A/N: We are so sorry for the tremendous delay. We have had major computer problems and school to top it all off. We can't promise that we will be updating once a week like we use to but once we get out of school the updates will be more frequent.

If you want to have information on how our chapter is progressing please join our Yahoo! Group. The link is in our bio!

We hope you enjoy!

I………………………..I

Chapter 15: The Depths of Anguish

Ron sighed as he glanced at Harry's motionless form. He looked to be asleep. He couldn't decide whether or not to wake Harry up so he could ask him a question that had been nagging him since he had found out about how Harry was treated at the Dursley's.

Thinking back to the time at Grimmauld Place when his mother had told him about Harry's condition, Ron quickly cleared his throat, "Harry, Harry wake up." Ron hated himself for waking Harry up when he clearly needed the sleep; but he had to know.

Harry's eyes snapped open; a fearful shudder overcame his body. He turned his head towards Ron and suddenly calmed down, knowing that it wasn't Bellatrix about to play one of her silly games.

"Ron? What's wrong?"

"Nothing, nothing's wrong. I just-I was just- I need to know something."

Harry was silent for a while. "Um...what's that?"

"Just don't get mad okay?" Hearing no response Ron took that as a yes and continued. "Well, it's about the-um-Dursley's."

"There's nothing to know, Ron," Harry demanded.

"Yes there is Harry." There was no way Ron was going to let Harry change the subject or act like it didn't matter.

"Why didn't tell 'Mione or me what they treated you like? -We could of helped you, but you kept it all to yourself. But Harry, why? That's all I want to know," Ron blurted out.

"Because Ron, it wasn't that bad. People are making you think that I lived in a horrible place. Ron, look at the facts- they took me in, they clothed me, they fed me. I wasn't their son; they did more for me than I could have asked for.

"They abused you, Harry! They beat you. Don't you get it?"

"Abuse," Ron heard Harry whisper. "NO, NO! They didn't do that. They weren't that bad. Stop Ron, Stop! STOP IT!" Harry started to yell as loud as his voice would allow him to. Ron knew that if Harry's arms weren't tied up he would be covering his ears, trying to block out Ron's demanding voice.

"God, Harry. I'm finally starting to understand. You'd always come to the Burrow every summer for a few weeks, remember? But you never acted the same. You were always so much more reserved- shy. I remember for the first week or so you seemed like you were in pain-YOU WERE! What kind of friend am I? I should have asked. You should have told me, my parents, anyone Harry. We could have helped you."

"You're wrong," Harry weakly protested, but Ron knew Harry didn't know how to deny it.

"Harry I'm your best friend. I would have NEVER thought you weak- if that's what you're worried about. Were you afraid that I would laugh at you? Because Harry, I would never do that."

"No-I wasn't-I don't know, Ron. I-I was raised to be hated. I mean, at times Ron they made me hate myself. I just thought-I thought that I didn't deserve people to know my problems. I always cause so much trouble. I'm sorry," whispered Harry. Ron knew that if he could properly see Harry, he would have tears running down his cheeks.

"Harry, you deserve so much more than you give yourself credit for. Just promise me something. Once we get out of here. If you ever have any doubts- are scared- worried- depressed. Please come to me, because I wouldn't be able to handle the fact that you were hurting and keeping it to yourself ever again."

There was a slight pause as a tear ran down Ron's cold cheek.

"I-I promise."

I…………………..I

Bellatrix walked in to find both Harry and Ron asleep. Walking over to Harry's platform, she bent down level with him. She started to undo the shackles around Harry's wrists. The movement woke Harry up; he instantly tensed up when he saw Bellatrix's face near his.

"Good morning dear, I just thought you would like to get off of this platform for a while…hmmm?"

Harry continued to stare at her- he didn't have enough energy to talk. He felt Bellatrix move down to his ankles and take the shackles off of them too. He dared not move, for all he knew, Bellatrix could be teasing him.

"Come on. Get off!" Bellatrix screamed as she stood up and walked over to Harry's head. Her screaming woke Ron up, who curiously looked around at the situation.

Harry moved his arms down to his sides so he could lift himself up. But, not having moved for a few days, his arms were so weak that he just fell back onto the platform-hitting his head on the wood.

Bellatrix cackled and then screamed. "GET OFF!"

Harry, not knowing what she was going to do, tried as hard as he could to get off the platform. Instead of standing up, he ended up rolling off and falling against Ron's legs.

"Good," finished Bellatrix, she walked over to Ron and flicked her wand at the invisible chains holding Ron up and he fell next to Harry, who was still laying on the ground unable to lift himself up. The first thing Ron noticed was how cold Harry was and the fact that he was shivering violently, though Harry tried to suppress the cold from running through his delicate body with suppressed shivers. "Now, I'm going to be right back! I want you both to go lay up against that wall-you're useless just laying there! Hurry!"

Bellatrix walked out of the room and Ron quickly stood up-his knees shaking a little from the cold ground. "Come on Harry- we have to hurry," Ron called. He didn't want to think what would happen if they didn't obey Bellatrix.

Harry didn't move- he just glanced at Ron, all his hope seemed to have left his face-this wasn't the Harry he knew. "Come on Harry! She's going to be back soon."

"Ron," Harry croaked out, "I can't, you go."

Ron shook his head, "No… I can't just leave you here." Ron quickly knelt down next to Harry and grabbed Harry's arms and started to drag him across the cold cement towards the wall. Ron could see the pain in Harry's eyes as he dragged him, but he couldn't do anything to stop it.

Ron gently laid Harry against the cold wall as he sat himself next to his best friend. Harry's head fell on Ron's shoulder, not being able to keep his head up.

"Sorry," muttered Harry as he tried to lift his head up again.

"No, it's okay Harry." Harry thankfully nodded his head as he fell back onto Ron's shoulder.

Ron jumped up when he heard a door slam open and Bellatrix appear back in the room. Ron glanced at Harry who had his eyes closed, feigning sleep.

"Hmmm…very good." Bellatrix bent down lower in front of Harry. "So, Weasley, I assume that you are hungry…and thirsty?" Ron felt Harry tense up at this awaited question.

Ron slowly nodded his head, not sure what he should answer with.

"Good. I've brought you some bread and water. I hope you enjoy it," Bellatrix wondered with a smirk.

"C-"

Bellatrix laughed out loud, "No, that Potter boy does not deserve any of it!"

"BU-"

Bellatrix walked closer to Ron. "If you interrupt me one more time I will take it away from you! It's your decision."

Ron glared at Bellatrix as he took a glance at his best friend. How can I eat in front of Harry? He looks like he hasn't eaten in a long time-at least it seems like it. Ron wondered to himself.

"Are you going to take all day? Take the damn food!"

Ron glanced back at Harry who opened his eyes halfway to look Ron in the eye. "Ron, take it. Please. Just eat it. You need it," sighed Harry.

Glancing at the measly portion of food, Ron felt tears prickle at the corner of his eyes. It felt like he was defying his friend by eating in front of him. Harry eyes had closed again, and it looked like he was trying to fall asleep.

Ron lifted his eyes back to Bellatrix who had a smile running across her face. "I would eat it soon you know. You don't want it to get too cold. Hurry or I'll take it away."

Grabbing a piece of bread, Ron stuffed it into his mouth. No matter how old this bread was it tasted like heaven to him. He continued to eat the bread, he didn't know he was that hungry. In mere minutes he had finished the food and dropped the plate onto the ground. Still disgusted with himself that he had greedily eaten the food when his friend clearly needed it more.

"What a good little boy. Now both of you get up! I need to tie you both up again." At these words Bellatrix grabbed at Harry and Ron and dragged them towards the shackles and platform.

She tied Ron up first, making sure that he didn't try to get away knowing full well that Harry was too weak to be able to run a far distance anyway.

After tying them both up, Bellatrix smirked once again. "Hm….wonderful. Sooner or later I'm going to get that information from you Potter. You're going to break-just wait." And with that she left.

I……………………..I

Hermione's eyes suddenly snapped open. She was lying in the library, the sun glaring through the window, the scorching rays boring into her brown eyes.

"Ah!" she squealed as she fell off the dusty couch, away from the burning ache. "Merlin! I can't believe I fell asleep again!" she spoke to herself.

She reached over and grabbed the book she had been reading the night before, Real Tales of Horror. She had found it in the library the night before, baring real accounts of the survivors of numerous ancient torture chambers. What she had read had not been positive. Some had escaped with just a few scratches and nicks, but most were doomed to a lifetime of pain and suffering. Nightmares and suffering would follow them forever.

She wiped a tear from her burning face as she thought of what Harry's life would be like after he had went through such a dreadful experience.

She picked up the book and placed it back on the library's grimy shelf, deciding that it wasn't helping herself one bit to read such horrid tales of disgust.

Hermione looked at the library's grand clock. "6 am. Today's the day."

She walked from the library, not knowing where to go, she went to the living room, as not to be a bother to the Order.

Walking down the stairs, she couldn't help but think of how disgraceful her boyfriend and her had acted towards Harry when he had gotten back from the hospital. Another tear slipped down her cheek.

All he wanted, she thought, was for us to believe him- for us to believe our best friend. How could we not of? He's Harry, and- and now he's just… gone.

She reached the living room, her footsteps weighted down with the thought of how heavy her heart was. She suddenly flung herself over the settee, sobbing uncontrollably into a pillow.

"Harry! Harry! Please, just come back to us! I-I can't live without you! Ron," she sobbed," I-I need you! How could you leave me here? How could you just leave me like this?"

Hermione suddenly felt a pair of hands rubbing her back delicately. She looked up to see the blurry image of Mrs. Weasley smiling gently down at her.

Hermione quickly wiped away the tears from her eyes, regaining her composure. "I-I'm so sorry Mrs. Weasley. I-I just don't know what came over me."

'Don't worry dear; I know exactly how you feel. I've lost two sons in all of this and," Mrs. Weasley took a deep breath. "And I don't even know if I'm going to get them back or-"

"Mrs. Weasley! Please, don't say that. I c-can't bare the thought of, you know."

"Yes dear, I know," Mrs. Weasley paused. "What would you say if we went to the kitchen and I made a spot of breakfast for you?"

Hermione smiled weakly. "That would be great, but won't I be in the way of the Order?"

Mrs. Weasley helped Hermione off the settee. "Nonsense dear, I think we all need a bit of a break."

Mrs. Weasley and Hermione quickly walked to the kitchen. Maps and drawings and deep discussion was going on between the many people of the Order.

Hermione looked up at Mrs. Weasley. "What are they doing?" she whispered.

"We're making plans to attack Adflictation Lair tonight. Everyone has been working so hard, not sleeping and such, in order to get this all ready to rescue our boys."

Hermione glanced over at the sketches. "Is- is that an actual diagram of Adflictation Lair?"

"Yes, as a matter of fact Mundungus was able to dig that up some where- he's a fantastic resource to have during these times.

Hermione frowned, "It just looks like one big maze. How are we ever going to find Harry through all of that?"

Mrs. Weasley smiled. "Let us worry about that dear."

"Right," Hermione said gently. "What can I do to help?"

"Just help me cook breakfast for everyone- they're going to need something in their stomachs to get through tonight."

I……………….I

"Ron, are you awake? Please wake up! I need to talk to you!" Harry paused for a second, listening for any sound in the stiff darkness. "Are you awake, Ron? Please."

"I am now…" Ron said softly, adhering to Harry's pleads and demands. "W-What is it?"

"I have this idea on how to get you out of here! I've been thinking about it all night long, and I can't believe I didn't think about this before," Harry said; Ron could sense the excitement in Harry's weak voice.

"W-What do you mean? There is like no way out of here! We're bound by these damn chains and even if we do manage to get out of them, the entire place of Adflictation Lair is like one big maze.

"No, no, no Ron, don't you remember when we studied about Invisible chains in Defense Against the Dark Arts? You can get out of them by saying an incantation and pulling on them extremely hard and saying an incantation."

"Okay," Ron started, "So far I see two errors in your plan- first off, whenever I pull on these chains, you are the one who gets hurt and I'm not willing to put you through that all over again. Secondly, your chains are different then mine- how are you going to escape?"

"Well, Ron, umm, I d-don't think th-that there really is any need for me to try and escape and don't worry about the shock… I can take it," Harry said quietly.

"What? Harry, you can't take it! You're already in enough pain as it is without putting you through more! And I'm not leaving without you! I don't give a rat's arse what you say!"

"Listen Ron, it doesn't matter- you need to go home! You have family and friends and a life beyond this kind of crap!"

"So do you!"

"No I don't! This is my life! This is what my life is all about! Don't you get it? The only reason why I'm here today is to get rid of Voldemort!"

"What are you talking about Harry? You have such a bigger purpose in life then that shit! We need you back home! Everyone needs you!"

"And why do you think they need me? Why do you think I had a whole group of people out there just to escort me from my house in fifth year? Do you think they were there to back me brownies? No! Ron, it-it stretches deeper then all of that! You- you just don't know…" Harry drifted out.

Ron paused, "What don't I know?"

"It's nothing, really. Just a bunch of foolish nonsense that won't really matter in the long run."

"Harry, you are my best friend- what don't I know?"

Harry hesitated, "Ron, you just can't understand. It- it's complicated, and if you knew… if you knew, they might, ya know, hurt you as well and I don't want that," Harry said softly.

"Harry- what aren't you telling me?"

"Ron, you have no idea how much I want to tell you! You have no idea! But it's to protect you! Do you think I want you living like me? Always scared that something like this is going to happen?"

"Harry, you're not making any sense! You're the bravest person in the world! You- you're my hero."

Harry felt a tear trickle down his rye cheek. "Listen, Ron, please don't say that. There is just so much stuff that you don't know-"

"Then tell me!" Ron interrupted. "Please, Harry, best friends tell. I can't bare to see you in such pain and not even know why! I can't bare to watch you suffer and not even be able to help you with this agony! Please! Just tell me!"

There was a slight pause; Ron could hear Harry's heavy breathing in the rigid murkiness that surrounded them.

"It, um, it's hard to explain, Ron. I don't even know where to start."

"Start at the beginning, Harry."

"Well, um, remember last year when we were at the Department of Mysteries and the Death Eaters wanted the prophecy? Well, you know how the prophecy broke? Well, I know what it's about, now."

Ron sucked in a quick breath, "You-you know what it's about? But Harry, I thought it was destroyed."

"Well Dumbledore kn-knew what the prophecy was, b-because he was there when it happened." Harry paused, "It's about me and- and Voldemort. It's horrible."

Ron waited patiently for Harry to continue.

A few moments passed, "Ron, the reason why Voldemort came to Godric's Hollow, you know, the night my parents died, was to kill me cause he heard part of the prophecy- just not the whole thing and he thought he better get me before I was old enough to do anything."

"What do you mean?" Ron asked, his curiosity perking inside of him.

"The prophecy says that neither of us can live while the other one is alive. It also says that- that the only way to kill Voldemort is that I have to do it, or-or that he has to kill me."

Ron gasped. "What- no- Harry, I- no. This can't be happening!" Ron felt a shudder run through out his spine as a tear fell from his eye.

Harry cringed; he hated to see his friend in such pain.

"Listen, Ron, I know it sounds bad but it's really not so terrible-"

"What do you mean it's not so terrible? Harry, this can't be happening! I need you! What happens if you-know-who…" Ron drifted off in his thoughts.

Harry cowered; he hated to think of any aspect of the prophecy- most especially that one.

"Ron, I hate the prophecy just as much as you but it's a fact- it's going to happen one way or another so we might as well face reality."

Harry could hear Ron's sharp gasps in the air. "Please Ron, it's alright."

"Does- does everyone in the Order know about this?" Ron asked quietly.

"I-I don't know. I think only a few people- ya know, my parents knew about it."

"They did? How do you know?"

"Well, one night while I was, ya know, here, my- er- mother came. Well it wasn't really my mother obviously, more like one of Bellatrix's stupid tricks but that's not the point. This woman did something really weird and I had this flashback. It was about my parents and that night at Godric's Hollow, right before Voldemort came and killed my parents. They did this eerie spell that made it so I could kill Voldemort or something. It was like a charm thing- I don't really know what it's supposed to do.

"But it's weird, Ron, because ever since then I've been getting these weird, er, images in my head- I can't even really make out what they are but I think it has to do with the flashback."

"Harry, I don't understand."

"Neither do I, Ron. But, listen, that's not the point. You need to go- you need to get out!"

"What? Harry, did you just listen to a word you said? You need to get out! I'm worthless, everything is riding on you-"

"That's exactly the reason why you have to go! She'll keep me because I have information, but she'll kill you in a heartbeat- she- she'll use you to get to me! She'll torture you over and over again and make me watch just to get to me."

"I can take that, Harry- I'm not leaving you, no matter what you say!"

"No, I'll be alright- just do I- I'll give you the incanta-"

"No! Harry! I'm not leaving! Listen to me, we need you in the wizarding world! Not just as a hero or any crap like that but as-as-as my best friend! I need you! I-I-I'm not just going to leave you for dead in this damn place! Harry! I need you!"

Lights around Harry and Ron suddenly illuminated around them. "Ahhhh, were we having an emotional moment here? I'm just so sorry that I missed it."

"How long have you been here?" Harry asked, fright covering his face. What if she heard us talking about the prophecy? Merlin, I'm so stupid!

"Ahh, is lil' baby Harry upset that I walked in on him on his emotional moment?" Harry let out a sigh of relief.

"Well, Harry, just wait til you see what I've got in store for you and Ronald today! I have taken this most wonderful oppurt-"

"Stop! Stop!" Harry screamed as he started to convulse on the wooden platform. "Stop! Stop! Ah! Please, no!"

Suddenly, Bellatrix fell to the floor screaming, her arm burning a bright shade of red. "Master! Master!"

Ron watched, his eyes opened wide as he saw his best friend suffering on the platform. "Harry! Harry! It's going to be alright! Just hold on."

Harry's head felt as if it was about to burst, the agonizing pain filled throughout his entire body as the metal clasps on his wrists and ankles dug deeply into his flesh.

Bellatrix lay on the floor, never had she felt such pain. Her forearm began to bleed uncontrollably from her dark mark. "Master! Master, please!"

A voice roared throughout the lair. "You can not run, you traitor! I'm coming for you!"

The pain suddenly subsided in both Harry and Bellatrix. Bellatrix sat up panting. Harry lay on his platform, rigid from the pain that had overtaken his body.

He turned to Ron. "Voldemort's here, and he's not alone."

I………………………………...I

Truthxinxshadow- Thank you so much for your review! We must admit as well, we LOVE reading Harry torture! We have no idea why it amuses us so much, but it just does! We hope they get saved soon as well! Better stayed tuned for the next chapter, eh? Sorry we haven't updated in so long! We have been having MAJOR computer troubles. Thank you for all of your crazy reviews- they always put a smile on our faces.

Pleione- Of course we absolutely adore Dedalus! That is, we adore making him the character that every one hates. Lol, we really needed a character to pick on Harry and he sounded like that type of guy so we chose him! Harry's been through a lot with people in Adflictation Lair (Vernon, his mother) so we thought we should throw some new blood into the pot- this time it was, unfortunately Ron's turn to give Harry a little scare. Sorry for the long wait! Hope you enjoyed this chapter!

RonWeasleyRocks- We hope this chapter was just about the right size for you. Thank you so much for your review! Sex scene or no sex scene? The question really is, will Bellatrix now have time to get it on with poor Harry? You decide.

Shade-of-lily- Please don't die on us! We hope you liked this chapter as much as the last one! Thank you so much for your review and sorry for the long wait!

HaRrYrOxMuhSoX- Thank you so much for your review! We love all the positive feedback! We hope Bellatrix pays for all the evil she has done quickly remembers that we write the story so we decide whether or not Bellatrix will be paid back for all of the evilness she has done or not. Hmm… something for us to think about. Hope you enjoyed!

Freedom Isn't Free- Thank you so much for your review! You're so funny in your reviews! We hope you truly enjoyed this chapter! The idea of Harry being the one to take on Ron's punishment was one of our favorite original ideas for this story and we were so glad we had the chance to use it. Thanks again and sorry for the long wait!

Froboy- You are so funny! We are glad you are back to your old routine, "Great chapter! plz update soon!" We must admit- we missed it greatly. Thanks for the review!

VladLycan- Thank you so much for your review! You put an extremely big smile on our faces! Thanks again and sorry for the long wait!

Mijan- We are terribly sorry you did not enjoy our fic. At the risk of being ignorant to your comments, we will have to decline your suggestions. We have several readers who would agree with us when we say that this fic has a lot of plot, a lot of imagination, and a damn good presentation.

EsScaper- Thank you so much for the wonderful review! Sorry about all of the confusion surrounding Bellatrix! Yes, You-Know-Who summoned her right as she was about to… convenient timing, don't you think? We thought it was necessary to bring in Rudolphus at some point in the fic- this just happened to be the best time. Ron and Harry have a special friendship- sometimes it can be quite sad, other times it is joyous. The Order should be coming soon… we hope. We miss Sirius and Remus as well, it is quite sad that they have gone onto a better place. Thank you so much for your review and we hope that you enjoyed this chapter!

Hpfreakout- Bellatrix is- in a word- crazy. She is actually quite a fun and entertaining character to write and play around with (is that a bad thing?) We hope as well that Bellatrix seriously has to face the consequences of her actions. Voldemort has a deep hate for her right now for her betrayal, so we'll have to see. Thank you so much for your review! We hope you enjoyed this chapter!

Silentworld- Thank you for such a great, long review. They are always appreciated. We are glad that you like how Ron didn't think Ron was really Ron, Bellatrix has just been fooling with Harry's mind too much and now sometimes he can't tell who's real or not know when to believe. We are glad that you like the progress that the story is going. We hope that you enjoyed this chapter too and can't wait to see what you think! Bye, KEV!

Patriot Girl- Wow! Did we actually make you cry? That is one of the ultimate compliments we get from people. Thank you so much! We're sorry for all the deaths in our story- but they are necessary to our plot- please don't hate us! We figure that Harry would possibly consider suicide because of how much is on his shoulders right now and how much pressure is on him. It is incredibly sad how some people consider it the only way out- its one of the saddest things in the world. It's okay, we understand about the review getting cut off (understand from experience as that has happened numerous times, LOL.) Hope you enjoyed this chapter and sorry about the long wait!

Bobskull9- Thank you for the review and sorry about the long wait! We are so glad that you like our story! Hopefully we will get the next chapter up sooner! Sorry again!

Mrs. Kimberly Bloom- Thank you so much for all of your reviews! They mean so much to us! You can't believe how excited we were when we got them all! Yay! We can't wait for you to get to the later chapters! Hopefully you will like them! Thanks again!

Christina- Yes, we are so sorry for the long wait! We are still doing the story; we have just been having some MAJOR computer problems. We are so sorry again! Thank you so much for your review!

Thanks again for all your reviews!