Harry Potter and the Blood Prophesies
By Lethe a.k.a. Garner

Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all characters and places included in the Harry Potter books belong to J.K. Rowling and her affiliates. Unfortunately, I am not J.K. Rowling. This story will most likely contain slash by the end. For the uninitiated, this means relationships between two males. If that disgusts you, read on at your own criticism is of course welcome and encouraged.

Author's Notes: I apologize for the brevity of this chapter. It just seemed like a logical stopping place. The next chapter will be longer. I am still looking for a beta if anyone is interested. Thanks for reading!

(Italics indicate parseltongue or telepathic speech)

Chapter Three: Strangers and Questions

When Harry awoke it became obvious to him that he was neither in his bedroom, nor the Hogwarts hospital wing. He fumbled on the table next to him for his glasses. He examined the room, noting that it was very lavish, and decorated in rich woods and jewel toned silks and velvets. He realized that he was in a giant featherbed. As he sat up heard a rich mellow voice, and turned to see someone step out of the shadows, "Good evening Blood Child. Welcome."

"Who are you? Where am I?"

"Relax, Blood Child. We mean you no harm. You are in our fortress. You will learn all you need to know in time."

Harry eyed the man, he was tall, about 6 ft., with long jet-black hair that was worked into a braid down his back, skin so pale it was almost translucent, and bright sapphire eyes. He was dressed in black leather pants and a midnight blue silk shirt. It was his eyes, though, that I caught Harry's attention. They had an unearthly glow, and seemed to be able to see right through him. He imagined that if the lights were extinguished, he would still be able to find the man by the light of those eyes. Said man smiled mysteriously, "My name is Tullius Maecenas. I imagine that you are wondering why you are here."

"Harry Potter, and you could say that."

"It is a long tale Blood Child. Perhaps you would like some refreshments first? I could send for you something."

"I am hungry, but you needn't bother with summoning anything. I have my own supplies," there was no way that Harry was accepting food or drink from these people until he knew what their intentions were.

Tullius smiled knowingly and nodded, "As you wish Blood Child. I will return in an hour's time, and then you will get your answers." He pointed at several doors, "Those two doors lead to your other rooms. Feel free to use anything that you find there. This door leads to other parts of the fortress. For your safety please remain inside your rooms until I return. Then I will show you our home." Harry nodded politely, but remained where he was until the man left the room silently.

After the door closed behind him, he decided to take stock of his situation. His invisibility cloak lay folded neatly on the end of his bed. His wand lay on top of it. That was a relief. He would be most upset had he lost either. Harry retrieved his wand, and put several locking charms on the door. He did not want to be caught unawares. He would heed Tullius' warning, and remain in these rooms. There was no reason, however not to take extra precautions just incase whatever could harm him out there decided to pay him a visit. Harry had every intention of holding to his earlier resolution to be more proactive. That taken care of, he reached into his right jeans pocket. He removed his two shrunken trunks, and restored them to their proper size. He situated them at the foot of the large bed, and put his cloak back where it belonged. He then reached into his left pocket and found Lethe. "Are you okay?"

"Yes. What is going on, Harry?"

"I'm not sure yet, darling. How long was I unconscious?"

"About four hours. We were disapparated from your home, and brought straight here. This place has a peculiar smell. I can't quite place it. The one that just left was here the whole time that you were asleep. Another one came with him, but then he left. I did not understand what they said. It was not English."

"You understand English?"

"Yes it is one of the side effects of our bonding. I understand whatever languages that you can speak." Harry nodded in understanding. That was certainly a useful ability. "You will make a wonderful spy. Let's have a look around." Lethe hissed her acceptance, and Harry reexamined his room. The room he was currently in was rather large. He stood next to the door; or rather double doors that Tullius had left through. As he looked into the room, to his right was a small side table, and to his left was a small sitting area. On the middle of the left wall was a giant king-sized bed, and in the far left corner was a fireplace and loveseat. On the wall opposite the door was a huge picture window complete with window seat. On the right wall there were two doors, and in between them was a large cherry wood wardrobe. Harry took a moment to explore the wardrobe, and found it to be filled with beautiful and probably expensive clothes in his size. At least if he was going to be stuck here a while, he would not have to wear Dudley's old things.

The room was done up in jewel tones. The furniture was upholstered in silver. The bed was covered in a silvery silk duvet, and was covered in velvet and silk pillows of sapphire, amethyst, ruby and emerald. More pillows occupied the window seat and loveseat, and two great rugs that mirrored the colors in the pillows, warmed the stone floor. The overall effect was quite beautiful. Harry opened the first door on the right wall, and discovered it to be an office and library. The rest of the wall that the door was on, plus the entire left wall were covered in built in bookcases. He discovered that the subjects ranged from Quidditch to ancient magic to martial arts. On the wall opposite the door there was a windowed alcove that contained a desk and chair. On the right wall there was another fireplace, two humongous armchairs and a small table. The room also had another large jewel tones rug. He discovered that the desk was complete with copious amounts of parchment, quills and ink. He exited the library and opened the last door. It was a large lavish bathroom that rivaled the prefects' bathroom back at Hogwarts. On his left there was a two-headed shower, next to that, in the far left corner was a large whirlpool bathtub. In the far right in corner was a small water closet. The right hand wall was occupied by a large sink and vanity. On the vanity was a complete toiletry kit and several plush towel sets.

"Well, whatever their reasons for bringing me here are, they at least want me to be comfortable. Then again, who knows what their reasons are."

"The one who was here before, that Tullius character, did not give me the sense that he meant you harm. However, you should not let your guard down."

"I agree that he did not seem malicious, however, appearances can be deceiving." Harry decided that he would take advantage of the shower, while Tullius was gone. He considered the tub, but decided that he didn't have time to do it justice. Therefore after a brief shower, Harry wrapped himself in the Egyptian cotton robe hanging by the door, and headed out to the wardrobe. He found a black silk shirt and boxers and a pair of black flat-fronted slacks. He placed his wand up his left sleeve. He completed the outfit with black cashmere socks, leather shoes and belt. "Think I'm wearing enough black?" he asked out loud.

"You look very handsome for a human," Lethe piped from the ground by his feet.

He grinned at her, and grabbed another potpie from his food locker and a flask of pumpkin juice. He took it to the window seat and munched it thoughtfully, while examining the surrounding terrain. It was dark outside, but he could make some features by the light of the almost full moon. It was slightly mountainous, and surrounded by lush verdant forests. He saw no other signs of civilization from this vantage point.

"Well Harry, it's a fine mess you've gotten yourself into this time. How the hell did they capture me while I was wearing my invisibility cloak?" He thought about it, and he was fairly sure that the hood of his cloak had not fallen down. That meant that he had been invisible when he was stunned. How then had they seen him?

Now that he had a moment to think, he tried to get a grip on what had happened. Apparently, the Death Eaters had somehow found out about the blood protection on the house. It was logical to assume that if they killed the Dursleys, or more specifically Aunt Petunia, that the wards would fail. "The Dursleys are dead." Harry tried to understand how he felt about that. On the one hand, the Dursleys had never been at all kind to him, but on the other hand, wouldn't it have been worse to grow up in an orphanage or on the streets? He hated the Dursleys; then again, maybe he just severely disliked them. He tried to save the word hate for people like Voldemort, Peter Pettigrew and Bellatrix Lestrange. He didn't even think he actually hated Draco Malfoy or Severus Snape. Either way, he never wanted the Dursleys to die. They did not deserve that. What about the Phoenixers? Dumbledore and Remus must be having coronaries, and what about these people who kidnapped him? They certainly didn't seem like Death Eaters. Also, considering he wasn't dead yet, maybe they did not intend to kill him. Only time would tell, he supposed.

Lethe slithered up his leg and wrapped herself around his wrist. "Time for a nap," she hissed. Harry agreed, and leaned back against the pillows, and closed his eyes.