A/N: Any of you remember the end of fourth year and middle of fifth? Yeah. Violence, blood, dark. That kinda stuff. Here, too. ~F & N.
The Prince-Who-Lived
Chapter Forty-nine
Coming off of the portkey, Harry wondered if flying by airplane might have been the better idea. At least he wouldn't stumble. He was pleased to meet up with Frank and Alice. His father had said they'd be getting an auror escort, and Harry had hoped it would be the Longbottoms. His godparents were asked a short set of questions before they hugged their son and James stepped off the porch to talk to them. Lily whispered something to Severus, and Alan stepped up behind Harry to look around the dilapidated house whose porch they'd landed on.
"What a portkey location. Why didn't we go to somewhere else?"
"The Ministry is panicking about transport and wanted to ensure we didn't bring some insane American with explosives strapped to his ass." Harry deadpanned. "Thus, the guard. I'm sure the Longbottoms will strip search us all." Harry brought his face back to looking lively. "Which makes me strongly suspect that, for our trip, this is just a formality in form with the rest of their plans."
"Probably." Alan agreed. "Where to from here?"
"There are anti-apparation wards. We have to walk outside of them before we'll all leave to Potter Mansion."
"How did you talk your father into that?"
"Wasn't me, it was mum. Its not like Severus is staying, and Grimmauld is depressing."
Alan's face tightened, and Harry remembered abruptly that it would be harder for Alan with Regulus stuck in America due to his injuries. In addition, the Ministry was still unhappy with Regulus, no matter the evidence, publicity, or official stance. The only high point in regards to British government had been the article two days ago of Umbridge turning up horribly mutilated in an apparent Death Eater attack despite the lack of Dark Mark. Harry hadn't been able to not smile at the article. Neither had his mother.
"Come on, now. Let's get moving." Frank called.
Lily and Severus ushered the two boys and Nanna out the door, and they walked down the path together, laughing and joking.
It didn't last.
They weren't twenty metres from the building when spells flashed through the trees, green and red, and everyone scattered. Lily screamed, hit with the Cruciatus, and Harry sent a blasting curse through the trees, mirrored by Severus. Someone out there yelled, but Lily was still screaming. Furious, Harry threw Finite Incantatem, as strong as he could. He was surprised when it worked, but didn't pause.
Someone in the woods yelled, "Stop the Killing Curse, Prince is there! He'll have your hides if he dies!" Alan, furious, threw a dark purple curse in the direction of the voice, but thankfully the air cleared of green. James ran over to them, and grabbed Lily's arm.
"What happened to her?"
"Cruciatus." Harry's voice came out choked.
James merely nodded and barked, "Get up there with the others. Snape, c'mon."
Harry backed over to the group and threw another spell before gasping out, "What are we going to do?"
"Get out, clearly." Alice snapped briskly. "Where's Sirius?" Nanna was already behind her, peeking around and whispering several spells. Harry didn't think her mother had noticed.
"He's over there, to the right." Harry pointed out.
Frank looked and swore. "He's down, anyone know?"
"He's still moving." Neville answered. "I think it was a bludgeoning curse or similar."
"Well?" Harry demanded. He was getting worried. "What now?"
"We need a plan." James started. "To get- Scatter!"
Harry looked up. Someone had brought along a band of trolls. He didn't even want to start thinking about how they got them in there; he just wanted to get them out. With everyone milling around, Harry ran to Sirius' side and pulled him off the ground. Frank crouched with him and got his arm around his shoulder.
"We need to get into the house; we can defend it from there, if someone can do something about those trolls."
Harry immediately thought of Fiendfyre, highly illegal and hard to control. Almost unfortunately he felt quite capable of it. As he ran with Frank to the door, he came up the steps and saw Neville there, biting his lip and eyeing the trolls as well. Their eyes met, and Harry abruptly turned to Frank,
"Can I do something illegal about them?" He asked.
Frank looked down at him, frowned tightly, glanced at the trolls and Death Eaters, and said cautiously, "Don't kill anything more than you have to, and I won't breathe a word of it."
Harry turned and waved his wand sharply; Neville waited by the door behind him to back him up if something went wrong, and a wave of dark, twisting fire struggled and streamed out of his wand, becoming something alive and racing in a line along the ground, spreading through the air to catch hold on each of the five trolls who began to scream. Harry kept a firm hold on what it was doing; where it was. He didn't see Frank and James come out to keep the Death Eaters back, didn't see Severus come out and choke, or Neville push him back, talking quickly to keep him from interfering.
He also didn't see the small rat racing up to the porch, nor the black case strapped to its back that it deposited under the porch.
When Harry felt secure that the trolls were unable to continue, or at least easily disposable, he forced the fire to go out on each one, halting it completely. The cursed fire fought, gorged on flesh, but he brought it down, staggering backwards once he was confident it was under control. Neville moved to catch him, and the porch exploded.
IIII
Neville rolled as he came to the ground, and as quickly as he could regain his feet he was scrambling up and scanning his surroundings. James was at Harry's side, and two Death Eaters were already approaching. Neville cast, and they fell unconscious, one to a stunner, and the other a bludgeoning curse to the head. Neville ran back to the porch, gasping as something pulled in his leg. He cursed another Death Eater aside in aide of his father, and then hollering at him to hurry back. Frank disposed of another, and followed after, ushering him on. They arrived at the door and jumped the now two-foot-step leading inside and Neville was ushered back, away from the door. He didn't hesitate and layered protection spells he knew on the doors and the stairwell upstairs. Turning, he quickly asked, "Are the windows upstairs blocked?"
"Alan did them." Alice answered. "He should be back down shortly."
Alan indeed raced down the stairs and nearly ran into Neville's barrier before Neville lifted it momentarily to allow him through. Alan shot him a smile, and then went back to the door. "Is everyone inside?"
"James hasn't come back yet. Severus is standing and waiting. That should be everybody."
The door was knocked upon sharply again and Lily jerked it open, wand ready. It was Severus with an unconscious James. Frank pulled him through, and then helped Severus up before the door was slammed shut and locked again.
Abruptly the frame shivered, and then pounding began on the shuttered windows. The door shuddered again and the wood groaned. Frank angrily cleared everyone away and changed. Neville hardly noticed, but Alan let out a quiet, "Sweet," at the large brown bear now leaning against the wood. When it shuddered again, Frank growled loudly. Neville could imagine the 'eep' that might result if it were actually heard, but he was too distracted with the half-pressure he was feeling as the Death Eaters tested his warding on the bottom floor.
Alan suddenly whimpered. "Neville, do you have the bottom floor fully warded yourself?"
"Every opening." Neville answered quickly. "Do you need to concentrate upstairs?"
"Yeah."
Neville poured more magic into the spells and then said, "Go ahead."
When Alan dropped his layer the pressure suddenly doubled and Neville swooned. Someone stepped behind him and caught him. He didn't have to look up to know it was his mother. She probably still had her wand trained on the door, too.
Suddenly the pounding lessened, and then dropped; almost at the same moment, Lily gave a strangled gasp and screamed,
"God, Frank, where's Harry?"
Neville's stomach dropped into his feet; his ears roared.
"Harry's not in here; he's still outside! Alice, where is he?"
"Lily, stop, we can't go after him; it's too late!" Alice answered her, Frank still holding the door as a bear.
'No,' Neville felt like he was floating. 'Harry can't be missing.'
"Frank, let me out, let me out!"
'It has to be a mistake.'
"Lily, if you don't stop, I'll stun you! There's nothing we can do; James and Sirius are unconscious; Nanna can't fight. We're barely holding here as it stands."
'Merlin, please, not Harry. Hasn't enough happened to us?'
"Lily, calm down."
Severus' voice rumbled, but the roaring stopped in Neville's ears, replaced by Lily's broken sobs, and Nanna's soft sniffles. Abruptly, he realized the pressure on the wards was gone; he wasn't feeling anything from them, and he straightened awkwardly. Beside him, Alan did the same, his face so pale Neville expected him to faint. Frank changed back slowly, and eyed the door.
"The assault stopped." He said softly.
Alan shattered. He ran for the door, and Neville caught him without thinking, without heeding his own desire to run out there screaming for his brother. Alan couldn't control himself,
"Let me go, I have to find him! They can't have him; they can't have Harry! Let me go, Neville!"
Neville held him without thinking, his face expressionless, emotionless. Abruptly, he was holding a furry ball of claws, and he yelped and let go. The small kneazle raced for the door, but Nanna grabbed him off the floor and held him without a care for his snarling and slashing. Grabbing his paws, she brokenly fell to the ground and starting murmuring nothings, her eyes closed tightly as she focused on holding onto Alan. Frank watched with his own emotions tightly leashed and then glanced over past Neville. Neville turned to find James stirring dizzily. He woke and lurched to his feet. His eyes scanned the room and flinched.
"Where's Harry? He should be in here." He demanded. He was staring at Frank, but Frank could only shake his head slowly. James staggered. "But … I got to him. I got him out of there. Where is he?"
"James." Severus stepped forward, using the name cautiously. "They were gone when I found you unconscious beyond the remains of the porch. We only realized he wasn't in here after several minutes had gone by." Severus didn't finish the obvious. Didn't repeat the only answers.
James looked around, trying to find something to think about, to focus on. "Where's Alan?"
"In Nanna's arms." Severus seemed the only one coherant. "He's … no better off than any of us."
"I need to check outside." Frank announced. "James, stay here with your brother and wife. Severus, come with me."
Nobody argued. They were too deeply in shock. When Frank and Severus returned fifteen minutes later, Neville was too numb to care they'd found nothing. His ears roared again, and then his eyes blacked out.
IIII
Harry blinked his eyes open and winced. His body ached; what had happened? He'd gotten the fire under control, and while he'd felt like he was going to faint he didn't think he had. But … he couldn't remember anything in between, so maybe…
"Awake, are we, little Potter?"
Cold ran down his limbs. That sibilant voice wasn't supposed to be anywhere near the safe house. Abruptly he noticed he wasn't on grass, nor wood. Cold stone pressed against his cheek, and the air smelled damp and musty. Fighting the desire to shiver, Harry looked up.
'Can I excuse fainting for over-doing it earlier with the spell, or would that just look sissy?'
Red eyes looked back, the pasty white face smiling slightly. He'd seen the face before; he'd fought him in the Department of Mysteries and survived, a remarkable feat aided by the arrival of his father and Alan. Harry felt a twinge; he was regretting not being on good terms with his dad right now, but he straightened, or tried to.
"Crucio."
The pain blinded him; he landed hard on his arms as he crumpled forward around himself, defensively, reflexively, and not with much choice. Scrapes burned on his arms and cheek. A moment and an hour later, he could breathe again and gasped in air, stubbornly straightening again to look up at Voldemort's intense amusement.
"You do have spirit, don't you?" He murmured. "Well then." Voldemort briskly stood and waved his arm expansively. Harry had been stubbornly ignoring the audience, but didn't find much choice now. He swallowed; he wasn't at all unconcerned with what was going to happen. He didn't think they were here for a tea party, either.
"I see you're all quite interested in our little guest tonight. I was most pleased to see him here, alive, and in one piece. It will be far more entertaining to break the son of the strongest Aurors in Britain." Paced around back to facing him, Voldemort stepped forward and lifted Harry's chin with his slippered foot. Harry eyed the toes, curious if he could move fast enough to bite him, or if he wanted to risk what might be on those shoes. Couldn't be worse than what was coming, he supposed. As Voldemort looked down at him again, Harry shivered. Voldemort smiled.
"I think this will be more fun in a further meeting. Dolohov, you brought him in. Do you wish first blood?"
Harry fought to control his breathing, but Dolohov murmured a suitably humble acceptance, his voice thick with pleasure. Harry decided he wasn't really interested in waiting around; he'd sooner be dead. When he tried to struggle to his feet, however, he was suddenly cursed again; he couldn't think for the pain. When it let up, he was curled up on the floor again. He could taste blood in his mouth.
A white masked face bent over him and grabbed his shoulder, hauling him to his feet. He noted irritably that the man was taller than him, and that galvanized him to kick the man's shins, grabbing his arm and digging his fingers in between the bones. The masked figure swore and dropped him, grabbing for his throat with his other hand, a hand Harry shifted his attention to, grabbing and pinching the same place, sparing a hand to pull his fingers abruptly out of socket, forcing them backwards. The masked man who was likely Dolohov screamed, and Harry broke away. Behind him were the men garbed in black; ahead was a dark hallway. Harry couldn't tell immediately, but there might have been something there…
He didn't wait to be certain; if he couldn't get out, he would be dead and either was preferable to torture. He ran to the end and was startled to find a ladder there. He didn't even hesitate to start climbing.
He didn't succeed. Halfway up, he blacked out again, whether to a spell or a strike, he didn't know. When he woke, he was in a nightmare of pain, a nightmare that was reality. Strapped to a table, Dolohov had already started cutting, and Harry gritted his teeth, and tried to hide, tried to escape the pain.
It didn't seem to help all that much.
IIII
The meeting in Grimmauld place was tense, not the least of which because neither Neville nor Alan would leave the meeting room. Molly tried to argue, but when she mentioned they were too young to be involved in the war, Neville had had enough.
"Cut it out! The only person who believes that shit is you!" Alice tried to put her hand on Neville, to pull him aside or cover his mouth; Neville didn't care. He rudely shrugged her off and leaned forward on the table to continue. "We're involved in this war whether you like it or not! I've been attacked; me, personally, by this war, and Alan is more involved than he ever wanted to be; he's been targeted twice directly by the Dark Lord, and if you believe he'll stop targeting us, you're wrong. Our best friend has been kidnapped by Death Eaters, and I don't care why they did it, but I know they're not going to get away with it. You can say all the pretty words you like, but I'm one of the strongest people in this room; Alan is the strongest until Dumbledore arrives, and you're not going to stop me! I will remain here, I will help, and if you want to stop me from helping to save my brother you are going to have to start praying, because I will not allow you to stop me! If you can't handle the price of war, Mrs. Weasley, what the Hell are you doing in this room?"
"Thank you, Mr. Longbottom, but I think that is sufficient."
Neville flushed; he hadn't heard Dumbledore come in. Of course, he had been yelling. Quickly he stepped back from the table and apologized shortly. Dumbledore just smiled, and turned a sad look to Molly.
"I'm sorry to tell you this, Molly, but Neville is right in essence. The war has drawn our children in whether we like it or not. It is a price we are forced to pay, and none of us are happy about it. I do believe this meeting should start. Alan, Neville, please. Take a seat."
Alan sat next to his father and pulled out the chair next to himself. Neville took a moment to try and calm down and then sat, finding himself half-surprised that his mother and father sat next to him. Across from him, Moody growled.
"A half-trained student is going to be nothing but trouble in the Order, Dumbledore."
Alan and Neville bristled, but Frank cut in, "These purportedly 'half-trained' students were quite capable of warding the house we were trapped in, Moody, within minutes. I think you should reconsider your label."
"You warded the house?" Moody growled. "What spell did you use?"
Neville blinked. "The Greenhorn Wall."
Moody fixed Alan. "And you? The same?" Alan nodded. "Where did you learn those?"
"I taught myself." Neville answered. "And Geoffrey helped me refine it, and taught it to the rest of our group."
"What other advanced spells do you know?" Moody demanded.
"Favreau's Mantle of Innocuity, Porrybaxter's wall of Wings, the Patronus charm, Grizztabell's Whip of Flame, Fiendfyre, the Protean charm, several spells that the Marauders and the Weasley twins thought up." Neville listed. "I taught myself all of them, save a few."
"Fiendfyre is illegal." Moody growled.
"Are you going to arrest me?" Neville returned. "Harry just saved our lives with it. I taught him that."
Moody's eye flicked to Frank, who nodded slowly. "He's right. Harry used it to kill the trolls that were brought in on the attack. You know most spells are illegal typically in application, Moody. We don't need to interrogate them, we need to get to the point of figuring out how to save Harry." Frank glared Moody down; as it was, he was effectively the closest parent Harry had in the room – the Marauders were family in all but blood. James and Sirius were laid up with Poppy, Lily tranquilized at their sides.
Moody continued to grouse under his breath, but Dumbledore spoke up. "As it stands, that is our foremost goal. James reported that Harry survived the explosion of the porch, and he went to save him. He was convinced he had him in hand, and then blacked out. This is disturbing." Dumbledore finished. "As we all know, James is as much a target as his son. Unless someone mistook the two of them for each other, they specifically have targeted Harry. There is a strong possibility he is dead."
"I doubt it." Alan interjected. He hadn't looked up from the table; indeed, he was unusually silent. "They're probably going to torture him. It's going to be the same as Regulus." Alan's voice twisted with contempt. "He's more useful alive."
Dumbledore sadly nodded. "That is also a strong possibility."
Alan nodded dumbly, and then pulled out his mirror and spoke into it, "Ginger." It was quiet enough to go unnoticed. Dumbledore continued to speak of places to check, people to ask, and moved on into other news, but Neville listened in on Alan addressing his mirror.
Irritably, Ginger answered. "What is it? I thought - Alan. What do you need, honey?" Her tone abruptly turned around. "Sorry, I was busy. What is it?"
"We got attacked just outside the drop off." Alan answered. "Harry got taken. I … I wanted to ask Regulus if he had some idea of where to look, so that we can get him back." Alan's voice broke slightly, and Neville finally reached over to touch his leg. Alan shot him a curious look, but returned his attention to the mirror immediately.
"Alright. I'll go tell him. Do you want to stay on with me?"
"Yeah." Alan whispered. "I don't like this."
"No one would, Alan." Ginger reassured him. "Uff, you would pick snack-time for Riley, wouldn't you?"
That sent both Alan and Neville into snickers. Alice elbowed Neville curiously, and, as Ginger and Alan weren't talking now, Neville leaned over to share what Alan was asking with his mother. If he did get the information, it was going to be shared with the Order anyways. Alice nodded approval, and turned back to listening to Dumbledore as Neville leaned to hear Ginger having a conversation with someone outside the mirror. After a moment, she huffed and her smiling face returned.
"I do hope your Headmaster won't mind a sudden guest. Regulus is insisting on going over there immediately. He's well enough, but there will be a letter for your Healer and a box of required potions. He's got several ideas. Under no circumstances does he leave the house, do you hear me?"
"Yes Ginger, thank you."
"I'm cutting out, then. He should be there in ten minutes. Your floo's still open?"
"Should be. I'll let Dumbledore know."
"Alright, and good luck, Alan."
Alan tucked the mirror down, and looked up quickly. Dumbledore paused; he'd been just wrapping up another order, and looked down at Alan.
"Regulus is coming over through the floo. He has several ideas that might help."
"The floo is open and he's in the secret." Dumbledore allowed. "Is he well enough?"
"He's being sent with a letter from his healers and a box of potions, but he's not to leave the house."
"Very well. We'll be expecting him, then. I believe any more planning can wait; Molly, you said you had some refreshments we might enjoy. Would you bring them?"
Molly hurried to the kitchen to do so, and Neville gently put his arm around Alan's shoulders. Alan didn't fight and just leaned against him sadly. Even the very well made muffins and biscuits weren't much of a distraction. However, the floo flared and Regulus stumbled out, balancing with relative indignity against the box in his hand, a counter to the several rolled papers in his other. He glanced around and smiled tightly.
"Hello, I've got a letter for the healer and maps. Where can I spread them out?"
The Order moved to clear the table immediately, as Molly volunteered to take the potions and letter to Pomfrey. Regulus laid the rest of the scrolls on the table, and demanded the location of the drop point. Hearing it, he grinned and selected a scroll to roll out.
"It was here? You're sure?" Regulus grinned. "There's a base right here." His hand moved several inches from the point. "Parkinson's cottage. It's well hidden – although it is in the older genealogies, and it had been mentioned while I was a Death Eater, so I'm confident that it would be useful as a base. And since they're moving Harry, it's even more likely that if they weren't already there, they'll at least be keeping him there."
"Why?" Emmeline asked. "Why not go farther?"
"They probably couldn't unless it was the Dark Lord himself moving Harry. Harry's extremely powerful; anyone with less power than him will have trouble apparating him alongside them, even if he's unconscious or even just upset – it'd be nigh impossible if he were awake, antagonistic, and they were significantly weaker. Of course, the converse is true – if you're side-along apparating him and he's eager and agreeable, it will make it several times easier simply because you can use some of his magic stores."
Alice shook her head. "It was never a problem when he was a child."
"His magic was undeveloped. He's grown up now, and more aware of it, so now it's quite capable of responding to his whims with form and strength. Adult's learn to put a stop to it, but he's not old enough to do so and with the war on there's no inclination for him to start. Either way, he's very likely to be here."
"Is there any way to check?"
Silence fell for a long moment, and Dumbledore rubbed his nose. "There are options, but they are often difficult, or nebulous. Divination …"
Alan bit his lip then spoke up, "Luna might be able to try."
"Luna Lovegood?" Dumbledore asked.
"She has a talent with cards." Alan offered quietly. "I trust her ability. I trust her, and so does Harry."
Dumbledore remained silent again. "It is late, and there is much to do. If those of you I gave assignments to could seek your contacts, we can meet up again in the morning. I will contact the Lovegoods, and see about bringing Luna here, or to Potter Mansion at least.
Alan started to complain; Neville presumed he was going to ask the same thing he was, that they couldn't wait, couldn't stop, they had to get to Harry immediately, but Alice put her hand on Neville's shoulder and touched his forehead.
"Neville, you're feeling very warm. You wore yourself out and you need to sleep. Molly should be bringing in hot cocoa; please drink it and then go to your room."
Neville wanted to complain, but hot cocoa sounded divine; it wasn't like he was going to go to sleep tonight anyways. Chocolate should help. Alan also got a cup.
He was asleep by the time he was halfway through it.
IIII
It was sometime after morning. Harry was fairly sure of that, because someone had pulled Fenrir off him with the admonition that morning was coming, he was needed elsewhere, and they didn't want the boy dead. Water had been brought in, and he'd been left to lie on the floor, sore and aching. He'd have thought when the pain got this bad it would all become indistinguishable, but no. No, he could still feel it, still feel the tenderness in his leg where his bone had been broken and haphazardly healed, still feel the stinging of the sweat that had dripped onto him as it slid into the cuts that covered more area than skin.
He drank the water without caring if it was drugged or poisoned. Apparently it had been drugged, because he was waking up again and still feeling sore but it was less than it had been. Probably sleeping and mild healing, then. He struggled to sit up, and found the strength to curl into the corner. His mind flinched away from what had happened, until he bit his lip and growled at himself.
'Face it. It was torture, and – and rape. Dolohov cut you to ribbons and looked like he was getting off on it, and then Fenrir walked by and was apparently a good boy so he got a turn with a more … direct approach.' He snorted. When Fenrir had come in, he distinctly remembered Dolohov looking like he'd been a toddler told to share. Maybe it was a side affect of sadism, that sort of childish behaviour.
Harry ran his hand through his hair and shivered. Acknowledging stopped his mind from running in circles, but it didn't ease the panic of what was still coming. He didn't know what would happen to him; would they kill him? It would be more welcome than torture, but he didn't think Voldemort was planning that.
"It will be far more entertaining to break the son of the strongest Aurors in Britain."
Oh, yes, that was a promise of more torture.
Harry bit his cheek and glared at the wall. 'Yeah, you son of a Bitch. I fought you to your face, and I refuse to bow to you. I'll scream; I'll bleed. But I swear, I will never be your slave. Never.'
Bitter laughter touched his lips. To be Gryffindor, or Slytherin? Which would get him through this sane?
He didn't know.
He leaned against the wall and picked up the bowl of water again, drinking deeply once more.
IIII
Neville raced downstairs in a blazing fury, and slammed into the kitchen. His mother and father were in there already, along with most of the Order, and he growled.
"You drugged me!"
"You wouldn't have slept, otherwise, Neville." Alice calmly pointed out. "You had to sleep."
"What about Harry?"
"What could you do for him if you stayed up all night, Neville?" Frank pointed out. "And you said you wanted to go rescue him." Frank gave him a pointed look. "You can't do that on no sleep. I promise you will at least be told when the attempt is made if you are not part of it. It didn't happen last night."
Neville opened and closed his mouth several times, and then gave in with a growl. They were right. He could do nothing for Harry if he was tired, and nothing had happened over night on their end. They didn't even know where he was. "Has Dumbledore gone for the Lovegoods yet?"
"He's speaking to them now." Alice said, mildly surprised. "I never thought you one to believe in Divination."
"Not really, but Luna knows what she's doing." Neville sat down and found Kreacher quickly slipping a tray with breakfast on it in front of him. It was heaped, but he was starving. "And I'm desperate enough I'd almost trust Trelawney if I didn't know the only thing she was ever right about was that stupid prophecy about Voldemort. Luna's made some leaps of logic I trust with her cards."
"Like what?" Alice asked, curious.
Neville looked away, but Alan spoke up from the door. "'Neville just needed to be kicked in the head again. It'll happen a few more times, and then the house of cards he built will fall down.' That was during Neville's post-Christmas fit." He walked in and sat down at his own place, accepting the tray with a wave of his hand. "That's how she said it when she brought it up at least. I think she determined cards for each of us out of her deck, or she arbitrarily chose them. I'm not sure which. She'll be able to manage something."
Silence fell again. The breakfast was almost finished when Dumbledore flooed in, followed by Luna. Alan immediately stood from his chair to greet her, and, from what Neville could see at his angle, kiss her. A faint longing stirred, memories of Hermione, but Neville pushed it aside. He would deal with that later. He needed to focus on Harry.
With Luna properly greeted, Alan led her to the table where she wasted no time pulling out her deck, shuffling it several times, and then she dealt out several random cards. Turning the top one, she smiled and tapped the card. "This card is Harry. Good. And …" She flipped over the dealt cards, reading whatever sequence it was faster than he could understand. Finally, she reshuffled and dealt again. "You already know where he is. Your suspicion is right." She looked up at Dumbledore and smiled. "I could also read he was below ground. And he's still sane. That's it. Isn't there a tracking function on that watchkey?"
"He doesn't have it anymore." James rasped. Neville was surprised he was up. He'd been so distraught the evening before Pomfrey had knocked him and Lily out for their own safety. "Lily's necklace warmed up hours ago. They probably would move it on purpose to throw us off."
Luna dealt another card and nodded. "Likely." She pulled it back together and began shuffling the cards again, humming.
"Dumbledore, if we have a place to go I want to find him now."
"James, we cannot act rashly." Dumbledore shook his head. "Regulus told us the layout, yes, and with what we know the best team would be as few as possible. I was hoping to send Kingsley and Moody in alone, but they are both working and will not be able to get away. If they are found illicitly in a purebloods house, they could be in deep trouble, but it would be far less than if you or Neville were found. That could create a blood feud, especially if you do not find Harry. Such proceedings would tie you up. If we can wait two more days –"
"The full moon is in two days." Luna abruptly answered. "I wouldn't wait for that." She eyed the card in her hand again. "Or it's telling me that Moony should go. I'm not sure which." She eyed it again, reshuffled, and plucked the card out once more. "Or both. Werewolves are quite strong."
Neville was tired of just listening and stood, slamming his hands on the table. "If you're believing Luna, Harry is still alive and sane right now. Do you want to see what two days will do to him, Dumbledore? Are you still honing a weapon, or are you going to remember that the only chance he has is sitting in this room twiddling its thumbs? And what if they move him? Are you going to give them more time to torture, more chance to do worse?"
Dumbledore closed his eyes a moment, and then nodded. "Very well. At least wait until this evening, for the cover of darkness. Neville, you, James and Remus will go alone. If you are as capable with a protean charm as you claim, please spell another set of necklaces so as to report your status, to at least give yourselves an option for panic. I will go inform Remus, and set up a few distractions."
Neville sank back into his seat and sent an apologetic look at his parents. Alice pulled him close and kissed his forehead. "Neville, I'm very proud of you for defending your friend. Just come home, please?"
"Of course." Neville murmured back. "And I'll bring Harry with me."
IIII
The hours until nightfall were maddening. It was summer, and the sun didn't set until nearly nine-thirty. Waiting for darkness was slowly driving a tic in his temple, but Remus rested his hand on his shoulder and Neville calmed himself. He could do this, for Harry. Because he couldn't lose his cool, because he was the ballast in this fight, he was only allowed to come because he would be excellent at defence.
They were to portkey into the area nearby, go in, fetch Harry, and portkey back out, but they'd have to leave the house due to the wards. In aid of that, the Order was planning a raid on a Death Eater safehouse they suspected was stocked with items such as dragon hide and potions ingredients. It was a house they would have to defend. Hopefully it would clear out the building. Alan had stormed up to his rooms an hour ago, unwilling to watch Neville leave while he was kept back. He hadn't thrown a fit at all when everyone planned on Neville going and not him. He'd taken it so calmly Neville knew something was wrong, but before he could open his mouth, Luna simply touched his arm and shook her head, smiling at him.
"Worry about Harry. I'll make sure Alan is fine."
Neville couldn't help but believe her. Harry was worry enough.
Their portkeys activated and Neville sat through the travel, ducking as soon as his feet were under him once more, hiding himself in the shadows. On either side, Remus and James shot a look at him, and turned back to eyeing the building. They, too, had crouched behind cover immediately. It was as small as Regulus had said, two stories and quite insubstantial and unassuming. There was an oubliette underneath, with several cells and a large, open room that was used for meetings. They were hoping there wasn't going to be anyone there. If there were, it was a suicide mission. Of course, they'd be just as screwed if Harry wasn't there, but Neville trusted Luna. He had to.
"Isn't there a spell to check for heat signatures?" Neville whispered. He'd read several of his father's Auror books. His memory served him well on it; James immediately perked and cast, waiting several minutes before breathing carefully.
"I didn't get a measure of downstairs but if there was a large group, I'd have seen it. Upstairs has at least four people; two guards are stationed outside. There are two small signatures on the main floor. Those are very possibly house elves."
"Six people, maybe as many as … fifteen then?" Remus asked.
"Yes."
"So between the two- sorry, three of us, that should be marginally challenging."
"We could take out the sentries now." Neville offered. "If we're silent, there'll be no alarm, and we'll only have to deal with the people inside. Also, any alarm wards would read less people, so if someone checks them it won't be suspicious."
"Alarm wards still read people who are unconscious, Neville." James scolded.
"I said take them out." Neville returned coldly. "The wards don't read the dead."
James and Remus went silent for a long moment, and then Remus sniffed the air faintly. "James, there's possibly a werewolf here."
"Luna already verified that." Neville snapped. He didn't like being ignored, and James and Remus were being squeamish. He might be a little trigger-happy, but dammit – that was his best friend. His best friend, suffering what he'd only been dealt a taste of. His only comfort was that he'd killed Bellatrix himself, so he knew she couldn't touch him – but there were a lot more Death Eaters than just her.
"I mean to say I faintly know this smell." Remus shook his head and continued, half growling. "If a werewolf is negotiating with Voldemort, it's likely Greyback. James, let's just take out the sentries. I want Harry out of there."
James nodded, and then hesitated. "I'm still shaky. I'm not sure I can manage that too well –"
"Oh, just stop." Neville growled. "I'll do it." He got up and moved back, slipping through the trees before turning back to look at Remus. Remus glanced at him sadly, and then nodded and moved slowly to the other side, towards the second sentry. Neville moved back to his side, and he saw James moving along in his wake, not moving to overtake him, but following. Neville didn't mind; James had more experience, and he would likely stop him if he were about to make a stupid mistake. Like kill somebody.
Should it bother him he was so willing to kill?
The sentry was standing five feet from the forest, sidelong to a very dark shadow Neville's dark brown robes faded nicely against. He was a little worried about his paler hair, but not much so, and he was easily prepared to cast once he felt certain nobody would see the spell through the window. He'd want something with a less than flashy signature; red, or brilliant green were out – he doubted he could use the Killing Curse on anybody not actively attacking him anyways. If he aimed right, though, Alan's dark cutting curse should do the job. A silencing spell before, and then the other to his throat …
Neville breathed out and slid back turning to James.
"Could you silence him? I can do the coup de grace, but two spells in a row might ruin my aim. I'm not sure he'll die immediately." Neville cursed as his voice trembled slightly – he'd killed before, why was this bothering him? – but James seemed mollified at his disquiet, and nodded easily, taking aim. Neville moved forward again, and straightened against the tree, his wand held loosely at his shoulder. Just a small movement, and …
James' spell skirted the ground to find the man's ankle. He looked down, and opened his mouth before staring into the forest. It was the perfect opening; Neville silently cast the dark purple spell, and the man's head was cleanly severed from his shoulders. He felt a tremor in his hands as the leaves crumpled, and James had to shake his shoulder to get his attention. Neville turned away from his Godfather's sad eyes, and asked,
"Where do we hide the body?"
James sighed, and helped him lose the body in the foliage, and then they moved behind the house, to meet up with Remus. Remus was already there, standing and watching the shadows move in the light of the upper windows. Neville felt a moment's temptation to launch a fireball in there – it would be ridiculously easy to trap them, even a bludgeoning curse could kill the idiots too close – but he knew they had to get Harry out and a burning building would be too much of a beacon. Now, afterwards the idea had merit …
"Is the other sentry dead?" James nodded to Remus' question, and then Remus turned to indicate the large window. "There's no one in that room, and the far corner here is where Regulus said the trapdoor was. Could you use the body heat spell from here, or better in the room?"
"In the room, I can get a better measure on the ground floor. Someone may have gone upstairs, though, or downstairs."
"Once we get Harry out, we could blast the wall and run." Neville growled. "Once we're out of the wards, the portkey can take us back to Headquarters."
James frowned at him again. "And how does this plan include in Harry's likely condition?"
Neville blinked. "Oh. We never did tell you our animagi, did we? I'm an Arabian stallion."
Remus chuckled. "That would work quite well, if you think you can carry me and Harry through that forest fast enough to escape the Death Eaters."
Neville eyed the forest. "James is good at that, I could just follow him. If his rack can get through, I probably can."
James nodded. "Alright. I'll presume we're walking through the back door?"
"Vanishing the window looks tempting, but it's probably warded." Remus agreed.
"And if the door is locked?" Neville snidely remarked. "The front door should be less warded."
"Ahh, but it probably rings a bell or something." Remus noted. "This … I have studied."
Neville pouted. "What did you do, walk up and break his neck? We had to plan and wait for him to move into place."
Remus coloured slightly. "Actually yes."
Neville blinked slowly and just mouthed, 'oh', before waiting for Remus to finish disarming the door. Apparently there were a few benefits to being a werewolf aside from the large detriment of going insane once a month.
"There." Remus whispered. "We're in."
The door swung open smoothly upon a small hallway with a rolling door leading into the sitting room. The other end opened on the kitchen. They moved quickly out and into the sitting room, where they crouched behind the couch in the corner Regulus had reported the trapdoor to be and waited as James quickly cast the heat spell both above and below.
"Five above, two below." He answered softly. "Below, the two are far apart. I'd say one might be in another area of the dungeon if Regulus hadn't said that main room was so wide. I'm still not sure."
"Harry wouldn't be anywhere but below, would he?" Neville whispered. "Luna said he was below ground, and if this place was searched, they could miss the oubliette." Neville turned aside and ran his hand over the edge of the rug before tugging it up. "If I'm wrong, it's easier to knock out two people than five, right?"
"Indeed. Let me go first, please?" Remus asked. Neville acquiesced. Remus eased the trap door open, and then slid down. Neville waited for the silence to continue, and then followed. James came after him and pulled down the trapdoor, bringing the rug with it to cover it as best he could.
It was pitch black, but up ahead were torches casting minimal light. Neville glanced around. They were in a wide hallway leading past a wall of stone at least ten metres long. A door was placed about three metres from the far end, wide open. Remus' lips were curled, but when Neville opened his mouth to ask he put his finger to his lips and indicated the door. He wouldn't have sent him were anyone near, but Neville still walked lightly to the wall and then sidled up to it before glancing inside and halting.
He'd never seen so much blood. He felt dizzy, but swallowed hard and suppressed it. There was nobody in there; nothing but a table with shackles on the corners. He didn't want to begin to speculate what it could be used for, but clearly it was multipurpose – there were also shackles on each leg. Neville swallowed hard again, and turned away, shaking his head. James and Remus came up, and Remus growled faintly. James looked at him; Remus merely nodded. James' face went white. Neville could guess why. Remus had probably confirmed the blood was Harry's. Neville stepped away feeling faint. The blood earlier hadn't bothered him this much, maybe because it wasn't his friend's. Hell, he hadn't even been half this disturbed when the guy's head came off, or when he'd crushed Bellatrix's skull, but this…
The corner came up and James and Remus ushered him back. Remus waved his hand in a circle and Neville nodded. That was signal they'd gone over – it meant that if spells started flying, Neville was to raise the strongest shield he could around them. It meant he also got to stand back and not see what they were doing or seeing, which was maddening. He got a good clue when Remus growled again. Finally, after several minutes, Remus raised his hand flat – 'stay'. Neville bit his lip as he obeyed, James skirting around the corner and out of sight.
It felt like a long wait but he knew it couldn't be. It finally ended, and Remus waved him forward. Neville came at a faint run, and followed Remus as he headed straight across the room for the far corner. James called out, his voice thready, "The manacles are locked. Is there a key?"
Remus growled negatively, but Neville had seen several keys in the room along the front. He wanted to see Harry first, though; Remus was good at breaking spells, right?
He arrived and winced, staring. Harry was bloody from head to toe, hanging loosely in the shackles and shivering. His flesh was ridged with cuts. James placed his hands on Harry's chin, murmuring softly, but Harry's eyes remained closed and he whimpered faintly. Neville had to look away. Seeing James' distress made it ten times worse. There was a large, throne-like chair on a raised dais; Neville went over and was surprised to find a key sitting on the arm. There was blood on the metal, and on the stone arm. Maybe they'd left in a hurry? If that was so …
Neville picked up the key and jogged back over. Remus was frowning at the manacles until Neville thrust the key into his sight. He blinked.
"Are you sure this is the one?"
"Someone left it on the arm of that throne. Maybe they left in a hurry."
Remus frowned, but accepted the key. "That is very possible. This … the blood smells really fresh."
"He's still bleeding." James softly added. His voice sounded strained. "He won't stop bleeding."
That worried him. Neville's distress fled as he quickly checked Harry's wrists, throat and legs. It was hard to find the particular spots he remembered – he'd spent a long time dwelling on them not half a year before, but there was so much blood… The proclivity had been unhealthy then, but he remembered each of them quite well; still, he found no deep cuts at all. However, all of them - the light, numerous cuts all over - were still bleeding. James was right: Harry's bleeding wasn't stopping. From the sheer volume, it was dangerous. Neville wasn't surprised he was incoherent with so much blood loss. Potions had to have been used; there simply couldn't be that much blood to the human body normally.
Remus quickly summoned their attention again, and James strangely backed off. Neville stepped up to hold Harry while Remus opened the other manacle, and then Harry was slumped against him. Neville brushed his hand over Harry's forehead, spreading aside blood. Neville growled, and then he saw Remus staring at Harry's back with a furious look. Neville looked down the black bruising and bleeding – he'd apparently be whipped, which wasn't surprising. What would Remus be pissed about?
Neville ran his hand down Harry's hair, and then found ragged punctures in his neck. Neville glanced down and found bite marks, human bite marks. A second look brought doubt; Neville didn't think someone's teeth could pierce flesh so cleanly.
Remus growled. Neville looked up and felt a shiver run down his back. Of course. He'd forgotten Remus had said there had been a werewolf here. Well, shit.
"Remus." Neville spoke up. "Remus."
Remus snapped out of it, glanced up at Neville, and then turned to James. James also was somewhat stunned, and he quickly woke him up. James shook himself, and looked up at Neville again.
"Let Remus take Harry. He's got the most arm strength. We want to use as few spells as possible. It lessens the chance of it being noticed. Come on."
Neville ran his hand over Harry's hair again, and then let Remus take him. Harry murmured quietly as he was moved, and then abruptly started struggling, whimpering and pushing against Remus. Remus tried to calm him.
"Harry, Harry it's me, it's Remus. C'mon Harry, calm down; calm yourself."
Neville caught Harry's wrists. "Harry, stop you're being foolish. Let your Slytherin out and wake up, look around you. C'mon Harry you silly Prongslet, it's Nev."
His friend blinked several times before he actually focused on them. Well, one eye did. Neville felt sick at the deep cut seeping fluid on his right eye. He looked terrified, possibly so distraught he didn't notice, and rasped, "Moony? Where's Padfoot and Prongs? I … I kept seeing Wormtail. Where's Brownclaw?"
Remus growled angrily when Harry mentioned Wormtail, but Neville stroked his hair.
"Harry, it's all fine. Prongs is scouting the way out, and Padfoot and Brownclaw stayed home. Wormtail will get his; don't worry. It's Neville here, alright? Tiernan Longbottom."
Remus finally managed to speak again. "Prongslet, will you let me carry you? We need to get out quickly."
Harry blinked and shuddered, his right eye squinting shut. "What if Lucius or … or Fenrir come back?"
Remus frowned. "Harry, Lucius is dead."
Harry curled against him and found the strength to be irritated. "Then I got buggered by a dead man. He's alive, okay? I doubt an inferius could do magic."
Remus' grip tightened, but he closed his eyes and got a hold of himself. "Alright. We'll keep an eye out for him. We need to leave."
"Watch for the snake, then." Harry murmured, slipping back unconscious in Remus' arms. "I'm really not up to it."
Neville found himself smiling oddly despite the situation. He walked before Remus as they made their way back to the hallway and the ladder where James was waiting. He walked over to Remus as he came closer and stroked Harry's hair. "What took you?"
"He woke up some, and fought against me holding him. I think he was reacting to me being a werewolf. He also told us to look out for Lucius and a snake."
"Lucius is dead." James pointed out quietly. "Aurors found him dead. "
"Apparently they were either wrong, or they were paid off." Remus shrugged. "Harry is certain it was him."
James nodded, pensive. "I think I re-killed him. I'd thought that blond hair looked familiar."
Remus nodded slowly, and Neville glanced around the room. Harry's snake warning had struck him more than the warning against Lucius. Lucius – well, Death Eaters - they'd be watching for naturally. A snake … a snake worried him. You normally didn't watch for a snake.
"Can we get upstairs?" Neville quickly asked. "We need to get out of here."
James and Remus both nodded, and James climbed up the stairs first, pushing open the trap door. He paused, and then crawled through, waving them after. Neville went next, and then Remus used mobilicorpus to lift Harry through. James caught him and pulled him behind the couch with him as Remus quickly crawled up and closed the door, returning the rug to its place. Remus lifted his head – and froze.
"Harry said to watch for a snake, didn't he?" Remus breathed. "That is the biggest snake I've ever seen."
"Shit." Neville swore. "We need to leave. Now." It wasn't in the room, thank Merlin, but it was just outside the door, moving away – it's tail passed by as they watched. However, Neville didn't want something thicker than his thigh finding them. It was the scariest thing he'd seen in ages.
Remus nodded and quickly took Harry from James. James moved back to check the door and swore. "It's locked again. How are we to get out?"
Neville grinned bitterly. "Does my plan sound a bit better yet?"
James and Remus glanced at each and shrugged. "How do you plan on accomplishing it?"
"Brace me. That stupid spell of yours kicks like a sonuvabitch."
James smiled awkwardly and stood ready for the spell. Neville cast and slammed into him, moaning. That spell hurt. However, the wall hadn't smashed as he'd hoped. It had certainly cracked though, and the people upstairs were milling around. Remus was aiming his wand at the door and Neville quickly cast Porrybaxter's – he could raise it quicker than the Greenhorn Wall, and bring it down faster. It could also be cast through from inside, and didn't distract him.
"James, brace me again. They're not getting in yet."
James frowned and did so; Neville tried for the wall again. More boards smashed; the ceiling groaned, but it wasn't open yet. Neville felt light-headed, and then James cast past him. A small chunk blew out, and Remus joined, smashing open a large hole. James picked several more pieces out; he then turned and threw another blasting curse into the Death Eaters. Judging by his hissed, "Yes!" he was most pleased to be able to cause havoc from behind Neville's shield.
"James!" Remus called. "We're through; put the fox in the henhouse. I'll get myself and Harry on Neville, and then you need to run out and lead, alright?"
Neville held his spinning head and swore. "I may not be able to navigate the forest, but I can hold a basic shield while running if we take the drive out the front past the wards."
Remus nodded, and jumped out with Harry in hand. Neville stepped up to it, "James, I'm out."
"Right." James called. "I'll lead you out the drive, then?"
"Yes."
"Get out there. I've got a few words to pass along."
"Watch the snake, James." Neville reminded as he jumped out, changing quickly and trotting over to Remus. Remus hefted Harry up onto his back, and then climbed up after, tucking his legs against him and holding onto his mane with one hand, Harry with the other.
Shortly thereafter, a stag launched itself out the hole and darted around the building. Neville took off after him, concentrating on the strongest shield he could manage. It was already giving him a headache. He had a good stride, nearly keeping pace with the leaping stag that was James, Remus gripping him tightly with his legs. They crossed the front of the house and Neville saw the long, immense snake casually laid across the front lawn, several metres long and thicker than a snake should ever get. James leaped over her, and Neville ran up and jumped as well. Someone behind him screamed furiously, and as he lifted, Nagini struck at him. Remus swore; she was long enough-
A flash of green light and Nagini exploded. Neville didn't think that was normal, but another horrified scream went up and it wasn't Remus. Neville landed and raced for the edge of the wards. He didn't have time to wonder. James was just at the brink – and disappeared. Remus gasped, "Left!" – Neville twisted, pounded the ground as he strove onwards, and then felt something twist at his guts before he stumbled, changing back abruptly and ending up with Harry groaning on top of him, Remus staggering for balance.
Neville distractedly stared in front of himself and then growled inanely, "Wall. Bad." What was one doing inches from his nose? And why did his shoulder hurt?
Harry was quickly taken away, but Neville was pulled up and into a warm embrace before he could really register where he was. His mother stroked his hair over and over again, and finally breathed, "God, Neville, I was so worried."
Frank laughed behind her, a forced sound but from what Neville could see he was honestly pleased. "I see someone never told us when he finished the extracurricular lesson we assigned."
"It was very useful." Remus nodded. "And I need to go curse something into oblivion. Frank, would you please spar with me?"
Frank curiously followed, clearly ready to pepper him with questions. Neville just leaned on his mother's shoulder – he was calming down, and started to feel sore and tired. The stress was getting to him.
"Neville, are you alright?" Alice asked worriedly.
"Where's Harry?" He asked distantly.
"Regulus took him by portkey straight to Potter Mansion where Poppy was waiting. James went with him; Lily was already there. We'll be going back to our place until we get the word we can visit. Neville, please look at me." Neville stepped back obediently and watched her face. She looked firm, and he made a note to pay attention. She gave her lessons with that face, not teases. "You aren't going to be seeing him for a few days, Neville, unless he specifically asks for you. If he doesn't, you can't complain about it."
Neville opened his mouth to speak and then shut it. She was right. And he wasn't going to like it. He closed his eyes against the though and an image of Harry's bloody body invaded his mind. He choked and jerked backwards. He stopped abruptly as Alice caught his arm and he swore under his breath. A telling sign was that Alice didn't correct him – just because he learned his language from her didn't mean she quite approved. She gently pulled him back to her shoulder and held his head.
"I'm sorry you had to go Neville."
"I asked for it." Neville reminded her. She moved to say more soft words and Neville cut her off with the brusque question, "Why does Harry's state haunt me more than killing? I've killed two people – Bellatrix, and the sentry – and the only thing that bothers me is that Harry was hurt so badly, and all the blood in the dungeon. The blood didn't disturb me when the sentry died, why does it bother me that so much was in the dungeon? Does it being my friend's make that much of a difference?"
"Neville." Alice softly crooned. "Yes, it makes a big difference. I never wanted this for you, never wanted you to see such things."
"You can't change it, mother." He bit out. "This is war."
"I know, Neville, I know. I never wanted you to see war, but it's thrown itself in your face. I –I can only hope it isn't here for my grandchildren. I can only hope, because I never wanted it for my children."
"I don't want them to see it either." Neville murmured. "I'll pay the price so they won't have to, mother."
Alice didn't answer. She held him and Neville didn't pull away. He wasn't going to let her see him crying over this. He wasn't supposed to cry over this. Why couldn't he make up his mind? He shouldn't be so disturbed over such a little thing, over his friend and not the killing. Why was it so confusing?
He wasn't sure if he was feeling his mother's tears on his shoulder or not.
A/N: There we go. Back in Britain. Back in trouble. I hope I didn't scar any of you too badly, but hey! I need to add some stress, and wasn't it nice of me not to cut you off just as he disappeared? I could've been far more cruel.
Well, here's the beginning of sixth year. As you can tell, it's going to be all kinds of cheery.
Fire & Napalm