Bound in Chains
Sad blue eyes were staring out the window at the pouring rain. Keyara was back in her bed. The wards were locked down. Only those whom Harry had added could enter. The front door opened and closed. Quick steps moved up the stairs and stopped as the person reached the top.
"What happened to Harry?"
The question hung in the air. Charlie couldn't tell Draco that Harry and Raiden were the same. Draco didn't need to know that. He looked over his shoulder at Draco vacantly. "He fought the Dark Lord," he said almost too quietly to hear.
"I know that," Draco said. "He wasn't there after though. Did he come home?"
Charlie sighed. "He came home," he said.
"And?" Draco said as a feeling of dread worked its way into his chest.
"Do you know what a level seven mind-terror curse is?" Charlie asked. He was watching Draco and he could see how his face moved from sadness to fear to horror.
"No. No… no, Master wouldn't," Draco sank down on the couch. "Do we know which one?" he asked.
"Does it matter?" Charlie said.
"They all act differently," Draco whispered. He was holding back tears. This could not be how his Master ended his life. There was no way. "Where is he?" he asked.
"The goblins have him contained and they are working to help him," Charlie said.
"But no one has ever survived," Draco said hollowly. He sobbed and then he started crying. He didn't care that Charlie could see him. This wasn't fair. Harry was a good person, he didn't deserve this. A napkin appeared and he blew his nose loudly. He knew he looked a mess, but it didn't matter.
The door downstairs opened up again.
Draco took a shuddering breath and stood up. "I'll take care of whoever is down there," he said.
"Someone has to deal with Nott too," Charlie said. "Harry wanted to bring Chelsea here and take the wards down. Amelia has to give the go-ahead though."
"I'll take care of it," Draco said. He stopped by the door. "I want to see him."
Charlie nodded slowly. "Tomorrow," he said. "I need to tell Remus."
"I'll do it," Draco said. "Try to sleep. I'll get Kaanaaz and Qozul for you and try to explain to Vulonkest what is going on."
"Thank you," Charlie said. He watched Draco hurry down the stairs before he managed to stand up and head towards the bedroom. Harry was still alive but it felt so hopeless. Everyone said he would go mad. The goblins had an execution method in mind. He curled up on the bed and grabbed one of Harry's pillows. He could feel his chest heave as the tears finally came streaming down his face. He cried knowing that their wards would keep anyone from hearing him.
Draco reached the bottom of the stairs and met with both Dora and Remus. "Living room," he said. He walked them in there and sat down with them. He explained what was going on and what had happened with Harry. He knew well enough how those curses worked. His father had made sure he knew not to get hit by one of them. Most mind-terror curses had been buried with the families that created them. Unfortunately, the Blacks had their own spells as did the Malfoys.
Remus was sitting stoically when Draco finished talking while Dora was clinging to her cousin tightly while crying. The pain she still felt from what she had been through tore at her until golden light spread from Draco and eased the pain.
"We need to gather everyone," Remus said. "Everyone who needs to be told."
Draco nodded slowly. "I don't want to explain this more than once," he said. "Charlie will take me to see him, but I doubt that is an option for most people. I could help him. I will know more after."
"Then I'll send out the letters," Remus said. "Leave it to me."
Draco rose with Remus and Dora sometime later. He headed outside. The rain meant nothing anymore. It was even appropriate. Why shouldn't the sky cry for Harry? He reached the dragon pen and called the dragons. In harsh simple words, he explained what was going on. He looked over at Vulonkest as she curled up. Qozul and Kaanaaz landed on his shoulders while Fozii flew next to him.
"Kahsotvah needs company too," he said.
Draco dried the dragons as they walked inside and they flew upstairs.
Fozii was sitting on the couch waiting for him.
Draco walked up to Harry and Charlie's door. He grabbed the handle and pulled the door closed before walking over to his own bedroom. He collapsed and pulled the covers up to his face as tears ran down his cheeks once more.
9th of August, 2000.
The sun was shining through the clouds the next morning. Draco cursed the bright light. It didn't match his mood at all. He tried falling back asleep and just forgetting that yesterday ever happened, but he couldn't do it. He rolled out of bed and got ready for the day. Sounds were streaming out of the kitchen. Charlie was standing by the table watching Keyara eat breakfast. Leoline looked up at Draco. "Something bad happened?" he said.
"Harry was hurt yesterday," Draco said. "The Healers are trying to help him."
"Rye might join Mom and Dad and Aya," Keyara said quietly.
"Dad said so too," Leoline said. "Like mom." He sighed. "I don't want Harry to die," he said.
"We don't want that to happen either, bud," Draco said. "There isn't that much we can do."
Leoline nodded slowly. "I see," he said. "Dad is writing letters."
"I know," Draco said. He looked over at Charlie. "I don't want to repeat myself dozens of times so we're gathering everyone who needs to hear about this."
Charlie nodded slowly. "Do as you wish," he said. "Just keep them away from us. Condolences aren't going to make this better."
"I'll take care of it," Draco said. "I'll gather everyone over at Malfoy Manor since you locked the wards."
"Make sure your father knows what happened between Harry and you," Charlie said.
"I will," Draco said.
The day seemed to pass through milk. The world was blurry and colourless. The only spark of happiness in Charlie's heart was the little girl sitting on the living room floor building with Lego bricks. He did things that had to be done mechanically. He couldn't taste the food and didn't feel heat or cold, but he knew Winky placed a blanket around him. The only time there was life in his voice was when he spoke to Keyara or she asked him to read to her.
Evening fell eventually and Keyara went to bed. Charlie looked at Draco. "Ready to go?" he asked.
"I don't think there is a way to be ready," Draco said. He grabbed Charlie's arm and they disappeared. He didn't look at the city as they walked through. His eyes were glued on the building they were heading to. He had been there before a few times, but never for something like this. They headed down deep under the building and walked into a room with viewing glass. Harry's armour and wands lay in a basket on a table. The amulet that let Rhavaniel talk to Harry lay on top of the armour. Charlie reached out for it and ran his thumb along it before putting it on. He saw the ring he had given Harry when he proposed and attached it to the chain holding his pendant.
Draco had walked up to the window. He stood frozen by the glass with a hand pressed against it. "Why is he chained?" he whispered.
"If they fail," Charlie said.
"He won't be able to hurt anyone," Draco said. He could see the runic circle glow and pulse. "I assume they have already tried to cleanse him?"
"I would assume so," Charlie said. He walked up to the glass and looked into the room on the other side.
"It looks so wrong," Draco said. "He killed the Dark Lord. He should be celebrated, not locked up in a cell."
"I don't care about any of that as long as I get him back," Charlie said. "He doesn't want recognition for what he's done. He wouldn't have leaned so hard on making sure he wasn't involved if he did."
A Healer walked into the room. "His condition is stable," he said. "He is still with us. He is working very hard to stay with us."
"I want to help," Draco said.
"No," the Healer said.
"Let me help my Master," Draco snarled.
"No," the Healer said. "Harry gave us very clear instructions not to let anyone in especially those who have close connections to him such as yourself Mister Malfoy. Both Charlie Potter and William Weasley are also strictly banned from entering until such a time when we deem it safe."
"When he's dead or healed," Draco said. "How will you kill him?" he asked after raising a shield between them and Charlie.
"Are you certain you want to know?" the Healer asked.
Draco nodded slowly.
"The chains can be loaded with lightning and he is sitting over a five-foot-long iron spike that can be superheated," the Healer said.
Draco moved back to the window so he could see Harry. "You stupid fool," he muttered. Knowing Harry he knew exactly what he was doing and how he would die. Knowing him he had asked for every precaution.
Then Harry raised his head and opened his eyes. A goblin walked up to him and spoke to him before moving over to a table. Instruments were brought out and strange claps were attached to his body. His muscles tensed as magic flowed through him. He was glad no sound transferred through the glass.
"What are you doing?" Draco asked.
"Strengthening him," the Healer said.
"Won't that just speed up the curse?" Draco asked.
"Not in this case," the healer said. "Harry's control is exceptional, and he is slowly working through the curse. As long as he doesn't fall asleep, and we can supply him with magic to keep him going he might very well make it, though the clan is looking into other solutions as well."
"If he makes it," Charlie said. "Will he be weakened?"
"He might need some time for recovery," the Healer said. "Glint will want to monitor him for a while. He will most likely not be allowed to leave here for several days even if he makes it."
Charlie nodded slowly. Harry was looking straight at him. He reached up and placed his hand over his heart. He saw the dragon over Harry's heart glow for a moment earning Harry a sad smile.
"None of us will give up without a fight," the Healer said. "We work in shifts so he is never alone in there. We speak to him. It is a shame he can't talk to us but we all have our way of communicating with him. We know he is still fighting."
Charlie sighed. "I know," he said. "He is a fighter and he will keep going."
"Don't give up on him," Draco said.
Charlie shook his head. "Not a damn chance," he said. He leaned against the glass and stared out at Harry.
Draco left him there. Alone. He wasn't sure what else to do now that he wasn't allowed in to help. He returned to Ennerdale at first but he knew he wouldn't be able to settle down. He apparated and landed outside his childhood home. It was strange how Ennerdale had taken over that feeling for him. Now Harry's house felt more like home than this did especially after all the Death Eaters had gathered there. He could tell that his mother was airing the place out as he walked inside. Everything was clean and smelled of something that almost burned his nostrils just a bit. He smiled as she came walking down the stairs towards him.
"Draco my dear," Narcissa said happily. "Please tell me you are moving home soon."
Draco nodded slowly. "Soon," he said. "I have some tests to go through first and a potion I want to finish, but then I'll be coming back." He hugged her.
"Couldn't you do that from here?" Narcissa asked.
"Maybe, but I have everything I need at Ennerdale," Draco said. He moved back a step. "Is father back yet?" he asked.
"He is," Narcissa said. "He will join us shortly I'm sure."
"Did he have any problems with the Ministry?" Draco asked as they headed up towards their family living room.
"No, it didn't seem he did," Narcissa said. "Kato was very thorough when handling everything so he just had to answer some questions."
They sat down together on a comfortable couch and spoke quietly until Lucius walked in. Draco rose and hugged his father. The night the Death Eaters had been dealt with Draco had been too busy to speak to his parents. Before Lucius had a chance to say anything Draco pulled him into his memories. "Harry never touched me," he said. He showed his father snippets of memories until they reached the day Drao had confronted Harry about the contract. "You did write it in with the intention of tricking the Dark Lord. You did that."
Lucius closed his eyes. Draco wasn't wrong. It had been his idea to use an older contract. Then when his son and Harry had played it out he hadn't believed his eyes. He stood in Ennerdale watching Harry teach Draco how to act. Seeing Harry submit entirely to Charlie was an interesting thing to watch considering how powerful Harry was. "That can't be easy," he said.
"It was hard enough that we ended up using quite a lot of magic to get me to act that way. We never moved away from the original rules though and you will remember that if you think back."
"And the terrace was just an illusion?" Lucius said.
"He did pull me down on my knees but that was it," Draco said.
Lucius sighed. "Did I make things harder for him?" he asked.
"Not really," Draco said. "I could handle those parts. Though the changes he did to your mark would have been less painful had you chosen to speak to him."
Lucius nodded. "It did play into how well things were handled on the day though. Severus has already pointed out that I was a stubborn arse. I don't need anyone else telling me the same thing," he said.
"I want to gather a few people who know Harry in two days," Draco said. "Can I use the grounds?"
Lucius gave him a concerned look. "What is stopping you from using Ennerdale?" he asked. Not that he minded Draco using their grounds.
"Charlie locked the wards down so only people with permanent passes can go through," Draco said. "Not everyone I want to gather has permanent passes to their grounds."
"Something bad happened," Lucius said.
"I don't wish to repeat myself, but I can show you," Draco said. He brought his father to the room where Harry was held.
Lucius walked through the glass and stopped right in front of Harry. "He is a member of the clan. They wouldn't do this to him without good reason," he said.
"He probably asked for most of this," Draco said.
Lucius nodded. "As long as I am also allowed to hear this explanation of yours I see no reason why you can't use the grounds," he said.
"Thank you, father," Draco said. It felt good to be back on familliar terms with his father.
10th of August, 2000.
The wind pulled small waves over Lake Ennerdale. Keyara and Leoline were running around outside playing with toy swords and tiny prop wands. They were having an adventure. Charlie was sitting outside watching the children. A cup of coffee stood next to him untouched. He rubbed his bearded cheek. He hadn't shaved since Harry was locked up. He didn't care. His eyes closed for a moment and he took a deep breath.
"How are you holding up?" Remus asked as he sat down.
"Not good," Charlie said. "I'm glad this place isn't overrun with people asking questions."
"We have an order meeting today," Remus said. "Do I say anything about Harry?"
"No," Charlie said. "He worked hard to keep himself out of that mess."
"We have to tell people something," Remus said. "Not now of course."
"Once this is over," Charlie said. "If this kills him let the world know the truth. If it doesn't Harry and I will talk about it. Draco isn't going to tell anyone who hit Harry with the spell either. He will just let them know it happened."
Remus nodded slowly. "I guess that might be good," he said. "Some of them will have more questions."
"We'll handle that separately," Charlie said. "Hermione and Dudley as well as Neville and Tanya will be told the full truth. I know that is what Harry would want and we trust them to not speak of it." He clutched his chest suddenly and Remus rose from his seat worried that the bonds Charlie shared with Harry were acting up.
Blue shimmering light solidified in front of Charlie. He looked up into Rhavaniel's eyes.
"Someone needs a shave," Rhavaniel commented. Her brow furrowed and she looked around. "Is there a reason you wear the amulet and not Harry?" she asked.
Charlie took a deep breath to steady his voice before slowly explaining what was going on. His words sounded hollow, hopeless. He could see emotions raging across Rhavaniel's face and hear as things around her started exploding. "This is the first time I truly hate that you are so far away," she managed to say before the connection broke. She collapsed as her room was torn apart. Harry couldn't die like this. It wasn't fair. She let out a scream before breaking down in sobs. She didn't notice how the wards turned dark or the snow still lying on the mountains around them blew in over Labyrinthian.
24th of Rain's Hand, 4E 218.
Daliniin took the stairs two steps at a time as he ran up to his mother's tower a day and a half later. All of Whiterun had seen the darkness gathering in the north so Katla and him had taken to their horses at once.
"I don't know if it is wise to enter," Vivianna said as he reached the door. "She isn't responding to me."
"Do you know what happened?" Daliniin asked.
Vivianna shook her head. "She taught a few classes and spoke of some experiment she was working on, but nothing that should have resulted in this," she said. She met Katla's eyes as the Queen approached. "We don't know what happened," she said. She reached out to stop Daliniin as he pulled the door open and stepped inside. He had never seen such destruction before. His mother could be messy at times, but this wasn't like her. Bottles lay broken all around her. Even the furniture looked like it had been torn apart.
Rhavaniel sat on the floor in the same position she had collapsed into the day before. Her shoulders were shaking, but she had no more tears to cry.
Daliniin walked in careful to not step on anything and knelt before his mother. "What happened?" he asked.
"Your father was cursed," Rhavaniel said hollowly. "If they don't manage to save him, he will be driven into a murderous rage and they will have to kill him."
Tears welled up in Daliniin's eyes. "They will save him though," he said.
"No one has ever survived before," Rhavaniel said. She wasn't going to sugarcoat this for her son.
"No one has had a dragon soul before either I take it," Katla said as she walked inside.
Rhavaniel shook her head. "No, nor have they been Masters of the Mind with the knowledge that Harry has," she said.
"So the outcome is entirely uncertain," Katla said.
"Yes," Rhavaniel said tiredly. "I wish I could say more, but there just isn't anything to say."
"I want to know what happens," Katla said. "And I'm sorry but you have to pull yourself together or hand over the wards."
Rhavaniel nodded slowly. "I'll tag Vivianna in and we'll co-hold them," she said. "I'll give main responsibility to her before checking in on Harry again. If he is fine I will want that back but…"
"If he died it might be better that Vivianna kicks you out for a bit," Katla said. "I want to be here for that. Very few people can deal with you in a rage, and I happen to be one of them."
"Of course, my Queen," Rhavaniel said mockingly.
"I'm asking as your friend not as your Queen, Rhavaniel," Katla said. "I'm asking as Harry's sister."
Rhavaniel smiled faintly as she hugged Daliinin closer. "I know," she said. "I will send Ianith."
"I think maybe Daliinin will want to stay for now," Katla said. "I need to return and inform my husband that Labyrinthian isn't falling." She sighed. "We are going to get so many terrified missives because of this," she muttered as she headed out the door and passed Vivianna.
"Dad has to be alright," Daliinin muttered. "He has to." He buried his face in the crook of his mother's neck and sighed shakily.
"I certainly hope so Kyne be willing," Rhavaniel said.
11th of August, 2000.
Draco sat down heavily and looked at the gathered blankets and pillows. Soon enough quite a lot of people would join him and he would have to give them news he didn't want to give. His parents came walking out of the house slowly. They settled to the side away from the rest of the seating area. The wards pinged as the portkeys arrived. Misty and the Malfoy elves quite determinedly got everyone to sit down and be quiet.
Draco rose slowly. "I know you are wondering why Remus and I called all of you here," he said calmly. "The reason you are gathering on Malfoy grounds rather than at Ennerdale is because Charlie locked the wards down a few days ago. Very few people can get in and out. The reason for this is why you are here." He paused and looked out at them. The Weasleys were sitting mostly together and Sirius sat as far away from Severus as he could.
Tanya and Hermione sat together with Dudley.
Draco met Hermione's eyes simply because it felt easier talking to her than everyone else. "A few days ago Harry was hit with a mind-terror curse. He was isolated and contained. For those of you who don't know what a mind-terror curse is, I can say that they affect the mind. The most benign of these curses gives the victim nightmares that slowly degrade their minds. These can quite easily be cleansed if discovered early enough. The worst of these curses only have one known outcome. Death. I will not go into details because of how horrid these curses are. Most are heavily guarded by the families that once created them. Of which the Blacks and Malfoys have one version each. He wasn't hit with ours it isn't meant to kill the victim."
"How do we know you didn't cast it?" Ron asked neutrally. He simply wanted an answer he wasn't accusing Malfoy.
Draco sighed. "Because these curses are next to undetectable until they take hold. If Harry hadn't known what hit him I would have been one of the first to die together with Charlie and little Keyara. We live closest to him."
"A mind-terror curse like the one the Blacks made and guarded will turn the victim into a mindless monster who will kill anything in their path," Sirius said softly. "Mother forced Regie and me to learn it a long time ago. Bella would have known it too and who knows how many other Death Eaters might have learnt it from her." He looked up at Draco. "If he is contained and not dead that means he is still fighting the curse though," he said.
Draco nodded. "Harry is with a team of healers and they are doing everything in their power to help him. No one with Harry's unique abilities has ever been hit with a curse like this before."
Fred leaned closer to Ron. "We'll explain after," he said.
Ron nodded slowly. It seemed like only he and Ginny were out of the loop which both hurt and made sense.
"So there is hope. It isn't much hope, but we believe that he will fight his way through this," Draco said. "We felt that all of you had a right to know what is going on. Charlie is holding up, but he doesn't want company right now."
"Tough luck," Tanya said as she stood up. "If nothing else then I can help keep Keyara's mind off things." She disappeared. Draco knew she would be fine. There was no way Harry hadn't given her access. Hermione rose and walked up to Draco as people got up to leave. "I want to see him," she said.
Draco nodded slowly. "I can bring you," he said.
"You have seen him?" Hermione asked.
"Yes, and I don't recommend going," Draco said. "You are not going to like what you see."
Hermione nodded slowly. "I still want to go," she said. They waited until everyone had left. It looked like the Weasleys were all going to Shell Cottage to get their youngest siblings up to speed.
Neville walked up to Draco and grabbed his shoulder. "If there is anything you need," he said.
"I'll let you know," Draco said. He waved to his parents once everyone had left. Then he apparated Hermione and him down under Gringotts. The walk to the hospital was quiet. Draco walked into the viewing room before Hermione. He looked over at Harry. Despite the food supplements they were spelling into his system and the liquid they introduced. Harry's skin looked greyish. His hands twitched. His firsts closed. If Draco and Hermione had been able to hear they wouldn't have been able to shake the sound. Harry didn't look up. His body strained against the chains.
"A Healer usually shows up to talk to us when we come here," Draco said.
"Who threw the spell at him?" Hermione asked.
"The Dark Lord," Draco said. "Harry killed Voldemort, but this is the price he is paying for that victory."
"He would say it is worth it," Hermione said. "Stupid Hero." She looked around the room and studied the Dwemer as they moved around Harry. He clearly could still hear them and he was most certainly involved in his own care. "What are they doing?" she asked.
"Trying to power him," Draco said.
"Does he have his gems?" Hermione asked.
Draco looked at her for a moment. "I think they are at Ennerdale. The Dwemer gave them to Charlie together with his wands and armour," he said.
"We could charge the gems and give them to the Dwemer," Hermione said. "He naturally knows how to use that power."
Draco nodded slowly. "I think we should," he said. "If we gather enough people we could fully charge them."
"Then at least we are doing something. I hate that he is in there and there is nothing we can do," Hermione said. She stepped away from the window and took Draco's hand. "Let's go take a look at those gems," she said.
12th of August, 2000.
Charlie opened the dresser that held Harry's armour. He had placed it back the way Harry always had it. He reached out slowly and removed the chain of gems that Harry used to store magic for later. He knew the sapphire in his wand came from one of these gems. He carried it downstairs. The moon was shining down on the grounds. In a few days, it would be full, but they couldn't wait that long.
A few candles was all the light they had provided. Charlie walked slowly from person to person handing them a gem each before sitting down himself. He looked at the sapphire in his hand.
Hermione rolled the garnet she had been handed around. She had considered several gems for each of the participants based on what the gems were most suited for. Neville clutched a moonstone that had been polished until it shone as clearly as the diamond in Bill's hands. Draco held his hand out with the gleaming amethyst resting in his palm.
No words were spoken.
Tanya's piece of ebony started glowing slowly as she charged it with the rest of them. Next to her Fleur was clutching a topaz close to her chest as she did her best to aid one of her most important friends. Her life had changed so much because of Harry. Dora and Remus held the last gems. While they maybe weren't as well suited as the rest, there was a strange connection between them and the gems they held. The malachite and ruby glowed with the rest.
The moon reflected on the ten gems.
Once they had given as much as they could Charlie walked the circle again and gathered the gems. He connected them to the chain and disapparated. He walked the path deep in thought and didn't pay attention to anything going on around him. He entered the viewing room and looked into Harry's cell. Harry was being held up by the chains now. His legs had moved apart and he was shaking uncontrollably. Charlie knew he couldn't stay long or he would give up hope entirely. Harry deserved so much better. He didn't want to cry while he stood there in case Harry did look up at him. It had been four days. A human could stay awake for eight, but it wasn't good for them. With the strain on Harry's mind and magic, it was amazing that he was still awake, but Charlie feared it would be too much. He turned towards the door as it opened.
Glint walked inside. She smiled sadly at Charlie. "He is still hanging in there," she said. "The Clan will be reaching a decision tomorrow. There is no point in coming here then. We will not let you in. Hopefully, our request will be fulfilled. If you haven't heard from us by the fifteenth please come back then." She looked into the room. "We will be very busy or we will send you a missive."
"If I hear from you before then you have killed him," Charlie said.
"Unfortunately," Glint said.
"No news is good news and every owl I see I'll dread," Charlie said.
"We won't send that message with an owl," Glint said. "Dumac will deliver it personally."
Charlie nodded slowly. "I see," he said. At least that was a little better. He held the string of gems out to Glint. "They belong to Harry. He stores magic in them and uses them to power his work when he needs to do something taxing."
"Powerful," Glint said. "We will use them well." She took the gems. "You should leave," she said. "This does you no favours."
"Will he make it until the Clan's decision is made?" Charlie asked.
"Yes," Glint said. She watched Charlie leave. She hoped she hadn't been lying to him. No one truly knew for how much longer Harry could keep going before his body gave in.
13th of August, 2000.
The day passed in a blur for Charlie. He knew that he had eaten at some point. Tanya was there and took care of Keyara. Every ping at the wards had him jerking violently. He didn't speak to anyone. Clan Alfknif would decide Harry's fate. He didn't know how to think about that.
Deep underground in the Halls of the Clan, Clan Alfknif sat gathered. Two chairs stood empty. Two chairs that had never been used. Bigger than the rest not because the people who belonged in them were more important but because they were human and the rest of them were not.
"It has been decided," Radac said gravely. He looked over at Glint. "Make the preparations."
"Yes, sir," Glint said. She headed out of the Hall. There was much to do.
"Master Potter's quick actions were commendable. I'm not sure a Dwemer would have done a better job."
Radac looked over at the man who had spoken. It was the leader of the conclave of the clan that had been entirely against Harry joining them in the first place. "So your opinion of him has changed then, Jarlis?" he said.
"He fights well and he isn't afraid of danger," Jarlis said. "He holds up the Clan's honour and brings much to the table. It is a shame what has happened."
Radac nodded slowly. It was a shame indeed.
14th of August, 2000.
Images played before his eyes. It was hard to keep reality and visions apart. Voices spoke in his head but he wouldn't listen. No matter what he wouldn't listen to them. Harry jerked in pain as someone touched him.
"It will be over soon," he heard Glint say. "You will be able to rest young one."
Harry grunted in response just so she would know he had heard her.
"We have to bind you further," Glint said. "I'm sorry."
Harry drifted in and out as his body was bound with heavy metal bands. He could feel the cold steel on his bare skin. Voices were chanting slowly and the curse was whispering in his ears. The two sounds became one as Harry did his best to stay awake. A chain was wound around his left arm tightly before it was brought over and fastened around his right arm. Something was pulled away from the chain and he felt it. Tears fell down his face slowly as he felt the magic of his friends and family wash over him. He drew from the power and pulled himself back up.
The chanting around him became clearer. He couldn't understand the words. A burning sensation moved down the shackles holding him up and caught on the metal bands holding him in place. His muscles tensed. He could feel someone moving in front of him. He couldn't quite catch what they were saying only that they were sorry. The pain hit and a low rumbling growl escaped him.
The pain tore at him. He jerked in his chains.
Darkness took him like a welcoming blanket wrapping around him like a mother's embrace.