Chapter 2

The Execution

Harry waited as the guards unlocked the gate before him.

"There aren't any Dementors in there, are there?" Harry whispered to Sirius.

"No, Harry," said Sirius. "Not in this section. Voldemort was their ally."

"So what do I do?" Harry's stomach was a knot of nerves but he wasn't about to admit it to anyone, least of all Sirius.

"Just go to his cell and talk to him," said Sirius. "He is the only one in this section. There are four guards by his cell, although he wants to talk to you alone but that is up to you."

"How long do I have to talk to him?" said Harry.

"That is up to you too," said Sirius.

Harry nodded as he and Sirius entered another corridor. Another gate was opened for them.

"Does he know I'm coming?" said Harry.

"No, Harry. He doesn't."

Harry stared at the last gate. Sirius wouldn't be coming through this gate with him. He could see the wizards down the hall, standing by one particular cell.

"Harry," said Sirius. "You don't have to do this."

Harry looked at the floor. "Yes, I do. You know I do." He turned to Sirius as the barred gate was closed between them.

"Don't get too close to the cell, Harry," said Sirius. "If he touches you..."

Sirius left the statement open and Harry nodded and turned. He walked silently down the hall. The guards didn't even acknowledge as he approached but they did back away. Harry kept to the wall on the other side of Voldemort's cell. Harry's head was already hurting.

When he glimpsed the cell, he was surprised. There was a comfy armchair inside facing the bars (with Voldemort reclined in it) and a desk strewn with parchment and ink and quills. Voldemort looked totally at ease. His eyes were closed.

Harry leaned against the wall across the hall from Voldemort's cell and crossed his arms. Voldemort didn't move. Harry had never seen Voldemort in such a state of relaxation. Was he meditating? Was he asleep?

"Is it meal time again?" said Voldemort without opening his eyes. "I tire of the mundane schedule you people keep."

Harry had to give him that. He didn't know it was Harry, but Voldemort knew someone was there. Harry put his hand to his scar. Voldemort.

Harry had never seen Voldemort get up so fast.

Harry's eyes met his red gaze. "Did I sneak up on you, Voldemort?" said Harry.

Voldemort laughed with open delight. "Oh, Harry, how I have missed you." He moved to the bars. "So they have finally let you come to see me?"

"I'm here, aren't I," said Harry.

"I heard you were unconscious for three weeks."

"Fighting the strongest dark wizard of the century takes a lot out of a person," said Harry. "Even famous Harry Potter."

Voldemort chuckled. "Always the cynic, my Harry."

Harry straightened off the wall. "So what do you want?"

"Still cautious but curious, Harry?"

"Sort fuse, not stupid, remember," said Harry.

"Hmm, yes, Harry, I remember," said Voldemort. He looked at Harry in an inspecting way. "You've grown. Come here, so I can look at you properly."

"I don't think so," said Harry. "And you can't make me."

Voldemort frowned. "No? Very well. You'll have to wait until the execution to see." He settled back into his large chair.

Harry shrugged. "I'm not going to the execution."

Voldemort looked up. "But you must."

Harry frowned at him. That one statement seemed just too insistent. "Why?"

"How will you know if I am dead if you do not come?" said Voldemort.

"Sirius didn't want me to come today," said Harry. "He won't let me go to the execution."

"Sirius won't let you go see the wizard who killed your parents die?" said Voldemort with mock horror.

Harry smirked at him. "No," he said, but Harry was curious at Voldemort's expression.

"Well that complicates things," said Voldemort.

Harry stared at him. "Why?"

Voldemort smiled. "Ah, that curiosity of yours."

"I'm asking," said Harry. "Why?"

"Come here and I will tell you," said Voldemort.

Harry took a step toward the cell.

"NO, HARRY!" Sirius shouted from down the hall.

Harry's eyes were on Voldemort.

"It's the connection between us," said Voldemort.

"What about it?" said Harry, taking another step.

"Harry, I've already taken measures to insure that I won't die," said Voldemort. "Yet there will be a wizard who will be strong enough to destroy me."

Harry took another step toward the cell.

"Harry, stop!!!" shouted Sirius.

One more step and Harry would be in the flinch zone. "Me?" said Harry fearful, but knowing he was right.

"Yes, Harry." Voldemort rose from his chair and stepped toward the bars between them. Harry flinched.

"Their executioner will not be able to kill me," said Voldemort. "As soon as he tries, I will be free of my bonds and you will be the one who suffers."

"Me?" said Harry, confused. He took the last step and rested a hand on the bars between them. "I don't understand."

"HARRY."

Harry's gaze was locked in Voldemort's though. He didn't hear Sirius.

"Our connection, Harry," said Voldemort. "They will try to kill me but they can't. Only you can kill me. Once they try, you will be the one that suffers. That is why you have to be there. They have to see you so they can stop it."

"And you will get away?" said Harry.

"Yes, Harry."

"Why are you telling me?"

Voldemort chuckled. "Oh, Harry, don't you remember anything I have taught you?"

Harry glared at him. "Sirius and Dumbledore will believe me."

"But you won't tell them."

Harry looked at the floor and reality hit him. "It doesn't matter," said Harry.

"Why," quizzed Voldemort.

Harry looked up at him. "The Ministry is screaming for this execution. Nothing anyone says will stop them from trying to destroy you."

"Very good, Harry," said Voldemort. "I have taught you well. And you will come with me."

Harry stared at him and slowly shook his head. "No, Voldemort. I won't."

Voldemort reached through the bars and grasped Harry's chin. It had been a while since Harry felt the pain that accompanied Voldemort's touch. He slowly sank to his knees.

"NO!" screamed Sirius. "Open he the gate, damn it!"

"Harry, I don't give up easily," said Voldemort. He studied Harry's face closely. "Yes, my boy. Everything is working out exactly the way I planned it. I'm very pleased."

There was nothing Harry could say. He heard Sirius' foot steps pounding up the corridor and Voldemort let go of Harry's face.

"Oh, relax, Sirius," said Voldemort with a wave of his hand. "The boy is all right."

Sirius ignored him and pulled Harry away from Voldemort's cage.

"I'm OK," sail Harry.

"Make sure he comes to the execution, Sirius. You especially won't want him to miss it."

Harry wove through people, careful not to touch them. Sirius had remained adamant that Harry stay home but Harry had a Firebolt and an Invisibility Cloak. He had to go. Sirius would probably ground Harry for life, but Harry had to see if Voldemort was telling the truth. Voldemort rarely lied to Harry. Harry had a feeling he wasn't lying now either.

Voldemort was tied to a – a stake – and he was searching the crowd with is gaze.

They were going to burn him? Harry was horrified. Not that it was Voldemort, just that they still did that.

Voldemort didn't look worried as he scanned the crowd assembled.

"Sirius, where is Harry?" shouted Voldemort.

"He's not coming, Voldemort."

Voldemort didn't look happy. "So you will let him die alone?"

"What are you talking about?" said Sirius.

"As soon as they light this, I'll be free and Harry will burn for me," said Voldemort. "Do you want Harry to burn?"

Sirius gasped, his jaw falling open. "I don't believe you," said Sirius.

Harry inched closer. He had a clear view of the stake now. Voldemort was still looking around but now he looked concerned.

"Go and get him, Sirius," said Voldemort. "He has to be here."

Voldemort wanted Harry to be there. Was he afraid for Harry?

Harry touched his scar. Voldemort.

Harry saw Voldemort's head rise sharply and he searched the crowd again. He knew Harry was there.

Voldemort smiled. "He's here, Sirius," said Voldemort. "He listened to me. He knows I always tell him the truth."

The executioner approached the stake and read the charges, which were extensive. Then he addressed the crowd who became enthusiastic with death chants. He picked up the torch and the crowd went nuts.

Harry watched in horrified fascination. No one deserved this more than Voldemort but the crowd's blood lust was like nothing Harry had ever seen.

The executioner touched the torch to the kindling and the stake erupted in flames. Harry watched in a sort of numb state of dread. The larger pieces of wood caught and the flames grew hotter.

Heat converged on Harry. He started to sweat.

Voldemort looked around. The flames around him didn't seem to effect him. When his face disappeared through smoke and flames, Harry felt himself choking.

His lungs hurt and he coughed. The heat was unbearable. He threw off the cloak, falling to the ground. He couldn't breathe. His skin felt like he had the worst sunburn of his life. His hands were blistering.

I'm burning.

Harry screamed.

"STOP," Sirius yelled, turning to find Harry. "PUT IT OUT."

People were rushing around Harry, but all Harry could feel was his skin burning. He screamed again. He felt water being dumped on him. He screamed again.

A blanket was wrapped around him and someone was holding him tightly around the chest.

"Harry?"

Harry heard Sirius voice and let his head fall into his chest. "I'm sorry, Sirius."

Harry was shaking so badly. He couldn't feel Sirius' arms around him and wondered why.

Harry didn't want to move. Didn't want to think. Just wanted to lie there on Sirius' chest.

An explosion erupted and people started screaming. Harry tried to reach up an arm to clutch Sirius, but Sirius was pulled, wretched, ripped, away from Harry and Harry felt excruciating pain as another arm wrapped around his chest.

"The truth is so much more satisfying," said Voldemort. "Isn't it, Harry?"

Harry heard another explosion and more screaming.

"Focus on me, Harry," said Voldemort.