Dysfunctional

68 - Soul-Searching

Rosedale, Yorkshire was cold and wet when Harry Apparated to the village. The sky was a gloomy grey and a strong wind was rustling over the open moorland. The steep, winding path that led up to his house was strewn with mulch, like it had just stopped raining a few minutes before he had arrived. His feet carried him up the road unthinkingly, having traversed them so often with Sirius.

Harry buried his hands into his pockets, trying to understand why it seemed so odd to think of Sirius' name without feeling like he wanted to turn tail and run. Or punch through a wall.

He took in a deep breath, the chilly air filling up his lungs as he tried to muster his courage.

He had not planned on going back to his house. He had been to Upper Flagley in search of Tonks as soon as he had made up his mind that he needed to break into Gringotts, but he had found her and Remus' flat locked. If they were in hiding, there was no other place where they would do so other than in Potter Manor. And so, despite his reservations, Harry had Apparated to Rosedale, taking some time to collect himself before he absolutely had to see his godfather.

Harry thought he could feel the locket against his chest vibrating slightly. He clutched it tightly as if he could subdue it just by his grip alone. He knew he had to be on his guard, lest the soul in the locket try to overtake him. But he needn't worry. Since his time in captivity, Harry's head felt startlingly clearer than it had been in a long while.

He rubbed his hand against the scratchy wool of the sleeves of his jumper, concentrating on the feeling of it against his hands. By the time he reached the gates of Potter Manor, the windy draft had brought with it a light drizzle.

Harry pushed open the gates and went in rather unhurriedly. He had only made it a few paces in when his scar burst open. He groaned clutching his head while he fell to his knees.

Harry's world disappeared and he was engulfed in fury as he sent a Crucio towards the man before him, who had to suffer for bringing him the terrible news.

Travers screamed and collapsed onto the ground while the others watched in horror.

"I gave you only one thing to do," hissed Harry, looking around at his Death Eaters, who were rightfully ashamed and cowering in fear.

"Lucius," said Harry slowly, his high voice cutting like ice across the room. "Tell me how the boy escaped from your house without even a wand in his possession."

Lucius Malfoy did not lift up his head. "I do not know my Lord. He was here till last night—"

"I don't want to hear your pitiful excuses," snapped Harry before turning around and facing the window.

He knew Potter was talented, but even he could not be that good. The Malfoy Manor was being strictly guarded by Dementors and his own men. There was no way for someone to have entered from the outside and helped Potter.

"My Lord, his wand is missing as well! Someone must have surely helped him from the inside," said Bellatrix shrilly.

And to think he had entrusted her to keep the boy's wand safely...

He would have to find out the traitor amongst them, but he was also concerned about what Potter would do now that he had escaped.