Disclaimer: I do not own anything HP related. It all belongs to JK Rowling, Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Inc., Warner Bros., and any other entities involved.
A/N: Hey everybody! It's Chapter Four! YAY! I have to say that, so far, this is story is even more fun to write than Latent was! So much conflict! So many possibilities! And there's not NEARLY as much back-story to cover! Woo hoo! Alrighty then! Onward and enjoy the chapter!!
Chapter Four
IV
"What?!" Harry exclaimed.
"They're dying… they didn't think you'd mind if- if they had a couple of your- cho- chocolates…" Neville said, "Madame Pomfrey said to find you…"
Harry didn't hear any more of what was said. He was already half-way across the school grounds. He used the wind to carry his feet as fast as possible, reaching inhuman speeds, and uncaring of the possible consequences. Undoubtedly, this was the same poison used on Draco. Ashwinder venom. 'Which means I'm the only one who can save them…'
Finally, he reached the hospital wing and he crashed through the doors, coming to a halt directly in front of the mediwitch.
"Where are they?" he asked.
"Right over here," Poppy said, gesturing to the two occupied beds.
Seamus and Dean lie on top of the sheets, covered in a thick sheet of sweat. Their breathing was labored and their expressions were pained, despite being obviously unconscious. Judging by the strength -or lack thereof- of their magical signatures, Harry figured that Seamus was worse off. He'd likely eaten the first one and, not noticing the slow acting poison, spent a good- fifteen minutes persuading Dean to try one.
He kneeled by Seamus' bed and pulled his wings to him, simultaneously dropping the glamour that hid his markings. He'd need all of his magic to heal the both of them. The venom had spread much further than it had with Draco and there were two of them. He may have been an exceptionally powerful healer, but he was still a youngling and therefore lacked the discipline and control of more experienced Healers.
He closed his eyes and placed his hands over Seamus' heart, pushing threads of white fire from his magical core into the Irish boy. He sought out every bit of venom residing in his bloodstream and tissue, burning it with that fire while, at the same time, repairing the damage done to his muscle and organ tissue and destroying any traces of infection.
When he came back into himself, he momentarily registered the fact that Poppy was dabbing at his forehead with a cool, damp cloth. He turned to Dean, pushing away the imminent exhaustion and focusing on the task at hand. Dean wasn't quite as bad, as he hadn't ingested as much poison and it hadn't had as much time to spread and attack his tissues. The work went much quicker than it had with Seamus and when he withdrew from Dean, he smiled up at the mediwitch.
"Thank you…" he said.
She returned the smile. "That was amazing, Harry." She performed a quick scan of the two boys. "They're both completely clean and resting comfortably. I don't see why you even need me…"
"I need to learn discipline and control and… the basic…" he trailed off as he lost consciousness, his wings automatically dispersing.
Poppy sighed, levitating Harry onto a free bed and tucking him in. It was then that she noticed five pairs of wide eyes watching her. Ron, Hermione, Draco, Ginny, and Neville were standing in the doorway, looking absolutely awed by the scene that they'd just witnessed. Well… except for Draco, whose eyes were wide for a completely different reason. Neville Longbottom… the biggest screw-up in the entire school… had just seen Harry's true form.
"Can I help you children with something?" Poppy said, looking at them disapprovingly.
"What is he?" Neville asked, "An angel…?"
"No, dear. Not an angel," Poppy said, "Wait here and ask Harry yourself. He should be awake shortly."
Ron and Hermione exchanged a worried glance as they followed Neville into the room. The five teens sat down on either side of Harry until he woke. He sat up and rubbed a hand over his face, groaning as his muscles and magic protested painfully at the overwhelming fatigue. He looked from side to side and sighed.
"You saw, didn't you?" he said.
Neville nodded.
"I'm a Caelestis. Long story short… I've got a lot more power and some special abilities, one of which is healing," Harry explained, "Nev… you can't tell anybody about this, alright? This is a secret and if it gets out it'll be a world of trouble for me as well as the Order. And- if Voldemort finds out, then I lose my advantage. Do you understand?"
Neville nodded solemnly. "I understand, Harry. Your secret's safe with me. I'd swear a Wizard's Oath if I had any idea how."
"Not a word, Hermione," Ron said, effectively cutting off his girlfriend.
Harry laughed. "Thank you, Neville."
"So…" Draco said, "Was it the same stuff they got me with?"
He nodded.
"I figured it was worse than you were letting on," Draco stated, "What was it?"
"Ashwinder venom," Harry said.
Draco, even, looked surprised. "Wow. Lucky we've got you lingering about, eh?"
"No kidding…" Neville said.
Harry stood up. "Are the chocolates still in the dorm?"
"They should be," Neville replied, "Why?"
"I'm going to go check them out. See if I can trace them back to whoever sent them," Harry replied.
"You can do that?" Neville asked.
Harry smirked, a sadistic gleam in his eyes. "Yeah… I can do that. And when I find out who's done this, they'll regret their very existence."
He stormed out of the hospital wing and all the way up to Gryffindor Tower, where he gave the password as politely as he could. He made his way up to the dorm, finding the larger, heart-shaped boy lying upturned on the floor. He picked it up gently, filtering through Seamus and Dean's scents quickly. He could smell two other scents, both of which he knew: the overpowering fake floral perfume of Pansy Parkinson and the sickening scent of burning sulfur that lingered around Theodore Nott. Not only that, but their magical signatures were all over the box and the chocolates littering the floor, showing the magic they'd used to infuse the venom into the chocolate and the spells they'd used in an attempt to make it impossible to trace the item back to them.
He scowled, gathering the chocolates back into the box with a wave of his hand. No need for an innocent mouse or somebody's pet to come across them. Still holding the box, he left Gryffindor Tower and hurried to the Headmistress' office.
He had only to glare at the gargoyle to make it spring to life, revealing the staircase, which he raced up. Without knocking, he threw open the door and stepped into the room, meeting the confused gazes of Minerva McGonagal, Remus Lupin, and Alastor Moody.
"Can I help you with something, Mr. Potter?" McGonagal asked.
"There've been two attempted murders in the first two days of school!" Harry exclaimed, walking forward and dropping the box on her desk, "One on Draco yesterday, and on me today! Both times, a particular poison was used."
"What poison?" she asked.
"Ashwinder venom. Pretty difficult to come by, isn't it? Nothing that a student should be able to get. You'd have to be pretty good with snakes to obtain something like that…" he snarled, making sure they got his meaning, "No anti-venom, either. Fatally poisonous! It nearly killed Draco, and not it nearly offed Seamus and Dean!"
McGonagal's eyes were wide with fear. "I was not aware of this."
"Well, I was the only one who knew about Draco. I managed to catch the venom before it'd had any time to spread to his tissues," Harry said, "But I almost didn't make it in time to save Seamus and Dean."
"Is that all you are here for?" McGonagal asked.
"No. I'm here to tell you that I know who is behind it," Harry stated.
"How could you possibly know a thing like that?" Moody asked skeptically.
"Every person has their own unique scent which reflects their personality and magical strength and inclination," Harry explained, "And it's the same with magical signatures. No two are exactly the same. I caught the scents and residual magical signatures on that box of poisoned chocolates and realized that I know them both."
"Who is it, Harry?" Remus asked.
"Wait… residual magical signatures? What on earth are you talking about, boy?" Moody interrupted.
"When a person does magic- any kind of magic, no matter how powerful… even potions- they leave a tiny smear of their own magical signature behind. Kind of like a fingerprint. Most people can't detect them, but I, as a Caelestis, have that ability. The only other people who can see magical signatures are Empaths and Seers," Harry explained patiently, "There are even some muggles who can see magical signatures and auras."
Moody looked slightly impressed by this knowledge and nodded for him to continue the original path of conversation.
"Harry? The names?" Remus said.
"Pansy Parkinson and Theodore Nott," Harry said, "They're obviously under orders from Voldemort to kill me and Draco. After all, Voldemort is the only one who could have possibly gotten the venom."
"What do you want me to do about it?" McGonagal asked.
"Expel them! Send them to Azkaban! Do something!" Harry exclaimed.
"Mr. Potter, in order to do anything about this, you would have to expose yourself as a Caelestis. Otherwise the evidence can't be used," she said, "I'm truly sorry. I can alert the staff and the ghosts to the activities and they will keep an eye out. But that's the most I can do…"
"What about Draco?! He has to share a dorm with Nott!" Harry growled, a menacing wind whipping around him, "You can't possibly watch those two all of the time! I'm not worried about myself! My body can easily handle anything they throw at me! And I can protect Draco just as well most of the time… It's the other students I'm worried about! My friends! Two of them about died today! I won't allow that to happen again!"
Wind was now tearing through the office and the boy's power crackled in the air like lightning.
"Harry… please… you have to calm down," Remus said gently.
"No! How can you tell me to be calm?! Let me tell you something, Headmistress… if you won't do anything about this, I will. And you'd just better hope that I don't kill them!"
"Harry!"
The wind was suddenly gone and the magic dissipated as Harry's nose was assaulted by the scent of his Carus. He turned and was greeted by the sight of Severus gazing at him sternly. His anger left him in an instant and he was left feeling ashamed and frightened and terribly tired.
Severus strode forward just in time to catch the boy as his legs buckled beneath him. "Minerva. Lupin. Moody," he said in way of greeting.
"Severus," Remus replied, nodding at the man, "Why are you here?"
"I sensed that Harry was upset. He must've subconsciously called me here," Severus replied, holding the young wizard close.
"'M Sorry…" Harry murmured, snuggling closer to the comforting warmth.
McGonagal smiled, sighing. "It's not his fault, really. His nerves were already wracked and his control was probably hanging by a thread after using so much energy."
"What are you talking about?" Severus asked.
She explained what Harry had told them and his grip on the boy tightened. How dare they? He felt his magic thrum with rage and barely managed to restrain it. 'No poison could kill Harry…' he told himself, 'His blood would instantly neutralize it.'
"Minerva… are you sure there is nothing more you can do?" Remus asked.
She nodded. "Not without compromising Harry's magical heritage. And I doubt he would allow me to do such a thing."
"You're right. I wouldn't," Harry said quietly, not removing himself from Severus' arms, "I'm sorry I got so out of hand. Just do what you can, and I'll do what I can."
"Not going to kill them, are you?" Moody said amusedly.
He chuckled. "No. But a little fear would do them good."
"What are you planning?" Severus asked.
"Nothing much," Harry replied, lifting his head and smirking.
"Brat…" Severus said fondly.
"Can you stay for a while?" Harry asked.
"You just saw me earlier today," Severus said, "And you'll see me again on Friday evening."
"But that's three whole days from now," Harry whined.
"How were your classes?" Severus asked, changing the subject. He sat down in one of the armchairs, Harry cradled in his lap.
"They were good for the most part. Remus is teaching Transfiguration, did you know?" he replied, "And Defense Against the Dark Arts was… interesting. We're going to be learning a lot of useful things, but the new professor…"
"What about him?" Remus asked, taking a seat as well, along with Moody, "He seemed really nice to me."
"I don't like him," Harry said, burying his face in the crook of Severus' neck as he tried not to remember the disturbing scent and atmosphere.
"Why don't you like him? Come on… there's more to it than that," Severus said.
"He's not evil, or a Death Eater or anything like that… he just- he smells bad. Like burnt gunpowder and… blood. He reeks of blood. He's sick, I think. In the head, I mean," Harry said, looking around at their shocked faces, "And- he's a liar. He said he took a year off from being an auror to 'try his hand at teaching', but that's a lie. I can tell when people are lying."
"Is that all?" Severus asked.
"Hang on," Moody said, "What's this fellow's name?"
"Kyle Shanks," McGonagal answered.
Moody's expression darkened. "He's bad news, alright. A good auror and everything, but Harry's right. He's killed more people than all the rest of us combined. Provokes them until they attack and then kills them. That way he can say it was self-defense… I've worked with him before. He takes a perverse pleasure in killing. Not to mention he was Fudge's perfect little lap dog."
"I- I can't believe this! My first year as Headmistress and I've already failed in so many ways…" McGonagal said, obviously shocked that she'd hired such a man.
"Oh, he won't harm any of your students," Moody said, "He's a nice enough guy off the job. But as soon as he's on a case, it's like a switch goes off in his head and he's a completely different person."
"I don't think he is off the job. Earlier, he held Ron and Hermione back after class and asked them a bunch of questions about my past and my habits and what kind of person I am," Harry said, "Do you think the Ministry sent him to check up on me or something?"
"Scrimgeour is still backing you," Remus said, "We actually met with him yesterday at the Leaky Cauldron and he personally guaranteed the Ministry's full support."
"Maybe he's working under somebody else's orders," Harry said, "Not Voldemort- but somebody…"
"I can keep my ears and eyes open for you," Moody said, "Maybe I can find some information for you at work."
"Thanks, Moody. Meanwhile, I'll just watch my back," Harry said.
Severus looked at the clock and sighed. "It's time for me to go, little one."
"No… damn it. Why can't I just stay with you? Why can't you just stay here?" Harry said, "Make your trial public like you did with Draco…"
"The Dark Lord doesn't see Draco as much of a threat. Hence why he's sent Nott and Parkinson after him," Severus replied, "But I'm a different case. I know all of his inner workings and many of his hideouts, and I'm also much more powerful than Draco. If he knew where I was- or even that I'm still alive and free- he would stop at nothing to see me dead. And if I died, then Albus' death would have been for nothing. And you'd be all alone…"
Harry pouted a bit, so Severus kissed him, purposely ignoring the uncomfortable shifting of the three other occupants of the room.
"You will survive, I promise," Severus said when they broke apart.
"I suppose…" Harry said, "Fine. Get out of here, then. I don't have the energy to argue with you."
He stood from then man's lap, receiving one more kiss before Severus flooed back to Grimmauld Place.
"You'd better get to dinner, Harry," Remus said, "Your friends are probably worried you've been abducted."
He smiled. "Right. Thanks again, Professor."
She smiled back at him. "You're quite welcome Harry. I'm just sorry I can't do more."
He shook his head. "It's fine. See you later, Remus. Moody."
When he stepped into the Great Hall, every head turned to stare and followed him to his seat. He sighed, filling his plate with steamed vegetables and a couple slices of bread.
"This is worse than my first year…" he muttered.
"Well, everybody thinks you're evil or crazy, this year," Neville said.
"Not to mention the little incident in Care of Magical Creatures has gotten around," Ron said, "Most people think you sold your soul for power."
He groaned in disgust, rolling his eyes. "Bunch of idiots, aren't they?"
"Yes, but they'll come around," Hermione said, "When they realize that you're the same Harry you were six years ago, everything will go back to normal."
"But he's not the same," Draco stated, "Six years of attempted murders and watching the people he loved die… it's changed him. And now there's this whole… new thing. He's not that boy anymore." He grinned a bit. "Sure he's still as naïve as the day is long."
"And he's still a disgustingly good person," Ron supplied.
"And he still rushed head first into dangerous situations, even when he's got no chance," Hermione added.
"Yet somehow always manages to save the day and keep his life," Neville said.
"Where was this headed again?" Ginny asked.
Draco chuckled. "Alright, Potter… I guess you pretty much are the same boy you were six years ago. Just a lot more powerful and more savvy to the ways of the world."
Harry rolled his eyes. "I'm not the same. Maybe my basic values and personality haven't changed much, but… I'm not the same as when I was eleven. I'm much more- grown up, now."
Ron snickered. "Whatever you say, mate…"
"Would you like me to go into detail about all the grown-up things that I know, Ron?" Harry smirked, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively.
"No! No thanks… I'll take your word for it," Ron said, looking a bit ill.
"Well, I'm finished eating," Draco said, turning to Harry, "Shall we go?"
Harry nodded vigorously. The day's event had taken their toll on him both physically and magically and the last week in general had been hell, what with shopping for their books and supplies, preparations for the new school year, and the attempted murder of Draco and himself. He was absolutely exhausted. Honestly, he was surprised that he had enough energy to make it out to the Quidditch pitch.
They found a secluded spot under the stands where nobody could see them from the school or the grounds and Draco pulled his collar away from his neck as a silent invitation. Harry smiled gratefully and stepped to his Companion, who had to crouch to make his neck more accessible, and sank his teeth gently into his flesh. He drank slowly, careful not to take too much, but making sure to get enough. As he drank, he felt his strength returning and when he pulled away, licking the puncture wounds to heal them, he felt two presences to their left.
He growled, turning his head just in time to see the edge of a robe disappear around a corner. "Parkinson and Nott…" he whispered.
"It's likely they'll tell everyone that you're a vampire, not. Probably report to- Voldemort, too," Draco said, as they walked back to the castle.
"You don't think they'll figure out what I really am?" Harry asked, scanning the area to make sure nobody was around to overhear them.
"I highly doubt it. Remember what Sev said? Your race is a carefully guarded secret, even within the Ministry," Draco said, "And Voldemort most likely won't believe them, anyway. He'll probably just think we were necking and they misunderstood."
Harry laughed as they walked through the doors. "Maybe that's what everybody will think… hopefully…"
"You know… I really can't wait until you start feeding from Sev," Draco said.
"Why's that?" Harry asked.
"Well- I don't like the way I react to it. I'm not gay and I don't think of you as anything more than a friend- or a brother, but…" Draco grinned ruefully, "My body reacts in a very odd way, you get me?"
Harry blushed. "I'll ask Brenna or Sev if there's a way to make it less sexual. Up until now, I've just been going with my instincts."
"That would be nice, thank you," Draco chuckled.
"So when are you going to ask Ginny out on a date?" Harry asked abruptly.
Draco choked a bit, taken aback by the audacious question. "Well… I've still got quite a bit of wooing to do, don't I?"
"I don't know… I think she already likes you," Harry said, grinning.
"Yes, but I want to be sure. And I want her to be sure," Draco said, "It's got to be plain to her that I'm the only guy she wants and that she can't possibly live without me."
Harry arched an eyebrow at him. "You, sir, are an odd little ducky, do you know that?"
"I'm not odd and I'm certainly not a ducky," Draco said, "Is it so strange to want somebody to wholly, and unconditionally love me, and only me?"
Harry sighed wistfully, dropping his eyes to the floor. "I suppose not. That's what everybody wants, isn't it?"
Draco quirked an eyebrow at him. "He's a fool if he doesn't let himself fall in love with you."
Harry smiled, albeit a bit sadly. "Thanks."
"Are you going to walk me to the dungeons every night, then?" Draco joked.
"What?" he looked around, realizing that they'd reached the staircase leading down into the dungeons, "Oh… I guess I wasn't paying attention."
"Dolt…" Draco said, elbowing him in the side, "I don't need you to baby-sit me."
"Perhaps you do…"
Harry had already taken a defensive stance, placing himself squarely between Draco and the approaching person.
"Zabini," Draco said.
"What do you want?" Harry growled.
"Hey, hey… no need to be so hostile," he said, holding his hands up in the universal sign of surrender, "I'm not here to start a fight."
Draco sighed. "Then what are you here for, Blaise?"
"I'm here to ask for protection and sanctuary…" Blaise said solemnly, "My mother wants me to take the mark over the Winter Holiday, but… I don't want to live the same life as her and those- people. I want to make my own choices, and I'm choosing to fight with you."
Harry smiled warmly, welcomingly, and held out his hand. "I'll do everything in my power to help you."
Blaise took it and felt a sudden wave of magic. "What was that?"
"That was a spell to send a message to The Order of the Phoenix informing them of you official deflection," Harry said.
"How can you be sure that we can trust him?" Draco asked.
"Remember what I told you in Defense? He wasn't lying…" Harry replied.
Blaise grinned. "I'd also like to offer you some information."
"If it's about Parkinson and Nott and the Ashwinder venom, I already know," Harry stated.
Blaise looked shocked for a moment before he smirked. "I doubt I'll get an answer, but I have to ask. How on earth did you find that out?"
"You're right. You won't get an answer," he replied, "But I will tell you this: there's nothing to worry about. We can take care of ourselves and anybody else who happens to get caught in the crossfire."
"How can you possibly be so sure of that?" Blaise asked, "How can you have so much confidence?! Do you even understand? Ashwinder venom has no anti-venom!"
Harry smiled. "I know. Calm down, Blaise. Draco ingested the venom and he's fine, isn't he? Obviously we have our ways, so relax."
Blaise sighed, running a hand through his thick, black hair. "I suppose I just have to trust you…"
'Huh. Dark hair, dark eyes… kinda reminds me of Severus…' Harry thought, 'Only tanner… shorter… higher voice… smells like wind through the trees on a warm day in spring when all the blossoms are blooming…On second thought, he's nothing like Severus.'
"Well, I do have a bit more information for you," Blaise said, pulling him out of his thoughts, "Those two aren't the only ones on special orders from the Dark Lord. As we speak, efforts are being made to free Lucius Malfoy. All of the strings are being pulled and people are calling in favors that are owed… and if that doesn't work, there's going to be a full scale breakout."
"Why so much effort just for my dad?" Draco asked.
"Who knows? Maybe to get at you, maybe… maybe to flush Severus into the open," Blaise said.
Draco hazarded a glance at Harry to gauge his reaction to the statement, but luckily the boy had schooled his features into a mixture of indifference and annoyance.
"A few of the younger Slytherins may pose a problem for you two, as well," Blaise continued, "They came to me asking about some pretty Dark curses and potions. And word around the common room is that Nott's got spies in both Ravenclaw and Gryffindor. He tried to get somebody in Hufflepuff, but… well, loyal to the end, aren't they?"
Harry's eyes widened. "What? A spy in Gryffindor? Who? Are you sure?"
"I don't know who they are, except that I think they're a girl and their in one of the upper years," Blaise said.
"Trust him, Harry. He knows everything that goes on in Slytherin," Draco said, "He always has. He's got a knack for getting people to talk and- well, he's got a talent for eavesdropping."
Harry laughed. "Thanks for the warning, Blaise. We'll keep our eyes open. And I'll talk to the Order about your situation and get back to you as soon as I can."
Blaise smiled gratefully, clapping him on the back. "You're really a stand up fellow, Potter- er… Harry. And you can rest assured that I'll look out for Draco in the Slytherin dorms."
Harry nodded. "Then, I guess I can go now. See you later, Draco. Thanks again, Blaise."
"Come on, Dray," Blaise said as they walked down into the dungeons and stopped in front of the hidden entryway, "Hey… you're looking a little pale. Are you feeling okay?"
"I'll be fine," Draco said, giving the password and heading straight for the dorm.
Blaise followed him, curious about all the secrecy. When he saw the blonde lift a vial out of a small box in his trunk, his eyes narrowed. He knew that color and consistency…
"A blood replenishing potion?" he said, "Are you wounded or something?"
"So… what we say tonight wasn't our imaginations…" Nott said, stepping into the room, "Potter was sucking your blood, wasn't he?"
Blaise looked in horror at Draco as he downed the potion and the color returned to his face. "Is this true, Draco? You let Potter suck your blood?"
"So what if I did? What difference does it make?" Draco said.
Nott's eyes widened. "So he is- a-a- a vampire? Is he- some kind of Daywalker?" He looked at him fearfully. "Are you one of them, too?"
Draco laughed maniacally. "Perhaps. Would you like to test me and find out?"
Nott ran from the room, presumably to tell everybody what he thought he knew.
"Is Harry really a vampire?" Blaise asked.
"No," Draco replied, smiling.
"But… he did suck your blood, didn't he?" Blaise said.
Draco was silent for a moment before he shook his head, giving him a lop-sided grin. "No more questions. I'm afraid I don't have any answers for you."
Blaise sighed. "Somehow, I knew you wouldn't…"
IV
End Chapter Four!! This one just kind of happened. I had a basic outline, but that basically went out the window within the first few pages. Lol. As it usually tends to do… I switched it up a bit in this chapter. The last three were written in more Third Person Limited, focusing on Harry, but this one was more Third Person Omniscient. Anywho… good, bad? What do you think? The feedback on AFF for this story is rather good, so give yourself a pat on the back. But TSS… I have to say, I'm disappointed. "Latent" was so popular! I got so much feedback from you all… what's the deal folks? Review! They feed the plot bunnies!
