A/N: If you are under thirteen, stop and go back! This is really PG-13
here, guys, and I don't want to get in trouble with FFN for content when I
know it is PG-13, and then have some irate parent contacting them and
telling them to remove me from the system. ~Sylvia
December 20th 10:00 AM
Lucius Malfoy was pacing in his study. He was not a happy man. Everything he had tried to destroy the boy in the dungeons had not worked. None of them. After talking to McNair, he found that his most trusted Death Eater could not harm the boy either. Lucius sighed to himself as he wondered how to do it. How could he destroy the boy without being able to touch him or cast any spells? It was frustrating, even more frustrating than the Muggle problem. He set aside his plans for the next attack and allowed his mind to drift to the Riddle in the dungeon. He could not touch the boy. Nor could he cast spells. He fell to pacing again as he thought about different things he could do to make the child miserable until he was ready to die. He had not been fed, and as far as Malfoy knew, was still in the dark. The wards on the door were strong enough to keep even Dumbledore out of them.
He growled to himself and picked up the Daily Prophet and started reading. He decided that an idea would come to him if he took his mind off the problem and focused on something else for a while. He read through several articles and tossed the paper aside with a growl. Nothing had come yet. Nothing. He would find a way. He knew that he would. He would just have to be patient and wait it out. He was sure that he would be able to follow out his original idea of destroying the boy. Oh, the look on Voldemort's face when he saw the boy completely devoid of his personality, of who he had been. A devious smile came unbidden to Malfoy's face as he pictured the scene of Voldemort finding the boy and the boy not being able to respond to him, perhaps in some stupor out of which he would never return, his mind ensnared in his own.Malfoy sat up quickly and went to his library. He searched through the books there on Potions and found the text he had been looking for.
He pulled it from the shelf and opened it, searching through the potions listed to find what he knew would work. Although complicated, he could brew this potion and put it to good use on that boy. He found the appropriate page and scanned down those listed until he came to the one that would make his fantasies come true. The Mind's Snare.
Harry stood at the door, chipping away at the wards that kept the door locked and closed. He felt one give way, but the others only seemed to strengthen against his attacks after the first had fallen. He raised his hand again and started back at them, working on the most complex first, hoping that he would be able to do this. He had no idea how much time had passed. The discovery of the torches when Malfoy had visited him had been a blessing. A quick "Incendio" had solved the darkness problem, and his candy was still in his pocket, as well as his potions. His few pumpkin pasties were starting to run low. He could only pray to whatever powers there were that Tom, Matthew, Snape, or even Dumbledore was on their way to save him. The wards against the door fought his every effort to free himself and were taking a lot of his energy. He ran a hand through his hair, the smallest lengths being firmly attached to his head by sweat from the exertion of the wand less magic. He sorely missed his wand. Wand less magic, while easy for Harry, was still harder than any magic with a wand. The necklace was still warm, his only comfort right now in the dungeons.
He was supposed to be at home with Tom and Matthew, avoiding Nellie's efforts for Harry to be neatly dressed and pressed at all times. He wondered if she would give Mrs. Weasley a hard time about the condition of Ron. Harry sank to the ground, thoroughly exhausted from fighting the wards, which only seemed to be stronger with each passing moment. That, or Harry was becoming weaker. He pushed the self-doubt out of his mind and wondered what Tom and Matthew were doing at the moment. Were they looking for him? Had they told anyone? He hoped that they were on their way. They wouldn't give up on him, would they? Harry shook his head and mentally smacked himself. They wouldn't give up on him because they were all family now. Tom had stood up to SNAPE for Harry, gaining an ally, but still, he had stood up to the man and won. He was prepared to take on the whole Ministry if needed to keep Harry. He was probably leading the search and rescue while Harry had wallowed in self-pity.
Harry took a small sip from his Pepper-Up Potion and stood at the door again, setting back to work on the wards. He would get out of here, and spend Christmas at home with Tom and Matthew. He wasn't going to let his first normal Christmas pass him by without a fight. He smiled to himself as he thought of the comment Snape would be making now about Gryffindor stubbornness. That stubbornness would pay off now; for Harry was determined that he was leaving this place and get home to Tom and Matthew.
December 20th 7:00 PM
Harry backed up as he heard the door being opened. He checked his appearance, still sure of being Michael, and released the torches from their glow. He crept into his corner. With no back exposed, he could not be attacked there. His eyes adjusted to the light rapidly, but he still threw a hand up as Malfoy and several other Death Eaters that Michael had not seen before entered the dungeons. "This has gone on long enough, Malfoy." Michael growled out, trying to impersonate Voldemort. He actually saw one of the Death Eaters shudder a bit, but nothing else told him how the other Death Eaters viewed him.
Malfoy motioned to the Death Eaters, who all advanced on Michael. Michael raised a hand and managed to hex a few of them, but not all of them. He realized that his working on the wards had depleted his strength just a bit, but he could still fight them as long as he could stand. He was not up long. Three of the Death Eaters wrestled him to the ground while the others took up pre-designated posts around him. Michael realized that several could touch him without ill affect, while the others avoided his skin as though it was poisonous. Probably was, considering whom some of them were. He kicked up at one, while another moved in to grab his leg. Someone had his head, another his shoulders, his arms, and his legs. Michael was not happy about this. He couldn't even get a hex out without someone stopping him by distracting him or keeping his hands from moving. One of the Death Eaters produced a vial of some sort, while another moved forward to pry his jaws apart. Michael easily saw what they were trying to do and fought all the harder. He was not going to let them poison him!
A warm liquid was poured into his mouth and the Death Eater forced his mouth closed. A hand was put over his mouth to keep him from spitting out the bitter potion while another set of hands tilted his head back. The potion was at the back of his throat, making it very hard to breathe. Someone reached out and ran a hand down his throat. He choked on the potion, but it went down. Once they realized he had swallowed, the Death Eaters disappeared one by one until the largest was still there, pinning Michael to the ground, keeping control of his hands. Michael's fight became less pronounced as the potion started acting. When he stopped moving altogether, the Death Eater stood and nodded to Malfoy.
Michael rolled his head towards the Dark Lord and stared at the man. "You're probably wondering what I gave you?" Malfoy said, coming closer to Michael and dropping to a knee next to the boy. "Have you ever heard of the Mind's Snare?" He saw from the boy's expression that he had. "I'm not sure if you've heard of its properties. It is very addictive to wizards. It also plays with your perceptions, a hallucinogen. Too much time under the influence, and the wizard goes mad. Of course, the longer under the influence, and the more potent the potion, the faster the madness comes. With what I just gave you, you should lose your mind within four or five days. Just in time for Christmas. Won't that make a fine present for your uncle?" Malfoy patted the boy on the arm in a conciliatory gesture, smiled his best evil grin, and went out the door. Michael watched him go. He saw another Death Eater standing there, his hood down. The sluggishness in his brain hindered his words, but he spoke three very clearly to the boy next to the door.
"Draco, get help." The potion in his body came into full effect then, the colors and lights all melting into one as Michael stared helplessly at the boy who was going out the door. He heard several things as the wards went up, quite a few he was sure were not there, but they sounded so real it was hard to tell. He reached up to his necklace and clutched it through his shirt. Cherished one. He rode the potion, hoping that it wore off quickly and he could get back to work on trying to get out.
December 22nd 6:00 AM
Harry clenched his hands into fists as he fought down another craving. The potion had worn off a while ago, he wasn't sure how much time he had spent fighting against its effects. Since then, however, there had been increased demands from his body for more. He had never felt this before, but he knew what it was. He was going through withdrawal, and he fought it. But it was slowly winning. His body desired more, and made its demands known by making Harry's hands shake, his mouth dry, his vision double, and his motor skills absolutely non-existent.
He used the wall to lever himself up again, to try and gain his feet. He found them this time and looked towards the door. He had to escape. There was no denying it now. He could not stay here any longer; he knew that he would not be able to last long against that. He had to give Malfoy credit, though. He had managed to find a form of torture that involved no physical touch, no spells. Harry had been locked in the horrors of his mind while his body responded to the sensations produced by the Mind's Snare. It almost acted like a Dementor on steroids, making every experience that somehow found its way to the front of his mind at least ten times more intense than they had been the first time. Or at least Harry thought so. Perhaps he could write a paper on it for Snape for some extra credit. He shook his head. Another symptom he could list. An inability to focus or concentrate on anything important. He was leaning against a grimy wall trying to figure out how to wheedle a few extra points from a snarky potions master while he should have been dismantling the wards on the door to escape. He raised his hand and focused as much as possible while trying to undo the wards. He was still in that position when Death Eaters once again entered the dungeon, fought him to the ground, and repeated the process.
Harry's mind floated away while Malfoy grinned down at him. Harry saw Draco again, this time looking visibly disturbed. Michael didn't even have the clarity of mind to mouth any words for help this time. He couldn't do it. He was falling away from himself and into the colors and sounds he had experienced the first time. He fought against it for just a second before succumbing to the pleasant feelings that waited for him. He now knew why they called it the Mind's Snare. His mind couldn't escape from it.
The process was repeated three more times that day, with the Death Eaters fighting him to the ground and forcing the potion into him, although there was less of a fight each time. The third time Michael seemed to follow them down quietly, not even kicking out like he had the last time. Draco had stayed back like his father had ordered, but he watched closely. He wasn't sure if he was imagining things or not, but it had looked like Riddle had opened his mouth without anyone forcing it open. They had closed it for him, but he had swallowed quickly, without a Death Eater needing to touch his head or throat. Draco looked over to his father, who stood smiling at the docile boy on the floor. His father had intensified the potion, made it more potent. He had told Draco that the next dose would find the Riddle boy waiting with his mouth open, like a little bird.
After the dosing, he had waited until every other Death Eater, including his father, had left the room. He went over and looked into familiar green eyes. He checked for the scar, but saw a different shaped one there. His Slytherin mind put together his clues and figured out whom the boy was laying on the ground. His eyes widened at the sight of Potter addicted to the Mind's Snare. This was the Boy Who Lived? "Draco!" Lucius snapped from the doorway. Draco quickly left the room and followed his father to the study as the other Death Eaters re-warded the door. Draco thought they didn't need it any longer, but Malfoy Sr. had insisted. Once in the study, plans for the next night's raid against Muggles were laid, assignments handed out, and warnings given. They were all told to get some rest before the big night.
Draco listened to his father's speech apathetically and went to his room when ordered. He stood with his back against the door, thinking over everything he had seen. It was obvious that his father really didn't know who that was in his dungeons. Draco wondered if anyone knew Potter was missing. He knew the Muggle relatives of Potter's didn't care about him, but surely someone somewhere did? Draco pushed those thoughts out of his head until the green eyes came back and haunted him. He had seen that look before, last year, after the battle the Potter had been in the Ministry. That lost look, the same one that Potter had given him on top of the Astronomy Tower. Neither boy had spoken of the incident, the hour that Malfoy had spent talking the Boy Who Lived out of some dark ideas, and the reasoning behind them. He had recognized that look, though, the one that had told him how far Potter was gone, and how much he had given up on. Draco ran his hands through his hair and sighed. He would have to save Potter again. Once more. And then he would never do it again. Let the fool Gryffindor take care of himself after this!
December 23rd 4:00 PM
Draco had visited Hogwarts and been back before anyone else knew that he had been gone. Dumbledore had been in his office, with Professor Snape. His Head of House seemed surprised to see him just walk in like that. When he had been questioned, he confessed everything to the two men, the plans for the Muggle raid, Harry Potter's presence in the dungeons and what he had been through, and his father's plans. There had been some surprises for Draco as well. There had been two other men there, one who had looked disturbingly familiar.
Once the Dark Lord's personality change had been explained away, Draco had found himself the object of much scrutiny. Only Snape had believed his story until Draco had rolled up his sleeves and showed them the Mark that his father had given him. Dumbledore looked sad, while Snape had appeared as though he was going to kill someone. Only a quick spell from Dumbledore had kept the man in the office and in his chair. Dumbledore allowed Severus to rant and rave under a Silencing Spell, but Draco was able to lip read half of what he had said. Lucius Malfoy's life was in danger.
What had surprised Draco more than anything was the fact that Potter had been kidnapped by and then stayed with Voldemort, but as he had been corrected many times, that man was no longer evil. Draco had believed it when he had seen the man's face as he described what Harry had gone through in the last few days. He thought that he had seen some tears, but couldn't be sure.
He and Snape made up a plan that would have Draco Apparating back to the house and lowering the wards to allow Dumlbedore, Snape, and Harry's guardians onto the grounds. After that, Draco would help in rescuing Harry, where they would all return to the safety of Hogwarts until Draco's father had been apprehended by the law for the kidnapping of Harry Potter. Draco would be staying with Snape for the rest of the holidays, or until it was deemed safe for him to leave Hogwarts, whichever one came first. Draco thought back to the conversation he had had with Snape. The man had reached out and put a hand on his shoulder.
"I'm proud of what you have done, Draco. You did the right thing." Draco had looked up and shrugged. "Never underestimate doing the right thing. It doesn't mean you're Gryffindor." Draco had smiled a bit at that. "Had I done the right thing when I was your age, oh, I don't know how many things would have been different than from what they are now." Snape had told him, tapping his left forearm with a small smile. "Go now, and be safe until we arrive." Draco had left, carrying his teacher's words with him to help bolster his confidence until the time for the raid came and Draco had sealed his treachery against his father.
December 24th 12:05 AM
Night fell quickly for the reluctant hero. He could hear the carousing of the Death Eaters on the other floors. He could not and did not want to join in. He just wanted to appear loyal until his father would not notice his presence and he could slip away to safety with Professor Snape. He would not feel safe until he was back at Hogwarts and secreted away in the dungeons. Midnight chimes sounded, and Draco left his room. He stood next to his father as everyone Apparated. He stayed next to his father and followed him into the first house. Once the torture had started, he slipped away and Apparated back home. He reached out with his wand and lowered the wards. Four pops alerted him to who had just arrived. He turned, nodded, and started leading the rescuers down to the dungeons.
He looked to Snape for reassurance as he started lowering the wards on the door to the cell. Snape only put a hand on his shoulder and raised his own wand to the door, lending Draco some magical strength to help his attack on the wards. Dumbledore stepped up and nodded to them both. The glow on the doors turned completely white right before the door opened. Tom and Matthew assisted Draco as he sat down. The young man had never used so much magic at once before. Snape and Dumbledore appeared used to it and managed to stay on their feet.
Tom took a deep breath and followed Matthew into the cell. A quick word brought the lights up and Tom actually froze at what he saw. Snape brushed past him and pried Harry's jaw open, pouring a potion past his lips. He pulled out a blanket and wrapped Harry in it. When Tom got a good look at Harry's face, his words failed him. Dumbledore stepped forward and voiced the thought that Tom had had. "Good God!"
Reviews: I'll answer individual ones next time guys. I just wanted to thank you all for reviewing and keeping me going. This last chapter was very difficult for me to write. I hope you all enjoyed. Please review and let me know! ~Sylvia
December 20th 10:00 AM
Lucius Malfoy was pacing in his study. He was not a happy man. Everything he had tried to destroy the boy in the dungeons had not worked. None of them. After talking to McNair, he found that his most trusted Death Eater could not harm the boy either. Lucius sighed to himself as he wondered how to do it. How could he destroy the boy without being able to touch him or cast any spells? It was frustrating, even more frustrating than the Muggle problem. He set aside his plans for the next attack and allowed his mind to drift to the Riddle in the dungeon. He could not touch the boy. Nor could he cast spells. He fell to pacing again as he thought about different things he could do to make the child miserable until he was ready to die. He had not been fed, and as far as Malfoy knew, was still in the dark. The wards on the door were strong enough to keep even Dumbledore out of them.
He growled to himself and picked up the Daily Prophet and started reading. He decided that an idea would come to him if he took his mind off the problem and focused on something else for a while. He read through several articles and tossed the paper aside with a growl. Nothing had come yet. Nothing. He would find a way. He knew that he would. He would just have to be patient and wait it out. He was sure that he would be able to follow out his original idea of destroying the boy. Oh, the look on Voldemort's face when he saw the boy completely devoid of his personality, of who he had been. A devious smile came unbidden to Malfoy's face as he pictured the scene of Voldemort finding the boy and the boy not being able to respond to him, perhaps in some stupor out of which he would never return, his mind ensnared in his own.Malfoy sat up quickly and went to his library. He searched through the books there on Potions and found the text he had been looking for.
He pulled it from the shelf and opened it, searching through the potions listed to find what he knew would work. Although complicated, he could brew this potion and put it to good use on that boy. He found the appropriate page and scanned down those listed until he came to the one that would make his fantasies come true. The Mind's Snare.
Harry stood at the door, chipping away at the wards that kept the door locked and closed. He felt one give way, but the others only seemed to strengthen against his attacks after the first had fallen. He raised his hand again and started back at them, working on the most complex first, hoping that he would be able to do this. He had no idea how much time had passed. The discovery of the torches when Malfoy had visited him had been a blessing. A quick "Incendio" had solved the darkness problem, and his candy was still in his pocket, as well as his potions. His few pumpkin pasties were starting to run low. He could only pray to whatever powers there were that Tom, Matthew, Snape, or even Dumbledore was on their way to save him. The wards against the door fought his every effort to free himself and were taking a lot of his energy. He ran a hand through his hair, the smallest lengths being firmly attached to his head by sweat from the exertion of the wand less magic. He sorely missed his wand. Wand less magic, while easy for Harry, was still harder than any magic with a wand. The necklace was still warm, his only comfort right now in the dungeons.
He was supposed to be at home with Tom and Matthew, avoiding Nellie's efforts for Harry to be neatly dressed and pressed at all times. He wondered if she would give Mrs. Weasley a hard time about the condition of Ron. Harry sank to the ground, thoroughly exhausted from fighting the wards, which only seemed to be stronger with each passing moment. That, or Harry was becoming weaker. He pushed the self-doubt out of his mind and wondered what Tom and Matthew were doing at the moment. Were they looking for him? Had they told anyone? He hoped that they were on their way. They wouldn't give up on him, would they? Harry shook his head and mentally smacked himself. They wouldn't give up on him because they were all family now. Tom had stood up to SNAPE for Harry, gaining an ally, but still, he had stood up to the man and won. He was prepared to take on the whole Ministry if needed to keep Harry. He was probably leading the search and rescue while Harry had wallowed in self-pity.
Harry took a small sip from his Pepper-Up Potion and stood at the door again, setting back to work on the wards. He would get out of here, and spend Christmas at home with Tom and Matthew. He wasn't going to let his first normal Christmas pass him by without a fight. He smiled to himself as he thought of the comment Snape would be making now about Gryffindor stubbornness. That stubbornness would pay off now; for Harry was determined that he was leaving this place and get home to Tom and Matthew.
December 20th 7:00 PM
Harry backed up as he heard the door being opened. He checked his appearance, still sure of being Michael, and released the torches from their glow. He crept into his corner. With no back exposed, he could not be attacked there. His eyes adjusted to the light rapidly, but he still threw a hand up as Malfoy and several other Death Eaters that Michael had not seen before entered the dungeons. "This has gone on long enough, Malfoy." Michael growled out, trying to impersonate Voldemort. He actually saw one of the Death Eaters shudder a bit, but nothing else told him how the other Death Eaters viewed him.
Malfoy motioned to the Death Eaters, who all advanced on Michael. Michael raised a hand and managed to hex a few of them, but not all of them. He realized that his working on the wards had depleted his strength just a bit, but he could still fight them as long as he could stand. He was not up long. Three of the Death Eaters wrestled him to the ground while the others took up pre-designated posts around him. Michael realized that several could touch him without ill affect, while the others avoided his skin as though it was poisonous. Probably was, considering whom some of them were. He kicked up at one, while another moved in to grab his leg. Someone had his head, another his shoulders, his arms, and his legs. Michael was not happy about this. He couldn't even get a hex out without someone stopping him by distracting him or keeping his hands from moving. One of the Death Eaters produced a vial of some sort, while another moved forward to pry his jaws apart. Michael easily saw what they were trying to do and fought all the harder. He was not going to let them poison him!
A warm liquid was poured into his mouth and the Death Eater forced his mouth closed. A hand was put over his mouth to keep him from spitting out the bitter potion while another set of hands tilted his head back. The potion was at the back of his throat, making it very hard to breathe. Someone reached out and ran a hand down his throat. He choked on the potion, but it went down. Once they realized he had swallowed, the Death Eaters disappeared one by one until the largest was still there, pinning Michael to the ground, keeping control of his hands. Michael's fight became less pronounced as the potion started acting. When he stopped moving altogether, the Death Eater stood and nodded to Malfoy.
Michael rolled his head towards the Dark Lord and stared at the man. "You're probably wondering what I gave you?" Malfoy said, coming closer to Michael and dropping to a knee next to the boy. "Have you ever heard of the Mind's Snare?" He saw from the boy's expression that he had. "I'm not sure if you've heard of its properties. It is very addictive to wizards. It also plays with your perceptions, a hallucinogen. Too much time under the influence, and the wizard goes mad. Of course, the longer under the influence, and the more potent the potion, the faster the madness comes. With what I just gave you, you should lose your mind within four or five days. Just in time for Christmas. Won't that make a fine present for your uncle?" Malfoy patted the boy on the arm in a conciliatory gesture, smiled his best evil grin, and went out the door. Michael watched him go. He saw another Death Eater standing there, his hood down. The sluggishness in his brain hindered his words, but he spoke three very clearly to the boy next to the door.
"Draco, get help." The potion in his body came into full effect then, the colors and lights all melting into one as Michael stared helplessly at the boy who was going out the door. He heard several things as the wards went up, quite a few he was sure were not there, but they sounded so real it was hard to tell. He reached up to his necklace and clutched it through his shirt. Cherished one. He rode the potion, hoping that it wore off quickly and he could get back to work on trying to get out.
December 22nd 6:00 AM
Harry clenched his hands into fists as he fought down another craving. The potion had worn off a while ago, he wasn't sure how much time he had spent fighting against its effects. Since then, however, there had been increased demands from his body for more. He had never felt this before, but he knew what it was. He was going through withdrawal, and he fought it. But it was slowly winning. His body desired more, and made its demands known by making Harry's hands shake, his mouth dry, his vision double, and his motor skills absolutely non-existent.
He used the wall to lever himself up again, to try and gain his feet. He found them this time and looked towards the door. He had to escape. There was no denying it now. He could not stay here any longer; he knew that he would not be able to last long against that. He had to give Malfoy credit, though. He had managed to find a form of torture that involved no physical touch, no spells. Harry had been locked in the horrors of his mind while his body responded to the sensations produced by the Mind's Snare. It almost acted like a Dementor on steroids, making every experience that somehow found its way to the front of his mind at least ten times more intense than they had been the first time. Or at least Harry thought so. Perhaps he could write a paper on it for Snape for some extra credit. He shook his head. Another symptom he could list. An inability to focus or concentrate on anything important. He was leaning against a grimy wall trying to figure out how to wheedle a few extra points from a snarky potions master while he should have been dismantling the wards on the door to escape. He raised his hand and focused as much as possible while trying to undo the wards. He was still in that position when Death Eaters once again entered the dungeon, fought him to the ground, and repeated the process.
Harry's mind floated away while Malfoy grinned down at him. Harry saw Draco again, this time looking visibly disturbed. Michael didn't even have the clarity of mind to mouth any words for help this time. He couldn't do it. He was falling away from himself and into the colors and sounds he had experienced the first time. He fought against it for just a second before succumbing to the pleasant feelings that waited for him. He now knew why they called it the Mind's Snare. His mind couldn't escape from it.
The process was repeated three more times that day, with the Death Eaters fighting him to the ground and forcing the potion into him, although there was less of a fight each time. The third time Michael seemed to follow them down quietly, not even kicking out like he had the last time. Draco had stayed back like his father had ordered, but he watched closely. He wasn't sure if he was imagining things or not, but it had looked like Riddle had opened his mouth without anyone forcing it open. They had closed it for him, but he had swallowed quickly, without a Death Eater needing to touch his head or throat. Draco looked over to his father, who stood smiling at the docile boy on the floor. His father had intensified the potion, made it more potent. He had told Draco that the next dose would find the Riddle boy waiting with his mouth open, like a little bird.
After the dosing, he had waited until every other Death Eater, including his father, had left the room. He went over and looked into familiar green eyes. He checked for the scar, but saw a different shaped one there. His Slytherin mind put together his clues and figured out whom the boy was laying on the ground. His eyes widened at the sight of Potter addicted to the Mind's Snare. This was the Boy Who Lived? "Draco!" Lucius snapped from the doorway. Draco quickly left the room and followed his father to the study as the other Death Eaters re-warded the door. Draco thought they didn't need it any longer, but Malfoy Sr. had insisted. Once in the study, plans for the next night's raid against Muggles were laid, assignments handed out, and warnings given. They were all told to get some rest before the big night.
Draco listened to his father's speech apathetically and went to his room when ordered. He stood with his back against the door, thinking over everything he had seen. It was obvious that his father really didn't know who that was in his dungeons. Draco wondered if anyone knew Potter was missing. He knew the Muggle relatives of Potter's didn't care about him, but surely someone somewhere did? Draco pushed those thoughts out of his head until the green eyes came back and haunted him. He had seen that look before, last year, after the battle the Potter had been in the Ministry. That lost look, the same one that Potter had given him on top of the Astronomy Tower. Neither boy had spoken of the incident, the hour that Malfoy had spent talking the Boy Who Lived out of some dark ideas, and the reasoning behind them. He had recognized that look, though, the one that had told him how far Potter was gone, and how much he had given up on. Draco ran his hands through his hair and sighed. He would have to save Potter again. Once more. And then he would never do it again. Let the fool Gryffindor take care of himself after this!
December 23rd 4:00 PM
Draco had visited Hogwarts and been back before anyone else knew that he had been gone. Dumbledore had been in his office, with Professor Snape. His Head of House seemed surprised to see him just walk in like that. When he had been questioned, he confessed everything to the two men, the plans for the Muggle raid, Harry Potter's presence in the dungeons and what he had been through, and his father's plans. There had been some surprises for Draco as well. There had been two other men there, one who had looked disturbingly familiar.
Once the Dark Lord's personality change had been explained away, Draco had found himself the object of much scrutiny. Only Snape had believed his story until Draco had rolled up his sleeves and showed them the Mark that his father had given him. Dumbledore looked sad, while Snape had appeared as though he was going to kill someone. Only a quick spell from Dumbledore had kept the man in the office and in his chair. Dumbledore allowed Severus to rant and rave under a Silencing Spell, but Draco was able to lip read half of what he had said. Lucius Malfoy's life was in danger.
What had surprised Draco more than anything was the fact that Potter had been kidnapped by and then stayed with Voldemort, but as he had been corrected many times, that man was no longer evil. Draco had believed it when he had seen the man's face as he described what Harry had gone through in the last few days. He thought that he had seen some tears, but couldn't be sure.
He and Snape made up a plan that would have Draco Apparating back to the house and lowering the wards to allow Dumlbedore, Snape, and Harry's guardians onto the grounds. After that, Draco would help in rescuing Harry, where they would all return to the safety of Hogwarts until Draco's father had been apprehended by the law for the kidnapping of Harry Potter. Draco would be staying with Snape for the rest of the holidays, or until it was deemed safe for him to leave Hogwarts, whichever one came first. Draco thought back to the conversation he had had with Snape. The man had reached out and put a hand on his shoulder.
"I'm proud of what you have done, Draco. You did the right thing." Draco had looked up and shrugged. "Never underestimate doing the right thing. It doesn't mean you're Gryffindor." Draco had smiled a bit at that. "Had I done the right thing when I was your age, oh, I don't know how many things would have been different than from what they are now." Snape had told him, tapping his left forearm with a small smile. "Go now, and be safe until we arrive." Draco had left, carrying his teacher's words with him to help bolster his confidence until the time for the raid came and Draco had sealed his treachery against his father.
December 24th 12:05 AM
Night fell quickly for the reluctant hero. He could hear the carousing of the Death Eaters on the other floors. He could not and did not want to join in. He just wanted to appear loyal until his father would not notice his presence and he could slip away to safety with Professor Snape. He would not feel safe until he was back at Hogwarts and secreted away in the dungeons. Midnight chimes sounded, and Draco left his room. He stood next to his father as everyone Apparated. He stayed next to his father and followed him into the first house. Once the torture had started, he slipped away and Apparated back home. He reached out with his wand and lowered the wards. Four pops alerted him to who had just arrived. He turned, nodded, and started leading the rescuers down to the dungeons.
He looked to Snape for reassurance as he started lowering the wards on the door to the cell. Snape only put a hand on his shoulder and raised his own wand to the door, lending Draco some magical strength to help his attack on the wards. Dumbledore stepped up and nodded to them both. The glow on the doors turned completely white right before the door opened. Tom and Matthew assisted Draco as he sat down. The young man had never used so much magic at once before. Snape and Dumbledore appeared used to it and managed to stay on their feet.
Tom took a deep breath and followed Matthew into the cell. A quick word brought the lights up and Tom actually froze at what he saw. Snape brushed past him and pried Harry's jaw open, pouring a potion past his lips. He pulled out a blanket and wrapped Harry in it. When Tom got a good look at Harry's face, his words failed him. Dumbledore stepped forward and voiced the thought that Tom had had. "Good God!"
Reviews: I'll answer individual ones next time guys. I just wanted to thank you all for reviewing and keeping me going. This last chapter was very difficult for me to write. I hope you all enjoyed. Please review and let me know! ~Sylvia