Harry Potter and the Hunt for the Horcruxes
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By: adhesivebagels
Summary: Sequel to Harry Potter and the Death Eater. Harry begins the hunt for Voldemort's horcruxes with Snape at his side. Together they will bring about the end of the Dark Lord once and for all-if they can keep their hands off each other long enough. PowerfulSnape HP/SS Slash Pairing AU OOC
Disclaimer: I own nothing except for this story plot.
A/N: Keep reviewing!
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Chapter 4
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The days passed quickly with Harry and Severus training twice a week in his quarters. Harry practiced the fire shield until Severus ws satisfied and then they moved on to counter-jinxes. Eventually Harry could block every spell Severus threw at him. Harry enjoyed their training sessions, he loved spending time with Severus without having to worry about anyone seeing them together. Often times they would end up on the couch after their training session and make out. Usually their make-out sessions became heated and they would wind up grinding against each other, their clothes forgotten on the floor, Severus would pleasure Harry with his mouth sometimes, but they never went further than that. Severus always held back from having intercourse with him, he never pressured him, and for that Harry was grateful.
They had been training for a couple weeks when Harry got a summons from Severus to meet him in his quarters that night. He made his way to the portrait with the thestral and opening it, he stepped inside. Severus was sitting in the living room. He got up when Harry entered and greeted him, pulling him in for a kiss.
"Harry, I need your help tonight" Harry looked at him questioningly.
'What is it?" He asked.
"I think you're ready," Severus said, "Tonight, we will be going after one of the horcruxes"
Harry's heart raced. They were finally going to start hunting the horcruxes? He was excited and nervous at the same time.
"You know where one is?" He asked.
"Yes, over the years as the Dark Lord's servant, I heard many things about the comings and goings of the Dark Lord and overheard conversations he had with death eaters in his inner circle. While he never told anyone of his horcruxes, I know of locations he has frequented and items he had a interest in. I discerned one location where I believe the Dark Lord hid a horcrux. It will be dangerous. It is most likely protected by dangerous enchantments. Are you prepared to do this?"
Harry thought about it for a moment. "Yes, I'm ready"
Severus nodded. "Then follow me"
They first stopped at their training room, where they donned traveling cloaks from the assortment of dark clothes there. Harry picked the cloak he had seen earlier, the one with the silver snakes. He wrapped it around his shoulders, it hugged his small frame as if it were made for him. He turned to find Severus watching him.
"It suits you" he said, "you look quite handsome in it"
Harry blushed at Severus's praise.
"Now, let's go" they walked through the portrait hole and outside.
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They left out the doors of the castle and started down the lane towards the apparation point at Hogsmeade. No one stopped them.
They walked a little past the gates of Hogwarts, where Severus paused. Harry moved closer to him and grabbed his arm at his beckoning and they apparated away.
The first thing Harry felt when they arrived at their new destination was a cold, salty breeze. He peered around him, the full moon illuminated a rocky coastline and a spattering of trees close by. Severus made for a jut of rock sticking out of the shore. Harry followed him. He pulled his cloak closer around him and was surprised when he felt warmth coming from the interior. He huddled deeper into the cloak, hiding his exposed limbs from the cold.
Severus walked along the shoreline closer to the rock outcropping. The sound of the waves crashing on the shore was the only noise in the night. They reached the rock and Harry watched Severus examine the rock surface for a moment.
Suddenly, he disappeared. Harry's eyes widened. He moved closer to the rock, looking to see where Severus had gone.
"Severus?" He called uncertainly.
A hand shot out the rock and pulled Harry inside. There was a cleft inside that was barely distinguishable from the rest of the rock face. Harry crouched there with Severus, it was a tight fit. Severus looked at him for a moment and then turned and continued onward. There was a narrow passage here inside the rock.
Harry followed Severus down the passage until they came to a wider opening. Here Severus paused.
"Harry, don't touch anything. The Dark Lord has placed enchantments here" he said.
He watched his teacher pace around the room, examining the walls. He reached out and touched a portion of the wall.
Severus snatched his hand back, a frown on his face.
"How interestingly. It requires blood" he said softly.
"Bl-Blood?" Harry whispered, suddenly fearful. Did the wall require a sacrifice?
"Yes, but only a small amount" he said. Before Harry could react, Severus reached inside his robes and withdrew a dagger. He slashed it across his palm. Harry winced at the sight. He watched Severus hold his bloodied palm to the wall and smeared his hand across the surface.
His blood glowed for a moment before it disappeared, as if the wall had sucked it in.
Nothing happened for a moment and then...a portion of the wall disappeared, revealing a black hole.
Harry's eyes widened. Severus moved forward and Harry followed him through the darkness and into the unknown.
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They walked into a darkness that was absolute, Harry couldn't even see past his nose. He knew Severus was standing in front of him by the scent of eucalyptus wafting toward him. How were they supposed to see in this?
Suddenly a bright ball of light appeared in Severus's palm, he held it aloft and then released it into the darkness. The ball of light rose up and hung suspended high above their heads, illuminating their surroundings.
It was a large cavern, the ceiling disappeared far above their heads. A still lake sat in the middle of the space, it's waters a murky green. Harry walked curiously towards the shoreline. He had never seen a lake underground like this. He wondered if it were man-made. Severus reached out a hand to stop him.
"Do not touch the water" he warned.
Harry nervously stepped away from the offending liquid.
He watched Severus examine the shoreline and the murky depths, whispering spells beneath his breath. Harry couldn't hear what he was saying.
Suddenly, a form erupted from the water a few feet away, startling him. Pale and misshapen, it rose from the water before sinking back into the liquid with a splash that echoed off the cavern walls. The surface became still once more, but Harry had seen what the thing was.
A corpse.
Harry stepped further back from the shore, his breathing quickening.
"What-What was that?!" He stammered.
Severus moved closer to him, clasping his shoulders and looking into his eyes.
"Harry, it's okay, you're safe with me" he said calmly, "That thing is an inferi, a living corpse"
Harry stared at him with wide eyes. An inferi?
"It was created by the Dark Lord to guard his horcrux. But do not be afraid. Stay close to me and no harm will come to you."
Severus didn't let go of his shoulders until Harry nodded, and then he stepped closer to the pool.
He watched Severus bend down and pick up a chain half-buried in the mud. He pulled on it until a wooden shape emerged from the water's depths.
"There is a boat here, what we search for must be in the center of the lake" he heard him say.
Severus pulled the boat further ashore and climbed in. He turned back to look at Harry.
"Do you wish to stay on the shore?" He sounded amused.
Harry took a deep breath. He would never live with himself if he let Severus go alone.
"No" he said and climbed into the boat behind Severus.
Once they were both inside and Severus pushed off the shore, the boat began to move. Harry looked at Severus curiously.
"Are you doing that?" He asked.
'No, I believe the Dark Lord left enchantments here for himself so that he could visit the horcrux if ever he needed to check on it" Harry nodded, that made sense.
The boat swept silently through the still waters, Harry tried not to look down into the depths, for he was afraid of what he might see.
After a few moments, the boat slowed down and Harry saw an island up ahead, emerging from the water. The boat stopped at the shoreline and he and Severus got out.
There was nothing on the island save a pedestal on which a metal basin stood. Harry and Severus walked closer to examine it. The basin was filled with a liquid that looked like water. He watched Severus gaze at it for a moment, a frown on his face.
Severus waved his wand over the basin, nothing happened.
He watched him touch the water with his wand, then with his hand. The liquid didn't hurt him. He scooped some of the liquid over the edge of the basin, where it hit the floor. However, the amount of liquid in the basin remained the same, as if it refilled itself.
Severus made a noise of irritation. Then he waved his wand and a cup appeared in his hand.
He dipped the cup in the water and looked at it's contents. He turned to Harry.
"The horcrux must be at the bottom of this basin. However, we must get rid of the water in order to get to it. I believe the only way to remove the water is to drink it" he stated.
Harry's eyes widened.
"Drink it? What if it's poisoned?" He asked. He didn't like this situation at all.
"It most definitely is poisoned" he replied, "therefore we shall need a volunteer."
Severus snapped his fingers and with a crack Wendell appeared. Harry's eyes widened. The elf bowed to Severus.
"You is calling me, Master?" She asked, looking around curiously at her surroundings.
"Yes, Wendell, I need your help. I need you to do something very dangerous for me. Do you think you could do that?"
Wendell nodded eagerly at Severus.
"Yes, Master, I do anything for you" she said. Harry had a foreboding feeling. Was Severus trying to kill his house elf?
"I need you to drink something for me but it's probably poisoned, can you do that for me?"
"Yes, Master" she said, though Harry thought he detected a note of uncertainty in her voice.
"Good, I need you to first go to my lab and bring me a bezoar from my stores. Go now"
"Of course, Master" she said and then with a crack, she disappeared.
Harry looked at Severus questioningly.
"What's a bezoar?" He asked.
"It's an antidote that will counteract most poisons" he explained, "I will give it Wendell after she has drank the liquid in the basin"
"Will it kill her?" He asked. He hated to see the house elf die, he had become used to her presence over the course of the summer. He would be sad to see her go.
"I don't think it is a fast-acting poison, for the drinker is supposed to finish the water to get to the bottom. Therefore, I think Wendell will be safe as long as we give her the bezoar afterward.
Wendell reappeared with a crack, a small object clutched in her hand. Severus took the antidote from her.
"Alright Wendell, I'll give you the cup now, I want you to drink everything I give you, do not stop" he made sure to make it a command. He did not know what type of poison the liquid was but it would probably not be pleasant. He needed Wendell's absolute obedience.
Wendell nodded and Severus scooped the cup into the liquid, and handed it to her.
The elf drank the liquid, her expression became unreadable.
"Are you okay Wendell?" He asked.
The elf nodded slowly.
"Yes, Master, it-it makes me think weird things, unhappy things" she had a fearful look on her face.
"Keep drinking, Wendell" Severus ordered her. Harry looked on nervously.
Wendell took the offered cup and continued drinking. After she finished it, her face looked queasy.
"Oh, Master,it's horrible, it makes me think of bad things, bad things I have done" she suddenly sank to her knees, moaning piteously. Harry's heart went out to her.
Severus dipped the cup back in the basin, refilling it. He handed it to Wendell.
"Drink, Wendell" he ordered.
Wendell had no choice but to obey. Though she shuddered and moaned, she continued to drink the liquid.
It took eight cupfuls before most of the liquid was gone. Harry looked into the basin, there a small object at the bottom there. It was out of the water now. It was a gold locket.
Severus took the cup from Wendell and then taking the bezoar, he grasped the house elf's head and despite her struggling against him, he gently shoved the object in her mouth.
Wendell gave a shudder and then became still for a moment. Harry feared she was dead.
Then the house elf opened her eyes and looked around uncertainly.
"Master?" She seemed confused.
"You've done well, Wendell, please go home and make yourself a cup of tea" Severus commanded.
The house elf stood on shaky legs and then with a crack she was gone.
Harry watched as Severus turned to the locket resting in the bottom of the basin. He waved his wand over it. When nothing happened, he bent forward and picked the locket up in his hand.
Harry moved closer to look at the object in his hand. It looked to be made of heavy gold, there was a glittering green "S" inlaid in the front of the locket. He looked at Severus questioningly.
"The locket of Salazar Slytherin" he said softly.
They gazed at the locket for a few seconds.
"Let us depart" Severus said. Harry followed him to the water's edge back to the boat.
Harry swung one leg into the boat and was in the process of climbing in when he felt something fall from his robe's pocket. He looked down in time to watch a box of Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans fall and disappear with a splash into the lake below.
There was silence. Harry's heart was beating fast. And then:
"Why do you have candy with you?" Was all Severus was able to get out before a huge splash sounded to their right. Harry whipped around to watch an ugly white mass that was once human, emerge from the lake and it was reaching towards them, it's mutilated hands clenching at air as it crept closer to Harry. He could see it's eyes, they were a horrible milkiness, it's face swung around, as if tasting the air for them.
Harry backed away hastily. Then, he felt Severus snatch his arm and pull him into the boat.
"Come on!" He shouted. He climbed in after Harry. There was movement all around the boat now as hundreds of pale corpses churned the water. Harry's heart was pounding in his chest. How were they going to get out of this?
He looked at Severus who was busy pushing the boat off the shore. Suddenly he felt something cold grasp his arm painfully. He hissed in pain and looked down. A rotten hand was clutching at his arm, holding it in a vice grip. Harry yelled in fear and tried to get away from the inferi that had a hold on him.
Suddenly a ball of fire hit the grotesque hand holding him, catching it on fire. The thing gave a shriek and released Harry. He scrambled away from the side of the boat and bumped into Severus.
Severus wrapped an arm around his shoulders, pulling him against his warm chest. Harry looked into his ebony eyes.
"Are you okay, Harry?" he asked, with concern in his face.
"Y-yes, I'm fine" he answered. He watched Severus raise his hand and a blazing fire shield surrounded them both. Harry looked out at the inferi.
They were scared of the fire. Harry could see their sightless pale eyes shining above the water as they sensed them but they kept their distance and did not approach the boat. Harry breathed a sigh of relief.
Severus tightened his arm around Harry, reassuring him.
He watched him raised his hand again and the boat shot forward towards the opposite shoreline. Harry watched with wide eyes as countless inferi were struck by the prow of the boat as they sped past. Severus maintained the shield around them until they reached the shore.
The boat slowed down and Severus helped Harry climb out of the boat. The fire shield dissipated when they touched land. Harry looked back at the lake. He could see the inferi watching them, their gruesome heads sticking out of the water. Harry gulped. There were hundreds of them. He couldn't imagine them as once being human. They looked like monsters to him.
Severus brought his attention back with a hand on his arm.
"Come one, Harry" he said. Harry followed him away from the lake and back into the light.
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They arrived back at Severus's quarters. It was late, well past midnight. Harry had watched Severus work on the locket for half an hour, trying to open it. He had been unsuccessful. He told Harry they would try again tomorrow after they had both had a decent night's sleep. He took the locket to their training room where he set it carefully in a small metal box that he then sealed with magical enchantments.
Harry then said goodbye to Severus and after giving him a goodnight kiss, retreated to his dorm room where he collapsed into his bed and was immediately asleep.
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Severus, however, could not sleep, as his mind was on the locket of Salazar Slytherin and the remaining horcruxes. If he was correct, there were five others. From the conversations he had overheard in the Dark Lord's mansion and the minds he had delved into, Voldemort had put his soul into six items, one of them living.
And now one of them was in his possession. He allowed himself a small smile. He and Harry were closer to destroying the Dark Lord once and for all. They had gone further than anyone had before in the war against Voldemort. Even Dumbledore hadn't dared search for the horcruxes while the Dark Lord was alive. He remembered him making excuses to why he couldn't search for them, always getting Severus to do his dirty work.
He frowned at that. Dumbledore had changed in the recent years. He was getting soft. He no longer took risks. He was content to sit back and let other people do the hard work. He wondered how old Albus was now...eighty? Or was it ninety? Severus didn't have the courage to ask. But there was no doubt that he was no longer the same man that had defeated the dark wizard Grindelwald.
I guess everyone changes at some point.
Severus sighed. He and Harry had their work cut out for them, but...he kinda preferred working without Dumbledore. It meant that he could do things his way. And Albus didn't agree with some of his...methods.
Yes, he and Harry would conquer the Dark Lord together, by whatever means necessary.
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A/N: R&R please! Thank you for all the reviews I've received so far! Follow me to get updates. I will be posting 1 chapter every weekend!
