(Untitled)

[barelybitten]

The only reason Bill agreed to come with Lucius to this party was the promise that he might be able to see Ginny. Considering that they were locking all the slaves into one room (guarded by a only a few people), he thought that it might just work. If he and his sister behaved and didn't talk too loudly, they could talk and he could let her know

Comments

[bound_harry]

Harry was taken to the room with the other Slaves, but he had a certain air to him. Snape had told him he wouldn't be harmed if he behaved, and if there was a mark on him that wasn't there before, there would be hell to pay. To hide the fact that he didn't have the tattoo like everyone else, he wore a collar that Snape had given him to hide his neck completely. So that no one would be tempted to take it off for a peek, a spell was put on it to keep it in place.

He went in and recognized nearly everyone there, but pretended they were all strangers. He had to be Snape's Slave, Nathaniel, not Harry Potter. Harry Potter was dead. It was easier for him to act the part with the dejected looks on everyone's faces, and he moved to sit in a far corner on his own when the guards let him go without manhandling him. He appreciated the perk that went along with a threatening Master.

[bound_harry]

Harry looked up at a guard who kept looking at him and grabbed for his own shoulder with a warning look. The guard turned his head and grimaced, knowing he couldn't do anything lest Snape find the young man bruised, and went back to looking at the others. "I don't know, really. It's all a blur. Don't you hate when your mind gets jumbled?"

[hr_neville]

That sounded suspicious, but Neville knew better than to delve into it. If you didn't have your secrets, you didn't have anything, after all. He followed the boy's gaze to the guards. They wouldn't hesitate to beat him to a bloody pulp, of course, but he couldn't care less. "What's your name?" he asked instead.

[bound_harry]

It took Harry a moment and a fleeting glance to his cuff before he responded, trying to make it seem like his wrist itched or something. "Nathaniel." Looking at the guards and then back to Neville, he leaned in to whisper to him, trying to reassure him somewhat. "I won't let them hurt you, Neville. At least not while I'm in here."

[hr_neville]

Neville stifled a laugh. "Thanks, but I'm not worried. Really, I'm used to it."

[bound_harry]

"No one should be used to it. I'm sure you're tough, but it doesn't hurt to have a little help now and then." He bit his lip, knowing the next sentence that almost came out would have made Neville suspicious of who he was. He couldn't have that, for both of their sakes.

[hr_neville]

He sighed. "Sorry. I guess I'm just not very good at accepting help from people." Usually they're just out to get you, was the unfinished part of that sentence. "Really, I'm fine. It's you I'm worried about, rookie," he said, winking.

[bound_harry]

Rookie. Harry smiled boyishly and shook his head. It had been a long time since anyone called him anything of the sort, least of all Neville. "I guess I am pretty new to this whole thing. I'm just lucky Snape made his threats before I was brought in here, or I'd be broken by now. Stupid guards. Remind me of-" He swallowed and scoffed. Too close, Harry, too close. "Ogres. Trolls maybe."

[hr_neville]

"Yeah, well they're not exactly picked out for their intelligence. They get ridiculously overpaid, too."

[bound_harry]

"Of course. They have to do something that makes up for the waste of air and space." Harry grimaced and fell silent for a while, having so many questions he wanted answers to and not daring to ask a single one.

[hr_neville]

Neville sat listening to the faint strains of music coming from above them. "Couple hours yet," he said vaguely.

[bound_harry]

"I bet they all look ridiculous," Harry nodded. "And that their stupid Dark Lord doesn't care about any of them."

[hr_neville]

Neville raised his eyebrows. "Snape really has given you free reign, hasn't he?"

[bound_harry]

Harry turned to stare blankly at him. "Why do you say that?"

[hr_neville]

"Nothing," he said. "You're just... very outspoken. Don't mind me." He was starting to like the kid now, in spite of himself. Kid? He can't be much younger than you. Stop that.

[bound_harry]

"Habit," he shrugged. "Old habits die hard, and I'm not within earshot of Snape. I feel almost safe right now."