Disclaimer: I wish that I owned poor Harry but, alas, I don't.
A/N: Just so you know, this chapter contains some scenes of torture. I just wanted to give you fair warning.
I probably won't be able to update for a little while. I have a Civ. paper due soon. Plus, Goblet of Fire comes out Friday! I think that this movie will be the best yet.
Thanks to my reviewers: Dumbledore13, nicky12330, Maben00, shannyauburn, sweet as lemonz, dubdigit, ERMonkey Burner of Cookies, and Arica, Princess of Rivendell.
saiyanwizardgurl: I will mention the Order every now and then, but the Order members probably won't show up again (although that could change). Harry knows about the Order because Sirius told him about it through the mirror in Chapter 4.
sweets2: Harry will continue to have nightmares, although they won't occur as often. He will take the Dreamless Sleep potion, but he can only take it for a small amount of time. Dumbledore will continue to work with Harry on talking about his dreams and feelings.
Curalium Lacrimo: I'm sorry that you think Harry is getting better too fast. I'm not sure that I could believably write Harry with more angst. Harry isn't completely cured though. He is going to feel more guilt after the events of this chapter. I am glad that you will continue reading, however.
The next two days passed by rather uneventfully. Harry grew bored pretty quickly because he wasn't allowed outside. After a few pointed hints from Dumbledore, though, Harry decided to start on his summer homework. He was glad that he could work on it during the day and not have to do it with a flashlight under the covers.
When Harry went to bed that night, he found himself in front of the Dursley's house. He wondered why he would be dreaming about the Dursleys, but his blood quickly froze when he caught movement out of the corner of his eye. As Harry turned around, he spotted Voldemort and several Death Eaters making their way towards #4 Privet Drive. Harry's scar began to throb painfully as they came closer to him.
'This isn't a nightmare,' Harry thought. 'It's a vision! Voldemort is attacking the Dursleys now because he thinks that I'm still staying at their house. I really hope that Dumbledore was wrong about the wards.'
Harry's heart dropped when he saw that the Death Eaters were able to reach the front door of the house. When Voldemort had crossed the wards, a slight shimmer had occurred in the air; however, the wards didn't stop him. Harry heard someone whisper a spell in order to enter the house. Once the door was open, the Death Eaters flooded inside. As soon as they had all entered, Harry followed after them.
"I want all of you to split up and find Potter. Bring him to me alive," Voldemort hissed. "You can play with the Muggles, however."
When some of the Death Eaters went into Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon's bedroom, Harry wandered after them. Harry's aunt and uncle had been sound asleep until the door to their room crashed open. Both of them jumped up with a start and glanced wildly around. After they had spotted the intruders, Aunt Petunia gave a loud shriek, and Uncle Vernon reached under his bed and brought out a rifle.
"I don't know who you are, but get out of my house before I blast a hole through you," Vernon warned.
The Death Eaters surrounded the bed and began to laugh. Aunt Petunia shrank against the headboard, and Uncle Vernon nervously raised his gun. One of the Death Eaters stepped closer to Vernon and lifted up his wand.
"Do you really believe, you filthy Muggle, that you can hurt us? We aren't afraid of you. Actually, it is you who should be scared of us. Crucio."
Uncle Vernon fell heavily to the floor and began to writhe about. His screams echoed loudly throughout the house. Aunt Petunia had fainted upon hearing her husband's first yells. Harry clapped his hands to his forehead and sank onto the ground. His body convulsed from the curse, and Harry began to scream as well.
The torture stopped when Voldemort stormed into the room and cursed the follower who was hurting Vernon. The Dark Lord's eyes were blazing, and his nostrils flared angrily. Several more Death Eaters entered the room, and one of them was shoving Dudley. Dudley looked bewildered at the scene before him, but Harry was able to discern a hint of fear on his face.
"Potter isn't anywhere in the house. Lucius, I thought your son said that he would be here," Voldemort said dangerously.
"My Lord, Potter told everyone at school that he would be going back to his relatives, but he wouldn't be riding the train with the other children. Draco informed me of this when he got home. I don't know where Potter might be, Master," Lucius spoke from his kneeling position on the floor.
Voldemort whirled around to look at another Death Eater. "Severus, what do you know about this situation? Have you heard anything from Dumbledore concerning the whereabouts of the boy?"
"Forgive me, my Lord, but I was told the same story that was spread around Hogwarts. I too believed that Potter would be at his relatives. Had I heard any differently, I would have informed you of the situation immediately," Snape's silky voice answered.
Voldemort sent the Cruciatus Curse at Snape after hearing his report. "I want better information next time. What good is it if I can get through the wards, but Potter isn't even here?"
Harry shakily tried to get back on his feet when Voldemort ended the curse. He felt so helpless. Harry knew that the Dursleys were going to die, and there was nothing that he could do to save them.
The Death Eaters moved back as the Dark Lord walked over to where the Dursleys were huddled in the corner. Dudley had gone over to his parents a few moments ago, and Aunt Petunia had gained consciousness. They were currently clinging to one another as they anxiously wondered what was going to happen.
Voldemort sneered while watching the pathetic scene. He coldly questioned them. "Where is Potter? I have been dying to get a hold of him."
Aunt Petunia opened and closed her mouth a couple of times before she was able to whisper a response. "I don't know where that boy is. We got a letter saying that he wouldn't be coming back."
"For your sake, I hope that you're lying," Voldemort said before turning to Dudley. "Maybe this will get your parents to open up a bit more. Crucio."
Harry and Dudley both began to scream from the pain. Aunt Petunia started to sob loudly, and Uncle Vernon yelled at the Dark Lord to stop. Harry wished that Voldemort would show the Dursleys some mercy and just go ahead and end their suffering. He knew, however, that the Death Eaters loved to cause pain and torture.
Voldemort suddenly stopped the curse and turned back to Petunia and Vernon. "Now, where is Potter?"
This time it was Uncle Vernon who spoke. "I swear that we don't know where that brat is. We were glad that he left. We never wanted him in the first place. When we received the letter, we didn't question it."
Harry continued to lay on the ground after the Cruciatus Curse was lifted from Dudley. His whole body ached horribly, and his muscles twitched every few moments. His scar felt like it would split his head in two. After hearing his uncle speak, a lump formed in Harry's throat. He knew that the Dursleys hated him, but it hurt him to actually hear the words coming out of his uncle's mouth. The Dursleys were the last of his family, and they were about to die while still holding on to their hatred of Harry.
Voldemort glared angrily at the Dursleys. He saw that they were useless in his mission. He paced back and forth for a few seconds before reaching a decision.
"As much as I would love to stay here and torture you some more, my Death Eaters and I have some urgent business to attend to. Avada Kedavra," Volemort snarled while pointing his wand at Dudley.
Before the Dursleys were able to react to their son's death, Voldemort had performed the Killing Curse twice more. When the Death Eaters began to leave the house, Harry forced himself to crawl over towards his family. He stared at their blank eyes and still bodies.
"I'm sorry that this happened," Harry choked out.
He took one last glance at the Dursleys before shuffling over to the window and looking down at the Death Eaters. The last thing that Harry saw while in his vision was the Dark Mark being hurled to the sky and the Dursleys' house going up in flames.
When Harry violently woke up from his vision, he saw the Headmaster sitting beside him with a worried look on his face. Harry began to openly sob, and Dumbledore quickly pulled Harry up into his arms. Harry clung tightly to the front of the Headmaster's robes, and Dumbledore softly ran his hand over Harry's back.
They sat this way for thirty minutes. Harry would have continued crying, but a flash of light suddenly filled the room. Fawkes flew over to the bed and rested on top of the covers. Harry was oblivious to the bird's presence until Fawkes began to sing. The beautiful song floated throughout the house and warmed the hearts of Harry and Dumbledore. Harry's sobs gradually began to quiet down after a few more minutes until only a sniffle was heard. When Harry had calmed down, he looked up and glanced over at Fawkes. When Fawkes saw that Harry was alright, he stopped singing and began to watch Harry closely.
"Sir, why did Fawkes show up now?" Harry asked.
"Fawkes has always liked you, Harry; however, the connection between the two of you has grown stronger ever since I took you in. He was able to tell that you were distressed and in pain. He wanted to come here and ease your suffering," Dumbledore answered while gently wiping the tears from Harry's face.
Harry stretched out his arm and began to slowly pet the phoenix. Fawkes lazily closed his eyes and made a noise of content.
"Harry, will you please tell me what happened tonight? I woke up because I heard you screaming. When I came in here, you were convulsing every now and then. I tried to wake you up, but you stayed asleep."
Harry abruptly stopped petting Fawkes, and his body involuntarily shivered. Dumbledore reached out a hand and placed it on top of Harry's clenched fists.
"I had a vision tonight…" Harry paused in order to blink back the tears that were gathering in his eyes again. "Voldemort went to the Dursleys' house with the Death Eaters. They were able to get inside the house. The Dursleys were tortured and killed."
Dumbledore pulled Harry back into his embrace. Harry clenched his eyes shut, and a few tears slid silently down his cheeks. When Harry began to speak again, his words were slightly muffled by the Headmaster's robes.
"The Dursleys didn't tell the Death Eaters where I was. They only said that they had received a letter saying that I wasn't ever coming back. The Dursleys said they were glad I was gone." Harry's voice started to crack.
Dumbledore's arms tightened around Harry after hearing those words.
"Harry, the Dursleys didn't deserve to have you. You are a very special person, and I am glad that I have gotten to know you well throughout the years. I'm sorry that you had to witness this tonight. I am relieved, though, that you are safe from Voldemort."
"It hurt to hear their words, even though I knew that they felt that way all along. We may not have liked each other, but I never wanted them to die," Harry whispered.
"I know, Harry. That's what makes you a good person. How are you feeling now? Does your body still hurt?"
"Yeah. The Death Eaters liked to use the Cruciatus Curse a lot," Harry replied.
"I'm sorry that I don't have anything here to help with the pain. Fawkes's tears won't be able to help you either."
Dumbledore saw that Harry's eyes were struggling to stay open. The Headmaster gently disentangled Harry from his robes and helped Harry to lay down.
"Sir, I don't know if I want to go to sleep. I'm afraid that they will haunt me in my dreams," Harry said nervously.
"You need to go back to sleep, Harry. Your body should rest and recover from the strain that it was put under tonight. Besides, I can see that you are having a hard time staying awake as it is."
"Would you please stay with me tonight?" Harry hesitantly asked.
"Of course I will," Dumbledore said as he walked to the other side of the bed and got in beside Harry. The Headmaster sat up with his back against the wall and pulled the covers up around them both. Fawkes began to sing a soothing song, and Harry was soon back asleep.
Dumbledore sat wide awake for a couple of hours contemplating the events that had just transpired. If Harry had gone back to the Dursleys when school let out, he would have been dead by now. Dumbledore watched Harry sleep and hoped that Harry wouldn't have to endure many more hardships.
After a while, the Headmaster heard a sound in the other room. He curiously withdrew his wand and cautiously made his way over to the door. While he was walking to the door, he could hear someone speaking.
"Albus, where are you? There is an emergency. Potter's go-" Snape paused when the Headmaster came out of a bedroom. He caught a glimpse of Harry sleeping in the bed before Dumbldore shut the door.
"Hello, Severus," Dumbledore said.
"What the hell is going on here? Potter was supposed to be at his relatives. When I learned of the Dark Lord's plans to attack Privet Drive, I thought that I would have to attempt some daring rescue plan while giving up my status as a spy. Why didn't you tell me that Potter was here?" the Potions Master snapped.
"First of all, could you please refrain from yelling? I don't want Harry to wake up."
"Of course. We wouldn't want to interrupt Potter's beauty rest," Snape sneered.
"I don't appreciate you insulting him either. He witnessed the attack on the Dursleys tonight, and he was rather distraught. Harry also felt the Cruciatus Curses which were used on the premises," Dumbledore replied.
"How is that possible?" Snape said, confused at what was going on.
"As you know, Harry is connected to Voldemort through his scar. What you aren't aware of is the extent of that connection. Harry has visions in which he sees what Voldemort is doing. He is also able to feel some of the curses that are used during that vision. Harry was in a lot of pain tonight."
After hearing the information, Snape stood silent for a few moments while trying to digest all of this new information.
"I was going to tell you about Harry, Severus, the first time that you came here to report to me. Right now, Harry, you, and I are the only ones who know where Harry is."
"You're telling me that Weasley, Granger, and the mutt don't even know?" Snape asked astonished.
"Yes, Ron, Hermione, and Sirius are unaware of Harry's location. I didn't want anyone to know because I figured that it would be safer this way. Severus, I have a favor to ask of you. Harry has been having nightmares lately about the Triwizard Tournament. I'm afraid that recent events will just cause them to get worse. Would you please make some Dreamless Sleep potion for Harry soon?"
Severus inclined his head. "I will do that tomorrow. Right now I should probably give you my report on tonight's proceedings. I was in my chambers when I felt the Dark Mark begin to burn. I apparated to the Dark Lord's lair and discovered that he had called all of the Death Eaters. He informed us that he could go through the wards on Privet Drive. When we arrived at the house, I looked around for Potter, but I couldn't find him. The Dursleys were tortured for information, but they revealed nothing. The Dark Lord had asked me what I knew about Potter's whereabouts, and when I wasn't able to tell him anything, he used the Cruciatus Curse on me."
Snape paused for a moment before continuing his tale. "After the Dursleys were killed, the house burned, and the Dark Mark placed in the sky, the Death Eaters apparted back to The Dark Lord's hideaway. He was very irritated, and he didn't hesitate to punish more of his followers. He demanded that we work harder in discovering Potter's location."
"He's not still suspicious of you, is he?" Dumbledore asked.
"As you know, he punished me when I first apparated to him after the Triwizard Tournament. He wasn't happy that I hadn't shown up at the graveyard that night. He listened to my explanations, and then he wanted to 'test' my loyalty by causing me a lot of pain. I think that after he put the Cruciatus Curse on me several times, he decided that I had somewhat proven myself. I will be careful how I conduct myself, though, just in case he still suspects something. I don't think that he is happy with any of the Death Eaters right now, however."
Snape and Dumbledore ceased talking when the door to the bedroom opened up and Harry walked out. Snape carefully scrutinized Harry's appearance. Harry's face was too pale, his eyes were red-rimmed, and his hands were slightly shaking.
"Harry, what are you doing out of bed?" Dumbledore gently asked.
"I woke up, and you weren't with me anymore. I wanted to come find you; I didn't want to be alone. Hello, Professor Snape."
Snape didn't say anything, but he did begin to search around in his robes for something. He finally found two vials with liquid inside of them. He handed them to Harry who looked at them questioningly.
"One of these, Potter, is to help with the pain from the Cruciatus Curse. The other is Dreamless Sleep potion. I carry a set of emergency potions with me wherever I go. I will make you some more of each tomorrow and bring them to you soon."
"Thank you, Professor," Harry said gratefully.
Snape waited in the hallway while Dumbledore led Harry back into the bedroom. After Harry had drank from the two bottles, the Headmaster left the room while promising to return in a moment.
"Severus, that was very generous of you. Have you had anything to relieve you of your pain?" Dumbledore asked.
"No."
"Was that your last bottle?"
Snape didn't say anything for a few seconds. He just stared at the closed door. Snape finally turned back to the Headmaster. "Potter looked like he needed more than I did."
Dumbledore gave Snape a small smile even though Snape scowled at him. The Headmaster followed Snape back to the fireplace. After the Potions Master had left, Dumbledore went into Harry's bedroom and got back into bed until morning.
