"Mmmmm", Harry grunt through the cloth in his mouth as he struggled to free himself. He wanted nothing more at that moment than to get to his parent's betrayer. Pain shot through his left arm and it was only then that he realized he was bound to the six foot tombstone that Harry had seen Wormtail stop at earlier. The ropes that confined him were thick and constricting. Through the fog that was still his headache and pain in his arm a single French voice filled his head. "We are wiz you love. We are also with Dumbledore. 'E knows where you are."
"DUMBLEDORE!" Harry thought. Just the name brought a sense of relief; a sense of knowing everything would be all right. "He knows. He'll think of something," Harry immediately started looking around as if expecting the Headmaster to appear any minute. He paid no attention to the giant stone cauldron that Wormtail had dragged to the foot of the grave, but the 'woosh' sound as flames erupted underneath it, made him turn his attention in that direction .
Voldemort was an expert at reading people, not just as an expert at Legilimency; he had always been able to sense the mood of people just by their faces. He had been watching Potter through the opening in the robes he was currently in and noticed what seemed like relief flow over the boy.
"That will not do," The Dark Lord thought. "I need the boy cowering in fear, showing my Death Eaters that the stories were all lies. Then I shall watch his eyes as his very life flows from them."
"Wormtail," Voldemort called to his servant. "Ungag the boy."
"Yes Master," Wormtail replied as he quickly scurried to Harry and pulled the cloth free from his mouth.
"Now Potter," The high-pitched voice asked. "Do you know what is going to happen to you tonight?"
Harry glared at the robes. He couldn't make out what was speaking, but he knew who it was and decided to remain silent for the moment.
"You are going to die, but only after…" Voldemort sneered in a quiet high pitch voice.
"DUMBLEDORE WILL..." Harry shouted over the soft almost whispering voice of Voldemort but was cut off by Voldemort himself raising his own voice.
"DUMBLEDORE can do nothing," The Dark Lord sneered. "He has no idea where you are and even if he did, you will be dead as soon as he comes near this place. Those ropes around you are magical Potter. A single command, even a single thought and they will squeeze the very life out of your body. If your esteemed," That word was almost spat out in disgust, "Headmaster or that Phoenix of his does show up, you will just die earlier than planned."
When Voldemort had mention Fawkes, Harry had glance hopefully around. Wanting to hear that music, that song that could make his fears fall away.
"Yes I heard of your adventure the year after we last met," Riddle continued. "I heard from my servant at Hogwarts how Dumbledore's bird saved you. Boy-Who-Lived?" Voldemort spat. "You are nothing without another's protection and tonight I will prove it. Tonight there will be no Dumbledore, no Phoenix and there will be no miracles for Harry Potter. There will only be your death."
Harry's confidence diminished with those words but he refused to allow Voldemort the satisfaction of knowing it. "Then kill me already."
"All in good time Potter but first there is much to be done. Is it ready Wormtail."
Harry's attention returned to the large Cauldron. The liquid inside it was bubbling and spitting out sparks.
"Very soon master."
In the Headmaster's office Dumbledore was listening to what the bond mates of Harry were telling him. Finally he said, "We don't have much time. Sometime tonight Voldemort plans to kill Harry."
"Then let's go get him," Remus said. "We have several people here and..."
Ginny squealed in terror when the large black dog morphed into a human shape. The could only point at the man she now recognized as the murderer Sirius Black. Even in her fear, she realized that no one else in the room was surprised at what had happened.
"It's fine Ginny," Gabrielle whispered. "He's Harry's godfather and not who you think."
"WHAT?" Ginny replied.
"It's true," Hermione added. "We'll explain later."
"Count me in," Black said. "He's my godson Albus, you'll not leave me behind."
"You heard what Voldemort told Harry," Dumbledore said to the Marauders. "I cannot go and we cannot attack in force. He will kill Harry as soon as we try. He has been working on this plan for a year Remus, so do not underestimate him."
"I'll go alone then," Remus growled. "A single person should be able to get close and maybe get Harry out of there."
"Like hell you will," Sirius replied, "I'll be the one going. Just tell me where he is."
"One person might be able to get to Harry," Dumbledore admitted calmly. "But it will be neither of you. I wouldn't risk Wormtail being able to sense either of you," His eyes leveled on a silvery blonde-haired young lady. "No, in this case, I think Fleur would be the best choice."
Another round of commotion broke out.
"Zis is madness. You cannot send my daughter against zat madman, I'll go," Alain Delacour insisted.
"Alain, she is the best-trained person who can talk to Harry and let us know what is going on as well," Dumbledore argued. "I don't know what Voldemort is planning but I can assure you it is not good for Harry. We are running out of time. If Voldemort detects a threat I am sure he will kill Harry and make his escape."
"Wormtail just told Voldemort whatever ees in ze cauldron is ready," Fleur said to Dumbledore and then to her father. "Of course I will go Papa. 'Arry needs me. You know 'e saved my life again in ze maze? I will not turn my back on my bondmate. Besides you know what will probably 'appen if 'e dies," She held her father's gaze for several seconds before he finally nodded.
"I'll go with her," Hermione said nervously. "I...I can help."
"J'irai également," Gabrielle replied, and then translated her own words. "I will also go."
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