Authors Note: School is cruel.
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Harry assembled his wits as he walked softly on a wet lawn. The surroundings were gloomy and dark- much like his feelings. In the distance he could see black shadows gathering- they were Death Eaters.
"We're going to get through this Harry, just be brave." Lupin spoke softly.
Harry could tell from Lupin's mannerisms he was not quite calm himself. They were quiet as they brushed past a few hooded people.
"Where's Voldemort?" Harry whispered to Lupin.
"I don't see him." Lupin answered. "Shhh."
Harry waited as more and more people gathered. They seemed much more relaxed, talking to each other in normal voiced.
"- the green tea is excellent at the Twisted Tavern. That's where I murdered my ex-wife you know."
"Really? That was you? I think I read about that. Was that the murder of the woman who mysteriously died from drinking car oil?"
"Yeah- that was me!"
"Bloody brilliant if you don't mind me saying! Er- no pun intended of course."
"Oh that's alright, I always hated the old bag. I only married her for her social standing."
Harry stomach dropped even farther. Who were these people? Was Snape like this when he first joined? And who would be dense enough to not notice they were drinking car oil after the first sip?
Harry felt Lupin tense against him. He quickly looked up to see the tormentor of his life…Voldemort.
He hadn't grown any prettier from their last meeting either. Harry felt all his insides churning. He would be discovered, tortured, and who knew what else.
"Aw crap, I told Sera to wash this thing." said a Death Eater who didn't notice the quiet.
Harry focused on the Death Eater- anything but to look at Voldemort. The uniformed man was scratching at a stain in the front of his robe obviously irritated.
"Potter still lives." Voldemort hissed. "I know all of you have been given assignments to carry out one way or another. We will now check on your progress…"
Harry waited as Death Eaters around him approached Voldemort, groveling at his feet, speaking about what they had done to help the demise of Harry or the building of a fiendish army. Some were punished, some were left to carry on.
"You." Said a Death Eater approaching Harry. "Your turn."
"Now or never." Harry thought lamely stealing a hooded look at Lupin. "Hopefully never again."
Harry felt his legs shake as he made his way up to Voldemort and leaned down to kiss his robes.
"Potter lives. Why is that Severus?" Voldemort hissed in a vengeful tone.
"I failed you." Harry said in a mechanically stiff voice. He thanked Merlin Snape had some sort of automatic life-saving mannerisms. Being nervously stupid was not one of them.
"Yes Snape, you did. I expected as much, but that does not excuse your lack of effort." Voldemort spoke cruelly slicing threw Harry.
Harry said nothing but remained bowed.
"I have no time for your failures. Crucio." Voldemort hissed.
Harry felt the all-too-familiar feeling of being in intense pain. He rolled on the grown groaning and screaming in a voice that wasn't his. But another thing was quite alarming, he felt like his mind was melting. He scarcely noticed two hands dragging him away.
"Get up Snape and stop licking the ground." Came a very steady voice.
"Mr. Malfoy?" Harry said confused trying to fight the sick feeling in his throat.
"Keep it down Snape, we're not supposed to announce to the whole world who we are." Lucius half-shouted hypocritically. "I only dragged you away because I owed you. We're even now- got it?"
"Uh, sure. Of course." Harry said feeling a bit less dizzy.
"The Dark Lord has no need of us now." Lucius said stiffly. "We can get out of this poorly held torture session. I know a safe place where we can go without being badgered by the Ministry."
Harry had the distinct feeling Lucius was grinning; this made him feel even more ill.
"I can't leave yet. I came with someone." Harry said dumbly.
"Suit yourself. Oh, by the way, Draco wrote me yesterday. He was very upset- something about glue?" Lucius asked airily.
Harry was listening to Malfoy- with all the hooded people around, how was he to figure which one was Lupin? It's obvious that Lupin couldn't pick him out among the Death Eaters either.
At the lack of response Lucius made a small sigh and left. Harry got up walking cautiously, unwillingly, towards the Death Eaters. Perhaps if he got close enough to hear their voice, he could find Lupin. After all, most of the Death Eaters had gone home.
"Hello how are you doing?" Harry asked the first candidate weakly.
"Fine thank you- well, except for this stupid meeting. I know we should show our loyalty and all but-"
Harry left the guy chatting and started to ask around. Sometimes he got silent people who just waved him away. He was soon losing hope. There was one last lone group of Death Eaters Harry approached.
"Werewolves would be great to recruit. The savages are gullible, and desperate for acceptance." Said the leader.
All of the Death Eaters cheered in agreement, except one.
"That's Lupin." Harry thought going straight for him.
"Let's get out of here." Harry spoke to the alienated Death Eater.
"I have to wait for my father to come back. Who are you?" said a cold voice.
Harry's heart dropped into his chest. Obviously it wasn't Lupin.
"They're also extremely stupid- why, all we would have to do is tell them what do to and they'd do it!" The leader screamed louder.
Harry's ears perked up.
"Yes, that's completely true!" Harry shouted over the crowd.
How stupid could he have been? Lupin wasn't waiting for Harry to find him, he was trying to find Harry. Obviously he was talking about what he knew best- himself.
"Well friends, I must leave. Now remember, werewolves are the key." The leader said pushing towards Harry.
"It's me." Harry whispered to the leader.
"Are you alright? I couldn't get to you in time, someone carried you off." Lupin whispered walking away from the group hastily.
"I know, it was Lucius Malfoy." Said Harry his body aching.
"Malfoy? Well that figures. I figured you'd be clever enough to find me. I'm sorry I wasn't there for you…" Lupin mumbled.
"No, I'm fine really. You're idea worked. We found each other." Harry said happy to be alive. "Voldemort wasn't as involved with me as I thought he would be. He didn't even ask me about Hogwarts. He just tortured me for failing."
"…I'm not sure if that's good or bad." Lupin whispered, despite the fact they were now several yards away from the Death Eaters. With some advanced magic, Lupin and Harry found themselves on the outskirts of the Hogwarts property.
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Authors Note: Crisis averted- or is it?