Disclaimer: No, nope, and noey. I own zilch of anything J.K's. Everything else that is not J.K's in any way shape or form? I own. –Smiles-
Chapter Summary: Harry and Draco put into use the value of teamwork, and Sirius speaks with someone he has not seen for years...
A/N: First off, I must apologize profusely for the tortuously long wait for this chapter. No excuse is good enough, trust me I know what it feels like to wait so long for an update (I waited almost a whole year once before a story I was reading updated finally –groans- I wanted to strangle the author), but I have been studying big time for my mid-terms, and it's been like crazy here. Thus, my time to get on the computer was greatly limited. So, what I began to do was write on notebook paper during my classes. (When I 'wasn't' studying like I was mental) A little here, a little there, and then…I lost my notebook. I wanted to cry, literally… -Sniffles in remembrance- I couldn't find it anywhere, until a few weeks later it turns out my best friend Soren had it, to read it, and had completely forgotten about it! To say the least I was really mad at him. But –takes a deep calming breath- I've forgiven him, and I hope you all do too, and I hope you all enjoy this chapter that you (and I!) have waited so long to see posted. –Smiles-
Anywho, off that subject, and on to the next chapter, eh?
Chapter 28: Teamwork and Rescuing - Part 1
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Harry fell to his knees with a cry of pain, hands jumping to the back of his head as if he had been whacked hard there. The second he had stepped one foot out of his cell, his Empathy seemed to begin to work in overdrive of its own accord. Finally doing what he had wanted it to do for him earlier, but in an excessiveness that was more overpowering to the young boy than the worst pounding migraine.
"Harry! ...What's wrong?" asked Draco, filled with bewilderment, as to why this was happening, in his voice, though a small bit of concern slipped in as well.
The Malfoy heir's voice was a drone in Harry's ears; he could hardly make out the other boy's words at all. His mind felt like it was going to explode from it all. Happiness, bitterness, anger, worry, annoyance, longing, anxiousness, hatred, dread, greed, jealousy, uncertainness, disappointment, frustration, giddiness, fury, resentment, fear, and pain. It was all pounding on him like it was a hammer and he was the nail.
"Make it...stop..." Harry uttered out with difficulty.
"What is it? What's doing it?" Draco inquired, not understanding what it was he could do, if it was in fact that he could do anything. He received no reply from the raven-haired boy in front of him, just a soft whimper of pain, as if he were trying to hold it in. Draco shook his blonde fringe out his eyes, and closed them, concentrating solely on Harry's mind and thoughts. Something he had never done before, for when he normally allowed his mind to be completely receptive to the thoughts around him, it was thoughts of everyone and not just a sole person. But, he figured, if there was a way to help Harry, he was going to have to concentrate just on that. The silvery-grey eyed child was bombarded with fragments of what the Potter heir was feeling, it all washing over his mind like a flood. And to a person who has never had to deal with feeling what the messy raven haired boy was able to feel off others…it was enough to make the the young blonde stagger back a few steps.
He has a power like mine, but different; he knows what other people are feeling! Draco thought momentarily, amazed, before delving back into the torrent of overloading emotions that was Harry's mind.
Harry! Harry, can you hear me? Draco called out mentally.
…Make it stop… Harry's mind seemed to whisper back, the voice small compared to the whirringness of the emotions.
Harry, concentrate on my voice, okay? You kinda have a power like mine, so…that means…you can turn it off. I'm sure you can.
Turn it…off? I only know how to…turn it down…it's not working…it's too much…
It's too much because you're letting it be too much; you've got to close it, to turn it off. I know you can…because I can do mine just fine.
I'm trying to make it smaller, but it isn't working…
Don't make it smaller. Close it.
…How?
Picture it, as hard as you can, as a door, a big door…and shut it.
Harry did as Draco said, picturing a big door in his mind, a door that was wide open and allowing all the emotions to flow into his mind. Rushing forward, in his mind's eye, Harry grabbed the newly formed door and pulled…
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It had been years since he had seen him… After all, he had preferred never to see him. They were "Family", yes, people could say such. But "Family" was only a word whenever Sirius used to think of it. He is related, sadly - in his book - , by blood to his deceased parents, to his cousins - Oh how he wished they were not 'his'! - Narcissa Malfoy and Bellatrix Lestrange, and to his brother Regulus Black. Though…were they all "Family" to him? No. No, they were not. Family meant unconditional love, caring, and trust…all of which were things that his family, most certainly, had never – ever - had for each other, let alone him. No…his 'Family'…the one that actually meant the world to him, was the new family he, Prongslet, and Moony had made with each other. He knew he would do anything to protect that…hence the reason he currently stood on the threshold of his brother's hide-away home in Ireland…
Regulus Black was, once, a Death Eater. However, much to Sirius's surprise, as well as many other, Regulus had stood up to the Dark Lord, to Voldemort, and had refused to do something he had been instructed to do. Furious, Voldemort had ordered his Death Eaters to kill him. But, Regulus, always the bright one, had put up quite a fight, and quite a chase, and in the end had used his Slytherin cunning to escape with his life...with a little gold something for his troubles. The Death Eaters, worried about the fury and punishment that was going to be evoked on them - no to mention death, but they did not want to think 'that' far - , informed their Master that Black had been properly, and easily, disposed of. Voldemort had smelt lie in their midst when they told their story, but did not push it, for Regulus had never been seen again, which pleased the Dark Lord. Regulus, however, had run to Dumbledore, who, once informed of Regulus' 'true' story and ordeal, helped him escape to Ireland, where he currently resided. The two had maintained sparse contact ever since. They corresponded about twice a year by owl, unless it was more important matters, and Regulus had proved to be a fountain of information whenever the Order had needed it…provided it was Dumbledore who requested it.
After asking his former Headmaster of Regulus' whereabouts, seeing as how Dumbledore was the Secret Keeper, and insisting that he would do it alone while the Order contemplated and prepared, Sirius left Hogwarts, exited the grounds, and apparated to the location. There, he thought of the address in his mind, watched the house appear, stepped up the walk and steps, stopped at the door, and knocked.
Hang on just a little longer, Prongslet…I swear I'll get you back…and whoever thought it'd be a bloody good idea to take you away from 'me' is going to regret ever laying hands on you…
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It's…not…working! Harry thought to Draco with every yank he gave the door. The emotions pouring in more powerful than Harry's force to shut them out.
Now, Draco was always a boy to think quickly on his feet, and make abrupt - and more often than not, smart - decisions during tight situations. It was a Slytherin trait in him; his father would most certainly tell people. The two people coming, Death Eaters, Draco knew, were too close for comfort. He needed to get Harry out of this room, and if he knew what was good for him, himself, - which he did – he would do good to not get caught down here either. Let alone caught helping a Potter. - There would come a time in his life when Draco would question himself on 'why in Merlin's Name!' did he try and help Potter in the first place. What had ever possessed him to continue to help the other boy after finding out he was Harry Potter? But that time was not now. He knew only one thing at the moment… - He was going to have to do something...
Harry pulled and pulled at the door. Trying his hardest to close it, for if not, he felt like is mind was going to explode from the magnitude of it all. But then something happened that Harry would have never dubbed possible had he not seen it with his own two eyes…another pair of hands grabbed the door with his, and pulled along with him. Turning his head, emerald eyes wide with surprise, Harry saw a semi-transparent Draco standing alongside him somewhere deep in Harry's subconscious. Rolling his eyes, the blond boy snapped,
Take a picture, it'll last a lot longer, Potter, bringing the raven-haired boy back to the situation at hand. Nodding his understanding, Harry turned his head back to the door, eyebrows creasing, and pulled. It took a few seconds but the two of them, forces and wills merged, were finally able to get the door to budge from its stationary location. Pulling together, they began to shut the door, the emotional overload on Harry's mind letting up little by little. With a final grunt of effort, the two boys were able to close the door to the point Harry was used too, not completely shut, but closed to a much, 'much' more bearable level. Draco disappeared from Harry's subconscious, and, mind finally at ease, the messy haired Potter opened his eyes, only to be reacquainted with the chamber he had been placed in.
Breathing heavily, he sat down on the floor, and looked across from him where Draco was following suit, breathing heavily as well. Looking at each other as they tried to catch their breaths, wide grins broke out on their young faces. They could not help but grin. In spite of the ordeal they had just gone through, in spite of their situation, something unnoticeable - even to them - had shifted between them. Neither would have been able to answer honestly if someone asked them why they were grinning, for even they did not know. Was it because they had subconsciously realized they had beaten something, together, without grown-up interference? Was it because they had, also subconsciously, without truly agreeing on it, - for there are some things in life that one has no say in. They just happen, things click, with one having little or no control - become the most unlikely of friends? Neither would know the answer for quite some time, but, what they did know, was that some extremely odd connection had been made between the two of them, and that even if they were destined to not see each other again - which was a big probability, the two thought in their young minds - they would, in all likelihood, never forget each other. After all…how often does one's soul, the center of one's magical power and essence, meet its counterpart and twin?
Quick steps, a thud, and a yelp, gave the boys a rude awakening to the fact that time flowed consistently and constantly.
"Smooth, Avery," a voice - that Draco knew to be Nott's - chuckled.
Come on, Draco thought to Harry as he jumped up, the raven-haired boy doing the same, groaning mentally at his stupidity of just deciding to take a breather. Hurry! Draco dashed past Harry, grabbing the shorter boy's arm as he did so, pulling the young Potter heir behind him as he ran deeper into the chamber, towards the darkest part that Harry had seen while yet in his cell.
Where are you going? How are we going to get out 'this' way? Harry thought to Draco, perplexedly, fear slowly beginning to grip at his insides.
You'll see.
…I'm sorry, Draco. If we get caught…it's all my fault.
Stop, okay? Nothing'll be your fault; I'm not going to let us get caught.
The two reached the dead end wall at the other end of the long chamber just as Avery - rubbing his head - and Nott entered the part of the chamber Draco and Harry had been sitting in. The young Malfoy immediately let Harry's arm go, and bent down right next to the wall. It was the kind of darkness that did not allow you to see your hand in front of your face that surrounded the two at this end, but Harry had felt the air move as Draco bent.
They're going to see us, Harry thought, dreadfully, as he looked over in the direction of the door as the two men whipping out their wands.
They aren't!
But…
Shh…
"Lumos!" said the two men in unison, lifting their wands into the air and looking into the different cells. Serpent had said that he had put Potter in one of the first ones, but…
"He's not here!" Avery whispered, half in awe, half in fear.
"Well…don't just stand there!" Nott snarled heatedly. It would be both their lives if Potter was not found…and quickly.
"But, how did he…I mean…he couldn't have—the cells are--!"
"It doesn't matter how he did it, the point is he did do it! And…he couldn't have gotten far…the hall outside is only one direction after this door, we would've seen him… which means…"
"He's in the room."
Nott nodded, a smirk forming on his face, as the two began striding down the chamber, cells on either side of them.
…Draco… Harry murmured uneasily in his mind, wishing that whatever it was the blonde was doing, that he finished it fast.
Ha! Found it. I knew it was here somewhere
D-Draco, t-they're…
Harry was not able to finish his sentence, fear freezing him, for the light from the wand tips of the two approaching men had landed on him, Draco no where to be seen.
Get in here! Are you mental? Draco's voice shouted into Harry's mind. Snapping out of it, Harry, confusedly, turned to where Draco had been, only to see a small hole in the wall barely wide enough to admit someone his size.
Nott swore under his breath, for he had just seen the hole as well, and it was not even a second before curses started to fly.
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"And…erm…Sirius?" Regulus, who was a year younger than the eldest Black offspring, hands stuffed into the pockets of his black jeans, called hesitantly as Sirius opened the door to leave, their conversation now over. Regulus looked remarkably like his older brother, not as much as Harry did James, but close. He even had the same elegant black hair that fell casually into his grey - unlike to Sirius's bluish-grey - eyes.
"What?" asked Sirius, shifting his weight from his right foot to his left as he turned back around, eager to leave.
"I'm…sorry." The younger of the two looked as if he were truly remorseful about something. These were definitely the last words Sirius would have expected to come out of Regulus' mouth. He had always remembered his brother to be so much like their parents…that it had been hard to bear. But, granted, when he had walked through his brother's door earlier he had sensed a difference about him. He had seemed somewhat lighter, as if he no longer had something riding on his shoulders. He had almost seemed… - Sirius hadn't really thought about it till now - happy? to see him…
"…For what?" Sirius's eyes showed puzzlement.
Regulus looked like he would have preferred it if Sirius would have just accepted the apology and continued on his way. But life was never that simple.
"For…not standing up against mum and dad's view, like you did…for not standing up for…you."
Sirius's blueish-grey eyes softened at these heartfelt words. So he had a family member, by blood, after all…
"For…for accepting mum and dad's view, even though I didn't like it, just so they wouldn't treat me like they treated you…for begging the Sorting Hat to put me in Slytherin, when it had wanted me to go into Gryffindor, just so I wouldn't get a Howler like you…for getting you in trouble whenever you sneaked off to James' house…for…for becoming a Death—"
Regulus was cut off by his older brother's strong embrace, something Regulus had rarely experienced, but gladly returned.
"I forgive you," Sirius told his younger brother as he released him, eyes shinning. Regulus smiled a natural smile, something he had not done in years, feeling more relieved than he ever had. He had felt sure Sirius would have never forgiven him. "You're a right git, though, telling all this to me now when I wasn't ready for it!"
"Had to," Regulus grinned. "I might not get a second chance after this. Merlin know what's going to happ—"
"You're a real optimistic one, aren't you?"
"Usually. But, what are you still doing here? Get going! If not, I'll never get to meet Harry."
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Spell after spell was pelted in Harry's direction, illuminating the chamber in an eerie, and dangerous, rainbow of colors. Grabbing him by the ankle, Draco was able trip Harry to the ground, causing the young Potter to yelp in surprise, but also causing the spells to miss him by a landslide. New spells began to fly almost immediately, and Draco, wasting no time, grabbed the Potter heir by the wrist, and proceeded to drag him into the small passage.
"No! Stop him!"
Diving forward, Avery grabbed Harry around the ankles, pulling the boy back out. Panicking, Harry did the first thing that came to mind.
With a cry of pain Avery let Harry go and began blowing rapidly on his red hot hands. Before they could try again, Draco pulled Harry all the way in, and pushed a stone, inside the passage, that caused the passage to seal from Nott and Avery's side. The last thing the two heard as they began to crawl through the small passage were Nott's angry swearing, and Avery casting "Aguamenti", breathlessly, on his hands.
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A/N: Well, there's chapter twenty-eight. –Grins- I'll make sure to do my best to get the next chapter out a lot fast than it took me to get this one out. (I'll make sure to 'not' let my friends take my fic notebook to their house…and then forget they did) Anywho, hope you all aren't horribly upset that Regulus isn't dead in this story. Even though he isn't that elaborated about in the books (I believe he is R.A.B.!) I can just imagine him in my mind, and I believe he'd be one of my favorite Good/Bad characters. But, anyway, you'll get everyone in the next chapter. –Grins- You know: Harry, Draco, Remus, Xantos (And/Or Serpent), Voldemort, Death Eaters, Order Members, Sirius, wizards of that sort.
Some people have inquired of me whether this story is and/or is going to be slash, soooo, I thought it best to clear it up for all of you. This story is in no way a slash one, I just can't see it happening in this one, it'd…dunno, I think it would deviate from the way I have planned out my story. Hope that doesn't upset any of you who were hoping for some. At any rate, moving away from that, onto the next order of business, no?
This chapter's 'Curiosity Fulfiller'! –Smiles-
"Which Marauder…is the best Marauder?" (No picking two! Trust me, even 'I' wanted to…)
My answer: Argh…this is really hard…even for me! The Marauders are my favorite! Hmm…wow…I really hadn't thought it would be this hard to pick…they all have their great qualities! (Excluding Peter here) Erm…hmm…………..fine, fine…-grimaces at having to choose between her favorite three- Alright…I pick…-takes deep breath, and lets it out slowly- …James. Boy…do I feel like I betrayed Sirius and Remus…and it's not even because James is my favorite character that I picked him! (Because he's not, he's one of them, but not 'the' favorite character) It's just…I believe he was actually the best Marauder. And that's all I've got to say about it… -Sighs-
Anywho, thanks for putting up with me this far into my story! –Smiles- Your reviews are very much appreciated, and they really make my days. So, if you would, please review. Your opinions mean a lot to me, and I love hearing them!
Till next time…
-Chloe
A.K.A – Japanime1