Harry Potter and the Eye of Isis

Chapter 21 - Return to Evil

May 16, 1997

Harry and Snape were lying flat on their stomachs looking across the Nile River at the camp that Voldemort had set up. From what Harry could see from the great distance it seemed that Egypt had become Voldemort's breeding ground for the time being. And it seemed that nearly every Death Eater was assembled to watch the rise of Barty Crouch and the defeat of Harry Potter.

"What now?" Harry asked.

"We Apparate over there.... I didn't think we'd made this journey simply to have a look. I thought you needed to save someone?"

Harry nodded curtly at his professor's sarcastic remarks. "Then what are we waiting for?"

"There must be some preparation, Harry," he answered irritably. "First off, we must be at the ready. I do not want you to reveal your second wand to anyone yet. Our wands will be confiscated and we will need one later on so you mustn't get it confiscated.

"We will Apparate behind that tent," he pointed at the tent that was closest to the water. "Can you manage to do it silently?" Harry nodded. "Good, I want you to arrive on the backside, where no one will likely be. I will go first. As soon as I arrive, you join me."

Harry watched as Snape stood, dusted himself off slightly and Disapparated. He turned his attention to the other band of the river and saw his professor arrive exactly where he said to. Harry stood, gripped his wand tightly in his right hand and focused all of his energy on Apparating silently to Professor Snape's side. Once at his side, Snape pulled his hood up over his head, concealing most of his face and drew his wand from his pocket. Harry too drew his hood and followed Professor Snape as quietly as possible. They stealthy made there way from hiding spot to hiding spot until it was obvious that they would have to attempt to blend into the Death Eaters in order to find the location of Mrs. Weasley and Harry's aunt.

Harry followed Professor Snape's example, trying to walk as casually as possible among the Death Eaters. Harry could feel that heads had turned and were looking in their direction. He tried to remain calm as he got slightly closer to Snape's back. Snape's steps slowed, and so did Harry. He glanced about quickly, and there was no doubt that someone suspected something because a hush had fallen over the crowd of Death Eaters gathering around them. Harry was beginning to feel them enclosing them. The Death Eaters certainly knew the ultimatum that Voldemort had issued Harry. And being that it was nearly midnight, they must be aware that Harry was about to show up, or be preparing to go and gather him again.

They know. Harry sent the thought towards his professor.

Yes, Snape agreed.

Harry quickly whirled around, his hood flying from his head in the process, as he pressed his back tightly against the potions master. Harry and Snape stood with their backs pressed firmly together, both holding their wands out in front of them just waiting to hex someone.

The circle of Death Eaters congested Harry's sight. He couldn't see Voldemort anywhere. He and his professor were far outnumbered and Harry knew he had to do something before the numerous Death Eaters began firing off spells at them. They weren't going to stare at the two men who had just Apparated in forever.

Harry raised his right arm slightly, extending his wand further, and then shouted, "Nis khet!" before he thought of the consequences of that action. Thirty or forty wands went flying at them, pelting them before landing on the floor. Snape seemed to be thinking the same thing as Harry when that happened as they both quickly snatched up another wand.

Harry did not stop with his Egyptian summoning charm, his voice continued almost as if he did not have control over the things he was saying. He pointed the wands to the six Death Eaters right in front of him and shouted, "Meb!" and the half dozen men froze dead in their tracks.

He was about to cast another spell when he heard a laugh and the soft clapping of hands coming towards him. The crowd of Death Eaters parted to allow the passage of their master. Voldemort was smiling as he approached his nemesis and unfaithful servant.

"Bravo," he stopped directly in front of Harry and Snape. "Well done indeed, Harry." His red eyes tried to pierce through Harry's fierce green eyes but intimidating him didn't seem to be working today. "I've just learned that you went through magus subolesco last summer, a fact I didn't know the last time you were with me. You're getting quite good at closing your mind to me."

Voldemort stepped closer to Harry in attempts to whisper in his ear. "Have you ever thought of the things that you and I could do together Harry? Why must we continue to fight one another? You and I would make a force that no one could recon with, not even Dumbledore--"

"No, Harry!" Snape shouted over his shoulder at his pupil. "Don't listen to him."

Voldemort's red eyes turned to Snape. "My disloyal servant, I hardly expected you to return. I knew the valiant Harry Potter would come after his filthy Muggle aunt and blood traitor mother but I didn't anticipate that you'd come with him."

Snape said nothing to his former master, he just spewed venom with his eyes. Voldemort didn't need to hear his voice, and he didn't need a reason to point his wand at Snape. "Crucio!"

Snape hit the ground withering in pain but not screaming at all. Harry pivoted and pointed his newly acquired wand at Voldemort. "Mes!" The amber light was abruptly cut off from Snape's body. "Didn't I tell you?" Harry asked, his voice a mixture of anger and sarcasm. "I've gotten a new wand. We can duel now."

"You think you are my equal now?" He nearly screamed at Harry in his fury. "That you can address me as you please; that you can command me to do what you want?"

Harry knew a curse was coming his way so he began muttering, "Hwi," under his breath continuously.

"Crucio!"

The amber light hit Harry squarely in the chest but it did not cause him pain. Instead it seemed to be pooling around his body creating an artificial orange aura for everyone to see.

"I'm not your equal!" Harry finally shouted causing Voldemort to lower his wand. "I'm better than you. You will never defeat me, Tom Riddle." Before Voldemort could respond Harry threw his own curse onto him. "Dewen heps!"

Voldemort's limbs began to stretch in different directions. He could feel the pain of his muscles being stretched unnaturally but he wouldn't give into it. Instead he figured out what Harry had done. "Libero!" He had to move quickly to curse Harry but he finally did. "Crucio!"

Harry curled his arms into his body and collapsed as the thousand knives hit him, cutting him. He refused to scream though. After several minutes the spell was lifted, but Harry remained on the ground.

"You see," Voldemort addressed his faithful. "Harry Potter hasn't become invincible, he's just a boy who's reached magus subolesco early and learned ancient Egyptian magic! Dumbledore and his foolish Order of the Phoenix think they can train him to defeat me." He hoisted Harry up by the back of his robes, displaying him for all to see. "But I tell you now he is nothing more than a means to an end, for them and for us.

"They've pinned their hopes on him but they will be sorely mistaken." The crowd cheered. "After he performs the ritual we will be restored to the glory days before Harry Potter interfered with the Dark Lord! And I will be done with him." He tossed Harry to the ground and bent over him. "I have something you want, and you have something I want."

Harry sat up, his arms wrapped around his stomach as Professor Snape gripped one of his arms to help him to his feet. Once he was standing, he ignored his scar, which was, once again, burning and bleeding.

"I see your scar is bleeding," Voldemort laughed knowing that he had caused that to happen.

"Fuck off."

"Now, now." He turned again and motioned at two men approaching; each pushing a sarcophagus with the lids removed. Inside each was a body tightly woven in traditional Egyptian burial custom: a mummy.

"Harry, these women were brought here to ensure that you do what I ask. One is your Muggle aunt and the other is Molly Weasley, the witch you would call mum. If you do not perform the ritual of Isis I will kill them both. If you take too long in your decision, I will kill one of them now."

"How do I even know they're alive now?" Harry stood staring at the mummified bodies.

"A fair question," Voldemort conceded. He pointed his wand at each of them and the wrappings on their heads came off revealing exactly who Voldemort had said were there.

Molly looked at Harry with loving eyes, willing him to understand that she did not blame him and that she had faith in him. Petunia, on the other hand, was missing her mouth, which appeared to be the only reason she wasn't screaming, staring at Harry with loathing in her eyes. She blamed him fully for what was happening to her and she didn't hope he would get her out of this mess, she expected it.

"Agree or choose one to die now."

"No, Harry!" Mrs. Weasley shouted. "Don't do what ever it is that he wants!"

Voldemort motioned his hand towards Mrs. Weasley and her mouth disappeared. He did not want her willingness to die to sway Harry's decision. "Choose, Harry."

Harry looked from Mrs. Weasley to the small object curled up at the bottom of her sarcophagus, Dobby had some how managed to come along, but he wasn't bandaged so Voldemort couldn't possibly be aware of his presence. Harry wasn't sure how that occurred. Knowing he could not jeopardise Dobby's life, Harry shifted his eyes to his aunt and for a brief moment looked as though he were truly considering agreeing to Voldemort, as long as he didn't hurt Mrs. Weasley. But he quickly realised that he had no assurances that Mrs. Weasley would not be killed regardless, and that even if she were freed, she would constantly remain a target that could be used to coerce Harry into doing Voldemort's bidding.

"What assurances do I have that you won't kill them anyways?"

"None what so ever," stated Voldemort irritably.

"Then do it your damn self," he said through gritted teeth.

Voldemort quickly reached out and clutched Harry by his throat. Jolts of electricity raced through both of them as Voldemort lifted Harry slightly into the air. "I think that you and I should continue this conversation in private where I can persuade you to see things my way."

*

Harry was tossed through the small opening in the canvas, falling immediately to the ground. Gritty sand filled his mouth as he pressed his face into the sand trying to muster the strength to lift himself from the grainy earth. Try as he might, the strength just wasn't within him to move more than two inches. Finally though he did find himself being heaved over to his back and Professor Snape was looking down at him with two blackened eyes and dried blood trickled from his nose and mouth.

"Did he enter your mind?" Snape asked, only seeming to be concerned about Harry's mental state and not the obvious physical wounds he had.

"No," his voice choked from within him. "That's why he turned to physical torture. He even...." Harry's voice trailed off as he squeezed his eyes tightly together trying to fight off the image of Voldemort repeatedly putting the Cruciatus Curse on him, Mrs. Weasley and his aunt. "I can't stand this."

"I know, Harry," Snape helped Harry sit up and even dusted him up slightly. "We need to find a way to clean our wounds. It will do no good to get an infection and die now."

"I think we have someone who can help us with that," Harry was staring at his feet.

"Who?" Snape asked and Harry pointed to an area near his feet. Clearly, Snape was contemplating just how long Harry had been under the Cruciatus Curse, and questioned his state of mind. "What are you pointing at, Harry?"

"I haven't gone 'round the twist!" Harry tried to shout in response to the queer look that Snape was giving him. "It's Dobby...can't you see him?"

"Keep your voice down," Snape whispered angrily. "If your house-elf accompanied Mrs. Weasley while he was invisible only you would be able to see him. It was indeed a very clever move on his part if he camouflaged himself during the abduction attempt. He knew that only you would be able to see him. We must not let anyone discover him. He will be instrumental to our escape."

"Can you heal our wounds?" Harry asked the elf, who nodded sheepishly. "Dobby, you can reveal yourself to Professor Snape, and tell us what happened."

Dobby appeared to Snape but immediately tended to Harry's external wounds. As he did this he spoke very quietly to the two men, explaining to them what had happened at the Burrow the day before.

"Dobby is trying, Master Harry Potter, sir..." he fought off his sobs knowing that Harry would not approve of any noise at this moment. "Dobby is not knowing that Missus Wheezy in danger with her guest. Dobby is guest doing chores and Missus starts screaming," he took a deep breath and shuttered. "Dobby has heard these screams before...but when Dobby returned to the kitchen, the dark men already had Master's Wheezy. I summoned Harry Potter through our bond but knew Master would be most displeased with Dobby if I did not accompany his Wheezy. How would Master know where to find Missus if Dobby didn't guide Harry Potter to Dobby?"

His large green eyes were completely glistened over with tears. Harry patted him gently on the back. "I'm not mad at you, Dobby. I reacted very well to the situation. Thank you for not leaving Mrs. Weasley alone."

"Missus is not seeing Dobby, but Dobby knows that Master will come. Master would not let his Wheezy be taken so easily."

"Who did it, Dobby?" Snape asked as Dobby started to dress his wounds. "Did you see their faces?"

"Dobby is not seeing anything but...but Missus son...the one that must not be named--"

"Percy?" Harry asked Snape. "I thought it was Charlie."

"I've suspected Bill," Snape responded. "How do you know that it's not Bill?"

"Because none of us say Percy's name at the Burrow, it upsets Mr. and Mrs. Weasley too much," Harry shifted his eyes slightly as he continued, "and Bill has sworn his allegiance to me above all others. He has taken an oath."

"Harry?" the professor looked puzzled. "Are you telling me that you have been recruiting individuals to fight with you under Professor Dumbledore's nose?" He nodded slowly. "How many have allegiance with you?"

"Twenty-one."

"Why didn't you tell me about this?"

"Because I knew what you would say," he answered defensively. "I knew you would tell me how much it reminded you of Voldemort and that wasn't my intent at all. You know that I don't fully trust Dumbledore anymore and I needed to know I could count on certain people."

"Why didn't you ask me?" Snape sounded a bit offended and confused at the same time.

"Because I trust you implicitly...whether I should or want to...I do." Harry looked away. "I hate you and you're one of the very few people that I trust completely. How sick is that?"

"Affection is a peril that you cannot afford...perhaps you are learning that lesson."

An awkward silence filled the tent and Harry was grateful when Dobby was finished tending to their wounds. Harry helped Professor Snape climb into the top cot in the corner of the tent and then sunk into the lower one with Dobby nestled quietly on his legs. He smiled wearily at the house-elf and let his eyes fall closed knowing what awaited him. His days were destined to be filled with torture until he bent to Voldemort's will. And Harry knew that he would break, it was only a matter of time. He didn't think he could stand to watch Mrs. Weasley be tortured again. He wished that he had not listened to her voice in his mind earlier, assuring him that it was only pain and that pain wasn't true like love was. It would pass. Harry just wanted to make it pass as soon as humanly possible.

*

Harry felt his knees betraying him. No matter how much he was trying to fight Voldemort, the invasion of his mind was succeeding. Voldemort was breaking through the barriers that Professor Snape had taught Harry to erect through Occlumency. But no amount of training over the past year would amount to enough against Voldemort when Harry stood directly before him, a wand pointed at the scar on his forehead.

The bend in Harry's legs became more prominent as the pain raced through his body, scorching each place it touched. Harry had clenched his teeth together so tightly, he feared that none would remain if this torture ever let up. His mind felt as though it were being poked and prodded with red hot pokers, but still he fought. Each door that Voldemort tried to open was still closed but Harry's weakness was growing. And the moment his body collapsed, his mind bent to Voldemort's will.

A scream ripped through Harry's chest, taking his voice to heights he never before knew. The vibration shook the cloth walls of shelter that the tent provided; gently at first, but grew with each additional second that Harry continued in pain, the vibrations became stronger until the whole tent was threatening to collapse. Voldemort was slaughtering Harry with all of the events he'd missed in the past six months since he'd learned to control his mind. Harry's mind exploded with the experience of every murder, each initiation and all of the torture that Voldemort had inflicted. He wanted Harry to suffer more than a cruciatus curse would allow. Voldemort wanted Harry to experience that hatred.

Harry's scream finally ceased when he witnessed Percy using the cruciatus curse on his mother during her abduction. This image triggered the metal barriers, and each door quickly closed again. The weakness of the moment was almost unbearable as Harry clawed from the ground, pressing his body up from the foetal position so that he could sit on his bum. Every muscle in his body ached and while he wanted to more than ever before, he had no voice with which to curse Voldemort. The only option left to him was a cold stare at the monster that was Voldemort.

"What's the matter, Harry?" Voldemort smiled eerily at the boy. "Did you want to say something to me?"

Harry drew himself up to his feet again and steadied himself before looking directly into Voldemort's red eyes. He refused to pull his gaze away regardless of the pain that began again. Looking at Voldemort while his mind was still so weak caused him the pain he'd almost forgotten. The pain he experienced when he stared at Professor Quirrell's turban; the same pain that continued during his visions, the pain he'd once been accustomed to.

"Have you come to your senses yet?" Voldemort asked again, but this time his voice demanded an answer, and not wanting to force Voldemort to restore to breaking his mental defenses again, Harry slowly nodded. He could not chance that the next attack may find Voldemort searching for information instead of merely torturing Harry with the visions of nightmare's past. "You will tell me what you have done with the Eye!"

"No," the answer crawled its way from Harry, "not until you release them."

Voldemort's eyes narrowed even further making him truly look like a snake as he focused in on Harry. "I'll kill them both right now, Harry. I'm tired of your games. I'll kill them and then I'll have all of the remaining Weasleys brought to me from torture and disposal. When I'm done with them, I'll move onto that Mudblood and her family. Then I'll take apart the Patil's. You may not love that little witch, but I'm certain seeing her dismembered might convince you to care."

Harry hung his head in defeat knowing that it wasn't possible to win this battle without accommodating Voldemort for the moment. He just couldn't ask so many people to give up their lives as he sought not to restore Crouch's.

Knowing exactly what Harry was thinking, Voldemort asked, "One man is not worth that many lives is he, Harry?"

His eyes drifted to the floor as he slowly nodded. "Fine."

"Where is it?"

"In my dorm room," he finally answered. "But it doesn't work alone. It is only half of the tool required to complete the ritual."

"Then I must send someone to your dorm room--"

"No!" Harry shouted, not wanting a Death Eater to walk into Hogwarts. What would stop them from bringing Ron and Hermione? Harry couldn't chance that. "I can get it."

"I'm not foolish enough to let you out of my sight."

"What would be foolish about it? I came to you this time." Harry could see the madman actually contemplating it for a moment, but even he knew he could not chance a return to Hogwarts. He may be forced to do something illegal in order to leave grounds again. No, he needed to get the Eye of Osiris himself but without entering Hogwarts. A quick glance at his feet supplied him with the answer to the dilemma. "I wouldn't have to leave your sight. I can summon it." He looked down quickly at Dobby, who still had his small hands covering his eyes, afraid the torture was not yet done.

"You cannot summon it from this distance!"

"Just watch," Harry was getting over the pain, so his mind was clearly closing again. He dropped to his knees once more, but this time he did so in a way that got Dobby's full attention. "Accio Eye of Osiris!"

Dobby stared up at his master with a puzzled expression as he heard the summons and also the silent command from Harry to go to the Gryffindor dorm room and retrieve the green stone from his trunk. He looked hesitant for a moment but then snapped his fingers and disappeared. He returned three strained minutes later. He was smart enough to stand on the other side of the chamber and toss the stone across the room to Harry.

Harry caught the green stone and rose to his feet. "Satisfied?" he asked. Voldemort tried to hold back his astonishment, but Harry did see it for a brief moment.

"It isn't complete?" Harry nodded at the question. "What do you need to complete it?"

"This is really the Eye of Osiris, it needs the Wings of Isis to be complete before the ritual of life can be performed. Also, I will need the Book of the Dead in order to do the correct ritual."

"Then I suggest you tell me where to find each of those things so that you can be a hero and save the lives of Molly Weasley and Petunia Dursley."

"The Book of the Dead will be under the dog star--"

Harry stopped speaking as Voldemort began laughing. Harry had never witnessed such a thing before. He'd experienced Voldemort's laugh but never like this. In the past it had always been maniacal, but now he seemed to actually be amused.

"What's so funny?" Harry demanded to know.

"Sirius--"

"What about him?" his voice broke in anger.

"You're such a fool, Harry," Voldemort stopped laughing but still seemed to be amused. "The name of the dog star is Sirius. Didn't you know that your godfather was named after it?"

Harry said nothing. He'd thought that Voldemort was trying to push Sirius's death back onto his conscious and make him feel terrible again, but it wasn't working. For some reason Harry actually felt more at peace with the upcoming ritual. If he had to perform it under a dog star named Sirius, he suddenly felt much better about the outcome of this situation. Maybe it meant that Sirius would be looking over him as he brought Barty Crouch back to the land of the living. He still worried abut the consequences of that action and whether or not the ritual would give Crouch more than just his soul.

Voldemort wrapped an arm around Harry's shoulders, a static sparked between the two as Voldemort touched him, but both ignored it. They both knew it was normal. Now that Voldemort had some of Harry's blood in his body he could touch the boy freely, even if it meant slight shocks and uncomfortable moments. Voldemort led Harry out of the tent and walked him back to the tent where he and Professor Snape were being held. Once there, Harry was shoved through the opening and it was sealed behind him.

"What did he do to you?" Snape asked immediately.

"He broke into my mind," Harry fell onto the cot in the corner of the room. "He made me get the Eye of Osiris." He rolled the green stone in his palm as he looked over at Snape sitting across the tent. His lip was bloody and a fresh bruise was forming over his right eye. "What did they do to you?"

Harry wasn't surprised when Snape did not answer. He motioned at Dobby and the house-elf made himself visible so that he could tend to Snape's fresh wounds. After Dobby cleaned Snape's face and an incision on his leg, he returned to Harry and became invisible again.

"They are starting to realise that our injuries heal quite quickly," Snape said. "They will soon know that we have some type of capacity to treat our wounds without my access to potions."

"I don't care what they think," Harry said miserably. "I want to talk to Mrs. Weasley."

Snape looked away from Harry. "And what would you say to her?"

"I don't know, but I want to see her."

"Then go see her."

Harry propped himself up in his cot. "Do you honestly think Voldemort will just let me see her?"

"Yes, actually I do," Snape said in a very low voice. "You've agreed to do the ritual right?" Harry just nodded and even though Snape wasn't looking at him, he already knew that Harry had indeed agreed. "He'll let you."

Without wasting a moment, Harry stood and strode to the opening of the tent, removed his second wand from its holster underneath his trousers and pointed it at the opening in the seam. The cloth slowly ripped as Harry continued his wand upwards. When he was done he tucked the wand back into its holster and stuck his head outside. Three wands were immediately pointed at him. Harry just smirked at the would-be captors and boldly stepped out of the enclosure. He looked evilly at Percy Weasley as he stalked across the sand towards the tent that he knew Mrs. Weasley and his aunt were being held in. Three Death Eaters followed him. He wasn't surprised to find Voldemort and Lucius Malfoy already within the confines of the brown walls.

"I want to speak to them," he said without looking at Voldemort.

Malfoy looked both amused and annoyed as he approached Harry. "We don't care what you want--"

"Sod off, Malfoy," Harry said bitterly. "I wasn't talking to you."

Malfoy raised his wand at Harry but Voldemort clasped his hand around Malfoy's arm before he could utter any curses. "Five minutes," Voldemort informed Harry. "And then you, Snape, Weasley and Wormtail will be departing for Karnack. I believe there is a book there that you must retrieve." Harry nodded briefly, not wanting to look at all as if he were bowing. "Where is the other item we spoke of?"

"Either in the Temple of Isis at Philea, or in the London Museum of Antiquities," Harry said.

"Lucius, gather a party for London," Voldemort said as he released Malfoy's arm. "And inform Bellatrix that I want her to accompany Potter to Karnack."

"Yes, my lord."

With that, Malfoy exited the tent leaving Voldemort staring coolly at Harry. He quickly gestured his head at the three Death Eaters who had followed Harry and the scurried from the tent. "Five minutes, Harry, and don't try anything noble. I'm sure you're intelligent enough to know that I have many ways of monitoring you."

Harry knew that all too well, but did not say a word to Voldemort. Once the madman exited the tent Harry approached Mrs. Weasley. Her body was wrapped in traditional mummy bandages all the way up to her eyes. It was apparent that this was meant to be a form of torture; being able to see and hear everything that was going on but not being able to speak or even cry out. This situation was Harry's fault, and while he knew there was probably no one in the world that would suggest it, or agree with his belief, the fact still remained that Voldemort had kidnapped these two women to use as leverage against him.

Harry held his hand out in front of him and concentrated on Mrs. Weasley. The bandages quickly unravelled and she stepped out of the sarcophagus rushing towards him obviously wanting very badly to comfort him. They hadn't been allowed to talk to each other yet. Their only communications thus far had come from Mrs. Weasley shouting at Harry not to listen to Voldemort, telling him that he mustn't comply. This first opportunity was not wasted as Mrs. Weasley quickly wrapped her arms around him, embracing him in a bone crushing hug as tears threatened at his eyes.

"I'm so sorry," he said softly to her.

"I don't blame you, Harry," she assured him. "This is not your fault."

"Can you Apparate out of here?" he asked as he pulled out of her embrace.

"No, I've already tried but they've placed some sort of wards or charms on me. I can't go anywhere. Besides, I'm not going anywhere without you." Harry was certain she meant that. Even if she could Apparate, Harry really didn't expect that she would without him. She would want to make sure he was safe before trying to save her own life.

"Don't do whatever it is that he wants you to do, Harry," she pleaded with him. "He'll kill us regardless, and I'm not afraid to die for you."

Harry wanted to ignore that comment. He wanted her to be afraid to lose her life, especially for him. "It was Percy?" he asked but already knew the answer to the question. Voldemort had showed him the answer earlier. "I love you, even if he doesn't," he told her with his eyes full of love.

Mrs. Weasley pulled him into her arms again. It was the first time he'd ever said those words to anyone. And while she knew it, it was good to hear. "I know you do, Harry, and I love you just like my son. I've never questioned that--"

"But it's why they took you."

"I know that, but you didn't make them." She motioned at his aunt, who was watching and trying to move at the same time. "I think she's quite frightened."

"And rightly so," he said as he finally turned his attention to his aunt. He motioned his hands at her and she too was unwrapped. When her hands were free she pointed at her mouth. Harry again waved his hand and her mouth returned.

"Harry Potter!" she shrieked. "What is the meaning of this? Letting that madman capture me!"

"Letting?" Harry wanted to scream at her. "Be thankful that I came after you at all!"

A shiver ran down Petunia Dursley's spine as she looked at the anger in her nephew's eyes. "You...I don't care about that stupid blood charm anymore. You aren't worth my life or--"

"You'd better stop right there!" Mrs. Weasley said in a voice that reminded Harry of the many rows he'd over heard her having with Fred and George. "Don't you dare take that tone with him! You know perfectly well the only reason Arthur and I haven't taken him is because he is safer with you! But you don't deserve to have his blood in your veins!"

"I never wanted him!" Petunia screeched in return. "I told Dumbledore I wanted nothing to do with you freaks!"

"You're a witch too, Petunia Evans, and you know it!"

Harry looked confused at the exchange between his aunt and Ron's mother. "Hang on," he said quickly. "What do you mean she's a witch too?" he asked Mrs. Weasley and then looked at his aunt. "And why aren't you denying it?"

"Because," Mrs. Weasley answered for her, "she is a witch." Her eyes shifted back to Harry. "Do you honestly think that Professor Dumbledore would have placed you in a home that could offer no magical protection beyond your mother's sacrifice?"

"But she didn't go to Hogwarts..." Harry sputtered.

"No," Petunia turned away from them. "I couldn't have.... I don't want to talk about this. I'm not a witch."

Harry opened his mouth to say something but didn't get the chance as Voldemort walked back into the tent. "That's enough. The others are waiting for you, Harry. The Mudblood will be joining you in a moment...after I've had a word with her."

"I want to take Mrs. Weasley with me," Harry said a bit more desperately than he had actually intended. "She can Apparate."

"I don't trust you enough with the blood traitor and Severus to help you escape," Voldemort answered casually. "No, the witch stays with me. Severus will make a portkey. Now go, before I lose my temper."

Harry gave Mrs. Weasley one last look before reluctantly leaving the tent. He saw the party he was to join when Snape came into sight. Harry walked faster as he saw the red hair under the cloak. When he reached them, Harry pulled back Percy's hood and punched him in the face. When Percy fell to his knees clutching his nose he revealed that Pettigrew had been cowering behind him trying to hide from Harry. Harry chose not to waste his balled up fist and struck Pettigrew too.

Harry looked up at Professor Snape with some satisfaction but Snape was giving a suspicious look to Harry. It occurred to Harry that he was trying to communicate with him. Harry realised what it was as he looked to the witch that was approaching in the distance. Bellatrix Lestrange looked extremely displeased that she had to watch over the expedition to Karnack, but it was clear to Harry the reason that Voldemort had chosen her. Harry and Snape would have easily over powered Percy and Pettigrew and possibly Lucius Malfoy, but Bellatrix Lestrange was not easily contained by any ten wizards.

"Harry Potter," her lips curled around her teeth as her voice, dripping with malice, spoke to him callously. "How's my cousin been?"

That immediately set Harry off, and he was clawing at her from the grips of Severus Snape's arms within moments. Snape tightened his grip as Harry started kicking his leg upward. Harry's second wand was hidden away on that leg, and Snape apparently didn't want Harry to give away the location of that wand. It was the only magical weapon left between the two of them.

"She isn't worth it," Snape hissed in his ear. "Calm yourself."

"Let him go, Severus," Lestrange told Snape. "I'd love to hurt him."

"You can't hurt him, Bellatrix. The Dark Lord would not allow it."

"There will come a time when the Dark Lord will have no further uses for the boy, and he will be killed. I can't wait until the day I'm allowed to duel Potter to the death," she said, clearly awaiting the orders to kill Harry. "Until then, there are numerous other ways to have my way with him."

"Let me go!" Harry shoved harder at Snape, finally freeing himself. It happened in such a quick secession that Harry didn't even go for his wand; instead he just crashed straight into Lestrange, bowling her over into the sand as he began strangling her.

"Petrificus Totalus!"

Harry arms and legs snapped to his side before he could even see who had cast the spell on him. But the moment that he was lifted off of Lestrange, he saw that the spell had hit her too and she was struggling to break the charm that Percy had fired at Harry. Harry broke the charm just after Lestrange did, but he was no longer Lestrange's target. Percy Weasley had the great pleasure of being on the receiving end of her Cruciatus Curse.

Harry watched on with some satisfaction as Percy fell to the ground screaming. That satisfaction was short lived though as Harry felt the eyes of others on him. They were watching his reaction to the Cruciatus Curse and the slight smile that was pulling on his lips seemed to be apparent. Harry covered his face with his hands as he began to shudder in utter disgust with himself. This was the second time that he'd felt pleasure at the Cruciatus Curse. He had enjoyed performing it on Voldemort and now he was enjoying watching Bellatrix Lestrange torture Percy Weasley. What was happening to his mind that this curse was becoming acceptable to him?

"I'm sorry, Harry," Lestrange's voice got his attention again and she waited until he looked at her before dropping her wand slightly, reaching towards him as if to offer it to him. "Did you want to have a go? I've heard that you have mastered the Cruciatus now, I wouldn't want to deprive you of the pleasure of executing it yourself."

Harry rolled back in his head in an attempt to erase the disgust he felt with himself and the desire not to vomit at the implications of what he was becoming.

"I guess not," she said softly. "But mark my words boy, it won't be long until that last ounce of charity is siphoned from you and you die...or join us. But you already know that, don't you, Harry?"

"I'll never join you!" he spat angrily at her.

"Enough!" Snape shouted. "We've got something to do."

"Quite right," Voldemort agreed as he approached with Petunia Dursley walking in front of him. She stopped right next to Harry continuing to stare down at the sand, but that didn't stop Harry from noticing that her eyes were slightly glazed over and she appeared to be quite numb. He was going to ask what Voldemort had done to her when the monster spoke again.

"Severus, have you made the portkey?" Snape nodded in response. "Good...then get going!"

Snape held out a long rope and everyone, even Harry's aunt, reached out and grabbed onto a portion of it. Pettigrew tapped it quickly with his wand to activate it and that unwelcome hook snagged Harry behind his navel just before the seven individuals disappeared.