It was a long walk up to the Headmaster's office. The Gargoyle, a pasty grey dragon looking fixture, jumping out of the way as soon as Grindelwald approached, gave Harry a commiserating look as he passed.

"After you, dear boy." The elder motioned towards the door with an aging hand.

Harry, very aware this was a trap, politely declined. "No thank you Sir. It is, after all, your office."

A glare was all he received for his efforts, and the headmaster, waving his arm towards the door, opening it with an almighty BANG, shoved Harry through the door.

"NO!" He was thrust through fire, burning his legs as he fell to his knees. "Please." A sob escaped him as the room shrank around him, enclosing him, reminding him of the cupboard under the stairs, only this time, encased in red hot flames.

A loud, echoing voice resounded around the room. "This is your punishment, Potter. For betraying me – betraying the light – you will suffer. You will LEARN." The door to the office slammed shut, leaving Harry alone, flames creeping closer and closer.

It burned. Everything hurt. His mind, his soul, scorched by the flames. "Help!"

"Harry. I'm here Harry. Open your eyes, close your mind. He can't get you here."

Malfoy manor was a very solemn place to be, yet Harry, sensing where he was, relaxed. "You're safe, child. Hush…"

He didn't even notice the tears as they crept down his face, a waterfall of pain and fear. "Help…"

"Harry, open your eyes." Lucius Malfoy watched on, his impassive facial expression not belying his anxiety, as Severus held the boy in his arms, patting his cheek and talking quietly to his unconscious form.

"Oh for Merlin's sakes, man. Ennervate!" Lucius could stand to watch no more, as he stormed over to the duo, wand slashing through the air as his patience hit its limit.

Harry woke with a cough, or rather, a coughing fit. The smoke on his lungs caused a new stream of tears to make their way down his pale face, and he hastened to wipe them away, not to be seen as weak before the Malfoy patriarch.

"Hurts…" another cough rattled his lungs as he struggled to sit, pushing Severus' arms off himself. "Fuck. I swear I'm gonna kill that fucker."

"Language, please Harry," Severus corrected without any heat. "And yes, I do agree. His death at your hands would be most satisfactory."

"They weren't normal flames, Sir. They hurt my soul…" He broke off, feeling stupid.

"Adolebitque Animam – to burn the soul. Can you still feel the pain, child?" Lucius approached now, feeling it safe to do so. The boy wasn't going to hex the place to pieces just now.

"No, it… my head just feels tired now, Mr. Malfoy." The weariness in the boy's voice broke both men's hearts.

"Then I'm glad. That could have ended very badly." The blond haired man sat heavily in a chair, motioning for Harry to take one for himself.

"Thank you, sir." He took the hint. "How did you know where I was… what had happened?"

"The Weasley's have a map. It shows where everyone who resides in the castle is. I knew of it because it was the Marauders for our school days, so I simply summoned it and looked for you," Severus interrupted, taking a seat himself and pouring a fingerful of Firewhisky for each of them.

"Thank you," Harry eyed the potions master. "You didn't have to, you know."

"I know I didn't have to, but I did. I care, Harry. You need to get used to that, and yes," he raised a stalling hand, "I know you are not used to that, but at some point you will be. I shall make sure of it."

"So what's the plan then? How are we going to get him?"

"We wait until our Lord calls the final battle, then… who knows?" Midnight chimed on the old grandfather clock in the Malfoy's foyer.

"Well, okay then. Can we go back now? Please? I'm tired." And Harry looked it. Usually blazing green eyes were dull, parted lips chapped from sudden temperature change and hair frazzled, he looked a mess.

Severus nodded, agreeing with the boy. He too, was exhausted. "May we use your floo, Lucius?"

"Of course, old friend. Your chambers, I hope?"

"Indeed. Goodnight Lucius. Harry?" The onyx eyed man nodded to Lucius before grabbing a handful of the green powder, throwing it down and exclaiming 'Snape's quarters, Hogwarts.' He was quickly followed by a very tired looking Harry, who was promptly sent to bed in Severus' spare room, dismissed with a 'Goodnight, Harry' and a parting hug.