A/N: Hello again! Here's chapter three! I hope to have up the chapter covering Christmas by Friday or Saturday morning! There might be one more after that. Thanks for all the reviews! I appreciate them all!!! Thanks to my wonderful Beta as well! Please read and review! Thanks again! Now enjoy!
Disclaimer: I still do not own this.
Chapter 3
Carvings
"Okay everyone places!" Dumbledore shouted out. They were out in the forest of Lord Voldemort's headquarters. Nyphmadora Tonks, Remus Lupin, Alastor Moody, and Severus Snape prepared themselves as they were the first line. After today Snape would not be safe from Voldemort or the Death Eaters, but it was time. As much as he hated Harry because of Harry's father, James, he did miss ragging him in class.
Remus and Snape pulled one of the two invisibility cloaks over them as Moody and Tonks did the same. Their first job was to take out the four people guarding the door of headquarters. Remus, being a Marauder in his earlier years, was able to make a map that showed where everyone was in Voldemort's lair just like the Marauder's map.
Dumbledore looked down at the map and saw two people outside of Harry's cell. He knew that if they were able to get word of the Order being there before they were able to retrieve Harry, Harry would die. The plan should work, though. The plan was to take out the Death Eaters one room by one. That way there was less chance of being taken by surprise from the back and less chance of someone being able to inform other Death Eaters of there presence. Snape, being a 'Death Eater', would be able to apparate right outside of Harry's captivity room. He would then take Harry, and then the portkey he had would take them to Madam Pomfrey at Hogwarts for Harry to be able to be treated.
Dumbledore looked at where the four people were invisible to everyone but him and gave a nod. The other 16 Order members would move in as soon as the four first Death Eaters were taken out or if there was any problem getting them out of the way.
The four proceeded to the door and successfully stunned the first set of Death Eaters. Dumbledore gave the signal to the other 16 members, who were spread throughout the forest, and suddenly people sprang into action. Snape came back to Dumbledore to check the map of where everyone was before he apparated in to get Harry. When Snape looked down at the map, he saw Malfoy in the room.
Snape looked at Dumbledore and asked, "How long has he been in there?"
"About five minutes," Dumbledore replied with a heartbroken look in his eye. Dumbledore was taking Harry's captivity the hardest because he felt he let everyone down. Even worse than letting everyone down, he let Harry down. He couldn't show this, though; he has to be tough for everyone because everyone relies on his strong appearance.
"From what I've seen so far he should be leaving any time now," Dumbledore looked down at the map and continued, "And here comes Remus, Tonks, and Alastor. By the looks of it, they are dueling with three Death Eaters with two more coming up. You better go get Harry and help if they are in need of it."
Snape apparated into Voldemort's Headquarters, right outside of Harry's dungeon. He quickly said 'Alohomora' and unlocked the cell door. He walked in and felt sick at the smell. The smell of blood was everywhere but so was the blood. Snape sighted Harry in a small heap in a corner, and the sight of his cut, abused body made Snape feel faint. He looked around at the walls and saw many torture tools that Snape didn't even have to guess was used on Harry. He saw many whips, a whip with a catlike claw on the end that Snape could tell was used on Harry by the look of Harry's back. He saw knives hanging on the wall as well as chains dangling around.
Snape walked over to Harry and called out to him, "Harry, can you hear me?" Snape was relieved to see his bruised eyelids open up after a minute.
At that moment, Remus, Tonks, and Alastor walked in and Remus asked, "Is he going to be okay?" Snape helped support Harry to a sitting position to make sure he was okay for portkey travel.
"I don't know." Remus looked at Harry and saw his beat up face turn to pure fear. Remus saw a yellow curse hit Harry and whipped around to see Lucius Malfoy and three other Death Eaters. Remus and Moody both shot stunners at Malfoy. Harry fell with a thud to the ground as did Malfoy a few seconds later.
Snape shouted to Remus, "Get him out of here!" Remus knew that Snape wanted to finish up business since the Death Eaters knew which side he was on now, and someone had to get Harry help now especially since he had no clue what the curse was. Remus grabbed Harry as Snape threw him the broken quill. When Remus caught it, Harry and Remus left the ground and spun until finally Remus' feet hit the ground holding Harry in his arms.
Lupin hurried and sat Harry on one of the many hospital beds. He then ran over to Madam Pomfrey's office and wrenched the door open.
When Madam Pomfrey started to snap at him for the sudden intrusion, Remus said, "I need help! Harry Potter was found, and he is in bad condition!"
Madam Pomfrey didn't waste any more time and hustled out of her office. She gasped at the sight of his bruised and beaten body, but immediately started grabbing potions. She knew there was no time to waste.
"Remus, do you know what happened to him?" She questioned.
"I just know he was hit was some yellow curse. I've never seen anything like it before."
"It's the Flepident curse." Lupin and Madam Pomfrey looked up at the unexpected interruption to see Dumbledore at the entrance of the Hospital Wing. "It is a new curse invented by Voldemort himself. It is a stronger version of the stunner, but while the victim is unconscious it makes them relive their most horrifying memories. The victim, in this case, Harry has to be able to fight it off. "
"How can he fight it off? He's been through more nightmares in his sixteen years of life than most people see in their entire life!" Lupin couldn't loose Harry. He felt like he let down James, Lily, and Sirius already by Harry being captured. If Harry wasn't able to fight off the curse, then he will let them all down again by failing his new found duties of being Harry's godfather. He cared for that boy more than his own life, and now he was failing him once again. He couldn't help him at all, and Lupin felt useless.
Dumbledore could see the pain reflecting in Lupin's eyes. He hated that he couldn't help Harry either, but he knew Harry was strong enough to fight off the curse, but would he be able to fight off the curse in time?
"I think he needs to be taken to St. Mungo's. There are more Healers there, and they will be able to keep him nurtured while he is unconscious. I will heal his cuts to the best I can for the time being, but they look to have some poison in them that will keep them from healing properly until we know what the poison is."
Pomfrey looked by down at Harry to heal what she could and gasped in shock. There on Harry's chest where something was carved on it. There was too much blood on his chest to be able to see what exactly it was. After a saying 'Scourgify' a few times, she gasped again. She could know see what was clearly written on Harry's chest.
Dumbledore and Lupin came closer to see what was bothering Madam Pomfrey so much. She's seen a lot and for something to disturb her like this, it had to be something horrible. Lupin walked over and immediately started fuming at what was carved into Harry's chest, and Dumbledore could faintly here him muttering threats under his breath as he continued to walk towards Harry.
Dumbledore was reached Harry at last and looked down at his chest. The words 'Lucius Malfoy' was clearly carved into that poor chest of his right over Harry's heart. Despite the fact that Madam Pomfrey had just cleaned out the wounds, they were bleeding again.
"I don't think Harry should stay here any longer. This needs to the help of St. Mungo's best. Remus, would you please go and inform the Healers at St. Mungo's that Harry will be there in 10 minutes? Tell them to be ready with several blood replenishing potions as well as poison removing potions. Pomfrey, could you heal his minor cuts that look to be from the Cruciatus curse?"
No replies were need as these orders were from Dumbledore. He may have asked them to do it, but no one questioned Dumbledore's judgment. Lupin and Madam Pomfrey immediately went in opposite directions in response to Dumbledore's 'questions.'
Fifteen minutes later, Harry was admitted to St. Mungo's. He had the best Healers helping him, but not one had a way of helping him fight the curse.
Harry may have been with Voldemort for three days, but it looked like it had been a year. After a while, the poisons and open wounds were healed. His cuts and bruises were being treated so he could have the appearance of a full recovery despite the fact he was unconscious. How long he would be like this, no one knew.
The next day Hermione demanded to see Harry as soon as visitors were allowed. She immediately started to fill Harry in on everything he missed those four long days as if he was actually awake. Hermione looked a lot better now. It was as if she knew Harry could make it through the nightmare he was reliving over and over again, but how long it would take, she did not know. Hermione didn't care, Harry was back.