Scars of the Future
Disclaimer: The characters, both Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings, were created by J.K. Rowling and J.R.R. Tolkien.
A/N: This fic was not created by myself alone. It was done in script format over Instant Messenger by myself and Animagus-Spirit. This fic and most of the events in it are her brilliant ideas, I have just taken the task to write it. Therefore, this fic is dedicated to her You're the greatest!
A/N Again: While I was writing this, I absolutely could not get certain parts done right, so I sent it to Animgus-Spirit and asked her to see what she could do. The result was amazing. She completely redid one scene and added another, and it was great! So, I can't take credit for this entire chapter, since she wrote a good portion of it. Her bits are identified by !A!A!. (Or I could just say the first and last scene.)
UK All The Way- Love my Frodo-angst. He won't kill himself, he'll just do worse…and I'm not talking about the dementor's kiss, either. grins evilly
coolmarauders- Hate to burst your bubble, but no dark Harry...Here's more and I hope you enjoy it?
Brownie/Melody- Thanks so much for your kind words! The chapters may flow once they're finished, but let me tell you, sometimes I just have the hardest time, which is the reason I didn't do all of this chapter, I could not get it right! Anyway, can't tell you how much I appreciate your support, hopefully this fic'll be finished by the end of the summer!
LATMC- Actually, it's not the same graveyard from Book 4, they're in two different towns. LoL. Ok, your answers about Sirius are in this chapter, or at least most of them. Voldemort doesn't know about the Fellowship...yet. I considered bringing the twins along, but too many people! All other answers to come, so keep reading, and thanks for the review!
Chapter 11: Of Stars and Moons
!A!A!
The damp walls glistened as Bellatrix Lestrange came to the call of her master. Perhaps a much loved assignment of torture awaited her. At that thought, her lips curved into a devilish grin. Remembering her last mission sent thrills through her spine. The two Muggle parents were crying out in agony as she slowly tortured their mudblood son. Served them right, breaking the purity with that scum. Entering her master's quarters she was met with a new sort of glint in his crimson gaze. As she stared into those eyes, a strange, soft, tickling sensation spread up her right leg. Quickly dropping her gaze, she noticed that it was the massive snake, Nagini harmlessly winding up her leg.
Relaxing, she felt her lord's pale, spidery fingers stroking her face. This was her lucky day. Soon she found his slit of a mouth caressing her lips. She knew this was nothing real, just lust, but she wanted it to continue. Lord Voldemort may have been incapable of a feeling such as love, yet she was still human. He was her passion, the one she was willing to devote all to. Were his tongue poison, she would still be tasting it at this moment.
Suddenly, her eyes darted to the door. Seemed they had a visitor. Rodolphus Lestrange stood gaping in the doorway as his master held his wife in his snake-like grip. He was met with a harsh glare from the fiery eyes.
"Rodolphus," hissed his lord. "You have always been everlastingly loyal to me. Do you not wish your lord to be pleased?" he teased smoothly, and ran his tongue down Bellatrix's cheek. "Lord Voldemort needs what he desires."
Rodolphus began to turn a violent shade of red, but was shaking inside. Was his envy worth displeasing his master? He hoped he had not gone too far, but indeed he had, for at the next moment, Voldemort issued an order.
Gesturing to Bellatrix, he spoke coldly. "You know what to do, Bella, my dear."
Unflinching, Bellatrix crept towards Rodolphus, wand outstretched. "Avada Kedavra."
Rodolphus was dead before his body crumpled to the floor.
"Dispose of him," ordered Voldemort.
Obediently, Bellatrix grabbed the dead body of her husband and began to drag it out. He had loved her, she knew it. Perhaps it had been a marriage of pureblood convenience, yet they had gone through everything together. Initiation, capture, imprisonment. She would have lost all of her sanity had he not been there. Sure, by now all traces of sanity had evaporated from her system, but he'd always be there.
Suddenly, soft voices met her ears, and she was jolted from her daze.
!A!A!
!I!I!I!I!I!I!I!I!I!I!I!I!I!I!I!
"Lumos!"
Beams of light from three wands illuminated the tunnel. Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Sam, and Frodo exchanged apprehensive glances.
"We can't afford any wand light once we're down there," said Hermione. "We'll be too easy to find." Ron and Ginny nodded and proceeded to extinguish their wand-light. For a moment longer they hesitated, then Ron stepped forward, and sat on the edge. He looked up at Hermione.
"Just like old times. Let's just hope there's no Devil's Snare, ok?" he said shakily.
Hermione nodded and attempted to smile. "Don't shout once you're down there. Just flash some quick light so we know it's okay." Ron nodded and pushed himself off of the edge and into the tunnel. There was a few second's wait, then a beam of light from Ron's wand shone up at them. Ginny was the first to follow, and the others were close behind her.
The tunnel, in truth, was probably somewhere near thirty yards deep, and they all landed rather uncomfortably on a slightly damp, earth floor. They were silent a few moments, until their eyes became somewhat accustomed to the dark. They were in a small, circular, vacant room. Hermione stood up and walked along the wall, her hand sliding along it and her feet treading carefully.
"It goes deeper," she said. "It slopes downward just here."
Ginny looked up. "There's no ladder. How are we supposed to get back?"
"There's bound to be another exit…or, wait, there's ridges here, in the wall!"
Ron stood up and ran his hands across them. "Why didn't we see them from up there?" he said, pointing above to where the ground was putting itself back together.
"There may be a concealment charm on them, so they can only be seen from below," Hermione said.
"There's another tunnel," said Ginny. "I think it leads to another corridor."
"Which way, Frodo?" said Ron.
Frodo moved toward the tunnel Hermione stood by. "We go down," he said, and began leading them in that direction.
The ground grew damper as they walked deeper, and the décor of the tunnel became even more unpleasant. Skeletons were chained to walls, and miscellaneous bones were scattered across the ground. Torches spaced unevenly and rather far apart hung on the sides of the tunnel, allowing the company to see this.
Frodo shuddered. The atmosphere and the darkness of the tunnel served as vivid memoirs of another, more terrible lair. He felt that the walls were pressing in on him, and he had to stop and close his eyes in an attempt to block the assault of memories flooding his mind. Sam, feeling stirrings of fear himself, took Frodo's hand.
Ron gulped. "How long do you think this passageway's been here?"
Hermione shook her head. "I don't know. Years, perhaps. Are you sure this is the right way?" she said, already knowing the answer.
Frodo nodded, his breathing heavy. "Yes, I'm afraid so."
They advanced a few feet more. Ginny was now in the front of the group, and she suddenly let out a choked shriek and jumped back into Ron.
"What? What is--" He stopped short. The others peered around his shoulders and looked in horror at the sight before them.
A body, eyes wide open and staring at the unseen ceiling was sprawled across the corridor. His mouth was twisted in a scream, and the arch of his eyebrows suggested he had been angry before he was killed.
Hermione gasped. "It's Rodolphus Lestrange!"
"Lestrange?" whispered Ron. "Why would You-Know-Who kill him?"
"What makes you think Voldemort killed him? It could've been any Death Eater," Ginny said.
"Quiet!" hissed Frodo. He was trembling, his heart was pounding in his chest, and his eyes were wide, darting back and forth in fear. "We're being watched."
The others froze and gripped their wands. As if on cue, cruel laughter was heard, and a group of Death Eaters emerged from the shadows on both sides of the corridor. They were trapped.
"Well, if it isn't the rescue party!" sneered Avery. Frodo and Sam drew their swords. The Death Eaters laughed.
"Those won't do too well in your situation, mates," said Crabbe. "Expelliarmus!" The swords and wands flew from their hands to be caught by various members of the group of Death Eaters. Sam moved to stand protectively in front of Frodo.
Bellatrix Lestrange stepped closer to them. With her foot, she kicked Roldolphus's body out of the way. She laughed at the expressions on their faces.
"Of course I killed him," she said, not a trace of regret in her voice. "I couldn't let him interfere with my…plans with the Dark Lord, could I?" The other Death Eaters roared with laughter.
"What should we do with them?" Goyle grunted.
"Lock them up! Away from the Potter boy though…and apart from each other. The tunnels here have many twists and turns, so if one escapes they cannot possibly find the others without being recaptured."
"NO!" shouted Sam.
Bellatrix laughed again and pointed her wand at him. "Crucio!" Intense waves of pain hit Sam and rolled through his body. He crumpled to the ground. Bellatrix spit on him. "Do not speak to your superiors!"
Frodo fell to his knees beside his companion. "Sam!" he said worriedly.
Sam shook himself, "I'm alright, sir, don't you worry about me--"
"Take them away!" shouted Bellatrix.
Invisible cords wrapped around each of them, and they were dragged off to separate cells within the immense underground structure, despite all attempts of resistance.
!I!I!I!I!I!I!I!I!I!I!I!I!I!I!I!
As things were slowly unraveling underground, the sun had fully risen and those asleep within Number Twelve had begun to awaken, and with this awakening they had made several devastating discoveries.
Pippin and Merry bolted into the kitchen. Gandalf had returned, and was seated at the table, conversing in low tones with Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli.
"Gandalf!" both hobbits exclaimed, and ran over to him.
"Gandalf," Merry panted. "Frodo and Sam are gone!"
The wizard's eyes widened. "What have they done?" he muttered under his breath.
Pippin held out the nearly full potion bottle, and Aragorn took it. He studied the bottle and frowned. "A strengthening potion," he said. "But how could Frodo have gotten this? Surely Sam wouldn't have…"
Remus appeared in the doorway looking worried. "Ron, Hermione, and Ginny are gone!" he announced.
"So are Sam and Frodo," said Aragorn, meeting Remus's gaze. The wizard nodded, understanding.
"They went after Harry," he said with finality.
"Then must go after him!" said Gimli in earnest. "Are yeh with me, Legolas?"
"No," said Gandalf. "We cannot. It would be unwise considering how few of us there are in comparison to the rising amount of Death Eaters. We know nothing of their location either."
"We can't just sit here and do nothing!" shouted Merry.
"If we receive no word of them in a day we shall work on devising a plan. That is all I can say on the matter."
"Gandalf…" started Pippin.
"They are strong, intelligent, and brave, Pippin. The light of the Valar is cast upon them. We shall wait." In truth, Gandalf wished more than anything that he could himself go and search for the hobbits, but he knew it would be folly to do so.
"What if the Valar fail in protecting them?" shouted the hobbit, suddenly overcome with anger.
"There is nothing more we can do with our limited numbers. I sense the Valar are at work with them and with others. I can feel future good fortune in our midst."
"But, Gandalf, I fear for them," said Pippin, tears gathering in his eyes.
"As do I, Pippin, but have hope!" encouraged the wizard.
Merry and Pippin looked downcast, and as if hope was the farthest thing from their thoughts.
"Albus Dumbledore shall be arriving shortly, I will take counsel with him. He will know what to do. Fear not, my dear hobbit." He knelt and placed a hand on a shoulder of each hobbit, then stood and moved from the kitchen.
Aragorn embraced both Merry and Pippin at once. "I feel your fear as well," he whispered to them. "Long ago, it seems, I swore to protect Frodo, and I now swear to you, we will find him, and Sam as well. I will come to you tonight, and together we shall search for our friend."
The kind stood and made to follow Gandalf, but when he turned he found himself faced with Remus. "I couldn't help but overhear," he whispered, though they were the only two, besides the hobbits, still in the hall. "I feel that all of this is my fault, and I insist on coming along."
Aragorn nodded. "Meet me here at midnight," he said quietly, and returned to the kitchen.
!I!I!I!I!I!I!I!I!I!I!I!I!I!I!I!
At midnight, while most others slept, Aragorn silently pushed open the door to Merry and Pippin's room. The hobbit's were awake, swords attached to their belts, waiting for him.
"Merry, Pippin, I advise you against this, although I feel nothing could prevent you from coming with me," he said.
The hobbit's shook their heads. "Aragorn," asked Pippin. "Why won't Gandalf help us? Why does he refuse to do anything?"
Aragorn sighed. "Gandalf would do anything to aid Frodo, you know that, but he is under immense pressure from the war he has involved us in. He worries for Frodo and regrets having brought any of you into this. His actions may seem unfair, but they are wise. None of us know where we are going, and can only rely on instinct to guide us."
Merry and Pippin nodded, and Remus Lupin slid into the room. "This is your last chance to withdraw," Aragorn said to them.
The hobbits stood firmly. "Frodo slipped away from us once, we won't let that happen again," said Merry.
"Have you any idea where they've gone?" Aragorn asked of Remus.
He shook his head. "I'm afraid not."
A harsh, almost manic cackling emanated from the doorway. As one, the four peered through the dark room. Here the hobbits and Aragorn had their first encounter with a house-elf. Remus strode over to him and gripped his shoulders roughly.
"Where did they go, Kreacher?" he demanded.
"Kreacher knows only that they have gone, they have. To their graves, for that is where master stays!"
Remus's eyes lit up. He released the elf and stood up. "A graveyard," he said, smiling. "Ideal place, isn't it?"
"Let us go," said Aragorn. They stealthily crept back down the stairs, nearly colliding with Legolas.
"Are you going somewhere?" he said, smiling.
"I forget the acute hearing of the elves," Aragorn said, a slight grin on his face. "Though your company would be most welcome, my friend, I bid you remain here. Gimli would be furious if you were involved and not he."
The elf nodded. "I shall, but first Aragorn, I offer some advice. They would not be too far from here, and Frodo would have led them. They would not have taken a straight path, but instead would have skirted between shadows and other obstacles. You can track them, Aragorn, but make haste, time is your greatest enemy."
"Hannon le."
They left through the front door, stepped into the night, and began moving in the direction they judged (from Pippin's descriptions of where Sirius and Harry had traveled) to be the right one. Aragorn stopped every so often to search for signs of their progress, but found little in the concrete world. They were very near their destination, when Pippin suddenly stopped stock-still.
"It's him again! The man who took Harry!"
!A!A!
Remus shivered slightly as he stared at the figure. Slowly his mind seemed to open like a scrapbook replaying memories. Those sunny days relaxing by the lake after days of classes, those nights of freedom and excitement as they ran around the town concealed, and most vividly he remembered those agonizing nights of transformation. For a moment their eyes stayed locked. Deep, haunted eyes bore into him. Grinning, the man stepped towards him, but something stopped him. Trying to keep the thoughts out of his mind, Remus targeted the wand at the man's chest. Apparently taken aback, Sirius inched backwards confusedly. "Remus…" he breathed. "I can explain…"
A surge of anger shot through Remus's veins. Quivering slightly he glared at the imposter, and burst. "Can you explain! Explain why you're showing your face here after you've taken Harry to Voldemort!"
Preparing to attack, Remus suddenly felt a hand on his shoulder. Aragorn was staring at him, a look of worry creased on his face. Remus had never felt like this before, but he wasn't intending to stop. Brushing the king's hand off his shoulder, he prepared to attack.
An expression of pain and shock appeared on Sirius's face, and he began to breathe more quickly. "Harry's been taken to Voldemort!" he croaked hoarsely.
For an instant Remus felt something, but it disappeared. This man was a shell, he could lie through his teeth. He had no feeling, but the way he was doing this was like shoving a knife into Remus's stomach and twisting.
"If you expect me to play the fool, to be blind, like Harry, you're an even worse actor than I'd have thought!" he snapped more to himself.
Sirius ventured to speak again. "You know me!" he spoke angrily, realizing how stupid the words sounded after they were uttered.
A bolt of light shot from Remus's wand, flying right past where Sirius's head had been seconds before.
"Take me to them!" he spat.
"Remus, stop being an idiot!" snapped Sirius with new feeling. God, he was normally the rash one. "I don't bloody know where they are!"
Another spell shot out. It was unsuccessful only because Sirius had seen it coming and quickly evaded. "It's ME!" he yelled angrily.
"And who is that exactly?" spoke Remus coldly.
Sirius had to comb his brain for something. "It's not my fault what happened at the Department of Mysteries!"
This time it was Remus's turn to be taken aback.
"Voldemort led Harry there. I couldn't help! I fell into that bloody veil if you don't remember!" Pain flooded through him. He had failed. The sting was too deep. He could have died again at the moment he had heard of Harry's capture.
Disregarding this, Remus fought back. "You were here! You led Harry to believe you! Don't lie; you're wasting your breath!"
Sirius had about had it. It had never occurred to him that Remus could be such a dunce. His hand clasped his wand firmly and he outstretched it to inform his friend. "I don't want to fight you, Remus." He growled gravely.
"Then what are you trying to do, lure me like you did Harry!" questioned Remus.
This was it. Fresh, hard rage bubbled through Sirius's veins. "I WOULD NEVER LEAD HARRY TO VOLDEMORT!" he roared, shaking.
Remus's palms grew sweaty, almost causing his wand to slip. Paling, he spoke softly. "Explain."
Fuming heavily, Sirius struggled to regain his cal. His eyes gave a far away look, and he spoke. "I died. There were whispers. They grew louder as I faded farther. I knew I was gone when I could understand their speech. Valar, or something of the sort. I swore I'd never bow to anyone…" he paused. "I was driven, told them I needed to be there for Harry. I couldn't face Lily and James in failure." A single bitter tear slid down his sunken face. "So, they brought me back until the prophecy is complete." He stared at Remus blankly.
"It's a complete load of bollocks" Remus told himself, and prepared to attack once more.
This time though, he was restrained by Pippin. The hobbit's face was etched in wonder. He turned to Sirius. "The Valar? Did they say anything more?"
Sirius nodded. "They spoke of a tree and seven stars."
Aragorn slowly treaded over to the werewolf. "My heart tells me what he says is true. For such tidings are known in my land."
The wand in Remus's hands clattered to the pavement. His eyes began to mist a bit, but he didn't care. He embraced his brother, felt his heart beating; knowing also, that he was once more alive.
Sirius's face quickly grew concerned though. "Harry's been taken?" he stammered.
"Yes" Remus spoke solemnly. "A metamorphagus became your form, and lured him in. All we know is that he's been taken to a graveyard."
Hope dawned on Sirius's face though. He was still alive, so Harry also lived. "I think I know where they are." He grinned. "Those death eaters won't know what hit them!"
!A!A!.
They began walking the rest of the way to the cemetery, Remus filling Sirius in on the events of late and telling him of the new members of the Order, and how they had come to be there. A few moments later they were found outside the gate of the graveyard.
TBC the sooner you review!
