Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

Harry Potter and The Equitum Solis Surgentes	By : Kimmimaru Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male > Harry/Draco Views: 3052 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any characters or settings by JK Rowling. I make no profit from this story.

Chapter List
- 12
- 13
- 14
Chapter Thirteen: The Sun Rises

The moon shone down into Harry's prison, he watched the sliver light blossom through the tiny little window. He had been considering how to escape, but he had yet to even recover his wand, so he was unable to defend himself. He sighed irritably, his stomach growled impatiently. "Shut up." He muttered, kicking at a loose stone as he shifted his legs. He was used to going without food, when he was on a job he hardly ate at all, and of course the Dursley's had loved to starve him when it suited them so he sighed and gazed up at the ceiling. He had been there for a long time now and he was growing bored, but just as he was about to stand and begin pacing to loosen up his muscles someone was on the stairs. He stood slowly, frowning slightly as several candles flew into the room, illuminating the walls and ceiling with brilliant golden light.

Brock led the way, his orange robes with golden detail merging with the light as he smiled at Harry. "Bind him." He ordered and a man with his hood pulled so far down his face all Harry could see was a ruddy beard, grabbed him and pushed him roughly to the floor in the centre of the room. Harry looked down and saw himself sat in the centre of a circle, surrounded by runes.

"What is...?" Harry was thrown flat on his back, his arms outstretched to either side. He tried to keep the men in sight but it was difficult when he found himself unable to move. Someone stepped into the circle and ripped off the sleeves of his robes, revealing his flesh. There was a flash of silver and pain lanced through Harry's arm, he gasped and winced as he felt hot blood running across his skin. He watched the man walk around his prone body and perform the same small, diagonal slash on his wrist as he had the other. Harry watched in mingled fascination and horror as crimson spread across the stone floor, staining the chalk markings. He swallowed and tried to free himself but it was useless. He stared, entranced by his own blood as his body betrayed him by pumping it out of each wound, he hadn't thought that they would kill him to bring Voldemort back...He struggled uselessly, survival instinct taking over and the watchers laughed. Brock grinned down at him, eyes glittering under the hood.

"Now then Mr. Potter, it is time we began, don't you think?" He laughed as Harry glared up at him. "Don't worry, some say that bleeding to death is like falling asleep...and I suppose it would be preferable to meeting the fully resurrected Dark Lord..." A large, dusty tomb flew towards Brock as he summoned it, it halted in the air before him and he began flicking through the crackling pages as his men spread out in a circle around Harry.

In unison they began to chant:

"Adjuro te requirit animum mihi meisque civibus Tom Marvolo Riddle tuo semperurna hopest reliquis omnibus sanctis et miseria huius miseri sacrificium sanguine fuditpro anima tua, conjuro te iubeo formam accipit ..."

The chant seemed to drone on, Harry found his eyes following the moon as it travelled across the floor and slowly his body began to feel sluggish, he was freezing cold, his very bones ached with chills and he let his eyes fluttered closed, because holding them open was just too hard...

Brock paused in his monotonous chant and saw Harry's head fall to the side, his body went limp and he saw the big red stains obscuring the chalk markings. He frowned slightly, for the spell to work, Harry had to live...he could not die as Voldemort needed his living soul to form a strong bond with the man once again...then he saw it; Harry's chest rose and fell in rapid little bursts and he relaxed.

The room was filled with magic, it crackled and made breathing difficult. Brock frowned down at his book, continuing the chants with his brethren, sweat soaked the collar of his robes and he tugged on it absently feeling the awful draining effects of the intense Dark Magic.

As the moonlight hit Harry's white face something strange happened...his blood began to steam, the pools of crimson on either side of Harry's inert body began to rise, slowly forming into a tall shadowy form that hovered like dark mist above him.

"I see it is time..." Lord Voldemort said and his followers fell to their knees...

Draco gazed out the small kitchen window of the burrow, his eyes fixed firmly on the horizon as he thought of Harry. He willed him to be alive, he forced himself not to think of what could be happening to him. Hugo was running around, chasing the Gnomes and laughing happily, unaware of the darkness lingering on his doorstep. Draco watched as Hermione opened the door, glancing up at the sky which was darkening rapidly, she shivered slightly. "Hugo! It's time to come in!" he called. The little boy moaned and whinged but did as his mother asked him, she let him into the house, glancing once again at the sky with a nervous frown. "Malfoy, when do you intend on going home?" She asked softly as she closed the door.

Draco turned from the window. "It's best I don't return for a while..." he said softly. "I will be leaving here soon enough, I can no longer place my family at risk...I am, after all, wanted by the ministry."

Hermione sighed. "I'm sure they are fine." She said.

Draco nodded, avoiding her gaze. He still felt uncomfortable speaking to her, even if she was the only one being remotely friendly to him. Ron ignored him with a determination that was almost admirable, when George visited he kept hissing threats when they happened to be alone in the same room, even Mrs. Weasley treated him with distrust. He couldn't blame them, their families hated each other and had done for as long as they could remember. He gazed up at the darkening sky. "There's a storm coming." He said softly as the great swirling clouds slowly turned black, the light was an awful sickly yellow and the tension was thick.

As the full moon rose Draco found himself lying on a bed in the spare room and gazing blankly up at the ceiling. He huffed, realising he wasn't going to be able to sleep and stood, walking silently into the kitchen and sitting down, shoving fingers into his hair. He sat there, thinking with a dark frown on his face, he didn't notice Ron standing in the door way, arms folded across his chest with his blue eyes narrowed. "What are you doing sneaking around my mum's house at night?" Ron snapped, Draco jumped slightly and looked at the man.

"I wasn't sneaking, Weasley...I intend no harm to your family, be they blood-traitors or not. I only need temporary sanctuary until I can devise a plan to get Harry out of the hands of the Death Eaters!"

Ron's frown only turned darker as he moved forward. He was wearing a maroon dressing gown, his stripy Pyjama's showing too much ankle. "That's another thing, Malfoy..." He spat the name furiously. "What are you doing with Harry? Ever since he began spending time with you he's changed. He's not the same man who married my sister! What have you done to him?"

Malfoy sneered. "I have done nothing, Weasley. Everything Harry has done has been of his own free will, he chose to learn Dark Magic, he chose to corrupt himself and he chose to kill the Order of the Rising Sun. This is his quest, I am merely a helper."

Ron snorted derisively. "The Harry I knew would never touch Dark Magic! You've corrupted him!"

Draco felt a flash of anger sting his heart and he stood abruptly, glaring at Weasley through narrow grey eyes as he straightened his back. "I would never hurt him, Wealsey. If anything your molly-coddling has done more damage than anything I have done. I owe Harry...I owe him my life! I am simply repaying a debt..."

"No...No it's more than that..." Ron whispered. "I'm not blind! I've seen the way you've been looking at him. Do you know you both have the same habit of talking in your sleep?"

Malfoy jerked backwards on instinct, eyes widening. "What?"

Ron smiled. "Yeah, you keep saying his name. Always Harry's name...why is that?"

Draco pushed away the blush that wanted to fill his cheeks with blood. "None of your business Weasley, keep that long nose out of what does not concern you."

"It does concern me, I'm his best ma-..." In that moment Draco's eyes went huge, he was staring into nothing, his face drained of what little colour it had and he hitched in a sharp breath, his fingers grasping his left forearm as he suddenly collapsed to his knees and a long scream was ripped from him...

Pain tore through Draco's arm; Black fire spreading through every nerve as he knelt on the Weasley's kitchen floor, unable to hold back his agony. Lightening tore the sky to shreds as the burgeoning storm finally broke, Ron stood there eyes wide as Draco forced himself under control. He sat still, gasping in heaving breaths as he waited for the pain to pass and then, reluctantly, he drew back the sleeve of his pyjama's. "No!" He gasped, his grey eyes wide and disbelieving as he gazed at the hideous black mark etched into his kin.

"What...what's wrong?" Ron asked cautiously, moving around the table as feet thundered throughout the house and people came rushing into the room.

Draco soon found himself surrounded by Weasley's. Hermione gasped audibly, her hand going to her mouth. Arthur swore. Molly made an odd, choking gasping noise and everyone else was silent. The Dark Mark gleamed on Draco's arm, glistening eerily as if wet and when his fingers brushed it lightly he smeared blood across his pale skin.

"Mum? What's going on?" A sleepy voice came from Hugo who stood at the door, rubbing his eyes sleepily, Molly took a shuddery breath and moved towards the child, ushering him upstairs. Draco stood abruptly, the pain in his arm a dull ache in his skin...a constant nagging as he was called.

"I-I...I have to..."Draco gasped backing away from the red headed family. "I'm sorry." He turned his back, running up the rickety stairs and changing into his robes rapidly. All he could think of was his family and...Harry. His mind was filled with every possible way Voldemort could get revenge on the Malfoy's for deserting him...He wandered what he would do when he found Narcissa...she had lied to him. His heart hammered violently in his chest, once dressed he flew down the stairs, taking them two at a time, but before he could leave he found his way blocked by Ron. "Out of my way, Weasley!" He snapped, in no mood to be polite, or explain.

"No. You really think we're going to just let you return to him? Dream on, Malfoy. You're staying here, even if we have to force you!" Ron had his wand in his hand.

Malfoy drew his own, glaring at the man who was preventing him from seeing his family. "Out of the way! I will curse you!"

"Try it!"

Before Malfoy could strike a voice interrupted them. "Stop it! Both of you!" Hermione snapped furiously. Both men turned to her. "You are being childish, Draco, why do you want to leave? Why do you need to return to something you hated?"

Draco tightened his fingers on his wand and lowered it. "Because my family have betrayed Voldemort!" he snapped. "Because they are in danger! I need to make sure they are hidden...My mother...she lied to him! She told him Harry was dead when she knew he wasn't! I have a son!" Draco hadn't intended it to come out so desperately but Hermione's eyes softened in sympathy.

"Then go. Ron, let him leave...he has to protect his family."

Ron seemed to struggle with something a moment before swearing loudly and stepping aside. "Hurt Harry, Malfoy, and I'll make sure you regret it." He hissed as Draco passed.

"I would never hurt him...The Dark lord, however, won't hesitate." Draco replied, gazing at the ginger solemnly. "Harry Potter will die, it's only a matter of extending his life for as long as possible." With that he left.

"Draco!" Lucius gasped as his son ran into the room. His eyes were wide with fear, his hand covered in the blood that ran down his arm, he gasped in a sharp breath, his eyes meeting his fathers. "He has returned." Lucius said softly, sweeping towards his son and placing a hand on his shoulder. "We must rejoin his ranks...if we do not he will surely murder us all."

"No!" Draco muttered. "No...you and mother must run...go into hiding with Scorpius...I will not have my son forced into this! I will stay here...I will..." he swallowed and steeled himself. "I will become head of the household in your stead and take your place, father."

"Draco! Do not be so stupid!" Narcissa whispered from her place by the fire. "He will kill you!"

"So be it! If that is to be my fate then I will walk gladly to it! Do you not understand, Mother? I have a great debt to repay this world for what I did and if I am to die at least let it be in repentance! I cannot ignore this."

Narcissa looked at her only son, biting her lip nervously, her long blond hair fell about her shoulders and she wore a dressing gown of pale silver. "Draco..."

"No, mother...I am no longer a child. I will have everything ready for you to leave by sunrise...pack only what you need and please, look after Scorpius."

Lucius sighed heavily. "Would that I could remove this burden I placed upon your shoulders." He whispered softly.

"None of this is your fault Father." Draco replied just as softly. "I agreed to take the mark, it was my mistake...and I shall rectify it in the only way I know how."

"Then, look after yourself." Father and son looked at each other in silence for a moment before Draco nodded.

The room was dark when Draco arrived, his face covered by a mask and his long black robes sweeping across the dusty floor. Several others were already there, whispering in confusion to each other. Draco leaned against the wall, cloaking himself in shadows as he noted the familiar voices, he could hear his fellows muttering, eyes glancing in his direction, yet he gave them no sign he was hearing their suspicions. He looked to the other end of the room, towards a door, a figure sat in the shadows, his face hidden. Then the door swung open to reveal two men in orange robes, Brock beamed happily around at everyone as silence fell like a weight. He opened his arms and spoke in a carrying voice. "On your knees before your Dark Lord!" He said clearly, stepping to the side and falling to one knee as a tall figure emerged from the darkness. The whole crowd went down as one, Draco joining them and lowering his head.

"Welcome, all of you..." The soft, cold voice of Lord Voldemort issued from beneath a hood. Draco hid his shudder. "I trust that none here has forgone the old ways..." Draco looked up and saw the softest glimmer of red from beneath the figures cowl.

"M-My Lord...I-Is it...really you?" A man shuffled forwards slowly, gazing up into the hood hopefully.

Voldemort lifted his pale, spider-like hands and pulled back his hood to reveal his face. People uttered tiny gasps of shock, others exclaimed loudly. Voldemort merely chuckled coldly. "As you can see, the ritual to return me to my original body has been successful however my image is...shall I say...changed? Many of you will not recognise me as you were not around when I was young...you all now look upon the true face of Lord Voldemort."

Draco gaped, the man stood before him was a stranger. He was tall with a head full of dark hair, his face was handsome, with a strong jaw and perfect nose. He realised that he was looking at, not Lord Voldemort, but Tom Riddle as he had been before he had ruined himself. A sharp humourless laugh shattered the silence and drew attention to the man sat in the shadows, he stood up and moved forward into the dim candle light and Draco gasped.

"True face?" Harry said with his arms folded across his chest and an eyebrow raised. "I would say that this was your only face, you just twisted the old one until it was barely even human, Tom."

Voldemort twitched in irritation. Shocked mutters swept through the room and Harry turned to look out across the sea of kneeling Death Eaters, his bright green eyes landed on the one at the back, slightly separated from the others but he guess who hid behind that mask. "Yes, as you can see...Harry Potter needs no introduction." Tom said dryly.

"My Lord, forgive me for being so bold...but...what is your greatest enemy doing at your side?" A man muttered nervously from Tom's feet.

Riddle's mouth twisted slightly and Harry watched him with a small half smile. "He is...the only reason I am able to appear before you like this." He said bitterly. "The spell that brought me back used Potter's body and soul to bind me to this plain...We are..." He paused and Harry chuckled. "Connected..." Riddle sneered before moving on. "Now...let me know who has heeded my call..." he said commandingly.

Harry watched as each Death Eater shuffled forward on their knees and presented themselves before the Dark lord. He named them and when the line dwindled Tom paused on the last man, he gazed into grey eyes and reached down tearing the mask from Draco's face. "Malfoy..." Riddle hissed softly.

"My Lord..." Draco muttered, lowering his head. "I am here to beg forgiveness..." He whispered, his voice rough.

"Forgiveness?" Tom replied in an icy tone. "Your mother betrayed me! She lied to me when I asked her to see if Potter was dead!"

Harry stepped forward as Tom raised his hand, a wand in his fingers which he pointed at Draco. "Tom..." Harry muttered, pushing Riddle's hand to his side. "He hasn't done anything."

"Do not presume to tell me what to do, Harry Potter!" Riddle snapped, his face twisting into something grotesque.

Harry merely smiled. "And what will you do if I don't stop?" he said calmly, ignoring the furious mutters from the robed and masked men. Riddle looked livid but he seemed unable to find words. "Exactly." Harry said and looked down at Draco who shot him a wary glance, he looked healthy enough, if a little paler since he last saw him, but his eyes were glittering in the candle light and his smile was slightly harder than it normally was. "Draco...you're fine..." He said, leaning down and holding out his hand, Draco took it automatically and found himself pulled to his feet.

"Harry...what on earth is...?"

"We'll talk later." Harry assured him, his eyes darkening and Draco saw a strange grief in his eyes that made him shiver. Their fingers lingered on each other for longer than was necessary but finally Harry released him and Draco returned to the others to listen to Riddle talk.

Finally the meeting was over and the Death Eaters left, Draco didn't move as he searched for Harry, only to find him fast asleep and curled in a chair by the fire. He gazed down at the man and suddenly realised how frail he looked, how...human. He leaned down, his finger tips brushing hair from Harry's eyes. "Harry..." He whispered but something cold and hard wrapped itself around his wrist and he was yanked roughly away, thrown into a wall. He winced slightly and found himself gazing up into the crimson eyes of the Dark Lord, who looked furious.

"Do not touch him without my permission!" He hissed, his voice cold and filled with wrath.

"He doesn't belong to you..." Draco replied without thinking. Voldemort lifted his hand but something halted him.

"What's going on?" Harry muttered, slowly sitting upright as he rubbed at his eyes beneath his glasses. "Tom?"

"Potter..." Riddle released Draco and turned around. "Your...friend...decided to take it into his head that he could touch you..."

Harry raised an eyebrow. "What was he doing?"

"Trying to wake you up." Draco replied, rubbing his wrist.

"Oh...well, that's fine then." Harry stood and yawned, rubbing his hair at the back and making it even messier, he smiled at Draco lazily. "So, I suppose you have a million questions."

"You will not be alone with him, boy."

"Boy?" Harry raised an eyebrow at Tom. "I'm thirty years old...hardly a boy."

"You act like a child." Riddle snapped. His eyes were filled with hatred when he looked at Harry but the Auror seemed not to care, he shrugged.

"Keep the child alive within you and you'll never grow old, some people should learn." He shot a meaningful glance at Riddle who hissed. Harry rolled his eyes, and moved to Draco's side. "Come on, we'll go somewhere more comfortable." He said. He took Draco's arm in a firm grip and spun them into darkness.

They reappeared in a deserted street, opposite a row of tall houses. Harry strode towards number Twelve and tapped his wand firmly against the door which swung open to reveal a warm looking hall way, Harry sighed heavily and moved into the house as the door closed behind him. "We won't be heard here." He whispered and they moved up the stairs and into a room with a sign swinging on the door, Draco gazed at it and paused.

"This was...Black's room?"

Harry looked back over his shoulder. "Yeah, didn't you know?"

"No...No...last time we were here I was more intent on helping you." Draco said absently, he took a long hard look around at the room that had belonged to his unknown second cousin, the walls were decorated in still muggle posters, photographs and great big crimson and gold hangings proving his loyalty to a house that his parents despised. "I must say...I admire his gall." Draco said absently.

"Sirius was...a brave man." Harry muttered softly, his eyes lingering on a photograph with several grinning kids. Draco moved to the bed and leaned down to look at it. He recognised one to be Sirius Black, his handsome face was well known to him. Another was obviously Pettigrew, a man Draco had hated with a passion and another was the Werewolf, Remus Lupin...the last...Draco frowned and looked at Harry.

"Is this...your father?"

Harry smiled and sat down on the bed, igniting his wand. "Yeah..." He sighed. "He was a prat...bit of a bully apparently..." Harry said, still smiling.

"Not like you then." Draco sat down at his side.

"No...Apparently I take after my mother in that respect." His smile was soft as he tore his eyes away from his grinning father, he faced Draco fully. "So, I suppose you want to know what happened?" He asked.

"Yes." Draco replied.

Harry nodded and sighed. He explained about the ritual and how he had nearly bled to death. "Then, when I next open my eyes he's there...Tom Riddle..." He said softly. "He explained that the ritual was a success but there were...complications...Now the connection between us is so strong that if one of us dies...so too will the other."

"But that's already happened!" Draco said.

Harry shook his head. "It's not the same, I'm not a Horcrux. Our souls have been fused...in a way. When one if us is destroyed we both die, it's inevitable. There's no escaping it this time, there's no big plan to help me survive...to destroy Tom you must destroy me." He looked into Draco's pale face, his eyes grave.

"A-Are you...asking me to...?" Draco couldn't complete the sentence. It was too horrible.

"Draco, no one else can do it." Harry said softly, taking the blonds hand in his own. "No one else is strong enough...Please..."

Draco ripped his hands free. "No!" He snapped furiously. "I'd rather serve Voldemort for the rest of my life than live knowing I murdered you!"

"But it's not murder...More...assisted suicide." Harry smirked but Draco found nothing funny about the situation.

"If you wish to die that badly, let someone else do it because I will not!" Draco made to stand but Harry grabbed his robes. He looked back at him, seeing those green eyes and he sighed heavily. He moved back onto the bed and pushed Harry backwards roughly, his hand slid down the front of Harry's robes, they were black satin. "Has he...done it yet?" He whispered hoarsely. Harry remained silent, looking at Draco through his lashes. It was answer enough, Draco smiled. "You waited...didn't you? What excuse did you use?"

Harry lifted himself up on his elbows. "He's going to make me do it either way...I wanted to...I wanted to see if you'd kill me before it happened...so I told him we had to wait."

"What will you do when he starts asking too much from you? He hates you Harry, he hates you more than I do. He will do nothing but hurt you..."

Harry smiled, but there was little humour in it. "I know." He said as Draco leaned close, claiming his mouth. Harry's eyes closed and he sank himself into it, he would give Draco this...even if he was nervous about it, he may never get another chance so he shoved fingers into that soft white-blond hair and drew him closer, opening his mouth and letting Draco dominate the kiss. He shifted his body, pressing his hips into the blond and making him groan into his mouth, Harry smiled into the kiss and did it again.

"H-Harry..." Draco muttered, his eyes opening as his body responded to the gentle rocking motion Harry had started. "Have you..." He swallowed and tried to keep his thoughts from fluttering away. "Have you ever...with a man...?" He gasped and Harry paused, his eyes darkening slightly.

"No." Harry said softly, his fingers brushing hair from Draco's eyes. "Ginny was the only lover I..." He sighed heavily and put both hands in his hair, his eyes screwed shut tightly. "Shit...what am I doing?" He said breathlessly. "We shouldn't..."

"No. I'm not listening this time Harry..." Draco murmured, leaning down and nipping gently at Harry's exposed throat. "I want you..." Harry gasped and groaned heavily as Draco's hand found his erection, he found himself pushing into it desperately seeking friction. Thinking was becoming more difficult, his body was on fire, the pleasure intense as he moved himself against Draco's exploring hand. Draco was fascinated by the noises Harry was making, the way he arched right off the bed and the soft flush on his neck...all of it captured him. Suddenly he kissed Harry deeply, their tongues twining in a sloppy kiss as Draco began pulling off Harry's robes in a kind of frenzy, they had to pull away from each other's mouths to pull t-shirts over their heads but once done they pressed against each other, desperately exploring each other's body's, Harry's fingers followed the contours of his back as Draco suddenly pulled away with a soft gasp, his eyes were clouded with desire, his body shook slightly as he took that chance to look down at Harry. He was skinny, his body hair pitch black and Draco followed the line that led down his stomach to his pubic area with a finger. Harry shivered and moaned softly.

"Er..." Draco looked down at Harry and saw his eyes narrowed slightly behind his glasses. "I-Is...is this going to hurt?" He asked, hating his voice for coming out sounding a bit girly, he winced.

Draco smirked. "I'll try not to hurt you."

"Yeah...that's not as comforting as you think it is." Harry replied as Draco took hold of his glasses and pulled them off so he was squinting even more, his nose crinkling. "You know...I-I'm not so sure..."

"And you call yourself a Gryffindor?" Draco said with a raised eyebrow. "What was it the sorting hat said...?" He paused in mock thought. "Ah yes; By Gryffindor, the bravest were prized far beyond the rest."

"Oh shut up, Malfoy!" Harry snapped, feeling slightly stung. He leaned on his elbows and kissed him hard, all other thoughts being wiped clean as Draco chuckled against his lips before taking over the kiss. "Just do it already." Harry gasped as they pulled away, a fire burning in his eyes that made Draco grab him and pull him into his lap.

He shoved long fingers through Harry's untidy hair and looked into his green eyes. "Once we do this there will be no going back..." He muttered.

Harry chuckled softly. "This is supposed to be sex, Draco, not war..."

"With you it's the same thing." Draco replied with a laugh of his own.

XXX

James woke to a scuffling sound outside the door to the Room of Requirement, he sat up, rubbing at his eyes and yawning widely. Once he had blinked sleep away he saw the door opening and a shadow enter. His eyes widened, no one should have been able to get in! His fingers clasped his wand tightly and he raised it. "W-Who's there?" He called, hating the way his voice sounded, all high pitched and nervous.

"James? It's me..."

James sighed. "Professor Longbottom." He muttered as the round faced teacher stepped into the dim light of the windows. "What's wrong sir?"

"We...we have some...news." Longbottom said softly. "Sit down James...it might be hard to hear."

James swallowed his fear, he was a Gryffindor! He needed to be brave like his dad. He slowly lowered himself back onto the bed and Neville joined him. "What is it?" He said in a voice that only cracked a little.

"James, your brother and sister are safe, they have been returned to the Burrow and are under the care of your Aunt and Uncle."

James let his breath out in a rush of relief. "Thank Merlin!" He muttered, he took a look at Neville's face and his relief was short lived. He felt as if he had been doused in cold water and unwanted tears pricked his eyes, he blinked them away hurriedly. "What's wrong with Dad?" He whispered.

Neville shook his head slowly. "We don't know all the details but from your Uncle's letter we gather that...that Lord Voldemort has returned."

James frowned. "How? Dad killed him! No one can raise the dead."

Neville shrugged helplessly. "No one is sure what happened, the only two people who could even give us information are unreachable...we don't know where your father is but your uncle thinks he is with Malfoy for some reason..."

James felt a stab of terrible fear. "You mean...it's all true? Everything in the Prophet...m-my dad's a-a traitor...?"

Neville bit down on his lower lip. "We don't know anymore, James. I'm sorry...If we knew more we'd tell you..."

James looked down at his hands as they twisted in his pyjama top. "When I was at home Dad was always late back from work." He said softly, his eyes narrowed against tears. "H-he was always tired and s-sometimes m-mum would c-cry...at night I-I could hear her...d-do you think that...that it's my fault?" He looked up, the tears finally falling down his cheeks and his face twisted in pain. "I-Is it all my fault that Dad d-didn't l-like being at home?"

Neville sighed heavily, putting a hand on the boys shoulder. "I doubt it, James. Harry was a busy man, he had loads of work to do..."

"Then why would Mum cry?" James covered his face in his hands and trembled. "Last Christmas he didn't even come home at all! He stayed at the office...a-and M-mum told us he w-would be b-back but he never was..."

"James..." Neville had no idea what to say. After the war Harry had married Ginny and he had seemed happy enough, Neville remembered the wedding clearly; the bright summer sky, Ginny's laughter, Harry's broad smile. It had all been like a fairy tail...but he also remembered seeing Harry on the odd weekends when he would visit, he remembered that the Auror would stare off out a window for long periods of time, sometimes his eyes would become so dark Neville had almost convinced himself they had turned a different colour. He watched James furiously wiping his tears away on his sleeve, a strong determination entered his eyes and he had a firm set to his mouth as he looked up at Neville.

"We need to find out the truth, Professor...I want to know what my dad's doing!"

"You need to stay here, James...it's not safe for you." Neville stood. "I'm really, really sorry...please stay here and when we know something we'll tell you." He moved to the door and heard James stifle a cry of frustration in his pillow.

When the door had closed James sat up, punching his pillow hard. "I just want a way to get out of here! Some way I can get out of the castle and find out what my father's doing! Is that too much to ask?" There was an odd noise, like a soft pop...he turned his head and blinked when he saw a doorway open in a wall...he stood and moved towards it, it was dark except for a few torches lighting the way. He bit his lower lip, he would be risking suspension and perhaps worse if he left...but he couldn't stay either. So, quickly he pulled on some clothes and packed the remains of some food that had been delivered by the house elves. With one last apologetic glance over his shoulder he stepped into the new corridor.
- 12
- 13
- 14
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

Harry Potter and The Equitum Solis Surgentes