Harry weakly opened one of his eyes. He had to blink away the blood. He was having a hard time breathing as well, the air seemed to catch in his chest. Harry was up against a stone wall, shackled against it. He was spread eagle, his wrists shackled above his head. Harry looked around. He didn't see much...he couldn't see much. Just a flickering light. Harry heard several sets of feet slapping against the damp floor. Three men stepped in front of Harry. Or, at least two men. The other was a monster. A monster with a flat face with snake like attributes. Voldemort smiled happily as he stared at Harry, completely helpless. A small pool of blood was appearing around Harry. Voldemort just smiled...

HOGWARTS WELCOMING FEAST NEXT NIGHT

Abby, Ron and Hermione sat at the Gryffindor table in the Great Hall. Harry hadn't been on the train and they were all getting worried. When Dumbledore rose from his chair, he wasn't wearing his usual smile and his eyes were not twinkling. He cleared his throat and the remaining chatter stopped.

"Let the feast begin." He said in a hollow voice. Almost the whole student body was staring at Dumbledore, despite the fact the food had appeared. There was no emotion in his voice. Ron was slowly putting things on his plate, still glancing up and down the table. Hermione filled her bowl with some soup, but didn't touch it. Abby did not touch the food. She was staring at the head table. Her eyes locked with Dumbledore's, but the old man quickly broke the connection. Abby also noticed that Professor Lupin wasn't there. She bit her lip. Something wasn't right. Something was going on...

After the last of the puddings had cleared, Dumbledore got to his feet again. He looked across the hall and his eyes fell on the Gryffindor table.

"I would like to remind everyone that the Forest in the grounds is out-of-bounds to students..." Dumbledore said loudly. He hesitated and began to talk again, but faltered. People were staring at him. They could tell something was going on.

"I would like to inform all the students residing in Gryffindor house, that your head of house will be speaking to you about an absent student at your table. Prefects, please lead your student up to their common rooms." Dumbledore said wearily. He sat back down and rested his face in his hands. This was nothing like Dumbledore had ever done. Ron, Hermione and Abby stood. They hurried up to Gryffindor tower and were there even before their Prefect. While they were waiting, Hermione tapped her foot.

"What?" Ron asked irritably.

"They haven't assigned a Head Boy or Girl yet!" She said shrilly. Ron looked at her.

"So?" He asked. Hermione became livid. Lucky for Ron the Prefect appeared and gave the password. Abby caught sight of Professor McGonagall coming, she was very pale and her hands were shaking. There was something really wrong going on...

The whole of Gryffindor house crowded around the common room. Professor McGonagall was shaking as she stood in front of the portrait hole.

"Some of you may have noticed that Harry Potter was absent from the feast tonight..." She said weakly. There were murmurs around the common room and Abby felt the bottom of her stomach drop.

"Last night, there was an incident at Mr Potter's home and he's...he's...he's currently missing." McGonagall continued. Abby had to clamp a hand over her mouth to stop from screaming. Hermione did the same thing. Ron, was just staring blankly.

"We have no idea where Harry is but everyone is doing everything they can to find him. You will be updated regularly and there are people available if you need someone to talk to." McGonagall choked. She quickly turned and hurried from the common room. There was a roar of chatter that broke out. Some of the girls were crying and most of the boys were shocked. Abby's hand was still over her mouth and tears were streaming down her face. Ron grabbed her by the arm and pulled her out of the crowd. Hermione was shocked as well, but she wasn't crying. Ron was staring at Abby.

"I'm s-sure he's f-fine!" He said shakily. Abby closed her eyes, but the tears just came faster.

"Abby, I'm sure he's fine." Hermione said tonelessly. Abby lowered her hand and stared at Hermione.

"What if he's not? What am I going to do?" She sobbed. Ron and Hermione were staring at her.

"What?" Ron asked. Abby turned to him.

"I love him!" She sobbed. Abby then turned and darted up the stairs to her dormitory. Tears were now brimming in Hermione's eyes.

"Do you think they..." She began. Ron shook his head.

"She's probably just crushing over him." He mumbled. Hermione nodded and left. Ron leaned against the wall. He closed his eyes and prayed that Harry was okay. He prayed with all his heart.

ONE WEEK LATER

Sirius sat on the couch at Lupin's house. He couldn't be back at his house...the blood hadn't been cleaned up. There were still investigators going through everything. Sirius had his face pressed into his hands as he sat there. This was different than when Harry had run away. Harry could have come back any time he wanted. Not now though...he was being held hostage. There were people in Lupin's kitchen, including Lupin himself. He had taken a leave of absence from Hogwarts to help Sirius. Sirius lifted his head and got up from the couch. His attitude had taken a sudden change. He wasn't sad anymore, he was angry. That was an understatement. He was pissed. Sirius stormed out of the living room. The people in the kitchen jumped as the backdoor slammed shut. They all glanced nervously at Lupin.

"I'll check on him." He said hastily. The others nodded and Lupin hurried out of the house. He sighed when he saw Sirius. A punching bag was hanging in mid air and Sirius was beating the sh!t out of it. Lupin hesitated, then crossed the lawn.

"Sirius?" He asked quietly. Sirius spun around and took a swing at Lupin. Lupin ducked just in time. He raised himself and grabbed Sirius by the wrists. Sirius pulled for a minute, then gave up. Lupin stared at him. Sirius was pale and there was sweat on his face, mingly with tears. He was breathing heavily, trying to hide his sobs.

"Padfoot..." Lupin said quietly. Sirius crumpled. He wasn't angry anymore, back to sad. The tears rolled down his face.

"He's dead Remus!" He cried. Lupin felt a lump in his throat, but shook his head.

"No, no he's not. We'll find him." He said shakily. Sirius shook his head.

"No...they wouldn't keep him alive for a week. They wouldn't do it." He sobbed. Lupin bit his lip. He didn't say it, but he had a feeling Sirius was right. Why would they keep Harry alive?

Harry had been slipping in and out of consciousness all week. It seemed like every hour, someone was coming in to torture him. It was often Voldemort, but sometimes a Death Eater. By far their favorite was the Cruciatus curse. Harry felt like he was going insane. He had lost track of all date and time. He was now, slowly slipping out of consciousness. His head was lolling to one side, blood dripping onto the floor. The heavy, metal door slowly opened and someone stepped in. Harry knew who it was...his scar was starting to burn. There were slow, drawling footsteps...then, they stopped.

"Not doing well Potter?" Voldemort hissed. Harry mustered all of his strength and lifted his head. Voldemort was sneering at him. Harry took a deep breath, then spit on Voldemort. There was a combination of blood and saliva slowly crawling down the snake like face. Voldemort became livid. He lifted a hand and wipe the combination off his face.

"Fine Potter! I was just going to kill you and put you out of your pain, but now..." Voldemort spat as he raised his wand.

"CRUCIO!" He screeched. Pain surged through Harry's body. He screamed out in pain as what felt like lighting, rippled through his body. Voldemort didn't remove his wand. Harry felt himself slipping. He was going...going...

Voldemort lowered his wand and Harry fell limp. Voldemort laughed.

"Come Severus..." He sneered to the Death Eater in the corner. The two men left the cave. The Death Eater hesitated, then hurried out after his master. Harry's eyes rolled back into his head as he just hung there. The pool of blood beneath him, was much larger now. Harry was losing too much blood...