Never Return

Bernard gasped as his eyes popped open. The first thing he saw he was in a graveyard and he was being restrained by a statue. Bernard glanced the area. Around the graveyard, he was in the same place where he discovered the Gaunt Shack - Little Hangleton. Bernard stared at the gravestones and his eyes landed on a familiar name: Thomas Riddle Sr, Tom Riddle Jr, and Mary Riddle. On the years they died...Tom Riddle Jr, died young. Bernard gulped. He tried to reach for his wand, but it wasn't there. He looked tot he side and saw his wand was laying on one of the gravestones.

"Shit," Bernard muttered.

Think, Dowd, think, Bernard thought. He had to admit he was reckless not thinking that Death Eaters would attack him. He should've realized that, but since he was so focus on everything he had to do, he pretty much forgot and was careless to think that nothing would happen after he turned in Pettigrew. Also he thought Death Eaters hate everything no-majs. Did they had someone who knew how no-majs work? Bernard shook his head. He could think about that later. For now, he needed to get out of this...somehow. Maybe he should call Kreacher? However the thought of Kreacher getting hurt was something he didn't want. What if Kreacher died and it was his fault? Bernard pursed his lips and gnashed his teeth. Does he even have a choice in this situation?

"Kreacher!" Bernard called.

Nothing happened.

"Kreacher!" he called again.

Like always nothing happened. Bernard's eyes widened. Those Death Eaters put anti-apparation charms. It's obvious they even put for house elves who couldn't enter either. Bernard cursed to himself, he was really in a bind. The only thing he had on him was some of Batman gadgets that Tim lend him - mostly made him keep bat grenades, a couple of small explosive devices, smoke bombs, battarangs, a knife, and his phone. Now Bernard wished he had took Tim's advice to have a utility belt on him.

Not only that Bernard knew how stupid he was for not being careful. He should've made an illegal emergency portkey just in case, but instead he didn't. So many things he should've done, but he just ignored it. 

"You won't be calling that house elf here, Dowd," a voice spoke.

Bernard's eyes widened as a pale blonde man with freckles was walking towards him and in his hand was a human-snake hybrid bundle with red eyes and a snake-like nose. Behind them were a group of Death Eaters. Bernard knew who these people were. It wouldn't take a genius to figure out who they were.

"Barty Crouch Jr," Bernard growled.

Barty Crouch Jr scoffed and turned to a Death Eater. "You were right. He did use muggle means."

"He is a filthy half-blood," a familiar voice spoke.

The voice...Bernard recognized that voice. He had heard it before and when he was horcrux hunting at Hogwarts and when he was a kid. Clenching his fists, Bernard turned to the Death Eater that Barty Crouch Jr was talking to.

"Severus Snape!" Bernard hissed.

Bernard knew Dumbledore vouch for Snape instead of Sirius. It was on the papers, but not everyone knew about it for some reason. It was like as if people brushed it aside because Snape switched sides, but Bernard knew that Snape was under Dumbledore's protection. It was obvious since the headmaster vouch for Snape. However, that meant the Death Eaters that kidnapped him...Snape was one of them. Was Snape really kidnapped him because of Voldemort's orders or Dumbledore's? What if Snape really didn't switch sides and was spying on Dumbledore? What if it was the other way around? Was it both? Bernard wasn't sure, but he knew that he just needed to get out.

The masked Death Eater removed his masked, revealing himself as Severus Snape. The potion master smirked at him. It was like as if he enjoyed Bernard being captured. If Bernard knew that this man was the one who captured him, he would've enjoyed punching him.

"Severus," Voldemort spoke in a raspy voice.

"Crucio," Snape pointed his wand at him.

Bernard screamed as he thrashed against the statue. He tried to fight off the curse, but he couldn't. He kept on screaming and screaming. Bernard hated that curse. First time he felt it was in Defense the Dark Arts class and the second was during his past curse-breaker assignment when he had to partner up with an auror to find a dark wizard. This one felt ten times worst than the others.

"Where is Potter?" Voldemort asked.

"I-I don't...kn-know!" Bernard gasped.

"You're lying, tell me, Dowd."

"I don't know! I never met him!"

"Liar!"

Bernard thrashed some more as he accidently banged his head against the statue. There was no way Bernard was going to sell out his own family member to Voldemort. Everyone went through enough and if Bernard doesn't make it out...he'll sent a patronus to everyone to tell them what to do and what happened to him.

"Legilimens!" Snape said.

"Crucio!" the other Death Eaters casted.

Gasping, Bernard's eyes widened as Snape looked into his mind. Bernard tried telling his mind to block him out, trying to look away from Snape's cold eyes, trying to resist, and trying to clear his mind to fill blank with no emotions. However, the more he tried to resist, the more Snape kept pushing and pushing. Bernard bit his tongue, drawing some blood. He tried to focus, but it was hard to do that the same time when Death Eaters were using the cruciatus curse. Finally, Snape entered his mind. All Bernard could do was scream, giving into the pain he was feeling.

Bernard couldn't believe it. He wasn't strong enough to have powerful mind to block a spell like this. In the bottom of his heart, he knew he wasn't strong to hold Snape off for entering into his mind, but he tried. He tried so hard to make sure everything was going as planned, but he didn't planned far enough. He was stupid for not thinking Death Eaters would attack him. He was an idiot for not taking his mother's offer on teaching him on how to fight dark wizards and everything about them, but he didn't because he wasn't an auror.

An auror the American wizarding community only wanted.

Another Abraham Potter.

"The Dowd boy thinks Potter is in Gotham," Snape sneered.

"He thinks?" Voldemort questions.

"It turned out the Dowd boy hadn't seen Potter since Potter was a year old. Basically, he's useless to us. The papers were right. Furthermore, I don't think Potter would go to Gotham. It was just a theory. He may be as stupid and arrogant as his father, but I do know that James Potter wouldn't think twice to go to Gotham."

Then there was silence. Bernard noticed the frail wizard was pondering if Harry was really in Gotham. Would Voldemort risk going to Gotham? Voldemort would obviously stand out, even if he had the no-maj repellent charm on. People will noticed and the few American wizards living in Gotham would take action if they see someone who was similar as Voldemort. If Voldemort does decides to go to Gotham, not only Harry would be in terrible danger, but it would be Bernard's fault that he got Harry into the situation.

Voldemort looked up at Crouch. "Crouch, take me back to the mansion."

"Yes, my lord." Crouch said.

Bernard pursed his lips. He couldn't tell what Voldemort was thinking, but he didn't like it. Did he really suspected Harry is in Gotham? Either way, Bernard knew he needed to get back to Gotham asap and make sure Harry is well protected. 

"Severus, keep the Dowd boy and trap him somewhere in my mansion," Voldemort said. "We need him for Potter."

Eyes widened, Bernard gaped. No...No! This was probably the worst situation Bernard got in his entire life and he thought Gotham was worst. Bernard knew he needed to get out of this siltation now and his wand is at a gravestone and the only things he had on hand was the Batman tech that Tim gave him. I need to do something, Bernard thought, I can't give up. As much as Bernard knew it would be hard for him to fight more than one wizard at the same time, but...he needed to try. He couldn't let Harry down. He wasn't going to die here.

Bernard slowly reached to the back of his pocket, feeling a smoke bomb and a couple of grenades. His other hand was relax and at his side with palm facing to his wand. Bernard knew this horrible plan was risky, but it was the only thing he could think of.

Snape nodded. "Yes, my lord."

As the statue lets go, Bernard activated the grenades and threw them at the Death Eaters. Bernard slammed onto the ground as the grenades exploded, causing the Death Eaters to scream. Bernard threw a smoke bomb as smoke erupted from the ground.

Accio wand! Bernard thought.

At once his wand flew into his hand. Right away, Bernard scrambled onto his feet and ran without looking back. A shower of spells were being casted at him. Bernard knew he was running in the wrong direction, since the exist is literally right behind Voldemort and his Death Eaters, but if Bernard did that, it was like asking to run into trouble and Bernard had enough of running into trouble.

Bernard ducked as a killing curse almost hit his head. He leaped over a gravestone and climbed onto a statue, jumping into the air, and over the fence. Grunting, he rolled on the ground and scrambled up back onto his feet. He ran some more and more, enough where he wasn't inside the barrier. As Bernard imagine 12 Grimmauld Place, he apparated.

"Get back here, Dowd!" a voice shouted.

Before Bernard could fully disappear, Snape launched himself at him, taking Snape with him. Bernard tried to push Snape off of him, but he couldn't. Take was latching onto him as if he wanted to know where he was hiding. Then Bernard broke the apparation as the two landed in the middle of the woods. Bernard landed on his back with everything still in tact. Then Snape casted a spell at him and Bernard dodged it and use another smoke bomb as he quickly hid in the shadows. His heart was racing and the only thing in his mind was to get out. Bernard knew if he did tried to apparate, Snape would just try to hang onto him. With a deep breath, Bernard took out a couple of batarangs that Tim lend him. He closed his eyes, relaxing and focusing on his surroundings. As he heard a crack, Bernard opened his eyes and threw the batarangs. One missed Snape and hit a tree, while the other flew into Snape's dominate hand, causing him to drop his wand. Snape screamed and glared at him.

Snape use his left hand and casted the killing curse at him. Bernard dodged it and casted every single defense spell he could think of. The only goal now was to get out of dodge. Bernard did wanted to call Kreacher, but the risk of bringing Kreacher might not be in his favor. Bernard knew there was a chance that Snape might use Kreacher to get Bernard to do his bidding.

Then the tree was lifted and thrown to the side. Bernard jumped a bit. Snape looked very pissed at him. It was the same look he gave to Uncle James after his uncle apologized and condoned on his actions.

"You filthy half-blood!" Snape snapped. "You're just like Potter, Black, and that muggle loving bitch!"

"Expeli-" Bernard was about to say, but Snape shouted. "Sectumsempra!"

Suddenly, Bernard felt his whole body was being slashed by swords. Eyes widened, he fell onto the ground, clenching his wand tightly as his knuckles turned white. A fiery pain burst throughout his body as Bernard spat out some blood. Bernard blinked a few times. What was that spell? He never heard a spell like that in his life. Bernard heard Snape walking towards him and pointed his wand at him.

"Legi-" Snape said, but quickly, Bernard pointed his wand and stared at Snape in the eyes. "Legilimens!"

Snape gasped as Bernard entered his mind. Bernard could feel Snape trying to push him away, but with all of his will power, no matter how much in pain Bernard was in, Bernard kept going. He looked into Snape's mind, he needed to find information to prepare anything he needed to do when he sees Harry. As he kept going, Bernard saw a young adult Snape in the Department of Mysteries. Frowning, Bernard looked over the young Snape and his eyes widened as he turned pale.

Harry's Prophecy.

The scene changed when Snape was telling Voldemort about the prophecy. It looked like it was an old Death Eater's hideout. Voldemort looked a bit different than his small homunculus form. He almost looked like a person, but due to the horcruxes, the insane man was loosing his hair...or what remained of his former self.

"You did an excellent job, Severus," Voldemort said.

"Thank you my lord," Snape bowed.

"Now I know the Potters...especially their child is a true enemy of mine, I will eliminate them," Voldemort declared. "Wormtail, already gave me their location."

This time Snape looked concerned and worried as if he didn't expected Voldemort to go after the Potters. Snape licked his lips and brushed his greasy hair away from his face as he looked up at his master.

"My lord..." Snape began. "If it's not too much to ask....will you do me a request when you go after the Potters."

Voldemort frowned. "That is?"

"I would like you to spare Lily Evans," Snape said. "Just go after that James Potter and the boy."

Voldemort sighed. "Very well, but if she refuse to move aside, I will kill her. Is that clear?"

Snape nodded slowly. "Y-Yes, my lord."

The scene changed and Snape was in Dumbledore's office. Bernard's face hardened as he saw the two people talking. Snape was begging Dumbledore to protect only Aunt Lily and let Uncle James and little Harry die. Even Dumbledore himself seemed disgusted of what Snape said. Snape even showed his patronus of a doe, claiming he always love Aunt Lily. After that, Snape started working for Dumbledore and only protecting Harry because he's Lily's son.

As Bernard went back into reality, anger rose. With all of his strength, Bernard tackled Snape and punched him. Of all the things Harry went through, not only it was because Pettigrew sold the Potters, but Snape himself too. Bernard knew Snape was Aunt Lily's former friend. Someone who she looked up to and was her gateway to learn about the wizarding world. Bernard knew Aunt Lily love Snape as a friend and value her friendship with him. From what she told him, she only kept being his friend despite all the horrible blood purist things he did, she hoped that Snape would change his ways. Of course he didn't and called her a slur.

"How dare you!" Bernard screamed. "How could you do this to them!"

"Lily deserves a better life with me!" Snape shouted. "Potter doesn't deserved to be her son!"

"Do you really think she'll go with you after her husband and child are brutally murdered?" Bernard questioned. "Do you think she will greet you with open arms? Do you really think a grieving widow would want be with you after you asked Voldemort to only spare her and kill her husband and only child?!"

"YES!" Snape screamed. "YES, SHE WILL!!! I deserved Lily!!!"

With a final punch, Bernard quickly got off of Snape. He flicked his wand as plants bind the delusional man. As Bernard coughed up some blood, he finally apparated away. It didn't took long for him to enter the living room of 12 Grimmauld Place. Bernard coughed up some more blood as he fell onto his knees. He tried to contemplate on what just happened. On what he just saw and witnessed. Now Bernard has more reasons on wanting Snape to go to Azkaban.

"Master Bernard!" Kreacher shouted.

Bernard looked up as Kreacher raced over to him. The house elf had every healing potion in his tiny arms. Kreacher gave him a healing potion and Bernard drank it. While he was being healed, Kreacher was using healing spells for his wounds. 

"Kreacher heard Master Bernard calling for him," Kreacher explained. "but Kreacher couldn't get to Master Bernard. What happened?"

Bernard took a breath. "Death Eaters kidnapped me. They put anti-apparition cham, but I'm fine." he stood up. "We need to get to the airport right now. Go into the suitcase and I'll take it from here."

"Master Bernard, your wounds aren't fully healed," Kreacher pointed out.

"I'll be fine," Bernard smiled, assuring the old house elf. "I'll drank some potions and use some healing spells on the plane."

Kreacher looked a bit unsure, but he nodded and did as he was told. The house elf went inside the suitcase. Bernard couldn't blame Kreacher for being concerned. Bernard would have to drink some healing potions and use healing spells in the airplane restrooms, but it was the only way to get some privacy. With a sigh, Bernard flicked his wand as he changed his clothes into fresh new ones. He was still in pain, but not like he was before. Then he apparated to the airport.

~OoO~

Snape had to go back to the dark lord after that Dowd boy escaped. He healed his hand and rubbed his jaw. That Dowd really did punched him that hard. Charlotte Potter should be ashamed of herself for letting her filthy half-blood son associate with muggles. The more he spends time with them the more he acts like one. When Snape entered the graveyard, he saw the dark lord was still in his small form. Alive, but still small.

"My lord, he escaped," Snape said.

Voldemort scoffed. "As much as I know that Dowd would be a good use for us, but we must remembered that Potter would still need to come back for the first task."

"Potter will obviously come back."

The dark lord turned to him. "Are you sure? If Potter is really in Gotham, then Gotham is the perfect place for a wizard like Potter to hide. Think about it, Severus. No wizard goes to Gotham. Only a couple live there to terrorized muggles for a living. No one, would think twice that he'll be there."

Snape frowned. "What are you saying, my lord?"

"Go to Gotham, Severus," Voldemort ordered. "Bring the boy to the tournament. He needs to compete! I need him alive! If Potter looses his magic, I can't regain my power!"

Snape nodded. "Yes, my lord."

"If he's not in Gotham, then find other means to capture Dowd, understood?"

"Yes, my lord."

"Good, now go."

At once, as the anti-apparition charm was lifted, Snape apparated in front of the Hogwarts gates. It didn't took him long enough to head over to Dumbledore's office. He needed to tell the headmaster what happened and what he saw in Dowd's mind. Snape hated to admit it, but Dowd did block almost everything, but luckily, Snape was able to get the information he needed where Potter might be. He didn't care about Dowd's reasons to be here and everything else related to him. He only did what Dumbledore told him to. However, Snape was still convinced that Potter wasn't in Gotham of all places. He knew Lily well enough that she would never go to a place like that.

When Snape got tot he gargoyle, he said the password and headed upstairs. Before he could knock, the door flew opened. Dumbledore was at his office, doing some papers. Fawkes was there, but the phoenix was glaring at his master.

As the door shut behind them, Dumbledore asked. "Did you capture Dowd and looked into his mind?"

Snape knew what Dumbledore was talking about. After Snape found out that it was indeed Bernard Dowd who turned in Pettigrew, Snape told Dumbledore. Of course the headmaster wasn't happy about it and told him to capture Dowd. Ironically enough, the dark lord wanted him to capture Dowd as well because of the papers of Harry being related to the famous Bernard Dowd.

Snape sighed. "The dark lord wanted me to capture Bernard Dowd as well, Dumbledore. I did as I was told. I looked into Dowd's mind and he has a theory that Potter might be in Gotham, looking for him. However, Dowd escape by using those filthy muggle tricks. The dark lord wants to use this information to have me find Potter, but in case he's not there, then I capture Dowd again."

Dumbledore folded his hands together and looked up at him. "Find, Dowd, Severus. If Harry is there, bring him too. He needs to compete. By all means, imprison that filthy American half-blood. With Dowd capture, he wouldn't be a nuisance to me."

Then a thought rang into Snape's mind. Wouldn't that cause an international outcry of some sorts? Bernard Dowd is from the United States and from little knowledge he has of MACUSA, curse-breakers work for MACUSA. They're on par with aurors. Wouldn't MACUSA and the news noticed his disappearance? If Snape remembered correctly, Bernard Dowd is a famous international curse-breaker and is very well known. Snape was sure that Dowd started to get his recognition in Potter's first year.

"Wouldn't MACUSA noticed?" Snape questioned.

Dumbledore laughed. "Nonsense, Severus. You don't need to worry about those yanks. MACUSA wouldn't noticed. It wouldn't cause anything if we kept him hidden for the rest of the school year...well, the rest of Harry's Hogwarts years. After all, you must remembers we are doing this for Lily." 

Snape nodded. How could he forget? Everything he was doing was for Lily. Potter was lucky he has half of Lily's blood. If he didn't, Snape wouldn't hesitate to let the boy die. Just like that arrogant James Potter. Potter didn't deserved Lily's sacrifice and love. The boy deserved nothing. 

"Go find Dowd and if Harry's there, bring them both to me," Dumbledore ordered. "Make sure Dowd is confined. I will have a professor substitute Potions while you're away."

"Yes, Dumbledore," Snape nodded.

At once, Snape walked out of Dumbledore's office and headed to his room as he packed everything. As much as Snape didn't want to go to Gotham, but he knew it was for Lily. The faster he gets Dowd and possibly Potter, the faster he goes back to Hogwarts. Despite everything what happened, Snape knew he could trust Dumbledore. The headmaster gain his trust after all and Snape was sure Dumbledore was right.

~OoO~

Harry jolted from his bed, breathing heavily. Beads of sweat was dripping from his already untamed hair. He tried to wrapped his mind on what happened. He just saw Bernard Dowd in the UK and being tortured by Death Eaters, but...he was seeing that through Voldemort's eyes...how? Why? Not only that, but Snape...is a Death Eater?! Harry knew he never liked the man, but now he had more reasons not to like him. However...did Bernard really escaped? Was Bernard okay? He's not....dead, right? Through Voldemort's eyes, Harry saw that Voldemort suspected him to be at Gotham and sending Snape there?! Oh merlin, what else could get worst?

The thought of Snape being in Gotham made Harry's skin crawled. Why of all people, it had to be Snape? He would rather deal with Lockhart looking for him in Gotham than anyone else. Snape was the last person he wanted to see in Gotham, next to Dumbledore.

Without a second thought, Harry jumped out of bed. He searched around for Sirius, but he remembered Sirius was still out. Probably looking for Bernard or going to an American bar, which Sirius had from time to time. Harry cursed under his breath. He really wanted to talk to someone about it.

Harry ran back upstairs and took out his firebolt, his satchel, and his cell phone. He opened the window and flew out. Was this probably the stupidest thing he ever done? Yes. Should he asked Dobby to take him there? Yes, but he wasn't really thinking.

It only took a few minutes to find Wayne Manner. Harry landed in the nearby alleyway and put his room in his satchel. Taking out his cell phone, he called Damian as he walked over to Wayne Manner. Harry knew it was in the middle of the night, but he really wanted to talk to someone right now. In person.

"Harry?" Damian's groggily voice spoke. "Are you okay?"

"Damian," Harry took a breath. "I-I, Something...I just really need to talk to someone right now."

"What happened?" Damian's voice sounded alert and...almost like he's getting ready to attack someone.

"It's-It's hard to explain," Harry answered. "I'm almost at your house."

"...How did you get here?"

"My firebolt."

"I'll be right there."

At once the two hung up and Harry walked passed the gates and headed up to the manor. When he got there, he was about to knock, but the door flew open. Eyes widened, Harry saw Damian in his pajamas with his hair down and messy. Harry tried to open his mouth, but no words came out. Instead, tears flooded in his eyes and Harry hugged Damian.