Harry Potter and the Power Unknown

-Chapter 12: The Trap-

Harry drummed his fingers nervously on Lupin's desk while trying to remember the details of the vision. He had to find Lupin because Dumbledore was not in his office and he was too uncomfortable with going to see Snape himself. Luckily, Lupin was still awake and after Harry relayed the dream, Lupin rushed to find Snape. He also pressed a small button on the side of his watch causing the face to glow blue, and a few moments later Harry had no need to ask what the button was for. Lupin walked back in to the office with Snape and Dumbledore at his heels, and he remembered Dumbledore telling him at the end of last year that the Order had better ways of communicating than flu powder.

That must be what the watch is for, Harry deduced.

"Alright, Potter," Snape began nastily. "What is the problem?"

Harry looked over at Lupin, who nodded his approval for Harry to share his vision. Harry took a deep breath, looked up at Snape and said, "Voldemort knows you're the spy."

Snape withdrew at the sound of Voldemort's name as if being threatened by a lashing whip and snarled, "Don't say his name!" Harry saw his had move automatically to his forearm where Harry knew the Dark Mark was burned into the skin. "What the hell are you talking about, Potter? You know better than to trust your dreams. Oh, but I forgot how exceedingly arrogant and above instruction you are..."

"It wasn't a dream!" Harry insisted despite his feeling of déjà vu. He realized his was making this very claim about the dream with Mr. Weasley and the snake around this time last year. "I mean, it was... I was asleep, but it was real!"

Snape attempted to hide a smug smile. "Just like the dream about Black was real?"

"How dare you...!" Lupin began.

"That's enough!" Dumbledore boomed. His voice seemed to echo through the room and quickly silenced them all. "Severus, this sounds very important. Harry saw the attack on Arthur Weasley in a vision similar to this. Am I correct, Harry?"

Harry nodded.

Snape gave an irritated sigh. "Very well then, Potter. What did you see?" he asked grudgingly.

Harry explained his dream in as much detail as he could remember; how Rogers was reluctant to say anything, how Voldemort threatened to torture him for more information, and how Voldemort realized who the spy was once Rogers mentioned he was close to Dumbledore.

Dumbledore waited for Harry to finish before asking, "Did he ever actually say who the spy was, Harry?"

"No, but it was obvious that Vold-, I mean..." Harry stopped himself after a glance from Snape. "It was obvious that You-Know-Who knew who the spy was by then."

"This is ridiculous," Snape mumbled loudly enough for everyone to hear.

Lupin turned angrily at Snape once more and said, "Ridiculous? Harry's trying to save your life and you say it's ridiculous?" His face was growing paler by the second as his anger intensified, and his hands were clenched in tight fists and shaking.

Snape chuckled in a way that made Harry's skin crawl. "Save my life? Anything pertaining to Potter seems to make people end up dead, so I would rather take my chances."

Harry had finally heard enough. He stood up and yelled at Snape, "Do you think I enjoy seeing these things? Believe me; if I thought this wasn't real or that there wouldn't be any consequences for your capture, I would have been glad not to warn you."

"There won't be any consequences because what you saw wasn't real!" Snape shot back. "I'm not putting the mission in jeopardy just because of one stupid vision of yours!"

"Now listen to me you smug sonofabitch..." Lupin began.

"Remus, Harry, please sit down," Dumbledore requested, "and try to relax. Severus, I agree with Remus. You are not taking this as seriously as you should. Our first mission in the Order is to always protect life, and Harry has given you the opportunity to protect your own."

"But Albus, since Potter did not see Rogers say my name, Dark Lord might be doing this to weed out the spy. I have never met Rogers, and the Dark Lord will know it's me if I just disappear," Snape explained, trying to stay calm. "I have to continue as if I know nothing, as if he knows nothing."

Dumbledore remained silent for a few moments then said, "I do not believe this is the right course of action, Severus, but I will trust your judgment."

Snape smiled broadly, nodded his thanks to Dumbledore and swept out of the office. Harry could not believe his ears.

"Are you serious?!" he shouted at Dumbledore. "You're going to let him just prance around Voldemort as if nothing's wrong?"

"Harry, Professor Snape has more experience in situations like this than anyone else. All we can do is hope for the best," Dumbledore replied softly.

Harry glanced from Dumbledore to Lupin with his mouth hanging open, wondering if he was the only sane one in the room. Lupin was still pale with fury but he remained silent. Frustrated, angry and defeated, Harry left the office and headed back for the dormitories.

"Has Dumbledore completely lost it?" Ron asked later that day after listening to Harry's recount of the dream and the following discussion.

"Well, like I've said before, if Dumbledore trusts Snape then so should we," Hermione said.

"And like I've said before," argued Ron, "you're just as mental as Dumbledore for trusting that slimy git. Well, Harry, if Snape's going to be a stubborn ass then don't worry about it. You tried to help, and if something happens he'll only be getting what he deserves."

Harry nodded even though he wasn't paying much attention; Ron and Hermione didn't understand how dangerous it would be if Snape was revealed or captured, but Harry didn't feel like explaining it. All he could do was hope, for the first time in his life, that he was wrong and Snape was right.

XxxxxxXxxxxxX

The end of November brought the first signs of winter: cold, blustery weather and the beginnings of holiday snow. Most of the students spent their free time inside studying for end of term exams, and Ron and Hermione were somehow finding time to help Harry with his ailing magic. Ron, slightly irritated at first, eventually began to enjoy himself because the constant and repetitive practice for Harry was also helping his own magic.

Another Hogsmede trip was planned after exams, but Harry was hardly looking forward to it, much less the holidays. He wanted to use the break to take his mind off Lord Voldemort, but he knew that Dumbledore would ask him to stay at Grimmauld Place because Hogwarts was no longer completely safe, and the last thing Harry wanted to do was run into Order members every other day. To brighten his own mood, Harry resolved to invite the Weasleys to stay with him, or at least join him for Christmas.

I don't want to be stuck in that house with only that stupid house-elf like Sirius was, he thought bitterly.

The days before exams seemed to be flying by, and before he knew it, Harry was finished with his last test. For the first time in his life, he wished exams were still to come; his loneliness only intensified when he heard the cheerful conversations of students talking about visiting their families over break. In fact, Harry's mood was so foul that he downright refused to go to Hogsmede the Saturday after exams.

"Oh, come on, Harry!" Hermione pleaded to him on Friday afternoon. She, Harry, Ron, Neville, Luna and Ginny (who shot an occasional glare at an oblivious Luna) were all sitting in Lupin's office, each enjoying an end-of-term butter butterbeer.

Harry shook his head. "Look, I'm just not in the mood to go, okay?"

"Come off it, mate," scolded Ron. "It'll do you good to get out instead of heading straight back to Number Twelve. Besides, I know for a fact you haven't finished your Christmas shopping."

Harry glared at Ron, but knew he was right. After five more minutes of listening to his friends nagging and pestering, he reluctantly agreed to go.

He immediately regretted this decision, however, the moment he stepped out of the carriage and onto the snow covered streets of Hogsmede. The smiling faces and holiday decorations caused his already gloomy mood to plummet. He allowed himself to be dragged from store to store by Hermione and Ginny; Ron said very little to Harry and maintained a polite distance, Harry knew it was most likely because he was uncomfortable and did not know how to cheer Harry up.

Harry soon discovered that Sirius' death was not the only thing keeping his mood down; the sight of magic used freely around him and not being able to perform any was incredibly frustrating. Dumbledore started attending all of Harry's Occlumency lessons after Harry informed him of his loss of magic, and Harry was sick of his constant reminders to be patient.

Screw patience, he thought. At this rate, I might as well drop out of the wizarding world all together. The anger inside him began to boil up at the thought of Dumbledore's continuous lecturing when a sudden twinge of pain shot through his scar.

"OUCH!" he said, rubbing his forehead with his hand.

"What is it?" asked Hermione.

"My scar hurt for a second, but it's gone now," Harry answered.

"Is You-Know-Who happy or something?" Ron asked.

Harry shook his head. "It wasn't enough to get a sense of his mood. Still, it's random that this was so, well, random."

Ginny shrugged. "Oh, well. Come on. Let's go get a butterbeer. Some of the DA members wanted to meet us at the Three Broomsticks," she said as she dragged Harry out of Zonko's.

Great, he thought. Just what I need; more nagging about when the DA will start up again.

He trudged along in the snow then entered the Three Broomsticks. To his surprise, he saw Katie Bell, Neville, Dean, Seamus, Ernie McMillan, Luna, Ewan Abercrombie, Justin Finch-Fletchly and Cho sitting at a large round table in the corner and beaming at him. Four seats were open with butterbeers waiting, so Harry followed Ginny and reluctantly sat down next to her, with Luna at his other side. The group waited for Ron and Hermione to sit down the turned to Neville.

"Obviously everyone knows what's happened to you, Harry," Neville began, "but we want you to know that we want to start the DA up again."

Harry opened his mouth to argue, but Neville went on.

"You don't need magic to teach us, Harry," he said. "We can learn a lot from you by just listening."

"So to show you how much we care, mate," Ron continued with a smile, "here's a little something from all of us to you. We thought it might come in handy; you're magic being gone and all. Happy Christmas!"

Ron passed a long, thin box wrapped in Christmas paper to Harry, who gave him a confused glance before accepting the package. Harry ripped off the paper and opened the box; inside was a wand, about nine inches and looked as if it was made of maple. More confused than before, Harry picked up the wand expecting something normal, but what he got was far from it. The wand made an odd drooping noise and went completely limp. Harry picked up the box, flipped it over and saw a sticker reading "Weasley's Wizarding Wheezies". He stared for a moment at the box in one hand and the wand in the other, looked up at the rest of the table, and finally burst out in hysterical laughter. His friends joined in, then raised their mugs of butterbeer.

"To a great holiday!" said Seamus.

Harry lifted his own mug, wiping the tears of laughter off his face and said, "Cheers!"

BANG!

The door to the Three Broomsticks burst open just as the customers heard the noise and an incredibly panicked young wizard yelled, "It's him! He's here! Death eaters everywhere..." Then a bright green light hit him in the back and he keeled over and hit the ground, clearly dead. Harry and the other DA members jumped to their feet as the sound of screaming witches and wizards filled their ears.

The patrons of the Three Broomsticks began to panic as well, so Harry stood on a table and yelled, "Everyone calm down! No one should leave here alone; try to find a place to hide!" He turned to the DA members. "I need you guys to help get all the students back to Hogwarts, but be careful. Don't fight if you don't have to."

Most of the group headed for the door, but Ron, Hermione and Ginny refused to budge.

"What are you waiting for?" Harry asked somewhat forcefully.

"Harry, you can't go out there alone! You have no magic!" Hermione pleaded desperately.

Harry, remarkably calm, put his hand on Hermione's shoulder and told her, "Hermione, he's here for me. All that matters is you all getting to safety so he can't use you or hurt you to get at me."

"How do you know?" Ginny asked. Her voice had the slightly high-pitched, concerned tone of her mother. "How can you know he's here for you?"

Harry leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. "You have to go," he said, then turned to Ron. "Make sure the other DA members are safe." He lowered his voice. "And Ron, take care of them," he said softly, nodding at Ginny and Hermione.

"Don't worry. Be careful, mate," Ron replied, and then he pulled Ginny and Hermione out the door.

Harry waited a few moments, vaguely aware what was left of the entire room was now staring at him, and then plunged into the bitter cold outside. He looked around, overwhelmed by the chaotic scene around him. Bodies lay in the snow, wide-eyed and frozen in fear; people were yelling and pushing each other, trying to get away from the Death Eaters.

Harry pushed his way through the crowd, heading in the direction of the screaming when he came to a clearing and saw Bellatrix Lestrange and Peter Pettigrew torturing a huddled group of wizards. Harry realized why he could hear the screaming all the way at the Three Broomsticks; the collective screams of five or six people can easily be heard for miles.

As he was transfixed on the victims, Bellatrix looked up. "POTTER!" she yelled, sending a stunning spell at him at the same time.

Harry dove out of the way and hid behind a large pile of wood. He could hear the soft pattering of Wormtail's footsteps approaching, so he ran and dove into the nearest store, which turned out to be Hogsmede's Flourish and Blotts. He looked around; the store seemed empty so he began to search for something, anything, to use for a weapon. Just as he was reaching for a poker by the fireplace, the door burst open and in stumbled Remus Lupin.

Lupin's shoulder was bleeding freely from a large gash, and the blood soaked his black cloak. "Harry! I've been looking for you. Thank God you're alright."

"Are you?" Harry asked, nodding at Lupin's shoulder.

Lupin waved his hand dismissively. "Nothing I can't handle. Dumbledore sent me after you, Harry; he's trying to round up some of the Death Eaters, so I have to get you out of here."

"Not without the others," Harry insisted.

Lupin sighed, nodded, and then led Harry towards a back door. Once outside, they ran to where the carriages usually waited for the students, but there were none. Harry heard a noise and peaked around a tree to find Ron huddled with Hermione, Neville and Luna.

"Harry!" exclaimed Hermione.

"Where's Ginny?" Ron asked.

"I thought she was with you!" Harry answered incredulously.

Ron turned as pale as the snow, very different from his usual shade of red. "She ran off to look for you... We couldn't stop her..."

They all jumped at more screams and another loud BANG. The noises seemed to be approaching.

Harry looked at his friends. "Go, run!" he yelled, taking off his pendant and shoving it in Hermione's hand. "It's a portkey to Dumbledore! Make sure you get to safety!"

"What are you doing, Harry?" Neville asked.

"I'm not leaving without you, Harry!" Hermione shouted back.

"I'll be fine! I can apparate, remember? I have to go find Ginny!"

"Harry, no!" yelled Lupin and Hermione together, but Harry had already turned and run towards the village. Lupin told Hermione and the others to use the portkey and leave right away, then he took off after Harry.

As they ran down the main road, Harry got a creeping chill at how suddenly silent and deserted the village was. Harry wanted to yell Ginny's name, but common sense told him it might be better to keep quiet. He glanced down alley after alley, street after street, looking for a sign of her until he reached the large fence bordering the Shrieking Shack.

The panic inside Harry tripled. He had looked everywhere for Ginny; where was she?

"Harry!" Lupin shouted from behind him. "Over here!"

Harry ran toward Lupin who was standing just inside an alleyway, and as he rounded the corner Harry nearly ran head-long into Ginny.

"Whoa! Ginny! Are you alright?" he asked, stumbling backwards.

She had a clouded, unfocused look in her eyes and answered rather monotonously, "Yes, I'm fine. Come this way." She pointed over her shoulder to the alley behind her. "We can hide there."

"No, Ginny, we need to get back to Hogwarts," said Lupin.

"I don't want to go back out in the open," she said. "Let's hide here."

Harry looked over at a clearly confused Lupin then turned back to Ginny and said, "Come on, Ginny. It's safer back at Hogwarts. I'll look after you, I give you my word." He took her arm gently and tried pull her towards the street, but she resisted. Harry tugged harder but she pulled her arm out of his grasp.

Comprehension suddenly dawned on Lupin. "Harry, we have to get out of here!" he whispered urgently.

"I know, but..." Harry began.

"It's a trap! She's under the Imperious Curse!" Lupin insisted, and then he moved to grab Ginny and drag her to the street.

Suddenly, seven Death Eaters emerged from the shadows, all masked except one. Bellatrix Lestrange held her wand steady at Ginny then smiled the horrible smile she used to taunt Harry at the Ministry of Magic. Harry trembled with anger and hatred, wishing that he still had the power to make the ground shake with him.

"Release her, Bella," said Lupin, his wand pointed directly at her heart.

"Or you'll what, Remus? Growl at me?" she retorted.

Despite his dangerous situation, Harry could not help but marvel at the fact that Lupin was on a first name basis with the woman who murdered his best friend.

Lupin did not budge, but his eyes darted around to assess the dilemma they were in; the six other Death Eaters now had their wands pointed at Harry and Lupin.

"Potter goes with us," Bellatrix demanded.

"Let them go first," Harry answered, referring to Ginny and Lupin.

Bellatrix raised her right eyebrow as she looked at Harry, then she flicked her wand and released Ginny from the Imperious Curse. Ginny blinked and swayed a bit, then she stared at Harry in horror after taking in her surroundings. She opened her mouth to say something but Harry shook his head slightly and reached out his hand to her. She took it, walked slowly over to Harry and stood behind him.

"Harry, go!" she whispered in his ear. "You can apparate."

"I'm not leaving you," he whispered back.

"Come along now, Potter," Bellatrix said, "or watch your friends die."

"So you can what? Have them killed after I'm gone?" Harry replied. "I told you to let them go first."

"We figured you'd be difficult, Potter," said a deep voice behind one of the masks. It had a thick French accent, and Harry suspected it might be Rudolphus Lestrange, the husband of Bellatrix. "I was hoping to use extreme measures to bring you in."

He raised his wand to strike when suddenly Lupin yelled, "Harry, DUCK!"

Harry pulled Ginny to the ground as a huge burst of sun-like fire appeared above the Death Eaters and a sweet, uplifting song filled Harry with energy and hope as the Death Eaters scattered.

"Fawks!" breathed Harry as the flames began to fade.

"Huh? Dumbledore's phoenix?" asked Ginny, but before Harry could explain, he felt himself being yanked up on his feet. Lupin threw Harry and Ginny in front of him and told them to run, then bent over quickly to pick up the now flightless, featherless Fawks off the snow. He sent a few stunning spells at the Death Eaters before taking off after Harry and Ginny. Spells shot all around them as they ran; the village seemed entirely deserted however, and Harry was thankful not to have to worry about any innocent bystanders.

Harry was running flat out now, holding Ginny's hand and occasionally ducking or dodging a spell. He pulled Ginny along when he could see the entrance to the village and his heart lightened at the thought that they were almost safe.

Suddenly, white-hot blinding pain struck his scar, causing him to stop dead in his tracks and fall to the ground as if he had run into a brick wall. He clutched his scar and yelled in pain; Ginny rushed to his side and held his head in her lap while Lupin stood in front of them, blocking them from the oncoming Death Eaters.

"Ginny," Harry began in a hoarse whisper, "keep running... you need to get away from here..."

"No, Harry, I can't leave you here like this!" she answered.

"No, you don't understand..." he replied, then cut himself short with a yell as another surge of pain pulsed through his scar. He fought to stay conscious and steady his spinning vision; he rolled over and retched just as one final burst of pain hit his scar. He rolled back over on Ginny's lap and looked up, and his heart contracted with fear when he saw Lord Voldemort hovering over him, wand in hand and his red pupils narrow and furious.

"Harry, go! Run!" yelled Lupin, trying to force Harry to his feet.

"Don't be ridiculous, werewolf," snarled Voldemort, his eyes and wand still on Harry. "You can't possibly protect him from all of us. Potter, come with us and I will spare their lives."

"Then let them go first," he croaked defiantly while struggling to stand. He leaned heavily on Ginny's arm as she helped him to rise. If he was going to die, Harry knew he had to be face to face with his enemy no matter how bad the pain.

Lord Voldemort looked at his Death Eaters and said, "Release them. They are not to be touched."

The Death Eaters bowed and disapparated with several loud CRACKS. Harry, hunched over and weak, turned to Ginny and nodded for her to go. Lupin grabbed her and shoved her behind him, his wand never leaving Lord Voldemort.

As a cruel smile spread across his gaunt face, Voldemort turned to Harry and reached out a long, white finger towards Harry's forehead. It was pain like Harry had never felt before. He dropped back down on his knees, unable to resist his body shutting down.

Voldemort looked at Lupin and said, "Try anything, werewolf, and you will watch Potter and the girl die in front of you." As the finger came closer and closer, Harry lost consciousness before it even made contact with his scar, which began to bleed freely. Voldemort picked up a small branch, touched it with his wand and said, "Portus."

Lupin then watched helplessly as Lord Voldemort scooped up Harry's lifeless-looking body and used the portkey to disappear in a rush of cold wind.

XxxxxxXxxxxxX

Back at Hogwarts, a few hours after the events at Hogsmede, Lupin was sitting in Dumbledore's office, his helpless face in his hands. Minerva McGonagall put a reassuring hand on his shoulder, but could find no words to comfort him.

Dumbledore looked at Professor McGonagall and said, "Minerva, please notify the families of the dead and the missing."

She nodded and quietly left the room. Dumbledore walked over to the fireplace and, after throwing a handful of flu-powder into it, stuck his head in and said, "Severus! You are need in my office, please." Once a distant-sounding Snape responded, Dumbledore pulled his head out of the fireplace and walked over to Lupin.

"Remus, do not blame yourself," he said softly. "I should have been there to help, and I know you had no other choice."

Lupin shook his head, unable to meet Dumbledore's eyes. "I should have helped him... I don't know why I didn't. I'm so sorry, Albus..."

"Hope for Harry's safety is not yet lost, Remus," Dumbledore reassured him. "We must stay optimistic."

Lupin opened his mouth to respond but was interrupted by a knock on the door.

"Come in, Severus," Dumbledore called out. Snape opened the door and strolled towards Lupin and Dumbledore. "I take it you heard of the attack?"

Snape nodded. "Yes, sir."

"Did you also hear about Harry?"

Snape's eyes widened as he looked from Dumbledore to Lupin and back to Dumbledore, shaking his head.

"Harry has been taken by Lord Voldemort," Dumbledore explained.

Snape attempted to hide his flinch at the sound of his former master's name, and his gaze turned sharply to Lupin. "How did this happen?" he asked.

Lupin did not look up, nor did he respond.

"Harry agreed to go with Voldemort in exchange for the lives of Remus and Miss Ginny Weasley," Dumbledore answered for Lupin.

Snape rolled his eyes. "So the boy's heroics will finally be his end. What do you want with me, headmaster?"

"I want you to go after Harry," Dumbledore answered, his piercing eyes never leaving Snape. Both Snape and Lupin opened their mouths to join in the conversation, but Dumbledore silenced them by raising his hand. "Harry is too precious to lose to Voldemort, Severus, and no one can help him now but you."

Snape was beside himself, obviously unable to believe what he was hearing. "Headmaster," he began, trying to remain calm, "that may not be the wisest thing to do. If I'm caught, my cover will be blown."

"Harry's more important that you and your ridiculous mission, Snape, and you know it," Lupin insisted angrily. "You're so jealous that you probably have no problem letting him die..."

"Well, if you had been on your guard and protecting him like you're supposed to, we wouldn't be in this position, would we?" Snape retorted nastily.

Lupin stood up and squared himself with Snape, but Dumbledore interrupted in an attempt to diffuse the situation. "Enough," he said. "Remus is right, Severus. According to Harry's dream, your cover may already be blown, but you might be able to find out where Volde-..."

"But sir!" Snape interrupted before Dumbledore could finish the name. "This situation seems oddly suspicious. I knew nothing about the attack beforehand, and it was something the Dark Lord normally would not keep from me. It seems like a trap not just for Potter but for me as well, and if so, he probably knows you would send me for the boy."

His voice was becoming increasingly high-pitched and desperate; Lupin noticed how dramatically Snape's attitude changed in just a few minutes, but he knew Harry had to be rescued and Snape was the only one to do it. Apparently Dumbledore shared his sentiments.

"I understand that, Severus, but Harry is vital to Voldemort's downfall," Dumbledore responded apologetically. "He is simply too important to sacrifice. You are his only hope."

Snape ran a hand through his greasy black hair and sighed, knowing that he had no choice. He held his pointed nose high and said, "Very well. I will make an attempt, but most likely he is dead already."

He looked at Dumbledore, wanting to be angry with him, but the Headmaster's old eyes were filled with so much concern and almost hopelessness that Snape could not bring himself to feel anything but compassion. Snape always knew it was foolish from the start, but Dumbledore insisted on giving Potter the burden of saving the world, all because of that damn prophesy. Snape felt no pity for Potter when he heard the prophecy, knowing that either Harry or Voldemort must die, but now, looking at Dumbledore, all Snape could do was pity the Headmaster and his feelings towards the boy on whom all hope for the future rested.

XxxxxxXxxxxxX

Harry opened his eyes to find himself laying on a cold stone floor in a room with very little light and his hands tied behind his back and attached to a chain coming off the wall. Sitting up, he closed his eyes and tried to focus on Dumbledore or Lupin so he could apparate, but his attempts only exhausted him. He could not tell, however, if weakness or an anti-disapparation jinx was preventing him from apparating. It took him a few moments reflection to remember what happened and why his head hurt do badly; the last thing he could recall was the long, white finger reaching for his forehead, as his scar seemed to explode in pain. He wished he could see his scar; the pain was so intense back at Hogsmede he was sure it had actually split open.

Harry looked around desperately for something that might aid his escape or at least attempt to notify someone of his whereabouts. He heard screaming in the distance; from the cold, empty feeling that penetrated his heart and mind, he guessed that he might be inside Azkaban. Harry took a moment to marvel at the brilliance of Voldemort's decision to use Azkaban as a hideout because it always was and apparently remained an impenetrable and virtually inescapable fortress.

After what seemed like hours, Harry was exhausted and frustrated from trying and failing to free himself, not to mention the fact that he was starving. He began to wonder if he would be left there to starve to death when he heard approaching footsteps. The dull ache in his scar sharpened dramatically, and he winced as he realized Lord Voldemort was coming.

He entered the room tall and menacing, and his very presence gave the room an odd chill. Behind him trotted Bellatrix Lestrange and two masked death eaters, hunched over and humbled in the presence of their master.

"It grieves me to have to keep you alive, Potter," said Voldemort, "especially since I now have such a wonderful opportunity to kill you." Harry ignored the pain in his head and said nothing. "Alas, I cannot kill you - yet. You have information I need, and you're going to give it to me."

"Oh, yeah? And why would I do that?" Harry asked flatly, knowing he would never voluntarily give information to Voldemort.

"Because I can make you a deal," Voldemort explained with an evil smile on his face. "I can give you something you've been longing for - Sirius Black."

Harry's stomach jumped, but he forced his head to remain realistic. "Ha! Nice try, Voldemort," Harry scoffed. He knew speaking Voldemort's name would infuriate him, but Harry was passed the point of caring. To Harry's surprise, however, Voldemort simply smiled at Harry's sarcasm. He leaned over and whispered something to one of his death eaters who then bowed and left the room.

Voldemort turned back to Harry and spoke again. "I know what you saw in Occlumency, Potter. Do not forget I can see what you see, just as you can see what I see. An informant told me about your afternoon Occlumency lessons so I could be sure to get my point across; I allowed you to see Black alive because he is alive."

Harry looked up at the noise of Voldemort's death eater reentering the room. The death eater handed Voldemort an object that Harry could not see; he squinted to make it out, but Voldemort pocketed it quickly.

"Now," Voldemort began again, "you will provide me with two pieced of information in exchange for your precious godfather. One: the contents of the prophecy. I know that muggle-loving old fool you call Headmaster told it to you, and I want its full contents. Two: the name of the spy working for Dumbledore and posing as a death eater. Give these two things to me and you and Black may live, for now. Refuse and you will watch your godfather die slowly before you join him."

Harry looked at Voldemort with his mouth hanging slightly open; he was confused by the second request because he was certain Voldemort already knew who the traitor was. "How do I know you're not lying about Sirius? I want to see him alive first," Harry demanded defiantly.

"I am not a fool, Potter," replied Voldemort, and Harry resisted the urge to disagree. "You will not see Black until I get what I want." He pulled the object given to him a few moments earlier out of his robe, and Harry's heart plummeted when he saw what it was. "This should be all the proof you need," Voldemort said as he tossed the object in Harry's direction.

Harry watched helplessly as Sirius' mirror, identical to the one Harry was given, hit the floor at his feet and shattered.

"I will return soon and I will be expecting an answer," said Voldemort, then he swept from the room leaving Harry alone once again.

Harry pondered his dilemma; giving up the prophecy would mean Sirius died in vain, but what if he really was not dead? Harry was not inclined to believe anything coming out of Voldemort's mouth, but if he was telling the truth, Harry knew he had to save Sirius no matter what the cost. Sirius meant more to him than the stupid prophesy, but revealing it meant betraying all those in the Order who were trying to protect it last year.

And what about Snape, Harry thought. Betraying him would also be betraying the Order.

Harry was so immersed in his thoughts that he lost track of time and had no idea how long it had been since Voldemort left the room. As if this thought drifted out of his cell and down the hallway outside, Harry could hear the approaching footsteps once again.

Voldemort entered a few moments later with Bellatrix Lestrange, and narrowing his red eyes said, "Have you made a decision, Potter?"

Harry had no idea what to do or say, so he remained silent.

"I grow tired of waiting for you," Voldemort said, impatience unfolding on his face. He turned to Bellatrix and said, "Send for me when he is ready to talk, Bella."

"Yes, my Lord," she replied, a cruel smile spreading across her sunken, somewhat beautiful face.

Voldemort exited the room once more, leaving Harry with the woman he thought killed his godfather. Harry attempted to center himself; he needed to rid himself of fear and focus his remaining energy on repelling what Bellatrix had in store for him. However, her first Cruciatus Curse hit him and the hatred behind it set every nerve on fire. Harry vaguely registered, as shock began to set in, that all hope of escape had vanished.

XxxxxxXxxxxxX

Snape could hear Harry's screams intensify from somewhere down the hallway. Though this brought comfort in knowing Harry had not yet revealed the prophecy, he knew the boy would not last long against whatever torture he was enduring.

His mind turned back to his own problems, however, when the Dark Lord entered the room holding out his wand. His fear was masked by anger at himself for allowing himself to be captured so easily, and his infuriation with Dumbledore. Snape cursed under his breath and silently swore that he would never forgive Dumbledore for forcing him into this position, but he stood up and faced his former master with all the courage he could muster.

"The boy is loyal to you, Severus," Voldemort said. "I thought with your hatred of his father, Potter would be more than willing to expose you. No matter," he continued, "My plans for the boy are just beginning."

Snape said nothing to this; under normal circumstances he could care less what happened to Potter, but he knew much depended on him, and he was slightly flattered that Potter had remained silent.

With a sudden flick of his wrist, Voldemort sent Snape flying across the room until he slammed into the stone wall. Then Voldemort pocketed his wand and held out his arm, and as he spread his long white fingers out as far as he could, Snape's body seemed to mimic this action. He was floating off the ground, his arms and legs spread wide and attempting to stretch to the breaking point. Snape gritted his teeth against the pain and willed himself not to cry out; he did not want Harry to know he was here.

"You will soon learn the fate of traitors, Severus. I cannot tell you how pleased I was when my Death Eaters caught you snooping around for Potter," Voldemort laughed. "In fact, I don't even know how you traced me here! But that is not important anyway; more important is the example you are about to set. To simply kill you would teach nothing. No, I think you will watch the boy you have spent six years both hating and protecting die before you so that you will see your efforts were for nothing."

Snape stared at Voldemort defiantly and through his pain grunted, "If you kill him, it will be your end."

Voldemort suddenly clenched his outstretched hand into a fist, causing Snape's body to curl up into a ball in midair; every muscle in his body tightened and Snape was sure the pressure would crush his organs. When Voldemort finally relaxed his hand and lowered his arm, Snape fell to the ground, his legs too exhausted to support him.

Voldemort turned to a masked Death Eater near the door and commanded, "Bring him."

As Snape allowed himself to be dragged from the room, he noticed that Harry's screams had stopped. A stab of fear and panic stuck the Potions master, and he then did something he had never done, nor thought he would ever do. Severus Snape hoped, even prayed, that Harry Potter was alright.

Harry had no idea how long he had been unconscious. He remembered Bellatrix's frustration at how long he stayed awake (and sane) after sustaining hours of her Cruciatus Curse.

"The Longbottoms cracked much sooner than this, Potter; I am impressed," she said disbelievingly. "But I am a patient woman, and I will truly enjoy breaking you."

Harry held out for what seemed like an eternity, listening to more taunts about Neville's parents and Sirius as she tortured him, before allowing his body to go into shock. He hoped that by losing consciousness after going into shock he might be able to keep his sanity. When he awoke, however, it did not take him long to realize that Bellatrix had revived him almost immediately so she could continue her interrogation. He continuously refused to reveal the prophecy or the spy, so she continuously tortured him. Harry thought to himself that if the situation was not so serious, it might be amusing. He knew the definition of insanity was repeating the same action expecting different results and if this was true, Bellatrix was truly the most insane person in the world.

However, despite his efforts to distract himself, Harry's attention was focused primarily on the excruciating pain; he had no energy left to even scream. Surprisingly, Harry was almost relieved to see Lord Voldemort re-enter the room because it caused Bellatrix to stop her spell casting.

"Still alive, Potter?" asked Voldemort disbelievingly yet impressed against his will. "I don't believe anyone has ever lasted this long under Bella's supervision."

Harry was on his knees with his arms chained high above him and he could barely lift his head, which prevented him from seeing who had entered with Voldemort. Footsteps approached, and Harry watched the hem of Voldemort's cloak whip by, followed by the hem of a Death Eater's robe. He heard the sound of something being scraped across the floor, and his heart leapt with fear and guilt when he saw who the Death Eater was dragging behind him.

The servant threw Severus Snape from him then bowed to Voldemort and asked, "What else do you wish of me, master?" Snape did not move, and Harry recognized the drawling, pretentious voice at once.

Voldemort responded, "That will be all, Lucius. You may go."

Lucius Malfoy left the room after a glance in Harry's direction, so Harry turned his attention back to Snape. He seemed almost as weak as Harry and there was blood oozing from the side of his head, but he seemed lucid and, thankfully, alive.

"Professor," Harry whispered, desperately trying to explain. "I swear... I never told them..."

"Shut your mouth, Potter," Snape replied quietly as another Death Eater hauled him to his feet and held him still.

"Now, Severus," Voldemort began ominously. "Since Potter has been so uncooperative, we shall try a different method of persuasion. I know you both are well trained in resisting the Imperious Curse, so since I cannot force either of you to tell me what I want, here is my new offer." Voldemort's red pupils were suddenly alight with excitement. "Unless you reveal the prophecy to me, Severus, you will watch the famous Harry Potter, Dumbledore's savior, die at my feet. Tell me the prophecy or the boy who lived will live no more. Make your choice."

Harry looked at Snape with desperation on his face, but Snape's attention was focused only on his former master, and he did not respond.

"Very well," Voldemort sighed. "Crucio!"

Harry's already weakened body erupted in agony and the hatred behind the curse was ten times as intense as that of Bellatrix. He cried out as his scar split open and dripped blood, but he willed Snape not to give Voldemort what he wanted. Snape did not speak, nor did he turn his attention away from Voldemort.

Voldemort suddenly lifted the spell and waited for Snape to react in some way. When he did not, Voldemort pointed his wand at Harry again and said, "Incendio!"

Harry screamed again, his eyes filling with t ears from the pain; every inch of him felt as if he was burning alive, but there were no trace of flames. Voldemort turned to Snape once more, but this time without lifting the spell. As Harry wavered toward unconsciousness, his scar oozed more blood; he tried to look up at Snape but was unable to see through his torture. Voldemort's fury at Snape's silence intensified the spell, and as Harry's screams grew louder, Snape finally began to struggle against his captor after glancing at Harry writhing in pain with pity in his cold, dark eyes.

Voldemort then hit Harry again with the Cruciatus Curse and Harry knew the end was coming soon. He knew he could not resist both the burning spell and the Cruciatus Curse at the same time, but he hoped beyond hope that Snape would remain quiet. Voldemort moved closer to Harry and reached a finger out, moving closer and closer as Harry realized miserably that Voldemort was going to touch his scar again.

Snape was now fighting against the Death Eater holding with all his might, and just as Voldemort's finger came within an inch of Harry's scar and Harry's eyes rolled in the back of his head, Snape yelled, "No! You'll kill him!"

Voldemort touched his long, skeletal finger to Harry's scar with an evil grin and watched as blood from the scar rolled down Harry's face and dripped onto the stone floor. Finally Snape broke free and made a dash for Voldemort, who removed his finger from Harry's forehead and seized Snape by the neck.

"I grow tired of this, Severus," he said while releasing Harry from the spells.

Harry's body hung limply as if he were made of Jell-O; he would not have been able to hold himself up at all if his arms were not chained to the wall. Snape blinked hard and struggled to breathe as Voldemort lifted him off the ground. Snape glanced at Harry's weak form, when Voldemort suddenly threw him across the room. Snape hit the floor hard and wiped blood from the corner of his mouth; he looked back at Voldemort and saw him reach his finger to Harry's scar once more.

"Alright!" Snape gasped. "I'll tell you! Just stop..."

"I knew you would do anything to save Dumbledore's lap dog," Voldemort snickered nastily. "You are weak, Severus, just as I always knew you were." He stepped away from Harry and strolled over to Snape. "And don't even think about making something up. I know what the prophecy pertains to, and I need to know exactly what it said."

Even though he knew Snape had just saved his life, Harry could not help feeling a sense of betrayal as he listened to Snape relay the prophecy. Despite his weakened state and his throbbing body, Harry tried to clear his head and push the pain aside.

I have to get out of here, he thought. Voldemort will kill us both anyway.

He cast his mind around, looking for anything that might help, then it hit him. He knew it would be dangerous and that he should heed Hermione's warning, but he was out of options. He was weak and could not move, plus he was chained to the wall, so Harry tried to think of a way to draw Voldemort to him, but there was no need.

"Thank you, Severus," said Voldemort after Snape finished reciting and explaining the prophecy. "You have redeemed yourself and therefore I shall be merciful and perhaps spare your life. Unfortunately for Mr. Potter, however," he turned to Harry, "as I suspected he is too much of a threat to me to be kept alive. His time on this Earth is over, I'm afraid."

Voldemort swept over to Harry so quickly that Harry did not have time to speak the incantation. Voldemort grabbed Harry's chin with one hand and pressed his fingers to the scar with his other hand; Harry could feel his own life force draining out of him. He was in excruciating agony, blinded and dying because of Voldemort once more, but he had to try, even if it was the last thing he ever did.

His eyes closed, he opened his mouth and croaked, "Evalesco Delego!!"

Suddenly, his head was clear and the pain was gone. His body seemed to be healing itself, and he could feel true power rushing through him; he felt alive, more alive than ever before. He heard screaming and thought it was in his own head until he opened his eyes and saw the screams were coming from Voldemort. Harry smiled; it gave him immense satisfaction knowing Voldemort was suffering at his hands.

He wanted more power so he could cause Voldemort as much pain as possible, but a nagging voice in his head told him to get out. He yelled, "Imperimenta!"

A red light, as bright as fire, burst from within Harry and the room rumbled; everyone in the room, including Voldemort, was thrown from him and nothing was left around Harry except a smoking crater. His chains broken, Harry looked down at his charred hands with apprehension but was relieved to see his body was not burned as it was after the Patronus. He tried to rise but was weakened again from this display of power, so he crawled out of the crater and across the room to where Snape lay unconscious.

"Professor?" Harry whispered while shaking Snape, but Snape simply moaned and did not open his eyes.

I need more energy, Harry thought desperately, so he slowly crawled over to where Voldemort was knocked out against a stone wall. Harry grabbed Voldemort's hand, said the incantation again and pressed Voldemort's hand to his scar. The power transferred immediately, and Harry was so immersed in it that he did not notice Voldemort opening his eyes and reaching his free hand for his wand. To Harry's surprise Voldemort ripped his hand from Harry's forehead and raised his wand, preparing to strike.

"AVADA...!"

Harry dove out of the way, grabbed onto Snape and rolled them both into the crater. He pointed his fingers at a small stone and yelled, "Accio!"

Once the stone flew to his hand, Harry looked up and saw Voldemort's angry form approaching. He focused hard on Grimmauld Place and as quickly as he could he tapped the stone, mumbled, "Portus," and placed Snape's hand on part of the stone. Suddenly, the familiar tug behind his navel sent him and Snape whirling through color and sound. He and the still unconscious potion's master hit the ground hard at Dumbledore's feet in Grimmauld place, leaving behind the aggravated yells of Lord Voldemort.