Harry's eyes snapped open, and he jumped to his feet, reaching for his wand. His hand came up empty, though, and he did not know where else he would have put his wand.
"Calm down," Sirius said, getting to his feet.
Harry backed away until he hit into something. He looked and found it was a wall. It was then that he realized he was now surrounded by walls.
They had brought him inside, not of the house which had been attacked, but inside of a new home, which was intact. Harry surveyed the room as the memories of that night came flooding back to him.
There were many of the same people who had been outside. Sirius, Lupin, and Mad-Eye were there, along with Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. Tonks was standing off to the side, looking slightly wary.
"Harry, your name is Harry, right?" Lupin asked, taking a step towards him. Harry's jaw tightened, and he said nothing.
Why hadn't they killed him yet? What were they waiting for? They should just kill him now and get rid of the whole Potter family like they had intended to all those years ago.
Anger was burning in Harry's eyes, though he concealed it. He did not want them to know what he was thinking.
"Harry," Lupin said again, "We mean you no harm."
He didn't trust them. He knew of their lies, of their deceitfulness in the past. He knew what they had done. "We just wish to talk to you."
"Be that as it may, I have nothing to say to any of you," Harry said, his voice dipped in murder.
"Please, just for a few moments, then we will let you go free."
"Liar," Harry said, the word soft on his lips.
"We promise…"
"Your promises mean nothing to me."
"Boy," Moody barked, "We never killed your parents, Voldemort did and kidnapped you."
It took Harry a moment to process the absurd thing Moody had just said. "What?" Harry asked sharply, confusion stunning him for a moment.
"Harry, he's telling the truth," Sirius said.
"Well, if you affirm his statement, then it must be true." Harry replied sarcastically.
"When you were younger," Lupin said, talking over them all. "Voldemort targeted your parents. They were a powerful couple, and he wanted them to join him. When they refused, he went to kill them. However, instead of killing you, he kidnapped you."
"Lies," Harry hissed. "You are all liars."
"Please just listen to us," Sirius begged.
"He told me this was going to happen." Harry shook his head. He could feel his anger level rising the longer they talked.
"Voldemort has been lying to you, Harry," Lupin said.
"Don't you dare say his name," Harry snapped, taking a step towards Lupin.
"Okay," Lupin said calmly. "I just—"
"Enough of this nonsense!" Harry said, "I knew this was going to happen."
"Harry, please—"
"Stop," Harry threatened, his voice becoming dangerous. "Stop talking. I am not interested in anything you have to say."
Before they could do anything, Harry raised his hand, and his wand flew out of Sirius's pocket and into it.
"Nice to meet all of you," Harry said with a smirk. "I don't suspect I will be seeing you again."
Harry flicked his wand, sending a steady stream of stunning spells in a rapid succession around the room. He continued on until he found everyone unconscious around him. He quickly tied all of them up in the center of the room and sent a spark into their midst. The rug around them ignited into flames, and Harry laughed as he walked out of the house.
He watched as the girl with pink hair woke and screamed. She hit the others, who, one by one, started to wake up. Harry's last view of them was Sirius trying desperately to get to his wand while the rest of them burned alive. Then he turned on the spot and disappeared.
Harry reappeared on the outskirts of Slytherin Manor, and he sighed.
It was very late now, the moon high above his head. He had been out for at least a couple of hours. He made his way slowly up the path.
They dare concoct such lies in order to convince him to join their side. The idea of the Dark Lord kidnapping him as a child was absolutely ludicrous. Why would he have cared for Harry? Why wouldn't he have just killed him as a child? It made no sense.
Yet, in the back of Harry's mind, he could not help but see the look on Lupin's face. It was a begging, almost pleading look, which made Harry have his doubts. What if the Dark Lord had actually killed his parents? What would he do then?
Harry opened the large metal doors and crept into the Manor. He walked up the stairs and down the hall. Unsurprisingly, the house was dead. No one was awake still, with the exception of one.
"Harry," The Dark Lord's voice hissed from out of the darkness.
"My Lord," Harry bowed as he approached where the Lord of Darkness was sitting, red eyes glinting maliciously, lit by a single candle.
"It took you long enough."
"Yes, it took longer than I thought it would."
"Open your mind." The Dark Lord commanded. Harry felt him pressing against his mental shields and opened up his mind without hesitation. Harry watched as the evening flashed before his eyes.
"You healed the boy?" the Dark Lord asked, withdrawing at last.
"Yes, I did," Harry said. He knew there was no point in lying. The Dark Lord had just watched the whole thing.
"Why?"
"I thought there were too many of them to fight off, and I did not have my wand with me."
"But you do not need your wand to do magic."
"No, my Lord."
"So why did you wait so long before burning them?"
"I was trying to gain their trust. I was hoping they would bring me to another one of their bases. I hoped I could hurt them more by burning two houses in one day."
"While I understand your motives, I am sure you have realized the consequences of your actions?" the Dark Lord raised an eyebrow at Harry, who nodded. "Okay then."
The Dark Lord said, taking out his wand and pointing it at Harry. "Crucio."
Every atom that made up Harry's body was on fire. It felt as if his bones were simultaneously being cracked and hastily repaired.
He was on his back, clenching his jaw tight so that he did not scream, writhing before the Dark Lord. The pain was intense, and it lasted for too long, much too long.
The Dark Lord's spells were the only ones Harry could not stand against, and he knew better than to try.
He could feel his bones beginning to shatter, his nerves exploding from pain, intensified by all he was holding back. The Dark Lord was letting it go on for a long time, long enough to have visible consequences. Harry felt his mouth filling with blood and knew he must have bit his tongue, but still, he did not cry out.
Finally, after what felt like hours, the Dark Lord removed the curse.
Harry was flat on his back, breathing hard. Even the tiniest movements hurt, but he did not dare lie there.
He struggled to his feet, his hands clenched tightly to keep them from twitching, and faced the Dark Lord like a man.
"That will be all." the Dark Lord said, smirking at Harry. Harry didn't move for a second. "Why are you still here?"
"Please, my Lord, if you would permit me…" Harry was glad his voice didn't shake, giving away the fact that he was in immense pain.
"What is it?"
"They weren't lying, were they?"
"About what?" the Dark Lord looked at Harry closely.
"About you. Did you kill my parents?" The Dark Lord laughed a high, cold laugh.
"Harry," He said, "Of course I did."
"What?" Harry asked, taking an involuntary step backward from the, for lack of a better word, man.
"Think about what you know about me, Harry." The Dark Lord said, rising from his seat. "Think of everything I have taught you. Is it really so hard to believe that I would kidnap a child and kill his parents?" Harry shook his head.
"So, I think you have your answer." The Dark Lord smiled at Harry. "Does your knowledge of this change anything?" Harry swallowed hard.
"No, my Lord." He said with a smirk, "Nothing at all. You still have my full respect and support."
"Good boy," the Dark Lord said, "You are dismissed."
Harry bowed and backed out of the room. He walked away calmly down the hall, hardly able to breathe. It was not till he had walked far enough away that he slid down the wall.
His body ached with a never-ceasing pain. Now, he allowed his body to twitch, another aftereffect of the spell. He focused on breathing, in and out, fighting the pain. His wrist felt as though it was broken. His mouth was tinged with a metallic taste which he knew to be blood. Every part of him was sore.
And he stood.
He would not allow himself to show this weakness, not after what he had just discovered. Now was not the time to revel in pain; now was the time for action.
He walked slowly up three flights of steps and threw open the door to his bedroom.
The Dark Lord had killed his parents. The Order of the Phoenix had been telling him the truth all along. The Dark Lord had kidnapped him and lied about it for eighteen years.
Harry closed the door and sank down onto his bed. He could see tiny scars lacing his body, and he knew that they were not just covering his arms but also his neck and face, marks of the Cruciatus curse. But he had no time to deal with them now.
He knew what he had to do. He had to leave this place. He could not stay here, not after the Dark Lord had just admitted to the murder of Harry's only family.
His thoughts turned to Draco suddenly. He was staying here tonight, right in the next room. Surely Draco hadn't known about this? He and Harry had grown up together. Draco would have never betrayed him like this. He could not leave here without Draco. The Dark Lord knew how much Harry cared about him. He would be tortured for Harry's actions. He knew this because he had once been tortured for something Draco did.
Harry opened up his closet and retrieved his trunk. He dumped its contents onto the carpeted floor and began to stuff every article of clothing he could fit into it. He stuck with only plain robes, ones for training, not for banquets. He also took all of his muggle clothing and sweatpants. He tossed in one wand holster and checked that the other one was still attached to his left hip. He found it was, and he placed his wand in it. He threw on one of his many traveling cloaks and a pair of boots, which he was quite partial to.
He carried his trunk back into his bedroom and stuffed a few books into his already full trunk. Lastly, he put in his broom and closed his trunk. He shrunk it and put it into his pocket so it would be easier to carry.
He looked around his room one last time. Did he really want to do this? He had grown up here, trained here, fought here. Yes, he thought to himself, yes, he did want to do this. The Dark Lord had taken so much from him, too much. He was not going to let him take any more.
Harry opened his door and exited the room. He walked across the hall to the door opposite his. He could tell the light was on through the crack under the door despite it being very late. Harry knocked quietly once, then twice, then four times, then three. The door flew open, revealing a slightly disheveled-looking Draco with a book in his hand.
"Hi—" Draco started, but then he stopped. "What happened? What's wrong?"
"I was tortured, but I'm fine. I need to talk with you about something," Harry said quickly.
Draco instantly stepped out of the way, permitting Harry to walk into his room. Harry closed the door and immediately told Draco what he had learned.
"Harry, I'm so sorry. I promise I had no idea." Harry could tell that Draco was not lying.
"I am leaving here." Draco looked aghast.
"Are you insane? He'll kill you!"
"Only if he can find me," Harry smirked. "Draco, you know I can't stay here."
"I get why you want to leave, but are you sure?"
"Yes," Harry said firmly.
"Okay then, I'm coming with you." Draco walked over to his closet, and Harry followed close behind.
"Really? Are you sure?"
"Of course," Draco said, pulling out his trunk. "He lied to me too. Harry, you are my best friend; I'm coming with you."
"Thank you," Harry said gratefully.
"Come on, help me out here."
The boys went through the same process that Harry had in his room. Draco changed into an outfit identical to Harry's and attached a wand holster to his left hip. Harry carried the trunk for Draco as he walked back into his bedroom. Draco grabbed his broom and shoved it inside his trunk, along with many more books than Harry had. When he was finally finished, he walked over to his nightstand and put his wand into its holster. Harry shut the lid of his trunk and shrank it without a word.
"You ready?" Draco asked him.
"Yes, are you?" Harry asked, handing him his miniature trunk. "
Of course I am." Harry had to snicker at his confidence.
"Okay then, let's go."
Harry led the way down the dark hallways, careful not to make a sound. The last thing he wanted was to get caught. The pair made their way down the flights of steps, each keeping a firm grip on their wands. They did not dare to light them for fear of being discovered. Their only source of light came from the moon, shining through a window high above them.
At last, they reached the main entrance hall. Harry paused for a moment before opening the door, not daring even to breathe as he did. Both boys walked out of the door without looking back.
They ran across the moonlit lawns, their steps masked by the soft grass. Eventually, they reached the outskirts of the Manor, and they stopped and looked back.
Was he sure he wanted to do this? No, Harry thought, that was not the question anymore. The question was, did he want to bring Draco with him?
He glanced up at Draco and saw he was looking at him. Their eyes met, and Harry saw bravery reflected in Draco's gaze. He offered his hand, which was still shaking, and Draco took it.
They looked back at the Manor, which had been their refuge for their entire lives, and then at each other. Draco nodded once, and Harry turned on the spot, dragging Draco with him into the suffocating world of apparition.
They appeared in the same spot where Harry had disappeared from only two short hours ago. The house was still abuzz with activity.
"What are we doing here?" Draco asked as Harry pulled him away from the house and into a brush line close by.
"We need a place to stay. I think they will allow us to stay with them."
"Are you crazy?" Draco hissed, "Why would they do that?"
"Well, you know that boy who I cursed while we were fighting?"
"The one you paralyzed?"
"Yes. I healed him. I think they will have mercy on us since I had mercy on him. Even if they don't, we can always leave, but right now, here is our best option." Draco nodded slowly.
"Well, I hope you are right." He said. "Should we go now?"
"No," Harry said firmly, "Let's go back into the woods further and sleep. They won't take kindly to me showing up there again."
"Why not?" Draco asked.
"Let's just say I had a… unique way of escaping."
"Oh, Harry," Draco groaned.
"It shouldn't be a problem, but they might need to cool down for a little."
"Okay," Draco agreed, still looking unsure of his plan.
Harry got carefully to his feet and walked further into the thick woods, Draco on his heels. When they were a sufficient distance, Harry sat down.
The ground under him was still slightly warm from the sun, and it felt good compared to the crisp night air. Draco lay on his back, looking up at the canopy of trees.
"Do you really think they will let us stay with them?" He asked quietly. Harry, too, lay back.
"I hope so."
Harry looked up into the branches of the trees high above their heads, wanting to believe that these people would let them stay, even after everything Harry and Draco had done to them. Harry was unsure what he would do next if they didn't.