Black Mirror

Black Mirror

Chapter 14

Inside Out and Outside In

Harry and Bellatrix plunged through the mirror, having passed through the portal, landing in a heap.

"Oomph..." Harry grunted, smacking her jaw on Phaedra's head, sending her glasses askew. 'Damn glasses,' she thought, rolling off the child's body, adjusting them as she moved. 'I wish I would've had time to put in my contacts!' She had no time to think further on the matter as the possessed Phaedra leaped up, giving Harry a swift kick in the stomach. "Ahh..." she groaned, curling into a protective ball, groping for her wand. Unfortunately, Bella had anticipated her actions.

"Expelliarmus, Incarcerous!" Bellatrix's cackling voice exclaimed with evil delight. Harry felt the wand fly from her grip as she was bound and gagged. "We can't have any of your mischief, now can we?" Bellatrix leered, pushing her face into Harry's. Harry simply glared back. "Say good-bye to your little niece, Harry. I have special plans for her, along with you and the rest of your traitorous clan." Bella then twisted Phaedra's face into an innocent smile, allowing her eyes to turn back into Phaedra's terrified brown, before kissing Harry on the cheek. It was all over in an instant but Harry could feel the little girl's horror. It was enough to send Bellatrix crowing with mad glee before she stood up, attention diverted to a soft rustling sound coming towards them.

This gave Harry a moment to take in her surroundings. Casting her eyes around, Harry became aware that she was lying on a hard cold surface, enshrouded in a mist. She could feel the chill becoming worse as realization hit her. 'Oh shit, Dementors! I have got to stay calm and think of a way to get us out of here,' she thought, when Bellatrix's shrill voice pierced her ears once again.

"My friends, victory awaits! The child is mine. We shall have our revenge on the Blood Traitors and you will be free to feast on their souls. Then we can begin our plans to recruit those who would stand with us to rid the world of the vermin Muggles and those of impure blood! You shall be free to feast upon them at will!"

The coldness grew more intense as it closed in around them. The tattered black robes with skeletal limbs floated closer. In the back of her mind Harry could hear her father's voice, 'Lily, take Harry and run! He's here!' Struggling to pull up her Occlumency shields Harry continued to listen to Bellatrix's insane ravings.

"I shall perform an ancient exorcism to rid the child's body of her soul while I anchor mine within it. Once done you may all vie for the discarded soul. The one who succeeds shall become my first lieutenant!"

'Bullshit, you insane bitch,' Harry raged internally, struggling futilely against her bonds. 'I'll see you in Hell before that happens.' Quickly focusing her mind on the task ahead, she formulated a simple plan to get free. Bella had made a critical mistake when she had bound Harry's limbs. Harry just prayed that she would be fast enough before Bella stopped her ravings and the Dementors closed in...

It took all of Severus' inner strength to keep from allowing himself to panic. Harry had disappeared through the mirror with Phaedra, who was currently possessed by Bellatrix. Not even spying against the Dark Lord had been as terrifying. That had been a known risk and he had been able to understand his options. But this...this was something he had never anticipated. Phaedra possessed by an insane witch whom everyone had believed dead and Harry...his Harry...'Oh Merlin,' he thought, dark eyes staring at his reflection in that cursed mirror, 'why doesn't she ever let her Slytherin side govern her actions? Now I may have lost them both!'

"Severus!" Tiberius voice snapped sharply, cutting of Severus' musing. "Albus has been speaking to you for the past two minutes. Snap out of it." He shook his nephew by the shoulders. "We must hurry!"

"Headmaster...Uncle..." Severus blinked, masking his emotions. "What must we do? Is there a means to return them from the mirror?"

"I believe so, Severus, but we must act swiftly. Yet, we must not be without caution, or more of us may be lost as well," Dumbledore answered. "However, first we must ascertain Remus' condition for I believe he may be the key to our success."

"Lupin, what has he to do with this?" Severus questioned, anger and confusion flashing briefly in his dark eyes. Dumbledore didn't respond immediately. He simply turned towards the hall. 'Blast you old man for talking in riddles,' Severus thought.

"He is a Lycanthrope," Dumbledore's voice called over his shoulder, as he disappeared back into the hall, leaving Severus more confused than before. He looked towards his uncle, who had a shrewd look in his blue eyes, as if an idea had suddenly sprung into his mind.

"Uncle, will someone tell me what is going on? My wife and our niece are in danger and you are all..."

"Calm yourself, Severus, and think! Unless I am mistaken Albus has seen what we have all missed. The werewolf is a dark creature. He has the ability to see things we cannot. Unless I miss my guess we overlooked something which Albus believes is instrumental." Tiberius blue eyes bored into Severus' as they each let down their mental barriers, quickly sifting through one another's memories. Pulling back sharply, they both drew the same conclusion.

"Mr. Chang saw it in the tea leaves," Severus whispered. His uncle nodded, turning back to stare at the mirror, the sound of Albus speaking drifting quietly from the hallway...

"How is he doing, Sirius?"

"He'll be alright, Albus. I don't know what potions Tiberius gave him but his wounds are almost healed. He vomited a couple of times," Sirius replied, gently stroking the werewolf's shaggy head.

"He was purging the silver poison that got into his bloodstream. The potion will work if given within a few minutes of the infection. It will also heal the wounds," Dumbledore explained. "He will be weak but should recover shortly." Turning his attention to the werewolf, Dumbledore continued, "Remus, I know you're not in the best of shape but it is imperative that both you and Sirius accompany me. Harry is in grave danger and both Harry and Phaedra's survival may depend on you."

Remus' golden eyes flashed briefly, taking on a menacing glare. He stood up on shaky paws, still trembling, a low growl emanating from his throat, hackles on end; the wolf in him ready to defend a member of his pack.

"What's happened, Albus, I heard Snape yell at Harry to stop a few minutes ago. Is she alright?" The questions tumbled from his mouth as they followed Dumbledore back into the room with the mirror. "Where is my goddaughter?" Sirius looked around the room. Severus was standing stock still, Tiberius hand on his shoulder. The moonlight, combining with their pale complexions gave Sirius the brief impression of a statue, but of Harry and Phaedra there was no sign. "Snape, where is Harry?" he whispered, heart racing, the bile welling up in his stomach. Severus eyed him warily. Raising his hand, he pointed one long finger towards the mirror. Sirius stood frozen, eyes wide with shock, before his brain kicked in and he dived for Severus, fist drawing back to connect with his jaw. "You were supposed to protect her!" he yelled.

"You think I didn't try? Her bloody Gryffindor bravery made her grab onto Bellatrix as she passed into the mirror!" Severus cold voice intoned furiously, pointing his wand at Black.

"Enough!" Dumbledore's furious voice bellowed. With one flick of his wand both men stood frozen, glaring at each other. "You are both forgetting about the issue at hand. Harry is gone and it is up to us to get her back. She acted on instinct to try and stop Bellatrix from taking Phaedra. You two are delaying any chance we may have of rescuing them!" The two wizards lowered their eyes and Dumbledore released them with another wave of his wand. "Now that the two of you are through acting like school boys we can get on with our business." Pursing his lips he studied the three wizards and nodded towards the werewolf. "Remus, I believe that as a werewolf you may have the ability to pass through the mirror and find the way out." The werewolf looked at him, fire in his eyes, ears pricked at attention.

"Albus, my uncle and I have come to the conclusion that this has something to do with what Mr. Chang saw in the tea leaves a few weeks ago."

"You are correct, Severus. I believe his reading was more than accurate."

"What has his fortune telling got to do with anything? Harry is in trouble and you are talking about a bunch of blasted tea leaves!" Sirius growled impatiently.

"Sirius, remember what he told Harry and Phaedra? Did you not find the secret from the past as to whom this mirror belonged?" Sirius nodded thoughtfully and Dumbledore continued, "The mirror is a portal into another dimension. I believe that Remus will be able to see the way in."

"But, Albus, you said that once in it is impossible to get out unless you know the way," Tiberius commented.

"Indeed, but Remus should be able to help with that. If I recall the rest of the reading it said that, 'The arm of the black serpent shall lead the way to the light,' if I am not mistaken that would be referring to Severus."

"Even so, how do we go about this?" Tiberius questioned?

"Remus must enter the mirror and lead the way back."

"No way, Remus is my mate. I refuse to allow it!" Sirius gasped.

"Sirius, if we do not try we will loose Harry and Phaedra," Severus remarked, voice barely a whisper.

"Damn, we could loose Moony too." He looked down at the wolf, whose golden eyes studied him. Before anyone could stop him he walked over to the mirror. The moonlight was just beginning to cast its light onto the glass. Remus looked at it and growled. "Maybe I can see inside too if I transform," Sirius suggested. Immediately becoming the Grim he moved over to stand with the wolf. Studying the mirror for a moment, he cocked his head, before changing back.

"Did you see anything?" Dumbledore inquired.

"Only shadows, but I got the sense Moony can see everything clearly," Sirius replied, as the wolf tensed, growling.

"Then it is settled. Remus, I want you to go and help Harry and Phaedra. I shall put a tether on you that will be connected to Severus. He can pull you back if you can't see the entrance from the inside. Just pull on the rope and Severus will know it is time."

"What about the rest of us?"

"We will be on hand to either help Severus if needed, or fight whatever else comes from within. I do not believe that Bellatrix will give up easily. Are we agreed?" Dumbledore asked looking around the room. Seeing the nods of agreement from everyone he conjured a rope and attached it to the wolf, handing the other end to Severus. The young wizard positioned himself slightly back and to the right of the mirror, and then motioned for the werewolf to go ahead as Dumbledore spoke softly, "May Merlin be with them all..."

Harry could hear Bellatrix chanting in Latin. The Dementors were coming closer, their bones rattling. The chilling cold was making her feel numb but Harry continued to occlude. Concentrating, she worked on the spells to transform. The snake would be able to free her from the bonds, then she would have to act quickly. She could feel her body melting into the shadows on the floor as it elongated and her limbs disappeared. Empty ropes now lay where her hands and feet had been tied. Slithering silently along the floor Harry knew the Dementors would not detect her now. Being an Animagus had protected Sirius and kept him sane in Azkaban, keeping the hideous creatures away from him. Hopefully, it would help her now by granting enough time to get to Phaedra and find a way to escape. As the green serpent closed in on the possessed child, she flicked her forked tongue, tasting the air, becoming aware of another presence nearby. It was familiar, yet she could not place it, only that it meant no harm. As her mind was briefly distracted by the other presence, Bellatrix finished her chant, raising her arms and giving a wild shriek. Harry could see her body shivering and becoming distorted, as if looking into a fun house mirror. It seemed to be splitting in two before a loud rushing sound like the wind enveloped the witch. She gave another scream and then Harry could see two forms shoot out from her. The larger of the two was black and oily looking with red sparks. The other, smaller one, glowed brightly, just floating there for a moment before beginning to drift. Suddenly, the black one shot back into the child's form, while the other was propelled closer to the Dementors, who began to circle hungrily...

On Dumbledore's signal the large werewolf had leaped into the mirror, senses on full alert. Raising his head he sniffed the air. It was cold and stale. He could feel the darkness within the enshrouding mists, but did not hesitate. He identified the scent he sought and plunged forward. The two youngest members of his pack were in danger. His amber eyes blazed with anger as he sped forward, ears pricked, tail in the air, his nose twitching furiously. As he drew closer, Remus was thankful for the first time in his life that he was a werewolf. The darker half of his mind was in control now, and he knew the wolf was angry. He was also on the hunt, feral instincts on full alert. He would protect his cubs at all costs. The mists parted briefly and he could hear the child's chant. His human half knew what was happening. It was an ancient spell, similar to what one would do when creating a Horcrux, among the darkest of magics. He was within sight of the shrouded forms now. Slowing down he dropped into a crouch, muscles taught, ready to spring, when he his sharp eyes caught something moving on the floor. It slithered softly, sound shrouded by the shifting of the Dementors robes. The wolf was confused for a moment, before his human half recognized one of the Animagus forms of his Harry cub. The serpent too, was on the hunt, heading straight for the one who held his other cub in thrall, but paused briefly, forked tongue tasting the air, before moving forward once again. If anyone had been able to see him they would have seen the wolf's lips curl into a smile, baring his fangs. Harry cub had sensed him there, but was unsure of who he was, confused for a moment. Remus let himself relax for a mere heartbeat, knowing that this would alert the serpent that he was no threat, and he watched her move on once more towards her quarry...

Harry's heart was beating a fast staccato. She had felt the wind and saw the two souls separate. 'I'm too late,' she thought. 'No, I have to try and save her! Phaedra's soul can be restored. I know there must be a way.' Even as these ideas flooded through her mind Harry heard a loud snarl and a flash of brown and gray fur flew over her, knocking Bellatrix down. Her Animagus sense then realized the other presence she had felt was none other than Remus. She had no time to dwell on it though. Harry could see the Dementors closing in. She knew she had to do something fast, before the creatures devoured the bright light that was Phaedra's soul, while Remus had Bellatrix on the floor.

"Stop him!" Bellatrix screamed, while the werewolf kept her body pinned to the floor. "Take the werewolf. He will not hurt the child's body while her soul is still alive. Once he is taken care of you may have the child's soul. Whoever devours her first shall be rewarded and then you may have the Blood Traitor's wife and the rest!" Bellatrix glared into the golden eyes with a smirk, she hadn't realized that Harry was free. "Foolish creature, you can't hurt the little one's body and you know it. It will be your entire downfall," she hissed angrily, as the cold of the Dementors enveloped them.

Remus knew he had to get out of there now. He let out an angry howl. Grasping his powerful jaws on the rope he pulled backwards, to alert those waiting on the other side that he needed to come back. Shifting his weight he clenched onto the child's robes. He would have to leave Harry behind or all would be lost. 'May Merlin protect her and Phaedra's soul,' he whined, as he felt them being pulled back from the mirror.

The Dementors were everywhere, some following Remus as he was dragged forward, Phaedra's body in tow. Others were surrounding Phaedra's golden light, when the belly of the serpent felt something long and cylindrical on the floor beneath her belly. "My wand!" she hissed joyfully. Harry transformed in the blink of an eye, shuddering as she felt the Dementors swooping towards her. Gathering her thoughts she thought of her wedding night.

"Expecto Patronum!" her voice rang out, reverberating through the darkness. A shot of silver sprung from her wand, startling her with a new form. She had expected the stag, but in its place was now a huge bat. "Severus is never going to let me live this down," she chuckled, shaking her head in disbelief. The Dementors were scattering in all directions. Harry had no time to consider her new Patronus further. Phaedra's soul was drifting upwards and she had to retrieve it quickly. Instinctively, she pointed her wand, conjuring a glass bubble around the floating light. Transforming once again, phoenix song reverberated all around, as she flew to retrieve it, grasping the bubble in her talons. However, Harry wasn't sure where to go. She could see no way out and the Dementors were beginning to return. With a shrill cry, she turned in what she hoped was the direction where she had seen Remus and Bellatrix disappearing into the darkness. 'Sweet Merlin, let this be the way out,' she mused, as the cold grew closer...

"What the bloody hell is taking so long?" Sirius questioned, pacing the length of the room.

"Black, will you stop the infernal pacing and stand ready?" Severus snapped, exasperated, secretly hoping the wolf would hurry. "Now get over here and back me up! We have no idea what will happen when they return."

"Listen, Snape, you may have a heart of stone but I don't. My goddaughter and life mate are in that damn mirror along with your niece, and I can't stand not being able to help. I didn't see you going in after them!"

"If you recall, Albus sent Lupin in because he felt he was better equipped to handle the situation. I wanted to go. Harry is my wife, mutt, no matter whether you like the idea or not! Do you really believe that I wouldn't be willing to die for her? Or don't you take your vows of protection seriously?" Snape seethed through clenched teeth, fighting the urge to hex the Animagus.

"Are you calling me a coward? I took that vow and I meant every word! Even to making sure your sorry ass is protected to keep my goddaughter happy, Snivellus," Sirius bellowed, aiming his wand.

"Stop this insanity now!" Dumbledore's voice echoed through out the room. "Sirius, control your temper. You know that Severus loves Harry and Phaedra. I also know that while he would never admit it openly, he considers Lupin a friend, or he would never have allowed him into his home. I suspect the same goes for you. I thought the two of you had settled your differences."

"I'm sorry, Albus, I'm just worried about them all." Sirius' cheeks flushed with shame. "You too, Severus, I should never have used that disgusting nick name. I just...well..." His shoulders slumped in defeat. "Old habits die hard."

"Then you would do well to bury that habit, Sirius, since my nephew may not be so forgiving next time. He is as worried as you about them. It is taking all of his inner strength for him to maintain control." Tiberius spoke from where he was guarding the door.

"I..."

"Black, take your position," Severus interrupted, before he could finish. "The mirror is changing. Something is happening within its confines and I presume it is not good!"

Gasping in shock at the looking glass before them, Sirius turned and took up his position opposite Snape. The mirror was shimmering with red and green sparks, the glass becoming distorted with swirls of silver and black. All eyes widened as they watched it begin to bulge outwards and then recede back into itself. They could only guess at what was happening inside. Severus' palms were sweating with fear for his loved ones. He tightened his grip on both his wand and the rope. The moonlight was pouring in through the narrow window, reflecting fully onto the glass. In the space of a heartbeat, all the hairs on the back of the three men's necks stood on end; the air was rent with the howl of a wolf, the eerie sound somehow escaping from within the mirror. The rope in Severus hand was pulled taught, standing stiffly in front of him, and disappearing into the glass. Severus reacted immediately and began to pull on the rope with all his strength. It was like fighting a tug of war and he had to dig in his heels.

"Black, grab hold of the rope. I can't hold it alone," Severus screamed, small cracks starting to form in the glass.

Sirius leaped to his aid, putting extra weight behind him, while the other two wizards stood with wands at the ready. The cracks grew wider as they pulled, making a sound like cracking ice. Forcing themselves backwards, muscles straining, the two men gave one sharp tug as the glass shattered, sending a maelstrom of violent wind and cold into the room. As it did so, two figures emerged, followed by the dark shadows of the Dementors. Severus and Sirius were thrown to the floor. Tiberius grabbed onto the door jam and Albus braced himself up against the wall. The two younger wizards reacted instantly, Severus jumping to his feet, wand drawn. Sirius quickly transformed against the onslaught of the negative feelings imbibed by the Dementors. Albus' Patronus lit up the room, as did those of the other two wizards, silver animals swooping in all directions. The two canines stood guard over the small child. Cackling laughter was erupting from her distorted face, eyes flashing red with fury and triumph. No one had to say anything to know it was Bellatrix. Severus immediately hit her with a stunning spell, dark eyes scanning the room for his wife. His heart sunk into his stomach, his face etched with horror, as the realization that Harry had not come back with the others struck him. She was still lost within the mirror...

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