A Fatal Attachment

Chapter One

Harry glanced into the greenhouse. It was deserted except for Neville who was planting seedlings into individual pots. Neville looked up just as Harry was sliding down the aisle, trying to remain out of sight. "Hi ya, Harry. She went that way." Neville's head jerked in the direction Filch's cat had gone. Harry shook his head and came out from behind a Spotted Trailing Dragonia plant. He was supposed to be tracking Mrs. Norris without being discovered by anyone.

Harry had learned something over the past months, he really depended on his friends. He was in his last and final year at Hogwarts. The first weeks of school he had spent rescuing Dumbledore from Voldemort, had wandered into Knockturn Alley in disguise and had met his father's corpse possessed by Snape's dead father and had watched him die one more time. He'd also learned he was the Protector of the Guardian; a person who was chosen to guard and keep imprisoned the source of all evil. It just happened to the very resource Voldemort wanted to tap into to achieve immortality. He knew Neville was the Guardian and he was the Protector just as James Potter had been Guardian and Snape his Protector. Then he had returned to Hogwarts to finish his year.

Snape had taken it upon himself to teach Harry skills not part of the normal curriculum. This included an obstacle course. It was a very unusual obstacle course at that. Harry's job was to trail someone without being seen or ask for any assistance in doing it. Only weeks before, word had spread quickly that he intended to rescue Snape, who was held captive. Almost the entire school had shown up to help, including members of the Order. Now the entire school took it upon themselves to help with his training either by helping him with little hints as Neville had just done or by challenging him. The course was set by Snape and enhanced by everyone who thought they were being helpful by adding to the difficulty; most notably the teachers.

Harry was shaken awake at 5:00 that morning by a very sleepy Ron and pulled out of bed. Ron had then returned to the warmth of his own bed while Harry dressed in warm clothes and followed a trail through the castle behind Mr. Filch's cat. He was amazed how far this feline managed to explore in the early hours of the morning. His job was to follow and watch her without having her detect him- a rather difficult feat- and warn Filch.

So far the stupid cat hasn't seen me, Harry thought as he slipped through the greenhouse.

One of the rules was that he was not receive help from anyone; but of course, Neville was in a long line of people who had been helping him that morning. That was the very thing that surprised Harry the most, how much he needed everyone's help. The tasks were formidable and Harry always ended up standing in front of Snape's desk with the Potion's Master critiquing his performance. It was rarely a good critique.

He was just now passing Hagrid's third year class in Care of Magical Creatures after the long and circuitous route the cat had taken earlier in the dark of the morning hours. Hagrid waved a cheerful hello as Harry walked past; dirty, sweaty and tired. The first year students watched, ignoring Hagrid's attempts to discuss bowtruckles. There were a few faces in the small crowd that looked awed at seeing the 'legend' in the flesh.

Harry's training also included taking and passing all of his classes. He would be sitting for exams in six months, taking his N.E.W.T.S. and then afterward taking a very private exam given by Snape. Harry slipped into the castle behind the cat and followed her to Filch's office.

Done it! he thought. He hurried down the hall to the stairs leading to the dorm rooms so he could shower and change and eat breakfast before his first class. He met Hermione on the stairs. She looked as harassed as he felt. Because it was their last year, she had been studying for her finals and with Hermione it was never satisfactory to know enough; you had to know it all.

Harry was also worried about her in another way. Harry's wife Nadya left him at Halloween to travel with her people to find winter shelter. The day she left, Hermione and Nadya had been talking to one another in the courtyard and Harry had come upon them. Since then Hermione had been acting strange around him. Harry realized he didn't feel bad about it because she had been very gentle and kind towards him, more than her usual self and that was what was puzzling him most.

"How did you do, Harry?" Hermione asked, smiling at him and looking over the dirty cloak and his muddy shoes.

He mumbled grumpily, "I sat and watched a cat hunt down and catch a mouse. I was lying in the snow for a half hour." He gave in and broke into a smile. "Think I did all right."

"Good," she said, nodded and went past him down the stairs. "Hurry and clean up and meet us for breakfast. We'll practice our transfiguration lesson while we eat."

He climbed the steps wearily. Harry thought he could stay on in the shower the rest of the day. It felt good to be in warm water and feel the dried mud wash out of his hair and off of his body. He hadn't had much sleep and very little rest. Snape's last obstacle course left him wandering around the sewers of Hogwarts for almost a full day in the dark.

"Use your head, Potter," Snape grumbled. "There may come a time when you won't have your wand. Then what are you going to do?"

He and Snape had a touch and go relationship. Harry didn't think they would ever get to the point where they considered each other as friends. They did share a common goal, however, several as a matter of fact; protecting the current Guardian, Dumbledore and protecting the new Guardian, Neville and fighting the Dark Lord.

Together they had found Voldemort's Achilles heel. The year before they concocted a brew of Harry's blood and his mother's ashes and given it to Voldemort to drink. Voldemort could no longer use his magical powers. Anything he did to someone else rebounded back on him. Harry had also released Voldemort's snake, Nagini, from his servitude. He had killed Bellatrix Lestrange when he rescued Snape, another of Voldemort's Death Eaters and Dumbledore had killed Jeremy Potter, Voldemort's right-hand man. Several other Death Eaters were also captured by the Order and held in custody.

So he was rather proud of the fact that so much was accomplished and the Dark Lord's powers were diminished. It made thinking about facing him and fulfilling the prophecy a little easier to swallow.

Harry knew he had an affection for Severus Snape built up over their shared struggle and because of their common background. He stood in the shower, shaking his head, thinking to himself, he makes it so hard to be nice to him.

Harry was not angry about the hard work. He had asked for it and knew it was going to help him. He could already feel himself getting better. It was just that Snape's style was rather harsh and cruel unlike that of his friend Remus Lupin who offered kind words of encouragement. Snape's style was to drill the knowledge into him so that he often walked away feeling mentally bruised.

Snape was also working on occlumency with him and teaching him skills he knew he would never learn at Hogwarts as a normal student and he was grateful for the opportunity. Just thinking about it all made him feel even more exhausted. He dried off and slipped his school clothes on. He didn't realize he'd taken so much time in the shower and he hurried down to the Great Hall for breakfast. Hermione frowned when he slipped in across from her. Ron was already wolfing down eggs and sausages.

"You've got to have breakfast Harry," Hermione chastised him as she poured pumpkin juice in a goblet and handed it to him. "You're half starved already."

"Ho 'arry," Ron sputtered through a mouthful of food. He swallowed and continued, "Getting our New Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher this morning, did you hear?'

Harry shook his head and piled his plate with food. His current regimen was keeping him slim and building muscle. "Who do you think it is?"

Dean Thomas leaned in and said, "Somebody with a death wish." He laughed as did others around them. Up to this point they had not kept a Defense Against the Darks Arts teacher for a whole year." Dean was among a small group of students that trained regularly outside of regular classes, called the Defense Association or more commonly Dumbledore's Army. Some of those trained were now taking it on themselves to train people in the lower classes. They were all getting good enough that a Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher was almost superfluous.

"Where did Snape send you this time, Harry?" Ginny Weasley was sipping her coffee. She was finished with breakfast and looking over her homework.

"He had him following Mrs. Norris," Ron chuckled. Other's around him laughed, too.

"Very funny," Harry grunted.

"Oh, by the way, Harry," Hermione said, and reached for her bag and withdrew a book. "I found this in the library. It's on field medicine. What to do for injuries when your on the battlefield. There are several things in here I thought were very interesting." She handed it to him.

"...mione," he mumbled through his own mouthful of food. "I can't!" he protested. "I barely have enough time to read what I've got. Then I have to do extra work for Snape as it is. Professor Flitwick thought he'd be helpful and sent me a book on Shielding Charms. Dobby dropped it on my bed in the middle of the night and I 'bout lost it. It weighed at least a ton. I came up with my wand pointed at him and I sacred him badly." Harry shook his head with the memory of it.

"Heard you scream," Ron said, snickering, "like a girl."

Seamus Finnigan laughed and took the book, saying, "I've got time Harry. I'll look it over for ya and see if I can pick out the best charms."

"Thanks, Seamus." Harry gulped his coffee and once again thought how lucky he was to have so many friends. The thought that they would soon be separated after they left school edged around the back of his brain.

The thought seemed to occur to all of them. Discussions about what they were going to do were an inevitable part of mealtime conversation. They still faced a possible war although that had been kept at bay. Most of them did not know that it was Harry and Snape that had made it possible.

Other topics of conversation were the Ministry of Magic and the massacre that had taken place the previous summer. Dumbledore had been found there in a state of unconscious surrounded by a bloody scene and several dead bodies. The issue was still not resolved even though Percy Weasley had been present, taken captive and later rescued by Harry. He remained at home in a state of depression. As far as Harry knew Percy still could not discuss the events of that day without breaking down completely and so it still remained a mystery.

"We have to hurry or we'll be late for class," Hermione said gathering her books. "We haven't even practiced our transfiguration."

Harry and Ron followed behind Hermione. They were chatting as they walked. "I sat there in the dark for an hour before I could turn the key in the lock," Harry said. "I'm going to write a letter to George and Fred and have them send me the information on muggle lock-picking that they learned. I'm not spending another night locked up in a closet. It was cold!" Harry was walking faster to keep up with Ron's long stride. He was talking about another of Snape's courses.

"If you ask me Harry, he enjoys this just a little too much," Ron was speaking of Snape and his new challenges. "Speaking of enjoying," Ron whispered, "Hermione has my study schedule all made out for exams. We're to take one hour every evening to review." He shook his head in resignation. "Watch out for her or she'll include you."

Harry followed him into the classroom. "We've got Quidditch practice this week. Ginny would kill us both if we missed it." Harry was speaking of Ginny Weasley who was Captain of the team. "I have to go and see Snape tonight. It'll be midnight before I get to bed if I'm lucky."

They seated themselves and Professor McGonagall looked up from her desk and stood waiting for the students to sit and quiet themselves. "Mr. Potter, you are excused. Professor Dumbledore would like to see you in his office."

Harry grumbled, picked up his bag and stuffed his book into and left the classroom.

Something else to dump on the heap, he thought tiredly. He found himself at the twin gargoyles and stood looking at them absently. Password, what's the password, he wondered.

"Sugar quills," said a smooth deep voice behind him. It was Snape.

Harry glanced around and they both stepped on the moving staircase. "Hello, Professor."

Snape nodded, he didn't look happy.

But then he never looks happy, Harry thought. They entered the double-wide wooden doors together, walked through the entryway past the whirring and shining objects which cluttered Dumbledore's tables, and up to the desk. Harry saw a person sitting in a chair in front of the desk. Dumbledore looked up and stood as they entered.

"They are here," he said, "Good, good." He waved them closer.

Harry stepped around to the side and looked at the visitor and swallowed hard. "You!" he said in shock.

Sitting in front of him, dressed in her best muggle clothing, was his Aunt Petunia. She glanced at him dismissively and then back to Dumbledore and then to Snape.

"Mrs. Dursley, may I present one of our instructors here at Hogwarts. This is Professor Snape," Dumbledore said. Snape bowed slightly and then shook her outstretched hand.

"How did you get here and what do you want?" Harry burst out. Both Dumbledore and Snape frowned. Harry didn't care. He thought he had seen the last of the Dursley family.

"Now, now Harry. There is no need to be rude." Dumbledore sat down and waved to a seat. "We need to discuss this like adults. Sit down Harry," The last was said more firmly and he felt a chair hit him in the back of the knees so that they buckled and he plopped down.

"I don't know that we need to discuss this in front of Professor Snake," she said, looking at Snape as if he were an actual serpent curled at her feet.

Harry would have laughed if he had not felt so angry. He supposed Snape did look pretty formidable to those who weren't used to his all black clothing and his grim face.

"Professor SNAPE," Snape said, coolly.

"Professor Snape is very familiar with Harry's background and is providing individual instruction. You could say he is mentoring Harry and therefore should be aware of what is going on in Harry's life," Dumbledore said. "You can be assured he will keep what you have to say confidential."

Petunia Dursley's lips formed a thin line and she clutched her pink purse in her lap. "Very well. It's come to our attention, my husband and I, that Harry…" she found it difficult to say his name and stuttered for a moment, "...my nephew has inherited a sum of money from his parents and his godfather."

"Is that what this is about?" Harry was on his feet, shouting. "You want money?"

Dumbledore stopped him with a glare. "Let her finish Harry." Dumbledore waved his hand and Harry was once again pushed back into his chair with some force.

Petunia continued, "We are also under the understanding that a marriage has taken place with a…a Gypsy girl! My nephew is not of age and must have my consent to marry. As such, I must insist that I am still his guardian and have the legal right… at least in the normal world," she faltered at this and glanced up at Dumbledore's office and the moving portraits on the walls who were listening in rapt attention, "to make decisions for him. I am his only living relative." Her voice trailed off into a whimper as her eyes roved up to the moving portraits.

Harry was furious. He knew what she was saying. She and his Uncle Vernon were exercising their right to act as guardians until he reached the age of adulthood and in doing so would also have guardianship over his money; which was what, he knew, they really wanted. He was caught up in thinking about it and almost missed Dumbledore's question.

"Mrs. Dursley, may I ask how you came by this information and who it was that helped you to find Hogwarts?" He was studying her with a very serious expression.

Harry was suddenly hanging on her words. The school was suppose to be unplottable, with many anti-muggle charms on it. How had she gotten here? he thought. Such information, if confided to a muggle, put the wizarding world at risk. He was suddenly very interested in hearing the answer to Dumbledore's question.

"I am not at liberty to divulge that information," she said. "I think you owe me the courtesy of not questioning me further about it. After all Mr. Dumbledore…"

"Professor Dumbledore," Harry snarled. She glanced at him looking suddenly alarmed.

"Yes. Professor…" she once again stared forward towards the old man. "I kept my promise to you. I took him in and cared for him," she said and Harry snorted. She continued, "I risked my family's welfare. When we asked for protection we didn't get it. There should be some compensation for that." Her hands were turning white with the grip she had on her purse which was now tucked under one arm as if she was in a room full of thieves.

"I would normally have gone to the authorities and have the marriage annulled. However, I understand there is a child involved. The Gypsy…the girl is pregnant."

Harry was now on his feet and gawking at her as if someone had vomited on his shoes.

Snape spoke, "That is correct, Mrs. Dursley."

Harry looked up, his mind suddenly fuzzy. A child?

Petunia Dursley turned white. "Well…well I will just… remove him from this school. I have the right to do that! I can do what I will until he is of age. I can prove that you have been negligent in your supervision of this underage… this boy," she exclaimed and then turned to him. "And I will. You will never see that Gypsy girl or her… your child, IF it is even yours to begin with."

Harry was still staring at Snape. He dropped his gaze to her now totally nonplussed, missing her insulting remark.

Dumbledore rose to his feet, "Would you give us a moment to speak in private, Mrs. Dursley. Please make yourself comfortable. Tea?" She nodded. Dumbledore waved his wand and left a very terrified muggle woman sitting with a cup of tea in her trembling hand.

Dumbledore and Snape each took one of Harry's arms, turned him around and marched him through a tapestry that Dumbledore held aside. Harry had been in Dumbledore's private quarters before and it was not a surprise. What was a surprise was that Dumbledore pulled out his wand and put a silencing charm on him immediately. They both continued to hold him.

"You must listen to me, Harry," Dumbledore said and held a finger to his lips. "Stay still and we will let go. You must hear what we have to say." Harry stopped struggling. "Good. Now, first, I'm sorry you had to learn about Nadya's pregnancy in this way." Dumbledore shared a poignant glance with Snape. "There are some very important things we need to consider and we have very little time to consider them." Harry nodded.

Snape took over, "Someone is coaching her. Someone who knows about you, knows about Sirius and the money left to you; a considerable amount of money by the way. Also knows about your wife and has led her here to the school… and, Mr. Potter we don't know what her or their motives are."

Harry was almost dancing up and down with fury, and could not speak. I've got to get to Nadya! he thought.

"Harry, Harry," Dumbledore was keeping his voice low, trying to calm him. "We can't allow you to be taken back to the Dursleys just now. That would be fatal. I think if we give her what she asks for we can solve some of this for the time being. We can protect her family and, if your willing, give her money."

Snape still had Harry's arm and shook him. He seemed to understand what Harry's distress was about. "Nadya is safe. I have taken steps to that purpose."

Harry looked into his face and studied Snape's expression. He began to calm himself. He touched his chest and Dumbledore said FINITE INCANTATUM. The silencing charm was broken.

"All right, fine!" he said. "She can have it all. I'll take her to Gringott's and we'll make sure it's all in her name. But I'm not leaving Hogwarts to go back to them." Harry said and turned on Snape, "I'd run away first. And, I want to know what you've done to protect Nadya and why it is you know that she's going to have a baby and I don't!" He was now almost as tall as Snape and was nose to nose with him.

"I don't like your tone of voice, Potter," Snape said carefully. "Control your emotions."

Harry wanted to reach up and rip Snape's face off but he held back and spoke calmly, "Would you mind, please, answering my questions, Professor?"

"I have performed the FIDELIUS charm on Nadya as soon as she told me she was carrying your child. I am her secret keeper for now. She did not want you to know because she wanted you to finish school and knew you would have second thoughts about doing so." Snape stood calmly explaining to Harry. " You need to focus on the fact that someone has been watching you."

"You must also consider that your Aunt has some legitimate worries, Harry," Dumbledore said. "She is your mother's sister. Her blood may be sought for the same purposes as your own, to reverse the spell on Voldemort. She and her family are in grave danger, too and someone is making us aware of that. The money is a side issue. It was a means to get her here to Hogwarts. She is being manipulated."

"I don't care about her or her family…," Harry began and was interrupted.

"Harry…" Dumbledore shook his head. "Listen…"

"No, you listen... ," Harry raised his voice and Snape's hand was on his wand, "All right, all right you don't need that." He brushed the wand aside, dropped his voice and said, "Look, I owe no allegiance to the Dursleys, I think I paid for my keep with them. But that's beside the point. Do what you will, guard them or whatever. I'll give them money. I just want her out of my life!"

"We will do what we can Harry. But she has the right, she has the authority, to remove you from this school and keep you a virtual prisoner in her muggle home, which I might add has no protection.. She is your legal guardian. In the muggle world you must be eighteen to be considered of age." Dumbledore looked grim.

"No, she won't. I'll leave Hogwarts and disappear before I return to that…that place," Harry said, vehemently. "I will run away!"

"Let us do something so you don't have to take such actions," Dumbledore said. "In the meantime, we need to find her source and find out whether that source is acting as friend or foe. That will be a chore for you and Professor Snape to undertake."

Harry turned to Snape, "I will meet you in your office this evening at seven sharp. I definitely have a few questions I'd like to ask." Snape bowed so slightly it was barely visible.

The three returned to the main room. Petunia looked as if she had regained her composure but still glanced nervously up at the portraits lining the walls.

"Mrs. Dursley," Dumbledore said pleasantly, smiling as sat behind his desk. Harry and Snape stood behind her and remained standing and silent. She glanced over her shoulder and then focused on Dumbledore. He continued to speak, "I'm sorry we kept you waiting. I'd like to discuss what we think may be the best plan of action and see if you agree." He waited until she nodded. "Very well. Harry will accompany you to Gringott's bank in Diagon Alley. It is the wizarding bank," he explained. "I will send a letter with him so that all the assets that are held in his vaults will be placed in your name for your management until Harry turns eighteen."

He sat with his hands folded on the desk and continued to look at her over his half spectacles. "I will also arrange for your family to receive protection. I was negligent in not doing this sooner and you have my deepest apologies."

"I will not have a lot of strange people hanging around my home and family. If you are going to do this, I want some guarantee that they will be discreet," she spoke with some energy and Harry knew her deepest fear was that the neighbors would find something to talk about.

"Of course," Dumbledore said. "In the meantime, Harry needs to continue his instruction here. This is his last year and it is very important he finish his studies."

"On the condition he not leave the school and have no contact with this…this girl you call his wife," she said with some disgust tinting her words.

Harry was held back from reaching out and strangling her from behind. Snape took hold of his arm and glared at him.

Dumbledore looked past her at Harry and then nodded in agreement.

No, no, Harry shouted in his head. You can't do that!

"I'm going to assign one of our students as your guide, Mrs. Dursley. You can stay at the Inn in Hogsmeade, our little village not far from here. In the morning we will arrange transportation for you and Harry. I must tell you… and I truly do not wish to offend… but we must provide you with appropriate attire. I'm afraid you would cause quite a stir if you arrive in Diagon Alley in Mug…in the clothing you currently wear."

She glanced at her immaculate pink suit dress and frowned.

"Harry would you mind taking your Aunt to the entrance. I will have Hagrid bring a coach around and I think perhaps I can trust Hermione Granger to act as Mrs. Dursleys' guide." Dumbledore stood, as did Petunia.

Harry was furious with the man. He didn't want to take her anywhere. He didn't want to be near her, but he realized Snape was watching him. It was good training for him to deal with someone he loathed; it helped him keep his feelings in check.

His aunt followed him out of the room and stumbled as they stepped on the moving staircase. Harry reached out to grab her arm and then withdrew it immediately. She stood watching the spiraling wall her jaw set firmly. They didn't speak.

She followed behind him as he walked the maze of hallways and stairs from Dumbledore's office to the main entrance. They stood waiting with students passing them on the way to classes and staring at the strange muggle woman standing beside Harry, whispering as they passed.

At long last, Hermione came hurrying up to meet them. She had shed herself of her school robe and wore some of her own muggle clothing. She introduced herself, "Hello Mrs. Dursley, I'm Hermione Granger. Professor Dumbledore asked me to escort you to Hogsmeade and stay with you for the evening." Hermione reached out to shake Petunia's hand.

Harry could tell that his Aunt relaxed a little at being greeted by a more-or-less normal person and Hermione was being very gracious. At the same time, they heard the carriage pull into the drive. Hermione took Petunia's arm and walked ahead of Harry, ignoring him. They approached the carriage drawn by four black horses, Hagrid was driving. When Petunia saw the half-giant, she shrank back and Hermione had to speak soothing words to her as she helped her climb in.

Harry stood back and watched the carriage roll out onto the road in the afternoon light. He spun on his heel and walked back into the castle with murderous thoughts rattling around in his mind.