out.
"Look Draco, it's either the forest or the open road where we will be easily seen."
Draco looked back at Harry and then the forest. With a sigh and a slightly more trembling body, he moved towards it, Harry following him.
Just as they were about to enter the thick of it Harry stopped Draco.
"They would know we are gone by now right..."
"Most likely. Why?"
"So it won't matter... if we did something noticeable now would it?" Harry felt a small smile coming over his face.
"It depends... what do you have it mind?" Draco asked more then a bit hesitantly.
"Can I borrow your wand?"
"Why don't you use your own wand?" Draco held his wand closer to him, tightening his grip.
"Do you honestly think they would have let me keep my wand? They may be stupid but they aren't that stupid Draco. Here, I'll show you." Harry went to his pockets and emptied them out onto the ground. Harry gasped as he saw not only his wand was still there, but he also had some chocolate frogs. "Well I guess you can never underestimate the idiocy of a Death Eater..."
Draco smiled smugly and bent down to grab a chocolate frog.
"Draco, we need to save these for later. Who knows how long we will be in this forest." Harry grabbed the chocolate frogs out of his hand and then took his wand.
"But I'm hungry!" Draco whined.
Harry didn't answer but walked back over to the edge of the forest, holding his wand out.
"Fireworkso"
Draco gasped from behind him as he saw large, colorful and very loud fireworks erupt in the air just over the building.
Harry turned to Draco.
"That ought to attract the Aurors attention don't you think?" Harry asked innocently.
"Hey, so why don't we just wait for them to come, they could help us."
"Because, we can't be certain that they will get here before Death Eaters find us, we can't even be sure that they can see that." Harry pointed to the Fireworks up above. "We can't stay here and wait for them to catch us."
Draco took one last look at the fireworks that were still erupting in the sky, and then took off after Harry, who had already begun walking back through the forest.
Sorry, I didn't explain how Severus' mother's body was still fully intact very well; I was trying to get across that they had used an anti- decomposing charm or something on her body. I figured being wizards and all, they would be able to do something like that. I mentioned it before when Harry wanted Severus to dig up "Scabbers" but again, sorry!
A Different Life
Chapter 35 - The Letter
Ron was more then a little out of breath when he made it to his dorm room. He immediately fell to his knees at the foot of Harry's truck and opened it. Searching for the map he knew that Harry had in there somewhere.
After a few seconds of frantic searching he found it. He quickly pulled it out and ran over to his bed, kneeling in front of it, he placed the map on top and then took his wand out from his robes and pointed it at the map.
"I solemnly swear that I am up to no good."
The map came alive in front of his eyes and he searched for either Harry's or Draco's names.
Dumbledore and Remus finally entered.
"Ron- what do- you think- you are- doing?" Remus gasped out, trying to catch his breath.
"I can't find them anywhere. Not Harry or Draco."
Remus looked down at the map and picked it up, he too searching. Finally having caught his breath he spoke. "Why is it that in every situation where the map would be most useful, we are always last to think of it?"
"Now you are certain that you do not know where Harry or Draco could be at this time Ron?" Dumbledore asked seriously, not answering Remus' question.
"Well all I know about Harry is that he was supposed to meet his dad in his office for something. And then Draco left to..." Ron's eyes widened.
"Yes Ron?" Remus prompted.
"Draco went to his common room because he was getting a letter from his father."
"What was in the letter?" Remus asked.
Ron shook his head and shrugged. "His father mentioned his Christmas present. He said that his father was going to get him tonight to show Draco. Draco was going to check where it was that he was going." Ron then frowned. "So Draco's father must have come and collected him to take him wherever it was that he was to be going. But that doesn't help us with Harry though does it?"
"Perhaps it does..." Dumbledore seemed to be thinking, scratching his chin.
"Remus, I want you to take the map and get the rest of the students to the Great Hall, and try to and find Draco's letter."
Remus nodded and started to head towards the door, map in his hand.
"Wait, Draco said that he had put it in his trunk."
Remus nodded at Ron and then left.
"Come along Mr. Weasley. I think its time I took you to the Great Hall."
Ron's shoulders slumped, he still wanted to help. But he nodded at Dumbledore and let him lead the way towards the Great Hall.
They walked in silence and when they were about half way there, a frantic Pomfrey found them.
"Headmaster quick, Severus has awoken."
She hurried off and Dumbledore and Ron quickly followed.
***
"Severus?" Dumbledore said urgently as he rushed into the Hospital Wing.
Severus looked up from what he was doing. Once Madam Pomfrey had gone he had got changed as quickly as he could. His ankle was a hit sore and his ribs felt bruised. But the worst was his head, it ached. But nothing was going to stop him.
"Severus, I thought I told you to stay in bed. You are in no condition to be out-"
"I'm fine." Severus snapped out while tying up his shoelaces.
"And where do you think you're going?" Pomfrey glared at him.
"To get Harry, that's where!"
"Do you know where he is?" Ron stepped forward and looked hopefully into Severus' eyes.
Severus stopped what he was doing and looked up and at Ron.
"No, but I know who has him."
"Severus, I insist that you tell us all that you know."
"Albus, Harry needs help. I'm not going to just sit around here and tell you a long bloody story." Severus snapped and made to get up but Dumbledore put one strong hand on Severus' chest and pushed him back down.
"Severus, please." His voice though sounded pleadingly, had a tone that left no room for argument.
Remus rushed in at that point, quickly muttering to Albus that everyone was now in the Great Hall, except for Ron.
"Remus, would you please escort Mr. Weasley-"
"No, Sir please, I want to hear this." Ron begged Dumbledore.
"Severus, continue." Dumbledore finally said.
Ron smiled at Dumbledore thankfully and then paid attention to Severus.
"Well after I left here, I found my office and classroom in a mess. There were curse marks all over the place. I quickly went in search for Harry and I found him with a Death Eater. I was hit from behind before I could do anything, but I did see who the Death Eater was. Their mask wasn't on." Severus looked up at Remus. "It was Peter Pettigrew."
Remus took a step back and gasped.
"The next thing I remember was waking up with a Death Eater next to me." This time Severus looked at Dumbledore. "It was my father. He said that he had made a deal with Voldemort. That he would give him Harry, if Voldemort gave him something. I'm not sure what, he wouldn't tell me. Then I passed out and woke up in here." Severus finished quickly.
"Are you saying that Harry was taken away by Death Eaters?" Ron gasped.
"Was Lucius Malfoy there?" Remus asked.
"He could have been, but what does it matter?"
"I'm not sure. But I found out where Draco is." Remus held up the letter to Dumbledore.
"What do you mean you found out where Draco is?"
"He too went missing."
Severus sat back down on his bed in shock.
Dumbledore looked over the letter and frowned.
"Where is the 'Lair de serpent'?"
***
"Come on boy, wake up!"
Harry felt someone slap him across his face and he quickly snapped his eyes open, feeling startled.
"Now Potter, we wouldn't want you to miss all the fun now would we." Voldemort sneered at him from across the other side of the circle.
Harry retreated back into himself and tried to move back from Voldemort but the Death Eater standing behind him kicked him back into the middle of the group.
Harry whimpered, and looked up and into Draco's eyes. He could see the fear and shock in his eyes. They were all laughing at him except for Draco. Why was he here?
"I like to reward my faithful servants well, which is what I plan to do here tonight. Wormtail, bring Potter to me."
Harry saw a Death Eater, Pettigrew, walk over to him, and will trembling hands, he grabbed him by the arms and dragged him along and unceremoniously dropped him by Voldemort's feet.
"Blood" Voldemort casually said to Pettigrew.
Pettigrew pulled a dagger from out of his robes, bent down next to Harry, and then tightly held his arm with his hand that had the missing finger. Harry could tell because the glove he was wearing only had four fingers to it.
He slowly brought back the dagger and then stabbed Harry in the arm, dragging the blade down and causing the cut to go deeper.
Harry cried out in pain and tried to pull his arm away from Pettigrew, but his grip was too strong.
Harry saw Draco take a step towards him but his father placed a strong hand on his shoulder that stopped him from moving, giving him a warning look.
Pettigrew put the dagger back into his robe and then pulled out a vial, his other arm still holding Harry. He then put the vial up to where the blood was pouring freely out of his arm and let the vial fill.
After what felt like a very painful eternity Pettigrew pulled away, giving the now full vial to Voldemort who held it up to his eyes and smiled.
While he still looked at it, he spoke to Harry, but still loud enough for everyone else to hear. "I realized what happened that night Potter, but what it really was, was a blessing in disguise. You're blood is different, unique you might say. The love-" Voldemort spat out that word. "-you have running through you, in your blood is very powerful. And I intend to use it to its full potential."
Harry was barely listening; instead he was cradling his arm and trying to be as small as possible, huddling up into a ball.
Voldemort then went and tipped the blood into the cauldron and watched as it sizzled and hissed before finally settling.
Everyone watched in either horror or anticipation at what would happen.
After a few moments Severus' father took a flask and filled it up with the potion. Everyone was finally able to get a look at it, and it looked positively disgusting. It had blotches of green, red, and occasionally yellow could be distinguished. Harry felt his mouth go dry and any thought of eating food in the near future were gone. But then he doubted he would have much of one, it didn't look like he would live past tonight.
Severus' father walked over to the body of his wife which was now lying on the ground. He smoothed her hair back and then he opened her mouth and poured the potion inside. Once he could fit no more into her mouth, he put the flask back and kept one hand over her mouth keeping it shut tightly.
He kneeled down next to her and lifted the top part of her body off the ground and rested her upon his legs and began to stroke her throat, helping the potion to slide down and into her stomach.
Everyone seemed to hold their breath as they waited for something to happen. But the seconds started to turn into minutes, and still nothing happened.
Severus' father looked up from what he was doing and to Voldemort, who nodded his head at him signaling to keep going.
Then suddenly her body jerked, and it started to spasm uncontrollably. Her mouth opened and it seemed as if a silent scream was coming from her mouth, and yet not one sound came out, not a whimper, not a cry. Nothing.
Finally she stopped moving, and opened her eyes.
"Amanda?" Severus' father gasped, a tear falling down his face. "You don't know how long I've waited for this moment. I've missed you so much." He then pulled her close and hugged her tightly, but she didn't return it, she didn't even move her arms. He seemed to notice this too and pulled back.
"Amanda honey, are you alright?" He brought his hand to her chin and looked deeply into her eyes. And still, she just stared at him and didn't move.
Harry could see the love and hope in his eyes, yet in hers he didn't see anything.
"What's- What's wrong with her?" He asked, not taking his eyes away from his wife.
"Nothing is wrong with her. She is perfectly alive you idiot." Voldemort snapped at him, obviously getting angry at him. Any sane person would have kept quiet after that, but it seemed Severus' father had a death wish.
"Then why isn't she responding to me?"
Voldemort's nostrils flared and his top lip twitched in anger but he spoke with a dead calm voice.
"That is what you get, you can do as you please with her, she won't complain." Voldemort had as sick, twisted smile on his face, one that made Harry feel like throwing up again.
"That wasn't our deal"
"Our deal was that you bring me Potter, and I bring you your pathetic wife back from the dead. She is quite clearly alive-"
"Alive! She doesn't move, doesn't say a word, does she even have a bloody soul?" Severus' father stood up to face Voldemort.
"How dare you! I have been more then generous to you and this is the thanks I get? I don't think so." Voldemort lifted his wand and barely was able to get any words out before he spoke again.
"You told me I would get my wife back-"
"There is no bloody way to get a whole person back from the dead. Don't you think if there was then it would be more known? Even if it were dark magic, more people would be walking around-"
"Then our deal is off. I'll just take Potter back-"
"You're not going anywhere." Voldemort hissed.
Harry and the rest of the Death Eaters plus Draco had been watching the conversation get slowly into more and more dangerous ground. It seemed Voldemort's anger was evident to everyone there except Severus' father. He didn't even seem scared of him. Completely blinded for the love of his wife, enough so to join Voldemort, bring him back to the world, harm his own son and deliver an innocent boy pretty much to his death, just to get his wife back. It would have been sweet if it hadn't have cause so much damage and pain to so many people.
"Crucio" Voldemort hissed.
Severus' father hit the ground and ducked the curse easily, causing a Death Eater nearby to take the curse instead
Voldemort soon ended it and pointing his wand at the now crouching man.
"Avada Kedavra"
This time his aim was true. Severus' father now lay on the floor not moving. His face showed no sigh of shock or pain, it was just blank.
***
Severus looked up quickly.
"This is where it says Draco was to be taken." Dumbledore explained, still scanning the letter.
"What" Severus huffed, he again stood up.
"Where is it Severus?" Dumbledore asked urgently, looking up from the letter.
"I-I don't know. But it was what Voldemort would call his headquarters. It's French for Snake Lair."
"Then you must know, you were-" Remus started but Severus cut him off.
"He would change it all the time. I doubt he would have kept the same one he had all those years ago Lupin. Especially now the Ministry is now aware of it since all those trials happened" Severus glared at Remus.
"Why would Draco's father take him there?" Ron asked confused.
"That is most likely where Harry has been taken, so why would Lucius take him there? It makes no sense." Remus agreed with Ron.
"Oh no." Severus closed his eyes and brought his hand to his head, rubbing it lightly.
"Severus? Are you alright? Is it your head, come on, let me have a look." Pomfrey walked towards Severus but he shooed her away.
"Albus, may I have a look at that letter." Severus tried to stay calm.
Dumbledore wordlessly handed the letter over to him.
Severus skimmed through it and dread filled his eyes. "You bastard." Severus whispered.
"What is it Severus?"
Severus sighed and looked into Dumbledore's eyes. "I know why Draco is at 'Lair de serpent'.
***
Harry was slightly fascinated as he saw the curse fly through the air and hit his Severus' father. That same curse had killed his parents.
He got the feeling that Severus' father could have moved out of the way that time, his face also sided with that realization. There was no shock there, just resignation.
"My Lord-" A Death Eater came running in and was breathing in deeply, obviously he had run to get there. "-the wards have been broken. Aurors are on their way."
"Impossible, how did they know we were here?" One of the Death Eaters shouted, sounding worried. There was a soft murmur that went through the crowd of Death Eaters but Voldemort silenced them with a loud hiss.
"Silence, they are here for the change of night shift at Azkaban you idiots. Now we just have to make sure that we don't attract any attention to ourselves and they shall pass." Voldemort looked accusingly down at every one of his Death Eaters, eventually resting on Harry.
"Nagini-" A snake Harry hadn't noticed before looked up from its nap from the other side of the room, where it had been hidden by the Death Eaters previously and slowly slid its way to Voldemort. "-go outsssside and make ssssure the Aurors keep going."
Everyone seemed edgy in the room as the snake wove in and out of their feet, making its way to one of the two exits. It stopped in front of Harry.
"Ssssoon I'll get to eat you, sssssoon..." It then kept going, leaving Harry feeling pale and even more scared.
Voldemort smiled at him. "Lucius, take Potter down to his cell, As much as I would like to finish him off now, I'm not done playing with him yet."
Harry shivered at the thought and then was roughly pulled up into a standing position.
"Come along Draco."
They walked along the halls until they finally came back to the cell Harry had been in earlier.
Lucius chained Harry back up against the wall and started to walk back out.
"Father, can I stay here?" Draco asked timidly.
"You need to get back to Hogwarts Draco."
"Please father, just for a little while."
His father smiled at him and ruffled his hair. "I suppose you can taunt him for a little while, but I have to take you back to Hogwarts soon, that muggle-loving fool has most likely noticed you missing by now."
"Thank you father" Draco said sweetly, a grin covering his face.
"That's my boy. You'll do me proud one day Draco" His father then left through the doorway, leaving it open and stalked away. He obviously didn't think Harry would be going anywhere.
***
"Are you sure Severus?" Remus gasped, shocked at what Severus had just told them.
"Yes, I remember Lucius bragging about it the next day. He would always say that when it came to his kids, he wouldn't wait that long. I hadn't even thought about it until now."
"So Draco is seeing Harry getting tortured?" Ron felt sick.
Severus felt sorry for Ron, this boy he had known for almost as long as Harry.
"What are we going to do Albus?" Remus asked quietly, feeling lost and hopeless.
"I'll need to contact the Ministry immediately. They may have some leads on where they could be." Dumbledore looked gravely at them all and then quickly exited.
***
As soon as Lucius was gone the grin left Draco's face and turned to a wince.
"This place is disgusting." He put his fingers to his nose and blocked it.
Harry stared wearily at him, still a bit unsure of him.
"You alright Harry?" Draco walked over to him and kneeled down so they were eyelevel.
"Why are you here Draco?" Harry ignored his question, not really sure how to answer it.
"This is my Christmas present." Draco looked around in hatred. "If I had known, I would have purposely done something so bad that he would have taken this 'privilege' as he calls it away from me."
Harry sighed and looked Draco in the eye. "So then why are you still here now? You could be back at Hogwarts by now if you had left with him"
"Well to get you out of course" Draco answered as if it were obvious.
"Draco, you do know that you could just stay with your father and get out of here alive."
Draco looked down at his lap and fidgeted with his wand which he had just pulled out from his robes. He sighed and then looked up at Harry. "I know."
"Then why don't you?"
Draco sat down on the ground fully and let his shoulders slump, thinking about Harry's words.
"I guess because, I'm not prepared to just let you die here, I'm not ready to say good bye to you just yet." Draco smiled a bit shyly at Harry.
"Draco, there's a good chance that we won't make it out of here alive. Any Death Eater who will see me would kill me straight away, and there's a good chance they would to you as well."
"I would rather at least try Harry; staying here you'll die for sure, at least out there we have a chance."
"I would prefer you to stay with your father; at least I would know you were safe."
"Two wizards make a better team then one Harry, besides I know you'll need my help." Draco said smugly.
Harry smiled at him. "Okay, then you can lead the way."
Draco's face fell and he looked at Harry in shock. "Why do I have to lead?"
"Well you know the way out right."
"I wouldn't have a clue." Draco asked honestly.
Harry rolled his eyes. "How about you get me out of these chains? It will be a bit hard to escape with me stuck to this wall"
Draco pointed his wand at them and did a simple banishing charm.
"Thanks" Harry said while he got up off the floor, trying to steady himself. He still felt weak from having the Cruciatus curse on him for so long, plus his scar was still hurting. He straightened his glasses up, which he was sure the only reason they hadn't been broken throughout this ordeal was because of the Unbreakable charm he had put on it after he had broken them at least twenty times since the start of term.
Harry then walked over to the entrance and looked out, seeing there was two ways they could go, either left or right. "What way did you come from?"
Draco peered out as well and looked down both of the ways, trying to figure out which one looked more familiar. But both were poorly lit and looked identical both ways.
"I'm not sure. But we should get a move on before they send someone down here."
"Yeah" Harry agreed and they made their way down through to their left, deciding that was the way they should go, not for any particular reason.
They crept slowly along the hall, Draco behind Harry. Every few minutes they would stop and listen, just making sure there was nobody around.
Harry was sure they couldn't have gone this way before when he was brought into the cell, he didn't remember traveling for this long. When they first took Harry to his cell he was too busy with his thoughts to take any notice of where he was or what his surroundings were, he only took notice when he was already in the cell. And then he wasn't conscious when he was taken out. And again, when he was literally dumped back in there, he was in too much pain and shock to look at what way they were going.
Harry was so lost in his thoughts that he didn't hear the footsteps coming towards them. But fortunately Draco did and he pulled Harry into a room that broke off from the wall and they both quietly hid in one of its dark corners.
Harry was sure they would be able to hear his heart beating. It was pounding so loud and Harry tried to steady out his breathing and make it as quiet as he could. Looking at Draco, he imagined he was going through the same thing, but it was hard to tell since it was so dark.
A few minutes later the footsteps went past the room and slowly died out.
Harry let out a sigh of relief. He looked around the room to see what it was, but it was completely bare, it was just like the cell he had been in but it smelled fine and the walls weren't covered in blood and vomit. Harry felt himself pale as he thought of it.
"Harry look!" Draco pulled on his arm and pointed to the other end of the room.
Harry looked closely and saw what looked like a small hole. They quietly ran over to it and Harry looked out of it. There was grass on the other side. If they could get through there, then they would have a good chance of getting away.
"Draco, do you think we could fit through here?" Harry asked as quietly as he could while trying to move some of the solid dirt away from it.
"Are you kidding? I'd get stuck half way!"
"Come on Draco, I bet you we could."
"Yeah, you could. You are heaps skinny. But I actually eat Harry. There is no way I'll be able to fit."
Harry glared at Draco in frustration and then sighed.
"Then we will just have to make you fit. Come on, help push me through."
Harry laid down flat on his stomach and slid through the hole. Once he had his head through, he had to try to squeeze his shoulders in. He brought them as far to the front on his body as they would go and uncomfortably shuffled through the hole, with Draco pushing from the other side.
Finally once his shoulders were through he was able to use his arms to aid him the rest of the way.
He stood up and looked around, taking in a deep breath of fresh cool air. It was absolutely freezing out there, and the fact that it was the middle of winter was more then likely why.
Shivering he bent back down and told Draco to come through.
He saw Draco's hands merge through first, which Harry was able to grab hold of and pull, and much like Harry had, Draco finally got through. It was a tighter fit and Draco would probably have a few bruises where his ribs and shoulders had been squashed, but he was alright.
Smiling at each other they quickly made their way to the corner of the building. Looking around it they didn't see anyone. You would think they would have guards around the place, but it seemed they didn't. Probably to make it seem to anyone else like it was abandoned and empty.
Harry nodded to the forest and frowned as Draco's eyes widened and he shook his head.
"What's wrong?"
"I don't like the forest."
Harry's shoulders slumped and he looked at Draco pleadingly. "Do you have any other better ideas?"
Draco looked around and tried to find another way out.
"Look Draco, it's either the forest or the open road where we will be easily seen."
Draco looked back at Harry and then the forest. With a sigh and a slightly more trembling body, he moved towards it, Harry following him.
Just as they were about to enter the thick of it Harry stopped Draco.
"They would know we are gone by now right..."
"Most likely. Why?"
"So it won't matter... if we did something noticeable now would it?" Harry felt a small smile coming over his face.
"It depends... what do you have it mind?" Draco asked more then a bit hesitantly.
"Can I borrow your wand?"
"Why don't you use your own wand?" Draco held his wand closer to him, tightening his grip.
"Do you honestly think they would have let me keep my wand? They may be stupid but they aren't that stupid Draco. Here, I'll show you." Harry went to his pockets and emptied them out onto the ground. Harry gasped as he saw not only his wand was still there, but he also had some chocolate frogs. "Well I guess you can never underestimate the idiocy of a Death Eater..."
Draco smiled smugly and bent down to grab a chocolate frog.
"Draco, we need to save these for later. Who knows how long we will be in this forest." Harry grabbed the chocolate frogs out of his hand and then took his wand.
"But I'm hungry!" Draco whined.
Harry didn't answer but walked back over to the edge of the forest, holding his wand out.
"Fireworkso"
Draco gasped from behind him as he saw large, colorful and very loud fireworks erupt in the air just over the building.
Harry turned to Draco.
"That ought to attract the Aurors attention don't you think?" Harry asked innocently.
"Hey, so why don't we just wait for them to come, they could help us."
"Because, we can't be certain that they will get here before Death Eaters find us, we can't even be sure that they can see that." Harry pointed to the Fireworks up above. "We can't stay here and wait for them to catch us."
Draco took one last look at the fireworks that were still erupting in the sky, and then took off after Harry, who had already begun walking back through the forest.