Harry lay perfectly still on the large four poster bed. His hand pressed firmly against his scar as it continued to sting dully.

It wasn't long before Harry lost his last bout of consciousness. But any peace was temperamental for as soon as sleep found him, his scar seared with a fresh round of pain. Harry moaned, curling up as he pressed his hand tighter against his forehead. Voldemort had to leave the manor soon.

Giving up on rest, Harry sat up which only caused his head to spin. His limbs felt weighted as he wobbled slightly. The small amount of food Harry had consumed over the last few days was only enough to sustain him in the most simplest way. But Harry would refuse to give in. At least Voldemort seemed focused on other things for now.

Any routine had been pretty easy to establish and Harry hardly left his prison, leaving him little to no opportunity for escape. Bellatrix Lestrange or Lucius Malfoy occasionally forced Harry downstairs to try and make him eat, but Harry severely doubted that he'd get past them. Harry couldn't risk it, one failed escape attempt could lose him his cloak.

Time was running out. The longer Harry's stay became the more permanent it felt. At least Ron and Hermione knew what to do, they could find and destroy Voldemort's Horcrux's. Harry just hoped he could escape before they left the burrow. It would be impossible to find them otherwise.

"The boy still hasn't eaten," Bellatrix snapped as she glared at the full plate of food in front of her. It had been three days since Potter had arrived and he hadn't touched a thing. "I say we just curse him and get this over with."

"No Bellatrix," Malfoy said. "The Dark Lord said Potter must eat of his own accord."

Bellatrix rolled her eyes.

"And what good will that do?" she said. "I thought he was needed alive."

"He is, but Potter is doing this out of defiance. The Dark Lord realises this is necessary if he wishes to break him," Malfoy said.

"There are other ways to break a person," Bellatrix said and she waved her wand to exaggerate her point.

"True," Malfoy nodded as his own gaze drifted to the full plate of food. "However, his own food is the only control Potter has in his life. The Dark Lord understands this. If he truly is to break Potter then he needs him to be completely dependent. He will eat when our Lord commands it, answer when our Lord commands it."

"And bow as the Dark Lord commands it?" Bellatrix jeered and her eyes flashed dangerously. "I will not question our Lord, but surely he cannot be thinking of making Potter one of us?"

Malfoy stepped around the large table, a dark expression on his face.

"No, I do not believe that is what is planned for the boy."

"Then what?"

"I do not know," Malfoy said lightly. "And neither do I believe we are supposed to know."

Bellatrix looked like she was going to argue but she fell silent, the anger still burning in her eyes. She seemed determined to solve this problem though as her eyes focused onto the other person in the room.

"Draco," she said suddenly, gesturing eagerly at the pale young man who had been standing in the corner.

Her nephew stepped forwards. His eyes were shallow as he nodded curtly to his aunt.

"You will get Potter to eat," Bellatrix declared as a horrible smile split onto her face.

Both the older and younger Malfoy tensed, surprised at her abrupt suggestion.

"I doubt it," Draco said stiffly.

However it seemed after a moments thought, his father agreed.

"You will do as your aunt commands," Malfoy said.

Bellatrix grin widened as she placed her hands on either side of Draco's shouder.

"Yes, Draco, our Lord requires this to be done and you must regain his favour."

"If you can't get Potter to eat then how can I?" Draco asked.

"Now, now, Draco," Bellatrix said. "You would not deny our Lord?"

Draco was silent for a while.

"Fine."

Ginny's eyes were burning as she lay tucked in to her covers as the light flooded in from behind her curtains. She paused mid stretch before closing in on herself. Today was Harry's birthday, everyone had agreed that today should be the time to remember Harry, they would say goodbye as properly as they could as they had no body to bury.

She dressed slowly and as she was about to make her way down to the kitchen when she heard flapping and numerous screeches. Frowning she crossed back to her window and pulled the curtains open wide.

Owls had flooded the garden, there were hundreds of them, some circling about while others picked at the lawn. Ginny rushed to find her shoes as she hurried out onto the yard. The owls flew about her while some landed just in front of her. Her eyes grew wide as one owl approached her and held out its leg. Ginny's hands were shaking as she untied the small card that was attached. It wasn't addressed. Without hesitating she ripped the envelope open and found herself staring at a birthday card of a load of quidditch players zooming about on brooms.

Her hands continued to shake, her heart pounding as she opened it.

Happy Birthday Harry and Goodbye

Ginny stared at the neat letters before rushing up to another owl to retrieve its delivery. She ripped open another envelope this time to find a beautiful hand drawn card of a dragon with another message inside.

We will miss you Harry, Happy Birthday

Ginny's wiped her eyes on her sleeve while the owls hopped around, waiting patiently for her to collect their cards.

It was a short time later when she heard footsteps approach her.

"Ginny," her mother said as she looked around bewildered. "What are all these owls doing here?"

Ginny hurried up to her with her own arms bursting with cards as she passed one to her mother. Her mum's mouth fell open wide as tears welled in her eyes.

"Help me get them all," Ginny said.

They spent the next half an hour getting all the cards before they returned inside. Her mum immediately waved her wand and the cards started to arrange themselves around the house.

"We should remember the good times we had today," she said softly as she embraced her daughter tightly.

Mr Weasley arrived home shortly after they had prepared breakfast. Ron and Hermione had been going through each of the cards in amazement. Mr Weasley was holding the morning paper which he past to Ron and Hermione when they looked up.

Ron gaped as Hermione flipped through the paper. Every page was filled to the brim about Harry.

"Everything's in there," Mr Weasley said. "The very first article when You Know Who vanished, the interview Harry gave for the Quibbler, everything about the tri-wizard cup, everything."

"Wow," Ron gaped "They even got a quote from Krum."

Ginny rushed over to see.

"And the results for every quidditch match Harry's played."

"Harry was such a beacon of hope," Mr Weasley said. "When You Know Who disappeared all those years ago, he gave the wizarding world the relief they needed. I know you've always just thought of him as your friend, but he will always be more."

Ron and Ginny looked at him surprised, although they had grown up hearing stories of Harry she'd never thought of him as a beacon of hope before. Now Ginny understood what her father was saying, they had never lived through the torment all those years ago, they never truly appreciated what had happened but the wizarding world had never forgotten.

Harry was once again lying on the large four poster bed. It was mind numbingly boring being locked away all day, and he found his thoughts drifting off to the times he'd been locked in his cupboard. At least then he'd be let out to go to the bathroom and school. And although the little food he'd been given to him in his cupboard was less then he was being offered here, it had been a lot more comforting to know that the most threatening thing he'd had to deal with was Uncle Vernon.

Harry rubbed at his scar, thankful that Voldemort wasn't close to make it worse. It would be a lot easier to escape knowing that Voldemort wasn't in the manor.

He sat up startled as he heard movement. He immediately focused on the melting door and frowned as he saw a very unwelcome Slytherin walk into the room. Malfoy was carrying a plate of food as he waited for the door to melt behind him.

Harry raised an eyebrow and didn't say anything.

Malfoy scowled as he walked further into the room, he dumped the plate of food down on the small table in the corner the plate clattering loudly. Without looking towards Harry he grabbed the chair and pushed it up against the wall which he promptly sat down on leaning the chair against the wall.

Now it was Harry's turn to scowl

"Get out."

Malfoy looked just as unhappy.

"I'm not leaving until that's been eaten."

Harry moved off the bed and towards the food. He tried to ignore his burring vision as he picked up the apple and swiftly hurled it at Malfoy's head. Malfoy caught it with an unimpressed sneer.

"You eat it then," Harry snapped.

"Funnily enough I care about my life to not be that stupid," Malfoy said as he tossed the apple in the air before catching it again.

"What do you mean by that?" Harry said as he curled his fists. He desperately wanted to walk over and wipe that look off Malfoy's face.

"The Wizarding world have been saying goodbye to their precious Potter. How heroic he was, slaughtered by the Dark Lord." Malfoy looked directly towards him and laughed coldly. "How would they feel to know you starved yourself to death through your own stupidity."

Harry looked down at his feet at this.

"I'm not starving myself," he bit out.

"Could have fooled me," Malfoy said as he tossed the apple again.

Harry glared at him for a moment before changing the subject.

"Why aren't I dead yet?" Harry asked suddenly.

Malfoy just gave Harry a funny look.

"You think anyone knows? No one understands why the Dark Lord changed his mind."

They both fell into silence. Harry sat down on the edge of the large bed, frustrated at Malfoy's presence and the lack of any helpful answers.

However, after a short time Harry knew something he did want to ask Malfoy. Malfoy was still throwing the apple up and down while completely ignoring him.

"Why did you hesitate?" Harry asked.

Malfoy caught the apple as his head jerked around to meet him.

"What do you mean?" he demanded, but that didn't stop Harry catching Malfoy's nervous glance towards the door.

"On the tower," Harry said "You hesitated?"

Malfoy ignored his question and asked his own instead.

"You were on the tower?"

Harry shrugged offhandedly which seemed to annoy Malfoy more.

"I thought that was obvious."

"Why didn't you do anything then?" Malfoy countered "Too scared?"

"Dumbledore had me in a body bind," Harry said with a sudden uncomfortable lump in his throat "But you didn't answer my question. Why did you hesitate?"

Malfoy eye's glanced over Harry before he suddenly threw the apple hard towards him. Harry caught it as Malfoy smirked.

"Eat it and I'll tell you."

Harry stared at the apple, honestly he felt to sick to eat anything but he wanted to know. Damn his Gryffindor pride. He took a bite and ignored Malfoy's satisfied smirk. Harry finished the apple and frowned annoyed when Malfoy's gaze glanced towards the rest of the food. Rolling his eyes Harry approached the rest of the food and took the plate back to where he had been sitting. He knew he needed to eat anyway, one plate of food wouldn't be giving in.

Harry would need the strength if he was to fight Nagini. Sighing Harry gave in and took a bite of the bread. He continued to ignore Malfoy until he had finished.

As soon as he was done Malfoy stood up and walked directly towards him, he held out his hand waiting for the empty plate. Harry scowled as he past it to him however Malfoy was now averting his gaze. Harry didn't need to say anything as his question was answered.

"Because he offered me a way out," Malfoy said quietly.

Harry genuinely didn't know how to reply as Malfoy turned and made his way to leave. However, he paused at the door as it melted away.

"Happy Birthday, Potter."

Harry was left staring after Malfoy in confusion.

"You're leaving."

Ron and Hermione both froze as the familiar voice cut through the eerie silence of the night.

They watched as a figure stepped out of the darkness. Ginny stood with her arms cross and her expression nothing but cold.

"Why?" she demanded.

"We have something we need to do," Ron said.

Ginny scowled and she brandished her wand which spat in bright purple sparks.

Hermione glanced over her shoulder, back in the direction of the Burrow and the dimly lit windows.

"I want to come with you," Ginny said as she took a firm step forwards.

"No," Hermione said as Ron shook his head. "You can't come."

Ginny couldn't help but look affronted.

"I can help," she hissed, her voice raising slightly. "You might need me."

"You have the trace on you," Hermione said as her eyes darted back to the house. "What help is that?"

"It's too dangerous, anyway," Ron added.

"You're both going," Ginny said angrily. "What right do you have over me?"

She expected a full blown argument but was surprised by Hermione's honest answer.

"Harry left us something to do, something that has to be done," Hermione whispered. "If we could take you we would, but right now, it would help no one, specially not Harry."

Ginny couldn't respond to this. She always knew Harry trusted Ron and Hermione more then her, but it still hurt to hear it so bluntly.

"Just do one thing for me," Ron said suddenly. "Keep the DA going. They need to be ready."

"Ready for what?" Ginny asked.

"To fight," Ron said. "The time will come when Hogwarts will need to stand and fight back and you will have to be ready."

"I don't understand?" Ginny said frowning. "When is the time?"

"When we return to Hogwarts," Ron said. Ginny frowned, chewing her lip as if wanting to press and ask more questions but voices were sounding out behind them, back from the direction of the Burrow. Ginny lowered her wand and nodded once.

"Just make sure you do return," she said quietly, before adding more fiercely. "We'll be waiting and we'll be ready."

Ginny watched silently as they both walked down to the end of the garden before disapperating into the night.

Harry woke up screaming. His head was bursting as he struggled to move. He wanted to throw up but he could barely see as bloody images flashed through his mind.

Harry rolled over and dry wretched. He couldn't shake the vivid images he'd just witnessed. Bodies lay mangled with blood soaking into the floor as pleading screams flooded his ears.

Harry breathed deeply, gulping down fresh air, but he couldn't shake the smell and taste of blood which lingered from his dreams. He remained curled up on the bed, his arms drawn up to his body as Harry rested his forehead on his knees. He was barely aware of the fresh burst of pain in his head.

The Ministry.

Harry was sure that's what he'd seen. Rufus Scrimgeour had been the centre of all the chaos. His now dead body strewn across the large marble floor.

Harry had watched the last minutes of the ex-aurors life. He had felt everything Voldemort had as he destroyed the man. Voldemort had ripped the man to pieces.

The ministry had been taken. Harry knew that for certain. He had walked through the empty auditorium trapped in Voldemort's mind with Nagini hissed at his side.

Harry pulled himself up and forced himself to move towards the bathroom. Harry turned the cold tap on and plunged his head under the cold water.

It was a small relief as he stood there, hair dripping wet.

It had been a long while since he had slipped into Voldemort's mind but Harry understood perfectly. Voldemort had wanted him to see. He'd wanted Harry to know that all hope was lost.

Even if he escaped, Harry now would have no where to turn. If Voldemort had the Ministry, then he had Hogwarts.

Breathing heavily he moved back into the dimly light room. His eyes staring blankly at his cold surrounding, his anxiety building due to his prison. Harry stood for a long while, thoughts racing with the mangled body parts he'd been witness to.

He barely noticed the time pass as his body became cold and stiff. Harry closed his eyes, trying desperately not to think the unthinkable. The Burrow and its inhabitants had to be safe. They had to be.

Harry had moved back over to the bed by the time the young Malfoy entered the room. Harry's head shot up from where he sat on its edge. He would have darted over and confronted the Slytherin but he knew his legs would not hold him steady.

Malfoy stopped and stared at him, his own mouth parting in shock at the side of Harry before he promptly shut his mouth as it turned into a smirk.

"Wow, you look like hell, Potter," Malfoy said.

Harry chose not to comment as he stared intently, his eyes piercing. He hadn't slept, not that he hadn't tried.

It seemed Voldemort hadn't been finished with his murderous rampage. Harry was exhausted, every time he had drifted off, more horror awaited him, more bodies, more pleads for mercy. He didn't want to go to sleep. He couldn't deal with it any longer.

"What happened?" Harry bit out, choosing to ignore the plate of food that Malfoy had set down to the side.

Malfoy paused, giving him a calculating look.

"What do you mean?" He asked after a short while.

"The ministry," Harry barely managed to say, he closed his eyes briefly as if this would block out what he had seen.

Malfoy looked stunned, still standing from where he had sat the previous day.

"How do you-?".

Harry wanted answers and he wanted them fast.

"Voldemort made me view the entire thing," Harry was surprised his voice was so steady.

Harry had to give the Slytherin some credit as he crossed his arms looking at Harry carefully.

"What do you want to know then?" Malfoy asked calmly. "If you've seen it all, you know more than me."

"The Weasley's," Harry said calmly although he was anything but. His stomach twisted anxiously as he waited.

Malfoy tilted his head to the side and stared hard at Harry before a cold expression spread across his face.

"It seems our arrangement will continue," he said almost casually.

Harry didn't understand, he glared coldly and didn't answer.

Malfoy's expression changed to a sharp grin.

"You eat for information, Potter. Same as yesterday."

Harry wanted to punch him. He stood up furiously, jumping forwards angrily. He had barely made two steps when he swayed and staggered.

Malfoy smirked as Harry halted and glared at him. He wished he had a wand, just to stop Malfoy from looking so smug from where he leaned casually against the wall.

As if to rub salt in, Malfoy cleared his smug expression and said coldly.

"Their house, if you can call it that, was attacked. If you want to know more, then eat the damn food."

Harry felt sick. His stomach twisting painfully. He could barely hold himself standing. The Weasley's had to be safe. They had to be.

He didn't want to eat, he didn't think he could, but Malfoy's face gave nothing away.

At least it wasn't much, just a small pile of sandwiches. He tried to think of anything but the Weasley's as he bit into the food.

Malfoy seemed satisfied, for Harry had only eaten two sandwiches when he spoke.

"The blood traitors are fine," he shrugged absently.

Harry didn't relax, he lowered the sandwich and stared at him and waited. His heart racing as he waited for more details.

Malfoy rolled his eyes.

"It wasn't the Weasley's they were after," he said sounding bored. "Fortunately for them they weren't hiding any of Dumbledore's men. The Order were the target."

Harry felt himself relax slightly. If the Order were safe then they were still fighting. It wasn't over yet.

"Hermione?" Harry asked quietly.

"The mudblood wasn't there, shame really," Malfoy added. Harry would have hit him if he hadn't been so relieved to hear that Hermione hadn't been found.

Harry ignored the remaining food and moved away from Malfoy. He sat exhausted on the end of bed once more, his head falling into his hands. He just wanted to sleep, perhaps Voldemort was done with his murderous rampage by now.

His thoughts wondered to Ron and Hermione. They must have left to seek out the remaining Horcrux's.

Malfoy was watching him carefully.

"You know, you should eat more," he said quietly after a long uncomfortable silence.

Harry's head shot up and he couldn't help but stare at the Slytherin.

He tilted his head to the side and couldn't help let his mouth twist into a cold smile.

"Starting to feel guilty, Malfoy?"

Harry didn't care that Malfoy sounded concerned, he didn't care about anything. He just hated everything and everyone that kept him trapped in this hell.

The Slytherin remained only a moment before he turned and left without another word.

Harry couldn't help but feel a bitter satisfaction as he was left to his own thoughts once more. Malfoy had been a odd relief to his mental torment. The news that the Weasley's were safe caused his mind to wonder back to his own situation.

Voldemort must have finished murdering people by now. Harry lay back and stared dead ahead. It must be safe to sleep.