Disclaimer: You recognise it? Then it is JK Rowling's.

Through the Furnace

Chapter Three. Interrogation of the Mind

"Let's see how cocky you are once great Leo has finished with you, boy."

Harry was pushed inside the scarlet tent which had been pitched in the middle of the encampment. Harry had taken the opportunity to glance around at his surroundings as he had been mercilessly marched by the wizard at his back. He could tell the man, whoever he was, was powerful and well thought of. Everywhere he went through the camp people bowed to him in reverence. This alone gave Harry reason to fear him.

The camp was very primal to Harry's opinion. The clothes were odd; there was no sign of any 'advanced' technology anywhere. When they had past the rows of blacksmiths Harry was shocked to see them all extremely busy.

"Haven't you ever seen a blacksmith before boy?" the man had spat venomously.

Harry still struck in wonder at the billows and flames as the broad shoulder men worked with metal shook his head. "No. Never, they are not a common entity where I am from."

"And what pray is that suppose to mean?"

Harry was no fool. Everything around him was very medieval. He had already guessed what might have happened; but he was not about to tell the wizard behind him that.

And now Harry was standing in the red tent with the green robed wizard at his side.

"The whelp is awake," the anonymous wizard spat.

Harry glanced around at his surroundings. There was a large bed structure with blankets and pillows and cushions, a large table with a map in the middle and the walls were mostly decorated in tapestries.

"Thankyou Salazar," a red robed wizard came into view. He had blended in well with the tapestries that Harry had no noticed him.

Harry suppressed his gasp; his man was the same he vaguely remembered attacking in the forest. A thin smile which was more likened to a frown graced the man's lips. "Why isn't he wearing a blindfold. We clearly discussed…"

"The insolent pup nearly escaped I caught him near the edge of camp. My servants left him inadequately guarded."

"Yes that is fortunate, Salazar."

Harry blinked immediately recognising the name. 'Oh no please not ancient Slytherin and his cronies,' Harry thought fervently.

"Imagine someone escaping your grasp."

"Like someone downing yourself, Godric."

The red robed wizard sighed heavily and gestured to a seat. "Take a seat let's get this over with boy."

Harry glanced from wizard to the other clearly thinking of a way to escape. Slytherin had obviously mentioned an interrogation. He had enough experience with the wizarding society to know interrogations could be nasty activities.

Salazar pushed Harry forward and forced him into the seat.

"That is hardly necessary Salazar."

The green robe wizard hissed in irritation. "He's our enemy until proven otherwise."

Godric merely glanced up at him inquiringly and sniffed. His dark chocolate eyes swivelled to Harry who was looking at his bare clad feet which were now bleeding and cracked.

"You're not used to wandering about in bare feet."

Harry turned his face away and then nodded. It seemed like a futile effort to fight against the two older wizards.

Salazar bit off a note of cynical mirth and swept out of the room his robes billowed about him reminding Harry distinctively of the ex- head of Slytherin.

"Now, boy, let's start the interrogation."

Green eyes locked onto chocolate brown.

"I'm sure you know what to expect."

Harry froze as his hands became clammy in nervous anticipation. Contrary to Godric's words he did not know what to expect.

"Relax boy the penetration of the mind will only be painful for a minute.

Harry's mind struggled in realisation of what was going to happen to him. His mind started sending urgent messages to his body but he found he could not move. He was literally paralysed in fear.

"Relax," Godric soothed sliding his chair closer. "If you have nothing to hide then you shall have no fear."

It was only when Godric reached up and touched the skin of Harry's temple that he was able to move.

"NO!" Harry cried smacking the offending hand away. He stood abruptly and the chair clattered to the floor.

Godric eyed him knowingly with fathomless eyes before slowly rising himself out of his chair. "It's easier if I take you without a struggle."

"No." Harry backed away shaking his head, palm raised as if to keep the other wizard at bay. "No. Stay away from me."

"Stay calm," Godric soothed gently. He had not moved from his place but Harry was not fooled by his pretence. Godric had interrogated unwilling victims before and he knew how to bend people to complying with him.

"Stay away," Harry said his voice warbling.

"It must be done," Godric returned taking one step forward he offered Harry his hand and looked over at him kindly. "I'm powerful enough to do this with or without your help."

Harry stood and remained impassive watching the other in scrutiny.

"Come to me," Godric continued in a low voice.

Harry felt the power of the words but resisted the pull as he would the imperius curse. Godric looked somewhat surprised by Harry's ability to ward him off.

Too panicked to follow reason Harry let his eyes dart to the entrance of the tent.

Before he could run Godric grabbed his wrist anticipating the move. Harry jerked away and lashed out.

Swearing profusely Godric crashed over something in the middle of the floor. Harry took the opportunity to crawl away however the older wizard grabbed Harry's ankle and pulled him down. A moment later Godric was kneeling over Harry with both his wrists firmly held behind his back.

Harry let out a cry of rage and wriggled but to Godric's satisfaction the boy was held extremely firm.

Harry was pulled to his feet and thrust onto the bed where Godric conjured ropes to hold Harry fast to the bed head by his wrists.

Tears of fear and betrayal streamed down Harry's pale cheeks while Godric kneeled on his knees to stop him kicking.

"I'm sincerely sorry boy that this seems to distress you but what must be done will be done," Godric said softly. "There is nothing either of us can do."

Harry stared hatefully into Godric face and then to how the man was sitting on him. "Not the best position to be in I agree," Godric said leaning forward and touching one hand then another to Harry's temples. "But I won't abuse my power of trust, boy. Now with…"

If Godric continued speaking Harry didn't know. He screamed as a white flash seemed to burn in his mind. He heard Godric's soft voice telling him the pain would pass.

It did pass surprisingly quickly. But just as quickly Harry felt himself loosing control of his mind to Godric.

A moment he saw a whirl of visual pictures and voices…. Voices from his past spoke in myriad of tones and timbres and intercalate whispers provided a harmony…

'Seeker? But first years never – you must be the youngest house player in about-'

'Kill the spare.'

'The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches…'

'You need more persuasion? Very well – take the smallest one.'

'Just do what I did, Harry.'

'Born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies…'

'Well that was a bit stupid of you, seeing as young don't know anyone but me who's been possessed by You-know-who, and I can tell you what it feels like.'

Harry shook his head violently from side to side. He could feel the tips of Godric's fingers still determinedly holding him; yet he could feel the other's great confusion and reluctance. The interwoven voices continued into a crescendo…

'Prongs rode again last night.'

'and the Dark Lord will mark him his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not…'

'Dumbledore's been driven out of this castle by the mere memory of me!'

'A Parselmouth! You can talk to snakes!'

'And either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives.'

'I've been living off rats mostly. Can't steal too much food from Hogsmeade; I'd draw attention to myself.'

'Severus… please…'

'I thought that to belong in Gryffindor you were supposed to be brave?'

'Take my body back, will you? Take my body back to my parents.'

'The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies…'

'I am not paying some crackpot old fool to teach him magic tricks!'

'…have secured objects from Hufflepuff and Slytherin, he set out to track down objects owned by Gryffindor or Ravenclaw…'

'The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies…'

It took Harry moments to realise that Godric had stumbled away from him leaving him alone on the bed, bound and the voices fading into nothingness as if they had never been.

Godric had brought up everything painful and images he would have preferred to have forgotten. Harry curled his legs up to his chest and swallowed the painful lump in his throat. He was tense; breathing was difficult it felt like a werewolf was chomping on his throat ripping him apart. His heartbeat was like a dull thud in his chest.

"Forgive me I have wronged you." Godric's voiced seemed to come from a far off place and was accompanied by something being poured.

Harry turned his face away as Godric approached him. Godric ignored the slight and laid a cool palm on Harry's forehead. "You are still feeling the effects of the Cruciatus, here drink this…"

Harry refused to look at Godric; he was feeling a keen sense of betrayal…

"Oh I should release you," Godric muttered.

"Yes that would be nice," Harry snapped irritably, but his voice came out as a harsh whisper.

Godric sighed heavily and with the simple flick of the wrists Harry's bound were gone. Pointedly ignoring the older wizard Harry sat up tentatively rubbing his wrists.

"Calming drought. Drink," Godric commanded.

Harry instantly decided that Godric was not the sort of wizard that was used to having his demands adhered to and decided to take the flaming goblet and drink just to please him.

Harry pulled a face at the mixture, handed the goblet back to Godric and started to get out of bed. Then he fainted…

Godric caught Harry in his arms and rearranged him back onto his bed. Godric grimaced at the Goblet. "Sometimes Salazar I'm so much like you it scares me…"

"Godric that – that boy is sleeping in your bed!"

"Yes I had noticed that."

"What is he doing in your bed?"

"Calming drought mixed with a sleeping drought one of your more ingenious useful concoctions."

"Interrogation went well…? Is that a bruise on your face?"

"Yes that's a bruise; the lad can kick viciously if threatened. And no the interrogation went woefully. He's on our side – in a way."

"Now what is that suppose to mean?"

"Simply historia paralixis. And I fear I've betrayed his trust."

"Historia paralixis? That is a fable, Godric. A fable!"

"Apparently not."

Having enough of hearing the annoying voices Harry moaned and turned over taking the lovely plush blankets with him.

"What are you going to do with the whelp? I'm not having anything to do with him."

"I wouldn't expect you to. And to answer your question I'll protect him."

"From what?"

"This era; the medieval they call it."

"Era? What exactly aren't you telling me?"

Harry turned over again careful not to make any sounds or indication he was waking up. He had guessed correctly. While he had surmised that he had travelled back in time quite a long way he didn't want to believe it. The notion all seemed a little too surreal. Wait until he told Ron he slept in Godric Gryffindor's own bed (without the founder!) Then Harry felt the sting of betrayal. Godric had interrogated him even though he was quite clear he didn't want him in his mind. It was a violation…

"We'll go and visit Rowena's tent. I only feel like reliving this interrogation once if I can help it," came Godric's reply.

Harry lay silent in bed waiting for the retreating footsteps. And then there was silence. It was time for escape attempt number two and this time he would be successful.