Warnings: I believe there is a bit of language, mention/hints of rape and torture. . .I think that's it.

Disclaimer: I own nothing, the wonderfully brilliant JK Rowling does.

Chapter Four: From Darkness Comes Forth An Ally

Harry woke up from another restless night of sleep. It's been two months since Harry was abducted, but to him, it felt like an eternity Harry looked around in the darkness, the stench of Ron's body filling the room. Harry moaned as he attempted to stretch sore limbs. He wasn't sure how much longer he could with stand it. The morning torture with Lucius, the evening torture and rape by Snape. He was utterly surprised that he had made it this far.

Harry listened to the noises coming from the other room. He wondered when Severus would be in for his round. He tried not to think about it, but he couldn't stop himself. It didn't help that he would have nightmares in which he would re-live the hell of his holidays after his sixth year. These, in turn, forced him to think of his brief time in a Death Eater camp, in which Draco had found and rescued him. It's odd, that I think of Draco and I seem able to forget everything that's happened and what's happening to me. It's even odder that I think of him. I expected to think of Charlie, possibly Oliver, but never Draco. Harry thought to himself.

Suddenly, the door threw open and in stepped Severus. He smiled viciously when he saw that Harry was awake.

"I'm glad to see you awake, Potter. I've gotten quite tired of waiting for you to wake up. So tell me, are you ready to acquire a new visitor? For if you are, I'd be more than willing to get one for you. Lucius grows bored with you. I won't let him do anything but torture you and he longs to have a toy of his own." Snape said, smiling sadistically, if not quite a bit madly. Harry was convinced that Severus lost his sanity since the night on the Astronomy Tower.

"I'm quite surprised you'd even bother asking my permission. To be honest, it doesn't sound like you at all." Harry replied with indifference. He had long since given up fighting. He was too numb to care, he just wanted them to get over with it and kill him.

Snape smiled viscously and said:

"I just felt like asking, I honestly don't care whether or not you wish to have anyone in here with you or not. I intend on fetching someone for Lucius when I'm through here."

Harry merely stared, wondering how long tonight's torture would be and hoping that tonight would be the night he died. After all, the human body can only withstand so much before it shut down. And not wasting any time, Severus began his routine. Only today something different happened. Pulling out an old silver dagger that Harry recognized as the one that Lucius had used to kill Ron two months ago, Snape started towards Harry.

This is it, Harry thought to himself. He's finally grown tired of me. He's finally going to kill me.

But Harry was thoroughly disappointed. Instead of killing him, Severus drew the blade across Harry's inner thigh. He continued working there for another twenty minutes, twisting the dagger to form something on Harry's flesh. After he finished, he looked up at Harry, a mad and sadistic gleam in his cold, black eyes.

"Would you like to know what I've done?" Severus asked in an eerily sweet voice that made Harry shiver with disgust and fear. Pulling a mirror from his robes, he held it up so that Harry could see what Severus had carved into his thigh.

Severus smiled demonically at Harry as tears filled his emerald depths. There, on his inner thigh, a few inches below his groin, were the words 'Severus Snape'. Harry wanted to be sick, but he had nothing in his stomach to dispel. After a few more minutes, Severus left the room. As soon as the door closed, Harry let lose his silent sobs. He knew now that he would forever be haunted by the man who murdered his mentor. Harry felt that if he ever actually got out, he would never be clean. He'd never be able to look anyone in the face. Never would he be able to know what it's like to be loved. After several hours, Harry finally fell asleep. His miserable thoughts following him into his dreams.

Harry woke up several hours later, a single candle illuminating the usually pitch black room. He could see the outline of another on the far wall, not far from where Ron's body had been. He could tell the other was in pain by the quick, shallow breathing he heard. And just like when it had been Ron, Harry tried to call out but found himself in capable of doing so. Harry wondered who it was, hoping that it was no one Harry knew. Harry couldn't bare it if it was someone else he loved.

Several hours later, the other person finally stirred. The candle that had been lit had burned out nearly an hour ago and all was dark. The other seemed to realize that Harry was there, for they instantly began asking questions.

"Who's there, where am I?", a familiar voice asked. Harry knew the voice, but he couldn't place it. Praying that his voice would work, Harry answered.

"I'm not sure where it is that we are, but I'm Harry Potter." Harry would've jumped for joy if he wasn't chained to the wall. He could talk!

"H-H-Harry?", the voice asked. It was obvious that they hadn't expected to be talking to him. The voice also sounded, relieved.

"Who are you? And so you know, there's a barrier up that stops us from using our magic." Harry said shakily. He was suddenly afraid of who it was that was there with him. But before the other could answer, the door was thrown open and in stepped Severus once more.

"I do apologize, but we never finished earlier and I would really like to before Lucius comes in from his late dinner. I hope you don't mind Harry, but it would appear that we are to have an audience for this. Oh well, I think I'd rather enjoy an audience this time." Severus said, his voice laced with a sadistic pleasure at the though of someone else watching Snape degrade Harry.

Harry's blood turned to ice. It was the last thing he wanted. Wasn't it bad enough that Lucius watched in sometimes. Of course, it didn't surprise him in the least.

"And, I think, you should stay awake for it. All of it, Potter. I grow tired of you being unconscious whilst I indulge myself." Severus added after a moment. At those words, Harry's breathe caught in his throat. He was never awake, Snape had always beaten him into unconsciousness before hand. Harry never knew what it was exactly that Severus did to him, and honestly, Harry wished to keep it that.

Snape lit a single candle, shut the door, and began walking towards Harry. All the while, the other prisoner watched on silently. Harry still couldn't see the other, for they were in the darkest part of the room, where the candle light could not reach. Harry wondered faintly what the other thought of the scenario that was playing out before their eyes. Snape set the candle down on the floor near Harry. He reached out a hand and let it play over his name that was carved into Harry's inner thigh. Harry recoiled from the touch, feeling tears stinging his eyes. Severus gave him and evil smile and reached out his hand, grasping Harry quite painfully. Harry cried out from the pain, squirming and trying to get away from Snape. It wasn't long before the tears were released. Suddenly, a loud clatter and a deadly whisper sounded throughout the room.

"I. Suggest. You. Stop." The other voice whispered. Snape turned to the other person in the room and glared daggers at him.

"And what, foolish boy, do you think will stop me. Certainly not you, you haven't the use of your legs and you can't use magic in here." Snape replied silkily.

"Don't you dare touch him again! If you do, I will make you regret it."

"Really, I suppose that we shall see about that." Severus replied. He turned back to Harry and began where he had left off. Suddenly, the candle flame flared and a deafening bang resounded through the room. Snape was blown off his feet and slammed into the wall. Harry was forced backwards and the force smacked his head into the wall. As the darkness claimed him, Harry's last thought was that he had found an ally within the dark.

Author's note: Here's chapter four. I'd like to thank all of those that have reviewed, your encouragement and positive words have inspired me. I'll try to get the next chapter up as soon as possible. Please review!!