IMPORTANT! PLEASE READ!
Well, here is the next chapter of The Bond. I finished this chapter ages ago but I wanted to write ahead and the next two chapters are already written and ready for posting, however I won't be posting them yet, as I want to keep writing ahead. I will try and update every month but updates will become frequent when I finish the entire story. I am quite a fast typist and once I get going I can't stop. On a good day I can get a chapter written depending on what I have planned for the chapter. I can now tell you there will be a total of 25 chapters, and I am currently writing chapter 16. I hope you will not get mad with me but I will strive to finish the Bond in a quick time as possible so updates will come quicker.
For now, thank you for all the wonderful reviews, and I hope you enjoy this chapter!
The Bond
Chapter 13
To Bring Pain Upon the Mind
The sun was just setting, its rays disappearing beneath the hills, darkness streaking over the land. Stars shone down, and the half moon was illuminated against the sky. A fire roared into the sky, sending smoke out over the land. Around them life was settling down; owls swooped over head, and a chill wind swept around them.
Harry leaned back into his tent, one that Hermione had conjured up. All four of them shared the same, sleeping in separate sleeping bags. Not as elaborate or as fancy as the one Harry had stayed in at the Quidditch World Cup, nevertheless it served their purposes.
Beside him the others slept soundly.
Gradually sleep took over, and Harry drifted off.
Their first day on the road was over.
"What's for breakfast?" Harry crawled out of the tent. A bright sun shone in the sky, beating down upon him. Hermione had risen an hour ago, and she was busy making breakfast, using her wand to conjure up whatever they wanted.
Ron was busy munching on toast, while Neville ate a bacon roll, and Hermione - by the looks of it - had had cereal. Harry frowned, not really feeling hungry at all, but he realised that if he didn't eat anything then Hermione would be concerned.
"Toast." He replied.
Instantly, Hermione waved her wand and a stack of toast appeared. Harry took the plate and sat down next to Ron, biting slowly at his toast.
"Where are we heading?" Ron asked, looking up from his own breakfast.
"Lancashire." Replied Harry.
"Lancashire?"
Harry nodded. "Yes, Lancashire. We are going to visit Neville's Grandmother. She needs to know why he isn't at Hogwarts…though I am sure Dumbledore will tell her, I think it's better if she hears an explanation from me as well."
"That will take us days to get there." Hermione reminded him.
Harry stated, "No it won't." A big grin was spreading on his face. "The Minister has kindly agreed to set up Portkey's around the country. According to my calculations there should be one five miles from here. The Minister has been quite helpful for my mission."
"Anyone can pick them up though." Hermione sounded wary. "Muggles, Harry."
"No they won't. I've thought of it. The Minister has made sure that muggles won't touch the Portkey because it is keyed to my DNA. You lot can touch it because I'm there. You can only use it if the Portkey recognises my DNA first. It's simple, but complex magic. The Minister will do anything I ask….especially as he wants me on his side."
Hermione frowned. "You're using him, Harry! That's wrong!"
Harry shrugged.
"Leave him alone Hermione. You know the Minister trails after Harry like a dog. He worships him…and besides the Ministry should be willing to help him, especially after all the crap they forced the Prophet to write about last year." Demanded Ron.
Hermione was about to retort when Harry stepped in front of both of them, raised his hands indicating peace. "Drop it Hermione. The Minister offered to help me, okay? I'm taking advantage of him because he asked me to. It is the easiest way to get to the places I will need to go. If you don't like it, then you can just walk or go back to Hogwarts." His face was set in determination, his green eyes boring into Hermione's. Finally she hung her head accepting Harry's decision.
"You know I wouldn't turn back." She mumbled.
Harry nodded, turned away, picked up his remaining toast and continued eating.
He apparated to Malfoy Manor, the location given to him by Draco Malfoy, James walked up the drive way that was clean and tidy. An aura of darkness seemed to cascade down upon the house, sending shivers up his spine. It was evident that the Dark Lord had stepped in to the house on numerous occasions.
As he moved closer a cold wind swept by him, and he stopped cold. Something was very wrong….it felt too dark for everything to be alright. He took out his wand, glancing round.
Then there came a scream - one that was high pitched - that was full of terror.
From behind the house someone shouted a spell, and the Dark Mark appeared, glistening high in the sky about the Malfoy Manor.
James ran as fast as he could, knowing that he was already too late.
Neville opened the gate leading to his home. After finding the Portkey, the four of them had found themselves outside the little town of Edgeware in Lancashire, where Neville's home was. He lived on the outskirts, in a small cottage that was decorated by flowers all around the garden.
Neville smiled awkwardly. "You'll be surprised when you go in."
"Your home doesn't even look big enough for you and your grandma." Ron commented, but Hermione elbowed him in the ribs for his rudeness.
Neville laughed. "I mean it, you will be surprised."
The cottage in question was a small square building. One window at the front indicated the lounge and the kitchen - or from what the others could see through the window - and they assumed the bedroom was next door to it.
How on earth could Neville live in these conditions?
Neville knocked on the door. They had bustling and then it opened revealing Grandma Longbottom. "NEVILLE!" she peered suspiciously around his shoulders, her hawk eyes investigating his companions. "What are you doing here? Have they sent you home early? I heard that Hogwarts was alright!"
"You did." Neville said. "But I've left."
"You what?" his Gran sounded shocked.
Harry felt this was his cue to step in and came into view so that Mrs Longbottom could see him. "I'm Harry Potter -"
"Of course I know who you are!"
Harry nodded. "I need Neville to help me with something, but it means dropping out of school. It can't wait until we finish. It's about the war….and the…" he bit his lip.
"Yes?"
"And about the prophecy."
Neville's Gran seemed to look shocked. Finally she invited them in, telling them to make themselves comfortable.
As Harry stepped through the door, he heard Ron gasp behind him. Neville was grinning. "I told you so."
"It's bewitched isn't it?" Hermione asked.
Neville nodded. "To a simple cottage, so it fits with the surrounding neighbourhood. This place has long been known as the Longbottom Mansion."
Sure enough, as they had stepped through the front door, they had come to realise that the cottage had been hidden from Muggles. A large staircase wound upwards, giving Harry the impression there was more then two floors. The hall was spacious, and as Neville led them down the hallway to the door on the right, they found themselves in the lounge, that was as large as the Dursley's entire living space.
"Woah." Harry seemed impressed. He had known that Neville was a pure-blood, but he had never realised he was rich. He settled himself down into one of the comfortable chairs he had ever sat in, and he leaned back, taking in the feeling of goodness.
Ron was beyond impressed, he was feeling stupid for not using his head. He had automatically assumed Neville was poor! But as luck had had it he had been taught a harsh lesson: never judge a house by it's outside.
Neville's grandmother bustled into the living room, holding a tray of cups filled with tea. She passed one to each an then settled down in the remaining chair. She focused on Harry, fixing him with a stare.
"Now, can you kindly tell me," pointing at her self, "Augusta Longbottom, of what you are planning to do?"
"It wasn't her you idiot!" the robed man shouted. "It was the bloody house elf!"
"We leave no one alive." The other replied, kicking the dead house elf. "Come on, she's got to be around here somewhere."
"The others will be expecting us! That dolt must've heard the scream! He sent up the Dark Mark!"
The other ignored him, jumping forwards to move to the door.
The cloaked one raised his wand. "Don't you ignore me like that!" Ruthlessly he killed his fellow without remorse, strode through the door, slamming it shut in his wake. "No one bosses me around." He hissed.
Creeping up the stairs, James kept his wand ready, determined to find Narcissa, whether she was dead or alive. As he neared the top he heard a door slam and footsteps echo away from the stairs. If they weren't leaving it meant that she was still alive. Once he was sure the man had gone, James slipped into the room that the man had just left. His eyes widened as he saw a Death Eater laying on the floor, face down, obviously dead. Beside him lay a house-elf.
He left the room running lightly down the hall, sending out a small spell to detect the presence of others. His spell told him that two figures were ahead of him, just off to the side. Rushing forwards, not caring whether he made a noise, he hurried towards the heat signatures, hoping he wouldn't be too late.
Narcissa crouched hidden within the walls of the Malfoy Manor, her heart pumping fast. Her blond hair fell past her head. Dirt covered her as she edged away, down the steps that would lead her to the basement. She heard the sounds of footsteps pause near where she stood. She closed her mouth so that her breathing could not be heard and she wished she could mutter a quick spell that would protect her from being tracked. Sweat poured down her as she struggled to remain calm, her heart beating faster as her situation got steadily worse. The footsteps continued past her, and quickly she jogged down the steps as quickly as she could. Above her a beam of light descended, and she knew her murderer to be had found the secret passage way.
It took Harry barely over two hours to convince Augusta of her grandson's place in his quest. She had listened, without interrupting, to Harry's narrative, and now she stared at him, considering all she had heard. The others waited for her decision - Neville looking slightly ill, for he wanted to prove himself, it was just the question of his Gran allowing him to leave school. Harry had known that Ron and Hermione would go with him anyway, and besides he trusted Dumbledore to tell the Weasley's and Grangers. He had not said anything about Neville going with him, but he hoped Augusta - if she allowed Neville to go with them - then she would inform Dumbledore.
Yet he had a sneaking suspicion that the headmaster already knew.
Augusta sighed, looking across at Neville. "I cannot deny him the opportunity to prove himself, can I? If he wants to go, he can. I am against it, but as you say, both of you are part of the Prophecy. One way or another, my grandson will be there at the end."
All Harry could say was thank you.
Narcissa's heat signature seemed to indicate she was going downwards. It was with a jolt James realised that she must be using a secret passageway. He had no time to find it - he was sure her pursuer would find it. The only thing he could think of was running as quickly as he could in the opposite direction, leaping down the steps as quickly as possible, before landing, and skidding round the corner. His wand vibrated, shaking his hand as he neared Narcissa's location.
He stopped in front of a wall, filled with panels. He stepped back the wall swung open, and Narcissa tumbled out, stumbling into James in her haste to escape. "AHHHH!" she let out a scream, but James pulled her down the hall, pointing his wand behind him and closing the passageway on the figure that had appeared just by the gap. The panels closed over hiding him from view. They heard him cursing the door, attempting to get it to open, but it did not. The sound of footsteps indicted that her follower was fleeing back up the steps.
James forced Narcissa to follow him by holding her wrist, and sprinting down the hall, to the front door, Narcissa finally regained control, wrenching her wrist from his hand.
"Look, we don't have time to mess around! Your son is waiting for you at Hogwarts! Dumbledore has offered to protect you! I've come to help you, please, lets not discuss this." Explained James, his eyes searching all around him.
Her eyes lighted up when he mentioned Draco. "My son! He's alright? The Dark Lord didn't kill him for failing?"
James shook his head. "No, but he tried. My son, Harry, saved him. You will learn more if you let me take you to Hogwarts."
"I must see my son. I love him too much to lose him. He's my baby." Narcissa murmured. "Take me."
James took her hand and made to open the door, but Narcissa stopped him. "Wait. We can use the Floo Network. We have a fire in the basement that isn't controlled by the Ministry. It can take us anywhere, and will even connect us to Hogwarts."
A bang from upstairs echoed through the house. James cursed. "He's out of the passage. Quickly," he moved off, indicating Narcissa to lead him. "we've got to move. The basement!"
Narcissa in front, with James behind, throwing looks over his back, was led half way through the house, where she pushed her hand against the wall. The wall opened to reveal a set of stairs leading downwards, the sides of the walls held candles resembled in the form of snakes. Narcissa started down them, but then a spell shot over her head. She ducked, flying her arms over her face. If only she had not lost her wand earlier….
"Narcissa! Go!" James yelled, blocking the passageway. "I'll hold him off!"
She stole a glance over her shoulder, attempting to see her attacker, but he was hooded, but red eyes glared out from underneath. That was not Voldemort, but it was someone extremely powerful. She shivered as she descended the steps, fleeing the battle.
She felt bad leaving her rescuer behind to fight for his life.
To Harry's surprise Augusta Longbottom allowed him access to her extensive library that dated back hundreds of years, way back to the middle ages. Neville explained that his family had been there from the beginning. The library was one of the biggest rooms in the house; books lined the walls and step ladders reached up high to the ceiling. The floor creaked as Harry looked around.
"Neville, do you think you have information on Slytherin homes or, well, dark places in Britain?" he asked.
Neville frowned. "I don't know. I'll ask Gran." He sped off, returning five minutes later with the title of four books, that was nestled at the top of the room. Harry, Ron and Hermione each climbed up to the top row, and they spent the next hour looking for the books.
Hermione was the first to shout that she had unearthed "Founders and their Heritage, by Geralda Harrowfield". She descended the steps, her eyes sweeping the books, but then she caught something, stuffed between two books, a really thin book, its title hidden. Gingerly she pulled it out and looked a the faded title.
"Wizarding Traditional Homes."
There was no author, but it looked interesting enough and she pocketed it, going back down to the bottom, joining Neville in the plush chairs, while Harry and Ron continued their search.
The hooded man approached him, red eyes glowing, a wand raised. James squinted, recognising the wand. He hissed. "You bastard! That's Sirius' wand!"
"Very good, Potter. Let's see how well you defend yourself." The man grinned, white teeth shining. "AVADA KEDAVRA!"
James ducked, rolling to the side. "STUPEFY!" he yelled in retaliation. The red light bounced off the wall, ricocheting around the room, before it hit the bookcase, shattering it into tiny pieces.
"RICTUSEMPRA!" a jet of blue light streaked towards James, but he sent up a shield, preventing the spell hitting him. The man lunged at him, his hands reaching out to grab him. James shot out a spell, that the man could not block in time. The force of the impact sent the hooded man sprawling back into the wall. He slid down, laying on his front, as if he was unconscious.
He did not move.
James dare not hope. He stepped forward keeping his wand trained on the form. He knelt down, his hand streaking out to pull the hood from his attacker, but -
In one swift motion his attacker lifted his wand and screamed: "ADDUCO ACER VASTO AEGRITUDO!"
Black light shot out of the wand, hitting James square in the head. He stumbled backwards, screaming. His hand fumbled for his wand but immense pain exploded in his head. It felt like something was trying to break out of his head. He screamed again, blood suddenly spurting out of his mouth.
He collapsed onto the floor, convulsing, his body shaking in intense pain.
What was wrong with him?
The cloaked man - the Death Eater - was laughing, grinning evilly. "Yes…suffer Potter, for what you did to me."
James was barely conscious when the man kicked him heading into the passage, following Narcissa. Then blackness overcame him.
He ran down the steps, cloak billowing behind him. He reached a wide room with no exit. The woman was no where to be seen, but a flickering green flame could just be seen fading at the fireplace. He cursed, his anger pouring out. She had escaped! His master would not be pleased.
Reluctantly he turned away slowly ascending the steps.
At least, he thought viciously as he left the house, that Potter will die a excruciating death.
She felt the dark presence leave and Narcissa slowly slid the panel across exposing her position. Thankfully this secret room had been added sixty years ago, and this was the first time it had come in useful. She had staged the fire place to look like she had just left. She knew that if the Death Eater saw through that he would find her, but obviously he had not seen through the deception she had planted.
Carefully, and with bated breath, Narcissa tip toed up the stairs. At the top she saw James Potter sprawled on the floor, blood pouring from his mouth. He was still convulsing. He looked deathly white.
"Oh no!" she gasped, rushing forward. She scrambled on the floor till she spotted his wand. Then she levitated him downstairs and to the fireplace where she held him tight against her body, his head dipping forward. Lifting the Floo Powder into her hand she yelled "Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry" and felt a yank as she fell falling through the fireplaces, and out into the safety of Dumbledore's Office where her son and the headmaster were waiting.
They had finally gathered the four books together. Hermione had not yet revealed the one she had found as well, keeping it safe for later, in case they didn't find anything. Harry and the others sat propped in chairs, eyes scanning the text, quill and parchment laying on the chair beside them. Every so often they made a note of a place name or a significant even that had happened in Wizarding History. Harry had explained that he hoped that Voldemort had hidden the Horcruxes in places like these. If he was obsessed with significant history objects then places were surely to be a good place to start looking.
Thankfully they each had a book to skim, so none of them were waiting around. Hermione finished her book first, having noted down fifty or so places. There next aim was to sort out which were dark and evil sounding places. Then they would go and visit four of the places that sounded as if they could hold the Horcruxes. If those four places did not hold them, then Harry would chose another four to visit, and so forth until they found them or ran out of places to visit.
And if that happened….well, Harry didn't want to think about that.
It was a long shot but it was the only strategy they had.
Neville suddenly moved forward so fast, his eyes moving forward and a large grin was spreading across his face. He was reading the book entitled: "Artifacts Found in the 20th Century".
"I've found something. It's got to be pretty reliable. The book was published only two years ago."
Harry glanced up, placing a finger on where he had got to in his own book. "Go on then."
Clearing his throat Neville read a passage, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
"On November 13th 1977 the last remaining relic of Rowena Ravenclaw, a shield depicting the colours of the noble house, was stolen from the Museum of Magical Artifacts. The shield was a prime object that attracted hundreds or witches and wizards during opening season. On the same night the Valley of Glamorgan, situated in Wales, was made off limits to everyone. An eerie feeling had descended upon the valley, and all life that once lived there dropped dead. It is this author's feeling that the shield's disappearance and the valley incident are connected, as the Valley was once Rowena Ravenclaw's favourite place to visit during the summer. The eerie darkness remains today."
Neville beamed round at them all. "Well? Do you think it is worth checking out?"
"Yeah." Harry nodded. "It will be our first stop." He frowned. "Neville did you look in the H's for Helga Hufflepuff? Voldemort has got to have something that once belonged to her."
Neville flipped to the appropriate section. "It has two sentences. 'A Cup that once belonged to Hufflepuff was last seen in her descendents vault in the 1950's. The house is now off limits to everyone."
"We'll check out her house. I have a vague idea where it is. Dumbledore showed me in the pensieve." Harry muttered. "We'll put that on our 'to do list.'" he produced another piece of parchement and wrote down the two places. "Right, lets continue researching."
"I've finished reading my book." Hermione volunteered. She passed Harry her list, but he frowned as he read downwards.
"All of these places are not gone or destroyed. My book lists these as destroyed. Only one of them I haven't heard of. We'll try that one. You can help Ron if you want."
"I found another book. Can I look in that?"
Harry asked for the title, shrugged and said that she could. Hermione settled back in her chair and began to read.
Silence resumed.
Narcissa hugged her son, tears were streaming down her face. They sat alone in Dumbledore's office, waiting for him to return with news on James. Dumbledore had quickly transferred James to the Hospital Wing where Madam Pomfrey was working to save his life. Narcissa had already retold her story twice. Once to the headmaster and then to Remus Lupin, who was now in the hospital wing hoping that his friend would pull through.
In some way Narcissa felt that it was all her fault. She could not help feeling guilty. She knew she could no longer go back to Voldemort. After he had tried to kill her and her son, she would do anything to make the world safe for them, even if that meant fighting for Dumbledore. Her heart tore as she thought of Lucius in Azkaban. She had once loved him, until she had learned his evil ways to achieve power. Narcissa had only put on a brave face, long enough to survive in a world where it was not right to be friends with Muggles or Mudbloods.
Unbeknown to Lucius, Narcissa had a Muggle friend whom she visited every few months. It was the perfect way to escape from the prejudice in the Wizarding World and her way to convince herself that Muggles were not bad at all.
Remus Lupin walked in. His face was white and haggard. Behind him entered Dumbledore.
"Well?" Narcissa asked. "Is James all right?"
"He's alive." Remus replied heavily.
"James is in a coma." Dumbledore continued. "Madam Pomfrey cannot find what is wrong with him. If he is not saved he will die. We don't know what to do. We don't want to involve the Ministry. James is being kept alive through magical means. We hope we can find a cure, but whatever that curse is, it has gravely harmed him."
"Oh no…." It was all her fault.
"Don't blame yourself Narcissa." Remus said, "You couldn't help it happening. James knew what he was doing when he told you to leave. I'm just glad you returned to bring him back to us."
Narcissa smiled faintly.
"We have some terrible news for you Narcissa." Dumbledore began, sweeping round to sit in his chair. "I just received an owl from the Minister. He has informed me that someone poisoned your husband's food, and he died last night in his sleep. We do not know who the culprit is. I'm sorry."
Tears threatened to fall, but Narcissa held firm. "It was Voldemort." She stated. "He did this. Because Draco didn't kill James, and I escaped, he had someone kill my husband. I knew it would come to this. I've lost everything."
"You still have your son." Reminded Dumbledore. "You can stay at the Castle for as long as you want."
"I want to fight." She replied harshly. "I want peace. I won't rest until I see that monster dead."
It was a promise Narcissa Malfoy intended to keep.
They had finally finished looking through the books. They had compiled a list of possible places to visit and Harry picked the last two places for the first four. "These all seem the most likely places were a Horcrux could be hidden. That valley, I am certain holds the shield. It's got to or otherwise the darkness would've faded. That will be our first stop."
"Our second stop will be the house I visited in the pensieve. Thirdly the house above the cove that once belonged to the four founders, and last will be the field of magic. I feel these are the best places, and hopefully, with any luck we may find two of the three Horcruxes. The third Hrocruxes is Nagini, Voldemort's snake. We have to find Voldemort before we can kill her, but I do plan to not go after her until I've worked out a suitable plan. This mission is about the first two Horcruxes." Harry explained. "Everyone clear?"
They nodded. "Good. Now I suggest we all get a good night's sleep. We leave first thing tomorrow morning."
TBC….
NOTE: I used a Latin Translator to get the spell used on James. I have no clue if it is correct so I'm just hoping it is.
Please review and let me know if you liked it or not!
Coming soon: Between Life and Death
Bye for now!
MissBlackPotter