Ouroboros's Unknown Abyss
Harry Potter: Chapter One
DISCLAIMER: I do not own anything!
NOTES: Harry never had a relationship with Cho and/or Ginny-he only respects Ginny
since she is Ron's sister. Cho and he are just acquaintances through Quidditch. Percy is very family orientated, like how he was in books 1-4, and is working at the Ministry as an Order Member.
SETTING: Middle of the summer before Half-Blood Prince. Some/Slight Canon to both books and movies except what is in the NOTES, and what I have changed to fit my story better.
WARNINGS: Just to be safe there will be mentions and possible scenes of:
Emotional/ Verbal Abuse, Blood-shed/ Violence, maybe some Swearing. That's all for now that I can think of. There will be NO LEMON SCENES, but possibly SOME LIME with MALE/FEMALE ROMANCE, but no YAOI..
...…...
Harry was, for once, having a pretty good day at the Dursleys'. He was home alone, so of course that was a brilliant morning to wake up to! After all it wasn't every day Harry saw a note on the refrigerator door stating: DO NOT TOUCH, EAT, OR DRINK ANYTHING! WE WILL BE BACK!
With his morning ritual out of the way, Harry went downstairs in a black long sleeve shirt, blue and white plaid shirt that covered the black one, dark blue jeans, and his white socks and his regular trainers. He adjusted the small chain around his neck then walked in to the kitchen.
Of course the Dursleys' left no information as to where they had gone, but Harry honestly didn't care about them, just like they didn't care about him. So that was not an issue.
The summer was still a lot worse than normal considering the Dursleys attitude and personality was at an all-time low. Still what did help was maintaining busy-or so he thought. After all a busy mind had no time to think; so today since the Dursleys' weren't around, Harry had to find something to do, since they did not leave any kind of list for him to do.
So Harry helped himself to a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
After he ate, he took the opportunity to pick the lock on the cupboard to take out his books and parchment, and his potions set.
He knew it would be extremely rare for him to get any of his homework done, and so knew now was the best time to try to get all of it taken care of. He immediately began the easiest first: Divination was easy because it was mostly describing the differences in the zodiac stars within a single parchment. Charms and Transfiguration were also easy because they were mostly defining a spell, and explain the difference between another.
The DADA homework was canceled.
Harry ended up drawing four different kinds of plants for Herbology and describing the growth and different potions they could be used for.
Within two hours Harry had everything except Potions done.
Anyone would have thought it was because Harry wanted to save it for last because he hated it, but it was actually because he did love the subject-he just hated Snape.
Without Snape around, he absolutely loved spending his free-time, as minimal as it was during the school year, reading his potions book. It was actually the one that Harry kept on him at all times. Since he knew how to cook, he thought it was the easiest subject that came to him. It was his second favorite only to DADA, and since Ron and Hermione: mostly argued, or were on his case about something, or trying to help Harry with one thing or another, they had yet to notice.
This was extremely true since the start of their third year: Ron and Hermione had started to really argue with each other over every little thing since then.
Ron and Hermione had made it clear that they were interested in each other since then, but Harry shook his head. He had so much to tell them. Especially Hermione, when he thought of her, he blushed and felt his heart race like it did since the first time he saw her on the train. Then, he remembered she was interested in Ron, and sighed. Harry had made it clear he had no idea how many times he was interested, but Hermione only had eyes for Ron. He frowned, still he was not concerned. Although annoyed by the situation- Harry knew when he was fully prepared and played his hand, he would win. Especially since between him and Ron, he was the fighter-and he would not lose this fight for Hermione.
It was after all part of the reason as to why he always fought his best for his future.
Harry opened up his book as he really thought about it, 'Yeah it was around then that I really started looking through it. That was also the time I actually subscribed to Potions and Brewery.'
Potions and Brewery was a monthly magazine that always had the latest on everything regarding both subjects. From the latest discoveries, trials, and tips, to latest results and mishaps and also explanations on what went wrong and why.
Another thing was that it gave him a new potion and brew recipe, or several, depending on how thick or thin the issue was for the month. He also loved the part that it always had Potions Masters arguing with each other over something-the fun part was most of them used very interesting pen names-and most of the time it was over a potion that was talked about in a previous issue. Most of the time it was mainly an on-going "heated discussion" with very interesting insults, slander, and why the other was wrong about what he or she said.
Always fun to read even though it had multiple charms like the anti-cheating charm on the magazine that prevented every manner of cheating any adult and child thought of. It was on the magazine's first page under WARNING. It also states the many really terrible consequences that even turned Harry off of even thinking of trying.
It did make the great part of playing the games really challenging though, which made playing them an excellent and very consistent hobby of Harry's.
Smite the Poison was a game where you tried to cross out the poison out of a list of ingredients they give, if you are wrong the words melt off the page.
Rid the Root where there are cauldrons that glow different colors and have a small scent to each one, and you have to pick out the cauldron that has a poisonous root inside. If you get it wrong, the root's strong odor is released and it stays with the magazine until the month is over, and a nice anti-destruction charm prevented the magazine from leaving the subscriber, until the next issue came in. The only way around this charm, is if the subscriber actually learned the potion and the anti-potion and use the anti-potion to get rid of the odor.
Mix-N-Cure which is always about poisons and antidotes/ viruses and remedies, and the game consisted of several pictures of cauldrons, and you have to drag small icon of ingredients in to the cauldron to cure the poison that is given, and usually the amount of cauldrons specified how many different antidotes there are. Necessary symptoms of the witch, wizard, or magical being are normally listed on the top or bottom of the page and if you get even one cauldron wrong, it boils over and explodes usually leaving the page in to sticky goop, that usually your hand gets completely covered in and you are left trying to figure out how to get that goop off, which normally takes another couple of potions to do.
The best game was Stinger in Harry's opinion, which was where you tried to figure out what potion they have given you by the list of ingredients and steps given, and the main thing to avoid was doing something wrong. This meant while you list the procedure of how to make the potion it had to be in direct order, along with the steps you add the ingredients in.
However, if you get even one thing-no matter if the rest was correct- that page burns up and you learn what potion it was in the next issue, but the subscriber was left doing the research as to why they got the answer wrong.
The magazine even had a student and professor discussion board, where they could get help in any problematic homework issues, and even receive personal brewing tips and suggestions. (Harry used that quite a lot, so much so that Harry and the Professor in charge of that discussion board-along with the administrator board members were pen pals.
Harry loved all the games, especially since they made the summer much more bearable, and since he got the Ultimate packet deal, he got a potions ingredients bundle that came with his magazine, of course since he was the Boy-Who-Lived the company gave him a lot more extra ingredients and products than the average wizard with every magazine that came in.
Harry put his pen in the middle of his book and realized he already knew the answer to Snape's essay. He would have spent his time on it, but knowing Snape was just going to give him a poor grade he quickly thought of jotting down the answer in a pathetic essay. However he could easily see Hermione reprimanding him in a disapproving tone and sighed. For her, he went ahead and did the best he could then put it and everything else away. Except for his magazine and potions textbook which he took over to the stove and began to brew one of his own inventions.
He made sure that the Hyssop leaves and flower petals were crushed with the Echinacea flower and grounded well together. Then he added a German Chamomile cut exactly nine inches apart.
Suddenly he heard what sounded like a door bell but it did not sound like the Dursleys' bell. Since he had to wait for the water to heat up, he put it to a low simmer, and went to find out what it was.
It was the fireplace which was glowing yellow off and on, and ringing.
"Calling Mr. Harry Potter." Said a Woman's voice clearly that Harry did not recognize.
"I'm here." He said wondering if that was what he was supposed to say.
"This is Milla Burgenstone from Wizard Communications Services from the Public Floo Network at the Ministry of Magic. You have three guests coming over. Please be prepared for their arrival, they will be there shortly." Said the Woman and sure enough the fireplace glowed green. Harry stood back and then was surprised to see first Draco Malfoy, then Narcissa and the last Malfoy: Lucius.
The fireplace then continued to glow a light blue color as it did, Harry's eyes glowed green. His nervous face became relaxed, as a woman stepped forward from the fireplace.
"Good evening Mr. Potter, we are sorry to intrude but this is very important." Narcissa said as she went over and sat in a chair.
"What is it?" Harry said casually. The Blood wards were to prevent any evil from being able to come in, and since he had not allowed them literally in to his home they should not have been able to be there. However since nothing was happening, he couldn't help but think that either the wards were faulty, or the bizarre thought that: the Malfoys' were not as dark as their reputation said. He couldn't help but find the latter interesting.
Still he knew for sure that by looking in to the eyes of Narcissa that their visit was important and genuine. He literally could feel her worry and concern for Draco.
Lucius was also feeling like that, but he was letting Narcissa take the lead on this. Harry had noticed that he had yet to take his hand off of Draco, who was trying to come across as being unconcerned but was feeling the opposite.
"The Dark Lord desires revenge on Lucius for his failure at the Ministry. He has told us he desires Draco as a Death Eater and wants him to carry out a special mission. We do not know what it is because he told us he would say when he marks Draco at the next meeting." Narcissa said unaware that Harry had already known about this.
"What does that have to do with me?" Harry said looking at all three Malfoys.
"We were hoping that you would not mind becoming Draco's guardian officially and permanently." Lucius said as he gave him the papers.
"What?" Harry asked completely surprised.
"We want you to protect him and care for him, since we will not be able to. Once we attend without Draco, we may be killed. However we are willing to pay this price to keep our little dragon safe and we feel since you have defeated the Dark Lord before, you are the only one who can do this. Please Mr. Potter, please take in Draco." Narcissa asked almost begging.
"Draco?" Harry asked looking at his school rival.
"Potter, I don't want to lose my f-father and m-mother, but I-I don't want to become one of h-his either…besides this was m-my idea." Draco said with difficulty.
Harry felt like he was hit with a barrage of emotions when he looked at Draco. It was then that he was hit with the realization that the family really did care about each other.
"Mr. Potter, I was young and foolish when I made the mistake to joining him. I do not want my son to go through what I endure. I would rather use politics and kiss the Ministry's rear for power and influence, then having to do so once again to him. Unfortunately I no longer have the option to back out anymore, but I do still have the option of doing what I can for my son." Lucius said walking up to Harry, "I know I have done wrong countless times, and I know I deserve no forgiveness-especially from you- so I dare not ask of it. I do beg you now though to forgive Draco and to please save him, and do this for him. He is all we have left."
Harry looked Lucius straight in the eyes, and knew this was all genuine. No strings attached. The feelings and heart-break the Malfoy's were experiencing hit Harry hard, so much so he felt like he could break down because of them. He blinked and took a breath, "Let me read these first." Harry said and saw Lucius nod and stand. He then gave the boy space.
Harry read the papers completely surprised by the fact that Lucius and Narcissa in return were giving him the entire Malfoy and Narcissa's own Black estates, even Draco's half-until Draco turned 17 in which he would get what was rightfully his part of the estate, and whatever else Harry would allow him to have. All they would have was a small vault that if they died, would then go to Harry as well.
It was very easily worded, and easy to understand. Harry turned around feeling eyes upon him and went in to the kitchen.
There was him. Emerald green eyes and jet-black hair, his skin was white and he wore a black shirt and blue jeans.
Harry smiled. This was not the first time he had seen this one come to him. Still every time they did visit, he could not help but smile and go up and hug them.
'I have a message for you from him.' Harry heard the six-year old boy say in his mind.
"Oh?" Harry asked in a whisper and saw the boy approach him and heard a whispering in his mind that was oh-so-familiar.
The boy smiled, 'I have to go back now.' Harry knelt down and hugged him, "Be careful."
The boy nodded then as fast as Harry blinked he disappeared.
Then he wrote his name on the papers Lucius gave him.
'This makes it official.' Harry thought as he shook his head in wonderment then after fixing the temperature on his brew, returned to the living room. There Narcissa and Lucius were speaking to Draco. Narcissa was in the midst of hugging her son when he approached them. He could still feel that they were very concerned and genuinely hoping he would take in their son.
Draco was a mix of feelings, he knew why his parents needed to do this but he was still upset about the whole situation. However, Harry could feel also that he too really wanted Harry to take him in.
"Alright, I made up my mind and have decided to take in Draco. I already wrote my name on these." He said and saw the Malfoys' relief.
"The funds will take a full day to complete the transaction." Lucius said as he took his copy of the papers.
"That's fine." Harry said and then saw the papers glow gold and then disappear.
"There, that is official." Lucius said in a whisper.
"Even the adoption?" Harry asked.
"Yes." Narcissa said and then with tears that were both sad and happy went up to Harry and hugged him. "Thank you so much." She then returned and began to coddle Draco as if she would never see him again.
"Fill free to write and visit him anytime." Harry said to Lucius who gave him a genuine appreciative nodded.
"You have my extreme gratitude however at this time that may not be wise, but we will most definitely try to do so. Things are quite tense these days." Lucius said knowing that the Dark Lord was watching their manor since his huge mistake at the Ministry.
Harry nodded to show he understood what he meant, and saw Lucius turn to Draco and hug him and whispered to him, as Narcissa who was wiping her tears with her handkerchief came up to Harry.
"We must get going we have a meeting to attend." She said through and then through a tight voice thanked Harry once more.
"We will send his things over with Nyx our-your house-elf." Lucius said right before they finished their goodbyes then went through the fireplace.
"Have a Good Day." The Woman's voice said then the odd bell was heard again and then the fireplace returned back to normal.
"Father used a public fireplace with permission from the Ministry. He has a friend who is going to destroy the visitation log from all records before word gets out that he came over. He couldn't use ours since it has ties to other Death Eaters." Draco said trying to sound casual.
Harry nodded and then rubbed his neck, "Come on, I'll show you around." Harry said and did so.
Very soon Nyx arrived with his luggage. She was the same age as Dobby-or slightly younger, but she did have those wide-eyes and floppy ears that had a red bow on each of them. She also wore a similar brown rag that Dobby used to wear.
"Hey Nyx, can you make a room for Draco but one that cannot be seen or used except by the two of us?" Harry asked.
"Yes Master Harry sir!" Nyx said and then right across from Harry's, the hall closet moved aside and there a room-the same size as Harry's-was made.
"Draco, go ahead and tell Nyx how to decorate it and get settled in. Nyx once you are through you can go ahead and return to the Manor." Harry said finding it a bit bizarre to know that he has a manor now.
"Yes, Master Harry, sir." She said immediately taking to Harry like Dobby did.
"I will be in the kitchen if you need me." Harry said and then left.
Returning to the kitchen, 'Now would be a good time to add the unicorn hair...' Harry thought as he stripped three small hairs from the bunch he had, and then he grabbed the thick aloe plant stem and took a small branch off, and prepared to cut it in to five different parts.
Harry then had a feeling he needed to check on Draco and saw him on the bed reading. His eyes however showed he wasn't. "Hey are you hungry?" He asked wondering if Draco ate today, since he was all nerves he did not think so.
"No, not right now….thanks though, for this. I know this is-" Draco said in a voice that told Harry he had no idea how to say his thoughts.
"It's not a problem. I'm just grateful that you did the right thing. Trust me; the Dark Lord is not a…easy man to serve or to please." Harry said sitting on the bed.
"I never knew that much until my Dad showed me his memories." Draco said hesitantly and suddenly his skin paled considerably, "they were awful…"
"Do you want to talk about it?" Harry asked unaware that his paternal side was shining through his eyes.
"No not right now." Draco said and Harry nodded. "If it's alright I want to shower and just rest." Draco announced bizarrely, Harry knew he would need time to get used to the situation and so nodded.
"Fill free to sleep in for a while." Harry said and saw him nod.
"I just might, I haven't slept well all week." Draco said tiredly although he did not have to. The dark circles under his eyes told Harry just how much this was affecting him.
"Do you want some dreamless sleep?" Harry asked, "I have some."
"Yes." Draco said with happy relief. So Harry went and got a vial then returned. Draco then got under the covers of his bed then took it. He was out like a light within seconds; Harry then brought the covers up and tucked Draco in then on the way out turned off the light, and then shut the door.
Walking down the stairs, Harry sighed. Draco's situation was awful, to have and be close to your parents only to be given away. It made Harry wonder if not knowing your parents' at all was better or worse…
Still what was even more bizarre was that this whole idea was Draco's!
Returning to the kitchen he stirred his brew while glancing at his notebook.
'I need to speak with him, clear the air, and try to figure out what is really going on. I also need to warn him about the Dursleys'…' Harry thought as he continued to stir the necessary times clockwise.
He then heard the door slam and put his wizarding supplies inside his kit and put it on the second rim of the oven that he was not using. He would have put it on the first rim of the stove but that was already occupied. Then he went back to chopping the aloe pant stem, after glancing at his notebook to make sure it was five parts he needed to chop.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING!" Dudley as he stomped in. Harry turned to him.
"Making a stew, why aren't you with your Mum and Dad?" Harry not really caring, but it was the only logical subject that could easily turn Dudley's attention away from what he was doing.
"I was! I just got sick and tired of being at that dumb hospital waiting for Marge. We know it was you who caused Aunt Marge to slip on dog dung you know!" Dudley said scowling at Harry who shrugged.
He knew his good day wouldn't last long.
"We also know you are the reason she broke her leg when she fell!" Dudley continued.
"So how did you get home if your parents are at the hospital?" Harry asked as he continued to cut up the plant pieces, he knew Dudley had a suspended Driver's License due to multiple unpaid parking and speeding tickets.
Dudley had refused to admit fault and blamed the cops and then lost in court. An infuriated Uncle Vernon fired the first attorney and was pushing for an appeal with a new attorney now. They were currently waiting the attorney to call back. Both attorneys however, had told them at least 50 times that there was no way they could win, but since they were paying the new attorney, he was still doing research. Harry knew it was really a diversion but a good diversion since the attorney was going to be paid for doing this "research" until the court day where he was going to lose in court. Harry easily imagined that the attorney was more than likely working on a crossword puzzle until that day-especially since he was banned from working on any other of his cases until Uncle Vernon's appeal was through, and Harry wouldn't blame the attorney if he was: it was a great way to not work and still get paid.
"I rode my bike over there, met them at the emergency doors. It was so boring! I can't believe I missed Toss and Ram 'Em!" Dudley whined.
Harry knew Dudley didn't really give a damn about his Aunt, and so he knew it was just frustration and anger about something else. Turned out he was right, Dudley was missing his latest favorite TV show.
"Maybe the DVR caught it?" Harry said eyeing the ceiling as if he had just thought of it. 'How can he forget he records it? He watches it every day when he comes home.' Harry thought as he brought his eyes to his potion and noticed it was the correct silver-cream color. He then grabbed vials of anchovy fins. He then mixed in Milk of Magnesia and mint.
He then mixed 1/2 a cup of cow milk with 1/4 tablespoon of cinnamon and three drops of vanilla oil, and then added the almond oil. While he was mixing these in to a nice smooth milky cream-like substance, the door bell rang.
Since Dudley knew Harry was "cooking", and because he was hungry, he said he would get it if Harry hurried up with the stew. Since he had only a few minutes, Harry quickly brought out the stew he had made around mid-night, and popped it on the stove and began to reheat it.
'Good thing I did make something after all.' Harry thought as he watched his "Cover story". It was in case Petunia had woken up to hearing him making more Dreamless Sleep in here last night, since he had run out two nights ago. He then looked at the clock and smiled.
BEHIND HARRY AT THE FRONT DOOR
Dudley opened the door, only to turn deathly pale. His whole body shook with unimaginable amounts of tremors as sweat poured off of him. He couldn't find his voice he was too afraid….
"Is-" Was all the man could make out, before Dudley slammed the door in his face!
OUTSIDE
"I knew it. Did I not tell you that you should have ringed the bell!" Prof. Snape irritably.
"Now Severus, I had to make sure the other Muggles didn't see us." Albus said as he rubbed his glasses with his cloak.
Severus was about to respond when they heard a scream that was in a note that even Disney's Snow White could not have reached! Severus hearing the sound of glass breaking turned to Prof. Dumbledore who looked bewildered at his shattered glasses.
Severus shook his head as Prof. Dumbledore fixed them. It was quite something considering those were wizarding glasses.
INSIDE
"THERE IS A VAMPIRE AT OUR DOOR!" Dudley screamed then ran up to his room and slammed his door, as he barricaded it; a confused Harry was trying to comprehend what he heard.
"What? That can't be right, all the vampires are supposed to be in Forks right now." Harry muttered as he went up to the door, while remembering what the Daily Prophet had informed him-minus all the lies of course.
His ingrained habit and Gryffindor boldness, showed through as he opened the door without thought. His inner Slytherin made sure his wand (which was stowed in his right sleeve with a wrist-holder Harry made), slid in to his hand, away from view but with extreme easy access.
Upon opening the door, Harry was prepared for everything-except Prof. Snape.
NORMAL POV
Harry swallowed the laugh that wanted to burst out. He then felt he immediately cracked all his ribs, and blinked to keep the tears that wanted to fall. He did this because the thought that this professor of his would flambé him on site, and that kept him from having his fits of laughter.
"Hello Harry."
Harry turned his eyes to the left and immediately the desire to laugh vanished. His last meeting with his Headmaster was still very fresh in his mind, and with all seriousness regarded Prof. Dumbledore. "Professors, um come in." He said and closed the door after them, as they made their way to the living room, Harry turned the dials on the stove to a low simmer, then made a quick pot of tea and grabbed a couple of glasses. As he did his eyes glowed for the briefest of moment and disappeared as Harry went to the living room, and placed the tray on to the coffee table.
Habit had him standing on the side as they helped themselves.
"So Professors, what brings you here?" Harry asked casually- more so to the Headmaster than Snape.
Prof. Dumbledore's eyes were scanning Harry. He noticed the young boy had grown quite a bit since he last saw him. He guesstimated that he had been five foot the last he had seen him, and now he was close to five foot six. However the large articles of clothing he wore made his assumptions quite difficult to tell if he was right or not. He also noticed the Boy's hair went down to his collar bone in the same messy style as he always saw on the child, making it plain to all he needed to see a barber now more than ever. Prof. Dumbledore did take note that the boy did still look spotless and actually very clean-shaven which was quite bizarre for a 16 year old boy. True from time to time he had seen the Boy unshaven, usually on nights that the boy had difficulty sleeping, but normally that did not last more than the morning since the child by the time he went to class had shaved.
"I merely came by because I heard of your fat cousin and well, I figured if I drained him dry, there would be no. harm. done." Prof. Snape said in such a cold, dreadful and very serious tone that Harry had no idea how to react.
In fact he was wondering if the Potions Master was actually serious, when he suddenly heard a gasp, then the sound of running feet, and then a slam. It was obvious then that Dudley had been eavesdropping.
"Now Professor Snape, be nice." Prof. Dumbledore said in a light, chiding tone.
"The Dunderhead was the one who thought I was a vampire." Prof. Snape in his trademark tone but with a raised eyebrow eyed Harry as if he thought that it was him who told Dudley he was!
Harry stayed silent out of habit; it was Snape and Prof. Dumbledore in the house after all and The Dursley's living room reminded him of his upbringing and so remained silent, which unknown to him unnerved his professors-especially since he was sporting an emotionless mask that made him look android-like.
Prof. Snape regarded the boy in front of them; he felt something was different about the boy.
"Now Harry we have come to actually ask a favor of you." Prof. Dumbledore in his soft voice brought Harry's attention back on to him,
"Really, what is it?" Harry asked wondering what it could be.
"We were wondering if you would mind us using your home as the Order Headquarters for the time being." Albus
"This isn't my home." Harry corrected the Headmaster and then crossed arms.
Harry knew Grimmauld was no longer a safe haven due to the knowledge that Kreacher had spoken to Narcissa Malfoy. Right now it was abandoned, just for now, until the Order could make sure that Voldemort and his followers either knew for sure or not, about the former HQ.
Harry knew the Dursleys' despised and loathed magic, but then as if on cue, a voice whispered to him. The voice gave him brilliant ideas that made him quirk an eyebrow; it went back to normal as he turned once again expressionless to the Professors.
"Sure, the Dursleys won't mind, and I would love to see everyone." Harry spoke completely honest.
"We will have to make some changes regarding your Aunt and Uncle's home." Prof. Snape as he narrowed his eyes. 'Has the Boy forgotten I saw his memories? Or does he now have a better relationship with his family?' Severus Snape continued to think about all the possibilities when the Boy just nodded.
"Fill free." Harry said looking right in to his eyes without hesitation.
"Very good," Prof. Dumbledore said as he clapped his hands and stood, "now Harry let us have a look around."
Snape eyed them as Harry showed the Headmaster the guest room specifically for Marge, the Headmaster immediately enlarged it so that all the Order Members could have four-poster beds and could move around comfortably. He made sure to split it for the Men and Women out of respect for the unmarried Order Members.
Then Harry showed him the lounge.
"Mister Potter!" Snape's voice snapped through the air like a whip, exactly as it did in the potions classroom. Harry quickly turned around from where he was standing beside the Headmaster to see Prof. Severus Snape standing near the stove with his arms crossed.
Since the middle wall had been removed, the lounge, formal dining room, entry way, and kitchen were now separate, but open areas that could easily be walked through.
Harry only then remembered the potion he had been making, gasped and ran right next to Snape, they both saw the brew boiling over.
Harry was relieved because in his notes it was supposed to boil for close to an hour, and right now he saw that it did indeed-so no harm had been done. He quickly changed the temperature and added in the raw cloves, minced garlic, Niacin, and Soy.
Beside him Snape was holding the Boy's notebook and was looking at his notes with a critical eye. It was oh so obvious the Boy was experimenting. The potion was not called anything but it was clearly a cold and fever reducer, one that was supposed to be a lot stronger than the average Fever Reducer and Pepper-Up.
Snape was very surprised at the work and research involved, and wondered why the Boy did not do as well in his classroom. He quietly smelled the potion from where he stood and could tell it was properly brewed-or at least for now on course with what the Boy was aiming for. It bothered him though that the Boy was using and mixing muggle and wizardry ingredients, and that he did not know why on Earth, the boy of James Potter was even doing this to begin with!
Prof. Snape knew the boy hated potions as much as he hated the Potions Master.
That was when he noticed the Potions and Brewery magazine that fell from inside the notebook to the floor. He picked it up and glanced at it. It was the latest issue.
"Potter...you do this for a hobby." Snape stated the fact as he looked through the huge
Note book and then noticed on the inside cover it was number 25, and titled Muggle Herbal Potions and Brews. 'What is he trying to achieve? Is he wondering what works best for the common muggle cold?'
It was then that he noticed the page that Harry was using and noticed the boy's notes, there he read: "The lyncanthropy potion that Snape has been making for Remus"
That little statement made Snape utterly gobsmack. He then continued on reading.
"I notice it has quite a lot of pure ingredients. Their chemical balance is similar to a lot of natural herbs that Muggles have access to on a daily basis."
Snape turned the page and saw the first experiment where he read:
"I have used the first three steps to the lyncanthropy potion here and mixed them together."
'I see it has indeed taken on the color that the lyncathropy potion would be in its fifth step.' Severus thought, since Harry had indeed been following and did notice what the youth was getting at. 'However, Potter, the lyncanthropy curse is far more complicated to make, due to the fact that lyncanthropy is the result of a wild beast biting and infecting one's blood.' Snape thinking this but was confused when he noticed that Harry had yet to answer him.
"Watch over this. I need to get my other notebook." Harry said and went to the cupboard under the stairs and picked the lock (Not noticing Snape maintained his eye on him), and grabbed the notebook then locked the padlock.
Only when Harry returned by his side, did Snape continue to read:
"I don't believe the wizarding world is right about the curse being the result of a bite. Animagi are people who have some kind of animal spirit within them-that is why only a select few can transform. Well if a person has a wolf spirit-then they would be able to transform fully in to the body of a wolf. However, what if a wizard has a hard time completing the transformation? The result would be that they are stuck in that place where one half of their mind is that of a wizard and the other is a wolf. The soul is naturally stronger than the body but the mind is in control of the body, so of course there would be quite the fight between the two."
'Resulting in someone going insane with pain and the body trying to decipher what form it should take.' Snape thought as he read an example that Harry wrote out.
"If we take that example and input a present day idea of a werewolf-in wolf form- coming among the person who has yet to even try to transform. The werewolf senses the soul of another wolf, and wanting a traveling companion decides to nudge the wizard in the right direction in his eyes-and bites him. The bite does inject some kind of saliva or whatever, but it would also probably awaken the wolf inside the other. Now if the werewolf does not already leave, but instead stays with the wizard, then it may be possible that with the werewolf's aide the new wolf transforms fully in to that of a regular wolf body. However if left alone, the wizard- if his magic is not strong enough or tries to fight the "infection", the mind would be split in to many directions, resulting in a half body."
'So without guidance, the result is an incomplete animagus tranformation. Makes sense however, that does not explain why the wizard would undergo a transformation on the night of the full moon, every month.' Snape thought as Harry added unicorn hair. Snape then noticed the next paragraph answered his question.
"Psychology and the Wolf's love to howl at the full moon: those two things add that to the incomplete animagus transformation, and you have the curse. Think about what occurs first after the bite, the wizard having heard about "The Curse" goes in to a psychological shock: he believes he is a werewolf, thinks he is a danger to his family and friends, he knows his body is going to undergo a change and due to the myth it is on the night of the full moon. Now imagine days go by and he knows of the full moon coming up, he believes he WILL transform in to a raging mad wolf. Then the night comes, and because he knows it IS the night that this will happen, he unwillingly uses his magic to force his body to change, and since his animal spirit is a wolf it does. However look at his mental state, he cannot concentrate, he is afraid, his body feels that it is being forced to do something by magic and there you go."
A wizard forcing himself in to his animal state with a mind and body in a jumble mess to go along with it. The only way it would stop would be the constant thought that when the night is gone, the "monster" will be as well."
'That makes sense, especially with the laws we have and the myths and legends we hear, but what is your potion going to do? It does not sound like it will cure The Curse.' Snape thought this and then noticed that was the end of the Boy's notes, due to the fact that a line had been drawn and today's date had been written out. He read the experiment the boy had been working on, and noticed the potion needed to simmer for an hour and half since the addition of the unicorn hair.
"Yes, I do." Harry said finally answering Snape's question.
"Exactly what, is it that you are hoping, it will be?" Prof. Snape sarcastically inquired in his demanding silky manner with that bizarre habit of placing a space in between his words, which emphasized his words just right.
"It will be a potion that aides the transformation of an animagus. It will calm the person's mind like the Calming Draught, but like the Pain Reducer and Healing Draught, it will take care of the pain the body feels and will ease the aches the body will feel while it undergoes the changes." Harry said as he changed the temperature on the stove.
"So you believe your potion will work?" Prof. Snape said irritably.
"Exactly, if it is correct. I thought at first a mild calming draft with pure ingredients would work but then I did my research and found out that werewolves' have a very strong immunity to almost everything in the wizarding world. Then I found out that the muggle myth about silver was wrong so I had to find out what was real and what wasn't. Then through my muggle research I found out that normal wolves have a stronger stomach acid, and on top of that their bone mass is completely different as well as their blood. So my potion has to not only be perfectly balanced so that the wizard and his animal form can even drink it, but also be maintained in their stomach, well digested, and not be changed or cause any change to the blood of both species. On top of all of that, it also has to be able to stay within the wizard without them regurgitating it through all the steps of their transformation, and at the same time not cause any changes to the transformation...where did I put my-Oh uh Sir, can I have that?" Harry said completely busy with watching his potion and talking about it, and quickly nodded towards his notebook. Since Snape had saved the Boy's page with a finger, he was able to quickly adjust the notebook the way it was and give it back to Harry.
"So you believe your potion can actually do this, Mr. Potter?" Prof. Snape asked raising his eyebrow. Although interested, the Potions Master had his doubts. He did after all witness six years of the boy's work in class.
Harry grabbed his pen from his pocket and scratched off six steps, then wrote something on the side, and then read the next of his hypothesis.
The frown the Boy then sported took Snape back.
He thought it was going very well.
The Boy clenched his jaw, and closed his eyes for a second, and turned to Snape who tilted his head in amusement.
"Sir..." The Boy began and looked at the ground, "...should I add in rosemary? I mean it is the right color and all but for a more healing effect..."
Snape hid his smile that now above all times the boy realized who it was standing next to him. He also wanted the Boy to think-especially since this had been an unsupervised experiment that involved mixing muggle and wizard ingredients together. True the boy's research did not deny that the ingredients involved would not only work together, but still the most simple mistake could make this potion very unstable and results catastrophic-and not just for the kitchen.
The fact that the Boy was doing this not only in his relatives' home, but on a stove and not a proper brewing station, only made the whole idea even more foolish and dangerous. Of course, he was glad that the boy did have some kind of passion for potions, so he figured a bargain was in order before he answered the boy.
"Sir?" Harry asked hesitantly. He had only been waiting a few seconds so it wasn't forever, but those seconds were enough to have Harry wondering if he made a bad decision of asking Snape for his opinion.
"I will only give you my advice, in return to giving me all the information on your. little. project. And, allow supervision. From. Now. On." Prof. Snape in a calm manner, that was not actually as biting as normal but just as strict.
To Harry, it was out of school and this project was his idea, that and the fact that he despised Snape's looming presence in class along with his sneering insults, and antagonizing behavior. However, Harry really did want his advice, and as much as Harry really despised this bargain, it was still fact that Snape did know his craft. It couldn't be denied that it was the potions this Potions Master made that Harry did take to recover in the Hospital Wing-or so he thought since he never saw Madame Pompfrey brew anything, but then again Harry just had a tendency to wake up there so he really did not know for sure.
"I will only agree to this, if you agree to not insult me and to be patient." Harry countered.
Snape lifted an eyebrow but then returned it, "Very well."
Harry looked at his potion and thought, 'For all I know he is lying to me.' As Harry thought that, he told Snape how he came to this experiment while showing him with his other notebook, some of his former experiments with the Wolfsbane. As he spoke the whisper in his mind guided the conversation.
Prof. Snape was actually relieved that the boy did think this through.
"I would never have thought of that, you did a remarkable job Harry."
Severus saw the boy jump and turn. Snape had known that the Headmaster had been listening in, it did only take a few minutes to make the necessary changes, and since the blood wards were intact, not many other changes had needed to be done. So the Headmaster was simply drinking his tea at the small round table in the kitchen while listening and observing them with a shining twinkle in both his blue eyes.
Snape knew the Headmaster was interested, not because it was his favorite student's work, but because he too was a Potions Master.
"Sir, it's just a pathetic theory, I don't even know if it will work or even if it is right." Harry said shaking his head; it was obvious to the two wizards that Harry did not believe he did anything worthy of a compliment.
"You do not think so? Harry you just pointed out many facts that others would never looked at before. For instance the mind as you said is a very powerful thing, the merest thought activates our magic on a daily basis. The Soul as well is very pure but also has abilities that even the mind cannot handle or withstand. The twine between the two are a mystery, and yet the simplest change to either can make the body do remarkable things whether good or bad is indeed up to one's own will. Yet it is as you have said, they are bound together but separate them and the mystery turns in to a terror driven on by fear, despair, and belief." Prof. Dumbledore walked up to the two of them and looked in to the cauldron. "It is also quite something that a nightly terror, that has plagued many victims for over many thousands of years, can be cured by your idea of a simple, pure, and elegant draft."
"Professor, I told you, I don't know if it will work! For all I know I just made a mess of things." Harry said when suddenly the phone rang. "Excuse me." As Harry answered the phone, Severus turned to the Headmaster.
"I must admit the boy is on to something, however, I do believe him working on this unsupervised was quite foolish of him -especially on a muggle stove." Severus
Prof. Dumbledore's eyes held a twinkle but a nod of his head told Severus he wholeheartedly agreed with him. Snape couldn't help but feel smug.
"However, I do remember making a house-visit where a young boy was doing something similar. If my memory is still as great as ever, I do believe he had made a campfire in his backyard where over a pit he had his cauldron. Yes I do remember smelling the odor of the Draught of- "
Snape coughed here interrupting the Headmaster.
"Yes, well, that was a surprise visit. If I had known you were coming I would have-never-mind." Severus realizing he was digging his past youth an even bigger hole.
"-and I bet so would have Harry." Prof. Dumbledore ignored the seething glare directed at him as Harry returned from the phone. "Was that your relatives?" He asked as Harry walked back to them.
Harry shook his head, "No just Mrs. Polkss- the mother of a friend of Dudley, anyway, I doubt the Dursleys will be returning tonight though-Aunt Marge unfortunately only broke her leg...it's a shame she didn't break anything else..." Harry said unaware the two older wizards were wide-eyed.
Just then a patronus came and the two wizards got distracted by it. Harry in the meantime, went upstairs to check on Draco.
As he walked his eyes glowed again but this time specks of black remained as the glowed disappeared as he reached the top of the stairs.
Harry stopped and glanced in to the hallway mirror.
The reflection that looked back showed a sixteen year old boy with black hair and brown eyes. Harry blinked and the reflection was gone.
Harry smiled and went in to Draco's room.
Seeing Draco was out like a light, Harry went and rearranged the covers so that they covered the boy instead of just half-way. He then saw that Draco had knocked his book off somehow and picked it up and placed it properly on the desk beside Draco's bed.
He then walked out the door and shut it, and then he went in to Dudley's second bedroom-now his since first year-and wondered whether or not the Order would be coming up the stairs.
Since Aunt Marge's room was downstairs neither Professor had any need to come up, however, the use of the second bathroom is going to be needed when everyone else arrived. From what the Hogwarts Headmaster had told him, everyone was going to be arriving in the early morning.
Sighing, Harry tidied up a bit since he knew for sure Hermione and Ron would be arriving. All of Dudley's old toys however had been put in Dudley's room- since Dudley did not want Harry to touch his things, and so Dudley's room now was on the brink to overflowing due to the mess that was inside.
Harry did not have much-just what was in his trunk really, and the small amount of clothes that barely made up a 1/5th of it. His wardrobe really was in a wooden armoire, which had two broken shelves on the bottom that pulled out, and a single broken door that once pulled came off. Harry did try to fix it up but it was useless since Dudley had lost the necessary bolts and his Uncle refused to allow him anywhere near his locked up tool chest- which for the past eight years and was to this day, locked up in the huge safe at Grunnings.
Harry's room had always been very bare but this summer the Dursleys' had stripped off the neat wallpaper, leaving the walls a very dark gray and the beige rug was replaced with a slightly darker second hand one that was very thin and had a lot of empty patches, rips, and holes. The newest addition was the new set of metal bars that were on his window that was professionally installed. (Vernon thought he had done it wrong in his second year, and so explained when they had returned from King's Cross. He even dared Harry to try the stunt again but Harry politely refused, not wanting to explain why that flying car was currently missing.)
Harry sighed, as he looked at the multiple pad locks and cat flap. 'I wonder if I can take those off.' However just as Harry thought about this a whisper in his mind gave him a suggestion, but he was suddenly distracted when he heard the Dursleys' car, and ran down the stairs. Dumbledore and Snape were still discussing Harry's potion when they saw the boy run down the stairs, open the door, and run outside.
"Uncle, I need to talk to you." Harry began as Vernon got out of his car with Aunt Petunia. It was clear Aunt Marge was still in the hospital since she had yet to arrive.
"About what?" An annoyed Vernon asked as he followed Harry to the side, Petunia immediately followed, more annoyed than Vernon by Harry's presence.
"Please listen, my Headmaster stopped by and is still inside with another teacher. They have told me that the Staff of my school and their acquaintances' desire to protect Dudley from the Dementors." Uncle Vernon narrowed his eyes.
"So they finally want to do something about that eh? Well it's about time!" Uncle Vernon nodding in approval.
"The thing is, in order to do this, they need to reside here." Harry said to his Aunt.
"Well if it is to protect Dudley from those things, I guess we can put up with them. However it will not stop you from doing your chores and better behave-" Aunt Petunia said in a spiteful tone. "and you will be doing a lot more chores since those freaks are here, touching and using my furniture and such."
"I figured as much, but they are going to do whatever they can-including doing you-know-what- for Dudley's sake." Harry said the latter in a rush at the last second, wanting to cover his bases since he saw Vernon and Petunia sport looks of disgust, but since they knew it was for Dudley he knew they would-even though they would not like it-put up with it. "They are also going to protect you two-well three in this case-as well. Some will be coming and going so that they can patrol the neighborhood and make reports and such to each other, so that their will be no lack of communication. Believe me I have heard everything; they are going to be very thorough with their work."
"Alright, fine. Just as long as they do not use you-know-what on us, I suppose." Vernon said grudgingly.
"They must be in normal clothing attire!" Petunia demanded.
"They must also leave us alone!" Vernon added and Harry did as well until Vernon sneered, "-and you will be paying Boy if they do any kind of funny stuff, especially if it happens in our house." His Uncle said the last spitefully and although he did not go in to detail since they were outside, Harry still knew exactly what he meant, and saw Aunt Petunia nod her head as well in agreement.
"Even if I have to do it myself." Petunia said spitefully. At this Uncle Vernon and her both glared at him and Harry glared back, but then he smiled as he suddenly felt a calm take over him.
"Yes sir." Harry whispered, "I'll go tell them." Harry said the last knowing that it was a rule that he would not tell anyone of his home life-this rule had been ingrained in to him next to Don't Ask Questions ever since he could remember. Yet, he also knew that this just might work out. Looking at them both he saw his Uncle and Aunt had yet to move.
The voice in his mind suddenly grew angry, and Harry's eyes flashed! He saw his Aunt and Uncle go rigid and smiled noticing their eyes lost a bit of light that was within them. He the nspoke ot them softly and then after seeing them nod he said:
"Come inside as soon as you are done bringing everything in." Harry then headed to the door. Going inside Harry immediately saw Prof. Snape and Dumbledore, who were still discussing his potion at the small table.
"Sir, the Dursleys' agree that everyone can come over here, but they do want everyone to abide by a couple of rules." Harry said and the two Professors shared a look but Prof. Dumbledore smiled.
"Go on Harry." He said gently.
"Everyone must wear muggle attire and they are not to use magic on the Dursleys'. They also want you to only use magic if you really have to-especially inside their house." Harry reported and Prof. Dumbledore agreed to the terms.
Harry then turned to the stove-after quickly but efficiently cleaned everything out, (including dumping his potion which both professors silently could not believe he did. This made Snape grateful he took a couple of samples without Harry knowing), and after cleaning up and for extra measure bleaching the sink, he gathered his things and went to his room. He hid everything under the loose floorboard, then grabbed his clothes, and went to take his evening shower before anyone else.
Before he left the bathroom he made sure to take care of his present injuries, and shaved his face and body for the second time (out of habit since he never knew if he would be able to get to it in his morning shower), and brushed his teeth. With his evening ritual done, he left the bathroom in a dark blue long sleeve shirt, black boxer-briefs that were completely covered by black jeans and white socks.
However, before going downstairs he turned and realized that even if he did manage to take of the locks and cat-flap, it would still leave everyone wondering about all the odd holes in his door, and decided to just leave them be. Besides, it isn't like anyone was going to make an issue of it-and if they did ask, Harry was sure he could come up with some reasonable and believable explanation.
Just look at the ten plus years of experience he had behind him after all.
TBC…