Love On Risky Ground

Love On Risky Ground

Chapter 14

Revenge

Harry woke up suddenly in the living room of the cottage, feeling his scar radiating with pain. He blinked, looking around, whilst fear quickly took hold when he realised what had happened beforehand. He saw Ron and Hermione next to him, bound and gagged. The entire room around Harry was filled with Death Eaters.

One of them stepped forward. He slipped his wand out of his cloak and pointed it at Harry. Harry knew whom the wizard was when he spoke and felt a blast of anger surge through him, knowing that Lucius Malfoy was hiding behind that mask.

"We had known ever since Black's trial that Weasley was your Secret Keeper, Potter," Lucius said smoothly. "We also had a feeling that you were in the vicinity of this horrid little town. But because of the Fidelius Charm we could not find you, so we had to try another way." Harry bowed his head, but Malfoy placed his wand under his chin, pulling his head up. "We sent Weasley the letter saying that you needed to speak to him and so the trap was set. Then Bellatrix Polyjuiced herself to look like Miss Granger. Weasley unwittingly gave us the directions to the cottage, and the charm was broken."

Harry took his gaze off of Malfoy and found Ron staring at him and Hermione. Ron was obviously upset about their betrayal, but Harry could see the look of concern buried deep within his troubled eyes.

Abruptly and unexpectedly, Malfoy waved his hand to the other supporters and Ron, Hermione and Harry were roughly pulled to separate locations in the room. Hermione whimpered when she was being pushed into Malfoy's grasp. The latter pointed his wand to her face to Harry's disbelief, while the Death Eater's other arm snaked around Hermione's neck, pinning her to his body, and unable to move away.

Harry wanted to know what was going on. This was a different tactic he had never seen before. Why did Malfoy choose Hermione, instead of him? What were they going to do to her? Harry struggled with the bonds cutting into his wrists, as he tried to loosen them.

Malfoy's mask touched Hermione's bushy hair while she sobbed. Harry tried to yell; he didn't want them to hurt her - to hurt her or Ron. They only wanted him.

Malfoy's scheming eyes trained on Harry and Ron. "It was a nasty situation we had encountered. We came here to get Potter and get some useful information before your demise, yet the drama entailing your lives seems a tad bit fascinating," Malfoy mused with a nasty smile playing on his face.

Hermione closed her eyes. Small sobs escaped her and she shivered for dear life. Harry couldn't stand it any longer. Even Ron breathed shallowly and fast in horror.

"Tell me Miss Granger ... you were Weasley's girlfriend, yet you have fallen in love with Potter? My, my, you are not a very good girl, are you?" Lucius said, and his hold tightened around Hermione's neck, making her squeeze her eyes in discomfort.

"What fun we will have," said a Death Eater in the circle. The others laughed, except for Malfoy who was observing Harry with his cold grey eyes.

Harry looked on with loathing. The mere thought of the Death Eaters playing horrid games on them made Harry sick. He stared at the Death Eaters and noticed that Voldemort was not present. Harry thought that maybe he didn't want to battle with him because he was still mortal, still vulnerable to death and he just couldn't risk it, not after what had happened in the Ministry. Voldemort was the kind of man who let his supporters do the work, while he sat back gaining the power.

A warm breeze fluttered into the window, lifting Harry's hair. He looked out wishing he could somehow escape. But he saw something that made his heart leap. He saw Crookshanks leaping into the woods in a flurry. Harry closed his eyes, hoping that the cat was going to get help; that Crookshanks was going to the person he trusted best: Sirius!

A scared whimper made Harry snap back to reality. Hermione jolted when Malfoy pressed his wand to her cheek.

"I will make a deal with you, Mudblood," he cooed. "We will spare your life ..."

Harry narrowed his brow in confusion. It was a trick, an evil trick they were playing at. Ron looked at Harry with a quick shot of fright before he stared at Hermione once again.

A second Death Eater moved forward and rounded on her. "Yes, we will spare one of your lovers' life as well," this man said. Hermione closed her eyes in misery and listened. "However, the one that you do not choose will die, but I assure you it will be brutal, that is, unless you or your wild card relinquish certain secrets ... for example, the whereabouts of the Order, perhaps? Only then will death be painless."

"Now, now Horatio. Don't be so eager," Lucius laughed. "But not to worry, your lives will be spared. Maybe you'll be begging for death in the end, we may find out." But Harry shook his head; he knew perfectly well that in end, they would kill her and Ron too. They will all die.

"We-we can't tell you even if we wanted to, we aren't the Secret Keeper," Hermione whimpered.

The second Death Eater spoke again. "It doesn't mean you can't tell us who is in the Order and what their future plans are. So you must choose now, Mudblood."

"We don't know anything," Hermione cried.

Harry and Ron exchanged glances of shock and fear. Hermione cried, shaking under her sobs fiercely. She shook her head in torment. Harry knew there was no way she could choose. They were her friends no matter what had happened. It was a dreadful mind game the Death Eaters were playing at, because they wanted to break them down, to make them easier to interrogate. Hermione cried harder. Harry wished it were all a bad nightmare. Tears of anguish spilt on her cheeks and soaked into her clothes. She shook her head again and again; she couldn't do it ... she just couldn't. It made Harry's heart break.

"Quickly, Mudblood. Hurry," Lucius softly whispered.

Harry wanted to speak to her; he needed to tell her that he was the one to be sacrificed. Voldemort only wanted him. Harry tried to yell, and Lucius looked at him.

"Let him speak," he said.

A Death Eater removed Harry's gag. "Why torment her? I know you only want me, so don't make her choose!" Harry bellowed. "They don't know anything about the Order, I do."

"Don't lie, Potter," the second Death Eater chortled and the rest of the Dark Supporters laughed merrily. "You know very well why we are tormenting her, Potter. Breaking the three of you bit by bit, so we could get to the information underneath. It is so much more productive this way."

Harry wanted to break free of his bonds and just strangle the man. He was really boiling his blood. With anger sizzling through him, he gazed at Hermione's petrified eyes. "Pick Ron, Hermione ..."

Hermione took in a deep, shattering breath as she opened her eyes and looked at Harry and Ron. Hermione's gag was removed. "I ... I" Hermione began. "I'm so-sorry Harry ... but I can't pick," she wailed. She cringed in agony, her silent sobs breaking Harry emotionally. "I DON'T WANT TO CHOOSE!" she yelled in distress. "I can't."

Lucius shook his head with a grimace. "Then I shall pick for you."

With a flick of his wand, the Death Eaters took charge. Ron was yanked onto his feet and thrust in front of some Death Eaters, where then Hermione was pushed to as well. They fell to the floor, watching Harry.

Harry looked away, wishing that they wouldn't let his friends watch what was about to happen. It was paining him. It was meant to be something he alone had to face. Harry just wished Hermione and Ron were never there in the first place.

***

While Hermione whimpered next to him, Ron watched with mixed emotions of horror and loathing. Yes, he hated what Harry and Hermione did to him, but this was more serious and life threatening to think about. Malfoy moved closer to Harry, his wand poised straight out at him.

"The Dark Lord wants to destroy all his enemies."

Harry flinched slightly. He tried to move back, but he was already pressed up against the wall and the Death Eaters were limiting his movements. Hermione cried harder, but Ron stared at him as Malfoy delivered a curse, which hit Harry in the chest. Harry screamed and Ron looked away. The Death Eaters loosened their grip and Harry fell limply to the ground. When the curse ended, Ron groaned on seeing Harry gasping for breath. Harry coughed and cringed, but that was only the beginning; Ron knew they wouldn't give up until something was said.

"You two," Malfoy said sharply towards Ron and Hermione. "You can stop Potter's suffering by telling us who are all the Order's members. We know a few, but not many. Only the ones you care for," he said with a smirk.

Ron shook his head, but Hermione made her opinion known. "YOU CAN'T DO THIS TO US! YOU CAN'T!" she yelled.

"DON'T TELL THEM, HERMIONE!" Harry yelled from the floor.

Malfoy kicked Harry. "SILENCE!"

Ron winced. As much as he hated the betrayal he didn't want Harry hurt, not that badly. Fine, he had wanted to punch Harry - possibly break his nose too, but he didn't want him tortured and dead. However, they couldn't tell anyone anything about the Order. A lot of people would be killed, including his own family. Voldemort was probably planning to round up the entire organisation and wipe them out in one big surprise or something, and then no one would know that there was an Order, which was secretly trying to defeat Voldemort in the first place. Though, the truth was, they really didn't know all of its members.

"Very well. Crucio!" Malfoy said silkily.

Harry screamed again. Ron jolted, he felt his nails digging into his palms as though he could feel what Harry was going through. Then it stopped. Harry relaxed, twitching as the pain slowly dulled.

"Will you tell us?"

"NO ... NOOO!" Hermione cried, racking with sobs. She tried not to look at Harry. Ron shook in shock.

Malfoy sighed. "Scream all you want, Potter ... nobody can hear you. Your friends don't want to save you - Sablevatius," Malfoy yelled and a sizzling white light emerged from his wand.

Harry closed his eyes, just as the curse hit him. Ron could feel the electricity make his hair stand on end. He wanted it to stop. Ron couldn't take the screams and the pain he sensed Harry was feeling any more.

"STOP!" Ron cried out at last, his veins throbbing in his neck, his face sickly pale with cold sweat. He just couldn't watch Harry writhe and twitch like that. Harry eyes drooped, heavy with sleep, threatening to send him deep into the unconscious.

"Then will you tell us?" Malfoy turned to him.

Ron froze, everyone was staring at him. Even Harry ... or were they? Hermione turned slightly and gasped. Ron wasn't sure whether he wanted to look behind him.

"Untie the Weasley boy and bring him to me," someone hissed from behind Ron. His voice was so cold that it sent chills up Ron's spine. Ron gulped and saw Harry's eyes widen, his bound wrists trailing his scar. It was then Ron knew that standing behind him must have been the Dark Lord.

***

Somewhere, far from the terror Harry, Ron, and Hermione were facing, Crookshanks leaped onto a rickety fence, the sun setting in an almost blood red colour. He quietly jumped over and scurried to a little house where the billowing chimney smoke wafted away into the dark forest. Its windows all brightly lit as night approached. Crookshanks sat behind the door and scratched it with his claws, meowing for attention.

For a while no one heard him, but at last the door opened and he stared up with his yellow eyes, his ears twitching around, hearing the sounds.

"Ow!" gasped a short, little creature wearing a floral pillowcase. She gazed at the ginger feline for a moment with her big blue eyes. Then turned around, her fingers gripping the door. She bit her lip.

"Who is it, Epona?" Sirius asked from within the house.

"Master Black, it's a cat, sir," she called back with her squeaky voice. Crookshanks meowed in relief. "Me thinks sir, it wishes to speak with you, sir."

Sirius walked into the scene a moment later and saw Crookshanks. He stopped with a bewildered expression. Immediately he waved his hand for the cat to enter and Sirius looked outside for a sign of Harry or Hermione. There was nobody except for the cat, and as he closed the door with a furrowed brow worry and foreboding swirled within him. He had the feeling that something was wrong, terribly wrong. He looked at his house elf, concern twinkling in his eyes.

"Epona ... I want you to give the cat some water, please," Sirius said, following the cat into a small room, which he was renovating. The house-elf obeyed and hurried off to get what her Master had asked for.

Crookshanks lay down on the floor, deeply exhausted from his long journey. He eyed Sirius almost nervously. With a small pop Sirius transformed himself into the black dog that Crookshanks knew him as best, in hope that they could communicate with each other.

Sirius barked a couple of times and Crookshanks stretched his legs and walked to the dog, meowing. Then Sirius listened carefully, lying down. He understood exactly what Crookshanks was meowing about and his heart sank at the news. With another pop, he returned into a man.

His worst fear had come true: Voldemort had captured Harry, Hermione, and Ron at the cottage and Death Eaters were everywhere. They needed help before it was too late. Sirius looked at the cat in worry, thinking about Disapparating to the cottage. But he shook his head, knowing that it was a bad idea. He needed the Order.

"Look after Crookshanks, Epona, while I head to Dumbledore. This is a matter of great urgency."

The house-elf looked at her Master in alarm while she fiddled with her floral pillowcase. "What is it, sir, may I ask?"

"Harry, he's -" But he couldn't say the words. Sirius summoned his cloak with his wand and a sack full of Floo powder. He threw a handful of Floo into the fire, making it ready for travel. "Dumbledore's Manor," he shouted and he disappeared.

***

Ron's senses were oddly sensitive. He noted how prickly the robes binding him were as they slithered away. His sight was so fine that he was picking up tiny cracks in the walls and he noted that Hermione took a sharp intake of breath as she trembled furiously, though she had stopped crying the moment she heard the Dark Lord's words.

Voldemort moved swiftly towards Harry. His cloak moved with a feel of deviance to it, and the hood covered most part of Voldemort's face. He was white and thin, just how Harry had said he was. But when Voldemort raised his chin a little, Ron spotted the red snake-like eyes staring at him from beneath his hood. Ron gaped in horror, lost for words. Was Voldemort even a man?

The circle of Voldemort's supporters grew tighter around the three of them and Ron felt a blunt point digging into his back. It took him a moment before he realised that Lucius had a wand trained at him. Lucius silently pressed the wand harder, giving the signal for Ron to move forward. With shaking steps, his wobbly legs moved and took him to the dread that stood before him. Harry lay beneath the Dark Lord like a lame animal waiting to die.

Voldemort flicked his wand at Ron, and an instant pressure was tightened around Ron's neck, as though an invisible hand was going to strangle him. He was in complete alarm, only made worse when Voldemort kicked Harry onto his back with his wand still aimed at Ron.

"Come here," he said to Ron, his eyes showing evil intent.

Ron didn't move and it took a hard punch into his back to get him moving again. He observed Harry's pale features. Harry looked on, scared at what Voldemort was going to do.

Voldemort gazed into Ron's eyes, and he had the odd feeling that the Dark Lord was staring through him, just like when Dumbledore had looked into his eyes in the past.

"You have either been trained to close your minds or you don't really know who we are searching for."

"We don't know," Harry spat. Of course Ron didn't know who were all the members; he knew only twenty of them, and by the looks of it, Voldemort already knew who they were. But there were much more by now, given the fact that the Ministry finally realised that Voldemort existed. Harry was the only one who ever did Occlumency, but then he wasn't that good at it, yet.

"Nevertheless, we shall find out. I know, Potter, that Weasley here would never want to kill you, even though you had betrayed his trust. But it doesn't mean I can't make him do it. Tell me who are in the Order of the Phoenix, and I will spare you the suffering of making your best friend hurt you - to suffer the shame and the guilt of killing one's surrogate brother."

Harry squeezed his eyes shut. Ron guessed that Harry must be feeling Voldemort's hate and murderous wrath in his scar and perhaps Harry was really hurting because Ron was put in the middle.

Ron just didn't know what to do anymore. He trembled at the thought of plunging the dagger into Harry; if he had to, he wouldn't be able to. Then he heard Harry speak.

"Even if we knew, we won't tell you," Harry defiantly said.

Voldemort waved his wand. His other hand outstretched to the wand's tip as a dagger slowly emerged. Its hilt formed first and then the sharp blade was born. With his long skeletal fingers, the Dark Lord held the dagger and placed it on the floor, then stepped away; his wand in defence mode.

"Take it, boy."

Ron looked up. His heart pounded furiously. He was scared and he didn't want to do it.

Ron felt Malfoy's wand dig into his back sharply. With shivering hands, Ron looked at the dagger. His mind was numb, and for a few moments he remembered the good times he had with Harry and Hermione. This couldn't be the end. Ron breathed shallowly, flicking his eyes to the Dark Lord and then to Harry.

"No, I won't do it," he croaked a little shakily, trying to avoid the Dark Lord's eyes.

"Who are in the Order?" Voldemort turned to him.

"We don't know," Harry spoke for Ron. Ron looked at him and felt a pang of apprehension. "Leave them out of this!"

***

Harry watched Ron bow his head. He was going through his own form of torture. Facing Harry, their eyes locked and Harry knew that even though Ron was mad at him for what he'd done, it was not a crime that deserved death, and Ron couldn't kill him.

Voldemort spoke coldly. "You have such nerve Mr Weasley, but it cannot save you and your friends. Your Gryffindor glory is futile." But Ron shook his head without saying a word.

"Pick up the dagger or tell us what we want," Voldemort hissed dangerously. "Either one of you can spill out the secrets. A simple task, which will spare you a lot of suffering."

"Never!" Harry gasped. He felt another wave of pain in his scar and squinted.

"Very well. Mr Weasley, perhaps this will enlighten you. Potter and Granger were kissing, and who knows, they may have even have had carnal intimacy, while you were at home, thinking about your innocent girlfriend."

A sudden burst of hate exploded in Ron's eyes. Harry saw Ron pull his hands into fists. He panted, yet he did not pick up the dagger. Harry respected his determination to defy Voldemort.

"I have to say you are emotionally strong, Mr Weasley, to avoid the temptation. In a way it is admirable, but not enough to awe me."

Ron replied boldly, blocking out Voldemort's words. "I will not tell you anything."

"Then Potter will die, and finally!" Voldemort hissed, his snake-like eyes glinting. He took in a deep breath, pointing his wand at a petrified Ron.

Voldemort motioned the Death Eaters to pick up Harry, though Ron was already fighting hard against the Death Eaters as two tried to grip him. Ron bit one on the arm, but he was quickly stunned. In the background, Hermione screamed in heartbreak. Harry, however, did not fight; his strength was already gone.

Then Voldemort stepped in front of Ron. "Imperio," he cursed. Ron suddenly had the glazed look upon his face. Voldemort waved his wand towards Harry, and Ron moved in his direction, controlled, like a puppet.

"Ron fight ... you can fight it!" Harry said loudly.

Ron didn't listen and stepped forth, his face without a hint of emotion, his eyes staring on, without a clue as to what he was doing. He bent down slowly and picked up the dagger. His fingers became drained of blood as he held on with great force.

"Kill him now," Voldemort demanded with a soft, but dangerous voice.

"RON!" Harry yelled, wheezing for breath, hoping to get through to him before it was too late. He glanced at Hermione and saw her close her eyes; she couldn't look ... devastated at what was happening. Harry had the horrible feeling of death looming before him. Nevertheless, he was brave ... he had to face it like a man.

Ron stopped abruptly and blinked, cringing. He was starting to fight the Imperius Curse. He turned his head; his grip on the knife had loosened. He wanted to say something that would go against Voldemort's wishes. However, "Imperio," Lucius said, doubling the effect of the curse, as he stood next to the Dark Lord, both pointing their wands at Ron.

Harry began to hyperventilate just as Ron returned to his controlled state, watching him raise the dagger again. By now, Harry wanted to kick Ron out of the way, but he couldn't lift his legs; he was surprised he still had the energy to breath.

Harry shut his eyes tightly, getting ready to feel the blade cut through his skin and organs - to feel the cold depths of death slowly take hold of his life. First, it would inch its way from his fingertips, then creep towards his heart where he would feel the last beat of his heart palpitate in his ears, and see the world around him blacken forever.

The air in front of Harry fluctuated. He did not wish to see Ron, innocent as he may be in killing him, plunge the dagger into him. This was Voldemort killing him. He was using Ron as a puppet and nothing more.

With a huge, smooth blow just below his chest, Harry felt a ripple of pain radiate through him. He squeezed his eyes, in too much pain to even yell. Warm blood seeped out. The blade was twisted roughly and strategically to make him bleed freely.

"ARGH!" Harry yelled, arching his body at the impact. Then Ron pulled the dagger out and Harry fell freely. He sensed his shirt spreading the liquid, and it became unbearably torturous for him to breath.

Ron was suddenly released from his controlled state and dropped the bloodied dagger with a loud clunk. He looked at Harry with wide, horrified eyes; his bloodied hands shook as he breathed very fast. "No ... no." He stumbled backwards, hitting the wall while he watched Harry bleed with disbelief.

Hermione's lip trembled, as she rocked back and forth, shaking her head.

Voldemort raised his wand; he was about to finish Harry off, as Malfoy gladly trained his wand on Ron, ready to kill him first, before he would kill Hermione.

But as death flashed across their eyes, Harry heard desperate shouts outside of the house and a series of blinding flashes entered the windows, making the shadows dance on the walls. The Death Eaters began to move, Disapparating out of the house and into the garden to fight.

Voldemort bared his teeth menacingly and snapped his head towards Lucius. "KILL THEM ... KILL THEM ALL!" he ordered and waved his wand, yelling the curse of death, which killed an unknown Order member who had entered in surprise.

Harry's scar began to hurt again while he lay on the ground, too exhausted to move a single muscle as he bled. More shouts and screams of agony and anxiety were heard. Voldemort turned to Harry, lifting his wand, once more about to kill him.

But at that very moment, Dumbledore Apparated in front of Harry and Ron and thrashed his wand towards Voldemort. An indigo curse dazzled Harry's eyes as it went for Voldemort, but the Dark Lord had his own means of protection, and Dumbledore's curse hit his Protego Shield, with rippling effects.

"You will not kill them, Tom," Dumbledore said menacingly as the Order members burst into the house, and began cursing at the Death Eaters.

"You seem overly confident, old fool, but your time is running out. I may not kill him now, but I will," Voldemort hissed. "YOU WILL ALL DIE! MARK MY WORDS!" With a flick of his wand, the Dark Lord Disapparated out of the vicinity.

***

Ron crawled on the floor, eluding the curses Death Eaters were hurling at their enemies. He untied a startled looking Hermione and spotted their wands lying on the couch. He picked them up, gave Hermione hers and bolted to Harry.

"Harry?" Hermione cried as she and Ron tried to help him up, but Harry didn't move.

"Harry ... Harry," Ron whispered, trying to rouse him. But he was deathly pale. He wheezed, cold sweat beading on his face.

"Go," Harry croaked, his eyes moving in a disorientated way and suddenly rolling back into his head. A window broke with an ear splitting crack near them. Ron and Hermione covered their heads.

"Keep him still," Dumbledore shouted, looking back momentarily as he continued to control the situation. Many of the Death Eaters began to disappear, while a few others were either caught and restrained by some Order members or were simply dead.

Hermione sat beside Harry and slowly and carefully revealed his wounds so she could see the damage. Ron could see that he was still alive, but barely holding on. "Harry, don't die now ... please, we're safe now," Hermione pleaded as the last curses whizzed past.

Tonks rushed over, panting as she knelt next to Harry, ripping open Harry's shirt to reveal the stab wound and his other injuries. She conjured some sterile cloth and pressed it on the wounds. Harry cringed and yelled in great pain. "Ssssshhhhhh, it's going to be OK," she said soothingly, brushing his fringe away from his forehead.

Ron felt sick just seeing him like that. He was so deathly pale; it reminded him of when he saw Ginny out of the Chamber of Secrets after she had nearly died.

"WHERE ARE THEY?" Sirius entered the room, clearly in distress. Ron and Hermione looked up into his ghostly face. "No!" Sirius bolted towards Harry, and Dumbledore knelt down in the effort to comfort him.

Dumbledore sighed. "Sirius -"

"Don't ... don't ... he'll pull through. He always has," Sirius whispered frantically, cupping his hands over Harry's almost lifeless face. "Harry, Harry? It's me, Sirius."

Ron sighed and saw Remus leaning against the wall, watching in silence. It was a dreadful silence that soon encircled them. Ron wanted Harry to open his eyes ... and then he did.

Harry's eyes fluttered open, but then they rolled and he was straining to focus on his godfather. "Crookshanks?" he said so quietly, Ron thought it was the wind playing tricks on them.

Sirius nodded. "Yeah," he croaked, "he got to me in time ... don't die, Harry, please."

"Sirius ..." Harry began. His godfather leaned down so he could hear him. "Please don't send me to a Muggle hospital again," Harry said.

Sirius smiled weakly. "I won't and ... don't die on me now ... I just finished painting your bedroom." Harry gasped a strangled sort of sound, which could've been a painful laugh. He weakly gripped Sirius' hand and didn't let go.