Chapter One: Not All Things are as They Seem
WARNING: I don't own Harry Potter or the characters. They belong to JK Rowling and honestly who would want it any other way? My story and any character I create are mine obviously.
WARNING'S FOR THE STORY: Please note that my story is not going to be like those you've probably read before. Please give it a chance! Some Weasley, Order, and Dumbledore bashing. SLASH! Meaning two guys in a romantic relationship! You have now been fairly warned before you even read this chapter so if you don't like that sort of thing I'm perfectly fine with that. Kudos to you. Simply hit the back button and continue to look for another story. DO NOT LEAVE HATE REVIEWS WHEN YOU HAVE BEEN FAIRLY WARNED OF THE SLASH! There is another warning but this story will just be so full of surprises why not just let you find this one out at the end of this chapter:) nothing bad I swear! I just like to surprise lol.
OTHER WARNING'S: POSSIBLE DEATH! I will not say who or how many or it'll even happen BUT the POSSIBILITY is there. Other warnings will be given with a fair notice as they are needed. To be on the safe side I'm rating my story R. Again just to be safe.
Pairings: the main one will become obvious very soon.
Side pairings: Remus/Sirius, the others I will let you lot vote on:) look for the pairings at the bottom and either PM me or review to let me know the pair you want to see!
AUTHOR'S NOTE: So this story has been bouncing around my head for literally weeks now and I finally found the time to type it up. I've decided to put it up here for you guys to read. Hope you enjoy it! Look for the Draco pairings to vote for at the bottom of this chapter!
SUMMARY: Harry's been in the hands of Voldemort ever since his return in the Third Task. After a year and a half the Order has finally found him with the help of Severus Snape. Dumbles just wants his weapon to be back in perfect health so he can kill the Dark Lord. Ron and Hermione just want their best friend back. Ginny wants her promised husband back. Remus and Sirius want their pup to be happy and healthy again. They all prepare for a long recovery upon rescuing him. Heck, they're even prepared for him to never fully be the same again. How right they all are about that.
Harry's POV:
Everything was spinning. It was like the cell I was in turned into a tornado that seemed to speed up then suddenly slow down only to pick back up once again. It didn't help with the nausea that was fighting to empty my stomach of what little was in it. I could hear sounds and loud voices not too far from where I was.
'Are people fighting?' I was able to think in my fog fill mind. Closing my eyes to try and stop the world from spinning, and hopefully aid in stopping the pain I currently felt, I went to gently lay myself down.
Only to quickly sit up upon hearing the cell door burst open.
It was not smart to move as suddenly as I did. Groaning I gripped my head tightly as I heard gasps and felt more than saw someone kneel before me.
"Potter? Potter can you hear me? Listen, we don't have much time. If you can hear me give a nod." Came the snarky voice I knew all too well.
I managed to force my hand away from my head and look up at the familiar crooked nose and gave a small shake instantly regretting it.
Snape went to reach for me and I flinched from his touch backing up more towards the wall of the cell. "Potter we don't have time for this!" I flinched once again and felt my body begin to shake uncontrollably.
"I'm sorry." I whispered over and over hoping he wouldn't hurt me.
It was a minute later I realized I was the only one speaking in the cell and slowly looked up and noticed others were there as well.
Mad-Eye, Tonks, Kingsley, Remus, and Dumbledore were all there as well.
Quickly looking from them in shame I pushed myself even closer to the wall.
"Please." I didn't know what exactly it was I was asking for. I just knew I wanted all of this to end. I was so very tired.
Snape sighed forcing me from my thoughts and I felt unfamiliar, yet still gentle, arms slowly wrap around me. One around my back the other under my knees.
I flinched again but just let the arms do whatever they wished to do with me. No longer caring what happened.
"He's so light headmaster!" Snape gasped and I looked up into his eyes and saw actual concern there.
Confused as to why this man would feel concern, and is that guilt as well?, I began to look at the others and flinched when they stepped closer.
"Sleep pup." I heard Remus say and suddenly my entire world went black.
A FEW HOURS LATER
Groaning I woke up only to see an all too familiar ceiling. I blinked up at it and felt myself trying to hope I truly was back home. Back at Hogwarts. Looking around slowly more and more of the familiar infirmary came into view and more hope entered me as it did.
Suddenly Pomfrey came into view and smiled brightly at me.
"Harry! You're awake!" I flinched at the sudden raise in her voice and tried to back from her in fear only to hiss in pain when my ribs moved the wrong way.
"Oh Harry…." She gasped and I looked to her and saw pity and guilt there. Glaring I looked from her.
"I know I was too weak to stop him. I know I should've been able to fight him off in that graveyard. I know I should've been able to stop everything that happened to me. I know all of that. I don't need your pity and I most certainly don't need your guilt." I added with a growl knowing the next emotion to enter her eyes would be guilt.
She simply sighed and walked towards her office.
"I will inform the Headmaster you're awake. He'll want to see you. I'm sure your friends would like to see you as well." I just looked to my hands that were folded in my lap and refused to speak to her.
She sighed once more and closed her office door behind her.
I looked up once I heard the door close and looked around the room once more.
'It's so strange to be here after so long in that manor. I'm not entirely sure I believe any of this is even real.' I thought and looked back once the office door opened once more.
"They'll be here shortly."
"They?"
"Your friends as well as the Headmaster of course. Like I said dear boy they've all been worried sick about you. Not a one rested even a moment. They were determined to find you."
"Yeah, well, they didn't find me fast enough." I said shocking her completely.
I just looked from her and laid down waiting for what will likely be a wild crowd and blending questions.
I wasn't kept waiting long. About five minutes later the infirmary doors slammed open and in came pretty much all of the Order, the twins, Ron and Hermione, Neville, Luna, the rest of the Weasleys, Remus and Sirius, Snape, and finally Dumbledore all came rushing into the room and up to my bed.
All the while I fought my instinct to curl up in a ball to try and hide from them. I tried to remind myself I was back in Hogwarts and no one here would harm me.
It wasn't a very easy thing to remind yourself.
And just as expected everyone asked so many questions at once I couldn't tell where one began and the other ended.
"Alright now one at a time! He's still healing and probably is overwhelmed by the sudden loud crowd around his bed!" Pomfrey said instantly silencing the group and made them back up some.
Dumbledore had been trying to get around the group as they were asking questions and was finally able to reach me once they backed up.
His eyes held that familiar twinkle in them as he spoke with a assuring smile. "Harry. Dear boy it's so good to see you safe once more. I'm only sorry it took us so long to find you." I simply looked to him before turning my head so I didn't have to face any of them.
"Harry, pup please talk to us. We only wish to help you. We're so sorry it took so long to find you. But please believe me when I say there wasn't a second that went by that wasn't spent trying to find you. Please pup, talk to us." Sirius pleaded causing me to finally look to my godfather.
I didn't see pity or guilt in his eyes. I only saw love, acceptance, and concern in them. That look would have made me speak had Snape not beaten me to it.
"Potter quit being a spoiled brat and speak to us! You have been told already we never stopped looking for you. Is this act simply for more attention? Do you not get enough as it is?" I turned instantly and glared at the man.
"Snape you bas-."
"I know you were there for most of it Snape. I know you know everything they did. My injuries should be proof enough! I was starved and beaten. Sometimes beaten to the point of passing out and I wouldn't wake up for days on end. There were some nights I was so hungry or so thirsty I felt like I wouldn't survive the night! Not to mention when winter hit it was beyond freezing down there! Don't you dare act like all I want is attention when you yourself helped in adding to my scars!" I yelled.
That caused all to look to Snape who actually flinched not only at my words but at the others stares.
"Severus?" Dumbledore asked.
"I was forced to! Had I not it would've compromised my position and I know how the precious Order can't do without my information! So it was either risk being exposed for join in every now and then! It's not like I wanted to torture the boy for fun! Even when I was loyal to the Dark Lord I never was fond of torture! And before you open that annoying mouth of yours mutt know I kept the location from you lot because I never knew entirely where he was until Lucius got drunk and let it slip! The Dark Lord didn't tell most of his inner circle where the boy was hidden. He fixed our marks so that when he summed us to where the boy was we instantly were in the cell then we would aparate from that very cell." Sirius closed his mouth then but continued to glare at Snape.
"Changing the subject, Pomfrey what did you find on his injuries?" Remus asked causing the poor woman to flinch.
"He, uh, he has five broken ribs and three that're severely bruised. There's numerous cuts and scars running all along his body. Some went so deep he'll carry the scars forever. He's severely malnourished and dehydrated as well. It appears they only gave him enough food and water to keep him alive but not anymore than that. One tooth is chipped and his left arm has been broken at least five times in three different spots. His right wrist is sprained and his left foot appears swollen and infected from a rather nasty gash that runs from the tip of his big toe all the way to the curve of his shin. He has other cuts infected and I would not be surprised if he ends up becoming very sick in the week to come since the potions just won't work fast enough to keep up with all the infection in his system. Luckily it doesn't appear to have entered his blood stream just yet, but it's still very possible. There is also a stab wound on his left shoulder that luckily missed anything major and missed the bone so he will be able to continue to use it normal once healed. His wand hand has its middle finger broken and the palm is fractured."
By the end of the list nearly everyone in the room appeared to have gone pale.
I simply smirked at them. "That list doesn't even cover half of what I've received in that place. Those are just the most recent ones." That seemed to make them pale even more.
"Oh Harry…." Hermione gasped out crying softly to herself.
I just looked to her. "What did you expect 'Mione? Honestly I'm shocked I was even alive when I was found. I was expecting my body to be returned to you once he was finished with me. Though I think Voldemort was having a bit too much fun finding news ways of causing me pain." She flinched at my words and moved to slowly sit on my bed along with Ron. I let them each take a spot on either side of me and offered silent support. The twins joined soon after and stood behind Ron while Remus and Sirius stood before 'Mione. Neville and Luna stood at the foot of my bed.
I looked around at all of them and smiled. Truly happy to have them surrounding me once more.
"We are here for you Harry. No pity and no guilt. We're here as your friends. We will always stand by you and we will never let that snake touch you again!" she growled and I actually laughed then.
"Somehow I believe you'll just bore him to death with a lecture or two." I did laugh harder then when she pouted then slapped Ron's arm as he agreed with me.
"Ow! What I do?! He said it first!"
"And he's the one in a hospital bed. You're perfectly healthy and therefore deserved to be hit." She argued making Ron pout then.
"Honestly you two are hopeless." Remus sighed.
"Must be the narguls." Luna said nodding her head agreeing with herself.
"Harry dear I will bring you a big plate of food tomorrow for breakfast! I will have you back to a healthy weight in no time at all! Now Ron honey move so your sister can see Harry now." Mrs. Weasley said shooing Ron from his spot on the bed as he groaned.
"Honestly mum-." Fred.
"Between you-." George.
"And our dear little sister-." Fred.
"Harry will be smothered enough-." George.
"Let him-." Fred.
"Have a break-." George.
"For the night at least!" the twins finished as one causing me to smile at them. Suddenly there was a hand on my face making me cry out in fear and moved further from the people and as close to the headboard as possible.
"Sorry Harry! I only wanted to offer some comfort. I didn't mean to scare you!" Ginny said quickly.
It took me a second to calm down before I finally breathed out and offered a shaky smile trying to tell her through it I wasn't mad.
She must've got it as her shoulders relaxed and she offered her own small smile.
"We will need more details on what happened and anything you learned that'll help us defeat the Dark Lord. You will also need to be trained so that this can be prevented in the future. You got lucky that he kept you alive for as long as he did. If he gets his hands on you again that'll be it. You can't let him get you again Potter." Mad-Eye said and I couldn't stop the glare that came out.
"How dare you blame Harry for what happened to him! As if anyone knew what would happen back then! If you want to blame anyone blame yourself! Barty Crouch Jr. was able get the jump on you and held you captive while he pretended to be you! If you really wanna blame someone blame yourself!" Hermione yelled standing up from her spot.
"And Harry will not train until he's not only healed but up to it! Merlin he's been gone a year and a half and you're already wanting to train him all over again! Give him time to be back and time to heal!" Ron yelled right back stepping out of his father's grip as he placed a hand on his son's shoulder.
Mad-Eye simply glared at them but remained silent.
"A year and a half?" everyone looked back to me then. "I was gone that long?" the others flinched then and looked from me.
"Harry-" Hermione started.
I simply shook my head at her. "I'm very tired guys. Please leave so I can sleep."
"Why you little-."
"Severus," Dumbledore said stopping whatever it was Snape was going to say, "the boy deserves a rest. After all he's been through he deserves far more than a simple rest." With that Dumbledore turned his twinkling eyes to me. "Rest dear boy. I shall come and speak with you in the morning." He suddenly moved closer but stopped when I flinched from his out stretched hand.
"I won't hurt you dear boy." He said softly and moved his hand slowly closer and I let him place it on my shoulder. "Know that if there's ever a time you need to talk or just need a shoulder I will always been there for you. I'm very glad to have you back where you belong dear boy. It's been far too long."
I looked to him and offered a very small smile. "That it has professor. And I'll keep it in mind if I ever need to speak. Thank you again sir. And that you all for saving me. Honestly I was very close to giving up when you came." I said looking down in shame.
"Do not worry my dear boy. All will be righted in no time. Just be patient." I looked back to him and nodded.
Saying goodnight to those around me I watched as they all left with Dumbledore telling all Order members to go to his office and for my friends to return back to Grimwald Place.
"I guess school hasn't started yet has it?" I quietly asked myself knowing the answer.
"No. Sixth year for you and others your age starts in a month." Pomfrey said and I smiled softly then.
"I'm sixteen then." I said once again out loud and once again knowing the answer.
"I'm sorry you had two terrible birthdays Harry, but if I know your friends both will be made up for tenfold." I laughed then and smiled at her.
"I'd say double that and you'd be a bit more accurate." It was her turn to laugh then before she walked up and slowly touched my shoulder.
I flinched but didn't make to move from her touch. "I will say it warms my heart to know that monster didn't fully break you. I know you said you had been close to giving up but I can see in your eyes you weren't as close as you thought. Your spirit is still intact. Sure you still have a recovery ahead of you, but I believe our Golden Trio isn't going to change all that much after all." I just stared at her shocked before slowly smiling.
"Thank you Madam. I think I honestly needed to hear that. I will fight to get better and I will fight Voldemort and I will win so this pointless war is finally over. No more torture, no more separating families, no more missing people, no more death." I vowed letting my determination show.
She smiled brightly at me and slightly tightened her hold on me. "I can see more of your spirit survived than I originally thought. You're still that Harry I've grown to know and love with all the times he spent in this infirmary." I just laughed and hesitantly touched her hand on my shoulder.
She noticed and I looked from her. "Sorry, I'm sure you know this already, but for some reason the thought of being touched right now scares me to death. Even toughing others myself scares me."
"That's to be expected with all you suffered dear boy. As I said before, you still have healing to do. Just not as much as I thought when you first came here. Now then, drike this skelegro then take this potion. It'll help with the infection your body is trying to fight. I do expect you back here sicker than a dog within a week. It's been in your system too long. Luckily not long enough to become extremely dangerous. Perhaps I should give you a potion now to begin fighting off any illness." She mumbled mostly to herself.
I smiled at her and drank the horrid tasting liquids and sighed as they instantly began to work.
"Thank you. If you don't mind I really do want to sleep." That seemed to jolt her back to reality and she smiled at me.
"Of course dear boy. Tomorrow I do believe I'll start you on another potion. Better to be prepared than not in times like these." I nodded at her and watched as she retired to her rooms for the night after taking one last glance at me.
I sighed and laid down with my back to the infirmary door and closed my eyes to rest them for a bit.
LATE THAT NIGHT
The infirmary door opened causing me to instantly be awake.
"Took you long enough." I spoke.
"Apologies, it took far longer to sneak in here than I thought it would. There's people everywhere on patrol making sure no one is able to get to you." I smirked but kept my back to the person.
"I accept your apology." I felt more than saw the person bow beside my bed.
"I must also apologize for how I spoke to you earlier Your Highness. I also did not know that spell would cause you such pain. Had I known I-"
I did stand then and moved around the bed to gently take the persons chin in my hand to make them look to me.
"There's nothing to forgive my child. You were working under orders. You played your part perfectly Severus." I said and the man seemed to relax at my touch and words.
"You know, I am older than you Your Highness. I appreciate the affection but it seems strange to be called 'child' by you simply for the age difference." I laughed then and noticed how he seemed to brighten at the sound.
"Yet I am the queen of our coven. When my husband turned you all those centuries ago you became his child. When I became his mate you became mine. Age no longer matters. All in the coven are my people and my children." I spoke and he seemed to accept the words for now. Knowing him I'd have to explain again for the millionth time. That was fine with me though.
"Now then, we must continue with our plan. Though I do not understand why His Highness would send you to finish your schooling now of all times when you've been taught all you need to know by our coven I will not disobey him. Especially with you no longer in the safety of the manor Your Grace. I will give my life to keep you safe if it is needed." I smiled at him as he stood yet let my worry show.
"Please do not risk yourself for me. I could not stand it if I lost you or any of you." I told him and he just stared at me.
"The coven will never survive without you Your Grace. Our Lord may be the king, but like in all vampire covens the queen holds the heart. Once the queen is found all would give their lives to protect him or her. You know this."
"That doesn't mean I accept it." I told him and touched his cheek to which he instantly leaned into the touch. "How about we all get through this mission as quickly as possible so that we may return to my husband. I miss his touch already." Severus smirked then laughed as he nodded.
"Still I do not understand why he would send you into the front lines for such a mission."
"We're only collecting information Sev. Once he believes we have enough he will call us back so we can plan for the second part of the mission. Whatever it'll hold anyways." Sev still seemed hesitant to accept me being here but nodded anyways and held the hand that was on his cheek still tightly.
"Promise me you will not get yourself into trouble this year." I smirked.
"I'm back at Hogwarts now Sev. I can't make that promise." The man groaned causing me to laugh. "Now then, return to your rooms and get some rest. Tomorrow we must continue with our plan." Sev nodded and reluctantly left my side and headed for the door.
"I will work hard to end this part of the mission quickly Your Highness. That I can promise you." I just smiled and nodded at him letting my fangs through the glamour for a moment as I continued to smile.
"Good, because I'm already tired of hiding."
CLIFFY!:p not what you expected right? So to avoid confusion just know any and all questions will be answered within the next two chapters. This is more of a prologue. The next two chapters will be flashbacks and will go into detail of what's happened in the last year and a half with Harry and Voldemort. I hope you guys liked this one and chapter two will be up by tonight! Hopefully chapter three as well but for sure chapter two! Please review! It's the only way us author's know if we're doing good or not!
Here's the list of pairings to vote on (NOTE: I do not do threesomes and I do not do incest!):
Ron/Hermione
Draco/Ron
Draco/Hermione
Fred/Draco
George/Draco
Neville/Luna
Hermione/Luna
Draco/Neville
Lucius/Narissa
Lucius/Snape
Snape/Draco
Snape/Hermione
Fred/Hermione
George/Hermione
Snape/James(this would be a past relationship)
other (meaning you give me an idea I didn't think of before)
Again just PM me or review on which pairings you wish to see!