CHAPTER 10

(A/N: I am sorry to say that I will now only be posting one chapter every few days, school has become increasingly annoying and homework filled –A.S.Leif)

That weekend was the first Hogsmede trip of the year and Harry was planning to visit the twins' shop again. As he went twoards the hall, he ws stopped by McGonagall. "Mr.Potter, the Headmaster does not think it is a good idea for you to visit Hogsmede this year," she said, not quite meeting his eyes.

Harry's own eyes sparked with anger, but it was not at her. "He didn't think my departure during the summer was a good idea; he didn't think Remus as my guardian was a good idea; he didn't think telling me about my parents' will was a good idea." He said coldly. "Quite frankly, I'm not sure I trust his judgement anymore. I'm going, please tell him what I've just told you. Thank you Professor, and have a nice day." With that he followed the other students outside.

The twins were doing fine and were happy to see Harry and Alex again and they teased Ron about the bet. Harry had left quickly with Alex after that, not wanting to be caught in the middle, and went to buy some more parchment, quills and ink.

While moving through the massive crowds, Harry's scar began to burn furiously. "We've got to go back to Hogwarts," he told Alex, "Something's wrong, I should to tell Dumbledore." She nodded and they told the rest of their friends and then began to walk back to the school. As they entered the doors, they saw the entire Order already there, along with Flitwick and Splikvin. "Sorry to interupt," Harry said as the adults stared, "My scar started to burn, I thought I should tell you."

Dumbledore nodded. "Voldemort is attacking the Dursleys." He said gravely.

Harry's hands clentched into fists and he immediately called Hedwig. "Go to Privet Drive would you? I'll be along as soon as I can." She nodded and dissapeared in a burst of flame.

"Harry I cannot allow you to leave this castle," Dumbledore said, "It is too dangerous."

Harry glared at the older wizard, his wand slid into his hand and the wind inside picked up. "Sir, by now you should realize that you cannot control me like some weapon. I make my own choices. I don't like the Dursleys, I have no reason to, but it's not their fault that Voldemort has made them a target. I won't let them suffer—any more than I would let my friends." The wind swirled faster.

"Harry," Selena warned quietly.

He knew what she meant and called the wind down. Dumbledore took out his own wand. "I am truly sorry Harry, but you may not leave." He said, and accio'd Harry's wand.

"I don't need Hedwig or a wand to leave." Harry then continued in a much colder voice, "During the summer I said I trusted you, and you said you'd trust me; I guess that was a lie. Good-bye Headmaster." Instantly, he did a double teleport to number four Privet Drive.

The house was being bombarded by hexes and spells the Death Eaters threw, and the shield the Order had placed on the house flickered each time. "Aunt Petunia!" Harry called, dashing through the house, "Dudely, Uncle Vernon!" he found them cowering in the living room. He took out his second wand and created a portkey to Hogwarts out of his cloak, "Take this, it'll get you out of here!"

"What the hell is going on boy?" Vernon shouted.

"Voldemort," Harry answered, just as the shield broke down. They still hadn't touched the portkey, and it was clear they weren't planning to. "Hedwig, take them."

She obeyed and the three muggles dissapeared with her. The house began to burn and Harry was thrown backwards by the explosion of the front door. His wand flew out of his hand and that was when Voldemort entered the room. Harry's wand hit the portkey and it vanished to Harry's bed in Gryffindor Tower.

"Well Harry, we meet again." Voldemort said.

Harry stood up. "Apparently so."

Voldemort looked around the living room. "What a pity, the muggles are gone. Your work, I presume?"

"What does it matter?"

The Dark Lord smiled, "None. And now, I can do what I wish." He reached out with a hand and grabbed Harry's arm; they then dissapeared.

Harry was taken to a large stone room with pillars holding up the ceiling; snakes were carved everywhere. A dark green rug led the way to a stone a silver throne; what looked suspiciously like blood encrusted the floor in places. "Welcome to my home Harry," Voldemort said, as Death eaters apperated to the scene. "And here is my family." Voldemort smiled, and Harry's painful stay began.

Harry feebily moved his wrists as the chains cut into them. The days had gone by painfully slow—literally. Voldemort had cast a time-altering spell as they went through the torture sessions, so Harry had no idea how long he'd been there. Harry'd been hit by every hex and curse inmaginable. Cruciatus was a favorite amoung them; not surprising really. Of course, there were also potions they forced him to drink, ones that made his blood burn, or his bones break, splinter thenn reform. It was probably Snape who made them, Harry thought. Crabbe, Goyle and Wormtail were the few who chose physical attacks. I'm gonna melt that silver hand of his eventually. Harry thought with amusement. The only thing he ever did was think, he hadn't uttered a sound since the Dursleys' attack. After a few moments, he decided to take inventory of his current injuries to give him something to do. Well, a couple of broken ribs, a messed up leg, dislocated shouler, some burns…not as bad as last time; pity I can't call the elements. Voldemort had made sure the room was locked tight from the rest of the world and Harry hadn't ever had the energy to call for help.

Just then, the door creaked open and three people entered. Harry listened to their footsteps with sharp hearing, and quietly sniffed the air since a spell had removed his sight; his other senses had increased greatly. Funny how much of an animal I am, he thought, trying to identify his visitors. He smelt water soaking their robes and damp stone. One of them was musky and had an almost fur-like smell. The other two were very similar to each other; they smelled like salt and stone, along with ash and various ingrediants. Either the three were Death Eaters who weren't in their usual costume, or they weren't Death Eaters at all.

The musky one stepped forward and knelt in front of him. "Harry?" he whispered.

Harry turned his cut face and sightless gaze up to the familiar voice. "'Ello Moony." He croaked, barely audible. They were his first sounds since he'd come to this hell-hole, and it was strange.

"Hurry Remus," another said. It was Splikvin. "They know we're here."

Moony hurriedly returned to the task at hand and tried to undo the locks on Harry's chains, it didn't work. "Need a Mark," Harry croaked.

The last person came over. "Hold still Potter." They said, and rolled up their sleeve. Harry knew that voice, it was Snape's.

"Yes Sir," he replied. Snape pressed his Dark Mark to the lock, which glowed green to the others, then opened. Remus caught Harry as he toppled forward.

"Got him," Remus said, "Let's go." He helped Harry out of the room, half carrying the younger wizard. Low, hurried steps met Harry's ears.

"They're comin'." Harry warned.

Selena cursed. "Take Harry, I'll go the other way. We'll meet up at either Headquarters or Hogwarts, whenever we can. I'll contact one of you as soon as I get out."

"Selena-" Snape began, she cut him off.

"No Sev, just go. I'll draw them off." With that she dashed away as quielty as a shadow to the two men, but Harry heard her clearly.

They continued down the winding hallways, picking up the pace when the footsteps got louder. A few shouts and fading footsteps told them that Selena had suceeded in drawing the Death Eaters away. Upon reaching poutside, the smells hit Harry with an almost physical force. So used to the smell of potions, blood and Death Eaters, they were completely alien to him. Remus cursed as a spell wizzed by them and the full moon appeared from behind the mountains. "I'll take him." Snape said, and Remus placed Harry in his arms.

"I'll ward them off until you get in the air," Remus said, voice growing rougher by the second, "May whatever gods exist help you."

"The same for you," Snape replied and mounted a broom then kicked off with Harry still in his grip. Three Death Eaters that hadn't followed Selena came out of the castle and found a fully transformed werewolf waiting for them as the other two flew out of sight.

"Does Remus know... how t' get back?" Harry croaked after a few minutes.

"Yes," Snape replied.

"Did Dumbledore…send you?"

"No. Lupin was very—upset, by your abduction. He wouldn't eat anything or talk to anyone. Dumbledore let him out of the castle, worried that Lupin might loose control over his transformations while near the students. Alastor finally got someone to look at the star chart you drew over the summer and was able to find out where the Dark Lord's base was. Lupin immediatley began to prepare a misson to find you, Selena was in agreement."

"Why...did she...come?" His throat was sore, but he had a lot of questions.

"She protects her students; it is her form of duty. And she does not take loosing a student well."

"And—you?"

Snape was silent for a minute or two. "Because your father asked me to look after you in his letter." He replied.

If Harry had his vision, he would have seen the worried look in Snape's eyes as the potions master looked him over. "How long have you been like this?" he asked bluntly.

Harry thought about it. "Can't tell. A time-altering spell—on the room. Only know that this was—the ninety-second—session."

"Session?" Snape repeated.

"Uh-huh. Ended up worse... than this." Harry didn't see Snape wince, but he felt it. "How long... have I been…gone?"

"You were taken on November first. It's now the twenty first." Snape replied.

Three weeks he'd been gone, it had seemed like three years. "Is—are my friends okay?" he asked.

"Anyone in particular?"

"Ron, Hermione... Draco and Alex mainly."

He could tell Snape was somewhat uncomfortable with the last name. "The Weasleys naturally were distraught, almost as much as Lupin. Granger was the same, as were Longbottom and several other Gryffindors. Draco, I am not sure; he has been very sullen recently, but I did not know the reason. Miss Zolar was… not pleased at all."

Uh-oh, Harry thought, then asked out loud. "What'd she…do?"

"Besides blaming my former connection with the Dark Lord for your capture, skipping my classes, and firing a rather large and solid dragon patronous at me, not much."

Harry raised an eyebrow, had Snape just made a joke? Then, a howl met his ears—it sounded like Moony. "Remus'... nearby," he said hoarsly, "below, I think."

Snape looked down, the boy was right. "And Selena is with him." The relief was only half-hidden in his voice. They began to descend and Harry enjoyed the feeling of flight; enjoyment was something he hadn't experienced in a long while.

"Are you alright?" Snape asked Splikvin as they touched ground.

"Yes, just had a small scuff with Peter," she replied, "Ready to go back?"

Snape dismounted, still holding Harry. "If you and Lupin are." Remus quietly howled his agreement. Selena held out a scarf and they were portkeyed to the Hogwarts infirmary.

"Poppy!" Splikvin called, helping Snape put Harry on a bed.

Harry heard the nurse come out and gasp, "Mr.Potter?"

He attempted a smile, gazing at where he guessed her to be. "'Ello Madam Pomfrey." He croaked. She wasted no time in beginning her work. While Remus watched, Snape left to pass the word of Harry's return on to the Weasleys, and Selena and Madam Pomfrey began to heal his injuries.

The matron gave him several pain relieving potions, as well as scar-vanishing, bruise and cut healing potions. She got out her wand and started on his shoulder. Splikvin put a hand over his eyes and began to work on his sight. Hedwig appeared, singing both joyfully and sadly as she added her tears to help. Harry heard the Weasleys before they slammed the doors open. Ron, Hermione, Ginny and Alex were the first ones in, followed closely by Mr. And Mrs. Weasley and Draco.

"Hey," he greeted quietly at their entrance, "Long time no see."

"Bad joke there Potter," Draco said, a bit of a smile in his voice. Just then, Selena finished removing the spell on his eyes, and their emerald color returned. After so many days of darkness, the moonlight even burned and Harry quickly shut his eyes. He opened them slowly, allowing himself time to adjust to the colors and light.

"Drink this, Mr.Potter." Mme. Pomfrey ordered, "You can talk once you're healed."

Harry obeyed. With a tired smile at his visitors, he fell into a calm, dreamless sleep—amoung friends at last.

Coming Up:

New appearance

Catching up with the world

News: good and bad

Then:

Chain magic

Classes begin again