Running from the dreams

Slowly the screams in his head started to diminish, and the faces of his parents, of Cedric, Sirius, Hermione, Ron, Draco, Severus and many others faded. The Dementors were moving away. Not that long ago, he would have been relieved to feel them go. Not now. Not anymore. Because when the Dementors left, the Death Eaters would come.

He learned during his captivity in the dungeons of Parkinson Manor to look forward to visits from Crabbe and Goyle and to fear Evan Rosier and Bellatrix Lestrange. He wondered if he would be lucky today.

He almost smiled when he was greeted with the sight of his two favorite Death Eaters at the door. While Crabbe and Goyle were by no means nice, they were not at all creative. When those two came, he knew that Crucio would be the only curse cast. And Crucio, though with every casting only hurt more, was something he knew well. He could embrace it and ride on the waves of the pain it caused. Crucio was familiar and not an unknown.

He didn't have to wait long for the first spell to be cast and screamed as pain enveloped him. While his body convulsed and nerves burned, he thought of Quidditch. He thought of the freedom he felt while riding his broom, of wind in his hair, of green grass below and blue sky above, of the golden snitch and a beautiful blond seeker trying to reach it first. He thought of reaching the blond seeker instead of the snitch and kissing him right there in the air, in the middle of the Gryffindor vs. Slytherin game. That kiss had never happened, but this was his mind and his pain, and who was to stop his fantasies?

Bellatrix did.

"Thank you for preparing our dear guest for further entertainment. You may leave," she said, her voice sweet and promising. Harry froze hearing that voice, his whole body still, even before the curse was lifted.

The two left, and he was alone with Lestrange. She approached him slowly, her robes billowing gracefully. Unlike other Death Eaters, she preferred robes in lighter colors. She liked to see them splattered with blood, and the effect just wasn't the same with black robes. Her choice today was white.

She placed a pale hand on his bruised chest, the light touch making him gasp as his damaged nerves burned.

"Poor baby," she whispered. "Did I hurt you?" She traced the hastily healed whip marks on his chest with her hand, making him bite his lips trying not to scream. "Does touching your skin hurt you? Well, we can't let that tiny problem bother you, can we?"

She took a step back. "I might need some help, though. Do you mind?" She sounded concerned, but for Bellatrix this was all a game. She took torture to a completely different level. She made it an art.

"Evan," she called, "can you join me, please? I'll need your help with Mr. Potter's little problem." Harry stopped breathing, paralyzed with fear. Her spells were always vicious, but if she called Rosier to help… that promised agony.

Rosier entered, tall and dark, his eyes steel blue, a cruel smile on his lips. "What seems to be the problem, Bella dear? Does his skin hurt? If that's the case, I believe I know a perfect spell to fix that."

Bellatrix chuckled. "I know, Evan. I was thinking of the same spell. After we cast it, his skin will definitely not be the problem.. Are you ready, Evan?" She pointed her wand.

"Yes," he answered, and as one they both shouted, "Emoveo tergum funis!"

And the world turned green.

Xxxxx

Harry screamed, and the house elf monitoring him hastily popped out to the main hall.

"Master Harry dreams," Mippy informed Hestia, who was currently on duty. The house elf's words were followed with a sudden shaking of the wards. Hestia jumped to her feet, and with a flick of her wand activated an alarm. As soon as the alarm sounded, she grabbed her portkey and disappeared. Moments later, the whole facility was empty.


AN/

Hate it? Like it? I haven't said this before but – I appreciate reviews. Also, I made Yahoo group for my HP fanfiction so feel free to join. Link can be found in my profile

Seeker scene was inspired by one animation I saw while surfing the net. I will put it on the yahoo group soon.