Control

Sorry for the long delay but my college is starting very soon and I was not home most of the time. But here is the next chapter and even if it is short, it should be enough for now. I try to update soon, promise!

By the way, if you ever want to comment via email, you find my email address on my author's profile. I look forward to hear from you.




Insignificance

Harry had had his share of the cruciatus curse in the war but never had he had to endure it so long. Every bone in his body hurt and he felt thoughts slipping away until it was hard to focus on anything specific.


Bellatrix lowered he wand. “You are tough Potter.” she stated a little out of breath herself. “Clinging to your insignificant thoughts.”


Slumping to the ground Harry exhaled.


“What do you want to achieve with this?” His voice was raspy from screaming.


“Nothing in particular.” She advanced her eyes flickering with something unreadable. “It might not mean much to you but actually you are very much like Tom.”


When Harry huffed she leaned against the wall, he eyes unfocused.


“He was not always the madman- there was once at time when he believed, and made others believe. He was a natural leader and had it not been for you he would have lead all of us into a glorious future. He was determined in what he did- just like you.”


“I hardly see the resemblance,” Harry said brushing his hair out of his sweaty forehead.


“But surely you must see the similarities in your lives- both orphans, both singled out for something heroic.”


“But we made different choices.”


Bellatrix's lips curled in disdain. “He wanted to transform wizards and witches into powerful beings who are not only aware of their power but no longer scared to use them. You on the other hand are crippling magical folks and their magic.”


Looking up Harry sneered. “Just get over it,” he hissed, “and finish what you came here to do!”


Drawing her wand Bellatrix bared her teeth.


“Done.”




“Fine, let us recap what we know-” Hayden said seriously. “We do not know if Harry returned home because Slinky was in Hogwarts for several hours but we do know that this golden object was glowing since Slinky came back. He is neither with his godfather nor with his friends and has not tried to contact anybody.”


“Thanks for stating the obvious,” Severus growled.


Hayden shrugged. “I just wanted everybody to know where we are. The question is what do we do now?”


“Has somebody checked at this manor is Scotland?” Hermione asked from her seat on the couch.


“Me and Severus did an hour ago. No sign from him but somebody has been residing there, probably for a while- we found traces of that on the the estate.” Hayden looked to Severus for verification but the potion master frowned as he was listening to something. “Is everything alright?”


Severus scowled. “I feel a strange intrusion onto my thoughts as if-” he hesitated but then a thin smile appeared on his face. “As if the boy is foolishly and incompetently trying to tell me something.”


“Does he say where he is?” Ron asked from the window, his pale face hopeful.


“He never learned to use occlumency let alone legillimency but I would guess he uses the connection of our bond. Unfortunately that does not allow him to say anything specific but I figure he is alive.”


“Thank god,” Adrian said and exhaled audibly.


Ron frowned. “But how are we to find him if we do not know where to look?”


The fireplace flared to life in that moment and out of it stumbled Dumbledore and in tow Draco Malfoy. Ron's face darkened considerably when he recognized the blonde slytherin.


“What's he doing here?”


Albus smiled. “To help.”


Ron huffed. “Yeah sure, I bet he is involved in Harry's disappearance.”


Draco's face showed his disdain but he refrained from talking when he saw the look Dumbledore gave him.


“As I said young Mr Malfoy is trying to help us and we should listen to what he has to say.”


After an encouraging pad on the shoulder from the old wizard Draco nodded.


“There is an old holiday house we used during the summer and if Lucius is anywhere, it is there. It is in the Scottish highlands and there are powerful wards protecting it but I can get us inside.”


Hayden rose from his chair and his face showed his determination.


“Then let's go!”