I am writing this for you from beyond the grave! As of Friday I died a horrible death, as to how I will leave up to your imagination, but I figured that you still deserved an update, even if I'm in the beyond:)
And a special shout out to Ash Knight who left a great review and then gave me a song that almost perfectly sums up chapter 11 everyone should go download it right now its called ''Do You call my name' by RA. SO GO DOWNLOAD THAT! Also to Cattatra who asked the most important question of all "why isn't Harrys magic going uncontrollable yet?" Well that will be answered directly in the next chapter! But Cattatra was the only person to ask that very very important question, so a millions pounds of chocolate to CATTATRA!
Chapter 12
Harry slowly opened his eyes, everything around him was dark and silent. The only sound in the room was the quiet sound of someone else breathing, Harry searched around for his glasses and found them on the side table. Placing them on did nothing to penetrate the darkness surrounding him. Sitting up proved to be the wrong decision because his body ached from fighting. Muscles hurt that Harry hadn't even known existed before this. Harry glowered at the thought of everyone keeping him here, but then paled when remembering the last vision, the vision that shouldn't have even come. Like the other visions Harry received, he tired not to dwell on them and pushed it to the back of his mind.
A hitch in the breathing next to him caused Harry to still, soon enough it leveled out again and Harry relaxed. Snape, Harry assumed, was the other person in the room considering they were not to be parted and Harry did not want him waking up. Forcing himself to move once again Harry pushed off the covers on his bed and tentatively swung his feet off the edge. There were no wards in place as Harry stood and a grateful sigh escaped his lips. Trying to be as quiet as possible he crept towards the door, the handle squeaked painfully but Snape did not awaken. The door opened without further noises and Harry slipped out.
He was quickly assaulted with light, obviously the room had some sort of charm on it, because as Harry stood on the balcony it was plain that it was the middle of the day.
"HARRY!" shouted some voices from down on the first floor. Harry took an involuntary step back and people began to run up the stairs. This was quickly turning into a repeat of yesterday and Harry didn't like the thought of that at all. The people were getting closer and Harry had yet to move, looking from side to side Harry ran into his own room and locked the door. Running to his desk he grabbed his chair and shoved it under the door handled.
Harrys sore muscles protested all of the movement but Harry hardly paid them any attention. There was no where to go and soon they would be at his door, what they were going to do Harry didn't know, but it couldn't be good. Turning around in a circle Harrys only option was to go out of the window again, but a sudden burst of genius made Harry run over to the window hastily through it open then run back towards his armoire. There was just enough room for Harry to crouch in it comfortably and close the door, the handle to Harrys room jiggled furiously and an "alohamora" was heard, but the chair prevented access. After some frustrated voices shouted behind the door, there was a tell-tale 'pop' heard in Harrys room, followed by the chair being pushed out of the way and more people coming into the room. Harry hugged himself and slowed his breath.
"Shit!" someone cursed, maybe Bill or Charlie Weasley but Harry was unsure, "he's gone out the window again!"
"Do you see him running?" A voice that was most defiantly Shacklebolt asked.
"No, but he could be in the bushes, Damn!" A couple more 'pops' were heard and Harry assumed that they had gone outside to search for him. Harry let out a slow breath in relief, until an unusual walk came into the room, 'plunk' step 'plunk' step. It was Moody.
"Nice try Potter." Moodys gruff voice said before throwing open the doors to the armoire. There wasn't much escape possibilities left as he was laterality stuck in a corner. Harry didn't know what to do, so he sat immobile hoping that maybe it he was still enough Moody wouldn't be able to see him anymore.
Mr. Weasley came into view next to Moody a sad expression on his usually joyful face. "C'mon out Harry." Harry didn't move his eyes just flickered over towards Mr. Weasley "Harry." he said prompting holding his hand out towards Harry.
Sensing that there was no other way out at the moment, Harry refused Mr Weasleys hand and got out by himself. Moody hand a tight hold on his shoulder and Mr. Weasley led them out of the room. However they did not go back into Snapes room, as Harry had thought they would, but they led him down the stairs and into the sitting room where Harry had first learned about the bond.
Sitting in small comfortable chairs, was Remus Lupin, Minerva McGonagall, and Albus Dumbledore. Harry halted his steps and tried to turn around. Moody pushed him forward and into one of the chairs before Harry could protest further. As soon as Moody stepped away Harry stood up and turned around again, however he didn't get more than three feet before Snape came out of the hallway in his usual black robes and pushed him back into the seat once again. He took the chair next to Harry and kept a strong grip around Harrys wrist. Once everyone was sitting a silence raked over the group. Harry, for one, was not going to break that silence as he glared intensely at the floor.
No body spoke for what seemed to be an eternity until finally Snape said, "It appears that the Dark Lord is not sending you those visions and they might be some form of precognition."
Harry didn't respond.
"Harry," Lupin said softly, "if this is in fact what is happening, then we have no actual way to stop it, and from what we've concluded they only appear when you are experiencing extreme emotions."
Harry snorted, yeah, he had known that a while ago.
"Severus can make a potion that will dampen all of your emotions, however we are hesitant to give that to you because it may cause you some side effects that will also hinder your motor skills." Lupin paused, "however, judging from your display three days ago that might benefit all of us."
What, three days ago! Harry was shocked, he had been passed out for three days!
"We want you to have a choice in this Harry, but if you're going to continue to try and run away then we will have to administer the potion." Lupin sounded anguished for having to say what he did.
"I don't want the potion." Harry said still glaring at the floor, what did they want him to do, take the potion and become a vegetable.
"Then you'll have to promise us that you wont try and leave again."
Harry didn't answer, and Snapes grip tightened around his wrist causing harry to flinch. "Why should you keep me here anyway? You don't have the right."
"Because we want to keep you safe Harry." Mr. Weasley replied. "Because we care about you too much to see you get hurt."
"You're hurting me by keeping me here!" Harry said vehemently.
"How are we hurting you Harry?" Lupin asked, "you wont even talk to us anymore."
"What do you think I'm doing now?"
"Acting like a prat; you're pushing everyone away, we don't know what's going on with you Harry."
Harry remained silent and adjusted himself in his chair so that if he did look up, he wouldn't be facing the Headmaster.
"He believes that if he does not associate with any of you then the Dark Lord will not go after you." Snape said sharply.
"Is that true Harry?" Lupin asked.
"No, I genuinely hate all of you." Harry said seriously.
Someone was laughing softly and it made Harry jerk his head up and level Mr. Weasley with a glare worthy of Snape. Mr. Weasley however didn't stop laughing and he rubbed his face, "You sounded just like Ron." Harry didn't smile.
Harry looked at Snape, "what's the point of all of this?" his hand was starting to go numb from Snape grip.
"Mr. Potter," McGonagall spoke for the first time, "you're actions are becoming irresponsible and therefore we cannot trust you as much as we would like."
Harrys face scrunched up, he didn't hear McGonagalls words. Harry stood up and grabbed Snapes own wrist. "You're hurting me! I"m not going to go anywhere!" Instantly Snape released Harrys arm and Harry cradled it against his chest. The feeling came back slowly, but it throbbed.
"Sit down Potter and act civilized." Harry sat.
"Something must change here Harry if we're going to work through this together." Lupin said.
"There is not 'together' Lupin." Harry said finally looking at his Dads last best friend. "You've lost all faith that I had in you as soon as you let Dumbledore put that spell on me. As soon as you even agreed to the bond, and when you" Harry paused, "and when you didn't stop them from holding me down."
"I know how you feel right now Harry, but we had to do those things for a reason. We couldn't just let you go."
"The bond was supposed to stop the visions, but it didn't even do that!"
"They are not being sent from Voldemort Harry, we were wrong in thinking they were but now we know that everything you see, or might see is true." Lupin's soft voice reached his eyes. "Everything right now is crazy, a war is going on and you're stuck in the middle of it. But if you continue to push everyone away its only going to make things harder."
Harry looked at the floor. "Sirius would have found a way to make this better."
"There is nothing Sirius could have done to this situation to make anything better." Lupin protested weakly.
"He wouldn't have made me bond with Snape!" Harry shouted. He buried his head in his hands, images of Sirius came to mind and his distorted voice rang through his head, 'never give up'. Harry didn't know if that was real or a dream, but he could still remember the heavy weight of his hand on his chest. "Sirius was the only one who can understand."
"We're not trying to hurt you here Harry, everything we've done has been talked about and debated from all angles. If we thought there was another way we would have readily done it. Severus can protect you where you couldn't protect yourself." There was a pregnant pause where no one spoke until finally Moody stood up from his chair.
"Remus, Arthur, Molly needs us." Harry heard two other people get up from their chairs and felt Lupin place his hand on Harrys shoulder before he left with the other. Leaving only Snape, McGonagall and Dumbledore left with Harry.
"Harry, tell us about the vision." McGonagall prompted.
"Didn't Snape already tell you." Harry said with this head still in his hands.
"It would probably be best if you saw it through a pensive." Snape replied. "The images are, gruesome, to say the least, but we can hear clearly what the Dark Lord is saying."
"Would you suggest that Harry take the potion?" McGonagall asked solemnly.
Harry felt Snapes eyes rake over his body, "no, the effect of the potion could leave Potter incapacitated in a time of need."
"And there isn't any other potion that might help Harry control his emotions?"
"I don't need any of you're bloody potions anyway," Harry said through his hands. "I can keep it under control by myself."
"In all actions shown, this proves not to be the case." McGonagall said hawkly.
"I didn't get these visions until after you took me from the Dursleys!" Harry said lifting his head.
"Even so, its hard for you to keep yourself under control and unless you want to be supervised 24/7 then were going to have to figure something out."
Harry took a couple of deep breaths before replying. "This isn't the school year anymore, I am not going to let you dictate my entire life for me! Its because of you that I get so emotional in the bloody first place! So if you all would just bugger off then everything would be solved!"
"Watch it Potter." Snape said lowly.
"We care for you deeply Harry." Dumbledore said in a very quiet voice, "and we don't want to see you like this anymore."
Harry hissed through his teeth. "You have no RIGHT to even speak to me."
"Potter!" Snape said warning Harry to calm down.
Harry was breathing heavily, but he bit his tongue.
"I would never intentionally hurt you, and what I've done is only for you Harry, to help you." Dumbledore looked like he did that day in the kitchen, however this time Harry wasn't effected like he was before. "I'm not perfect, but I stick firm to this decision, and I feel confident that one day you will understand. I would never hurt you." Dumbledore repeated his first line to emphasize its meaning.
But Harry was feeling vindictive and he growled out. "Like you never hurt your wife."
McGonagalls sharp intake of breath was the first thing in a short series of events that made Harry almost, almost, regret what he said. Dumbledore sat back heavily in his chair and covered his eyes with a shaky hand. His shoulders shook and Harry saw tears streaming down his face. McGonagall went to his side and obscured Harrys view of the Headmaster. She was saying things to him but Harry couldn't hear because Snape had grabbed Harry and actually thrown him across the room.
"How dare you!" Snape yelled advance on Harry, "after all he's done for you, this is how you respond! You're just as ungrateful and arrogant as your father was!" Harry tried to get up and out of there but Snape had grabbed the front of his shirt and picked him up again. He kicked open the front door and threw Harry down the steps. Harry scraped the side of his head against the wood and skidded onto the gravel of the driveway.
Snape whipped out his wand from somewhere in the many folds of his robe, he pointed it at Harry a feral snarl creasing his features. "Our week is up Potter, and spells wont deplete you anymore!" Harry backed away from is irate Professor. Snape hissed something too low for Harry to hear, but the effects made the spell all to known to Harry.
Harry was sent flying through the air and made him land painfully on the ground in front of the house across from his own. Harry was bleeding heavily from various places on his body but all he could think about was the quickly advancing Snape. McGonagall and Dumbledore shot out of the front door and quickly grabbed onto Snape. Harry took his chance and dizzily got to his feet and ran into the house. He saw Lupin and Mr. Weasley doing something in the corner room but he didn't stop. He ran up the first flight of stairs and saw Mrs. Weasley, Ginny and Tonks carrying boxes down the hallway.
"Harry!" They all shouted in unison, Harry awkwardly dodged around them, he was starting to get light headed and the room was tilting at an odd angle. Harry turned down a hallway that was filled with various portraits but his vision was starting to tunnel.
Stumbling Harry gripped one of the paintings to stay upright and surprisingly it swung open revealing a large room. Unthinkingly Harry forced himself into the room just in time to miss the others that were following him. On the brink of consciousness Harry barely heard the small pops all around him and many tiny hands were guiding him towards the middle of the room. They forced things down his throat and were taking off his clothes. After one particular potion everything came into sharp focus and Harry saw that he was surrounded by at least ten house elves. "What–" He protested, but Tilly came to stand up by his face and was putting something on the side of his face.
"Master Harry is very hurt, you must be quiet until we has finished." Tilly's small delicate hands gently rubbed some sort of slave onto all of his cuts while others tended to bruises and potentially broken bones. Once they were finished each tiny house elf bowed and disappeared from the room. Tilly was the only one left, and she bowed the deepest. "You is all fixed up Master Harry."
Harry was at a loss for words, his house elves had just instantly come to his rescue and mended him. "Thank you." he finally breathed out.
"No thanks is needed Master Harry, that is our jobs. You came to secret Potter room, and we is helping you." Tilly bowed once again.
"This is– this is a secret Potter room?" Harry asked looking at the large eyes of the elf.
"Yes, Master Harry, nobody is coming to be able to get in. Only you is Master Harry."
"Oh." Harry said unintelligently, the elves must have given him some sort of calming draught because he wasn't feeling scared for his life, or angry as hell, just peaceful. "Uh, thanks again Tilly."
She bowed once more before leaving the room with a small 'pop'.
Harry debated with himself about trying to get back to his old room, even though it was right next to Snapes, they probably wouldn't think of looking there again. Harry was even thinking himself crazy for thinking about going back so close to Snape. He would have probably killed Harry if he had the chance, but Dumbledore needed to feel how Harry felt all the time.
It was dinner time right now, so everyone would be in the kitchen of the main building, and this was probably going to be his only chance to get over there unless he wanted to stay in the room all night. Which might not be the worst thing because it had everything in there, it just didn't feel right, it was there for a purpose not for just hiding out.
Finally Harry made up his mind and tentatively pushed open the portrait. No one was in the hall and he didn't hear and sort of noises. Stepping out of the room and easing the painting back shut was easy enough to do without making much noise. But Harry didn't know if there were any squeaky steps or loose floorboards that would give him away. So it was at a slow pace that Harry crept down the hall. Reaching the stairs he paused and waiting on baited breath for any more sign of life. Deducing that there wasn't any Harry slowly started down the stairs. Every now and then he would pause and listen, and then continue on his way again. He was in the front hall when the front door opened and revealed all of the Weasley children plus Hermione and minus Bill and Charlie. They all stood there frozen staring wide eyed at one another for a couple moments until Hermione broke the silence.
"Oh Harry! Everyone is talking about you–where have you been—are you all right—Snape was furious and the others were so tense—everyone said you were hurt but no one could find you!" Hermione was halted when Ron placed a hand on her shoulder, and she smiled sheepishly. "What are you doing now?"
"I'm a—" harry didn't know what to do, they were still fiercely loyal to him and their friendship but Harry still didn't want them to get hurt. He couldn't let them get attached again. "I'm trying to sneak back to my room."
The twins grinned, "Well everyone is still eating dinner–"
"–but they will be finished soon so–"
"–if you're going to get back–"
"–you'll need our help." The twins said grinning from ear to ear.
Percy, whom Harry hadn't seen since the Ministry, stepped up, "I'm not sure that this is the best course of action. Harry should talk this out with the Order, they are quite–"
"Oh shut up Percy." Ron said, "we'll get you back to you're room, without them knowing."
Harry hesitated before nodding, "you guys shouldn't get involved, I can make it back."
"Bullocks, we're involved whether you like it or not." Ginny said fiercely.
"Yeah, so we'll watch out for you while you high tale it over to your house and if we see someone coming we'll create a distraction." George said rubbing his hands together.
Percy started to protest, "Oh don't be such a ninny, or we'll turn you into Harry and set Snape on you." Fred said slapping his brother on the back.
Harry flinched at the remark, and started towards the door. "You don't need to do this." He said strongly. He just heard them laughing before they pushed him out the door and told him to run.
Harry did run, he looked at the main house and his own, and seeing no particular indication of movement coming from either one felt confident that the twins did not need to create any sort of distraction. However because he was not paying attention to much behind him, he didn't notice that Ron and Hermione were following him closely.
Harry stumbled when Ron cursed loudly directly behind him, "they're coming out!"
"What? Don't follow me!" Harry said harshly jumping the steps to the house.
"Oh shut up Harry." Hermione said pushed open the door and rushing into the house. Behind them Fred and George had set off some of their fireworks which were adequately distracting the adults from seeing their escape. Ron swiftly shut the door to Harrys room with a huge grin on his face. "Been a long time since we've done something mildly exciting."
"You guys need to leave." Harry said sitting down on his bed.
"Harry, this is getting old, we're never giving up." Harrys head snapped up at Hermiones words. 'Never give up' sounded through his head, but Hermione couldn't have known. Maybe it was a sign, or maybe Harry was just being paranoid. Harry looked away from his friends and stared out the window.
"You don't understand the risks."
"They aren't any different from the year before." Ron stated plainly.
"Yes they are!" Harry said standing up, "Voldemort is back, for good, he's not going to be leaving anytime soon, and you two are probably his main targets!"
"Right after you Harry." Ron said, and Harry flinched. Hermione punched Ron in the arm and have him a sour look.
"He's an idiot Harry."
"Hey!" Ron protested.
"What Ronald means, is that you've always been the target and we've always been there for you, because that is what friends do. Just because he is stronger now doesn't make a difference from the years before."
"Yes it does Hermione!" Harry shouted, "no on has died before now, its all just been a game for us. No one ever got hurt before, not like this!"
"What about when Ginny got taken to the Chamber, you didn't give up on her because it was dangerous." Ron said back. "She could have died in there, but you and I didn't give up because of that!"
"But she didn't die Ron!"
"She could have," Ron said again.
"But she didn't" harry ground out. "And that is why you shouldn't be here, because now you could die, and you will!"
"Not anymore, you're protected from Voldemorts mind!" Ron stated loudly on the verge of yelling.
Hermione and Harry gave Ron identical looks, only Harry voiced what they were thinking. "How did you know that?"
Rons ears went pink, "I heard my mum and dad talking about it, while you were out. But now that you know Occulamency you don't have to worry about You-Know-Who getting into your mind. Right?"
Oh, so that's it, he only thinks I've mastered occulamency. Harry shook his head at Ron, "I didn't master occulamency."
"Then what were.." Ron trailed off at Harrys intense look.
Hermione cut in, "what did they do to you? What happened the other day?"
Harry ran a hand trough his hair, "its better if you don't know."
"What! You can't do that to us, you hated it when they kept secrets from you Harry, you can't do the same to us." Hermione placed both hands on Harrys shoulders. " What's happened?"
"I was trying to run away from Godrics Hollow." Harry said looking over Hermiones shoulder and at the wall.
"Why?"
"Because wherever I go people get hurt!" Harry pushed Hermione away and backed up. "Because everyone here at the Order is trying to run my life! I just–" Harry turned away from them and wrapped his arms around his middle.
"What did they make you do Harry? How is it that Voldemort can't get into your mind anymore, but you didn't master Occulamency?" Hermione lightly touched Harrys back but he flinched away.
"I'm bonded with–" Harry stopped. He didn't even want to say it out loud to his friends.
"Bonded!" Ron said loudly, his voice was taken aback. "You can't get bonded at this age!"
"I am."
"Ron, Harry, what's going on, what does that mean Harry is bonded?" Hermione asked, for the first time in her life not knowing something about the wizarding world.
"It means that he is bound magically to another person, they share magical power, and most magical abilities." Hermione made a soft 'oh' and Ron stepped up by Harry. "Who are you bonded to?"
Harry mumbled something shaking his head.
"Harry!" Ron grabbed both of his shoulders and shook him forcefully for a couple moments. "Snap out of it! Stop acting like this, you're talking to your two best friends and we're not leaving until we're old and grey."
"Snape!" Harry shouted, he hated that they were so vehemently loyal to him and hated that he couldn't be friends with them anymore. "I'm bonded with fucking Snape!" Rons face paled instantly.
"Oh Harry!" Hermione cried and threw herself around his neck, after a moment Ron joined in the hug and he gripped Harry and Hermione both tightly. Harry stood stock still in the middle not knowing what to do and very uncomfortable. "That's so terrible Harry, but if Voldemort can't get into your mind then it can't be that bad can it?"
"You don't know what they had to do Hermione." Ron said still in the embrace, "its bloody horrible mate, I don't know what Dumbledore was thinking doing that to you."
Harrys heart went out to Ron when he said that, Ron knew him best, he understood what this did to Harry and how he felt right now. Finally they let him go and Harry didn't know what to say. He was still worried about their safety, but if Voldemort really couldn't see into his mind then should he recapture their friendship. Was it worth it in the long run?
Harry couldn't debate anymore with himself, because suddenly his scar started to burn, it was intense but not the kind of pain that cause visions, besides he wasn't overly emotional right now. A surge of pain ripped through him and Harry clapped a hand over his scar and went to his knees.
"Harry! Whats going on Harry!" Ron and Hermione shouted.
"Scar..." was all Harry could manage to choke out.
"Ron get someone!" Hermione shouted at her boyfriend, and he ran towards the door. The first person he met however was Snape.
Deciding that Snape was better than nobody Ron told him, "Harrys scar is hurting, shouldn't the bond stop that!"
Snapes eyes flared, "How do you know about the bond?"
"It doesn't matter! His scar is hurting him!" Ron ran back into the room with Snape close behind.
Snape pried Harrys hand away from his forehead and forced Harry to look into his eyes. "Is it a vision Potter?"
"No. I don't know what it is, I can't even tell if he is angry or not!" Harry squeezed his eyes shut once again. Suddenly Snape let go of Harry and grabbed his left forearm.
"Sir are you okay!" Hermione asked panic in her voice.
"Potter!" Snape said ignoring her. "Is it just burning? Nothing else, no emotions attached to it?"
"Yes" Harry hissed out in pain.
Snape swiftly picked Harrys small body up and placed him on the bed, "It will go away soon, somehow you are feeling his summon."
Harry gritted his teeth, "you said he wouldn't call."
"Its been a week Potter," Snape turned to Ron and Hermione, "Get out of here, instantly!" Snape drew his wand when they didn't move and forced them back to their own house. Snape pulled a vial out of his robes and gave it to Harry, "It's a sleeping draught, and will take away the pain."
Harry let Snape give him the potion, the pain was too intense to think otherwise and slowly the pain eased away and his eyes began to droop. "You're going?" Harry asked, "even though you've seen what he'll do to you?"
Snape hesitated, "it wont happen tonight." Then he left without another word and Harry was fully under the influence of the potion.
... He was standing on a large dias in the center of the room, his hands were clasped behind his back as he watched about ten hooded figures enter. They filed into a semi-circle around him and waited for instruction. "Bring in Malfoy." his voice rang out in the room, high and cold.
Hastily one of the hooded members went out of the room and brought in someone much shorter than himself. Kneeling before him he spoke, "I bring forth before you, Draco Nefarious Malfoy."
"Thank you Viridian." The man bowed all the way to the ground before retreating back into the circle. Slowly he walked down from the dias and approached Draco, long boney white fingers reached out before him and lowered Dracos hood. Compared to the dim light filling the room Dracos pale skin and silvery hair gleamed in the candle light. His eyes were lowered and Harry didn't miss the tremor that went through Dracos body.
"Lucius has raised you well." he said rhetorically, "do not fear though, your father will soon be out of Azkaban and back where he belongs. I wonder," Harry said sweeping around Draco, studying him from all angles, "did you know that we have... acquired a special treat just for tonight?"
"No Sir." Draco replied in a quiet shaky voice.
"No, My Lord!" Harry snapped, but then his features softened, "you will learn soon enough and Lord Voldemort is merciful tonight." Turning on his heel Harry flicked his wand towards the dias and spun the previously backwards chair around so it faced forwards. A short high laugh escaped his lips as Harry looked at the prone figure tied to the chair. Slowly the man raised his head and wide fearful eyes looked up at Harry, there was blood covering one side of his face and half of his upper lip was swollen and purple. The Minister Fudge was deprived of his usual pinstriped robes and was now only in a long white night shirt that was stained will blood and various other things. In short he looked like shit.
"We are indeed fortunate tonight gentlemen," Harry said in a high cruel voice, "Minister Fudge has graciously acquainted us with his presence on this very special occasion. Do you know what we're celebrating tonight Minister?"
A dry rasp escaped the Ministers lips but nothing else.
"Of course you don't." Harry said sharply, "I do applaud you though for capturing Harry Potter, and from what my sources entail tortured him quite mercilessly. However, tonight you are the guest of honor! Draco!" Harry barked out, "come next to me." Shuffling towards him Draco was soon standing fearfully next to him on the dias. "See how easily men are broken Draco, even someone as mighty as the Minister of Magic is reduced to nothing but a broken man. Tonight you will prove that you are better than him!" Harry placed one of his long fingered hand on Dracos shoulders and squeezed it before pushing him towards the Minister. "Kill him!"
Draco pulled out a long dagger from his robes and held it out before him, Harry started to circle the dias watching every movement that Draco made. "Prove that you are worthy to take my mark." Draco stepped closer to the cowering Minister, but he didn't strike. His hand shook violently and the shiny metal of the dagger reflected the candle light.
"Strike Draco!" Harry commanded shrilly.
The dagger slipped out of Dracos hand and clattered to the floor. "No." He said firmly, but there was fear behind his words, a great amount of fear.
"What?" Harry hissed out, "do you dare?" Harry quickly swooped towards Draco as he backed away fearfully. In one graceful motion Draco was thrown back against the door that he entered in.
"Do you refuse my mark?" Harry said loudly so that it reverberated against the walls.
Draco didn't have time to answer before he was thrown like a rag doll up towards the ceiling and let fall back down to the floor again with a crunching thud. "You're a waste of pure blood."
Harry was filled with anger as he addressed the rest of the Death Eaters, "Do not kill him but make him remember who exactly he is defying, Snape!" One of the hooded figures stepped forward. "Once you're finished take him back to that muggle loving fool Dumbledore and let him deal with this." Turning on his heel Harry stormed out of the room and the pausing at the door. "Kill the Minister as well." He was about to leave the chamber when Snapes voice stopped him.
"My Lord?" Snape said bowing lowly.
"Yes?" Harry asked emphasizing the 's'.
"I wonder, if it would be more–effective— if we left the Minister alive." Snape said still in his bow.
"Alive?" Harry asked, "explain."
"Send him back to the Ministry for all to see how he has ended up, let the world know you're strength My Lord. Let them quiver with fear for their own lives, it will send them a powerful message." Snapes voice was low and humble, yet powerful and cunning.
A smirk appeared on Harrys lips, "yes, always so inventive Severus, send them a message. Leave him on the Ministry steps!" Harry slammed the door shut behind him and left the room...
Harry tumbled off of his bed tangled up in his sheets and sweating profusely. Draco Malfoy just refused to be marked by Voldemort! Hell must have just frozen over, but Harry returned to the seriousness of the situation and untangled himself from the bedding. Snape was going to be taking him back here, how was he going to get in, then he remembered that on the second day on arrival to Godrics Hollow, Harry had written down their location incase Snape was in an emergency situation, such as this. Harry rubbed his face hard, how much time would pass by before they would arrive here? Where would Draco be put?
Harrys brow furrowed, he would have to be placed in his room, it was the only one that wasn't already full. Snapes room was also vacant, but they would find that inappropriate for sure. There was no option other than Harrys room, and for sure when Draco got here he would be severely hurt. "Tilly!" Harry called semi-loudly into the darkness. Pop. The house elf appeared by the side of his bed.
"Yes Master Harry?" she asked sounding slightly sleepy.
"We're going to need another bed in here." Harrys voice was weary and his scar was still tingling.
Tilly clapped her hands together and Harrys bed sifted over about five feet and another bed was sitting fully dressed in the corner. "Thank you. Also Madame Pomfrey should be notified when Snape gets back, if you can do that."
"Yes Master Harry." And Tilly disappeared.
He hated Draco Malfoy, they were worst enemies at school, but he wasn't so cold hearted that if he knew they would be coming here he wasn't going to tolerate it. The rules. Harry reminded himself, have been pushed to the limit and now it was time once again to enforce them. Draco would simply fade into the background with the rest of them. Harry laid back down on his bed and pulled the covers up to his chin. Today had been an eventful day, that was full of much angst. Reflecting back to what Harry had said to the Headmaster, he now realized that it had been a below the belt comment, that put him on the same level as all those other pricks that everyone hated. Dumbledore deserved an extent of hatred at the moment, but that was over the top. He had never seen him cry like that before, and it made his stomach unwillingly clench tightly. No more of this immature banter, sticking to the rules would be better for everyone. Stick to the rules.
Harry finally heard a commotion fill the lower level and he lay still in his bed, soon they would be coming up with a half dead Draco Malfoy. Quickly, Harry found, they entered his room and were surprised to see the extra bed already there. Harry couldn't tell whom all was in his room at the moment, but he didn't turn when they lighted the room and began to repair the young Slytherin.
Some distinctive voices were there, Pomfrey, Snape, McGonagall, Dumbledore, but the others were either not talking or not being loud enough for Harry to catch who exactly they were. He lay silently letting them work as Poppy barked quiet orders and as they cast spells and retrieved potions. More than once did Snape leave the room only to come back with something else to ease the pain for Draco. At once point Draco started to cough and go into some sort of fit causing the group to go into a frenzy until he settled down and breathed normally. Harry heard conformation that Draco would survive and for now he just needed rest, he closed his eyes as some of the footsteps left the room and some came towards his bed.
"Drink this Potter." Snape said quietly to Harry.
"I don't need it." Harry said just as softly, he knew they all knew he had been awake but it didn't hurt to pretend whilst they were working.
Narrowed black eyes met tired green ones and Snape only nodded before leaving the vial on his night stand. "What did you see?"
"Everything that Voldemort did." Harrys eyes flickered away from Snapes for a moment before returning, "the minister?"
"Is being taking to the Ministry as we speak, they will sort him out there." Snapes eyes searched Harrys face for something but didn't seem to be finding it. "We will speak about this in the morning, just you and I, about the bond." Harry didn't respond, and Snape took his leave. Harry didn't want to speak about anything, whenever they did that he got angry and everyone else got angry and then all the rules went down the shit hole. Harry curled up on himself letting one hand rest next to his head on the pillow and the other warp around his body. Snape diminished the lights as he left, but Harry could still hear the breathing of two more people in the room. A sigh escaped one of their lips and then footsteps were coming towards Harry once more.
A heavy weight settled down next to Harry on the bed causing it to dip slightly. A warm hand brushed Harrys hair away from his forehead and then rested on Harrys free hand. "Please forgive me Harry," Dumbledore whispered quietly, "forgive all of us." He squeezed Harrys hand for a moment then released. For a fleeting second Harry gave the Headmaster a light squeeze back and the Headmaster removed his hand all together. Dumbledore sat on the edge of Harrys bed for a long time, until finally Harry fell back to sleep. What Harry had in store for the Headmaster was unsure, but for now the everything was about the rules, and he wouldn't let any of them get broken again. Even if it meant changing how he was going about some things, and even if it meant for the time being pushing aside all of his hatred for everyone except Voldemort, and becoming indifferent to everyone else. Nothing else mattered except for the rules.
Cheers! I hope everyone loved this chapter! And it is seriously longer than the other because I figured that this would help everyone to forgive me for not posting on Friday! I have softball now which is going to severely limit my writing time, but games don't start for a while so I'm going to need all the encouragement I can get to get off my lazy bum and write you lost of chapters before I become too busy!
I hope everyone has a wonderful Valentines Day! Love it up!
Cheers Siddabjr