Only You Can Set Me Free

NO FLAMES WELCOME!
That said, I can continue. Thanks go out to all those who gave constructive criticism and noted that they were enjoying the story, I write for those who enjoy reading my weird little fan fiction.

A/N: A few details from HBP have been tweaked and changed, as I mentioned in a previous chapter, Voldemort killed Dumbledore, not Snape. I delved deeper into that in this chapter. Basically, I am following the events and storyline such as it would have happened after all that occurred in the sixth book.

Chapter 20
Forbidden Meeting and the Accidental Pack Mate

“Looks like our freckled comrade has fallen prey to young Mr. Potter’s heroism.” The dark form stared out from the shadows in the dank room, eyes gleaming maliciously. A misty image before him faded slowly, taking with it the forms of the boy who lived, the Slytherin prince, and the bushy haired girl with it. He saw through Ron’s eyes until the boy was knocked out, and he lost communication and sight of all the red heads’ surroundings.

“It would appear so my lord… I knew he could not perform the task to your standard. Dirty little mudblood lover…”

“Now, now Goyle. He set the stage for something much larger. He performed his task. He has Mr. Potter pondering on who his true allies are. Where there is doubt, there is room to manipulate. It will be just as it was with Weasley.”

The hooded man, face hidden behind a skull mask, nodded slowly as he kneeled before the dark lord. Having taken the place as Voldemort’s right hand man after Wormtail’s demise, Goyle was obligated to be at his masters’ beck and call at any given moment of the day. He was more than happy to oblige.

“I believe it’s time to call our little red head for a special briefing, wouldn’t you agree?” Voldemort lightly tapped his pale, thin fingers together. Goyle smiled sadistically and bobbed his head in affirmation.

The death eater stood, bowing once more, and then turned to swiftly exit the room, eerie laughter following his departure.

“You are not as unreachable as you believe to be Harry. Your bond to me is unfathomable to those around you, and perhaps, to you as well…” Voldemort grinned; slits where his nose should have been flared, fangs bore violently gleaming in the somber dwelling.

A hiss to his right alerted Voldemort of his companions’ arrival.

They communicated through parseltongue.

“Nagini, my lovely friend. What’s the news?”

“No newsss yet massster. We believe it wasss Potter that sssstole the necklace from the orphanage. Though there isss no certainty, there were no witnessesss. None left alive, anyway.”

The dark lord nodded and with a wave of his hand, dismissed the large snake.

“Little bastard!” Voldemort spit out, whirling around to exact his wrath on someone, something. Anyone that was near him, so they could feel his fury.

A moan and the sound of rattling chains sounded, the dark snake man smiled vindictively.

A helpless being was bound and bloodied, shuddering as a cold breeze hit his bare skin. Tears fell down already soaked cheeks.

“You’ll do…”

*******************************************************

Harry’s legs swung back and forth as he sat on a near the black lake. Draco sat on the damp grass near the other boy, leaning back, his arms supporting him as he stared at the stars.

Having dropped off an unconscious Ron (with strict orders from Harry to restrain the boy and remove his wand) at the hospital wing with Hermione to explain what had transpired, the two young boys retreated to the quiet lakeside to catch up. Harry filled Draco in on all that happened after his sudden departure. Draco quickly forgave the other for taking off without notice, but not for putting himself in danger. A few minutes passed and neither had spoken a word, too lost in their own thoughts to delve into any type of conversation. Both of their minds swam with questions and past occurrences.

It was Harry who broke the unnerving silence.

“Drake…?”

“Hmm?”

“I… You know… I am sorry about being a prat, especially last year. I was determined to believe you were up to something horrible. I became obsessed with finding out what you and Snape were up to. Funny to say, that even then, before all this dog stuff, you were on my mind at all times of the day.”

Draco snickered, never taking his eyes off the stars that shimmered brightly in the distance.

“It took you long enough. Though, you had every right to be worried. I was sent by Voldemort to kill Dumbledore. Snape was hell bent on helping me succeed. He told me later that it was because of the Unbreakable Vow he held with Dumbledore that he was so keen on helping me on my mission… I never did want to go through with it… I was playing Death Eater and lap dog for Voldemort, afraid that if I did not do as he commanded my mother and father would suffer…”

Harry looked at his mate sadly. He knew Draco’s father was a tender subject.

“Do you think my father was right…? That I am…”

“Bullocks to your dad! Who is he to talk? Him, in Azkaban!!” Draco smiled slightly and nodded in agreement.

“And Harry…”

“Yea love?”

“I am sorry about the dormitory incident… I almost made the biggest mistake ever. I could have killed you with that curse last year…” Draco’s eyes were now downcast, a tear slid down his pale cheek. Harry sighed and extended his arm, his forefinger pushing the blonds head up.

“I am sorry I used that curse on you. I had no idea what it did. I just saw it in the half blood pr- Snape’s book, and I did not have time to think, I just threw the curse… I did not know that would happen, all the blood, your face…”

Draco looked at Harry for the first time since they sat near the lake. He noticed Harry’s eyes pooled with unshed tears. He snickered and then, suddenly, started to laugh joyously.

Harry looked up in surprise.

“Oh Potter, you know sometimes, you can be just absolutely cu-…” Draco cut off quickly and blushed. Harry, in complete bewilderment, stared at the other boy incredulously.

“I am fine Harry, I sort of expected you to retaliate strongly. I would expect nothing less.” Draco shrugged at Harry’s skeptical gaze.

Something else popped into the darker boy’s head.

“So… why didn’t you… You know, kill Dumbledore?”

“Well, the old man cooled me off considerably, talking about how he knew I could not do it, and damn him, he was right. I was calm when Snape came out, thinking I was in danger. He had told me that he was meant to kill Dumbledore, which they had argued about a great while before, and that he refused to do it. Dumbledore had told him that he wanted Snape to do it. So, on the night of his death, it was supposed to be Snape who unwillingly killed him, but well, as you remember, Voldemort showed up and decided he wanted the glory for himself, and Dumbledore was very tired and weak, it was an easy kill.”

Harry sat in silent thought and nodded, remembering the snake man appearing as Snape raised his wand to the headmaster. The hell that broke loose and the many casualties that they had procured that night were not to be forgotten. He had vowed then and there that even more so, Voldemort would pay dearly.

Draco studied his mate then a question arose in his mind.

“Speaking of last year… I seem to recall a certain time when you were dating that red head, Jenny was it?” Harry smirked at the hint of jealousy in his mates’ voice when he said that. He could tell the blond had been dying to ask about that. Harry shrugged and side glanced at the other boy, who was staring intensely at him.

“Ginny, and yes, we went together for a few months, but even then, it was more of a title thing. We never got to be near each other for more than an hour at a time. There was always something distracting me, you being one of them.”

Draco’s face tinged a light pink in the darkness. Harry noticed and smirked.

“Well, after Dumbledore’s death, I told her I could no longer be her boyfriend; I could not put her in danger.” Draco’s smile faltered and he sniffed rather loudly.

“Not that I want to put you in danger Drake!” Harry added quickly. Draco glowered next to him, avoiding Harry’s gaze.

“Seriously love, I would die before I let anyone harm you. I know, however, that you are very capable of handling yourself, you are strong and smart. Ginny was no fool, but she was also no Draco Malfoy.”

Draco again blushed, deeper crimson this time. His eyes, silver in the moonlight, shone as he looked at Harry, whose emerald eyes twinkled, not unlike their previous headmasters’.

“I want to go with you Harry, to retrieve the last of the horcruxes and defeat Voldemort.” Harry nodded and smiled at Draco.

“I knew you would want to. Seems that Luna wants to come as well, she he is very accomplished witch Draco...” Harry added upon seeing Draco’s face scrunch up in doubt.

“Well, the more help the better I suppose… Yet, I think we should sleep on it, start early tomorrow morning.”

Harry sighed and looked at the sky once more, feeling extremely lucky that they were allowed to stay out at night.

“I suppose that would be for the best. I want to make sure Ron stays put… In the mean time, let’s live for the night, my love.”

Draco smirked and turned just in time to see Harry pouncing for him. Laughing mirthfully, Draco rolled to the side and jumped to his feet. Harry, quicker thanks to his dog powers, leapt up and playfully pounced on the unsuspecting blond as he dusted himself off. Draco grunted at the force as he fell back. His lips at once attacked relentlessly by Harry, who feverishly kissed, nipped, and licked at his mate’s tender lips. Draco moaned softly at the other boy’s loving and passionate kisses. Harry smiled through his kissing and decided he needed more skin on skin contact. As he quickly pushed his hand down Draco’s pant bottoms, he distinctively heard a surprised gasp not belonging to his mate. He looked up, annoyed to see a blushing Hermione. She seemed to have had ran all the way to the lake from the hospital wing, her hair was mussed and sweat covered her forehead.

“Oh… I… Harry, I am so sorry!!” She appeared to be on the verge of tears. Harry looked up at her in askance. Draco glared daggers at the intruder. Harry’s hand still tickled his heated flesh beneath his boxer shorts.

“It’s fine ‘Mione… We do this all the time…” Harry smirked evilly as Draco gave an indignant murmur. Harry pulled his hand out of the other boy’s pants reluctantly.

Harry could have sworn he could hear an angry string of twitters and chirps coming from his jeans pocket. He had completely forgotten the baby phoenix in his pants.

“No Harry, No!! It’s Ron!! He has disappeared!!”

Harry shot up and was red in the face. Draco and Hermione stood back a bit for fear of the young mans’ temper.

“WHAT?” Harry shot off toward the school, leaving the other two to stare after him.

***************************************************


Indeed, as he practically flung himself into the hospital wing landing unceremoniously on his belly only to jump up again, did he find that the red head was gone. A worried Poppy ran over to the fuming lad and looked a bit put out.

“Harry, I am terribly sorry, I merely took my eyes off of him for a minute as I talked to Hermione and I looked back to see that he was gone!”

Harry glowered at the rather shaky woman then sighed, aggrieved.

“Where could he have gone to?” Harry asked himself more than asking anyone in particular.

Draco and Hermione had just run into the large room, panting heavily. Harry did a quick scan of his mate, making sure all was right then back to the empty bed.

“We can search for him tomorrow Harry; we need to get some rest after all that has happened today.” Draco talked softly and smoothly, as to not upset the angry boy. Harry turned quickly to vent his anger when he noticed Draco wince uncharacteristically. The scar bearer cooled down immediately and took his mates’ hand.

“Alright love; tomorrow it shall be if you want it.” Draco nodded and began to turn to leave, noticing a silent Hermione shifting awkwardly from foot to foot. Harry looked upon the girl who he still wanted to consider a friend in sorrow. How mean and vindictive he had been.

“Herione… you know I would like for you to come… but…”

“Oh, I know Harry, I do. Besides, with you gone and Ron off being mental, one of us has to be here to study…” Harry shrugged, with a slight smile; he turned and led Draco out of the wing.

********************************************************


Lying on his bed that very same night, Harry fretted over Ron’s disappearance, a slightly larger baby Helios dozing in a nest Harry made with old clothing he found from Hermione’s S.P.E.W days. He had caught up to a startled Luna before going off to bed and informed her that they would be setting off first thing in the morning. She smiled and said she would be ready. Harry had already told the participants of the voyage his plans about where they were going to get the next horcrux. Luna and Draco both seemed thoroughly excited.

‘Probably off snogging Lavender now that Hermione is not with him.’

An hour later, sleep succumbed Harry, tossing and turning as he kept fretting, even while he dozed.

*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&

A dark room with a single lantern swinging lazily from the roof was what Harry first noticed as he walked steadily. His heightened senses allowed him to see well in the dim room, his nose allowed him to smell the damp furniture and wetness, his ears perked up slightly at the sound of whimpering. Swiftly, as to not be noticed, he ducked behind a nearby desk and listened to what seemed to be a conversation taking place, drowning out the whimpers and moans emanating from somewhere beyond the three figures. He could not, even with his great sight, distinguish the hapless soul.

“I see you have failed to procure us a hostage young man.” The taller man chastised, as if lecturing a naughty three year old. He sat on a cushioned chair, arms akimbo.

“I am sorry master, truly I am. I had no chance to capture Malfoy of even the little bookworm, Granger. Potter show-…”

“No excuses, you filthy little…”

“That shall be quite enough Goyle. He is pardoned for the mishap, it was merely his first mission, there shall be more to come.”

“Sorry master, not my place…”

“You are correct on that, and I should hope you remember that,” Voldemort hissed, causing Goyle to bow his head in shame.

Harry stared in shock as he recognized the boy who failed his “mission”.

“I shall not fail on my next outing master; I will kill them all if you demand it of me.” Ron bowed deeply, his voice very unlike how Harry was accustomed to.

A groan caught their attentions as all heads turned to look upon the young man chained to the walls. Harry’s eyes drifted slowly, in great worry to see that a light now shone upon the poor boy. His mouth dropped and he had to contain himself with all he had to keep from jumping up and saving the prisoner, whom he barely recognized, but knew to be someone that he thought was long dead.

“I thought I appointed you to keep that filth from making noise Goyle!” Voldemort snarled and flew up from his seat. Ron smiled maliciously as Goyle stumbled on his words of explanation.

“Master… Y-you, I… I am deeply s- sorry…”

“I assumed that you would keep your duty of watching him very high on your list of priorities. The sex toy must be played with, and then kept silent.”

“Bastard!” The boy spit out from his kneeling position on the floor, his chains strained as he jerked forward. His breath was ragged and dry. Harry bit his lip to keep from crying out to the boy.

“Insolent little pig!” Goyle swiftly advanced on the boy and kicked him in the gut; a splash of blood flew from his mouth.

“Learn to keep his dirty mouth shut, or his punishments will be worse than nights with Crabbe and Lestrange!” The dark lord pulled his wand and pointed at the naked youth, who was doubled over in pain. Harry’s eyes stormed electric emerald.

“Crucio!!!”

The boy screamed in agony, thrashing wildly under the effects of the curse. The three figures laughed heartily.

&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&

“NOOO!!!”

Draco awoke with a start upon hearing Harry scream in anguish. Jumping from his bed, he stumbled over to the thrashing teen, who still seemed to be sleeping.

‘Nightmare…’ Draco thought as the other boys awoke and sleepily glared at the two young men.

Draco ignored the stares and whispers as he tried to shake the other boy awake.

“Harry, Harry! Wake up, you are having a nightmare! Wake up!”

Harry seemed to have heard his mate, for he slowly stopped his wild movements and moaning. Slowly opening his eyes, he quickly blinked and rubbed at the soreness of waking to a bright morning. They shone neon emerald for a mere second and then cooled down to normal.

“I have to get him!!” Harry whined, jumping up and scanning his surroundings. Draco fell off the bed and jumped up to grab hold of his friend, as the others snickered and left to get ready for the day. Neville looked Harry over worriedly then left the two alone. He knew now a days, it was the former Slytherin boy that could calm Harry down. He had not asked many questions, believing it was not his place to determine whom Harry should love. Besides, it left Ginny available.

“Get who Harry? What happened?”

“I saw… I saw him, Voldemort has him, he has him in a small dark room, Ron was there! He called him master!! I just need to get him, now! He will be in our pack once we get him, but we must save him now! He would be a strong pack mate, I just know it...” Harry was rambling now in his frenzied state, practically unaware of Draco’s skittishness at Harry’s bantering and raving.

“Get Ron into our pack?” Draco was thoroughly confused and a bit scared.

“No! Well, not at the moment! Hell no, not him, not in our pack! I have to go now; he is being hurt now… NOW!!!”

“Who are you talking about Harry?? You are not making sense!”

“CEDRIC DAMN IT!”

TBC