Chapter 15
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Pain - Suffering or distress.
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The pain was excruciating. Through the sharp breaths Harry wondered if 'excruciating' was derived from the curse. Soon he was in no mind to think at all. Harry gritted his teeth, determined not to give in and scream, but after the curse had not let up in what felt like forever he could no longer prevent the sounds from escaping him. A great shame filled him as the woman laughed manically.
"You see, Potter? I can break you!" She crowed. Her words barely registered as she cut the Cruciatus off. He gasped in relief.
"Bella, yet again torturing a guest, don't kill him before the fun starts." A reprimanding and familiar voice warned. Harry choked when he saw the long, blond hair. Lucius Malfoy.
"My son will be very pleased to see you, Potter." The smug voice told him. Malfoy was supposed to be on the light side! Were he and Snape traitors twice over?
The fury overcame him. How could they? "Your son is-"
"Looking forward to tonight." His tone dangerous this time. He gave Harry a pointed look and, through the aftershock of the Cruciatus and the anger at Malfoy, Harry thought he'd better keep his mouth shut about all of that.
"The little bastard won't have the guts." He settled for. Fear was building as he played with the thought that in the case where he couldn't save himself he might not be rescued. He shoved the thought away. It wouldn't do to lose hope.
Harry was on his knees in front of two Death Eaters who appeared quite ready and able to torture him. He noticed that Malfoy's boots were embossed with gold. He thought they were quite flamboyant. Ostentatious, Snape would say. For what looked like a dungeon, the view from down there was impressive.
When Malfoy's steady hand touched his shoulder he realized he was shaking like a leaf. He couldn't control the reaction and he felt humiliated.
"Bella here is quite the expert on the Cruciatus curse, I'm sure you'll come to appreciate the skill under her tender care." Malfoy's thumb dug into his back almost reassuringly and, for all the nasty words and the fact that it was Lucius Malfoy, Harry thought that he might not be so done for after all.
When he saw the expression on 'Bella's face he had to work not to let that optimism fade.
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Severus felt the pain of the Cruciatus without the 'crucio'. He immediately knew that Harry had been taken. With a pang of conscience, which he ignored stubbornly, he occluded his mind. The effects of the curse disappeared. He had to find Dumbledore.
He worked his way through the masses. The older students were protecting the younger as the masked murderers picked them out one by one. Snape had been discreetly whisking away children to the Hogsmeade portkeys. The prefects were in charge of that, leading them in groups to the village. The professors were posted in different areas of the school, each armed with their wands and knowledge that if they were to fail, hundreds of students would die.
He stumbled across McGonagall. "Minerva!" He called, cursing the Death Eater coming at his side. Nott if he wasn't mistaken.
"Severus, how many of the children are still inside the castle?" The grey-haired woman's mouth was set in a grim line.
"One hundred at least. Diffindo" Nott cried out in pain. "Have you seen Potter?"
Her eyes widened. "They haven't... ?"
He rushing away before she could ask more. He heard her yell 'incarcerous' and had to sidestep a bound Death Eater. Rookwood. He reproached himself for inattention.
After helping several Ravenclaws on the way to the Entrance Hall, he finally saw the Headmaster.
Dumbledore knocked out a Death Eater with what looked to be a particularly nasty curse. Mulciber, he noted with interest.
"Severus, their numbers seem to be decreasing, they are disapparating at an alarming rate. I fear they have found what they are looking for." He looked to Severus for confirmation.
"They have Potter." He affirmed.
"Have you any idea where?"
"I have heard nothing about a gathering point, as we were summoned to the Forbidden Forest that is where I would assume that is where they are apparating to, awaiting further direction."
The wards had collapsed late afternoon, shocking the entire teaching staff and urging Severus and Lucius to attention. The Death Eaters were summoned in full numbers to the Forbidden Forest, preventing evacuation from going as it would have were they forewarned of such attacks. The professors were forced to wait until all the Death Eaters had entered Hogwarts before they could get the students to safety.
Snape felt it particularly unnatural, apparating into Hogwarts, as he had been taught, right from when he had started at the school, that apparating and disapparating were impossible inside of the castle. Now that the wards had fallen, that had changed.
Severus had soon been forced to show his true colours in the face of Death Eaters and he knew he would not be accepted back into the ranks. He and Lucius had discussed this after the summoning.
"Lucius will have reported back to the Dark Lord. He should soon find a way to communicate with us shortly."
"Good, my boy, good." Severus had never seen Dumbledore look more old and more tired than he looked at that moment.
"Impedimenta." Snape gave an impatient flick of his wand. Goyle Snr.
"He is in pain." Snape mumbled.
Dumbledore, ever perceptive sent him a worried glance. "You can block the connection, such would be wise."
"I am. I am concerned for his sanity. It feels like Lestrange."
"She will not grant him mercy." Again in that fatigued tone.
"Lucius will fend for him, should it become necessary." His childhood friend had never lost his faith or his love. Apprehension for Lucius would have been paramount to his worry for Harry had his life not depended on the latter. Severus did not like to admit that the gap between the two was rapidly shrinking.
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Draco had been beyond confused since the attack had begun. He hadn't heard anything from his father in months and all of a sudden, this? As estranged as they had been lately, he had not thought Lucius would neglect to tell him of such an important event. His first thought was of Hermione but the prefects had all been urged into action as the Death Eaters invaded their school, Draco took up his duties, evacuating the students as quickly and efficiently as possible. He kept a close eye out for her, he didn't know what he would do if something were to happen. Actually, he did, he'd kill the bastard who would hurt Hermione.
He was about to curse the approaching Death Eater but he called Draco by name. "Draco, you're to come with us, the Dark Lord has invited you especially."
He wanted to shove off the hand that had a grip on his upper arm but held back. He checked that the second years he had just instructed were running like he had told them to. They were. Faster than Potter had ever been on that Firebolt of his.
He followed Avery, though he jerked angrily out of the Death Eater's grasp, opting to use his own manpower to get wherever it was the short man was leading him. Only faith in Hermione's power and will stopped him from turning back to take her away from the battleground.
"Our Lord surprised us with his plans but he has broken past Dumbledore's wards and we have been ordered to collect Potter and kill the Headmaster." Avery told him, his voice low.
Kill the Headmaster? Was that maniac mad? He sent a few Death Eaters to kill the most powerful wizard alive? Draco could've laughed at the ridiculous notion. No doubt the Dark Lord had hidden motives.
"Collect Potter?" He went back to the most important point of the moment.
"His expressed clearly that Potter is to come back alive. We have just received the alert, Potter has been taken in." Draco was sure he was close to fainting. The Boy-Who-Lived. Soon to be the Boy-Who-Lived-No-Longer.
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'Tonight' turned out to be a very long way away.
Bella was just was beautiful as her name suggested. Beautiful like a poisonous snake, Harry thought viciously. Malfoy was right, she did seem to specialize in the Cruciatus.
There were loud calls from somewhere in the dungeons. Harry couldn't make out what they were saying but the smirk on Bella's face said it all.
"Time for you to meet the Dark Lord, little Harry."
"I've met the sick fuck." He growled.
"Now, now, don't talk about our Lord that way, little Harry. I think we've gotten quite intimate," The word made Harry shudder. "You wouldn't want to ruin that by talking so badly of our master, would you?"
"He's not my master."
"Crucio." He should've been used to it now, he supposed, but he still writhed in agony. His throat was too shredded to scream and he was ashamed to hear his own whimpers every now and then.
All he felt was a profound sense of relief as she cast a binding spell on him.
"Mobilicorpus." He felt his body involuntarily levitate. He tried to relax and save his strength for Voldemort.
He watched the ceiling as it moved past him. Or was it him moving past the ceiling? His thoughts were muddled as he moderated his breathing to accommodate for what felt like broken ribs. He didn't even remember how it had happened. His left ankle was throbbing. Sprained, maybe?
"Almost there, little Harry." She whispered in his ear. He wished she wouldn't call him that.
Something nearly as biting as his injuries was the cold. He didn't know where they were but he felt like his blood had run cold.
Finally they reached a large room. Bella let the levitation go. He dropped, rather ungracefully, to the ground, once again on his knees. Harry's eyes had closed of their own accord and he wasn't quite ready to open them. The murmurs of excitement and anticipation did nothing good for his growing dread.
"Our guest of honor has arrived," A voice lorded above the mutters. Harry recognized it immediately. "Welcome, Harry Potter."
He opened his eyes.
He was kneeling in front of the man who had slaughtered his parents and Cedric Diggory. The hatred he felt was indescribable. He dragged himself to his feet, despite his body protesting violently.
Voldemort stepped up to him and his arm snapped out to hold Harry's wrist tightly. Harry tried to yank his arm away, disgusted by the monster's touch.
He touched Harry's palm lightly.
"Gone, I see." His delighted tone made Harry jump. What was Voldemort talking about?
Harry started back when Voldemort laughed. It didn't sound pleasant like Snape's laugh had, it sounded twisted.
"You didn't think you could do that yourself, did you?" The knife! Harry remembered, it seemed so far away now. "My precious child, my hated enemy, I can see right through you." This said so quietly that Harry doubted even the closest Death Eaters could hear him say it. The words revolted Harry and terrified him at the same time. He mustered up all the legendary Gryffindor courage he could find.
"Fuck you, Tom Riddle." He spat in the man's face.
He hit the ground so quickly he could've blinked and missed the in-between. He scrambled backwards. His jaw ached.
"Dolohov, MacNair, here is your reward for your loyalty to the cause."
The two Death Eaters moved in. Harry stumbled back but hands pushed him forward.
"The Boy-Who-Lived, there's no one to protect you now, is there, Potter?" One of them sneered.
"Crucio."
Harry suffered the familiar curse once more. His mind wasn't mush though. He thought it was not as strong in intensity as Bella's had been. Harry thanked God for small favours. Harry collapsed as MacNair cut off the curse. The laughter was loud and vibrant. Harry thought it sounded as if he was in a party. It was a shame he was the entertainment.
"How did you like that, Potter?" Doholov moved toward him and Harry flinched away. Doholov kicked him in the chest. Harry wheezed in his next breath, his cheek resting on the stone-cold floor.
"Did you know that James Potter killed my brother?" His father had killed someone?
The Death Eater pulled him up. "I'm going to kill you for what you did to him."
"I didn't..." Harry tried to breathe. "...do anything..." He coughed. "...to him!"
"Liar!" Doholov shoved him into MacNair's arms.
"Perfigo!" He yelled. Harry cried out. His shoulder burned like someone had shoved a hot fire poker right through it. He looked down. He closed his eyes and moaned. There was a hole. In his shoulder.
Doholov laughed and all the sheep laughed alongside him.
"Enough!" They were silenced by Voldemort. MacNair dropped Harry and backed away. "Who shall be next?" Just as Harry was bracing himself there was movement in the crowd.
"Leave him!" A firm command from a man on Harry's left. He knew the voice.
The owner of the voice stood beside him, his wand drawn. Harry wondered if he and Draco might be friends after this disaster was over. Part of Harry reminded himself that after the 'disaster' was over, he might very well be dead.
"Young Mr. Malfoy..." Voldemort gestured to his minions to put down their wands. "I wonder what your father would say about this. Lucius."
Lucius Malfoy stepped up. He stalked towards the two boys. "His father would say,"
He paused as he reached them. He looked like he would strike his son.
The tall man pulled Harry to his feet.
He put a hand on Draco's shoulder.
"He was very proud."
There was a tug on Harry's navel and he was gone.
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Distinct words breached Harry's consciousness. "How long... Bellatrix Lestrange... spies... proud of you both... impulse control..."
"What-" Harry cut himself off with a groan. His head was pounding.
"Good, you're awake." Lucius Malfoy was leaning over him. "Do you have a headache?"
"Excruciating... cruciating..." Harry murmured.
"Here is a potion, can you swallow?"
Harry tried. His throat felt like he'd been swallowing knives. Knives. He flexed his hand.
"Voldemort, in my head." He remembered what his enemy had told him.
"Drink the potion, Harry."
"Are you going to poison me?" He asked, tiredly.
"No, this is for your headache."
Harry searched his memory. "Why do I have a headache?"
Lucius shook his head. "Trauma. After-effects of the Cruciatus."
"And you hit your head on the way in. Stubborn idiot won't admit his portkey was badly placed." Draco. Harry knew his voice. A memory drifted past. "Leave him!"
"Misjudged." Silky voice.
"I'm kind of fuzzy." Harry searched for the grey eyes.
"Fuzzy?" The silky voice asked.
"Silky."
"I think we'd better get him to Hogwarts right now." Worried. Draco.
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Draco felt his center of balance move. He put all his effort into standing. He heard the thud and winced.
"What the hell possessed you to put the arrival here?" He looked around his father's study before staring disdainfully at the huge desk which Potter had successfully brained himself with.
Lucius scowled at his son. "It was an appropriate place."
Draco laughed. It was mostly nervous energy, Lucius noticed.
"Father, Potter's in a bad shape." He tried to lift the black-haired boy and was surprised by how little he weighed.
"Do you think I don't know that?" Lucius snapped.
Together they managed to get him to the nearest bedroom. The furnishings were aristocratic and expensive, not the type of things you would spill blood on but neither of the blonds appeared to care just then.
Draco examined his school rival. Potter did not seem to be aware of it but he was shaking violently. "How long did Bellatrix Lestrange have him?"
"Far, far too long." Lucius cast a spell, slowing down the blood flow from Potter's shoulder. The boy was deadly pale against the black of the bed-coverings.
"So you're a traitor?" Draco asked casually.
Lucius stiffened. "A spy, yes. A recent development, believe me, I have not had the time to inform you of such."
"You mean you didn't know how." Draco observed characteristically.
"That also." Lucius nodded. "It's not as if it matters anymore. I'm no longer useful as a spy. We have no spies left in his inner circle."
"I really don't think that matters at the moment." Draco searched the draws for the potion. It kept so they always had one or two in every room. His hand connected with glass.
"Found it."
"I am proud of you." His father said.
Draco held the potion up. Still the right consistency. "I would be proud of him." He looked at the figure on the bed.
"I'm proud of you both. You do need to practice some impulse control though, Draco." He reproached. "That performance could've gotten you both killed."
"No one was doing anything, much less you father. Would you rather Potter died before you act?" Draco let his anger seep into his tone.
"I would've done what I could." Lucius said sharply.
"Here's the potion, I'm going to check the wards."
Lucius watched his son go, concerned. Was he ruining his family?
There was a shift on the bed that caught his attention.
Lucius observed James Potter's son. He was a small boy, Lucius wondered whose genes those were, both Lily and James Potter had been tall, unusually so.
"What-" The boy woke and thought twice about speaking.
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"Do we know Hogwarts is safe?"
Draco shrugged and took his father's place by Potter's side. "I don't know but he needs help now."
Lucius sent one last glance down at the squinting Potter before grabbing the floo powder. "Albus Dumbledore's office."
He stuck his head into the fire. "Albus, is the school cleared?"
"We have the castle secured. We have contacted the ministry, the aurors have arrived."
"We have Potter, we will be arriving shortly. He is in need of medical attention."
"Be careful."
Lucius ducked out.
"We will have to apparate him there." He told his son. "I will take him. You go now. Arrival point outside the gates."
Draco disapparated.
Lucius gathered Potter into his arms. Lucius was thankful, Potter was confused but silent. "I am so very sorry." He whispered in Harry's ear. He disapparated with the boy safely clinging to his chest.
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