DISCLAIMER: Harry Potter and all other characters and locations belong to J. K. Rowling

Chapter 2 – Behind Bars

The bright lights beating against his eyelids had him wincing and raising a hand to block the offending rays only to feel the brush of soft fur against his nose. Loosing an unhappy snarl he opened his eyes only to find himself peering at a stone wall. Giving another pantherish groan as a streak of pain raced through his body he began the slow task of pulling himself into a more comfortable position. Twisting his head, he felt the cold bite of steel. A thick collar encircled his neck, slowing his movements and irritating the fur of his neck. Someone had dared to put a collar on him, the-boy-who-lived.

A low snarl had him dropping into a crouch and pressing his ears tight against his skull. A large grey wolf rumbled at him from a cage to the left before slinking back into a corner and fading into the shadows. The only sign it remained was the flashing of gold eyes that held only fear and pain. Not another Animagus then, damn.

Standing carefully he began to pace the confines of the cage. Made of sturdy steel, the bars were firmly set within the concrete floor of the cage. Centering himself he pushed his magic outward, seeking any other magic entities within the area. With an unhappy sigh he settled back; nothing magic was within the building, even the bars were made of simple metal.

Breathing deeply, he attempted to use his much simpler panther senses to detect anything of interest in the air but only received the smell of stale urine and old blood for his troubles. His last fleeting memories were of his flight through the forest and the sudden pain in his flank, hunters. He had been hunted down as the animal he was marauding as.

Snarling in anger, he pushed against the bars in a vain attempt at freeing himself. The sudden pressure of his weight caused the bars to creak softly but also made him flinch at the pain tracing its way through his flank. If the pain wasn't enough, the continuous whisper of his conscience reminding him that no one knew where he was became a crippling factor.

The only people he had ever considered friends had slowly turned from him. Not on purpose of course, Hermione and Ron had finally figured out that they liked each other and had been trying to hide their relationship from him for the past few months. He was isolated from them all summer; forced to live in a hellhole and communicate by owl. Right now they were probably together, having a good time and being informed of what the Order was doing. He, the Saviour of the Wizarding World, was left in the dark to stumble over any information he could find. Forced to face new enemies without the aid of knowledge they could provide him with. Yet every time he owled them he received only vague response and no new facts, only the renewed feeling of helplessness.

'It would serve them right', he thought, 'their cherished Saviour had vanished without a trace. Perhaps it would be best if Harry the wizard disappeared for a little and Harry the panther got chance to see what the world was like without people constantly fawning over him and trying to protect him.' He could bide his time then and see exactly what these hunters had in store for him.

Hermione Granger looked up from the book she was reading. She couldn't help but smile as her boyfriend Ron Weasley entered the room and collapsed gracelessly on the floor next to her feet. Carding her fingers through the mess of red locks, she chuckled as he rolled his eyes at the title of the book she clutched, 'Top Twenty Healing Potions and Spells'.

"'Mione?"

"Yes Ron?" Hermione sighed, realizing that he wouldn't leave her alone until they had discussed whatever was plaguing his thoughts.

"I think we should tell Harry…about us."

"Darling, we all know how Harry has to spend his summers and I feel that it would be best to tell him when we get back to school. No need to bother him with unnecessary problems during his vacation, he'll have enough to think about when we get back to Hogwarts." Looking at the top of Ron's head, she smiled sadly; he obviously missed his best friend.

"I know, but I feel sorry for him all alone, forced to spend his summer with those horrid muggle relatives of his."

"Hm, its for the best." Hermione murmured, returning her attention to the book that lay open in her lap. Continuing the soothing motion of running her fingers through Ron's hair, she smiled as he sighed and leaned back into the caress.

The ringing of boot heels echoed in the cavernous warehouse; turning Harry's head and drawing a snarl from the wolf hiding in the shadows. Acting on instinct, Harry slipped back into the shadows of the cage he was trapped within. He had no doubts that they were heading towards him or that he was most likely the topic of the discussion they were holding. Tipping his ears, he worked to decipher their conversation in hopes of having a better understanding of what they wanted with him.

"You informed us that you were looking for something rare; unusual and original I believe your words were. So when one of my men heard a rumour about a large cat outside of Little Whinging they were quick to investigate. I'm sure glad they got there before someone else; capturing an animal like this is a once in a life time thing." The man who spoke had a scruffy look to him, like he'd just climbed out of bed and hadn't bothered to shave or dress in clean clothes.

"It had better be the best." The voice rang cold sending shivers down Harry's spine and raising his hackles in reflex. The second figure became visible to him and he could only gap in astonishment at the man glaring at him from several meters away. Emerald eyes followed the sweep of black cloth upwards and locked with the pale eyes, "Because Malfoy's only own the best."

Sinking deeper into the shadows, Harry continued to stare at Lucius Malfoy. The scruffy man continued to ramble on about silver collars and transfers as a silent battle for dominance occurred between wizard and panther. Harry did what the panther demanded he do in such circumstances, he hissed angrily and snarled. When the senior Malfoy stayed where he was; Harry lunged at the bars in an effort to strike the man who challenged him but received a sharp crack as the cane impacted with the side of his head.

Shaking the blow off, Harry paced unhappily into the shadows as he watched the two men shake hands. He had just been sold to a deatheater and known supporter of Voldemort.

A/N: Its good to see everyone enjoying my story and I'd like to thank the people who reviewed. I will endeavor to make the chapter longer which isn't really that hard. I would also make a little request of you: Draco names Harry but I can't figure out what he should name him, so any suggestions on Harry's panther name would be wonderful and welcomed.