A sudden, burning stinge on the forehead, and the boy back at Grimmauld Place was flinching in pain. All at once around the table, smiles went stiff and turned to frowns of concern as they confronted Harry,
"What is it, mate?"
"Alright there, chap?"
"Harry, what's wrong?"
"Oh, Harry, your scar...and to think, Sirius and the rest are milling about..."
A frantic Mrs. Weasley, cold cloth at the ready, suddenly realised what Hermione had said as she was dabbing Harry's brow.
"Oh...oh Hell, not that..." Recognising the fact Mrs. Weasley scarcely ever swore, those around the table began to question the intensity of the situation-
"Mum...Mum, it isn't...it can't be, we're so far away..."
But, as far as he could ignore his friend's questions, he couldn't do the same for the ripping burn of his scar.
---
He was getting stronger. Sucking the life from her, he was succeeding. Soon, her soul would belong to him, there she would join the rest- join her precious 'father'...the creature snared at the word- He would be her only family now, He and the countless other heart-drained victims he had claimed over the years. He was getting stronger, and the boy could feel it. He could feel it in the boy...he was getting closer to him, ever closer with every sip of life he took from her...
"YAAAAAAAAAAOOOOOOWWWWWW!!!!!"
---
"Tonks? Tonks, you there?" Startled at her scream, all of her companions were standing around her, staring at her in panic and confusion. Unaware of what had happened, she smiled and, with a reassuring grin, offered a flighty, "Right you are, boys. Now, what are we standing here for? Mount your brooms and take to the skies- "
"We can't do that, I'm afraid," said Lupin firmly. "You've just been knocked unconscios, Tonks", he placed his hand on her shoulder. "We...were...afraid you might not have...made it."
"But she did," said George. "Glad for it, too", he added to the woman. "Now that we know she's better, why not follow up on her request and finish the game?" He looked to Sirius for support, but at the blank look in his eyes, he was immediately discouraged.
"No, Remus is right," said Sirius in a low, unnatural voice of monotony, quite unlike his usual tone. "Traveling away to an unprotected area in such a large group was foolish. We have to go back." This caught everyone by so much surprise that not even Fred or George could offer a willing protest. To see someone they looked up to so in such a distant manner was disheartening, and to say the least, a bit frightening. One by one, they took to Disapparation, preparing for their return to base.
---
He was getting weaker. The connection... the bond, had been seemingly broken for the time being. With her scream came His scream too, and surely one of victory had come for the precious boy. The boy was nearer to her...her, who He had let slip away!
'She will come...' it hissed at Him. 'You have what she wantsss here...she will come.'
"Yes, but will she bring with her the boy?"
'Massster, think on it... that wretched fool alwaysss playsss hero, of courssse he will come for herrr... you will seee, Massster.'
Narrow green eyes glinted maliciously as He told it, "Tell Peter to watch our guest extra carefully. Make sure he treats our dearest Ted Tonks as he would...family."
