His body lurched through the castle, the feeling in his chest that had been dragging him backwards suddenly pulling him in the direction he was running, seeming to draw him faster. He heard his footsteps echoing through the castle as he ran, but he couldn't bring himself to care. If he was right... If what he thought was true... He simply had to find out. His breath burned in his chest, and he could hear Filch's voice echoing behind him "What is it, my pretty? Do you hear someone?" and his annoying cat's answering meow.
With the hand that clutched his Invisibility Cloak, he clutched his side while he ran, another stitch forming in his side. Dear bloody lord... It seemed as though he had been in pain all day! He simply couldn't fucking win! However, if he was right... Everything would be worth it. He wouldn't mind. Not the aching in his chest, not the burning in his veins, not his irritation at being unable to answer his questions. Please let me be right... Please. He had not really ever asked for much in his life, he hoped that, just for this once, he would get what he wanted. Just this once.
He skidded to a stop when he heard Snape's voice coming from the corridor he was about to turn onto. Shit! Bloody hell! He spun around, darting the other way, knowing another way to get to his destination, albeit longer. "POTTER!" he heard the man cry, but only pushed himself faster, trying to get away from him, unwilling to stop. Snape would have to forcefully immobilize him and drag him to detention to keep from going where he wanted. And even then... Harry was at a point where he wasn't going to let anyone stop him.
He simply had to know.
He could hear Snape about to round the corner, screaming his name. Fumbling, he quickly wrapped his Invisibility Cloak around him, looking down while he ran to make sure nothing was showing. As Snape rounded the corner so did he, slowing to a walk when he did so. He still walked, however; he didn't think he could have stayed still even if he wanted to, even if his life was dependent on it, the tug in his chest so great. He clamped a hand over his mouth, to help silence his breathing, making sure to be quiet while he walked.
Glancing over his shoulder, he saw Snape walking away, his head snapping back and forth while he stalked. Harry let out a silent relieved sigh, looking back in front of him and hurrying up. The feelings in his chest increased with ever second, growing more painful, and harder to ignore. The longer it took him, the harder it was for him to breathe, for him to function! He could feel that, despite it grower stronger, it was because of the time, not the distance. He knew he was going the right way, knew when he got there, the feeling would go away.
He hoped, at least.
When he reached the stairs, he threw off his Invisibility Cloak, hoping to gain speed that way. He held the cloak in one hand as he took the stairs two at a time, his body burning from the amount of strain he had put on it that day, running all around the school constantly. His breath came in gasps as he ran, gasping for air. He didn't care, he kept running. It was at the top of those stairs, the relief of the pain he felt in his chest, he just knew it! Running all the way up the stairs, he felt as though he was going to pass out when he reached the door to the tower, but he pushed the feeling aside.
He opened the door.
Standing there, in long black robes, was Tom Marvolo Riddle, Lord Voldemort, the Dark Lord, and Harry Potter's escape from the world. He slowly turned around, looking over at him with that smug look on his face, and a slight smirk. He opened his lips and Harry's heart leapt for the sound of his voice; it had not feel truly upon his ears since that fateful summer night over a month before. "Why, Harry... there was no need to rush."
The feeling in his chest evaporated, and the teen felt as though he was going to pass out where he stood, all energy fleeing his body at the sight of the man. He stood, panting like a fool for an entire minute, just staring at the man who peered at him with an amused but pleased expression on his face. The Invisibility Cloak slipped from his grasp and slowly floated to the stones of the Astronomy Tower. His body trembled from an effort-an effort of what he wasn't sure, but an effort all the same.
