DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN HARRY POTTER ONLY THE PLOT OF THIS FIC AND ANY OTHER CHARACTER THAT JK ROWLING DIDN'T MENTION IN HER BOOKS.
THE BOYS WHO LIVED
9 italics 9 rat
'Italics' Parseltongue
( ) dolphin
'Italics' Owl / Cat
Italics thoughts
Chapter 14: The Arena
Pain was all that Harry felt as he slowly opened his eyes to darkness. The cell that he is currently being held in was dark save for some torch lights from the doorway. The bars were thick but the chains on his legs, arms and neck are even thicker. Harry felt like a dog on a leash the way he winced with pain. It took every ounce of will power not to pass out again. As Harry looked up and struggled to sit upright the weight of the chain holding him down he realized for the first time that this truly was hell on earth.
"Well, Well Potter feeling comfortable?" asked a very familiar voice and Harry turned to find Lucius Malfoy standing outside his door with someone else by the neck. It was Draco and he looked pretty bad with the broken nose and bloody mouth. His hair was matted in blood and his body looks to be at odd angles. The twitching in his muscles told Harry all he needed to know about Draco's condition as he was thrown in with him and chained the same way as Harry. The boy did not move much as he passed out. "The dark lord does not take kindly to traitors so I leave it be. You are no longer my son the Malfoy name will not be tainted by your Muggle loving filth!" with that he spat on his son's body and walked out.
The first thing that Draco noticed as he started to stir was the constant pain in his body and the weights on his neck, arms, and legs. As he slowly rose from the fog of slumber he noticed that he was not alone. "Are you alright?" asked a voice and Draco instantly recognized it as Harry Potter's voice. When his eyes focused he found that Harry was covered in wounds as well and twitched every now and then due to the pain he must have felt when he was witnessing Draco's torture or if he tuned them out. Slowly Draco tried to rise but found that the pain was all over his body.
"Don't move," said Harry and Draco did as he commanded for the time being. "Listen the cruciatus curse is by far a very painful curse but it will go away eventually," and Draco only glared, "You're probably used to it by now Potter," was the reply. "I know but it still hurts like a bitch," Harry replied and Draco laughed at the joke then cringed when his body gave into another spasm. "Don't worry it is just your nerves being shorted it will take a while for it to become fully operational again." Replied Harry, "yeah I bet you had it a lot," Draco snapped and Harry nodded causing Draco's face to turn even whiter then before. "You better believe it." He said.
It was not long after that little incident that the doors were opened again and another figure was thrown in. The figure was obviously female with dirt in her hair. Her sobs made Harry and Draco realize it was Hermione. She was sobbing with blood coming from on her forehead and other cuts on her body. Harry and Draco were shocked to find that her legs were bleeding. "Hermione are you alright?" Harry whispered to her his voice hoarse with the screams. Hermione slowly sat up her chains and her hair hid the rest of her wounds but the boys could smell it on her.
She was naked and her body filled with cuts bruises and things sticking out (probably bones) as she made not attempt to move. "Bloody Hell!" said Draco as he slowly got up and crawled over to Hermione. She was chained but her face was in so much pain that they could not get to her. "Hermione listen to me," said Draco now fully recovered, "Granger!" he said and slowly Hermione looked up at him. He was shocked to see her jaw was broken so she was unable to say anything else but either a hiss or a groan. 'Granger can you speak Parseltongue?' Draco asked and slowly Hermione nodded, "Good are you alright?" he asked, 'Of course not!' she hissed back thank goodness it helps when the snake language is all mainly hisses, and does not require the movement of the mouth.
"Well then did they rape you?" Draco said with worry in his voice, 'no they tried to but they could not touch me for some reason,' she replied, "The mark! It has to be the mark!" Harry said just as the doors opened again and this time Seamus and Neville were thrown in. Both had their chains on their respective areas of their wrists, neck and ankles. They were then tied to the walls on the opposite sides of Harry and Draco and with that they slammed the door. It was five minutes before Dean was thrown and tied to another corner next to Draco and the worse of them all and the final member to be thrown in was Ron.
Ron was in the worse shape of any of them (minus Hermione) as he was badly beaten and to the point were the slightest movement meant death. Tied to the wall next to Harry Ron coughed up some blood. "How you doing mate?" Neville asked and Ron only whistled back in dolphin, (not bad though it could have been worse). Ron replied, "That is what Hermione said," replied Harry and he felt Ron's rage at seeing her covered in blood and wounds. "Oh come off it Ron this is no time to get angry," said Dean who was just as bloody. His dark skin did not allow you to see it very well but it was still present. He supported many wounds and to this Harry grew worried. "We have to find a way out of here," said Seamus, "But how and where is Hakkai?" asked Neville noticing the final member of their group missing. "I do not know," replied Harry.
'I saw them take her to Voldemort's Chambers in chains thicker and stronger then ours. She looked even more beaten then you Ron,' Hermione replied and everyone looked at her, "What could Voldemort possibly want with her?" asked Harry and as if to answer their question the door opened and the guards stepped in.
They were all armed till one rather tall Deatheater stepped in and dismissed the guards. At their dismissal the guards walked out of the door and a silencing charm was set before the mask was removed and professor Snape stood among them. "Are you all right?" he asked and slowly the kids nodded or tried to nod. Snape put on his mask as the doors opened again and another Deatheater walked in upon closing the door he took off his mask to reveal an unknown.
He was not as tall as Snape being around 5'5 with light brown reddish hair and blue eyes he fixed everyone a look before locking the door. He then proceeded to check up on Harry and the others and helped to heal them. "I know the tortures are rough but it was enough to cause some serious damage. I have repaired most of the severe ones such as the broken jaws and cut out parts of their bodies but they need proper food and care in order to fully heal," said the Deatheater. "Well Andrew you know what is best but these children must be able to escape," Snape said and Andrew nodded, "I know Severus and I am working as best as I can to make sure that they do escape." Said the healer as he finished with his work and stood up.
When he was done there was a nod between them and then the door was opened allowing him to exit and Snape to remain. The silencing charms are still in place however and he bent down to examine them further. "Andrew is one of our prized Deatheaters but he is also an agent for the Order of the Phoenix. Since the dark lord is keeping an eye on me Andrew is the one relaying information back to Dumbledore." Snape said, "What about Hakkai?" asked Hermione now that her mouth is back to normal. "The dark lord has big plans for her from what I heard Hakkai was sealed around the time Harry defeated Voldemort years ago. He said that Hakkai is some sort of dragon what kind I do not know but from how he is behaving Hakkai is very dangerous, even more dangerous then a Hungarian Horntail." Snape said
Hermione was thinking of something when it was Draco who answered, "There is one dragon that is even more dangerous then a Horntail but is rather elusive and that is the Thunderbird," Draco said, "Impossible Thunderbirds are supposed to be extinct!" Hermione cried, "Thunderbirds?" Harry asked, "They are dragons that somewhat resemble birds," Hermione replied, "Native Americans worshiped them as guardians and Native American Wizards used to revere them for their elemental skills." She said, "Elemental skills?" asked Dean, "Thunderbirds have the power to control the elements. They went by another name that I do not remember," Draco replied.
As he said this Professor Snape was silent, "There is only one breed of dragon that has that sort of power," he said, "What is it?" asked Neville, "The Pacific Storm Dragon found only in the Pacific Ocean this breed of dragon sometimes comes onto land creating storms and such which the Natives of the Americas use to their advantage by watering crops and so forth with the rain they bring," Snape said and then turned to the door. "I have to go but remember all of you to make it through this alive," with that he banished the silencing charms and left the cell.
WINCHESTER HIGH
To those who were left alive were those who have escaped the attack. Albus Dumbledore walked among the debris. The building is still intact yet everyone was gone. Out of the shadows came the figure of one of many people who made it away from the fight. "What did you see Alistair?" Dumbledore asked the man. The man in general was slightly shorter then the other man Mad-Eye Moody. He took deep breaths before answering. "It was Deatheaters alright they have taken everyone including the students." He said and Dumbledore sighed. "Very well gather all the Order members and have then search for any means of tracking these people down." Dumbledore ordered and they all scattered to their many ways. "Lily, James pray that your son is alright," he said.
VOLDEMORT'S HIDEOUT
To say that the dark lord was pleased would be the major understatement of the year. He was fully ecstatic! He finally have two birds with one stone. He had capture not only his long lost dragon but Potter became an added bonus! The dark lord began to sip away at his wine that was carefully made for him by Lucius. One of the Malfoy's best income had come from such genuine wine. Taking a sip the dark lord looked at the captive in front of him.
Hakkai Hunter gave the red eyed demon in front of her the most venomous look that one could give. Her clothes were dirty and her wild hair splayed across her face hiding her now golden eyes from view. Her teeth had been elongated into fangs and her hair silver white. Her demon eyes just stared into his snake ones with as much hate as possible. "Now, now my child no need for that!" Voldemort said as he slowly walked down to her. Hakkai screamed in pain as he touched the mark on her arm. His very presence burned her and hurt her more then ever.
"Now, now my little dragon you have been very bad while I was gone. You have killed your parents and run away from me." He said and added more to the torture by "Crucio!" he cast the Cruciatus on her and she screamed even more. The anger she felt can't be compared, but at the moment her body is too weak to fight. "Let's see if your loyalties tie in with what I have planned. Imperio! "He cried and Hakkai found herself in blissful happiness. Turning to some of his Deatheaters he gave a simple command. "Bring the Prisoners to the arena let's have them watch as our dragon here takes care of Potter and his friends," with that the guards left to do his bidding.
VOLDEMORT'S DUNGEONS
Light once again poured into the dungeon as Deatheaters walked in and grabbed each one. "The healer did a good job on them," said one as he dragged the group out of the dungeons. "Where is Hakkai!" yelled Seamus but he was awarded with a kick to the knees. Harry was smart enough to keep his mouth shut as they were dragged down the hall to await their fate.
Unknown to them however they were being watched by a pair of golden eyes watching their every move.
It seems that every prisoner in the building was force to watch this event. Being on one side of the strangely large arena they where outnumbered by the very people who captured them. In the center of the arena it seems that there where some very large dragons standing there as if waiting for their meals to come at them. "Are they going to eat us!" one women cried and as if to answer that question a door was opened on the opposite side of the arena and in walked in a group of people dragging teenagers with them.
IN THE ARENA
Harry and his friends watched as they were dragged in without any of their remaining clothes. The guards shoved them in and after some time of torture he was soaked in blood. His right shoulder or his wand arm was useless and he could not think of anything to do. Neville looked just as bad and so was Draco. Ron had suffered the same torture as the others and they all looked pretty beat up. Harry gazed upwards towards the stands and saw one section filled with people who obviously were the other prisoners from the high school.
His glance then turned to the other stands till at last he spotted Snape standing next to a high chair which obviously was made for Voldemort.
As if on cue the dark lord walked out and was greeted with a passion by his followers. He then sat down on his throne and held his hand up for silence. Harry then turned his gaze to Snape and the Potions master merely nodded. The dark lord then rose up on his feet cast a soronus and the crowd was dead silent. "My brothers and sisters I welcome you this day to a historical event…… the death of Harry Potter and the rise to an age of darkness unlike which the wizarding world has every seen!" he shouted and they cheered. He then raised his hand and once again they quieted down. "Now as you all know the secret to my success has been eluding me for the past fifteen years….."
"I have discovered a way to which I can become the most powerful wizard in the world! That secret escaped my grasp long ago when Potter destroyed me. During that time I have placed a spell on this very secret so that way only I can control it and only I can release it. That secret to this day has eluded the wizarding governments of both the United States and the UK for far too long. Now my brothers and sisters she is back! She yes my faithful followers she is alive and with us right now. And thanks to me she is now back under my control, but first let me show our guests a very warm welcome by releasing the dragons!" he said and pointed his wand towards the chains of the dragons and turned them loose.
IN THE RAFTERS
Hedwig had flown in when she, Midnight the school cat, Crookshanks, and Trevor the toad had watched as people began to fill an arena like ground outside of Voldemort's headquarters. Hidden from view and well warded against all sorts of magic Hedwig and her party flew up into the rafters where they have a less likely chance of being spotted. 'What do you think they are up to?' asked Midnight, 'I think they are going to be fed to those dragons!' replied Crookshanks, Trevor nodded being silent as usual. The toad had to be carried to the top because he has no claws to help him.
Careful of where they are they watched as Harry's friends started to panic at having three Hungarian Horntails circle in for the kill. The poor snowy owl began to panic till she saw something in the sand. Her keen eyesight zoomed in to find Quick Strike and Delphi along with Pig make their way to them.
Now to say Quick Strike does not panic is an understatement. The snake hybrid was very afraid as he watched his friends about to be barbecued by three of the most dangerous dragon species in the world. The snake had to think fast as they started charging the teen who all scattered or tried to with some of them obviously unable to walk. It was Delphi who looked the most worried, 9 What are we going to do? 9 she asked as she raised her head and noticed the chains that kept the people in place. 'we have to free the prisoners,' said Quick Strike and he looked up and noticed Hedwig, Crookshanks, Midnight, and Trevor up in the rafters. Both he and the snowy owl locked eyes and a mutual understanding took place before she turned her head towards the cats. With that the cats took off with Hedwig carrying Trevor down from the rafters.
Now to say Harry was scared was beyond belief as he ran from the flames was an understatement. He was terrified as the dragon chased him. It brought back memories of the Tri-Wizard Tournament and to say that Harry still bore the scars from that fight was indeed right. He rolled just when fire came from the dragon's mouth again but it badly scorched his leg. He screamed in pain as he rolled away from the dragon. Unlike the Tri-Wizard tournament there is no shelter from this creature. Ron had lost his hair and his back was badly scratched but he was able to get up. Draco and Hermione were both pinned and Draco's arm was missing from its socket. Neville and Dean were both out with deep marks on their backs and Seamus had lost his leg and was about to die.
He did not see the tail coming till it was too late. The large bony tail had hit Harry from behind his head and he fell crashing to the floor. He managed to turn around to face death when a screech was heard.
Hedwig knew what she must do and so with the speed of a falcon she dove towards the dragon that dare attack her master. She had her talons extended as she attacked and sunk her feet into the dragon's eye. The dragon screamed as he felt Hedwig peck at his eye and tried to pry her off of him.
Harry looked up to see a blur of brown attack the dragon. When a feather fell Harry grabbed it and looked at it the feather was covered in mud and after dusting off the dried mud he saw much to his shock a white feather. "Hedwig?" he said and looked up sure enough the dirt had come off and a snowy owl was attacking the dragon from the eye.
IN THE STANDS
Professor Kee-Hong was watching this with terror until he felt something on his cuffs. He looked down to find a rat busy with the chains. That rat was being watched by two cats. She was picking the lock with what looks like a wire it was like something out of a cartoon. He heard a snap and the chains were off, "Thank you," he said to the rat and the rat nodded before scurrying off. Kee-Hong was left with the wire as he slowly picked the others.
BACK IN THE ARENA
Harry was now unable to walk a quadriplegic. His back is broken and he is missing a leg. The dragon had one claw on his back and was proceeding to tear him apart while he was still alive. He had long since lost his glasses and could barely see. Still others were nearly dead or dying and Harry was crying. He had never cried except when Cedric died after the Tri-Wizard tournament. He had just about given up hope for the light till he lifted his arm.
He stared at the mark on his arm the modified dark mark and thought of Hakkai. Hakkai the dragon he realized that now until he remembered something. The memory of Christmas raced through his mind and the memory of Hakkai healing from a severe wound that she had received and her words echoed through her mind. I do not think of the pain that I had when my hand was chopped off a few times in prison for I can grow it back I just thought of the way my hand looked from every cell to the scars it obtained from various activities. I just remember what it looks like and my body does the rest
Harry looked up at the dragon and closed his eyes. He began to think of Hakkai's words and slowly he could feel his body working with him to repair the damage. His magic began to course through his body. As this was going on the dragon flew backwards away from him startled as Harry could feel his magic repairing the damage.
IN THE STANDS
Snape almost cheered as he heard the dark lord scream in anger as he finally began to notice that his enemies were no longer in pieces. He watched as Potter began to heal himself when the dragon flew back startled. When Potter rose up covered in his own blood his eyes glowed golden instead of green and he marched towards each and every one of his comrades and whispered in their ears. He watched as one by one they began to heal. He was amazed at Potter's skill and was intrigued by it. But what bothered him was the fact that Potter grew claws and the beginnings of fangs grew from his mouth. As he watched, the others had the same looks to them too.
Voldemort was far from pleased to see Potter and his friends some how regenerate using wandless magic. Nagini hissed in anger at her master's enemy, 'you are no match for my master, my master will kill you in time Potter hatchling!' she hissed loudly but was met by another hiss from the sand.
IN THE ARENA
Quick Strike had heard the female python hiss loudly at Harry and his friends and spread his hood out hissing back, 'if you say your master can kill the Potter hatchling then tell him to come down here and kill him himself!' He said and bore his fangs for good measure.
Harry turned to the serpent hybrid, "Quick Strike!" he said, 'well master Harry it seems that we familiars are at your service yet again?' He hissed amused this time. Harry smirked at his friend before the snake turned and hissed again as green light zoomed down towards him. Hissing Quick Strike received the killing curses but it bounced off his skin. Harry was surprised but Quick Strike was not, 'The best armor is a snake's nearly shed skin I will shed soon so it becomes reflective,' the snake said in amusement, 'it also does not help if your part Basilisk,' with that he started rattling his tail which threw the dragons into more of a frenzy.
IN THE STANDS
Voldemort was now angry no not angry royally pissed. He had just been taunted by a snake! The strange snake below him hissed insults and no matter how many times he threw curses at him the snake just remained there laughing. Nagini hissed and was about to do battle with this snake when Voldemort raised his hand. The crowd went silent, "Well Potter it seems that you have the ability to regenerate even after being eaten alive by dragons." Voldemort said with pure venom in his voice.
IN THE ARENA
Harry looked up along with the others at Voldemort as he smirked, "It seems to me Potter that the dragons have eaten their fill." And with that he said a quick spell and they sank into the floor. When they fully disappeared he then opened a door to the far right, "I think it is about time we introduce a new aspect to the game." He said and something moved from the shadows slowly walking out, "Let me spice things up a bit." He said and the light shown on some feet," by making you all the victims of a dragon that far exceeds that of the Hungarian Horntail," he said, "I believe she is a friend of yours," with that the Deatheaters began to cheer as the shadows parted and everyone stood in shock at the sight of none other then Hakkai Hunter.
TBC