The Marked

Make me laugh

Say you know what you want

You said we were the real thing

So I show you some more

And I learn what black magic can do

-Jackie's Strength Tori Amos

Seamus guessed that almost a day had passed since he had woken up in the red room. It was impossible to tell time with no clock or windows. A few hours ago, Marcus Flint had come in and set of bead and cheese and a glass of water down before leaving.

To pass the time, Seamus began to imagine all the different ways he could kill Delving for ever coming up the Curse in the begin. He was at 3,472 when the seamless door opened once more. This time, Lucius entered.

Draco's father wasted no time. "It's time for another extraction. I'll drawing more out of you this time. The first was a trial run. Now that I am fully aware of how the process works I can draw until I'm satisfied." He took out his wand as Seamus sighed, wondering if he could possibly force the man from the room. Out of nowhere, a strong gust developed in the room, rushing at the tall man. It blew him back a few steps, but died before anything else could be accomplished.

"Clever," Lucius said to him. "But I'm not stupid. I've waited only just long enough to where you have great energy built up-" it was true, Seamus's head had begun pounding earlier- "but where you also are not strong enough to harm me." Then, as though nothing had happened he raised the wand. "Initium."

***

"What exactly are we doing again?" Sirius was looking doubtful at the corridor. It was night once more.

"Snape said he would be able to brew a stronger potion if he had something of a few of the people in it." Remus said this as though it answered everything.

"...and?"

The DADA Professor sighed and rolled his eyes. "And Seamus said he saw Wormtail in his animagus form in this hall way. He supposedly disappeared in a small hole through the wall. You're a dog, sort of, so see if you can catch the scent! Maybe he left some hairs behind. We have some from Seamus but Snape said it would work faster if we had some of Peter's too."

Sirius seemed doubtful of this plan. "Moony, that was a month ago! His scent will be cold. Plus, how am I supposed to recognize it?"

"Can't you just try? Please?" Remus looked so pathetically hopefully that Sirius could do nothing but consent. With a small pop, the man Sirius Black no longer stood next to Remus. In his place was a gigantic black dog the immediately put its nose to the ground and began sniffing at the edge of the wall. Remus, always a patient friend, sat down in the middle of the floor and waited.

Minutes went by. Then an hour, before Sirius turned back looking dejected.

"It's no use, Moony! There've been too many other people through here. Any trail the dirty rat left is long gone."

Remus wasn't giving in that easily, though.

"The Hospital Wing! Peter was in there! I'll bet he was a rat at least part of the time. He could have left some fur behind thee. Come on!"

The two men made their way through the castle, Sirius glad there was still a week left in the Winter Holiday. The school was practically deserted. Within a few minutes, they'd reached the Hospital Wing.

"Alright, try again!"

With a sigh, Sirius transformed again. He went about the room, his wet nose pressed closely against the floor. After some time, something faintly familiar caught his attention. It was fishy, or more exactly, rodent-y. It seemed he'd found his betrayer's scent, now all he had to find out was if the fool had been stupid enough to leave any physical evidence.

He followed the trail to where it lead near the still curtained-off section that had once been Seamus's bed. The scent was incredibly strong there. As canine eyes searched the area, they landed on the bottom edge of the curtain.

Moony, old boy, I've got a present for you!

***

"Took you long enough, I'd thought you'd completely forgotten about it," Snape's trademark sneer was in full swing when Remus and Sirius, padding about in dog form, entered in the Potions Master's dungeon lair. (A.N. Come on! It was too good to pass by!)

A low growling issued from Padfoot, who bared his teeth at the man so hated that stood before the pair.

"Padfoot..." Remus warned his friend with a dangerous tone of voice. Then, turning to black-cad man before him, he thrust a small vial into his hand. Not withholding any venomous emotion be shielded from him voice he spat out, "There you are. I suggest, if you value you're life, you hurry." Eyes normally lit in a warm-hearted smile were now narrowed nearly to slits as the young professor turned, followed by the animagus at his side.

"Lucius Malfoy is a fool, he hardly frightens me," Snape countered.

Remus paused in his step and turned. "I wasn't talking about Lucius, Severus. Good day." The pair strode out the door, slamming it behind them.

Outside the workroom door, Sirius reverted to human form only long enough to tell his best friend, "Moony, that was the biggest load of crap I've ever heard you say."

Remus grinned sheepishly and replied, "Yeah well, he doesn't know that."

Sirius rolled his eyes, "You should have gone into theatrics."

***

"Is he alright?" A fuzzy voice found its way into Seamus's ears. It didn't help his pounding head any. His eyes were tightly closed, not allowing any of the dirty yellow light from the bulb above to interrupt the black sea in which he was now swimming.

"Who cares? He's a worthless Gryffindor. Oh wait, weren't you in Gryffindor?"

"Shut up!"

A pained groan escaped Seamus's mouth, the noise of two arguing too loud for his aching head.

"Oh, looks like the little runt's finally awake." A foot made contact with the side Seamus's ribcage. "Go on then! Open your eyes!"

Fearful of another blow, Seamus did as he was told. A hazy figure stood leaning over and looking him in the face, and after a few moments of adjusting to the light, he saw that it was Marcus Flint.

"Well, good morning Sunshine!" A long finger jabbed his chest, which erupted in further pain from even the light contact.

"Leave him, alone Marcus." Peter was standing with his arms crossed a ways behind them. "He needs to build his strength back up and he won't be able to with you hovering over him and kick him in the ribs every few minutes."

Marcus stood, glaring. "I'm just having little fun, do you have a problem with that, Wormtail?"

"You know very well Lucius told you to-"

"To hell Lucius!" Flint was positively livid. "You still can't get away from the idea of Master and Faithful Servant can you? Neither of you would be here, free from that filthy Mudblood if it hadn't have been for me!"

"Be quiet! You know very well Lucius is in charge of this! He's the one with the Keepsake, he's the one performing the extractions, he's the one who knows how to use the heisted energy! We're only here to help with his bidding. Face the facts, Marcus. In world of dark magic there is no "we" or "us". There is only Master and Servant."

Flint's eyes narrowed. "Maybe the facts need to be re-written." He said no more and hurried out of the room.

Wormtail gave a little sigh and glanced down at Seamus, eyes neutral. "You should get some rest. Lucius will be extracting again tomorrow. He'll be very angry if you aren't strong enough for it."

Seamus sat up and rested against the wall. "Hasn't he gotten enough power already?"

"Enough power?" Peter smirked. "Dear boy, there is no such thing."

***

"You think it will work?"

"Well, I hate to say this since you know how much I hate Snape, but...he knows what he's doing when it comes to potions."

Remus stared. It wasn't possible. Sirius had not just said that. "Alright, who are you and what have you done with the real Sirius Black?"

Sirius grumbled and slumped in his chair across from Remus. "Funny."

"Sirius! This is...serious for lack of a better word!"

"Oh, shut up!"

"No really! You have respect for Snape! For Snape!!"

"I DO NOT!"

"Yes you do." Remus was grinning from ear to ear. Teasing Sirius always put a smile on his face. "He's your hero."

"Gah!" Fed up, the animagus reverted to his dog form with the smallest of pops.

"Touchy, touchy."

***

Seamus hadn't seen Flint since the argument between he and Wormtail. Now, he was alone with Peter, who sitting next to the sealed door. Not a word had been spoken in hours and Seamus was beginning to wonder why the man was in the room in the first place. It wasn't like he could leave the room, he could barely stay awake. And with Wormtail in the room, he wanted to stay awake as long as possible. At least his head wasn't pounding, or even stinging with a dull ache yet. Best to enjoy consciousness while it was still somewhat tolerable.

Suddenly, his curiosity got the better of him. "Why are you in here, anyway?"

Peter looked somewhat surprised at the question, but very quickly his expression changed to something...shifty. "Oh, orders, you know. Can't let the prisoner alone, you know. Be too dangerous, you know." The man let out a nervous laugh before falling silent. Seamus was about to ask something more, but the door appeared and opened as soon as he opened his mouth.

Lucius, an angry look on his face, stepped into the red room. "Wormtail, I need to speak to you. Now."

"Y-yes Lucius," the small man jumped up and hurried out the door, which slammed shut behind Malfoy.

They were gone for close to two hours, or so Seamus estimated. When they came back, Wormtail looked shaken and frightened, while Lucius's eyes were burning with hate. He wore a cloak around his shoulders, the hood pooled around his neck.

"Boy, its time another extraction." Seamus gaped as the man pulled the Keepsake from about his neck.

"What? But it hasn't even been a day! I don't have any energy built up, do I?"

"Of course you don't." Lucius readied his wand. "We'll force it out of you."

"Won't that kill me?" Seamus paused before going on. "Not that you care..."

"It would kill you, if you weren't willing."

Seamus raised an eyebrow. "Um...I didn't realize I was."

"Of course you are. Imperio!"

***

"So, it's a portkey?"

"In so many words, yes. Only the destination is rather unknown."

"But portkeys no longer work on grounds. At all."

"Yes well, that's another difference."

Sirius was determined to prove to Moony that he did not respect Snape. In any way, shape, or form. So he was being as annoying as possible. He opened his mouth to ask something else, but Snape cut him off.

"If you would stop pestering me with such idiotic questions and let me explain we might be able to get somewhere."

"Now Severus," Dumbledore's voice came from the open dungeon workroom doorway. The Headmaster entered. "I believe we'll all agree that cooperation is essential."

"Yes, Headmaster," Snape's voice was low, and he intently glaring at Sirius despite his words.

"Well then, if you could explain this device of yours."

The "device" was a spherical, marble-like object, deep blue in color. Overall, it was about the size of a snitch. The light glittered off its surface as it sat on a small cloth on one of the small work tables. According to Snape, it would, in theory, transport whoever had hold of it to wherever Seamus and Wormtail were.

"Er, question, what if they aren't in the same place?" Remus was worried. More than worried.

"If that is the case it is set to transport to Seamus's location. If it can find him."

"And if not?"

"Then nothing happens."

"I see..."

"Come on Moony," Sirius turned to his old friend. "Have some faith! Aren't you supposed to be the optimistic one anyway?" Remus didn't say anything, so Sirius gave a hard, friendly pat on the back. That Remus wasn't expecting. At all. Add in the fact that even though he was a convict on the run and for the most part underweight, he was still a good twenty pounds heavier then Remus.

Remus went flying forward. A quick move on Sirius's part caught hold the smaller man's arm to steady him, but not before Remus hit the table, jostling the portkey-like device from its rest. It rolled off the edge with speed but reflexes from the wolf in Remus overtook him and he reached out to catch it before it hit the floor and shattered.

In a second he and Sirius were gone.

***

"-when he awakes casting a binding spell on him and then a stunning spell. I shouldn't be gone long." He could hear voices, but he couldn't see anything. Of course, his eyes were closed. Perhaps that was a problem.

"Yes Lucius. I'm sure Marcus hasn't gone back. Even he isn't that foolish."

"I'm not worried about that." The sound of the door shutting rang in Seamus's ears, then a sigh. He tried and tried, but couldn't seem to move anything. His breath was coming in thin as well.

Suddenly a faint pop and a loud scream came forth. The door opened once more. Seamus managed to work his eyes open. Everything was blurry.

"Seamus!" A figure knelt down beside him. The voice was familiar... "Seamus, are you alright?" Professor Lupin! "What have done to him?"

Lucius's voice came next. "A mere trifle of an extraction. More to follow, of course."

"You...I can't believe this! Do you really think you can pull this off? He'll find you sooner or later. And then where will you be?"

"In a seat of power high enough to crush him without even trying hard. You know, if you start being nice now I may make your death quick and relatively painless."

"I some how doubt that."

The air in the red room seemed to compress and through the haze Seamus watched as a figure on the farthest wall drew something from his cloak. The Keepsake.

"I'd watch what you say, wolf."

Screams of anguish issued out from Lupin. He saw the blurred figure of him fall completely to the ground. A short bark rip through the air and suddenly Lupin's screams stopped.

"Get off me you filthy mutt!" A sharp whine was heard as a loud thudding sounded somewhere down the wall from Seamus.

"Well, I must say that was intriguing, but I'm afraid we must go. Come, Wormtail." The door shut and silence rang victorious in the red room.

Eventually, a somewhat pained, "Moony, you alright old boy?" came from Sirius Black where he lay crumpled on the ground. He had thrown himself in dog form at Lucius Malfoy, who had raised his hand and slammed him into the wall in response.

Lupin said nothing.

"Moony?" Only heavy breathing answered the call. "Hey Seamus? Can you see if he's alright?"

Seamus somehow found his voice. "If I could move, I would."

"What did Malfoy do to him?"

"Nothing good."

There was a stirring, and slowly, Lupin sat up.

"Moony! What's wrong?" Sirius sat up as well.

Remus opened his mouth to say something but...no words came out. His hands went to his throat, and his amber eyes opened wide.

Lucius had taken his voice.

***

Seamus was in better shape now. He talked freely, and move around so long as he didn't stand too long. Lucius and Wormtail hadn't been back since the sudden disruption a few hours ago.

Lupin seemed to be handling his situation as best as could be expected. He sat with his back against the ball next to Seamus, watching as Sirius paced the length of the red room, cursing aloud.

"I can't believe this! Of all the things he could have done, he took your voice! That's so...immature!"

Lupin turned to Seamus and rolled his eyes. Then, he slammed his hand on the ground to get Sirius's attention. -Sirius,- he mouthed, -calm down.-

"How can you be so...nonchalant about all of this?" Sirius gave up pacing and threw himself down next to Lupin. It struck Seamus that if someone were to walk into the room and see them, they would have thought the three were merely passing time, rather then being held against their will. But he had to admit, the presence of the two older men calmed him a great deal. It was hard to feel panicky with Lupin in silent chuckles over Sirius's behavior.

Lupin shrugged. And smiled a little.

"You two are weird," Seamus found himself saying. "Are you always like this in times of danger?"

"Danger?" Sirius grinned as well. "We laugh in the face of danger, ha ha!"

"I can see why Harry was so glad to see you now." Sirius grew silent at the mention of his godson, and Seamus sighed. "Well, at least I can move now. Although," he brought a hand to his head where an all to familiar feeling was stirring, "my head is starting to hurt again."

At this, Lupin sat up straighter and whipped his around to face Seamus. He began to gesture wildly with his hands so fast, the Marked boy couldn't begin to make out what he was trying to say.

"Oooh, a game of charades!" Sirius seemed as lost as Seamus felt, but was taking it in stride. Lupin turned back around and punched him lightly in the shoulder. Finally, he snapped his fingers a few times and mimed writing with a quill on parchment.

"Sorry," the fifteen year old shrugged, "I wish I did but I haven't got a quill or-" he stopped dead in words as, miraculously, a quill, ink stand, and parchment appeared.

Nobody moved for a second. Then Lupin snatched them up and began writing furiously away.

"Well, I don't know about you but I'd say he's got a plan." Black stood up and began pacing lightly once more.

"What? Just like that? I say I've got a headache and he's got a plan?" Seamus was terribly confused.

"Well, you know the brainy types," Sirius said as he shrugged. "Their brains work differently than ours. They can think while they're sleeping. Moony here is one of the smartest guys I know too, he's like McGyver!"

"Who?"

"Er...never mind. Anyway, aren't your headaches linked with your building energy?"

"Yeah..." Seamus was beginning think Sirius was a bit off his rocker. He'd never met someone who changed moods as fast as he did. Well, maybe his mother when she had been pregnant with Emma... but he found he couldn't think of his family, even his annoying little sister. It hurt to think he might never see any of them again. His brother, Erron, would be starting Hogwarts next year. Seamus hoped he'd still be around to see him Sorted...

Lupin sat up suddenly, a happy expression on his face.

"By George," Sirius exclaimed, "I think he's got it!"

Author's Notes: Woo! That took awhile...sorry, but school started and I've been keeping up with work. Last chapters quote was from the video game Final Fantasy 6. You all need to go and play it! It's awesome!! Things to be revealed next chapter. Good chance next chapter is the last for the Marked, or part 1 for all you schnoogle readers. But don't worry, I won't wait to start the next story, tentatively titled Keepsake for obvious reasons, and it should be out in mid-October. (BTW, his little sisters name is from Emma Watson, Emma just happens to be my fave girl's name. Erron is just an example of my strange taste in boy's names)