He could hear his friends shouting his name in the distance, but
couldn’t get past the intense pressure in his skull. He felt a Dark
presence within his mind, coiling around his thoughts and seeing
through his own eyes. He tired to fight, to push the presence back, but
it was too strong. Icy drops swirled in his head, clouding his thoughts
and confusing him. He was so cold.
The snake in his mind flicked his eyes methodically on his location,
intently studying the door and the surrounding room. Harry felt cold,
calculating recognition dawn as a sickening sense of accomplishment
filled his senses. With cold dispassion, he turned his slit-like eyes
onto Ron, Hermione and Ginny’s panicked faces. It was the terror in his
friends’ expressions, added to the feeling of the evil in his soul
thrilling at their presence, that finally enabled Harry to push the
Darkness from his mind. He felt it swirl in a whirlpool, receding
slowly as if sliding down a drain.
The pain diminished slowly until only a dull headache remained, leaving
Harry gasping on the floor. The palms of his hands were scraped and
bleeding from trying to stop his fall, and his ankle felt strained
beneath him.
"Harry," Ron said, shaking him slightly. "Wake up, Harry. Can you hear
me?"
Harry groaned, his body aching. He wanted to drift into the sleep that
beckoned, but Ron just wouldn’t let him. Dark shadows encroached upon
the edge of his vision, threatening to overtake him completely.
"Harry, wake up," Hermione said slapping his face.
Groaning again, he pulled his face away and tried to open his eyes.
They didn’t want to cooperate, and it took him several moments.
Blinking, he realized he was lying on the floor propped against Ron’s
chest as his friend cradled him tightly. As if realizing Harry’s new
awareness, Ron released his grip, although he continued to support
Harry’s weight.
"You were thrashing like mad. I thought you were having a seizure," Ron
said, sounding panicked.
"What happened, Harry?" Ginny asked, her face pale and tear-stained.
Harry furrowed his brow, confused. Suddenly, memory crashed over him
like a tidal wave. "We have to get out of here," he cried, attempting
to rise. He would have fallen again if Ron hadn’t caught him.
"Easy, mate. We’re going. Just catch your breath," Ron said.
"No! You don’t understand. He knows we’re here. Voldemort!" Harry
gasped, scrambling for the door again. He had to get them out of here.
He couldn’t lose anyone else.
Finally catching on to his urgency, Hermione jumped to her feet,
pulling Ginny up beside her.