Nightmare on Privet Drive

Chapter 5: A hero lost

"Come with me", Lucius instructed.

Harry watched him walk away. Suddenly he felt very uncomfortable again. He still had his doubts. His mind kept telling him that Lucius had saved him from that terrible place. But the other side of his mind told him to run away, because he was probably going someplace worse.

"Wh…where?" He asked nervously. But Lucius did not answer. The older man exited the bathroom and headed down the hall.

Harry panicked when he was left alone in the strange place. Practically running, he left the bathroom and caught up with Lucius, though still keeping a bit of distance between them.

Lucius smirked when he heard Harry's feet behind him. They walked about halfway down the long hall until Lucius stopped in front of one of the doors. Reaching down the front of his robes, he pulled out a key from around his neck. He unlocked the door, before turning his attention to Harry, who stood a good 15ft. away.

"Come", he spoke in a gentle tone. Harry unwillingly took about 3 steps forward until his body froze. Lucius' gentle expression hardened slightly. "I'll warn you now Harry, I have little patience with children.

Harry looked up at him with wide, questioning eyes. The last thing he wanted was to get in trouble. Clutching his towel closely, he walked up to Lucius and peered in the room. His eyes were instantly drawn to the large bed at the end of the room. His mouth dropped in both shock and fear.

Lucius was about to shove the stubborn boy into the room when he noticed Harry's shaken form. "Potter?" Lucius questioned, touching Harry's shoulder.

Harry gasped at his touch, nearly jumping out of his pale skin. "Ww…. What do you want from me?" He stuttered. "Why did you bring me here?"

"Have you gone mad boy?" Lucius asked, getting irate. "I don't know what's going through that crazed mind of yours, but you will do exactly what I say. Now put on some nightwear and get in that dam bed. If you're lucky, I'll bring you something to eat."

Lucius then shut the door behind him, leaving Harry all alone. Harry tried for the door, but found that it had been locked. He stood for a moment, holding his towel, feeling awkward in the large room.

He slowly and cautiously walked around. He walked to the large closet and peered inside, expecting to find someone hiding. But he saw nothing but clothes. Fine, expensive clothing. Nothing like Harry had ever seen before. And certainly nothing he'd ever worn before.

As he looked at the clothing, he couldn't help but wonder who the room belonged to. Was it Lucius's room? Draco's? A guest room, servant room? And how long was he welcome here? Or was he a prisoner? And even if Lucius was kind enough to save him, why'd he bring him back to his home? All these questions and then some, ran through Harry's mind. It made him uncomfortable not knowing any of the answers.

Suddenly he remembered what Lucius had told him. Put on some nightwear and get in that dam bed. Harry slightly panicked at the thought of Lucius returning and seeing that he had not done anything he had asked. Quickly, Harry went to the dresser and opened the drawers until he found some pajamas made of fine silk and silver in color. He dressed quickly then went to the large bed. He looked at it for a while. The only times he had ever been in a bed, aside from his weathered old mattress, had been against his will. And those had never been pleasant experiences.

He rubbed his arms, uncomfortably and looked to the door. His mind ran rampant. What was it the Lucius wanted? What! The man was so clever at disguising his emotions.

Harry sat down next to the bed, hoping that that would be enough to please Lucius. He watched the door for what seemed like hours, waiting for Lucius to return. With each passing moment his eyes became heavier and heavier, until he lacked the power to keep them open. And he wound up lying on the floor, fast asleep.

Hour later, Lucius returned to the room with a tray of food. The first thing he saw when he entered was an empty bed. Though extremely displeased, his expression remained the same…emotionless.

As he walked closer, he noticed the sleeping form on the ground. Lucius was slightly pleased to see that Harry had at least changed….but sleeping on the floor?! Though Harry was not a Malfoy, he was still in Malfoy manor and Lucius would not tolerate anyone lying on the floor.

He sighed deeply as he laid down the tray beside the large bed. "So uncivilized", he commented, lifting Harry onto the bed, which was much too easy considering the boys age. He remembered carrying Draco to bed when he was younger, and still, Harry seemed to be lighter.

Though a tad chilly in the room, Lucius was not about to tuck the boy in. A line had to be drawn somewhere. He'd done more than enough for the boy anyway.

Lucius left the room, locking the door behind him. Many questions ran through his mind. 'What was he doing? What if someone found out he was keeping him there?' His alternate plan was to turn the boy over to the Dark Lord. But he didn't want to think of that now. He just wanted Harry to sleep. He looked so peaceful. Especially considering how he had found him at the Muggle home. There was an odd sense of pride that Lucius felt, knowing that he was the one that cleaned Harry up and got him clothed and fed. Nothing extravagant. Just like the feeling you would get after cleaning your' room, then taking a step back and seeing what a fine job you did.

Feeling a bit silly, Lucius brushed away the odd feeling and went about his business.

Later that night, Lucius's sleep was cut short due to a noise coming from further down the corridor. Wondering who dare disrupt his sleep, he rose from bed and left his chambers, ready to punish the house elves for working so late at night. If they couldn't get their jobs done before he retired for the night then there would be hell to pay.

He walked stealthily through the hall, hoping to surprise them. He kept his ears open so to get their precise location.

"Uh...nnn…no."

Lucius furrowed his brow. This did not sound like one of his elves. They had a much more squeaky, high pitched, irritating voice. Lucius stopped by a familiar door, waiting to hear the noise again.

"N…No please… Aaaahh!"

Lucius bolted into the room where Harry was. He rushed to the bed as quick as he could and blocked the boys' mouth with his hand. "Shh!" he hushed, afraid of someone hearing.

Harry woke up startled. It was dark and someone was restraining him. He screamed into Lucius's hand, making Lucius press harder to muffle the sound. Harry struggled violently, trying to get free, but his captor was far stronger.

"Shh", Lucius hushed again, holding him so tight he could hardly move. "You were just having a nightmare", he explained, trying to calm Harry down. "It's over. Just relax."

Eventually Harry stopped struggling, but Lucius could feel how fast Harry's heart was beating. It didn't take him long to figure out that he was the reason Harry was so frightened.

"Harry, I'm going to move my hand away. But you've got to promise to be silent… Do you promise?" Harry shook his head yes. "All right." Lucius warily removed his hand. Harry kept his promise and remained quiet.

"Good", Lucius relaxed. "Now let me explain something. You being here is a secret. If that secret is discovered, I will not be the one to suffer the consequences. You will be. Word will get to the Dark Lord. And I have no intention of risking my life to protect you. Understand?"

Harry nodded his head.

"Very well, now get to sleep. And no more nightmares", he ordered as he left the room.

After he left, Harry was still a little shaken. One thing that bothered him was, how did he end up on the bed? Quietly he got back down onto the floor. He thought about sleeping under the bed, but became fearful of having another nightmare and disturbing Lucius again. So he sat against the wall, between the bed and dresser and tried to stay awake.

He tried to find something to think about to help keep him awake. Unfortunately, there was nothing pleasant to think about. And whenever he thought too much about what was going on, he got scared. He still feared having to go back to his Uncle (he doesn't know there dead). He feared being in Malfoy Manor and he fear Lucius turning him over to Voldemort.

Slowly his thoughts drifted to Hogwarts. How long had it been since last semester? Had school already started? His spirits lifted at the thought of being back there. What if School had already started? The only way to find out was to ask Lucius. Either that or sneak around the Manor and see if Draco was home. Both of those ideas seamed dreadful. But at least the first one wouldn't get him in trouble…hopefully.

Unable to keep his eyes open any longer, he drifted to sleep, praying that he wouldn't be plagued by any more nightmares.

AN: Thanks for your reviews. Sorry I took so long. I had it all written, but I had to wait to be home alone to type it. I don't like anyone knowing that I write this stuff. I think it's a little… I don't know …weird, psychotic, deranged, obsessive. Anyways…that ain't gonna' stop me . Next Chapter: Everything's changing