I wake suddenly to the sound of screeching metal above my head. The trapdoor has been opened and I have to blink at the sudden intrusion of light. I hold a hand up to my eyes and watch as one of the guards appear.
"Get over here," he orders sharply. "Both of you."
I look over and see Draco also holding a protective hand up to his eyes. We both crawl forward and look up at the guard through the small opening, a wooden stepladder is then lowered down into the Box. My legs shake from sitting motionless for two days and it takes me a few tries to climb the steep steps, especially with the added handicap of not having my arms free for balance. When I step into the light I notice that the left lens of my glasses is cracked and broken. I was so out of it when the guard threw me in here two days ago that I didn't even hear them break, and of course with not having any light, I wouldn't have noticed any difference in my vision.
"Excuse me," I speak up while Draco is still climbing. "Can you remove these?" I turn my back to the guard and wiggle my shackled wrists.
"Sorry, Potter,' he sneers. "We have to keep you in the cuffs until you're back in your cell. Safety first, and all that."
I want to cry as the guard denies my request and now places Draco in handcuffs as well. The pain in my arms and shoulders has grown unbearable.
We stand and wait while he lifts the ladder and closes the trapdoor. I fervently hope that I will never be locked in there again.
Instead of being led to our cell, we are both taken to the visitor's room. Once inside, I can't help but whimper in relief as they finally remove the cruel steel from my wrists. Although hard to believe, the pain has actually increased now that I have the necessary freedom to move my arms around. Little darts of pain are now shooting through my muscles and tendons.
We both sit down at the metal table. I continue to massage my shoulders as best I can while we wait.
"At least they took the cuffs off this time," Draco offers, breaking the silence.
"I wonder why they let us in here without them today."
He shrugs. "Maybe it just depends on the particular guard."
"Maybe." I squint at the bright lights in annoyance. "Are your eyes hurting as much as mine?"
"Probably." Draco rubs at his eyes, and it's then I notice the redness of them. "Those bastards probably put us in here because it's the brightest room in Grace and they knew the light would affect us after being in that bloody box."
"Wouldn't doubt it." I snort in agreement, leaning my head to one side as I try to massage the kinks from my poor neck.
"I wonder who's coming to see us today?" Draco muses, eyes flicking to the door and back.
"Dunno."
"Well, whoever it is I hope they bring good news."
I stop what I'm doing to close my eyes with a sigh. "Maybe it's Dumbledore coming to tell us that they've caught the murderer and that we're free."
Draco smiles. "And when we return, I am presented with the Order of Merlin first class." I can tell he's picturing it all now; some grand presentation ceremony all in his honour.
"For what?"
"Doesn't matter, I deserve one just for being put through this. They owe me."
"What about me?" I ask pointedly.
"You get the Order of Merlin second class." He smirks.
"Thanks," I reply sarcastically.
"You'll always be second to me, Potter."
"You wish." I roll my eyes. "And you're supposed to be calling me, Harry, remember?"
"Yeah, alright." His smirk turns into a smile at my stubborn expression.
I turn in my seat as the door opens behind me. I suddenly grin as Lupin walks into the room. He looks exhausted, but seems happy to see me.
"Professor Lupin," I greet happily.
"You really need to stop calling me that, Harry." He smiles as he squeezes my shoulder before sitting down across from us. "What's wrong?" he asks, hearing my hiss of discomfort.
"It's…nothing. My shoulder's just a bit sore, that's all."
"And what happened to your glasses?" Lupin asks, frowning in concern.
"Er…I accidentally broke them."
I can feel Draco's gaze on me and I ignore his curious look.
"Hmm…just a minute." My former professor stands and walks to the door.
"Why didn't-"
"Shh!" I hiss at Draco. "I'll tell you later. Just don't mention anything about what happened, okay?"
He nods slowly, his brow furrowed in confusion.
Remus converses with one of the on-duty guards quietly for a few minutes, then returns with his wand and two more guards, all of who are watching his every move.
"Give me your glasses, Harry,' Remus orders, holding out his hand. "Now, keep your eyes open wide and try not to flinch."
"What are you doing?" I ask nervously as he kneels before me, the tip of his wand pointing ominously between my eyes.
"I'm just going to use a little sight healing spell so that you won't have to worry about your glasses in here. It will be much more practical."
"Okay…" I hear myself answer.
Remus smiles reassuringly. "Okay, on the count of three – one, two, three!"
I focus on trying to keep my eyes open as Remus quietly mutters the spell. Strange white sparkles invade my vision and a kind of warm feeling flows over my eyes. It doesn't hurt, it just feels like I've opened my eyes underwater in a warm bath.
"There!" Remus announces triumphantly as the sparkles fade and the room suddenly comes into focus.
I look around me, blinking in amazement.
Remus hands his wand back to one of the guards and they swiftly leave the three of us alone.
"Better?" Remus asks me as he sits down.
"Much." I can't help but grin like an idiot. At least breaking my glasses will be one less thing to worry about.
"Why didn't you get that done sooner?" Draco asks.
I shrug. "I dunno. I didn't even know it was possible." I turn to Remus. "Why do some wizards wear glasses then?"
"The spell only lasts a couple of years at a time," Lupin explains. "And it's only safe to cast it about ten times at the most in your lifetime. So, if you keep it up on your own, Harry, you'll have to stop when you're about thirty-seven."
"If I ever reach thirty-seven," I grumble darkly.
Remus reaches across and puts a comforting hand over mine. "You will, Harry. Don't say that." He sighs heavily and pulls his hand away. "But I'm afraid I do bring some bad news with me today."
"Great, just keep heaping it on," Draco mutters sarcastically.
"What is it?" I ask, my eyes searching Remus' face.
He takes a deep breath and addresses us both. "There was an attack last night, on a group of muggles. It was horrific, to say the least. A group of Death Eaters swarmed a muggle movie theatre and tortured and killed everyone inside - children included."
"Oh god…" I breathe, stunned – and sickened.
"Anyway," Remus continues, looking quite ill himself. "The Ministry has been in a flurry of activity all night dealing with it. The worst part is that we didn't catch a single one. We had no warning at all. They weren't trying to bargain for anything, it was simply a demonstration of their power and ruthlessness."
"If only we'd had a spy in there…"
I glance at Draco as the blond trails off.
Remus shifts uncomfortably. "Yes…that would have been very useful."
"Does this have something to do with us?" I ask.
"Yes, unfortunately it does." He sighs and closes his eyes briefly. "Because the Ministry has precious few Auror's right now, as well as other policing personnel, they've decided to put your case on hold while they continue to investigate this. Their reason is that they've reached a stalemate in your case, as nothing concrete has been found so far."
"What?" I gape in shock. "They're…they're abandoning us?"
"No, Harry," Remus is quick to reassure. "It's just for a little while, plus your friends will still be working on it."
"This was deliberate," Draco suddenly says coldly.
"How do you mean?" I ask, turning to him.
"Whoever it was out there who killed Professor Snape, wanted to distract the Ministry so that they would leave us in here to rot."
Remus sighs again, raising a hand to rub tired eyes. "That thought did cross my mind as well."
"But that doesn't really help us in any way, since it's just supposition on our part," I finally say aloud into the gloomy silence. "Right?"
Remus nods and Draco crosses his arms over his chest, looking as though he's trying to comfort himself, or else withdraw into his own thoughts.
"How did you know it was Death Eaters if you didn't catch any of them?" I ask.
"They left their calling card."
"The Dark Mark," I state dully.
Remus nods and Draco's arms tighten around himself.
"What do you think it will take for them to return to our case?" I ask. "They can't honestly be holding out for the capture of every single D.E out there, as well as nabbing Voldemort himself."
"I'm not sure, Harry. Maybe until they capture one Death Eater and use Veritaserum on him, see if he knows anything about Professor Snape's murder."
"I hope the Auror's don't kill first and then ask questions later, because that could leave us in here…well, forever."
Draco suddenly nods, coming back to himself. "Yeah, if they unintentionally kill the person – or Death Eater, as we can probably assume – that is responsible, then we have no chance in hell of being freed."
The two of us both stare at Remus. I don't have to look at Draco to know that he has the same despondent expression dimming his eyes that I know has to be in mine. I don't care if I look hopeless and scared – because I bloody well am!
Remus shakes his head and reaches across for my hand once more, this time keeping his fingers pressed tightly to my own. "I will never give up on this - on you - Harry, because I know you're innocent. I'm with you until you're free, I can promise you that."
I start to smile, then realize that Remus forgot something - or rather - someone.
"And Draco, too," I add firmly.
Remus' eyes flick over to Draco and the blond stiffens, turning away. I smile inwardly as I watch brown eyes turn soft and a kind smile is suddenly sent in Draco's direction. I know now that Remus believes me, that he is going to work for the both of us to be free. It's not just his best friend's son in prison anymore, it's two seventeen year olds in need of help.
"Of course," he says, eyes still on Draco's down-turned face. "Like I said, I'm with you 'til the end – both of you. I know only too well what it's like to be ostracized because of something you have no control over, like a disease…or maybe a name," he adds with quiet understanding.
Draco looks up and readily meets Remus' gaze. Although there is no outward change of emotion, Draco's nod of acceptance means a lot more than words or tears could ever convey.
"I'll leave you boys now," Remus says, careful to address us both. "And I'll try to visit as often as I can, to update you, or even just so you can see a familiar face."
I smile and rise from my seat as Remus walks around the table. He embraces me and I close my eyes for second as I bury my face into his chest, inhaling a scent that is familiar, and something other than the depressing stench of an all-male prison. The smell of him reminds me of Hogwarts and those wonderful days that now seem a world away.
I stagger a little when the warmth is taken away.
Draco looks a little uncomfortable as Remus pats him on the shoulder in passing, but I can't help but wonder if deep down he is pleased.
Remus smiles one last time, then he is gone.
The handcuffs are replaced and the long procession back to our cell begins. Only…where are we going?
Draco beats me to it.
"Where are we going?" he asks, keeping a fear out of his voice that I know I would not have been able too.
"There's been a change of plans, boys," the guard answers with a smirk. "We're moving you to a new home."
"Why?" I ask, mouth suddenly dry.
"Because we don't like babying people in this institution. It is much more practical to put as many criminals as we can into one cell."
"But Dumbledore-"
The hard, wooden club of the guard behind me suddenly jabs me in the lower back. "Enough questions. Keep your fucking mouth shut, Potter."
I stumble a little, but keep walking. Concentrating on Draco's blond head ahead of me.
Unbidden, my mind starts to wander, thinking up different scenarios, each one worst than the last. I have to fight back the urge to ask another question as the thought of being put with those Carnal Boys enters my mind.
I honestly don't know what I would do if I had to live and sleep in the same cell as them. It would probably kill me – or they would.
"Get in."
I blink, realizing that I had completely zoned out there for awhile. I look up and breathe out in relief when I see that the Carnal Boys are not the faces looking back at me from within our new cell. In fact, there is one very welcome face.
"Amari!" I smile as the guard removes my handcuffs and I walk inside.
"Bakari." Amari takes me by the shoulders and looks into my face. "It is good to see you. I had heard that you and your friend had been put in the Box."
"Yeah." I nod, trying not to think about that tiny room that holds nothing but darkness.
"But you were together, so – not so bad, my friend." Amari looks up and includes Draco in his wise gaze and warm smile.
Draco sidles over, carefully looking over the other prisoners in the cell.
Amari watches him. "They are all right, friend. Old, like me. But perhaps not so handsome."
I laugh and Draco raises a brow at him.
"Come, have something to eat."
My mouth drops open in surprise as Amari crouches down and lifts one end of the mat at our feet. Underneath is a small, crude hole, filled with an assortment of food and snacks.
"I pried up one of the old stones," Amari explains, smiling at my expression. "Each of us now carries a small piece of every meal back to our room."
"Your room?" Draco repeats with another raise of his brow.
"Yes. We do not like to call it a 'cell,' it is now our home. Our room. This is our sanctuary, the bars keep the guards out."
"Unless they have a key," Draco mutters at me out of the side of his mouth.
I snort and quickly put a hand over my mouth to stifle the sound.
Amari lifts some of the food from the hole and holds it out for each of us to take.
Draco and I both settle on the floor to eat our little impromptu lunch. I feel almost ravenous with hunger now that I have food in my hands once more. I practically inhale the horrendous prison food, but at this point, it practically tastes gourmet. I've never seen Draco eat so fast in my life, forgoing his usual perfect manners and scarfing it down with bare, dirty hands.
Amari watches over us in satisfaction. "Just make sure the vark do not see you eating here. We always turn our backs to the door while we eat, and check before we open the secret hole."
"Vark?" I question, licking my finger.
"Vark – it is our name for the guards here. It is my native tongue, and the word means 'pigs.' They do not know what it means and so are not offended. It is merely another way for us to feel as though we have some power over these soulless creatures."
I nod, smiling slowly. "Yeah…I'll be sure to call them that from now on. What other bad words can you teach us?"
Draco looks up in interest as he wipes his hands on his prison trousers.
"That is enough, friends. It is time to go out into the yard for some much needed fresh air. I think that you both are looking forward to going outside again after your punishment, yes?"
"Yeah, I guess." I sigh reluctantly. I had been hoping for some nasty words to use against the guards, and maybe even the Carnal Boys, without them having a clue what I was saying. I guess I could always use Parseltongue….but that could create more problems then it's worth.
Amari stands and we also rise to our feet, walking over to the cell door and waiting for it to open. I nod a greeting to the other occupants of our 'room,' but they look a little….spaced out.
"What's with them?" I whisper to Amari, still frowning slightly as I watch the other inmates.
Amari looks saddened as he answers. "They have been in here a very long time. Longer than myself. After awhile a person can lose their mind in here. I think, maybe, that some do it on purpose - to escape."
"Are they innocent?" I ask, curiously.
"Ah, that is the question, Bakari. That is the question."
I look at Amari to see if he is going to explain further. He doesn't. I glance at Draco and see him back away from Amari and the rest of our new cellmates.
I smile in amusement and catch his eye. He lifts a finger to his temple and circles it in the air to demonstrate just how completely crazy he thinks they all are.
I just shrug and smile. We could've been stuck with much worse company than these senile old wizards. Much worse.
The air outside in the yard hits me like….well, like a breath of fresh air. It feels wonderful to feel wind again, and air, and to be able to walk around and move, and see. I keep having to restrain myself from reaching up to adjust my glasses, I keep forgetting that they're not there. It's a very strange feeling.
"How you doing, boys?" Jack calls out as the three of us approach, a lit cigarette hanging from between his lips.
I smile and wave. Draco smirks at me and I glare at him in return.
"Hope they didn't treat you too badly," Little Slick quips, rubbing his hands together for warmth.
"They didn't take Harry's handcuffs off," Draco replies right away.
I elbow him sharply. "Ow! What the fuck was that for?" Draco cries, rubbing his side.
"They did what?" Jack demands, looking pissed off.
"It's okay," I say hurriedly. "It was only for two days."
"Bastards." They nod their heads in agreement and I glare one more time at Malfoy.
"What?"
I shake my head. "Not here," I say quietly. I turn back to Jack. "Want to play Stones, Jack?" I suggest brightly.
"Sure, squirt." Jack grins roguishly and empties his pockets of his collection of smooth rocks used for the game.
We all sit down and play about five rounds of Stones before we are called back inside. I can't help but feel as though Draco is watching me the entire time, but every time I sneak a glance at the blond, he is looking the other way.
I shake my head. Not long now, Harry, before you're able to join the mental party currently going on in your new cell.
I snort at my inner voice. Another sure sign that I'm losing it.
Once back in our cell, Amari announces that he's off to take advantage of one of the two allotted shower times during the day. I grab Draco's sleeve as he also makes to leave.
"What?" he asks, annoyed.
"We need to talk," I say importantly.
"Aw, are you breaking up with me, Harry?"
I roll my eyes. "No, Draco, I just think that there are a few things that we still need to talk about."
"Yes, well, be that as it may, I still need to have a shower. I've gone two days without."
"No, you can't." I grab at his sleeve again. "We should take advantage of the fact that Amari is going to be away for awhile."
Draco sighs dramatically, as if making the biggest sacrifice in history. "Fine, if we must."
"Good." I nod, releasing his arm. "Let's sit down."
We both drag one of the mats over under the window, the furthest away from the other loonies in here, and sit down facing each other.
"I thought we got everything off our chests yesterday," Draco says first.
"Hardly," I reply. "I don't know about you, but if we're going to be able to trust each other, I think you should know everything about me."
"And in return, you want to know everything about me, is that it?" Draco asks coolly.
"No," I exclaim. "I don't care if you only tell me your favourite colour, I just want us to trust each other. That's all."
Draco relaxes slightly. "Fine. Tell me something then."
I take a deep breath and push down the urge to strangle the boy. "Alright." I glance quickly at our cellmates, lowering my voice as a precaution. "But everything we learn right now still falls under that 'I swear not to tell upon penalty of death' rule. Same as yesterday, okay?"
"Yeah, yeah." Draco nods, looking impatient.
"Okay." I swallow once, gathering my courage and hoping that I'm not making a horrible mistake by divulging this to him. "Do you remember when Dumbledore came to see us our first week here?"
He nods.
"Well, do you also remember when he asked me not tell the court something? A secret, that I was to keep from them?"
Draco's eyes widen a fraction, but he answers in a careless tone. "Yeah."
I lick my lips. "Okay, this is it." I pause, uncertainly. "Do you really promise-"
"Oh, for fuck's sake, just get on with it, Potter!"
I lean in closer and start talking before I can change my mind. "When I was fifteen I found out that a prophecy had been made before my birth, a prophecy about me and Voldemort."
Draco also leans in, interested despite his best efforts.
"Dumbledore was one of two people who heard the prophecy being made, and he finally told me at the end of the school year what it said. It goes something like this: 'The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches. Born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies. And the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not. And either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives. The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies…'
"Holy shit…" Draco says, looking stunned, and just a little awed.
"Yeah," I agree, my voice shaky. "So now I am expected to rid the world of Voldemort once again, only this time he knows who I am, what I'm capable of, and of course, my weaknesses." I shut my eyes against the sudden image of Sirius.
"Harry?"
"There's more." I open my eyes, forcing myself to continue. "In my third year at Hogwarts, I found out that I had a godfather, who had been a very dear friend of my father's at school. His name is…was, Sirius Black."
Draco seems to be searching my face for something, perhaps to see if I am kidding.
"And then," I continue, now staring at my hands. "I find out that he's not the mass murderer everyone suspected him of being, he was framed….much like us, I guess. He was wonderful to be around. A perfect godfather, I guess you could say. But…when I said that Voldemort knew my weaknesses, I wasn't lying. He knew about Sirius. He tricked me into thinking that he had Sirius trapped at the Ministry of Magic, and of course, being the idiotic person that I am, I went chasing after him – with no thought as to whether it was true or not." I have to close my eyes again. The scene replaying in full technicolour in my mind.
"So, I show up and it turns out that it was of course a trap. A trap set to lure me away from Dumbledore and everyone else that was trying so hard to protect me from falling for exactly that. My friends – my poor, faithful friends – even came with me. I brought them into that whole mess." My eyes clench tighter. "They were hurt, all of them. And Sirius…Sirius fell through this…black veil. And now he's gone. D-Dead."
I open my eyes and stare back at Draco. "I don't want to tell Remus about the Box or anything else in here that might make him upset because there's nothing he can do about it and he'll just feel badly. He has enough to deal with right now. Sirius was his best friend, and he only just got him back before he was taken away again – for good."
Draco opens his mouth, but I cut him off.
"I don't have some stupid crush on Jack. He reminds me so much of Sirius that it hurts, and I just want to be his friend. Maybe it's stupid, and maybe it's a pathetic attempt to replace my godfather, I don't really know, but I'm past caring. Not only is the only real father I've ever known dead because of me, but I am also expected to kill the most evil and powerful wizard of our time, and right now I'm stuck in prison for a crime I didn't commit and may never get out."
I breathe heavily as my tirade comes to an end.
Draco stares at me for a second, then, "Harry?"
"What?"
"My favourite colour is blue."
I let out a half sob, half laugh and look up at him.
He smiles tentatively. I smile back.
And then we begin to talk.
