Harry jerked awake.

Something was wrong.

The air was thick, suffocating his instincts screamed danger before his brain even caught up.

Then

A hand clamped over his mouth.

Harry thrashed. His heart slammed against his ribs as he kicked out, trying to throw off whoever was pinning him down.

"Tsk, tsk, Potter."

The voice was smooth, cruel, and unmistakable.

Bellatrix.

Harry's eyes flew wide open, but before he could reach for his wand before he could even scream cold metal pressed against his throat.

The sharp kiss of a blade.

Bellatrix's face hovered inches from his own, her wild black curls spilling over her shoulders, her eyes burning with sadistic glee.

"Ah-ah," she crooned, pressing the knife harder. "Wouldn't want to make a fuss, would we?"

Harry froze, his breath coming in short, panicked bursts. The silver blade glinted in the moonlight, its tip pressing against the vulnerable skin just beneath his jaw.

Rodolphus, Rabastan, Rookwood, and Barty Crouch Jr. loomed over him.

A trap. He never even heard them coming.

Harry's chest heaved as he struggled against the iron grip of Rabastan, whose hand remained firmly over his mouth. His heart hammered wildly, rage and fear battling for control.

Bellatrix giggled. "That's right, darling. Be a good boy and stay still."

Harry's fingers twitched, his body tensing he had to fight, had to get out, had to

The knife bit into his skin, just enough to sting.

Bellatrix sighed dramatically. "Still so predictable." Her breath was hot against his ear as she whispered, "One wrong move, and I'll slit your pretty little throat before your beloved Order can even get up the stairs."

A sickening jolt of fear curled in Harry's stomach.

They weren't just here to kill him.

They were taking him.

His breath hitched as Bellatrix's grin widened. "I can see the little wheels turning in that Gryffindor head of yours." She tilted her head mockingly. "What will it be, hmm? Do you scream and let me carve you up like a Christmas goose? Or do you come along like a good little pet?"

Harry's jaw clenched.

He could feel the warm trickle of blood where the knife had nicked him. His wand was under his pillow, just out of reach.

He needed time.

He needed a distraction.

The Order.

Were they still asleep?

Were they already fighting downstairs?

Would they even make it in time?

Bellatrix leaned in closer. "You should be honored, you know." Her voice dropped to a whisper. "We're taking you somewhere special."

Her grin turned cruel.

"Back to where it all started."

The house where she tortured the Longbottoms.

A crash echoed through the halls of Grimmauld Place.

Ron sat up with a gasp, his wand already in his hand. "What was that?"

From the hallway, a curse exploded, shaking the walls.

"THEY'RE HERE!" Moody's voice roared through the house, followed by the explosive bang of a shield charm shattering.

Ron bolted from his bed, his stomach lurching. "Harry!"

Tonks and Kingsley were already racing up the stairs, their wands drawn. "They're inside!" Tonks shouted.

Hermione burst from her room, her face pale with horror. "Harry's room"

But before they could reach him, a deafening CRACK split the air.

And Harry was gone.

The Destination – A House of Horrors

The moment they landed, Harry crashed onto the hard stone floor, his arms twisted behind his back.

The air smelled of rot and old blood.

His stomach twisted as he recognized the place instantly.

The house where Neville's parents had been broken.

Rodolphus kicked him onto his back, smirking down at him. "Welcome home, Potter."

Bellatrix crouched beside him, twirling her knife. "Now…"

Her dark eyes burned with sadistic delight.

"Let's see how long you last."