A/N: Here's the chapter. The title is very appropriate – it was a pain to write. Next chapter will take a couple of weeks though.

Forgot a couple things. (Sometimes FF doesn't like hyperlinks so if it looks funky go to my profile) Review responses can be found in two places: http/hannibalbarca. and the forums here on FanFiction http/

Disclaimer: What do you think? I'm male, American, and my last name isn't Rowlings.

Chapter 24: To Hell

Harry suppressed the laughter threatening to escape his lips. The Dursleys would not like it and, considering Uncle Vernon's mental state, it was probably best not to overly tax them. Several members of the Order of the Phoenix had been waiting on platform nine and three-quarters to greet the Dursleys and see Harry off.

Ginny, Moody was great! The next two days are going to be interesting – they won't dare yell at me…I bet they won't even talk to me! I've never seen Uncle Vernon look so pale. Dudley doesn't look very good either.

I'll thank him for you when I see him, Ginny sent.

Aunt Petunia looked back at her nephew and shuddered. He was back and now they were all in danger. She had not kept up with events in the Wizarding World, but she had received a letter from Dumbledore telling her the news. Vernon had not taken it very well and he had been acting oddly for several days now. Dudley was looking pasty as well, but then he looked like that every time he got near an adult wizard or witch. Aunt Petunia mentally shrugged; she would confront Vernon later – it would not due to make his stay too unpleasant, she did not want any of his kind to show up. Petunia felt a brief wave of shame at her own thoughts and quickly rationalized that she had done the best she could have done under the circumstances. She had not wanted the boy thrust upon her. She had not wanted to be connected to that world in anyway. Most of all, she had not wanted the constant reminder of her estranged, dead sister.

Taking special care to ensure his trunk did not leave marks on the stairs, Harry slowly made his way up to the smallest bedroom of Number Four. He only had to stay for forty-eight hours at Privet Drive and he intended to spend very little of it within sight of the Dursleys. He had been right. So far, none of the Dursleys had even said a single word to him. Indeed, only Aunt Petunia had so much as looked at him.

The entire trip to Number Four had been odd. At first, he thought it was due to Moody's threat, but he was not sure now. Both Uncle Vernon and Dudley looked pale and fidgeted a lot. Aunt Petunia was constantly glancing at the two of them with an expression he had never seen on her face before (at least when she was looking at them): suspicion.

Any news? he asked Ginny as he flopped down onto the uncomfortable single mattress that the Dursleys insisted was a bed. He was not sure how best to comfort Ginny, but sent what comfort he could through their bond – trying to mentally hold her. The situation with the Dursleys had temporarily distracted her from Percy's loss, but the shock of Percy's death was returning.

No, Dumbledore will be here soon, the usual vibrancy in Ginny's voice was gone. Harry desperately wished he could hug her.

Ginny was back at the Burrow with the rest of the Weasley family. They had been informed of Percy's death and that the Ministry would be releasing his personal articles to them that night. Dumbledore had also said he wanted to talk to them and that he would retrieve Percy's articles from the Ministry. Ginny was grateful for Dumbledore volunteering to do so – she did not think her father was up to the task at the moment.

From the family's reaction, it was clear that Dumbledore had not yet told anyone, except Harry and Ginny, that Percy had been a spy. Ginny had been tempted to inform them, but there never seemed to be a right time and she was afraid it would only make them feel worse. Consequently, she had spent most of her time lying in bed. The fact that Percy, the same Percy who had never broken a rule in his life, was dead had yet to sink in.

The family gathered around the fireplace awaiting Dumbledore's arrival. It was obvious Mr. and Mrs. Weasley had been crying. Bill and Charlie also looked they had lost their own battle to tears. The twins and Ron, however, remained stone-faced, but were pale.

The fireplace glowed green and Professor Dumbledore stepped out. He surveyed the room with a solemn expression. "Molly, Arthur, I'm sorry for your loss." Dumbledore held a cardboard box out to them, "These were the personal effects from his office. There are letters addressed to all of you."

Mrs. Weasley collapsed into the nearest chair and broke out into tears. Mr. Weasley took the box gingerly, as if fearing that it would break if he handled it roughly. He sat down and put an arm around his wife, who put her face into the crook of his neck and continued crying. With his other hand he opened the box. The letters were at the top. Mr. Weasley sucked in his breath as he removed them. There were eight letters in all, each bore the name of a Weasley in Percy's precise handwriting.

"Molly, love, you should read yours. Here," he said laying the letter on her lap. He set his own aside. "Bill…Charlie…Fred…George…Ron…and Ginny," Mr. Weasley shook his head as he finished passing out the letters; Percy had put them in order by age. Unshed tears prickled his eyes – it was typical Percy.

Ginny slowly opened her letter, her eyes stinging with still more tears. Her breath caught in her throat as she unfolded the parchment. It was addressed to both her and Harry. By the time she had finished the letter her tears were flowing freely. "Oh! You stupid, noble git," she distraughtly exclaimed to no one.

Bill and Charlie were both sitting solemnly, rubbing their eyes from time to time. Her father was holding her mum, who was mumbling unintelligibly. Ron had buried his face in his hands. Fred and George, however, were staring at each other with expressions of the utmost shock.

"I don't believe it!" said Fred, blinking owlishly at his twin.

"He pulled one over on us!" interjected a dumbfounded George.

Fred solemnly bowed and shook his head, "I didn't know he had it in him." The twins did not say another word.

Dumbledore gave them several minutes to control themselves before starting to speak. "Percy sent a letter to me near the beginning of term explaining his position, that he had found out about Harry and Ginny's soul bond. He volunteered to spy on the Ministry for me. It was his idea to keep his change of heart a secret from you. He didn't believe that you would be able to act the same way around him if you knew. I agreed with him." Several of the Weasley faces showed anger, but it passed quickly as sorrowful pride replaced it.

"Do you know who…" began Mr. Weasley.

"Percy was brave. I believe he was killed by Voldemort himself – his last act was to send a message to me," Dumbledore answered somberly.

Mr. Weasley nodded his head sadly, proud of his dead son's bravery. Mrs. Weasley began crying harder into her husbands shoulder.

"We think were going to go to bed early tonight," said Fred, the usual cheeriness and mischievousness gone from his voice.

"Yeah, it's been a long day," agreed George.

Dumbledore paced in his office. Too much was going on at the same time. The Wizengamot was due to cast a vote of no confidence any day now; Sirius was under armed guard at St. Mungo's; Percy Weasley's funeral was in two days and a large turnout was expected; there had already been several small Death Eater attacks; Harry was due to be moved to Potter Manor in twenty-four hours; and, now, Severus Snape had sent word that he needed an immediate meeting. Dumbledore calmed himself and sat down. He looked at his desk and his eyes settled on the neat stack of parchment. He had not been able to sleep last night after speaking with the Weasleys.

He had not wasted his insomnia acquired time. The sun had heralded his completion of the calculations that were required to cast the adapted Fidelius Charm. A small, self-satisfied smile appeared on his face. The adaptation was quite ingenious.

The fire glowed green and a much harried Professor Snape exited the fireplace, effectively distracting Dumbledore from his thoughts.

"Severus, you said you had news?" he asked, too tired to be polite and offer a lemon-drop.

"Yes," Snape was breathing heavily and he bore the telltale signs of exposure to the Cruciatus Curse. "The Dark Lord is planning on trying to blackmail the Minister of Magic – he's going to demand the Minister turn over the Ministry or there will be large-scale muggle attacks."

"When?" asked Dumbledore, the tiredness immediately leaving his voice.

"He's going to wait until Fudge is out of office, I think," replied Snape as he sank into one of the chairs in the office.

"Has he made any comment about Harry?" questioned Dumbledore.

Even in Snape's current state, the Potions professor managed a look of disgust at the mention of Harry's name. "Yes, he wants to capture Potter – he believes the boy knows the prophecy," Snape gave Dumbledore a calculating look. "He already knew about Potter's animagus form."

Dumbledore looked up sharply, "Do you know how?"

"Bellatrix, I think," Snape said with a resentful tone. "The Dark Lord was not pleased that I did not inform him sooner."

"What does he know of the wards around Privet Drive?" pressed Dumbledore.

Snape did not answer immediately, seemingly still out of breath, "He only says that they are formidable and that Potter is only better protected here at Hogwarts, though I am sure that is due to your presence, not the wards'."

"Yes, even after only one night, the wards around Privet Drive are stronger than even those here at Hogwarts. You believe that he will attempt to capture Harry when we move him, then?" asked Dumbledore rubbing his left temple.

Snape nodded, "I believe so, but the Dark Lord has not trusted me with this information."

"Very well. You should get some sleep, Severus," Dumbledore said and Snape slowly walked out of the office.

"Fawkes, I need you to deliver a message to Hestia. She'll be near Privet Drive, so be discreet," Dumbledore said. Fawkes cocked his head and ruffled his feathers at the suggestion he would be anything other than discreet.

Ginny! Take the potion, ordered Harry. Ginny had had horrible dreams the previous night centering on Percy's death. Harry had stayed awake most of the night helping her go back to sleep and then waking her when the dreams became too disturbing. By the end of the next day he was as exhausted as Ginny was. When Mrs. Weasley had seen the dark circles under her eyes that morning, she had started on a campaign to convince Ginny to take a Dreamless Sleep Potion.

No, I don't want to, she pouted back.

Harry sighed and rubbed his eyes, You know if you don't your mum is only going to keep harassing you. You need a good night's sleep. A sudden image of Ginny (and he) falling asleep at Percy's funeral filled his head.

Fine! I'll take it, muttered Ginny.

"Ginny, dear, where are you?" called Mrs. Weasley.

"I'm up here Mum…in my room," Ginny yelled back.

"I'm coming up with your potion," Mrs. Weasley yelled back. Ginny frowned. She still did not want to take the potion, but Harry had a point and her mum was not going to take "no" as an answer.

Ginny fell asleep quickly after take the potion. Harry, however, lay awake. He really wished he could be with her, holding her as she slept. He reminded himself that in less than twenty-four hours he would be leaving Privet Drive. Closing his eyes, Harry willed himself to go to sleep, but his mind rebelled and he was starting to wish he had a Dreamless Sleep Potion to take.

In addition to worrying about Ginny and the rest of the Weasleys, Harry was worried about Sirius. Dumbledore had said that he would take care of the problem, but Harry was not sure if Fudge was going to be reasonable. Maybe Rita can help, he thought and smiled wickedly. He was sure that Rita Skeeter would love to write about Ministry incompetence.

He rolled over onto his side and just as he was starting to drowse, Aunt Petunia's shrill voice brought him back to consciousness, "What EXACTLY have you done, VERNON?"

Harry shook himself to complete wakefulness. In all his years with the Dursleys, Aunt Petunia had only raised her voice a few times at Uncle Vernon and never with the tone she was using now. It was a mixture of horror, fear, and anger.

"Tell me exactly what you have done!" came Aunt Petunia's voice again. Harry could not make out Uncle Vernon's voice, but evidently his reply did not satisfy his aunt. "You and Dudley di-did what?" the question was followed by silence and then, "When?"

"YOU COMPLETE AND UTTER FOOL!" roared his aunt. Harry had not known Aunt Petunia could roar. He stood up and moved to the door in order to hear the arguing better. "DID YOU THINK I KEPT HIM JUST BECAUSE HE WAS DROPPED OFF ON OUR DOORSTEP? Oh, good Lord, what am I…HARRY COME DOWN NOW! Bring your owl!"

Harry had never heard Aunt Petunia sound more decisive in his life. Harry's heart started to race as he considered the possibilities. He could not believe Aunt Petunia was actually asking for Hedwig. It was more than disturbing; it was terrifying. He hurriedly collected Hedwig, who gave an indignant squawk, and raced downstairs.

Ginny! Ginny! Harry called, but only felt Ginny's drug induced sleep across the bond.

Harry stopped when he reached the foot of the stairs. Vernon was sitting in his large armchair, seemingly trying to disappear into it and Aunt Petunia was towering over him, looking remarkably like an irate Professor McGonagall. Aunt Petunia threw Uncle Vernon a look of pure disgust before turning to Harry, "Send word to your…your friends that we need to leave now! H-He's coming." For the first time Harry noted that Petunia was extremely pale despite her anger.

He felt his insides go cold at her words, "Who?" he asked, refusing to believe that Aunt Petunia, who wanted nothing to do with the magical world, was asking for help from wizards and had mentioned Lord Voldemort.

"HIM!" she screamed, panic tingeing her voice.

Harry grabbed a piece of notepaper and pen from the nearest end table. He scribbled a note to the Order and tied it quickly to Hedwig's leg. "Fly fast Hedwig! Go to Grimmauld Place," Hedwig hooted before flying out of the nearest window.

"Wha-what's going on?" said a sleepy Dudley as he walked down the stairs. "Why's everybody yelling?"

Perhaps it was nerves or maybe she had simply reached the end of her tether, but Aunt Petunia rounded on Dudley and, for the first time in her life, yelled at him, "I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU ALLOWED YOUR FATHER TO TAKE YOU TO-TO SEE THO-THOSE PEOPLE! WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?" she demanded of the now wide-eyed Dudley.

"What did they do?" asked Harry timidly, his fear quadrupling as he watched Aunt Petunia yell at Dudley.

"Vernon went and saw Hi-His servants and they took b-blo-blood from Dudley," Petunia said.

"Blood?" Harry looked from Petunia to Dudley and his cold insides turned to ice. Blood wards, blood protection from his mum, Petunia's sister…Dudley's aunt. "The wards! We have to leave – now!"

Harry looked around, trying to figure out what to do and where to go. The car was out of the question. Death Eaters were probably already watching the house. He could transform and flame them all out. He could not take them to Grimmauld Place, it was under the Fidelius Charm. He would not take them to the Burrow – it was probably as much of a target as Privet Drive, which left Potter Manor.

He turned to his relatives, "I'm going to transform – I want each of you to grab a tail feather and I will get us out of here." Aunt Petunia nodded and, after giving Dudley and Vernon a glare, they too agreed.

The familiar sensation of the animagus transformation was interrupted by pain, severe pain. Harry collapsed to the floor, curled up into a ball. The pain had been only slightly less painful than the Cruciatus Curse.

He opened his eyes to find Aunt Petunia's worried face a few inches from his own. "They must have put a jinx on the house," he grunted out. "Need to get outside the jinx's…follow me," Harry commanded.

Harry darted for the back door and heard footsteps behind him, Good, they're following. He did not like the Dursley's, but he would not condemn them – although he was severely tempted to in the case of Uncle Vernon.

As soon as he was outside of the house Harry tried to transform again. He felt a rush of joy as he changed into his phoenix form. It was just in time to see several red lights fly past him. Harry settled behind a shrub, still in his phoenix form. He looked around. Aunt Petunia had been the only one to follow him out and she was now hiding behind the shrub with him. In the distance he could hear the Death Eaters moving.

Another flash of light, this one purple, left a scorch mark on the door. Then from the inside of the house a scream issued. Aunt Petunia was up in a flash, screaming, "DUDLEY!"

Harry flapped his wings to follow her and had barely risen off the ground when movement caught his eye. Two Death Eaters were aiming at Aunt Petunia; he gave a loud trill and the two masked men flinch just as they said their spells sending them hopelessly off course. Making a snap decision, Harry transformed back into himself, figuring that he would be of little use in his phoenix form, and then dove through the door Aunt Petunia had left open.

He landed with a thud just inside the doorway and used his right foot to slam to door shut. A Death Eater was pointing his wand at Dudley, making the large boy twitch and scream. Harry did not wait; his wand shot out of his pocket and into his hand.

"STUPEFY" His spell threw the Death Eater back and into the wall. He pivoted on his foot and then yelled, "Colloportus," at the front door causing it to slam shut.

Aunt Petunia was fussing over Dudley and Uncle Vernon looked like he had passed out. Harry frowned; he was trapped. With Death Eaters obviously just outside the front door and probably out the back too, he could do nothing but wait for whatever help Hedwig would bring. He moved toward the backdoor and performed the Sealing Charm on it too – he had no plans on making this easy for the Death Eaters.

The entire house vibrated as several powerful spells impacted it. Both doors were showing signs of stress and had fractures running through the wood. For whatever reason, the Death Eaters had not bothered with the windows. When the front door had started to buckle Harry had tried a Reparo on it, but had desisted after discovering the Repair Charm negated the Sealing Charm. He had counted no less than eight Death Eaters. He looked down at his watch and then squashed the panic that rose within him. Only five minutes had passed; not near enough time for Hedwig to summon help.

The front and back doors glowed red for a moment and then shattered from whatever spell had been used.

"REDUCTO!" Harry yelled, aiming in the direction of the front door. A scream told him he had hit someone. Not wasting time to check, he dove behind the sofa. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Aunt Petunia flee into the kitchen. Dudley and Vernon had not moved.

"Come out, come out, wee little baby Potty," Bellatrix said, "Or we'll kill your family."

Before Harry could do or say anything, another voice entered into the fray. Uncle Vernon had regained consciousness. "Now, wait just a minute! You said that you would only take that freak! What do you mean by-"

Interrupting Uncle Vernon, Bellatrix casually spoke to her comrades, "Kill them."

Two voices on either side of Bellatrix then started to say, "Avada Kad-"

Harry pushed himself up to a kneeling position with both hands extended yelled, "STUPEFY." Two red bolts of light shot out at the Death Eaters.

Bellatrix smiled evilly as she quickly raised her own wand, "Protego."

"-avra!"

At the same moment Bellatrix cast the shield charm, a frying pan came soaring out of the kitchen, hitting the head of one Death Eater who collapsed and did not get up. Bellatrix was the first to respond, sending the Killing Curse into the kitchen. Harry heard Aunt Petunia scream, but did not know if the curse had hit her.

"Stupefy," cried a Death Eater from behind Harry. He barely dodged out of the way in time. As he rolled he raised his left hand. He did not think he had consciously thought anything, but "Away." Evidently it was enough to spark his wandless magic as the unknown spell sent the Death Eater sailing down the hall and through the backdoor.

Unfortunately, the dodge forced him from out behind the sofa. Bellatrix Lestrange smiled cruelly as she watched him curse her comrade before she cast her own spell, "CRUCIO!"

"HARRY!" Ginny woke screaming. She flung the covers off, transformed into a phoenix, and then flamed to Privet Drive.

Mrs. Weasley scrambled up the stairs to her daughter's bedroom only to find the bedroom empty and bedcovers smoldering. "RON! FLOO DUMBLEDORE – TELL HIM GINNY'S GONE!" Mrs. Weasley turned and began running back down the stairs. She pushed the backdoor open and kept running until she was outside the Anti-Apparation wards. There was only one place Ginny would go to if she thought Harry was in danger. Molly Weasley Apparated near Privet Drive.

The sound that greeted her arrival was the most heartbreaking thing she had ever heard. A phoenix was circling overhead singing, but this song was not one of jubilation nor did it give courage. Molly rushed into the house, noting the scorch marks and the missing door as she did.

She surveyed the destruction. The walls were black, the sofa looked like it had been a focal point in the duel, and the floor was littered with bodies. She recognized Harry's Uncle Vernon and his cousin Dudley. Another body, this one in a black robe, was lying across the coffee table next to a frying pan. There was no sign of Harry.

A flash of fire announced Dumbledore's arrival with Fawkes. Fawkes immediately lifted off from Dumbledore's shoulder and flew out one of the broken windows.

In the span of only a few minutes eight Order members had arrived. Alastor Moody walked in through the backdoor with a grim expression, "Hestia is dead and there's another dead Death Eater out front. Looks like a strong Reductor Curse."

Dumbledore nodded and continued looking at Harry's dead relatives.

"Albus, how could this happen? I thought he was safe here," questioned Mrs. Weasley, the accusation in her tone was slight, but apparent.

After a prolonged silence Dumbledore answered, "He should have been, but I repeated a mistake I never should have. I trusted them." Dumbledore's eyes never wavered from the two male Dursleys.

"Where's Ginny?" asked Remus Lupin, he had insisted on searching the house for Harry, refusing to accept that Harry had been captured.

Dumbledore sighed, looking very old, "She is with Fawkes; he seems to have calmed her a little."

"Never knew a phoenix could sing like that," grunted Moody.

There were several nods. The song had been completely demoralising; almost as bad as a Dementor.

"We have to find him," stated Lupin, kneeling down besides the sofa. He rose, fingering a holly wand.

"Where's Petunia?" asked Lupin still looking at the wand.

Moody grunted, "In the kitchen. Looks like she was the only one besides Potter who put up a fight."

"Is she alive?" asked Mrs. Weasley coming out of her stupor. She tried to wipe away the tear stains on her cheeks.

Moody shrugged and then stated flatly, "Alive, but we don't know for how long. She was hit by a nasty curse and she also hit her head on the corner of the kitchen counter. She's already been taken to St. Mungo's."

"We have to find him," repeated Remus.

"How?" asked Moody, nudging the fallen Death Eater with the tip of his boot. Everyone turned to face Dumbledore.

There was no twinkling in his eyes as Dumbledore responded, "All we can do is search. I'm sure Voldemort will have placed his headquarters under the Fidelius Charm, but maybe Ms. Weasley can help with that."

Thirty minutes later they had gathered back at Grimmauld Place. Fawkes had abandoned his usual place on Dumbledore's shoulder to reside on Ginny's shoulder and he would occasionally issue a heartening trill.

No one had said much since the return from Privet Drive.

Ginny had remained in an almost trancelike state since being coaxed back to the Earth by Fawkes.

"What are we going to do, Albus? We can't just sit here! We need to be searching for him!" argued Molly, practically yelling at the Headmaster.

"I know, Molly, but we must wait until we know where to look," replied Albus calmly. "Sit, we must wait."

"Wait? Wait for what?" Molly almost roared.

They were interrupted by a loud, reverberating knocking from the door. Remus Lupin stood immediately, the old armchair he had been sitting in releasing a puff of dust as he did so.

Dumbledore stood before Remus reentered the room with the greasy-haired Potions professor at the door.

"Severus," Dumbledore said as the black robed Potions Master entered the room. "Do you know where he is?"

Professor Snape scowled, but answered, "I am not the Secret-Keeper."

"You can do better than that, Snape! What are the general locations of his hideouts?" growled Lupin.

Snape's eyes narrowed and his lip curled in distaste. Instead of answering he walked languidly over to the coffee table and poured a small glass of bourbon. Snape's eyes glittered as the tension in the room mounted. He was obviously gaining some enjoyment out of keeping everyone in suspense. Until a quiet, but hard, voice issued.

"Answer the question," Ginny said. For the first time since arriving at Grimmauld Place, she moved to face her Potions professor. A second trudged by, "Now."

Flames smoldered behind brown eyes and there was no mistaking the unspoken threat underlying her words. Snape wisely answered, "The Dark Lord has several locations he could have taken Potter." He struggled for a moment, as if trying to find the right words, "There's the place in Wiltshire – I doubt that he has been taken there. With Malfoy's capture the place is no longer secure. Then there's a small house in York. I believe there is also a large manor in Edinburgh."

Dumbledore nodded, "I believe we will also have to search Little Hangleton. It is where Voldemort's father's grave is located and I suspect a place of residence as well. The Riddles were quite well-off." Snape opened his mouth as if to say something, but quickly closed it.

"What does it matter if we search all of these places? They're all under the Fidelius - without the Secret-Keeper it's pointless," argued Moody.

"Malfoy's the Secret-Keeper for the place in Wiltshire," supplied Snape.

"And the least likely place they'll keep Potter," Moody growled back. His blue eye revolving faster as his frustration grew.

"Ms. Weasley," Dumbledore spoke very softly, as if afraid Ginny would explode. "Do you think that if you were close enough you would be able to feel Harry?" Snape looked between Dumbledore and Ginny, his eyes narrowing in suspicion and confusion.

Ginny frowned and then closed her eyes before she said, "Yes. Get me close enough and I can tell you if he's nearby." Her voice had lost the hardness it had had when she had demanded Snape's answer. It now trembled slightly. Truthfully, she was not sure if she would be able to feel if Harry was close or not if he was inside the Fidelius Charm. If he was awake, he might be able to help guide her, but ever since she had woken, Harry's usual comforting presence had been dormant. By the time she had flamed to Privet Drive it had also been cloaked by the Fidelius Charm. Harry was unconscious wherever he was. To make matters worse, even in his current state, Ginny knew something was wrong. His consciousness was confusing – it reminded her of how it was after he would wake from a deep sleep, but several times worse.

"Very well. Then we will leave immediately. We'll search York first," Dumbledore stood and the image of a tired, old man disappeared. His eyes did not twinkle, but shone with hard resolve. "Remus, gather as many as you can. We will need to go in force. Harry will be under heavy guard."

Harry tried to open his eyes, but only his right responded. The left was swollen shut. He did not remember much of what had happened to him since his capture, nor did he know how long it had been. At least he was thinking a little more clearly. That would not last, he knew. Soon, Death Eaters would enter and give him a potion that would cloud his mind. Harry suspected that it was meant to weaken his mental defenses. Voldemort desparately wanted the prophecy – that, he did remember.

The door to his cell opened and several masked Death Eaters entered; one was carrying a potions bottle. The Death Eater on the left raised his wand, "Crucio."

Harry's body tried to writhe, but his legs and arms were firmly secured, chained to a large wood platform behind him. His mouth opened to scream, but no sound came out. He had screamed himself hoarse a long time ago.

"Open wide, Potter," sneered one of the masked men as another grabbed his mouth, forcing it open. The potion was putrid and had a nearly instantaneous effect.

"Let's have a little fun with him. The Dark Lord won't mind," the Death Eater to Harry's right raised his wand.

The one who had administered the potion grabbed his wrist, "No. The Dark Lord needs him in one piece."

The other man scoffed, "He'll be in one piece."

"Do as you're told or you'll face my wand before I hand you over to the Dark Lord," the Death Eater said and then walked out of the cell.

The two remaining Death Eaters looked at each other. The other silently shrugged and followed the first out. The last Death Eater looked back toward the door and waited for the other two Death Eaters to walk out of sight. He then turned toward Harry and leisurely raised his wand, "Crucio."

"Ms. Weasley," there was no immediate response from the girl. "Mrs. Potter!" Dumbledore raised his voice, but still Ginny did not respond. "GINEVRA!"

Ginny blinked and pushed herself off the ground, accepting Professor Dumbledore's outstretched hand. "They're torturing him again," she said flatly. Dumbledore nodded. For three days they had scoured York and Edinburgh and had found nothing.

"Perhaps we should return and allow you to rest," suggested Dumbledore. No one had slept much over the past seventy-two hours, but it had been hardest on Ginny. Communication with Harry had been few and far between – quite unlike the amount of torture he was receiving. What little information Harry had been able to provide was useless in trying to find him.

"No! You said there was another place we should look," Ginny demanded, unwilling to stop searching. "We have to find him."

Dumbledore took a better hold on her arm, "We are Apparating to Little Hangleton." The others nodded mutely. Remus, Moody, Molly, and Arthur were still with him. The others who had started searching with them had either left to rest or to jobs. Professor McGonagall had left to continue to lobby for Sirius' release and to ensure he was not moved to Azkaban before Dumbledore returned from searching for Harry.

Dumbledore was about to Apparate when a pop announced someone else's Apparation. It was Tonks, looking very harried and distressed, "Dumbledore! Giants – attacking – the – West – Country!" she gasped out.

Not wasting anytime, Dumbledore turned and said, "Keep searching for Harry – if you find anything, send word and I'll be there as soon as possible. Good luck." Dumbledore Disapparated, quickly followed by Tonks.

Mrs. Weasley took hold of Ginny's arm and said, "Hold on," barely managing to keep the weariness out of her voice. The group Disapparated.

Ginny shivered as she Apparated in with her mum. Despite it being summer, the night air was brisk. She also hated Apparation.

The others instinctively circled Ginny.

"Where do we go from here?" asked Arthur his voice toneless. "Is he near?" he clarified turning to Ginny.

Ginny closed her eyes and focused on her connection to Harry. She opened her eyes quickly and widely, "He's near – I think I can get us closer."

"Alright, stay together. I'll take point," ordered Moody. "Just let us know when we get warm," he said speaking to Ginny, who nodded.

"Should we send word to Dumbledore?" questioned Molly.

"No, if he's dealing with giants then he's got his hands full. Let's wait until we know something more," answered Arthur.

Ginny stopped walking, forcing the others surrounding her to stop, "What's wrong dear?" asked Mrs. Weasley.

"Something's wrong – Harry he's scared and…" she scrunched her eyes in concentration. Reading Harry's foggy, incoherent, and tortured mind was difficult. "Harry!" she cried smiling. A half-minute passed then her smile faded as quickly as it had come and she paled. "It's a trap!" she yelled.

Harry was never sure how the Death Eaters moved him from his cell to the chamber Voldemort held court in. I wonder how they do it. This rack doesn't have wheels. He tried to shake the rack to make sure of it. Hmmm…maybe they pick it up. No, they wouldn't do that. Maybe they levitate it! That would be like magic! Well, they are magical. That's what the wands are for. I don't always need a wand. Why is a wand…

Harry tried to clear his mind of his bizarre ponderings, but it did not really work. At least these were mostly coherent. Whatever potion he had been given kept his mind in a strange state of flux. He could not concentrate on anything for long, nor could he control his train of thought. The only thing that could keep his attention of his drug-fogged mind was…

"Potter," hissed Lord Voldemort as he walked toward the bound boy. "It is time for another of our discussions." Voldemort stopped a couple of feet away from Harry and peered into his glazed eyes. "Tell me about the prophecy."

Harry's head lulled to the right. "Tell me about the prophecy," commanded Voldemort again, the words seemed to reverberate in Harry's skull.

"Prophecy?" Harry asked drunkenly, his voice rough and scratchy.

"Yes, prophecy," encouraged Voldemort using the same tone of voice, only his face betrayed the excitement at Harry's first response since being captured.

"There's lots of prophecies," answered Harry with an airy tone.

"The prophecy about Lord Voldemort."

"OH! That one. Which one?" Harry questioned.

Voldemort hissed out a breath in frustration. "Fine. I will have it, Potter, even if I have to break your mind to get it." He raised his wand and said, "Legilimens."

Three things happened the moment Voldemort entered Harry's mind. First, the haze and fog that had gripped it for the past three days vanished. Second, Harry's conscious retreated behind the warmness of his connection to Ginny. Third, the door to the chamber opened admitting a Death Eater.

Voldemort continued to press farther into Harry's mind until he found the barrier Harry's consciousness was hiding behind. He attempted to push it aside.

Pain beyond pain racked his own mind as he did so and he was forcibly ejected from Harry's mind, his physical body flung back several feet. His hands went to his forehead, the location mirroring Harry's scar. "What magic is this?" Voldemort snarled.

"M-Master?" questioned the fearful Death Eater.

Voldemort rounded on the intruder, "What is it?" His eyes were glowing dangerously and the Death Eater quailed before them, bowing low.

"Th-the-there are intruders near here."

"What?" Voldemort's angry red eyes narrowed. "How many?"

"Five, my lord," said the trembling man.

"Very well," Voldemort absently rubbed his forehead. "Gather the others. We must greet our visitors." Voldemort and the man made to leave the room, leaving Harry, when Voldemort stopped. "Have a Dementor keep our guest company in our absence."

"Yes, my lord."

The door grinded closed.

Ginny!

HARRY! If Harry had not been strapped to the wooden slab he would have fallen over from the force of Ginny's greeting. Harry basked in Ginny's presence, if only mentally. Strength was slowly returning to him.

Oh, thank Merlin! You're in Little Hangleton, right? We're nearby now! Hold on!

Wait! He knows – it's a trap…

The door scrapped open and immediately the temperature seemed to fall several degrees. Harry swallowed as his mind started to cloud again, this time with a cold fog. A Dementor glided to stand in front of him. Harry fought to keep it from affecting him, but it was a futile battle. Neither his battered mind nor body was in any shape to try and repel the depressing thoughts the Dementor forced him to relive.

His mother dying to save him.

Sirius about to receive the kiss.

Ginny in the Chamber of Secrets.

Ginny! His mind screamed. She was in trouble. She was in danger now! He began to struggle with his bonds, trying to loosen them. He heard Ginny cry out as Remus was impacted by a spell and his panic grew.

The Dementor glided closer, reveling in his torment.

Harry was becoming more and more frantic. Ginny and the others were in danger and he could not do anything. Strangely, he was no longer cold, but quite warm despite the Dementor's proximity.

The Dementor closed the remaining distance between itself and Harry as if determined to rid him of the unnatural warmth. Harry, however, was only concerned about Ginny. It drew a rattling breath. Harry barely noted that his cheeks chilled, but the sensation was quickly followed by a warm flush. The flush of warmth was not restricted to his cheeks; rather, it encompassed his entire body.

The Dementor straightened its posture before leaning back down, still closer to Harry, and drew another, deeper, rattling breath. It was then Harry noticed the Dementor bending over his face. This time it was not a warm flush, but a raging inferno that rose within him. Harry, his shackles, the wooden board he was bound to, and the Dementor disappeared into a bonfire of flames. When it had burnt out nothing remained, but a small pile of ashes.

A/N: Please don't hurt me – I rarely leave a cliffhanger, but this seemed like a great spot to end the chapter.

Thanks to my beta, PhoenixAeternum.