-122 - Caged
Severus could barely manage to stay in an upright position as he leaned against the stone wall in his cell. The door to his cell opened once again to reveal his hated aunt, although this time she did not come alone. Standing behind her with a half crazed grin on her face was none other than Bellatrix LeStrange.
"Severus I brought an old friend of yours to come pay you a visit. You remember Bella, don't you?" Vespa said as she stepped into the cold cell.
Severus forced his face to show no emotion but inside his mind was reeling with all the possible crimes this woman could inflict on him. "Bella, how considerate of you to pay me a visit."
Bella didn't like the sarcasm she heard from the man she had always considered a friend …until he betrayed them all. Her hand inched towards her wand but was stopped by Vespa.
"Tut-tut Bella, you know what I said about my nephew. We mustn't damage his brain before I get what I'm looking for." Vespa turned her vile grin towards Severus, "Besides Bella, you know our deal … the boy is yours to do as you please. I'm sure he will be here shortly."
Severus got up on his feet and lunged towards the revolting woman with outstretched arms. "You evil bitch! Don't you dare touch my son!"
He was blasted back against the wall with a loud thud. His head spun and he sunk down to his knees. Both women watched with laughter. His heart raced with a fear he had never felt before at the thought of Harry being handed over to Bellatrix. The woman was clinically mad. He'd seen her torture hundreds of children with that sickening smile plastered on her face.
"That's right you lousy trader, I'm going to get baby Potter all to myself. Don't worry Severus, I'll keep him alive for a long time while I play with him. Only thing is … I'm not so sure he's going to like my games," Bella's laughter echoed around the small cell before she swept out of the room.
Vespa stood by the door, "Severus, are you ready to make a deal yet? Tell me where the potion is and I'll let your son live."
"Go to hell, Vespa," Severus' voice was a mere whisper. He knew she would never let Harry go. The situation couldn't be any darker. Vespa slammed the door and locked it.
Severus was now not only worried about his own demise but also the demise of his son. The threat Vespa had made about contacting Harry was probably the worse punishment she could dole out. Severus knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that the idiot boy would come running. He only hoped that Harry would bring other people along with him and not come alone.
He tried to keep his swollen eyes from shutting by silently reciting the ingredients to Wolfsbane potion in his head. He forced himself to ignore the immense pain radiating from his legs. He could see burnt patches of skin through the burnt holes of his pants. His back was not feeling any better since he had been hexed from all directions. He shivered once again feeling fever set in.
His vision was beginning to narrow once again and he knew he was on his way to losing consciousness. Within the next minute his world slowly drifted into blackness.
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Harry sat at the kitchen table pretending to listen to Sirius as he told yet another story about the marauders. The man was trying to live in the past and kept referring to him as James. He looked down at his untouched plate of breakfast and pushed around the sausages with his fork. He could feel Remus looking at him from across the kitchen but he refused to look at the man. Unbeknownst to him, Remus had added a sleeping potion to his pumpkin juice last night.
He thought back to last night and the glass of pumpkin juice Remus had practically forced him to drink before going to bed. The odd thing was that Ginny and Ron had both encouraged him to drink the stuff as well. He never thought his best friends would allow anyone to drug him. He was more angry at them than he was at Remus.
When he confronted Remus this morning the man had the audacity to say it was for his own good but Harry knew he had been drugged so they could make sure he didn't try to go after his father.
Harry was brought out of his thoughts when the floo turned a bright green and Tonks and Tupin stepped out into the kitchen. He quickly looked to them for information.
"Have you heard anything?" Harry asked, standing up to face the aurors.
Before they could answer the floo lit up again and Shacklebolt stepped out. Remus put a hand up to the Aurors to keep them from saying anything, before looking back at Harry. "Harry, I think you had better go up to your room."
Harry looked at Remus with a fury he hadn't felt in a long time. "No, I need to know what they found out. You can't keep secrets about my father from me Remus!"
Sirius let out a low growl over hearing Harry call Severus father again. Remus folded his arms over his chest and shook his head, "No Harry, I will let you know what you need to. Now go up to your room."
"Remus, I'm not going anywhere," Harry said with force. He sat back down at the kitchen table, glaring at the adults in the room.
"Harry, I will not allow you to use the information you hear to try and find Severus on your own. I am not willing to risk your life once more," Remus said as he put a hand on Harry's shoulder.
"Neither am I," Sirius added.
Harry was incensed over hearing that, "Hah, that's rich! So everyone's willing to train me to fight the evilest wizard of our time when it benefits them but all of a sudden I'm not qualified enough to help find my father?!"
He stood up before smacking his plate off the table. His breakfast went flying all over the kitchen floor. He knew it was an immature thing to do but he was having a hard time controlling his anger towards these people. Didn't they realize that every second counted, hadn't it occurred to anyone that Severus was most likely being tortured as they spoke. Harry couldn't imagine how everyone was remaining so calm. How could they eat and sleep and act as if every second didn't count! "Damn it! You either let me in on the search or I'll find my Dad by myself."
Sirius was on his feet in a flash, "You're not going anywhere but up to your room! You really think I'll let you risk yourself for that slimy git?! You must be crazier than me if you think I'll let you out of this house!"
Shacklebolt grabbed hold of his wand, "Upstairs Potter."
Harry stayed where he was, he had to hold his ground on this issue. He saw Shacklebolt take his wand out and braced for the worse.
Tonks stepped between them, glaring back at Shacklebolt, "Don't you dare."
Harry looked from one auror to the next as they both looked at each other challengingly.
Shacklebolt let his hand fall back down to his side, "You know he needs a firm hand, Tonks. Mad-eye may have been harsh with him but the boy listened to him."
Tonks spun back around and glared at Sirius, "You're going to let him do this? Bully Harry around with hexes and punishments?!"
Sirius looked somewhat shamed by that accusation, "No! Nobody's going to hurt him!" He looked at Harry, "I heard what that sad excuse you call 'father' let Mad-eye do to you, pup. You don't have to worry, I'm here now and no one's going to touch you."
Harry closed his eyes in disgust, remembering that Sirius had been the one to almost get him killed with that de-aging spell, he couldn't believe the man had the audacity to say that. He was so frustrated with all the adults in the room.
Harry faced his godfather then looked back at the aurors and Remus. His fists were clenched at his sides, "I don't need anyone to watch out for me. You people are forgetting that I killed Voldemort … alone!" He looked at Shacklebolt with a glower, "If you think I'll stand around and let you hex me, you've got another thing coming.
We're not at the training camp any longer and I won't hesitate to fight back. I highly doubt your dismal attempts at punishment will deter me from finding my father." His words were spoken in such a dark tone that Tonks took in a sudden breath.
When Harry looked at her she said, "You sounded just like Severus."
Sirius snorted. He walked around the table and grabbed hold of Harry's upper arm in an uncomfortably firm grasp. "I won't use my wand on you again Harry but I won't allow you to risk your life either. Get up to your room."
Harry was surprised by the strength the man had after his long absence behind the veil. He pulled his arm out of Sirius grip with a sharp tug.
He ignored Tonks as she tried to place a hand on his shoulder and swept past the other auror. When he reached the steps leading out of the kitchen he turned back around.
"I'm going to find my father. You can work with me or I can do this alone … either way, I'll find him." He turned around and went up the steps. When he had almost reached the top step he heard Remus say, "We must send him someplace safe."
Harry froze and closed his eyes as he realized they would not help him. The next voice he heard was Tupin's, "We could always take him to the training camp and keep him there until this is over. He can't leave once the wards go up."
He didn't wait to hear anymore. He ran up to his room to get his bag with the invisibility cloak and potions he had packed. There was no way in hell he planned on going back to that camp!
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Vespa watched her owl fly out over her estate, until the lavender dot disappeared in the clouds. She had given it a firm command; the owl was not to give the boy the message until Potter was alone. No one else was to witness him receiving the letter and the portkey. She smiled at the thought of having the boy in her clutches once more. He had so much to be punished for and Bellatrix was just the person to do it.
Charlet stood silently under her invisibility cloak, watching her aunt gloat. The old hag thought she was sooo clever! How dare she think she could get away with slapping her! She had to know more about this Elixir of Life and the part she played in it. Maybe she would go down to the dungeons and talk with Severus. He would be able to tell her a bit more about the spell and potion her aunt planned on getting a hold of. But first she decided she would have tea. She silently padded down the hallway and back up to her bedroom.
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Harry had just finished packing his rucksack when his bedroom door opened up. Sirius walked in and looked at the bag in his hand.
"Where do you think your going? Don't be a fool James."
"Harry." Harry said heavily then slung the bag over his shoulder, "Get out of my way."
"Harry," Sirius opened his arms wide as if to hug him. Harry stepped back, shaking his head.
"No. I can't trust you anymore."
"Harry, don't say that. You're all I have left." Sirius stepped closer until they were just a few feet away. "I can't risk losing you too."
Harry felt his heart constrict over hearing those words, "I thought I wouldn't survive it when I lost you Sirius. I feel that same way about Severus. If anything happens to him I don't know what I'd do."
"Don't say that! Don't ever say that!" Sirius yelled. It was hard to tell if he was mad or just worried. "You've still got me. Isn't that enough?"
Harry saw the small gold ball in his godfather's hand and knew it was a portkey by the odd glow it was giving off. He was trapped. He took another step back until he was pressed up against the wall. He could see Sirius rubbing the ball with his finger before reaching out to him.
Using his seeker reflexes, he ducked out of his godfather's reach and hurriedly stepped to the opposite wall. There really wasn't any place for him to go. Sirius was still between him and the door.
Harry panicked, his eyes darting around for an escape. When he realized he was trapped he forced his energy in on himself. He could feel his energy pressing in. He concentrated on a spot in Knockturn Alley then felt like he was being stuffed into a tight rubber tube. The next instant he found himself standing outside the apothecary shop in Knockturn Alley. In a rush of relief he realized he had apparatedNot only did he apparate but he broke all the wards that surrounded Grimmauld Place to do it!
His happiness was short lived as he grasped the situation he had put himself in. He looked around at all the dangerous characters lurking in the doorways, recognizing that he probably was not one of their favorite people at the moment. Not everyone was happy that Voldemort had been killed.
He quickly began walking out of the area and decided to go deeper into Diagon Alley, thinking it would be harder for the Aurors to follow him or anyone else for that matter. His biggest problem at the moment was that everyone recognized him. He could hear his name being whispered from every doorway. Several people looked at him as if they were scared and actually went so far as to shut their shop doors and lock them, while others openly followed him with looks of awe. He had always hated the extra attention people tended to give him.
The freezing wind went right through his shirt causing him to shiver and wish he had thought to grab his cloak before apparating. He was grateful it wasn't snowing but wished he knew how to cast a warming spell on himself.
His excitement over apparating still hadn't worn off. It would be so much easier to get around now. Blast the idiotic ministry rules about getting a license. If the ministry gave him any grief over illegally apparating he would just call in a favor from Fudge. After all, he hadn't asked for anything yet and knew the man was just itching to be on his good side.
He looked around grasping that he really didn't have any idea where he was going or what he would do at this point. He didn't have any money with him and feared going to Gringott's. You could never tell what the Aurors or Order members would do in order to get him back. And one thing was sure … he wasn't going back without his father.
He had just turned into a deserted alleyway to getaway from the group of people following him when a lavender owl swooped down, just barely missing his head. He immediately recognized the bird as belonging to Vespa. The owl hooted noisily and stuck her leg out impatient to be on her way.
Harry untied the letter along with what looked like a brass bracelet. He hurriedly unrolled the parchment as the bird flew away.
Boy,
Heed my warning; tell no one about this letter! If you want to see Severus alive use the portkey and come alone. The portkey will not activate if there is more than one person trying to use it. Simply slip it on your wrist and you will be portkeyed to my home. You have until 2:00 pm today before the portkey will no longer work.
The note was unsigned but Harry could actually smell that sickening lavender perfume Vespa was so fond of wearing. One thing was certain, this was a trap. He looked down at his watch and was alarmed to find he only had two hours to come up with a plan. He decided to go to the one person he was sure would help him come up with a plan to save his father.
Deciding that apparating was a pretty cool way to travel, Harry found himself standing on the front porch of Malfoy Manor.
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Sirius was in a rage. He screamed out causing the Order members to come running. Remus grabbed hold of Sirius and turned the man to look him in his eyes, "Where is he Sirius? What did you do with Harry?!"
Remus would never forgive himself if anything happened to Harry again.
It took a moment for Sirius to calm down enough to become coherent but when he did he yelled out, "He apparated! He broke the friggin wards and bloody apparated! We've got to find him!"
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Ginny couldn't shake the guilt she felt over encouraging Harry to drink the pumpkin juice last night. She knew he would be angry with her if he ever found out but she also wanted to keep him safe. Her Mum had told her and Ron some disturbing news when Harry had excused himself to use the loo. As soon as he left, her Mum had called her and Ron over to tell them that Bella LeStrange had been spotted with Vespa in Knockturn Alley less than a week ago.
Mundungus Fletcher had seen them but by the time he alerted Order members they had disappeared. Worse than that news was the rumor that Bellatrix had amassed a small army of former Death Eaters and was in the process of forming her own society. Number one on their hit list was Harry … number two was Severus. Her Mum had pleaded with them to keep Harry from doing anything stupid. She made them promise that they would help anyway they could to keep Harry safe.
So when Remus put that sleeping potion into Harry's pumpkin juice she had encouraged him to drink it to keep him safe for another night. She knew he would go after Vespa as soon as he heard. The only thing Ginny knew about Vespa was that the evil woman wanted Harry to die. She still remembered how close to death Harry had been due to the poisoning this past fall.
With a shaky hand she continued writing her letter to her boyfriend. In it she asked for his forgiveness and she told him everything she knew about Vespa and Bellatrix and his father. She sealed the parchment with her wax seal before sending it off to Grimmauld Place.
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Vespa hadn't been this optimistic in a long time. She was so close to getting her hands on the Elixir of Life. If all went as planned she would be young and beautiful before the week ended.
She knew Charlet was still upset with her and that she had to make it up to the girl. The teenager was an intricate part of the potion. Without Charlet the potion would only keep her alive. It would take the blood of the girl to make her beautiful. A few drops of the girl's blood added to the potion would give Vespa a life she only dreamed of. All her life she had been considered ugly by most people.
She remembered when she had first laid eyes on the child. It was the child's exceptional beauty that compelled her to adopt the girl. She had planned for this day for over ten years now. In exchange for a few drops of the girl's blood she promised to give Charlet half her estate. The potion called for a recipient that willingly gave their blood. She would need the girl's full cooperation if the Elixir was to work properly.
With that thought in mind she summoned her house elf and sent him out to purchase the diamond necklace the spoiled girl had been whining about. Yes, that would be a suitable apology for slapping the young woman. After all, diamonds were always a welcome gift!
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Hi Friends,
I am at a point in the story that might become a bit intense for some people. I need to find out what the average age of the reader is. I kindly ask that you drop me a note letting me know your age. I rated the story T but feel I might tone down the next chapter or maybe write an alternative chapter. Not sure but you will know after I hear from you. I'm going to wait to post the next chapter until I hear back from a fair amount of people. I already wrote it and I love the way it turned out but feel it may be a tad more information than some of you wish to read. My roommate is quite insistent that I not change a word but ….we'll see.
Thank,
Rachel
The sooner I hear from you the sooner I'll post.