Disclaimer:

I do not own Harry Potter, but he keeps offering to let me collar him.

I would if I had the money to pay for the collar.

Therefore, if any lawyer feels like suing me, please provide the collar as part of the settlement.

Chapter 11 – Still Day 4 and Slightly Into Day 5

Harry blinked his eyes as sleep started to retreat once again. The room was dark, with the stars twinkling outside. He sat up and sourly debated whether or not they were laughing at him. He stretched with a groan, and then noticed a flicker of movement out of the corner of his eye.

He grabbed his wand from the bedside table and slipped his glasses on. Bringing up his wand, he felt his eyebrows rise. At the tip of the bit of wood was a very startled Ginny Weasley. "What are you doing here?"

She smiled a little as he lowered his wand, and then placed a small silver statue of a snake beside him on the bed. She sat down in the nearby chair. "I ran into Lucius Malfoy in Diagon Alley today. He seemed to think you'd want to come back."

Harry was vaguely aware that his mouth was wide open and a fly could buzz in at any time. Shutting it, he had to try a few times before he could get another word out. "Wh…. Wh… Why would you help Malfoy?"

She leaned forward a little. "Because, I was there when Hermione told my father about what happened. I know what will happen if you don't go back. And if the Order thinks that they can keep you here until all three of you die, they are sadly mistaken."

He blinked at her and looked around. Madam Pomfrey was no where to be seen. "How did you get here?"

Ginny smirked. "I flooed to Rosemerta's and then walked right in the front door." She laughed. "It's rather amazing how easy it was. I'm surprised the Death Eaters haven't killed us all, it was so simple."

Harry sighed. He'd often wondered if the direct approach would get someone into the school. It appeared that it would, indeed, work. "So, how am I supposed to get back there? It's not like I can walk out of here, jump on the Knight Bus, and ask for Voldemort's headquarters."

Ginny looked thoughtful. "I wonder if that would work…." She shook her head. "Seriously, Mr. Malfoy gave me a portkey for you."

Harry groaned at the mention of a portkey. He had hated the things ever since he was kidnapped in fourth year. He started laughing. Voldemort created the portkey that had taken him – unwillingly – to that graveyard in fourth year, and now was expecting him to willingly use the portkey he was providing now. Voldemort spent so many years trying to kill him, and now he wanted to keep him. It was too much.

Ginny chewed on her bottom lip as she eyed Harry, wondering if the bond hadn't driven him mad. It was possible, she supposed. However, he collected himself after a few minutes and – while she wasn't completely reassured – he seemed to be himself. "I don't suppose you told Ron and Hermione about this, did you? Because, the first thing they'd do would be to tell McGonagall, if you did."

Ginny started to speak, when Hermione's voice came up from behind her. "She didn't tell us anything, but that doesn't mean she realizes when she's being followed."

Harry blinked as he looked past Ginny to see both Ron and Hermione standing behind her. "Now, Harry, you know you can't go anywhere without taking us."

Harry didn't realize there was a draft in his mouth until Ginny reached over and shut his jaw for him. He looked blankly at her for a moment and then turned to look at Ron and Hermione again. "Are you insane? You want to come to Voldemort's lair with me?"

Ron winced. "I wouldn't say I want to come with you, mate, but we can't just let you go there alone."

Hermione nodded, her eyes narrowing. "If there's anything to be done about this bond, Harry, I'll have to research all available books. So far, there's nothing in the Hogwarts library about removing a bond."

Harry shook his head. "Even Voldemort and Malfoy say that you can't remove a bond." He looked at Ron. "You should know that, Ron. They said that all purebloods knew that."

Hermione smirked. "But, Harry, all purebloods know that I couldn't possibly be a decent witch, and yet here I sit at the top of our year."

He couldn't help but laugh.

Voldemort reclined in a seat, watching Lucius pace about. He practically radiated impatience, enhancing Voldemort's own irritation. He was a bit surprised to discover that he didn't want to hex Lucius for irritating him, but wanted to comfort him instead. When Lucius paused to look at him, he realized he was growling. "I need a brandy."

Lucius quickly poured his Lord a drink. Since he was at the bar, anyway, he poured himself one, too. "My Lord, she said she would have him here by now."

"I know, Lucius." Voldemort pondered. Where had he heard the name Ginny Weasley before…? "You don't suppose that this has anything to do with that issue she had during Harry's second year?"

Lucius frowned and thought for a moment. "She seemed most sincere, My Lord. I wouldn't expect a Gryffindor to fake that kind of sincerity. I don't think they're capable of it."

Voldemort sighed. "And, yet, she hid the fact she had my diary for the better part of a year. She knew what it was after the first month or two, I'm sure, and she still managed to conceal her knowledge. It was very foolish and yet somehow very Slytherin."

The two looked up from their conversation, just in time to see four people – instead of one – collapse on the sofa near Voldemort. Harry was in his arms a second or two after landing. Voldemort smiled down at him for a moment and then frowned at the other three. "Did you have to bring all of Hogwarts with you?"

Harry shook his head. "Just the ones who cared more about whether I lived, than they did about you dying."

Voldemort sighed as Harry's head pressed into his chest. "Well, since everyone is wide awake, I suggest we move this to the kitchen." He tried not to feel a pang as Harry let go of him to hug Lucius. At least the constant ache was gone.

He stood, and Hermione and Ron looked at him doubtfully. Voldemort bit back a smirk at the looks on their faces as he moved to assist Harry towards the kitchens. It seemed a cross between disappointment that he didn't hex them and fear that he would. A very amusing expression but, as Harry stumbled, one he didn't have time to dwell on.

Madam Pomfrey walked into the main ward of the infirmary to check on her patient and let out a scream. Harry's bed was neatly made and, pinned to his pillow, was a piece of parchment. She opened the folded paper and nearly fainted. There, in perfect proportions, was the Dark Mark.

Ron was fighting not to laugh as Voldemort poured tea for them all. From what little he remembered, it was the duty of the lady in the room to pour out. Briefly, he wondered if that meant that Lucius or Harry topped…. Then he realized what he was thinking and took a big bite of his scone for something else to concentrate on.

Lucius quirked an eyebrow and sighed. He turned to Harry. "I wonder if I could have my snake back."

Hermione wasn't sure why Ron choked, but she was certain that it had to be bad.

Voldemort watched Ginny whack her brother's back with a raised eyebrow. "Perhaps you should try smaller bites, Mr. Weasley?"

Ron nodded and tried not to look sheepish as Harry handed Malfoy his silver statuette. He attempted to ignore Hermione's curious gaze, inching further down in his seat. He could almost feel the amusement radiating from Voldemort, who seemed to know exactly what infantile path his mind had taken.

Harry smiled at the three. "So, nice and homey for an underground kitchen, isn't it?"

Hermione looked around, just then realizing that there were no windows behind the curtains. "We're underground? The chimney comes up somewhere, I'd imagine, so we must be either under a house or it's disguised as a well or something."

Lucius laughed. "It appears to be a natural rock formation, actually. And, there are enough charms and wards to keep the most interested wizard or muggle headed the wrong way for years."

Harry decided to divert the subject. He wasn't going to let his friends know anything that might keep them from going home, and the best way to do that would be to keep them from asking the right questions. He refused to think he was irritated because he hadn't asked that question. "Hermione, notice something missing?"

Hermione glanced around, and shook her head. "Other than the windows, no."

Harry laughed. "There's not a single house elf here." He had to laugh harder at the look of delight on her face – and dismay on Ron's – as Hermione started asking Voldemort if it was possible that SPEW would have his support. He nearly fell out of his chair when Voldemort shot him a look that clearly said he would pay for this later.

Probably not up to my usual level, but I've been so worried with other things in my life that I'm surprised that this had time to pop out of my skull… Or perhaps there just wasn't enough room in there for it, anymore? Anyway, reviews are welcome. No, this story is not dead.