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Chapter 24 How Far



First of all I have to thank of you for waiting, this chapter has gone under major reconstruction, which has taken quite a bit of time but I think you’ll like the finished product. This story also has a new beta, atypicalsnowman has taken over and she has spent so much time making this story the best that it could be. I couldn’t have gotten through these next few chapters without her! She’s been just amazing! On with the story…it gets a little graphic at the end…you have been warned.







“How’s it going in here?” Lupin walked in the next morning to Sirius laughing hysterically at the fox and raccoon climbing the curtains. Lupin was pleasantly surprised to see that the raccoon was red.

“They’re getting it. They still need my help to transform. You missed one of our earlier attempts, both ended up with a tail.” Sirius smiled broadly at their accomplishments.

“It’s unbelievable. They can maintain the transformations?” Remus scratched his head perplexed.

“As long as they want. It only took them an hour to be able to do it themselves. We’ll have to tell Dumbledore about this. The congregate really….there is so much power in all of us.”

“They knew we’d need it. So do you think that we’re ready?” Lupin was nervous. The prospect of breaking into Azkaban was beyond daunting. Merlin knew what punishment would befall them if they were caught.

“We’re ready!” The twins reverted back to their human selves. “The sooner we go the sooner we rescue Harry.” George’s tone was oddly serious.

“It’s been three days. We’re no closer to finding him then we were when he was taken. I say we go.” Fred fumbled with his wand.

‘Thank you.” Sirius lowered his head. “Thank you both. I am so thankful that you’re both willing to undertake this, knowing the danger. It means a lot to me that you care for him so.” Lupin squeezed his mate’s hand.

“Harry’s like our little brother.” They grinned together. “He’d do the same for us.”

“We all have memorized the plan then?” Lupin looked around to make sure that they had gathered all of their things.

“We follow Sirius?” Fred smirked.

“That is our plan, yes.” Lupin cracked his knuckles. “Padfoot are you sure that there is nothing else you can tell us?” He hated the thought of leading these young men in completely blind.

“I’m sorry. Once we hit the water we’ll be swimming for a little over an hour. We have to do this in animangus form. We mustn’t get separated. Once we hit Azkaban just stay behind me. I’ll get you in.” Sirius explained. He knew that the safest way for them to get into the prison was through the route he had used to escape.

“Swimming and following. See it’s fool proof.” George joked.

“Be safe.” Black ordered. “All of you.” He locked eyes with each man in front of him.

“We’re always safe…well not of late because we don’t need to be but…we’re going to be fine Sirius. We’ll meet you outside.” The boys hurried away.

“We’re getting to old for these stunts.” Lupin kissed his husband softly.

“We’re immortal.” Black reminded.

“Well then it’s fine.” Remus corrected, whimsically and embraced Sirius. “I love you.”

“I know. I’m not saying it back. You think something is going to go wrong and it’s not. I’ll say it when we get home.” He stepped towards the door. “You watch the fox. I’ll take the raccoon.” He joked and joined the twins. “Ok. Everyone hang on to me. I’ll apperate us to the beach. We’ll be on our own from there on out.”

“Yeah but with four legs.” The twins jested.

*** *** ***

“That is a lot of bloody water.” Fred looked out over the ocean, realizing that he had not stopped to contemplate it’s size and the inherent difficulty of their operation “An hour you say?”

“About that.” Sirius nodded. “Are you ready? I’ll transform you and we’ll go.”

“Ready.” Fred agreed.

“And willing.” George complied.

“Transeo.” Sirius watched as a raccoon and a fox were soon frolicking along the rocky beach. He glanced back up at the cliffs behind him. “I hate it here.” Black mumbled before shifting into a large black dog. He reminisced how cold it had been the first night he had swam onto this beach.

“We’re blasted idiots.” Lupin sighed as he morphed into a gray and white wolf. Sirius barked, bringing three sets of attention to him as he began to swim. He mused what a funny scene it must be if anyone laid eyes upon the four land animals setting off into the sea.

*** *** ***

“This isn’t even possible.” Hermione walked back and forth in the damp basement staring nervously at their prisoner. She detested this basement it was dark, cold and overrun with spiders. Their webs entangled easily with her bushy curls. It was painfully obvious that it had been neglected throughout the years. Random clutter filled most of the free space.

“Obviously it was.” Severus had slouched onto a wooden box and was rubbing his temples. “Perhaps not wise or expected, but clearly possible.” He glanced at the woman who was slowly coming to. “Good morning, Bella.” It was the first time he had addressed the woman.

“Severus.” She snarled. “It’s nice to see you, old friend.” She tugged at her magical restraints. “Back to your old tricks, I see.” Bellatrix rocked her hips from side to side.

“Ah, Bella you know very well that you were never my type.” His voice was uninterested.

“Maybe because she’s positively mad. And His favorite, and she’s tried to consistently kill us.” Hermione grumbled and threw her arms in the air.

“Are you going to torture me Sevi? After all of our years together?” She asked in a whimper.

“No need for that, Bella. We’re just going to use you and release you. You’ll be free to slink off to your master.” Snape ripped the arm of her robes to reveal the Dark Mark, shoving her into a chair.

“Of course…just let her go…he’ll have one more reason to…” Hermione chastised her partner while going over her notes.

“He has more than enough reasons as it is. Don’t let her fool you. The Dark Lord is not known to have favorites. She’s just as dispensable as the rest. Isn’t that right, Bella?” Severus kneeled down next to the woman.

“You can\'t even dream of the things he’ll do to you when he finds out that…” She tried to threaten.

“How do you know that he wouldn’t welcome it? Bella, you were abducted in the blink of an eye by an ex-Deatheater and a student. You’re quickly becoming a liability.” Severus held her by her arm tightly.

A smile crept on to Hermione’s face. “That must strike you right in the heart. It wasn’t even Harry Potter; it was one of his minions. What will your master say?” Granger circled the chair where the woman sat. She twirled her wand between two fingers.

“What do you want with me?” The witch cackled. “Where is wee Potter?”

“Where is Marius?” Severus answered. His cold eyes matched his steely tone.

“Lost baby brother did you? That bird hardly ever returns to the nest.” Her tongue traced her lips as she rolled her head back. “Sorry, can\'t be of service.”

“That would be your choice.” Hermione sat on the ground in front of the Deatheater. “This is what I’m going to do. That mark on your arm, that you consider so sacred, I’m going to send a spell through it to find Marius. It won\'t hurt but because it is tied into Voldemort he will be alerted light magic is flowing through you. That has to be considered traitorous, right Snape?” She looked to her professor.

“Most definitely. Worthy of the ninth circle of hell, right next to Judas.” Severus pondered.

“Marius moves about. You know that. There is no way to find him until he comes out from his hiding place.” She covered her anxiety well.

“What of your nephew?” Granger questioned.

“Draco is nowhere to be found, along with Theolonus and Corvus. They’ve not joined us for days.”

“You leave us no choice then. We must do the spell.”

“Severus please. If he knows that I…” She began to plead.

“He will be displeased. I would warn you not to return to his services.” Snape showed little interest in her plight.

“Where would you have me go? He’ll find me. You know what he’ll do. This is my life Severus I know nothing else…” The woman was growing hysterical.

“It’s interesting that I find all of that to be of no consequence. I want Marius. If you’ll not help me with that then I’m forced to allow Ms. Granger a go at it. Are you ready?” He asked his pupil.

“I suppose.” She leaned forward, wand ready.

“Sev, don’t do this…please he’ll…” Bella begged. She was becoming desperate. Everyone in that room knew that this would be a death sentence. She was honestly surprised that Snape’s student didn’t seem to care.

“Do it.” He ordered the younger witch.

Hermione pressed her wand into the Dark Mark, sweat had begun to bead on her brow. She looked to her right to make sure that a pensive was ready. “Praebeo Meus Tui Ingenium Marius.” The girl groaned as the magic flowed through her veins. It was like being lost in concentrated darkness, she felt as though all hope had drained from her body. She could feel the multitude of evil committed by Voldemort and all of his followers. All of the hatred, cruelty, fear, pain, all of it channeled via her wand. Severus watched as the girl’s skin turned a pasty white and her eyes flooded with black. When the spell finished it flung her backwards. Severus rushed to her side.

“Granger!” His voice brimmed with concern.

“I got it.” Her voice was shaky and her muscles had begun to twitch slightly. “Get me the…pensive…” Her breath was ragged. Snape reached for the stone bowl and aided the woman to sit up. When she tapped her wand on the edge a thick black tar like substance slouched it’s way out. “So evil…all of them…I need to sleep I think.” Hermione whispered.

“Alright, just rest.” He transfigured a book into a pillow.

“I should have known…I should have…” She whimpered, rolling onto her side.

“What happened?” Snape couldn’t imagine what had gone wrong.

“Phone lines…” She sighed.

“You’ve gone nutty.” He chuckled at his new friend.

“No they’re all connected.” Hermione huffed, slightly frustrated.

“So you’ve said.” He was usually much quicker than this.

“They are all connected. You tap into one and…” She was losing patience for this blundering idiot. She knew all of his world, he could take a slight interest in hers.

“…Oh Merlin…you tapped into them all.” His face went cold. “Go to sleep. I’ll start working on a locater spell.” Hermione had left consciousness behind long before he had finished.

“What about me Professor? Must I stay after class?” Bellatix hummed, looking through the ceiling.

“I would advise you to remain silent. Remember Bella I may not bow to your lord any longer but I am still the same man.” His voice held an undeniable warning in it.

“Where is Potty anyway? Aren’t you two enjoying marital bliss? Is he not enough for you?” Her lip pouted outward. “You could always have someone teach him…” Her sentence was ended with a shrill scream.

“Crucio!” Snape held her by the bushel of knotted black hair that was piled atop her head. He watched her wither and cry out under the curse. He allowed it to go on for several moments before flicking his wand. “I’ve warned you Bella. The next time I promise to finish it. You’re not worthy of speaking his name!” He voice rumbled throughout the basement. Snape stormed over to an old desk and slammed himself into the chair. He had wasted enough time already

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

The black dog turned his head to make sure that all three of his companions made it into the underwater tunnel. They were forced to scrape their way up through a collapsed area of a corridor. Had he been in human form he would have had a hard time controlling his laughter at the two smaller animals that looked somewhat like drowned rats. They had all done a fair job braving the volatile waters. Black had been proud to call the two smaller animals friends. The mere fact that they had put themselves through the immense struggle that the raging waves created, stood testament to their greatness. The journey had been shorter than Sirius imagined. The icy water stung his skin even under the heavy coat of ebony fur. He knew the that the others must be freezing. He never imagined the large fortress to be a welcomed sight.

Sirius nodded his head and they followed him through the black stone hallways. They had wagered on Malfoy being held in one of the bottom cells. Sirius struggled to pick up the man’s scent. It was Lupin who whimpered slightly and veered off to the left. Fred and George were amazed by the vast number of cells that lined this level of the prison. They knew from Sirius that they used this level strictly for Deatheaters. Very few guards were posted down here. There were wards to stop the use of any magic and the cell doors were never opened. They were fed once daily and not allowed to shower. The wolf stopped and scratched softly at the metal door. It was the raccoon’s turn to take the lead as he scampered up the dog and fumbled with the lock. It gave way enough for all four to slip inside of the cell. Malfoy jumped to attention as the four men transformed in front of him.

“What are you…” The blonde man was livid. Fred was delighted to see dark roots growing into the platinum mane.

“Not happy to see old friends?” Remus smiled at the man.

“Half-wit. You’ve broken into a prison. No wonder your side is losing.” He sneered.

“I’ve a proposition for you Lucius. Where is your son?” Sirius stepped closer.

“Tell me Black, what would compel me to divulge that information.” The taller man had lost none of his pride in his degraded state. Sirius eyed him feeling as though he had very little leverage.

“It would be better for your health.” Lupin stepped forward.

“Moronic beast. I’m set to receive the Dementors kiss. You can’t hurt me.” He spun and sat back on the wooden plank that he had been provided as a bed. The twins began to worry that their trip had been for nothing.

Sirius did not look at his companions as he drastically veered from the plan. “You take me to Draco and I’ll get you out of here.” The man was desperate.

“Sirius!” Lupin growled. “No! I’ll not allow it!” The twins looked slightly amused at the suggestion.

“For Harry.” Sirius locked eyes with his mate.

“He wouldn’t want this!” Remus looked to the Weasley’s for help.

“We’re running out of options.” George added.

“We’ll catch him again anyway.” Fred shrugged his shoulders.

“Will you do it?” Sirius turned to a man he hated.

“Give up my only son to escape death? What kind of father would I be?” He rocked from one foot the other, scratching his chin. “Of course I’ll do it.” The men felt bad for a son so easily given up. “I’ll take you to him, I don’t want him hurt. How will we leave here? They’ll know as soon as I step foot outside of the cell. You can\'t use magic in here.” Malfoy looked around the cell, knowing full well that he hadn’t been allowed any of his possessions.

Sirius faced his companions. “They will know as soon as he steps over the threshold of the cell, if we can get him to the crack in the concrete I’ll be able to transfigure him below these halls. We’ll have an advantage when human guards come after us. They’ll have to lift the wards to use magic.”

“It would take him thirty seconds to get to the spot we came in.” Fred suggested.

“They’ll be here in 10.” Black looked around nervously. “I know you don’t like this but I don’t have a choice.” He stared at his husband.

“He hasn’t even asked why we want his son. This man is garbage and he’s dangerous. Sirius you’ll be responsible for whatever he does.” He shook his head in disapproval.

“Harry is also my responsibility and that means more.” He argued.

“You transfigure us. We’ll trip them up, you and Lupin get him out, we’ll be right behind you.” George offered.

“I can already see all of the flaws in that plan. No.” Remus stepped in. “We’ll all transform. Malfoy you go first, we’ll do our best to to hold them off but if it gets too close we will leave you. Understood?” He was not backing down.

“We can\'t leave him, he…” Sirius was cut off.

“That is the only plan. Sirius you’re lucky that I’m even allowing this. You’re walking on thin ice.” He didn’t allow for further debate as he morphed into his wolf form.

“I’ll go last.” Sirius looked to the twins. “You two go right after Malfoy. Let Remus follow you. If something happens you must both leave.”

“No man left behind Black.” Fred and George winked and transformed without his assistance.

“Are you ready?” He asked the Deatheater bitterly.

“By all means.” Lucius smiled slickly.

“When you step out of that door you run until you must turn left or right. You turn right. Keep running you’ll find an uncovered sewer hole, jump in it. Remus will be waiting. He’ll transfigure you. I will be right behind you. Malfoy if you cross me I will eat you. Got it?”

“Perfectly. I’d never do anything to harm my savior…at least not when he’s on process of saving me. Malfoy stepped closer to the door and looked down the long hall way both ways. Sirius ready himself for a fight. “Go.” With one simple word Lucius took off down the hallway, Sirius close on his heels. He could hear the sickening whoosh of Dementors close behind them. Malfoy had made it to the end of the hallway and turned right.

Lupin nervously listened to the pounding of this lover’s footsteps on the wet concrete. As soon as he set eyes on Malfoy he transformed back into his human form and uttered a transfiguration spell. He turned quickly into a weasel. Remus smiled to himself.

“Stop!” Black heard a voice scream behind him. The green zing of a spell whizzed by his head. His feet felt like they had begun dragging, the effect of the Dementors taking hold of him. Lupin rounded the corner in time to see a blue ray of light strike his bonded in the back. Sirius fell onto his stomach a dementor was instantly on top of him.

“Expecto Patronum!” He roared running into the storm of spells and Hexes. The Dementor flew backwards knocking down the two guards that had been perusing Sirius. “Baby get up. You have to get up!” The werewolf pulled him quickly to his feet.

“The stupify didn’t work. I can still move.” Black mumbled as he began to move his feet.

“Not quickly enough. Sirius we have go to go faster.” Remus yelled as they rounded the corner and jumped down into the sewer. Both men landed in a heap atop one another. Sirius was made over into a black dog and limped down the cracked cement to the sublevel, the wolf protectively behind him. The dementors wondered bewildered above their heads.

The twins took off into the sea as soon as their partners came into view. The raccoon bit all too tightly onto the weasel. Sirius tumbled into the waves and began to weakly paddle, his husband remained by his side the entire journey.

*** *** ***

“Do you have it?” Hermione sleepily walked over the desk where her professor. “Did it work?”

The man looked exhausted. She was surprised when he looked to her and smiled. “It worked. I’ll have a one half-mile radius…but not for twenty four hours.” He hung his head. Part of him felt as if even that was a failure.

“He’ll be in your bed tomorrow night. Professor we did it!” She couldn’t control herself has she flung her arms around his neck. “We can rescue Harry tomorrow. Did you tell Dumbledore? Atheena? Ron?”

“I did. Tonks and Ron are on their way back to the castle. It seems that they uncovered information of their own in Knockturn Alley.” Severus picked up a vial of calming drought and downed it quickly. He couldn’t wait for the next day. “Lucius Malfoy escaped from Azkaban earlier today, aided by a black dog, a wolf and two other animals.”

She gasped. “They wouldn’t. They can\'t…it’s way worse than what we did. It’s ridiculous!”

“He loves his godson. It’ll make you do insane things.” He nodded his head towards Bellatrix who was still bound to the chair. “I still don’t know what we’re going to do with her.”

*** *** ***

Harry crumpled to the floor after crashing through the bedroom wall. He had no idea what he had done wrong. They had been eating lunch when there was a knock at the bedroom door. When Marius had returned he was furious.

“You really are completely cracked aren’t you?” Harry pushed himself to his feet. He was rewarded with a thundering kick to the face. He cried out as he fell backwards.

“Harry it seems that you won’t be staying as long as I had anticipated, I’ll need to speed things along.” Potter could barley understand the words. His head was spinning. What was happening? “That Severus…he does move quickly.” His words were punctuated with hard punches. “He’ll find you by tomorrow night. You’d think he’d want to share with his little brother but no…he wants his toys all to himself.” Harry wasn’t listening. Pain coursed through his body. He could feel the trickles of blood sliding down his face. The left cheek bone throbbed. “I only wanted play with you for a few weeks. If he wants to go at it this way I’ll leave him something to find.” Marius lifted Harry and tossed him onto the bed. He didn’t use magic as he tore the boys clothing to shreds.

Harry weakly attempted to roll away. “No…no…” The Gryffindor buried his head in the mattress.

“Oh do beg for me pet, it makes it that much more enjoyable.” Marius ran his fingernails down the still tender dark mark on Harry’s back. Harry whimpered, his mind becoming clouded by the soreness throughout his being.

Marius’s eyes darkened as he positioned himself at Harry’s entrance. “I am going to enjoy this.” Potter screamed out as the man impaled him. He felt as if he were being ripped in half. Strong hands held him at the wrists. He had begun to shed tears and the mind numbing agony. Marius hadn’t gradually increased his pace; he immediately began to slam into the younger man. Scarlet stickiness pooled on the shit sheets below them. “You are so tight pet…he hasn’t worked you over enough has he?” Harry’s hands scraped wildly at the bed. It was too much, surely he would pass out. He squeezed his eyes closed and tried to be elsewhere. Harry thought of his friends, their smiling face. He thought of Snape’s warm arms and Sirius’s calming voice. He thought of all the happiness he had ever experienced, anything to not acknowledge the man that was invading him, degrading him, raping him. “Ask me to stop Harry. I want to hear you plead for a finish.” His words stung.

Potter clenched his teeth. His tears mixed with the blood from his face. He would never beg. He’d rather die. He stayed that way most of the night as Marius took him in all the ways he could imagine. Harry was unaware that the sun had begun to creep through the curtains, his swollen eyes would allow no light to enter. His hands and wrists had been subjected to so much pressure during the night that they were now broken. His face was only recognizable by the lightning bolt scar. Could he have seen his body he would not know where his injuries could be located. Burns from Marius’s cigarettes, whip marks from a particularly painful hour and blows littered his once clean skin. He currently laid spread eagle on his back. Marius pulled a stained and bloody blanket up to Potter’s lower back. He then leaned forward and placed a chaste kiss on his victim’s lips. “You should rest pet…We’ll have more time later. One more go around before your knight arrives huh?” Marius rolled away from his bloodied mess, leaving Harry to lose consciousness.

*** *** ***

“I have it!” Severus woke Hermione in the late morning. He had allowed the girl to sleep, knowing she needed it after the draining spell she had preformed the night before. “I have to gather a few things and then we can go. Granger you really are at the top of your class. I’ll be forever grateful for your help.” Snape helped her to her feet.

“We have a location?” The surprise could be read in her voice. She looked to Bella who was sleeping. “Go get your things. I’ll make sure she won\'t be going anywhere and I’ll meet you at the door.”

Severus nodded and began to ascend the stairs. He had faith in the girl’s abilities to deal with the Deatheater, he mused that it might give her some type of closer.

“Where are we going?” Hermione remembered to ask.

“It seems my brother desired a warmer climate. We’ll be traveling to Italy.” With that the Professor left his student to deal with their adversary

*** *** ***

“Italy.” Sirius eagerly informed Dumbledore where to meet them. “Let’s go get him.” He grinned as he turned to the group. It had all worked. They were getting Harry back.

*** *** ***

Potter stared off into nothingness as Marius crashed into him, the older man’s weight making it hard for Harry to breath. He had woken up to Marius giving it another shot. He hadn’t moved. He didn’t care. It couldn’t be any worse than what he had endured these last few days. He kept his head turned to the side, not able to stomach the sight of Marius Snape violating him once more. Everything hurt. He imagined that he would never again be pain free. Harry didn’t make a sound as Marius finished, sinking his teeth deep into The Gryffindor’s shoulder. He felt hands slide into his hair, in a mock comforting fashion. Harry felt a tongue lapping up the blood from his freshest wound.

“I truly wish we were allowed more time together love. I think that I will miss. Isn’t that curious?” The man rolled off of him and pulled on a pair of pants. “Anyway, thanks for the night. Send my regards to my wayward siblings. I’m sure that this isn’t the last time we’ll cross paths pet. I’m off to deal with the schoolmate of yours; he turned like a cheap trick. Everyone will be here within the hour. Don’t be too embarrassed by your current state. After all it wasn’t your fault.” Marius was gone from Harry’s life as quickly as he had come into it. With Marius’s sudden departure Harry began to sob. It was over.









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