HPNSA - BOOK ONE

CHAPTER TWENTY
TWO TURNS



“Ron! James! Lunch is ready!” Harry had just finished cooking for them, in his opinion, a magnificent feast. He could hear their laughter outside; Ron was teaching their son to play wizards’ chess and the toddler seemed to be enjoying himself bashing the pieces on the board. “Hey! Come in and get it!” Harry called again. The door opened but no sign of either Ron or their son came in. “Ron, stop playing with the invisibility cloak I know you’re there.”

Someone was coming towards him making snorting and giggling sounds. “Ron, come on stop fooling around.” Harry went to the direction of the sound and when he felt the cloak he pulled at it – to his horror it wasn’t Ron that welcomed him - it was Lucius Malfoy!

“Surprise!”




***



Harry opened his eyes and found himself inside a cold dungeon. His arms and legs were bound with large chains and though his body had returned to its original state before his pregnancy began he could still feel the pain of the stitches made by Candice; full memory flooded back in - Harry remembered how shortly after Draco and Candice left with his son, Lucius Malfoy and Peter Petigrew arrived to find him alone and unprotected. Peter was then commanded to give him some kind of draught and though the effect of it was slow it was potent. He could feel his entire body healing fast and now only a memory of his pregnancy was left behind.

Harry couldn’t tell where he was or what day it was but one thing was certain in his mind – in a few days the Death Eaters are going to begin the ritual that he has feared and fought so hard to avoid. They talk about it and plan their move and every now and then he would catch snatches of their conversation and it terrified him. To know that many of them looked forward in its commencement meant that there would be no compassion for him.

His scar tingled making him wince – the Dark Lord was nearby and he could almost see his mind. Though Harry knew the Dark Lord has him at the foremost part of his thoughts, right now he is bending all his will in controlling his unwilling army of demons. He could almost feel the strain in his effort to maintain their fervor and Harry saw a thin ray of hope for escape - If he only knew where he was.

Harry heard scurrying feet running towards his cell – he knew who it was and why he has come - more of that bitter serum was to be forced down his throat to make him ready for the coming ceremony. He craved for actual food and water for none were given to him since his capture.

Slowly the rodent turned to a face he has longed to mangle with his own hands. “You’re awake!” Peter said.

“I should have killed you when I had the chance,” Harry said.

“Yes, you should have,” Peter said in mock agreement. “But since you did not, I have come here to tell you that there is a chance for escape.”

Harry looked at him and knew that something was afoot. “And why would you help me escape?” Harry said sarcastically. “Or is this part of your torture?”

“Draco is in a dungeon below – I am trying to revive him as well.” Peter said ignoring Harry’s question. “You have to drink this so the two of you will be strong enough to make a run for it.”

“Draco?” Harry said.

“Yes, he went back for you, don’t know why he did, but lucky enough he did. Now I don’t have to go with you all the way.” Peter said.

Harry was still not buying into Peter’s attempt at having a conscience – it never bothered him before that he was very nearly killed by the Dark Lord during the tournament; he even killed Cedric in the process. To think that he was actually ‘changing’ sides now was unimaginable and irrational even for a man with a twisted mind.

“You still haven’t answered my question, why are you helping me?” Harry insisted.

Peter sighed. “There are many things that have brought me into regret, Harry.”

“Don’t even say my name!” Harry snapped.

Peter turned to him, his eyes glinted with malice and Harry could see that there was an inner dispute raging in them. “Yes, you hate me that much, do you? And why not, I am the reason James is dead…”

“You’re forgetting my mother,” Harry said.

“No, that was never the plan! The Dark Lord was not to kill Lily, he assured me that! She was not part of the plan,” Peter said.

“Could have fooled me! He killed her, Peter!” Harry snarled.

“She died because of you! She could have gotten away alive, all she needed to do was surrender you to the Dark Lord, he even asked her nicely.” Peter said.

“As if a mother would do that to her own child? You knew she would refuse, it’s your fault that she’s dead!” Harry said.

“Yes,” Peter said turning away again. Harry could see that some part of him did regret the act that ended James and Lily’s life though it was deeply buried under his greed for power. Then he looked at Harry again, and this time his eyes scanned the young man with pity, “Do you think, Harry, if Lily had known this was to be your fate, would she have let you live? Or would her kindness and love force her to end your life and keep you in her memory instead?”

Harry could not answer back. He has been thinking about that for the longest time and till now he found no answer. Was it really kindness to let him live to face this gruesome fate - A fate that he had fought so hard to change and win over the curse that so many of his kind suffered and died from? Or would it have been more loving to end his life then knowing what lay before him for sixteen years?

“Drink this,” Peter said. Harry turned away his head. “Drink it, at least if you regain your strength you will be able to do with me if you still feel the need to. You want to get out, this is the only way.”

Harry could see the logic in this. The serum did heal him fast enough to enable him to at least conjure some form of magic – he knew he was capable of wandless magic – and this could be the escape he needed. He drank the serum; it went down his throat and left a bitter taste in his mouth. He felt the warm sensation that began at his feet rising up to his head and slowly he felt drowsy.

“Sleep,” Peter said. “Tomorrow we escape,”

***

“The Nymphrodite has been captured?” Uriel asked.

“Yes demon, we have him.” Lucius said.

“May I see him?” Uriel said his eyes glittered green in devious anticipation.

“No demon you may not! No one of your kind is allowed anywhere near the altar room.” Bellatrix said.

“And why not?” Uriel said.

“Demon, the ritual does not require your services until the last day. Till then neither you nor anyone resembling you will be allowed inside.” Bellatrix said frustrated at Uriel’s annoying insistence.

“He will be farmed for more than one?” Uriel said.

“Get out, demon!” Bellatrix said.

“More than one?” Uriel said.

Lucius went to Uriel and said, “Demon, you’re not the only one who is hungry for the Iranna. Like I said before, the Dark Lord first, then us, then you.”

“Will he last?” Uriel said. “No Nymphrodite made it after the fourth day.”

“Well, have a little faith in us, Incubus. We are far better than our predecessors.” Lucius said.

“I am tired of this, enough with this interview! You run along now and prepare your soldiers outside. We may have unexpected visitors.” Bellatrix said. Uriel rebelliously left the room muttering. Bellatrix approached Lucius and said, “I do not trust these demons.”

“The Dark Lord has them by their necks, Bella, you shouldn’t worry too much.” Lucius said.

“And your son? Will he be willing to take part on the second day?” Bellatrix said.

“I don’t think we will have any trouble with him.” Lucius said.

“The ritual calls for seven, and the first requires a virgin. You sure he hasn’t had any?” Bellatrix said.

“I’m pretty sure, Bella. He was too busy trying to be Potter to worry about getting laid.” Lucius said. “I think given the choice, Draco would rather follow me than Dumbledore though I think they’ve placed a spell on him.”

“You know Dumbledore, always using his magic to control his pawns.” Bellatrix said.

“Yes, well. Draco will do it. I assure you he will want to do it.” Lucius said. “And after he does it, I will kill him.”

***

Harry now paced the dungeon room; his chains made loud clanking sounds as he went from one end of his cell to the other. The serum has done what it was purposed to do - bring him back to fighting form. Every now and then he concentrated on the shackles trying to conjure some form of magic to get them off. But it was no use, without a wand they won’t come off. Harry strained his ears for sounds of scurrying feet.

A scampering noise herald the arrival of Peter and soon Harry saw the rodent coming towards him. Someone else came with the rat though for Harry saw another shadow in the dim light. When they both got nearer Harry’s face lighted up – it was Draco, a large gash still made his left eye swell but otherwise he was all right.

“Draco!” Harry said.

“Potter! Rat said you’re alive.” Draco said; Harry reached out for him through the bars and awkwardly Draco went to him and returned his welcome.

“Where’s my son, Draco? Is he safe?” Harry said. Peter now transformed back into human form and was freeing Harry from his imprisonment.

“He’s on his way to London with Candice. As long as the amulet is on his neck, he’ll be fine.” Draco said.

“He’s safe then.” Harry said rubbing his wrists for the manacles bit through his skin.

“Alohamora!” Draco said. The cell door opened and Harry was out.

Draco placed a robe around his shoulders. “It’s very cold outside.”

“You’re not dressed warmly yourself,” Harry said as they ran after Peter who transformed back into rat form.

“I’ll live.” Draco said. “Here, you know how to use this better than I do.” He gave Harry the wand.

“Where’d you get it?” Harry said.

“The rat.”

They were heading for the lowest point in the tower. Peter was leading them down a long stairway that seemed to have been built by giant hands since every step was about a meter apart. When at last they got to the end there was a tunnel and Peter jumped inside it. Harry and Draco held their noses for the tunnel reeked of decaying flesh.

“Ugh!” Draco said. “What’s inside that thing?”

Peter’s head peeked through the tunnel entrance, “Hurry! We haven’t got much time. They will know you’re gone and they will pursue us, they know this way. Hurry!”

Harry and Draco held their breaths and followed the rat into the tunnel. Harry wanted to throw up for the foul odor now reached his stomach. Draco was not as strong and threw up behind him. It seemed to be an endless process and Harry could not see the end of it. When he thought he could no longer continue the tunnel came to an end and they found themselves inside a cave, in front of them was a river of raging water.

“Peter?” Harry cried, the rat was nowhere in sight. “Peter!”

“He’s gone.” Draco said. “He probably realized he’ll get lynched and ran off.”

“What now?” Harry said.

“We follow the water,” Draco said. “Can you swim?”

“Yes, I can. But we mustn’t get separated, hold onto me.” Harry reached out for Draco’s hand and grabbing tightly they both jumped into the water. It wasn’t very deep but the force of the current pushed them forward and they nearly lost hold of each other.

“Whatever you do, don’t let go!” Draco cried. But Harry was slipping away from him for the waters were merciless and tossed them both like toys. Draco grabbed onto Harry’s arm and forced him closer. Then he grabbed Harry by the waist and forced his chin above the waters. “Got you!”

“If I didn’t know better,” Harry said coughing out water. “I’d say you were trying to make a pass at me, Draco!”

“Don’t flatter yourself!” Draco yelled coughing as well. The water was getting deeper now and the current even stronger. “I think we’re nearing the sea!”

“Draco!” Harry cried for before them was their exit – but it was barred with large bars.

“Potter! Do something!” Draco yelled.

Harry held the wand out in front of him and cried, “BOMBARDA!” The iron bars exploded before them and they found themselves outside. Harry and Draco grabbed onto the rocks that blocked the tunnel and rested there for a while catching their breath. Shortly they tried to swim towards the shore of the Island and saw that they were now on another Isle – the Forbidden Tower was to their left.

“That’s the main land!” Harry said. He strained his eyes and saw a harbor not far from where they were. “There’s a boat there.”

“How can you even see that, Potter, you’ve got no glasses.” Draco said panting heavily.

“You’re right.” Harry said touching his face. “That draught must have healed me of every ailment.”

Draco shook his head. “It’s a temporary fix, Potter. Don’t count on it too much.” Draco said.

“Well, as long as I can see, at least we won’t be hampered by my eyes.” Harry said.

“How do we get off this place?” Draco said.

“Let’s look around,” Harry said and he and Draco circled the isle and found nothing to get them across.

“Fuck that rat!” Draco said. “He took off before giving us a clue.”

“Wait, look!” Harry said; the boat he saw on the other side was moving steadily towards them. When it stopped a rat jumped out and Peter called them over.

“You’ve made it! Both of you!” Peter cried.

“You could have told us what you were about to do! What if we swam across?” Draco cried.

“Let’s get on the boat and debate later.” Harry said.

Peter could not agree more. Then the boat slowly made it across the water and was nearing the shore when a loud cry was heard. The sound of large wings flapped in the sky and Harry knew they have been found.

“They’ve found us!” Harry cried.

“Can’t this thing run faster?” Draco yelled.

“It’s run by magic!” Peter cried.

“We’ll have to swim!” Harry said seeing the harbor near enough for them to swim for it.

“Don’t go in the water!” Peter said.

“Harry,” Draco said stopping Harry from jumping in. They both looked into the water and saw large things swimming underneath.

“They do not touch the boat! Stay inside the boat!” Peter cried.

“What wait for those to join in?” Harry said. “In case you’ve forgotten they have wings!”

“Here they come!” Draco cried as a pack of demons flew out of the tower.

The Incubi swooped down upon them trying to grab Harry with their hands.

“IMPEDIMENTA!” Harry cried.

“You’ve got to conjure something harsher than that,” Draco said.

Harry tried to find the right emotion to conjure an unforgivable curse but when none came to him but fear, he conjured something else. “EXTUNDO!” A wide invisible line hit the demons that came flying towards them and hurled them back towards the Island. But the force of the spell also pushed Harry nearly out of the boat. Draco caught him in time and forced the boat to be propelled to the shore at incredible speed.

“The wand!” Harry said as the wand flew off his hand. The boat stopped before it hit dry land and Harry and Draco were thrown off. “That’s the last time I conjure that spell,” Harry said as he tried to stand.

“Come on!” Draco cried grabbing Harry by the arm.

“Where’s Peter!” Harry cried.

“Forget the rat! Run!”

They ran towards the nearest building that was luckily unlocked and they blocked the door with large items they could push. Then they weeded their way through crates and muggle machinery until they found themselves at the other side.

“Where?” Harry said.

“Over there, a door!” Draco said and they both headed towards the door. But it swung open and Rudolfus was there blocking their exit.

“Harry! RUN!” Draco cried and turned. But before they could run far a spell had been conjured and Draco fell on the floor - unconscious.

“DRACO!” Harry yelled running back towards the stunned body on the floor.

“You’re coming with me Potter,”

Harry stood and stared at the Death Eater before him. The air around them became tense, Rudolfus felt himself shrinking as if something was sucking his insides out.

“What is happening?”

Harry concentrated on his anger and the one thing he had in his mind was to shrink Rudolfus thin enough to break him in two. He was almost there, a few more minutes and nothing will be left of the Death Eater. But something hit Harry from behind and his vision blurred and then darkness followed.