The Dragon Curse

Chapter Two

On my knees, I'll ask
Last chance for one last dance
'Cause with you, I'd withstand
All of hell to hold your hand
I'd give it all
I'd give for us
Give anything but I won't give up
'Cause you know,
you know, you know

So far away
Been far away for far too long
So far away
Been far away for far too long
But you know, you know, you know

~Nickelback- Far Away

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It was morning, the sun low in the sky and birds rushing passed Harry's window. A beam of light fell from the window and onto his face, making it glow eerily golden. This is what woke Harry that morning - the bright light that told him he was still alive.

Pulling himself up out of bed, his comforter falling to the ground as he stretched, a loud owl's hoot startled him. He turned to see a large brown barn owl, perched on his windowsill, looking in on him. This wasn't an owl he recognized.

He lifted the window up and retrieved the letter from the owl. Curiosity filled him when he saw the familiar scrawl of Hagrid's on the envelope.

Harry,

Haven't heard from you in a while. Thought you would have responded to my last couple of letters by now, unless you haven't received them. The school owls aren't very reliable. I decided to send this one through a friend's owl. His name is Marx, good owl, so you should get this. Write me back if you'd like to have lunch with me sometime. It would be nice to catch up. I have lots to talk to you about.

Hagrid

Harry stared at the words on the page for a moment. They were dark, faded and crossed out in a lot of places - typical of Hagrid's letters. He sighed as he tossed the letter into the trash. He had gotten Hagrid's last two letters, but he didn't want to speak to him. Not anymore, and especially not after last night's revelation.

Quickly he forgot about Hagrid's letter and set to work, packing his stuff. He wasn't taking much; just enough to get him by in a new place for a week or so. He sat as he packed a smaller suitcase and duffle bag with clothes, a few light books, his Firebolt, and the photo album that Hagrid had put together for him.

He paused as he stared into his closet at a locked trunk in the very back, pondering the prospect of taking the contents.

Inside the trunk were three amulets and two pairs of sapphire blue robes. One set was his and the other, Draco's. These were the items that had brought them into the Dragon Games. The items that brought back the most memories.

Harry took a shaky breath through gritted teeth and switched on the light for the closet. He bent down over the hand-carved wooden trunk and fished the key out of a nearby wool coat. Holding up the silver key, he looked back at the trunk. Holding his breath, he put the key into the lock, twisted, and pulled open the lid.

What he had expected to find was a wave of memories assaulting him, but instead he found the trunk completely empty. Only planks of wood showed.

Harry frowned. Had he misplaced them somewhere? He couldn't recall putting them anywhere but in the trunk. In fact, he was almost positive he had not opened this trunk since he had placed the items inside.

Where had they gone?

---

Malfoy Manor, as Severus Snape already knew, was very large, and not very modern at all. It seemed to be stuck somewhere in the Middle Ages time period, with suits of armor, grand staircases, large chandeliers and Persian rugs. Every item around the house was dusted spotless and polished to see a clear reflection.

Narcissa Malfoy and Severus were sitting in a large conversation room, surrounded by wall-length bookcases filled with thousands of volumes and a small glass table that separated the two as they talked.

"I don't see why you're so interested," Narcissa hissed. "The Dark Lord is gone, my husband is presumed dead, and my son hasn't seen me since he ran to you for protection."

Snape reminded himself to keep his face blank; he couldn't scare Narcissa. Not until he had found out the answers for Aiyana. Narcissa was the only one inside the Death Eater circle who didn't know the whole story - who didn't know that Draco had set up the Dark Lord and supposedly vanquished him - though she knew he wasn't destroyed.

"The Dark Lord is not gone," he muttered. "I know you know this, Narcissa."

"I don't know what you're talking about." Her eyes narrowed, and she began to stand with the intention of asking him to leave.

"Yes, you do."

"You can't keep me from my son!" She was on the verge of angry tears, now.

Snape didn't answer; he was using Draco as bait - using something he didn't have to get information from her.

"Who told you that the Dark Lord isn't dead?" he asked, eyes watching carefully.

"You may leave," Narcissa dismissed. "I will not succumb to your bribery. I am a Malfoy, and you will send Draco to me again before you get to hear what I have to say."

Snape searched for a loophole or something he could say to detour her, but he knew that as much as she trusted him, she was not going to give in for nothing in return.

---

Harry was done with Grimmauld Place. It held too many memories, too much pain. He had his suitcases packed and he was writing a note for whoever found the place empty - it would probably be Ron or Hermione.

His only plan was to disappear completely, but he still had no idea where he was going. Sighing, he looked down at his stuff. There was no way he'd be able to carry a bird cage and his entire luggage around while he looked - he'd have to come back.

In a few short steps towards the front door, Harry was exiting his house.

He had never looked for a house before, so he had no idea what he was doing. He entered the real-estate offices in Manchester, Scarborough, Durham, and Wakefield, but none of them had what he wanted. He had enough money for the majority of the houses, but what he wanted was isolation.

He entered a small magical office in Weymouth, England. It was stifling hot inside due to the two roaring stone fireplaces. Realtors and their customers were disappearing into the fires with a bit of Floo Powder.

A chipper-looking woman with bright eyes and a friendly smile approached Harry as he watched the fire. She was wearing a black suit and a bright red head band.

"Do you need help, sir?" she asked politely.

Harry turned to her and nodded. "Yes, I'm looking for a house - preferably some place very remote."

The woman's smile widened and she narrowed her eyes a bit as she looked him over. "Harry Potter?"

Reluctantly, he put on a fake smile, while inwardly, he was rolling his eyes. "Yeah. Can you help me?"

"Oh my! This is such an honor, Mr. Potter," the woman squealed in delight. "I-I I can't believe I'm actually meeting you. May I shake your hand?"

No.

Harry shook her hand. "So, how about-"

"I'm Crystal Anderson. I would love, love, love to show you around to a few places. I have this place just up north from here that opened up a couple of days ago, a few neighbors, but there's plenty of privacy."

Harry blinked a few times, uncertain if he wanted Crystal to show him around.

"What sort of range are we looking for?" she asked.

"Anything."

"Wonderful!" Crystal motioned for him to follow her towards the fireplaces. "Our system is set up through the Floo networks. So, just tell me what you want to see. I have a few flyers - would you like to look at them?"

"Just take me to the house up north," he said, wanting this over as quickly as possible.

Crystal nodded, and quickly handed him a scoop of Floo Powder.

"Have you traveled by Floo Powder before, Mr. Potter?" she asked.

"Yes."

"Great, then you know how this works. Just say 'The Runic House' and it'll take you right there."

"'Runic?'" Harry asked as he stepped towards the fire.

Crystal shrugged. "It used to belong to a famous Runes professor. We sort of classify the houses by either how they look, or who used to live in them. We have the Bagshot House - she was the author of A History of Magic."

"Brilliant." His thoughts immediately went to Hermione and he forced himself to shove them away.

It was already five in the evening, and after a long day of realtors and house-searching, Harry was exhausted. But he didn't want to return home yet - not until he secured himself a place to go. He'd have to get himself a hotel for the night, and maybe he'd return for his things the next morning.

Harry stepped into the fireplace as he threw in the Floo Powder. "The Runic House," he said clearly, and he was engulfed in flames as he went through.

As he appeared inside a brick fireplace and he quickly stumbled out, he coughed heavily from the ash and began wiping soot off his robes and cleaning his glasses. Crystal appeared behind him, still looking chipper, like nothing would make her happier than to show Harry around.

He glanced around the large room. There were wooden floors and walls, giving it a very cabin-like feel. There were two short couches in front of the fireplace and little homey knick-knacks, and two doors leading off to other rooms of the house.

"The house comes furnished and that's in the price outline," Crystal said, handing him a sheet of paper. "This is the family room. There are two bedrooms, a guest room, living room, two bathrooms, a kitchen, and a basement."

Harry nodded and looked around, examining the fireplace which was in superb condition. He glanced down at the paper and read that the house was two stories and had a large fenced off backyard.

"What do you think?" Crystal asked, watching him read.

"It's interesting so far," he said, choosing not to elaborate. Whenever he expressed too much interest in a particular part of the house, the realtors always seemed to go off on a tangent from it.

"Let me show you the rest of the place," she offered, opening a door to the living room.

They walked through the door and took in the rest of the place in silence. Everything was perfect - except for the extra two bedrooms, but he could live with that. It was the most reclusive place he had seen yet.

Out in the backyard, Harry couldn't see a single house in sight - just trees and plants, and a small stream.

"So, do you think you might be interested?" Crystal asked as they headed for the front yard.

"It's perfect."

The front yard was neat, with a flagstone path up to the door and clean cut grass. The only house to be seen was fairly far away - not near enough for Harry to care.

"I'll take it."

The realtor did a double take as his words took a while to set in, and then she smiled. "Wonderful. Let's get back to my office and you can make an offer."

He filled out the paperwork, which was a grueling process, but when he was done, he shook Crystal's hand vigorously. "Thank you."

"No problem, Mr. Potter. Do you have a number I can reach you at, or will I just send you an owl?"

"A letter will be fine," he replied. "Do you know of any hotels near here?"

"Oh, there's a few, but most of them are booked this time of month. We're having a big magical convention two towns over."

"What for?"

"It's an antique road-sale convention, where wizards and witches get together and buy and sell unique or unusual items - it takes place once a month for two days. Anyone can drop in; it's quite the place to be, actually."

At least Harry would have something to do while he was here. Actually, that sort of thing reminded him of something Mundungus or Fred and George would be a part of.

He left the office and stood outside, leaning against the plaster of the building. Cars passed by him in a low roar as he thought about what to do next. It was either attempt to get a hotel somewhere or go home for the night.

Harry removed his glasses and rubbed his eyes for a moment, feeling the beginnings of a headache. A few people passing by him whispered to each other but kept going. Placing his glasses back on, he pushed himself off the building. At least today had been so eventful that he hadn't had time to look back on anything. There was always that.

---

Snape gave a gruff sigh, accepting defeat. Narcissa watched him as he stood up to leave the room.

"We're going to have this conversation again, Narcissa," he said, his back to her.

"And with the same results if you don't allow me to see my son, Severus," she sneered.

Snape shook his head, but continued towards the door. He stopped quickly when he heard the pounding of boots on tile, and he looked up at the door to see Lucius Malfoy heading his way. Narcissa heard her husband too, and quickly moved passed Snape.

"Lucius," she said elegantly, as if she had never thought him dead.

"Narcissa," Lucius said, his eyes moving from her to Snape. "Severus, what are you doing here?"

"He was just leaving, Lucius," his wife said in a low voice.

"That may be, but why is he here?"

"We were discussing your return, Lucius," Snape said. "I didn't think you were coming back."

"Such little faith, Severus," Lucius said. He turned to Narcissa. "Could you please send in Murray?"

"Of course." She left without a second glance to retrieve their house-elf.

"When are we to act?" Snape asked when she had gone out of sight. "Did he say?"

"We are currently under the Dark Lord's orders to gain more followers and recreate the army he lost; not until then will we begin the plan again."

"Is there a way that I could be of service, Lucius?" he asked.

Lucius gave him a bemused look and moved passed him into the room. "Interesting enough," he said, removing a book from a shelf. "I find it intriguing that you would be helping us at all."

"If you're accusing me, Lucius, then do so," Severus hissed, sneering.

"Accuse you?" Lucius said in a fake voice. "I'm afraid I don't know what you mean."

"The Dark Lord trusts me," Snape said venomously. "If you choose to ignore his beliefs, then that's your own business. Everything I have done has been to bring us closer to our final plan; you have no reason to doubt me."

"I have plenty of reason." Lucius snapped the book shut. "For one would be your charge of my son, Severus."

Severus held his breath, but kept his face and voice void of emotion. "What about Draco?" he asked calmly.

"I'm very certain you know what happened to him," the elder Malfoy said, eyes narrowed.

"What happened to whom?" Narcissa asked as she entered with Murray. Lucius' face fell, and he turned to Narcissa, looking very grieved. "What is it?" she asked, looking between the two men.

"Our son," Lucius said.

Snape's eyes darted to the exit, but there wasn't any point. He was stuck.

"What about Draco?" Narcissa frowned.

"You haven't told her?" Lucius asked Snape, looking (add a description here).

Snape stayed silent, and Lucius' eyes flashed before turning back to Narcissa.

"Draco is dead," he said bluntly.

She let out a horrified gasp and her hand flew to her mouth. "What?"

"He died attempting to destroy the Dark Lord," he continued.

"Why?" Narcissa asked through watery eyes. Her face became loathing as she turned to Snape. "You! You sat here and told me that you were keeping my son from me for information! How dare you lie to me!?" She advanced on Snape, but her husband stopped her.

"The Dark Lord will deal with him," he hissed. Then, he held up his wand and turned it on Snape.

---

It was seven at night, and Ron was tucking something into his front pocket as he and Hermione were preparing to leave for Harry's. There was an air of anxiety and fatigue as they got ready.

"Ron?" Hermione said softly.

"Yeah, Hermione?" He looked over at her, rubbing his head.

"Thank you for doing this for Harry," Hermione said. "It will mean more than anything to him."

"I know. I just hope that everything goes alright. That warning was-"

"It was a little daunting, but Harry's going to go through with it no matter what, so we'll just have to hope for the best," she said, giving him a reassuring look.

Ron nodded and double-checked his pocket. They were ready to leave. There was a soft pop as the two of them Apparated from the spot.

They arrived at Harry's doorway and Ron nervously knocked on the door. He wasn't sure how Harry was going to react to this; it was so huge, even he didn't quite believe they had succeeded.

There was no answer at the door.

"Do you think he went to sleep already?" Hermione asked.

"Harry?" Ron called out and knocked again.

Still nothing, and Hermione and Ron frowned. Ron reached for the doorknob and twisted - the door wasn't locked. He pushed the door open and looked around. Everything was very dark.

"Harry?" he called again.

They entered, shutting the door behind themselves. Checking the bedroom, they found it completely empty.

"Where is he?" Hermione asked, worry tingeing her voice.

They went back to the living room and turned on the lights. The house was eerily silent, and Hermione noticed Harry's bags.

"Oh my God," she whispered in a breath.

Ron turned to see them as well, and frowned. "No."

"Harry?" she called again, this time more desperately, though she knew no one was in the house.

"If his bags are here, then where is he?"

"Look, Ron," she said, finding a note on a coffee table. She recognized Harry's handwriting and picked it up, beginning to read aloud.

I've been trying to live a normal life, to be a part of civilization, but I've realized I'm not cut out for this world anymore. I've given up on everyone else - I can't be around anyone anymore. I cannot bear to watch any more of my loved ones die around me. I'm sorry I'm not a stronger person. You won't find me if you look for me, so please don't try. Ron, Hermione, thank you for your friendship - it is one of the reasons I have made it this far. Have a wonderful wedding and life. Goodbye.

Love,

Harry

Tears welled in Hermione's eyes, and Ron put an arm around her, feeling just as lost.

"But-" Hermione said, holding back tears, "we have to find him! He has to know about this! He'll want it, it'll make things better."

"I know," Ron whispered in her ear. "We'll find him."

"How?" She sobbed into his shoulder.

"He's Harry Potter," he said. "Someone will know where he is."

He took the letter from her, holding her close to him, and looked over it again, breathing in heavily.

"We'll find him in the morning," he said. "You need rest."

"No." She shook her head. "Let's go find him now."

Ron frowned and ran his hands through her hair in a soothing manner.

Hermione let out a sob, but as she did so, Ron heard the faint approaching sound of footsteps from the walkway. The footsteps stopped outside the door, as if they had noticed the lights were on. Hermione heard them too, and pulled away from Ron.

"Do you think...?"

Ron hurried towards the door and pulled it open to see Harry standing in the doorway.

"Harry!" Hermione shrieked, throwing her arms around him. "Oh, thank goodness you haven't left yet!"

Harry patted Hermione awkwardly, but didn't say anything.

"Harry," Ron said as Hermione pulled away, "come in. We have something to give yu."

Harry frowned. "Please, guys, I just want to get my stuff and leave."

"Please, Harry!" Hermione pleaded. "This is something you'll really want to hear."

Harry just looked upon them for a moment.

---

The look on Hermione and Ron's faces was hurt yet hopeful - hopeful that he'd stay, Harry guessed. He entered the house and heard Hermione shut the door.

"You might want to sit," Ron told him.

He obliged and took a seat on the couch. Looking up at Ron and Hermione, he saw how they eyed each other, trying to decide how to tell him.

"What is it?" he asked wearily. He didn't know if he could stand any more surprises.

Ron sighed and took off his cloak, reached into the pocket and pulled out a small baby blue diamond that had symbols covering it. As it reflected in the light it changed colors, from black to blood red to orange, and a million other colors Harry couldn't name. Then, Ron pulled out a small scroll and handed both items to Harry.

"What is this?" Harry asked, looking up from the items.

Ron pulled the collar of his shirt down, and Harry would have gotten very concerned if it wasn't completely clear what he was trying to show him. There was a large, deep scar across his chest in the shape of an X.

Harry stared from the objects to the scar, his heart beating hard and fast. "You-" He couldn't find words to speak.

"You can bring him back, Harry," Hermione whispered faintly.

Harry nearly passed out; the room was spinning and everything was fuzzy. The answer to his prayers was lying in his hands. He turned to Ron and Hermione, mouth agape, trying to think of a way to thank them. There was no way he could express in words how much this meant to him. He couldn't believe they had done this for him. They cared so much and he hadn't had any idea.

"You don't have to worry about thanking us," Hermione said quickly. "We know how much this means to you, and it'll be enough just to have you back like yourself again."

"Harry, mate," Ron began slowly, "there's something else you have to know about that."

"What?" Harry asked.

"The Dragon gave us a warning about this thing." Taking a deep breath, Ron continued, "To bring back the dead, Harry, you can be risking a lot. A lot of things can go wrong, even if you have your whole heart and soul in the ritual."

Harry nodded, but he didn't care, and Ron and Hermione both knew it.

"How do I do this?" he asked.

"You have to go to his grave," Hermione said. "The instructions are on the scroll."

Harry held the scroll tightly to himself - he couldn't lose it. He was no longer tired, and the only thing he had on his mind was getting to Draco.

Hermione and Ron didn't say anything as he left, and they didn't follow him, either. He Apparated from his house and headed into a dark cemetery, straight towards Draco's grave. Everything was going to be all right again. It had to be.

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