Chapter 5: Crucios, Crying, and Correspondence

Around 10:00pm that same night…


A tall, skeletal form sat regally in his chair waiting in a shadowy chamber. The meager source of light came only from the few torches that outlined the walls. The eerie silence that plagued this intimidating location was broken at the arrival of dozens of dark robed people arriving via portkeys.

The recent newcomers eyed each other and then shifted instantly into their familiar positions, creating a semi circle in front of their leader who sat in an elevated position of power. Shivers ran throughout their bodies when they distinguished the scarlet vertical pupils, extremely pale skin, and the unnaturally long fingers that rapped rhythmically against the handle of his throne like seat.

"Ah…my loyal followers have finally arrived," the snake like voiced hissed dangerously.

"Pettigrew! What news do you bring me?"

The small rat-like man quickly made his way over and kissed the hem of his master's robes, returning back to the middle of the chamber with his master in front of him and the followers behind him.

"M-master, I w-went through all the u-usual s-sources…and t-they all said the s-same thing…" he stuttered nervously.

"Out with it already you stumbling fool, as you know not to test my patience playing games…"

"T-they report those c-captured at the Ministry are being held in various u-undisclosed locations, but n-none of them are a-aware where these locations may be, or what s-security m-measures are b-being used."

"The old fool's work no doubt. This displeases me greatly…and you know what happens when I unhappy…" he maliciously smiled.

The man's already pasty complexion lost any of the color it previously had, and his small watery eyes widened in fear of the pain he was about to experience.

"Crucio!"

The excruciating pain was all consuming, and he felt the painful impression of smoldering hot knives piercing his entire body, while his bones felt on fire. It was all too much, and he could no longer contain the screams that fought to exit his mouth.

"Return to your spot you worthless fool."

Rising slowly, it took the mana good dealofeffort to stumble back to his position, as the pain was still coursing through his body and he could feel the increased rate of his heartbeats.

"My dear Bella…front and center as I have a few questions for you to answer."

"Yes, my Lord."

After bowing and kissing his robes, the most feared female Death Eater stood midpoint, feeling an extreme amount of trepidation as thoughts of what her master would do to her raced through her mind.

"How is it…that a dozen of my followers could not best six untrained school children?" he questioned, the disgust evident in his tone of voice.

"They surprised us Master…we didn't expect th - "

"Crucio!" he spat, cutting off her weak excuse of an explanationand while leaving the torturous spell upon her, he continued on with his questioning.

"How is it…that you failed to retrieve the prophecy from Potter…that you failed to even kill a single child…and on top of it, manage to lose me six of my servants!"

The angered intensified the powerful magic, and the escaped convict found herself wishing to be back in Azkaban rather than experiencing her master's rage.

"I-I d-don't k-know m…my L-Lord…" she worked out between gasps.

"Get up Bella and crawl back to your position!"

"Severus my good man…your turn now," he cheerfully called out.

As the Hogwarts professor followed the mandatory custom of bowing and kissing the half-blood lord's robes, he prepared himself by throwing up his mental shields with all his concentration.

"Yes my Lord?" he calmly questioned.

"What information do you bring me concerning Potter's whereabouts?"

"The same as always Master, he is with his muggle relatives for the summer," he truthfully answered.

"And what of their location?"

"Unknown my Lord. Dumbledore has grown cautious of everyone. I have heard rumors that Potter is under the Fidelius protection, and Dumbledore is his secret keeper," he said skillfully.

"That would be surprising if proven true, but not unexpected. We will soon discover his location."

Severus Snape thinking his interrogation had come to a conclusion bowed his head and began backing up to retake his vacated spot, when the snake-like voice brought his movements to a sudden halt.

"Severus have you forgotten something?"

"My Lord?"

"Crucio!"

Withering upon the cold stone floor, clenching his uneven and yellowish teeth, the marked follower held true and did not allow a squeak to escape his lips.

"I cannot allow my Potions master to get rusty on me now, can I?" he evilly remarked as he lifted the curse.

"On second thought, I think you have all become sloppy and careless…a reminder should do you well…think of it as compliments from that annoying brat Potter."

"Crucio!" he yelled again while motioning his wand like a conductor, and the gathered faction crumpled to the ground at almost the same time. Few contained themselves and were able to remain silent, butfound themselvesstill subjected to the pulsating screams that echoed around them.

"Enough…remove yourselves from my sight. Pettigrew remain here."

"Do not fret my little rodent…now tell me what you were able to determine from your other objective…"

11:30pm the next day...


Inside the nearly empty halls of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, or more specifically the Headmaster's office, Albus Dumbledore leaned back heavily into his chair behind his desk, and with one hand removed his half-moon spectacles and began rubbing small circles into his temple. His other hand hung carelessly over his armrest, his long fingers barely clutching the single piece of parchment he had just finished reading.

After a few minutes of pondering, the aged man extracted his wand from his purple robes and pointed it towards the parchment, igniting it with a small ball of flames. Placing the rapidly decaying parchment on a small dish that sat atop his desk, he watched it fade from existence while staring at it thoughtfully, with a small frown framing his face and his usually bright twinkling eyes absent.

His blue eyes quickly shifted towards the doorway of his office, and with a small smirk he waved his hand that was presently under his desk in the same direction.


Minerva McGonagall strode effortlessly down the vacant hallways for a woman of her age, flashing in and out of the shadows like a botched disillusionment charm. Coming to a halt in front of the stone gargoyle that guarded the entrance to the Headmaster's office, she peered cautiously over her shoulder scanning the long corridor.

"Acid Pops," she softly uttered while rolling her eyes.

The gargoyle then came to life and shifted aside, the wall behind it revealing a stone staircase moving like a spiral escalator. Stepping onto the moving flight of stairs while the wall behind her closed with a thud, she rode upward in tight circles until reaching the polished doorway. Before she could even grasp door's brass griffin knocker, it swung open on its own accord granting access to the half-darkened room.

"Is everything alright Albus?" she questioned, while her keen sense of smell picked up the faint traces of burnt parchment and her eyes darted around the area of his desk.

She watched him place his fingertips together in front of his face, barely touching his long crooked nose as he gazed at her for minute. Slowly separating his hands and digging inside his robes, he lifted a small tin and flicked the lid open.

"Lemon Drop?"

"No, but thank you anyway." she respectfully declined.

Not breaking eye contact and waiting for him to answer her original question, he slightly bowed his head and popped the sour candy inside his mouth.

"Things are just fine for now Minerva." He quietly answered.

"I take it that you are here to inform me of your departure?" he added a few moments later.

"Yes, I'm about to make my way over to the meeting now."

"Very well…I will see you when it is about to commence."

"Of course." she replied as she turned on her heel and made her way out of the office.


As Dumbledore walked through the door to the basement kitchen of number twelve Grimmauld Place, he eyed three empty chairs while making for his spot at the head of the long wooden table in the middle of the room. Minutes later two redheaded teenagers swept through the door wearing big, goofy, identical grins, and realizing the present situation they began with their usual back and forth repartee.

"Ah dear brother, it seems that - "

"our streak has come to a disappointing end - "

"for we are not the last ones to arrive."

"I told you that your watch was running fast!" one of the twins hissed to the other sibling.

"Boys, please take your seats," the bearded professor chuckled with a twinkle in his eye.

With a pair of mischievous smiles they nodded respectfully and took their usual seats, while the small conversations and whispering that was interrupted due to the new arrivals started up again.

The sudden CRASH! of an umbrella stand, and the following THUD! of a body hitting the floor silenced all the noise in the kitchen, and the occupants waited for the aftermath with apprehensive looks.

"FILTH! BLOOD TRAITORS AND MUDBLOODS! DIRTY, VILE SCUM! BE GONE FROM THIS PLACE! SOILING THE PURE HOUSE OF MY ANCESTORS!" roared the hated and annoying portrait, as Kingsley and Hestia ran out of the meeting room to help bring an end to her banter. With snorts and groans, most of the Order members dug into their pockets and money promptly began exchanging hands.

Five painstaking minutes later, two tattered looking members returned to the kitchen followed by an embarrassed and pink-faced Tonks, who quickly took her seat not saying a word.

"Ah Nymphadora glad to see you made it here…unharmed," Dumbledore smoothly said, causing the young Auror to blush even more furiously than before.

"As it appears everyone is finally present and accounted for…with the exception of Alastor of course…I suggest we start the meeting," the head of the Order remarked at the same time raising his wand and with a flick of the wrist, shut the door and began casting a series of wards and charms around the room.

"Arthur will you kindly inform us of the Minister's recently implemented actions?" the old man kindly questioned.

"Of course Albus. Minister Fudge has consented to the increased use of Aurors at Azkaban prison, and has ordered that the wards be strengthened immediately due to the revolt of the dementors."

"Good, good." This will relieve the public's doubts considerably. Anything else?"

"Ah…well…he was pretty upset that the Fountain of Magical Brethren was destroyed, and if I didn't know better I would swear he thinks you did it on purpose," he responded in an amused voice.

"Let him believe what he wishes. Kingsley, what is the Magical Law Enforcement department carrying out?"

"I've received reports and memos that they are escalating the number of patrols around prime target areas, and they have also stepped up their efforts in training and recruiting new agents," he said in a deep slow tone of voice.

"As expected…Madam Bones has the right idea considering the circumstances. What about Auror Headquarters?"

"Arrest warrants and posters have been issued and sent out, and Peter Pettigrew's name has been added, along with a description of his current appearance and Animagus form."

Remus was muttering words to himself, as his face tightened and started clenching and unclenching his fists.

"The bounty for Bellatrix LeStrange has been raised to twenty thousand galleons, and the charges of murder, assault against Aurors, and trespassing have been added to her file," Kingsley continued on.

It was Tonks' turn to show a little frustration, as she remembered that night in the Department of Mysteries, where her "dear old auntie" got the drop on her, sending her for a stay at St. Mungo's.

"Understandable. Anything else?"

"Yes. The Ministry has increased our budget allowing for the faster training and recruitment of Aurors, and they are in the process of submitting the necessary paperwork granting approval of the use of Unforgivables for all ranks of Auror and higher."

"Is that all?" the headmaster questioned with a raised white eyebrow.

"No, just one more thing. The Minister is reluctant in publicly announcing the innocence of" – he glanced between Remus Lupin and Tonks before finishing his statement – "Sirius Black, and is adamant about keeping it classified until the arrest of Peter Pettigrew. That's everything."

If one could hear thoughts, they would have been wide-eyed when they picked up on the similar thoughts that Remus and Tonks were sharing at the moment, all concerning one, Cornelius Fudge.

"I see," whispered Dumbledore, looking more aged with this new information.

"Severus, please enlighten us with the events that took place last night."

"I was provided a portkey that was preset to an unknown location, where the Dark Lord held a meeting consisting of high level Death Eaters. Pettigrew has been snooping for information relating to the captured Death Eaters, but he only knows that they are being detained in undisclosed locations, and has no idea what forms of protection have been implemented," replying in a cold voice.

Dumbledore nodded, silently urging him on with his debriefing.

"He used the Cruciatus curse on Pettigrew, and then he punished Bellatrix LeStrange in the same fashion for her failures at the Ministry. He was furious that a dozen of his Death Eaters failed to obtain the prophecy against six untrained students."

"Well I would not think of them as untrained, rather more like not fully trained. Any news of his current plans, or possible targets?"

"No, but he did order Pettigrew to remain after dismissing the rest of us. He also cursed you and Potter's continuous meddling in his affairs, and cast Crucios on everybody present at the meeting," he added bitterly.

"It must hurt like a bitch being constantly punished and tortured whenever Harry messes up his plans, huh Sevvie?" as Tonks quickly threw in what was on her mind.

"I suggest you mind your tongue…as you're an ignorant, clumsy, pathetic excuse of an Auror!" Snape snarled dangerously, rising from his seat drawing his wand, as Tonks mirrored in the same fashion.

"Enough!" Dumbledore said in a powerful voice, as Tonks and Snape continued to stare each other down and sat back down in their chairs.

"Severus is that all?" using a calmer tone.

"He also questioned me of Potter's whereabouts, and I disclosed to him that he is currently residing with his muggle relatives…"

Members shot out of their chairs like they were electrocuted, and a massive uproar of shouts and accusations broke out immediately. Waving his wand he silenced every member, and once they cooled down he removed it, and motioned his hand towards the Potions master.

"Continue on Severus…"

"As I was saying before, I told him that the location of the muggles is unknown, and the rumors were Potter is under a Fidelius charm with you as the secret keeper. I'm not sure if he believed it though, for he showed no signs that this was unexpected or even true."

"All the less, if it discourages or reduces his efforts in locating and attacking Harry, everyone here should spread this misinformation around delicately."

"Anyone care to add anything else of value? Very well…Kingsley what can you tell me about Harry's behavior so far?"

"Nothing. Haven't seen or heard him since he arrived back," the tall Auror answered in a quiet voice that did not suit him at all.

Numerous members adopted sad and thoughtful expressions, while Remus tightly closed his eyes resting his chin against his chest. Tonks shook her head while thinking how unfair life could be, and the Weasley contingent shared concerned glances between themselves.

"Severus?" Dumbledore voiced, cutting through the tension like a hot knife through butter.

"Same thing as Kingsley reports sir. It's obvious that the spoiled brat is scared to show his face in the open for fear of the Dark Lord," using a cold and unconcerned tone.

This statement sparked angry protests from the pro-Harry supporters, while the members that did not know Harry too good, bore thoughtful appearances considering that this could be true.

"Why don't you just shut your mouth you slimy git! Harry was outside fighting off dementors last year, right after the birth of Voldemort if that happened to slip through your thick greasy skull! He's not scared, he's just mourning you inconsiderate prick!" Tonks's voice elevated until it reached the level of all out screaming.

Snape rocketed out of his seat and Tonks followed suit, and they both simultaneously shot stunners at one another. The red jets of light collided in midair, Tonks' stunner bouncing off and missing Snape's head by mere inches while cracking a part of the ceiling, pieces of plaster raining down as Snape's stunner reflected downwards cracking the ground in front of Tonks' feet.

BOOM!

The canon like sound shocked every person in the kitchen as it reverberated in the cramped room, and wide eyes took in the image of a furious looking Dumbledore, and his now smoking wand held by his side.

"Settle down Nymphadora…Severus," he said in a raised voice.

As Tonks and Snape were staring each other down while resuming their seats, the ancient man pocketed his wand somewhere inside his flashy robes, and turned his head in the direction of the Weasley twins.

"Fred and George, have you noticed anything concerning Harry?"

"Hey why not George and Fred!" the twin who was obviously George huffed.

"BOYS!" Molly Weasley said, flashing them one of her death glares.

"Sheesh…nope nothing - "

"but if you want to laugh like crazy - "

"we could tell you the hilarious story of his cousin - "

"and when he tried to do some of Harry's chores - "

"No…no...maybe some other time, but now is not the time for such things," Albus said in a tired voice,and the twins just shrugged their shoulders.

"What about during your shift Hestia?"

"Not a peep. He's very quiet, and I haven't even see him once yet," she replied while shaking her head in the negative.

"Nymphadora?"

This definitely did not sit well with Tonks as she narrowed her eyes and gritted her teeth.

"Nothing, absolutely nothing. But I think one of us should visit him and see how he's doing. He's shouldn't be going through this all alone, with no one to talk to him and help him get through what's happened," she desperately said.

"Looks like someone wants the Golden Boy's autograph, huh?" Snape said using a horrible imitation of a baby's voice.

Tonks rung the edges of her robes trying to contain her rage, and Remus looked like he wanted to transform into a werewolf right then and there and rip Snape's head off.

"Order will be maintained during these meetings. Do I make myself clear?" Dumbledore providing the warning before all hell broke loose for the fourth time that night.

"I think it is an unwise move for any of us to meet or communicate with Harry for the time being. He is experiencing a lot of emotions, and could very well be angry with us. We will give him this time away from school and the wizarding world, to heal and think about his actions," he spoke in a knowing manner.

"But sir - " Tonks began to say, but was quickly snuffed by Dumbledore's raised hand.

"That is a direct order, and the end of the discussion for now. Does anyone have anything further that they wish to address?" he said stiffly, and after perceiving the ongoing silence knew what to say next.

"Then this meeting is adjourned," he closed with an air of decisiveness in his voice.

Minerva, Arthur, and Kingsley swiftly sought Dumbledore out, while Snape rose shooting a glare at Tonks, and promptly exiting the kitchen a sneer etched on his face and robes billowing behind him. Tonks looked towards Remus, and then got up and made her way home to her apartment, with the rest of the members breaking up and going their separate ways.

Minutes before sunrise on the same day...


Those eyes…oh those gray infinite eyes were all he could see in his dreams. Staring right at him like they were searching his very soul, and when they widened in shock it tore his heart to pieces. It felt like there were hundreds of pairs of those eyes…all around him…watching him while they flickered through various emotions that he remembered all too well.

Shooting out of bed gasping for air, Harry felt like the walls of his already cramped bedroom were closing in on him even more. His head was spinning around dizzily, and the hair on the back of his neck was prickling with the sensation that something paranormal was present in the room with him.

Clutching his head attempting to suppress the carousel motion with closed eyes that he was experiencing, he disgustingly realized that he was drenched in sweat yet again, and mentally cursed the hot summer weather and lack of air conditioning.

Peeling himself out of his bed, he become aware that it was a quarter past six and the first colors of the day were materializing through the scarcely blue sky outside his window. Grabbing a change of clothes, he made a beeline for the bathroom. Noting the same deathly pale complexion accompanied with bloodshot emerald eyes, he thought with desperation if he would ever be able to sleep peacefully again.

Harry quietly made his way downstairs to eat in the calming setting of the kitchen, thankful that the absence of his still sleeping relatives presented him this peaceful escape.

After finishing with his breakfast and cleaning up after himself, he started to make his way back to his room when his eyes noticed that something was out of place since the time he entered the kitchen. Two letters were lying on the floor directly under the letterbox, and while picking them up he surprisingly found that they were addressed to him. One letter looked perfectly ordinary, while the other was a flashy pink envelope with green ink writing on the front.

Heading back upstairs to his room he shuffled the letters back and forth, examining which letter he should open up first while coming to a rest in a cross-legged position on his bed. He decided to open the plain white envelope first, since it looked more important than the other with its official exterior.

Harry looked at the white envelope that was addressed to him; the return address flaunting a golden capital "G," with white crooked pillars bordering around it, and turning it over he noticed the wax seal and he began to dread the letter's contents.

With a shaky hand, he broke open the seal and pulled out the piece of parchment and began reading, his weepy eyes darting from left to right.


Dear Mr. Potter,

The Gringotts Wizarding Bank offers you its deepest condolences for your loss of one, Mr. Sirius Orion Black. As you currently are the only person with expressed permission authorized by the deceased, your presence is necessary to access and rightfully enact his Last Will and Testament. In view of the fact that Mr. Black was your last remaining guardian in the in the wizarding world, temporary status has been awarded to one Mr. Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore upon his request, and will dissolve when you reach the legal age of seventeen.

After dispatching several letters without receiving a reply, it is disturbing that we have yet to detect your notification regarding the aforementioned issues. We have reason to believe that you may be residing under various wards and magical protection, and after some deliberation we decided to exploit alternative methods of correspondence.

Provided with this letter is a portkey that has been altered with extensive goblin magic, and if needed will be able to bypass any interfering protection. Merely take hold of the portkey and state "Gringotts Department of Wills and Trusts," and it will take you directly to my office, where we can deal with matters in confidentiality.

Respectfully,

Natdorsok

Head Goblin, Department of Wills and Trusts


'Sirius trusted me enough to be the only person to enact his will…' he thought with free flowing tears running down his cheeks and dripping down onto the parchment. 'Why only me?' was a question that plagued his puzzled mind.

Sniffling his runny nose and wiping furiously at his eyes, he felt completely lost in the world at the moment. "And Dumbledore didn't even tell me…what a way to respect a person's last wishes…manipulative, annoying, old fool…' was his current mindset as he shook his head gravely, trying to dry his tears in the same motion.

Setting the letter aside, he picked up the previously discarded envelope and flipped it upside down. A black and white poker-chip-looking coin slide out into his hand containing the Gringotts symbol, and with his fingers he traced along the different symbols and runes running around the edges.

'I don't want any of his money or possessions…I just want him back…I'd give anything and everything just to have him here…" he reflected, engulfed in waves of self-pity and remorse.

Placing the portkey coin in his pocket, he grabbed the flamboyantly pink envelope with a curious look of expression. Softly handling the letter as his fingertips skimmed along the surface feeling the texture, he carefully unfolded the parchment and proceeded to read its contents, a small smile gracing his face as he took in the cheerful opening remark.


Wotcher Harry!

Betcha surprised getting a letter from lil' old me, eh? Well Hedwig dropped your letter in my lap, so I decided to write back to you.

So how are you? I can only guess how you're feeling right now, because I know how I'm feeling. I miss him a lot and it hurts like hell, but you still got to hang in there ok? Well, Remus is trying to cope by acting all normal like everybody expects him to, but it's obvious that he's hurting on the inside.

I noticed that you two haven't written to each other yet, maybe you both are waiting to talk in person or something, or are scared to deal with it right now. I just want you to know that I don't blame you for anything, and I think Remus feels the same way too. I hope you don't think he hates you or anything crazy like that, because that's far from the truth.

I think it totally sucks that you have to go through this all by yourself, so I was thinking that…only if you want me to of course, maybe I can visit you so we can talk about things. Well Har, let me know what's up in your next letter, ok?

Love,

Tonks

P.S. You better not write my first name on it either!


With a goofy looking grin he snorted at her last comment, feeling somewhat better that someone was willing to visit and talk to him, especially after reading the depressing material that the prior letter provided.

'Well at least Tonks and Remus don't hate me.' Hopping off his rackety bed, he hastily found a piece of spare parchment and began scribbling.


Wotcher Tonks,

How are you feeling? What you wrote sounds good. Is today at 3pm ok for you? If it's not, owl me back with a time that's better for you.

Harry


Addressing it to "N.Tonks," he called Hedwig over and instructed the snowy owl to only deliver his message to Tonks, and nobody else. With a farewell hoot Hedwig flew off, and Harry sat there thinking about what he was about to do.

"Why am I even thinking if this is the right thing to do…it's Sirius's last wish, and I'm not going to deny him this…' he concluded. Opening his trunk, he withdrew one of his school robes and put it on, thinking that wizard's wardrobe would be less conspicuous than his currently dreadful muggle clothing. Stuffing the Gringotts letter in his pocket and placing his wand inside his robes, he walked over towards the middle of his small bedroom.

'I hope this works…' he anxiously thought, removing the portkey from his pocket.

"Gringotts Department of Wills and Trusts!" he stated loudly, and he suddenly felt the powerful jerk behind his navel as the ground vanished beneath his feet, and found himself speeding forward in a swirl of colors and a rush of wind.