[P] Potter....[22][22]

[Nagini]

**slithers out slowly from the flames, her black long body snaking across the stone floor silently**

*slides back into the shadows, searching, smelling, determined**

[Harry Potter]

Harry charged into the corridor his wand out, pointing it towards the oncoming fire. It looked almost like red, fiery animals fighting their way down the small corridor towards him. Trying his best to remember what Flitwick's book had said, he yelled the incatation and jets of magical foam shot from the end of his wand. The foremost flames were doused slightly but the magical fire kept advancing. He backed up a bit and repeated the spell.

[Nagini]

**snakes silently into the burning corridor, finding only Potter uselessly trying to put out her master's magical fire**

**knows this is her chance**

**slinks closer, yet still not revealing herself**

"Haarrryyy...."

[Harry Potter]

Harry's eyes widened. He had heard someone whisper his name. He whirled round, a terrified look in his eyes. "Wh...who's there?" he called, not moving despite the heat from the flames scorching the back of his neck between his shirt collar and his hair. "Come out where I can see you!"

[Nagini]

**quick as lightning she shoots out of her hiding place and wraps her strong scaly body around him, incarcerating him with her grip and squeezing so hard he can hardly breathe properly**

"You think yourssself brave, don't you Potter? I have a messsage for you."

**brings her face to just in front of his, her forked tongue tasting his cheek as she speaks and her grip just as firm around his arms and body**

"Give yoursssself up to the Dark Lord. Give in to the inevitable or Hogwarts will keep burning until it issss nothing but ashessss. Your preciousss haven and everyone trapped inssside will be no more. And it will all be your fault."

**her red eyes look deep into his, almost entrancing him**

"My Master wantsss you and he'll never give up. You'll have nowhere left to hide. Do it!"

**releases him just as quickly as she appeared and retreats into the flames once again, still whispering her warning**

"Do it Potter. You know you mussst. And next time, I will not be ssso....friendly."

**disappears through the fire, leaving him alone with nothing but the fear she sensed within him and an echoing hiss that almost sounds like evil laughter**

[Harry Potter]

Harry struggled against the giant snake, fighting to breathe. He was sure that the snake would strike and he'd die here in the flames, with no one able to reach him, let alone help. But as he heard the snake hiss Voldemort's message, he went still. He was unsure he'd heard right. "I...but..." He wanted to retort, to send a message back, but the words wouldn't come. Hogwarts, his only real home, would be destroyed if he didn't give in. All the memories, in ashes along with the castle. He was still thinking, a viscious battle inside his head, of what to say as the snake let go and slithered off. Able to breathe again he yelled after her, "Tell your master that...tell him that people will never stop fighting, whether I'm alive or not. He'll never win while there are still good people in the world!" It sounded good. He didn't really believe it but it sounded good.

Harry turned around. The flames were a lot closer now. He attempted one last time to staunch the fire but he knew it was pointless. Voldemort's magic wouldn't be put out by a mere foam spell. He shoved his wand back in his pocket and ran back to the staircase and out of the castle.

[Harry Potter]

"Nagini!" Harry cried, running back into the corridor. "Voldemort!....I give in. I surrender!" He gulped looking around. What should he do? The flames had advanced so he could only go a few feet into the corridor. "I give up. I'm yours!"

[Nagini]

**his name can be heard in a soft voice among the flames as if she is calling him into them...**

[Harry Potter]

Harry heard his name from the flames. Surely not! How could the snake have got past the flames without being burnt? Unless they were bewitched not to hurt her. Harry held out his hand tentativly to the flames. The heat was prickly but it didn't burn his soft, pink skin. If it was a trick, he'd burn to death, but then again, if he was about to come face to face with Voldemort he'd be dead soon anyway. He gripped his wand tightly and closed his eyes as he stepped forward and was engulfed by the flames.

[Nagini]

**hissing laughter from behind the flames**