For warning, disclaimer notice, and guide, refer to previous chapters.

Chapter 15 – Blackout

The next few weeks went by in a flurry of activity. Harry still had to take all his old classes, except one, potions. Since he was already Snape's "apprentice" he no longer had to take any of the Potions Master's classes. Professor Snape had already told Harry one morning that he though it pointless to take any classes, seeing as how the Dark Lord would probably pitch a fit if he thought his dearest love would be getting a job and working too hard.

Harry didn't let his teacher's pessimistic attitude threaten his happy one, though. And continued to enjoy his friends company. Ron and Draco were still at each other's throats when they had nothing else to better focus their attention on and Harry was on the verge of buying earplugs.

Terra Aphrodite was always lurking somewhere off in the background waiting for her chance to strike, for this reason, his friends had set up a schedule in which it would be impossible to be alone.

Ron and Hermione were always with him except when he had to go down to the dungeons to sleep. So, Draco was happy to take over that part of the guard duty and walked Harry to and from Snape's private quarters until they met up with Ron and Hermione.

As for visiting Tom, Harry had decided it would be best to see himevery other night. That way he could concentrate on his homework and still enjoy his time with Tom.

Another character had made her way into Harry's life. Cho Chang would say hi to Harry in the hallways and talk to him about little things like the weather or upcoming quidditch matches.

Harry had passively found that he no longer had any feelings for her at all. He thought she was nice and friendly but he no longer loved her like he did Tom and the thought elated him for some reason. He didn't think she had feelings towards him besides being friends because he had been responsible for her previous boyfriend's death. And so, it came as a complete shock to him when she told him,

"I love you, Harry."

They were alone in a long corridor. Harry had been taking a stroll while his friends were still in potions and Cho had met up with him.

"What?" Harry gasped, astounded.

"I love you, Harry." She said again, and went on to explain, "I have been rather attracted to you since our first quidditch game together and when the Yule Ball came around I was hoping you'd ask me, but you never did. Then Cedric came along and…well, he sort of grew on me, and then when he died…I know you don't like anyone at the moment and their were always rumors about you and Hermione, but I know you're just friends, so will you go out with me?" She said all this very fast and Harry saw the pleading look in her eyes. "Please?" She added, hopefully.

Harry felt so horrible for what he was going to say next, but it had to be done. "Cho, I really liked you to…for awhile. But-"

Her eyes welled with tears. "Oh, don't say it!" Then. Without warning, she threw her arms around him, and kissed him not on the cheek, but on the lips.

Harry's one last thought before slipping into darkness was, Tom's gonna kill me…

XXX

Voldemort stopped working the moment he felt the disconnection.

Ever since he had become aware of the bond he had been hyper-sensitive to his mate's emotions. The Dark Lord was always able to know what Harry was feeling even when he was asleep. The only time Harry had ever been completely blank had been when he had fainted after being abused.

Voldemort stood up and fought the urge to rush to Hogwarts to make sure Harry was alright. For some reason he couldn't shake the feeling of jealously as if someone had touched his mate without permission…

He began pacing, thinking of ideas on how he could see Harry without going into Hogwarts.

"Master, you are troubled."

He spun on the spot to find Nagini's head swaying in an anxious way. That's when it clicked.

"Nagini, I need you to do something for me."

"Anything…"

The Dark Lord grabbed paper and a quill and began furiously scribbling a note.

He then gave it Nagini, who clamped it in her mouth.

"I want you to give that to Severus and while you are there guard Harry, until I can figure out what is going on."

The snake nodded and Voldemort flooed her to Hogwarts using Snape's fireplace.

XXX

Snape looked up from the papers he was grading, having heard a sharp sliding sound. Class dismissed two minutes ago.

He then heard a sharp hissing sound to find Nagini at his feet with a note.

The Potions Master reached down and carefully took the note eyeing it to reveal a very harried Dark Lord:

Severus,

My connection to Harry has been disrupted. Find out what has happened to him, take Nagini with you, she is to guard him. Send word by owl.

Sincerely, XXX

Severus was by this time slightly shaken, if the Dark Lord's mate had been harmed, someone was going to pay very dearly…

XXX

Yay! Finally got this chapter up. I was having a few problems with my comp. for awhile there, but all fixed now!

Yes, Terra is a short version for terror. Nice, eh?

Don't worry, Gallant will appear after christmas. And yes, I do have something special planned for christmas. But first we have to get through this little blackout deal. What fun!

This is for those who like Phantom of the Opera, I'm starting a story! Look in my profile for the link to it, or you can just type in "Survivng this World" and it will come up...hopefully. I think it's original anyway...It's gotten only one review so far but I think that's just because people don't see it because new stories keep coming in. So, enjoy!