Chapter 30

Dumbledore had just settled Ginny into the Hospital Wing when Remus Lupin came running in. From the bags under his eyes Dumbledore could tell that he hadn't gotten much sleep.

"Fawkes told me to come here. What's going on? Have you found Harry?" Lupin asked quickly then looking at the bed next to Dumbledore. "Good Lord, what happened to her?"

"Harry managed to create a port key to bring Ginny back." Dumbledore began before Lupin interrupted.

"Why didn't Harry come back too?"

"Remus I must ask you to calm down and let me explain." Dumbledore said as Lupin nodded. "Harry created a port key that brought Ginny back here. I believe that Harry was trying to protect his friend, much like James would have done." Dumbledore said as Lupins' face fell.

"Will Ginny be alright?" Lupin asked.

"Physically she is just fine. It may take a little longer to get over the emotional damage." Dumbledore answered.

"At least Ginny will be alright, even if we still have no idea where Harry is." Lupin said quietly.

"I never said we had no idea where Harry is." Dumbledore said as Lupin looked up.

"If you know where Harry is then what are we waiting for. We need to save him." Lupin said staring at the old man like he had lost his mind.

"Remus calm down. Before Harry sent Ginny back he told her to tell me these four words, 'the old Riddle house'. Now we at least have an idea as to his whereabouts. The only problem is finding the place. I'm sure that Voldemort has put as many charms on his headquarters as we have on ours." Dumbledore said.

"Then there is no chance that we will be able to find it." Lupin said sounding defeated. "Do you want me to call a meeting, or just contact Arthur and Molly?" Lupin asked.

"Contact Arthur and Molly first, then call a meeting. Make sure to stress to everyone that the meeting is to be held in my office. As most of our members would not otherwise be able to attend. After you have finished doing that I would like for you to tell Ron and Hermione what has happened." Dumbledore said.

As soon as Dumbledore was sure that lupin knew what to do he was off. Lupin didn't waste anytime contacting everyone and was greeted most enthusiastically by the Weasleys'.

Harry regained conciseness much more quickly this time. The first thing he was aware of was the fact that he had been returned to human form. The next thing that he realized was the fact that he was now chained to the wall. The last and most important thing that he became aware of was the fact the scar was on fire.

After several minutes of trying to occlude his mind, Harry was able to make the pain subside. It seemed like an eternity before anyone spoke and when at last someone said something the words were not comforting.

"Crucio!" A high, cold voice said almost lazily.

The pain that swept over Harry was so intense that he felt sure that his body was going to ripped apart. Even though the pain was more intense this time Harry wouldn't let a sound escape his lips. When the curse was lifted the voice said.

"I see you've learned to deal with pain Potter." Harry's only response was to spit out the blood, that had collected in his mouth, at the person. "I also see that your manners haven't improved much. Tell me do you want me to curse you again?" The voice asked.

For the first time Harry looked up. He knew that Voldemort wanted him to say no, they had after all played this very same game at the end of his fourth year. In truth Harry didn't want to be cursed again but he wouldn't say no, so instead he nodded. The action took everyone, even Harry, by surprise.

"That was stupid." Harry thought.

"Fine. If that's what you really want. Crucio!" Voldemort said again.

This time after the curse was lifted Harry was still visibly shaking. Voldemort noticed and smiled cruelly. Voldemort knew, or thought he knew, that he was making progress.

"That was quite a show you put on today Potter. I underestimated you. You were strong enough and smart enough to injure five of my Death Eaters and kill one. I could use someone like you. Join me and I'll spare your life." Voldemort said. All through this little 'speech' Harry's eyes never left Voldemort.

"No." Harry said. Then his eyes quickly finding Wormtail added. "Not all Gryffindors are weak."

"I'll come back in two days to receive my answer." Voldemort continued as if Harry had never spoken. "Until then my Death Eaters are free to do anything they please with you, except for killing you of course."

Voldemort left along with most of his Death Eaters. Wormtail was left to guard Harry. As soon as everyone was out of sight Harry said.

"Was it worth it?"

"W-was w-what w-worth it?" Wormtail stuttered.

"Was murdering my parents and having a hand in Sirius' death worth this? Was killing innocent people worth this?" Harry said is voice quiet but the anger and disgust evident. Wormtail let out a small scream.

"Answer me." Harry growled. "Was making my life a living hell worth what Voldemort gives you?"

Wormtail was saved from answering by the return of three more Death Eaters. One being Lucius Malfoy. Malfoy took one look and Wormtail and said.

"We ask you to guard Potter for five minutes and he's got you scared. You have got to be the most pathetic thing on this planet."

"What a brilliant observation Malfoy." Harry sneered. "Death Eaters are the most pathetic thing on this planet, including but not limited to you and your son who can't even duel properly." Harry finished not caring that he had just made things worse for himself.

"You brought this on yourself Potter." Malfoy said as his face redden. "Crucio!" Harry spent the next hour having varying degrees of the curse put on him. By the time the Death Eaters left Harry was unrecognizable except for his scar.