Thanks to The Tenth Doctor's Companion, x – Sportagirl – x (sorry I haven't been online for a while! Messenger's messing about ;) ), MissBlackPotter, pinktardis and Tai Greywing!

LittleGinny15: Hehehe, thanks, glad to hear you loved it! ;P And I'm glad to hear you liked him, too, I wondered what people would make of him. I just felt like creating another character, for some reason. Well, I say that, but I needed him really … Thanks for reviewing again!

izzfrogger: Thank you! Here's an update!

Doobrey Ferkin: Tell you my secret? I was dying to say 'Trade Secret' when I read that, (well, it was a toss up between that and 'Oh, I'm sorry, Author Confidentiality!' (think Nurse-Cat-Nuns, 'cause I was)) but I think I should really be honest and say I have absolutely no idea what my 'Secret' is. Seriously, if you ever figure it out, please let me know! ;P Thanks so much! Hope you enjoy this Chapter, too!

Disclaimer: Not mine … Love all of 'em, but they're not mine … well, Chris Alland is … Oh, my God, did I just say that? Giddy dance I own a character! I own a character! … Ahem, yeah, apart from Chris and Teri, the rest are not mine … the plot is, though … sorta … Oh forget it, you know what I mean. Recognise, not mine, don't recognise, mine. Moving on before I fall into deep depression …

Enjoy!

Meeting the Managers

"Alright, alright!" the Master relented as the five aimed wands shifted ever so slightly in their owner's grasps. "I just wanted you out of the way! Something's happening, something big, and I just thought it'd be safer to keep you lot out of it. I know the Doctor would probably tell you otherwise, but I don't get pleasure out of harming children."

"We're not children!" Ron spat, disgruntled beyond recognition.

"Well young adults, then!" the Master retorted.

"What do you mean there's something big happening?" Rose interrupted before a full-scale argument could break out.

"Rose, please, I can't tell you. Just know this: No-one's safe anymore. And for once in my life, I was thinking of somebody other than myself. I was following one of the Doctor's orders, which is something he will definitely tell you is unusual for me."

"Oh, and turning us into mutated wolflings with hunger problems is for the Greater Good, is it?" Ginny asked, incredulous.

"Trust me, it'd be better than what you're getting yourselves into. And besides, I needed a quick and easy solution, one that wouldn't involve me wasting unnecessary time trying to secure you all somewhere."

"Why what's the big rush?"

The Master fiddled somewhat nervously with a control on the console, and sighed in defeat. He pushed a button, and turned to the wall. Curious, the teens and Rose turned and followed his gaze to a newly-uncovered panel holding a flat-screen television.

"Just watch," he stated, bluntly, returning to the console as his TARDIS' occupants gathered around the screen. Ginny felt her breath catch in her throat as two gleaming red eyes burst into view amidst an endless black. They watched as the Master emerged from somewhere off screen, making straight for the two scarlet pinpricks. "Just so you don't go thinking I sprung from mid-air, this is a direct camera view from the front of my TARDIS. So in other words, I'd just left through those doors."

But his words were ignored as another voice broke through the on-screen silence.

"So, my machine worked, then," the owner of the eyes stated, matter-of-factly.

Five jaws dropped in horror as the high-pitched, chillingly familiar voice echoed out through inconspicuous speakers somewhere within the depths of the Master's TARDIS. Rose knew nothing of Voldemort, but seeing those eyes, hearing that voice, spotting the horrified stares of her five friends … putting two and two together, Rose knew exactly who the Master was talking to.

As the recording continued, the Master's somewhat chipped tones ringing through her ears, now, her heart plummeted into her stomach. And stayed there.

"If I knew what you were talking about, I'd be able to ascertain that for you. If, by any chance, your machine was intending to bring me here, then regarding my presence standing on this very spot carefully, I would have to admit that it has indeed, as you say, 'worked'."

"Don't get clever with me, Alien, I didn't bring you here to smart-mouth me. I have a job for you."

"Oh? And what would that be?"

Voldemort paused, a faint grin showing through the blackness surrounding him.

"I have found an irritation within my plans, Alien. An irritation that I gather you know … or, at the very least, knew … rather well. He calls himself the Doctor."

"Ahh, yes, I was wondering whether or not the bane of my existence would be the reason behind this."

The Master standing feet from them inattentively copied his on-screen counterpart, tugging at the sleeve of his robe with a small sigh. He winced slightly as Voldemort's voice cut through the moment's silence like a knife through melted butter.

"I will take that response as a good sign. What is your name?"

"Well … that'd be telling. So you don't know who you've just summoned, then? You don't know who I am?"

"That's why I'm asking."

"The Master."

"Indeed?" Voldemort laughed, the sound echoing eerily around the Weasley's, Hermione and Rose, piercing the air. "Well, well, well, pig-headedly ignorant, I see. You're hired."

"Thanks. Hired for what, exactly, and what do I get out of it?"

"You? Why, you get rid of the 'bane of your existence'. I get peace and quiet to get on with what I'm doing, and then we need never see, speak to, or hear from one another ever again. Fair deal?"

"That depends on what you're wanting me to do, although I've a rather funny feeling I already know what's coming."

"Glad to see we're on the same wave length, here. I shall leave it in your … capable hands, Master."

"Oh, wonderful. How soon?"

"Immediately."

"Oh joy, even better. Well, best be getting on, then. Lots to do, places to go, people to kill. And just for the record, you might want to consider buying yourself some new contact lenses. Red is really not your colour."

"You are trying my patience."

"Oh, am I? Why, indeed I am, it seems. In which case I am so terribly sorry, 'Your Greatness'. It just seems to me that you have absolutely no idea of just who you're actually up against, if you just expect me to get on with it. What do you know of the Doctor?"

"Very little. Simply that he is interfering in things that do not concern him - well, don't concern him directly, at any rate – and that he cannot be allowed to intervene."

"Oh, so you know absolutely nothing about him, then. Go on … Go on, admit it, I can tell you're just dying to."

"Alright, alright! If it'll get you off my back, the Doctor and I are not exactly drinking buddies. Although I'm beginning to wonder if you and he are …"


"Phtt, oh please, you've gotta be kidding. I've got standards, Red-Eyes, and he in no way whatsoever fits the bill. He's too good, too smug, too full of himself in more ways than one, too interfering."

"Then you understand my problem, Master. Can you deal with the Doctor, or not?"

"Not directly, no. And I'm not stupid enough to attempt to take him on alone, either, if that's what you're thinking. I may despise him and his cracked-up, never-ending 'beauty, love and good can conquer all' theories, but I cannot deny that he has power. Raw, unspoiled, 'Pure as distilled water' Power. Power and skill, and a brain to boot."

"Jesus Christ, it is an incredibly simple question! Can you deal with the Doctor, or not! A quick 'Yes' or 'No' answer would suffice!"

"Me? Heavens, no. But I suspect that you can. I can get him to you, but I can't take him on alone. We're too evenly matched, you see."

"Fine, then I will have to settle for half a job. Get him to me, and I'll deal with him myself."

"Consider it done. And will you get me back to my time and relative dimension as soon as I'm finished here? Only I've a lot to do."

"I shall see to your return home personally."

"Good, glad we could agree on something."

With a crackle, the picture cut out, leaving five wizards and a time-traveller staring at a blank screen in shock and horror. Painfully slowly, Rose turned on the spot, her eyes wide. Seeking out the Master, she found him half-concealed behind the moving column.

Silence.

After a moment, the Master cleared his throat.

"That, er … that 'meeting' took place about two days ago, the minute I arrived in this reality. I'd like to know that you've seen enough of him to understand why I'm working against him … but something tells me that showing you that particular clip has done nothing except to finalise your thoughts about me. I presume you think even less of me and my opinions now than you did before. Perfectly understandable, but it still smarts."

No-one appeared to be listening. No-one appeared to even be breathing. The Master glanced up, taking in the six pale faces, and he shrugged.

"Well, say something, then!" he said, slightly desperately. "Do you believe me, or not!"

For what seemed an eternity, nobody spoke, until finally, Rose opened her mouth. When words failed to leave her lips, she closed it, swallowed and tried again. But it wasn't an answer to his question, least of all an answer he wanted to hear. Rose stared at him in shock, disbelief and revulsion, as the five teenage wizards began to back away.

"So that's why you wanted to find him," she whispered, horrified.

Pain.

Burning, searing, screaming pain.

Endless, timeless, surrounding.

Retreating away into herself, Teri shivered uncontrollably, as seventeen year's worth of memories were plucked slowly and steadily from her mind.

But he would come. That was all that mattered. She was keeping him safe, so he would come. He would save her, just like he saved everyone. Teri bit back a blood-curdling scream, knowing it would be a pointless distraction.

Instead, she forced a wonky grin.

The Doctor would come.

"Neville, Luna, there you are! Thank God, we were beginning to worry!"

"Sorry, Tonks, we got a little held up. We've found Jack, though," Neville added, brightly, the faint blush of his cheeks fading away into non-existence as his wand was held securely between his fingers.

A woman with vibrantly pink, spiked hair glanced hurriedly over her shoulder and squinted at Jack, who emerged a moment later through the open doorway. She grinned manically and waved at him as he approached. Jack stopped beside Luna, who absently reached up a hand and retrieved her wand from behind her ear, once more. He took in the young woman's somewhat eccentric appearance, and grinned, too, waving enthusiastically back.

"Wotcha, Jack! Y'alright?"

Jack's grin widened.

"Not so bad, thanks. You?"

"Oh, you know, same old, same old. We kind of expected to find you here, so I'd say you were in safe hands. But then again, I'm here … so I won't bother. Jack, meet Remus Lupin, head of our little rescue party, here."

"How d'you do?" Jack said, politely, shaking Lupin's hand. "So that makes you Tonks, then, does it?"

The young woman nodded.

"So how'd you get here, then? And you wouldn't happen to know where we could find Harry, the Doctor, Rose Tyler and a group of seventeen year-old wizards, would you?"

Jack shook his head, his grin slipping.

"Well, I … fell here … dunno how, and I can't really be arsed thinking about it at the moment, so we'll leave it at that, for now. And no, sorry. I need to find the Doctor, though. I've got someone he really does need to meet."

"Oh, yes of course, Teri," Lupin sighed. Jack nodded, distracted.

"Yeah, that's her. Sorry, but, Neville and Luna said you were fighting … er, Death Eaters, was it? … but there doesn't seem to be much fighting going on."

Tonks grinned wickedly.

"Missed the action, mate. Sorry. We heard you were rather trigger happy, but we just couldn't resist."

Jack frowned.

"Sorry, but, where are you getting all of this info from? I don't know anything about you lot. I don't know how or why I'm here, except that I am, but I do know I've never met any of you before in my life. Well, unless I was incredibly drunk at the time, which is probably quite a strong possibility."

"Oh, of course. That's right, you wouldn't know, would you?" Lupin said, delicately. "We're part of a rather large defence and resistance group called the Order of The Phoenix. It's our job to know what the enemy is getting up to. And, er, 'two kidnapped Muggles' is pretty big news."

"Muggles?"

"Non-magic folk. I don't know about your, er," Lupin blushed, struggling to find the right word. When his mental dictionary failed him abysmally, he continued regardless, shrugging, "your 'Alien' friend, but I do know that you couldn't do magic if we paid you to do it."

"You're tellin' me. Can't even look after myself these days, so I really can't see what use I am to Mr All High And Mighty."

"Oh, so you've met our Lord and Master, then, have you?" Tonks asked, conversationally.

"Not in person … well, not with formal introduction, no. Met him by face, though. Slimy bastard."

Tonks' grin was now stretching the entire width her face, and even Lupin was restraining a broad smile of his own as he considered Jack through curious eyes.

"Wow, you'd be one Hell of an asset at our Order meetings, Jack."

"Oh, really? How so?" Jack enquired airily, stroking his chin in mock concentration.

"Well, let's put it this way," Tonks elaborated, laughing, "we wouldn't miss vital information through sleeping, if you were around."

"Why, if I was the sort I would probably accept that as a first attempt chat-up line, Tonks."

"Nope, sorry, mate, you're outa luck in that department, too. This one's already taken," she told him, restraining an urge to burst out laughing. As though to emphasise her point, she looped arms with Lupin, who wore a curiously triumphant look as he turned and beamed at her.

"Ahh well, not a total surprise, though I won't deny I'm not hurt by that," Jack feigned heartbreak. Tonks couldn't control her laughter at that.

But the joviality was quickly killed as a throat cleared somewhere behind them. Jack glanced up, taking in the room they'd arrived in at long last. A room containing a floor of immobile bodies, each ensnared by a black cloak, and the rest full of witches and wizards who were either helping those who had been injured already or trying to help themselves.

But at the sound, every moving face turned to the still-open doorway through which Jack, Neville and Luna had just arrived.

And every ounce of blood present ran cold, as the being leaning casually against the door-frame finally spoke, a well-used-looking wand whacking lightly against his outstretched palm.

"Sorry, is this a bad time?"

After what felt like hours of non-stop walking, Chris finally stumbled to a halt before what the Doctor could only assume was a brick wall.

"Here we are," Chris murmured, distractedly, as he held out his hands, palm up, and placed them at strategic points along the wall. Glancing apologetically over his shoulder at Harry and the Doctor, he added, "You might wanna watch your eyes; it'll be bright after the darkness in here."

Both nodded and squinted their eyes, waiting with bated breath for the doorway through which they were undoubtedly expected to pass through to reveal itself amidst the mass of black.

And a moment later, intense orange and yellow lights burnt through their narrowed eye-lids, resulting in them closing their eyes completely against the glare.

"Sorry, did warn you." Chris' voice floated through their ears, but not without hiding the young Victorian's glimmer of amusement. "Anyway, is it alright if I come along with you? Only … after what you said, about getting me and my family outa here … well, I'd like to see if you'd be able to keep your word. I wanna see how you handle my Master, if that makes sense."

"Perfect," the Doctor sighed, rubbing at his temples as his eyes struggled to cope with the glare by opening inch by inch.

"You alright, Doctor?" Harry asked, his own vibrantly green eyes having adjusted already.

"Dunno, that head-ache from earlier won't leave me long enough for me to decide. And the – literal, for once, – pain in my neck's not gettin' any better, either."

"Need a break before we go in?"

"Nah, let's just get this over and done with. We need to find Rose and the others, don't we? I don't trust them alone with the Master for one minute. I know damn well he's up to something, but I just can't for the life of me figure out what it is."

"Well, if you're sure. Just so long as you're not gonna pass out on me in there and leave me trying to talk to what could soon turn out to be my Death Sentence by myself. After all, you said you were fine once before, and where'd it get you? A bed in the Hospital Wing and a date with Madam Pomfrey."

The Doctor snorted, shaking his head.

"Don't worry, Harry. I'm fine. Really," he added, grinning, in response to Harry's raised eyebrows. Harry shook his head and then nodded once, restraining a smile of his own.

"'Kay then, Chris. Let's get on with it," he said, steeling himself and strengthening the grip on his wand.

Chris nodded, and entered through the now open door, which turned out to be less of a genuine door and more a large hole inside an even larger wall. Following, admittedly a little reluctantly, Harry and the Doctor stared in shock as they meandered through corridor after corridor of what could only be described as an underground bazaar.

Stalls and benches, platforms and podiums selling potions, jars and bottles of magic, bags of dust, potions ingredients, coins, charms and jewellery, wands, books, astrological models of the solar system and –

"Yeah, that's how my Master 'bought' me. By Auction," Chris announced, with a stab at indifference that wasn't quite enough to hide the bitter sting behind his words. "Not a pleasant experience," he added, staring morosely at the eleven or so slaves standing atop one of the larger podiums in the centre of the wider-than-expected walkway. A large man with a curly moustache and a long, scarlet waistcoat was standing beside the huddle of stark-white and terrified figures, shouting out names, deals, bargains and prices at the passing 'shopper's.

Harry frowned at Chris.

"I thought you said your life was spared because you gave … er, Him your family name! What were you doing up for Auction if He'd already bought you?"

"Oh, He finds it amusing to watch us up there, praying that the end of the day will dawn before a bargain for our 'soul' is made," Chris sighed, sadly. "Worst of all was the fact that He waited until sunset before making an offer, even though me and my family already knew He was coming for us. All those slaves up on that podium have been spared, either because they made a deal with Him, or because they've not got sufficient magic to feed upon. And not one of 'em is gonna feel day-light again."

"That's disgusting," Harry whispered, horrified. "And, so you lot … you just go along with it? I mean, you just do whatever you're told, no matter what?"

"What else can we do?" Chris countered, his eyebrows raised. "Once you're down here, you're officially 'dead', whether or not you actually die for your magic. I'll die down here sooner or later, but that doesn't mean it'll be over for me. It's never going to end. My soul's bound to this life, now."

"So wouldn't it have been better to just let Him take your life the first time around?" the Doctor asked, quietly, staring at Chris through gleaming, understanding and sympathetic eyes. Harry turned and glared at him.

"Doctor!" he hissed, outraged.

"No, Harry, the Doctor's right," Chris murmured, sadly. "If I'd have known at the time that I'd be 'living' like this, I would never have agreed to it in the first place. That's just something He fails to mention when He springs His deals. I was under the impression that we'd work maybe a sentence under Him and then be set free to continue with our lives. And it wasn't until I saw the Contract for my family with the Burning Seal float away into His Safe that I realised what a mistake I'd just made."

"Burning Seal?" Harry asked, curious.

"His official mark, no doubt," the Doctor replied, forlornly. "The parchment on which Chris' Family's Contract is written – and I presume it will be written in blood, too – will burn eternally. Just as the Contract will never run out, the manuscript will never cease to blaze."

Chris nodded, glumly, as they wandered unseeingly through the streets. Mortified, Harry tried his damndest to drown out the bellowing voices of the Auctioneers, the terrified and desolate cries of the Slaves, and the gleeful responses of the bargaining buyers.

But they simply refused bypass his ears.

Harry glanced up at another podium as they past, and was even more sickened to see three young children standing in line, hands and ankles chained and tears glinting against their ashen cheeks. One tiny little spark of joy lit up his heart as he watched a young woman, standing beside the youngest-looking child, reach down and grasp the little boy's hand, despite the awkwardness of the task due to both their bound hands. But that spark was quenched a moment later when the line's Auctioneer shouted out, "Sold to the Demon at the front for Twenty-Two Potions!". The woman was dragged from her position in line and thrown down into the Demon's awaiting arms, only to be hauled away through the streets behind him without a word. The little boy stared despairingly after her, but said nothing, as the Auctioneer began the Callings all over again.

Shaking his head to remove the irremovable images, Harry jumped slightly as he felt a hand grasp his shoulder. He looked up to see the Doctor studying him with a sorrowful expression on his worn-looking face, his eyes hollowed by pain and horror but full of a wisdom and understanding the likes of which Harry could never hope to compare.

"We will do something about this," he said, quietly, his voice so full of assurance and sincerity that Harry couldn't help but believe him. "Even if that means helping them to move on at last."

Harry nodded in silence, trying to focus solely on his steps through the streets, but occasionally staring at the draped tables holding the less disturbing magical items for sale. Items he could vaguely understand and justify the transition of. These creatures did, after all, live off magic. It was like Harry eating Meat – horrific to think about killing animals for it, but necessary for survival, considering his reluctance to turn Vegan. That'd only strive to be yet another habit to be famous for. Thinking miserably about his already larger than wanted fame, he'd probably start a trend.

But potions, tiny draw-string, velvet pouches of magic, spell books and wands, were one thing. To sell off real, genuine, honest-to-God living people …

"We've arrived," Chris said at last, crashing Harry's proverbially troubled train of thought before it reached the station. Harry and the Doctor stopped behind him, as Chris pointed unenthusiastically at a stone archway lit by burning torches in rusted brackets. They shared a look, then nodded at Chris, who positioned himself directly in front of them.

"I'm sorry about this," he sighed. "But you did sorta walk into this one yourselves when you first walked through that dome. I can only assume you've been looking for my Master, as it's so rare to hear of real people actually wandering into the No-Place of their own accord."

"Er, yeah, you could say that. Half forced in by someone's idea of a sick joke, but we do actually want to meet and greet your Lord and Master," the Doctor replied, sighing. "We have much to discuss, apparently, even more so, now that I hear He's expecting to make a Deal with me."

"Well, like I said before, if I can remain unseen by my Master, I'm hanging around in there. I'll make it look like I'm tidying up, or something. I mean I wouldn't usually dare, but there's just something about you two that I can't quite put my finger on. And if you really can help me and my family … well, I just wanted to hear it with my own ears. Then I'll believe it."

The Doctor nodded, a small grimace of pain attacking his already exhausted features. Harry sighed in exasperation, but it didn't pass the Doctor's attention.

"Head-ache, Harry! Not fractured ribs!" He paused, frowning, then added, "Although I dunno … that fall through the floor did actually hurt. A lot …" He grinned suddenly at Harry, who snorted in impatience and replaced his wand inside his jeans pocket, knowing full well that entering 'His' lair armed was a very foolish move. He didn't relinquish his grip on the smooth and more-than-welcome wooden handle, though.

The Doctor shook his head, feigning hurt. "Don't believe me, do ya?" he asked in mock-disbelief. "How could anyone not believe this face?"

"I don't suppose the ladies would have a problem with that," Harry muttered back, smiling. "You're not half bad, to say you're a freak."

"Thanks, Harry, I knew you cared."

"Yeah, anytime."

"And I hope you realise that that tour of the twelve-and-a-half-galaxies I'd originally planned on taking you on has just been blown right out of the window."

Harry laughed, but it soon died in his throat as he stared at the Doctor's face. "You're … you're kidding, right?"

"Nope, never been more serious," he smirked, faintly pleased with himself. Harry suddenly beamed innocently up at him.

"Did I ever tell you how much I love you?" he asked, blinking profusely.

"Whoa, Harry, steady on, do you have to say things like that in public? I'd rather we were somewhere a little less imposing if we're gonna discuss that. Maybe a nice little restaurant in the middle of nowhere … "

Harry shook his head in disbelief, grinning.

"There's just no putting you off, is there? I could say anything and it'd probably go right over your head if you didn't want to hear it!"

"Yep, too right. It's a skill that's taken centuries of study and patience to master. Well, that and the God-knows-how-many Midnight Arguments with one Miss Tegan Jovanka. I'll have to teach it to you sometime. Might come in handy, especially with Hermione as a best friend. Bet there's one or two library sessions you'd rather be able to drown out if you could," he added, his smirk widening.

"You're telling me," Harry grinned back.

"Er, I don't wish to be rude, but we really should hurry this along. He can grow rather impatient, these days," Chris inserted, timidly. Harry and the Doctor nodded, small smiles still etched into their faces as they turned to the archway standing almost majestically in front of them.

"Right then, let's get this over with," the Doctor sighed, resigned. "The sooner we get out of this place, the better."

There we go, a bit shorter than usual, but the next Chapter should hopefully make up for that. Action galore from here on in. Well, that's what I'm hoping for, at any rate.

Anyway, thanks to all of my wonderful readers and reviewers! And if you feel like thanking me back, please do leave a review. Nothing says thanks like the opinions of interested readers! ;D

Hope it didn't disappoint! Update soon!