Disclaimer – Nothing is mine. Damn.

Chapter 10 – The Innocents of War

'Bill?' Harry said again.

'Rhys, it's alright?' Snape said again. 'Dumbledore didn't send him. I asked him to come.'

'Why?' Harry asked, his eyes never leaving the eldest Weasley.

'He's here to help you. You need to learn some more unusual curses. Bill can help you there.'

'Dumbledore doesn't know he's here?'

'No one but us knows he's here.' Snape confirmed and Harry visibly sagged in relief.

'What exactly is going on?' Bill asked quietly. 'Tell me truthfully. Why did you run from Hogwarts? Why is there a Ministry decree saying Severus is a dangerous criminal and any and all force is to be used to arrest him on sight? And why is Albus working with Fudge for probably the only time in his life?'

Harry snorted and shook his head. 'Do you want all the details or just the condensed version?' he asked dryly, moving back towards the table and slumping in his seat. Bill glanced at Snape and David in concern.

'I just want answers, Harry.' He said truthfully.

Harry raised an eyebrow. 'You may as well sit down. This could take a while.'

Bill hesitated a moment before crossing to the table and sitting across from Harry. David sat next to him.

'Severus, could you please get the letters out of my trunk?' Harry asked softly and the potions master gave a curt nod, showing that he knew what Harry meant before striding from the room.

Harry didn't speak and Bill realised he was waiting for the older wizard to return. Snape appeared moments later and handed two pieces of parchment to Bill.

'Read them.' Harry murmured and after a glance at the tall man standing at Harry's shoulder he quickly unrolled the first one.

'Bloody hell.' David breathed several minutes later after he had finished reading the second letter over Bill's shoulder.

'You don't mean...' Bill began.

Harry nodded as Snape sat down next to him.

'Is that what happened? To your sight I mean.'

Harry didn't speak but moments later the glamour he had been wearing melted away.

'Dear god.' David breathed and Bill flinched. Snape placed a hand over Harry's as the young man stared at the auras of the men across the table.

'This is what the great head of the Order of the Phoenix allowed to happen to me.' Harry said softly. 'This is what happened to the pawn of the grand chess master when he choose not to move the piece, all for the greater good.'

'Harry, I'm.' Bill spoke but Harry held up a hand to silence him.

'Don't. This isn't your responsibility. It's his, and the only one who will apologise for it is him. I'll accept no other.' Harry's eyes flashed and Snape squeezed the small hand in his own as Harry turned away. 'Sorry.' He muttered.

'So what now?' David spoke up, trying to ease the tension.

Bill sighed heavily. 'Have you had any news over the last few days?' he asked.

Snape shook his head. 'Only the small amount David found out from the Headmaster.'

'What's happened, Bill?' Harry asked hesitantly.

'Apparently You-Know-Who is trying to make a deal.'

'I know about that.' Harry's response startled the red head.

'You know?'

'Yes. Hand me over and he'll stop the attacks. Dumbledore threatened me with it before we left.' Harry said flatly.

Bill's eyes shot open. 'So it's true. I though he was just trying to placate Fudge.'

'What's Fudge got to do with it?' David asked curiously.

Bill frowned. 'He's drawing up the Non-Aggression Pact.'

'The what?' Harry was also frowning.

Bill glanced at the two older wizards nervously before speaking. 'Harry, this is serious. This isn't just Albus. Fudge is involved too. Lucius Malfoy, who has once again been released from Azkaban just for this purpose, is acting as an emissary for peace and he is saying that You-Know-Who has agreed to sign the pact in exchange for your life. The Daily Prophet is saying it's a way to end the war. They're saying you can't defeat him in your current state and that the wizarding world should take the offer while they can. Before You-Know-Who changes his mind and wreaks havoc once again.'

There was dead silence at the red head's words before Snape let out a hiss of anger.

'Let me get this straight.' Snape's voice was arctic. 'The Minister of Magic is actually drawing up a pact between himself and the Dark Lord that would guarantee peace in exchange for the handing over of an innocent young man to what would be certain death.'

Bill shifted nervously. 'You-Know-Who doesn't actually want Harry handed to him. He wants his life.'

'Excuse me?' Harry gasped.

If Bill had been nervous before it was nothing compared to now. 'There is no chance of escape, Harry. No holding you in a cell for months. You-Know-who wants you to be Kissed before he strikes you down himself in the middle of Diagon Alley the day the treaty is signed.'

'You can't be serious.' David bit out. 'How can Tom Riddle show his face in Diagon Alley and not be arrested by the Aurors? And how can Fudge know Riddle will keep his word?'

'It's all part of the pact.' Bill said sadly. 'Dad told me everything after Albus brought it up at the last meeting. I'm sorry, Harry but he is the driving force behind this.'

Harry nodded dully. 'I'll bet he is.' He muttered. 'Merlin forbid anyone finds out what really happened.'

Bill went to speak but was stopped short as Snape wrapped his arm around Harry's shoulders and pulled the young man close. 'You're not going anywhere, Rhys.' He murmured softly, gently pushing the hair back off Harry's face. 'I'm not letting you out of my sight until I know you're ready to face the Dark Lord and if anyone tries to harm you it will be over my dead body.'

Harry snorted softly into the potions master's shirt. 'I'm sure that's just what the old man has in mind.' He mumbled.

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'So what now?' Bill asked after Snape had convinced Harry to go and shower and change; his first in several days and the three men had sat sipping tea in silence for several minutes.

'Lupin?' Snape raised an eyebrow as he eventually broke the silence.

Bill shook his head. 'No, Albus has him on another task at Hogwarts.'

'What task?'

'Training Neville Longbottom.'

'Longbottom? What on earth for?' Snape scoffed.

Bill folded his arms over his chest. 'I would never have taken you for someone who was that obtuse, Severus.' He said dryly.

Moments later Snape's brows shot skywards. 'Merlin help us. Is he completely insane? He can't possibly pit Longbottom against the Dark Lord. He'll be slaughtered in seconds.'

Bill shrugged. 'Albus thinks the prophecy was wrong. That the mental scar from his parents' torture is the mark from You-Know-Who.'

'You've got to be kidding. Longbottom has as much hope of defeating the Dark Lord as I do of becoming a muggle priest.' Snape snapped caustically before halting the tirade. 'Hang on. You know the full prophecy?'

Bill shook his head. 'No, just the beginning... The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches ... Born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies ... and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal.' The red head recited.

'But he will have a power the Dark Lord knows not ... and either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives ... the one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies...' Harry finished in a whisper from the doorway, startling the three adults.

Snape's face softened at the atrociously messy wet hair that still dripped water around the young man and raised his wand casting a drying charm before beckoning the young man over to him. 'Are you sure you should be sharing such things with people?' He murmured.

Harry sighed. 'If I can't trust you, who can I trust.' He said simply falling into the chair beside the man. 'Besides forewarned is forearmed.'

Snape's mouth twitched. 'Will you stop making such sense, brat.' He said fondly. 'It's dreadfully disconcerting from a Gryffindor.'

'Hey.' Came the indignant cry from both David and Bill as Harry let out a loud snort.

The potions master smirked and placed a hand on Harry's shoulder. 'Do you want to tell us exactly what is meant by your previous statement?' He asked softly.

Harry shrugged. 'My interpretation is that either I kill him or he kills me. Whoever is left standing wins.' He mumbled feeling the older wizard's hand clutch at his shoulder.

'And the power the Dark Lord knows not?' Bill interrupted.

'Rhys is a type of empath except he reads magic not emotions.' Snape said quietly.

'You can read magic...see magic.' Bill breathed completely ignoring the name the potions master had used.

Harry shrugged. 'It's no big deal.' He muttered.

Bill opened his mouth to speak again but was stopped by Snape's head shaking and David's hand on his arm.

'I think we should get started.' Snape said calmly, gently tugging the Boy-Who-Lived to his feet and towards the door.

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'I told you not to trust that Death Eater, Dumbledore.' Fudge fumed as he paced before the headmaster's fireplace. 'He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named will not wait for the boy much longer. Lucius tells me that He has stated unequivocally that if he does not have the boy by the New Year he will refuse to sign the treaty and the Ministry will be decimated before the bells have finished ringing in the first.'

'Calm down, Cornelius.' Dumbledore said patiently although his eyes glinted with anger. 'I have no doubt we will find them before the holidays and if not there is always the alternative.'

'Longbottom? You can't be serious, Dumbledore. Even I've heard the tales about the boy. Completely incompetent would be an understatement.'

Dumbledore shook his head. 'He has improved markedly. I have him training every day. If, just in case we haven't found Harry by Christmas there is a plan already underway to have Neville face him before the deadline is finished.'

'You're off your rocker. You'd better find him, Dumbledore. Find Potter or we're all finished.'

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'Do you think he's ready yet?' Bill asked quietly. Snape glanced down at the face of the Boy-Who-Lived as he lay peacefully asleep in his lap, his body stretched out along the length of the sofa in front of the fire. It had been a very long and arduous six weeks. Harry and his three teachers had worked tirelessly to prepare the young man for the task ahead of him. Snape dueled with him magically, Bill helped him rework or rebuild many curses to amplify their effect when combined with his empathy and David sparred with him and taught him to use many types of weapon. It was only later that Harry had found out that David's father had been a weapons master and had actually fenced for Great Britain in the muggle Olympics. They had all worked practically night and day after Bill had passed on the news from the last Order meeting several weeks before.

It seemed that the rest of Bill's family thought he was in Egypt in a remote location so he couldn't go back after that first meeting but after the letter they had finally received early that morning they knew they didn't have time to wait. Harry would have to face the Dark Lord before the week was out or Neville Longbottom would die and the Wizarding World would be thrown into chaos.

Snape ran his fingers through the messy black hair and over the scars Harry now refused to hide and sighed, ignoring the red head's question. 'Only Granger would have thought to use Winky to find Dobby.' He muttered.

'It's lucky for us she did or we would have really no idea of what's going on.' David countered.

There was a pregnant pause that lasted for several moments before Bill spoke, letting his first question go in favour of another. 'Are you going to grant her request?'

Snape glanced at both men before looking down once again. 'I don't know.' He said honestly.

'You know she does care for him, Severus.' Bill murmured. 'It might be good for him to see her.'

'And it might not.' The potions master snapped harshly. Harry whimpered softly and burrowed further into Snape's side.

'You can't keep him to yourself forever, Severus.' David said gently, Snape flushed and looked away.

'She did try to help him.' Bill reminded him. 'It's not her fault she trusts authority so much. It's the way she's been brought up.'

'Besides, she has risked everything to tell you both what's going on. I'd hate to imagine what Dumbledore would do if he found out.' David added.

Snape sighed heavily, lifting Harry's head and slipping out from under him before lifting the young man in his arms and holding him tightly to his chest. 'Fine.' He said finally as he turned to face them. 'But you will collect her.' He told Bill. 'It's not safe for David at home anymore.' He explained curtly before sweeping from the room, Harry still clutched tightly in his arms.

David and Bill watched him go before the redhead spoke. 'Have you got him to admit how strong the bond is yet? The Mind Merge shouldn't have made him this protective unless the feelings were there to begin with.' He said quietly.

'He's not protective. He's possessive.' David murmured.

'I think it stems from the same thing.' Bill sighed. 'So has he said anything?'

David looked at him and shook his head. 'I think he's scared.'

'Scared?'

David glanced at the door as if to check Snape was truly gone. 'His feelings for Rhys were strong even before the spell and the bond has only made it stronger. Rhys is giving him a chance. A chance to live, a chance to be loved. And he's terrified of losing that. I don't know what Severus would do if Dumbledore does get his hands on the boy.'

'He won't.' Bill said firmly.

David smiled at the immediate and practically vehement response. The loyalty the young man inspired in those who cared about him was almost unparalleled. He too would do almost anything to help him fulfil his task so that Harry might finally live in peace.

'You'd better get to bed then. You'll be wanting to get going early.' He murmured and Bill nodded. 'I'll leave some parchment for you on the table to give to her.'

Bill nodded his thanks and headed towards the door.

'Bill?' The redhead turned back to see David looking back at him, his eyes bright with an inner strength that was rarely seen. 'You'd better tell her about Rhys and Severus. Make sure she understands that we won't allow any muggle thinking here. Make her aware that if she hurts either of them she will wish Dumbledore had found out what she did after all.'

'She will understand.' Bill vowed before slipping out the door.

David remained staring at the fire for almost half an hour before rising reluctantly. He knew he had to go to sleep but subconsciously he couldn't help but put off the next day for as long as possible. He only hoped the day went as well as he believed it would.

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'Hermione?'

'Neville.' Hermione stammered, holding a hand over her heart as she tried to stop it racing. 'What are you doing up so early?' she asked, quickly crumpling the bit of parchment that had arrived via owl only an hour before tightly in her hand.

'Couldn't sleep' Neville mumbled. 'Besides Lupin will be here soon.'

Hermione heard the fear evident in her classmate's voice and sighed. 'It will be over soon, Neville.'

'Yeah, sure it will.'

Hermione crossed the room and stared down at the sullen figure sitting before the fire. 'Harry won't let anything happen to you, you know that don't you?'

Neville gave a bitter laugh that surprised the bushy haired Gryffindor. 'Harry isn't here. He probably doesn't even know what's going on. How on earth can Dumbledore think I could take on Y...y...you-know-who? I can't even say his name without stuttering. There is no way that stupid prophecy could apply to me.' Neville moaned burying his head in his hands.

Hermione patted his shoulder. 'It will all be okay, Neville. I promise it will.'

'Taking up Divination again, Hermione.' Neville snapped sarcastically without looking up and Hermione's eyes widened. She was silent for several moments before sitting beside her friend.

'Harry knows what's going on.' She murmured so softly that no portrait could overhear. Neville heard though and his head whipped up.

'What?'

'He knows. I got a letter to him. I'm not going to tell you how.' She added quickly.

Neville looked her up and down, taking in her heavy cloak and the small bag in her hand. 'Take me with you.' He said suddenly.

'Neville...' Hermione shook her head. 'I can't.' She said finally. 'You have to stay here. Don't worry. Keep training. I promise everything will be alright.'

Neville stared at her for several moments before nodding slowly. 'Tell him I said hi and tell him...tell him I said I'm sorry...for not being a better friend.'

Hermione's eyes filled and she nodded tearfully. She knew that was one apology she had to make herself.

Again.

'You'd better go. Lupin will be here soon.' Neville hugged her firmly in an uncharacteristic display before pushing her towards the portrait hole. 'Good luck.' He called softly as she disappeared out the portrait hole.

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Harry ducked the sizzling hex that flew over him and gritted his teeth, letting out a barrage of curses that had Snape breathing heavily as he tried to counter them. David moved around the room, much closer to Harry as they duelled like some swashbuckling heroes in an old movie. Sword in one hand, wand in the other, Harry hesitated a moment before lunging at David, their swords clashing as the teenager shoved him backwards, directly into a rather violent stunning hex that he saw coming before it even left Snape's wand. Harry spun and began an all-out assault on the potions master.

They had been at it since immediately after breakfast and it was only as lunch called, mainly by Harry's stomach letting out an enormous grumble, that he stepped it up a notch and Snape found himself disarmed and on one knee, his breath coming in heavy gasps.

Harry waved his wand, releasing David and crossed the seven steps to stand in front of the still kneeling wizard.

'Thank you.' He whispered, holding out his hand and helping Snape to his feet as David gently pried the sword from his other hand and sheathed it before placing it on a shelf.

Snape stared down at Harry as his breathing slowed; his black eyes shining as he gently reached up and caressed the scarred cheek. 'You're ready.' He murmured.

Harry smiled. 'I know.' He agreed softly.

A soft cough interrupted them but this time Harry turned slowly, his face remaining passive as he raised a scarred eyebrow. 'Hello, Hermione.' He murmured softly.

'How...?' David shook his head.

'Dobby.' Harry said simply.

Hermione stood nervously beside Bill in the doorway until the redhead nudged her further into the room as Harry walked towards her. The three adults also stood nervously by, unsure of just how Harry would react to the presence of his friend.

Snape's eyes glittered dangerously as Hermione opened her mouth to speak. Harry heard the strangled gasp as his friend hesitated in the face of such a menacing glare and shook his head. 'I know, Hermione.' He whispered leaning forward and hugging her tightly. Hermione's eyes widened in shock, but only for a moment before they filled with tears and closed in relief.

Harry held her as she cried but didn't say anything until she finally quieted and pulled away. 'I need you, Hermione.'

'I won't let you down again, Harry.' She vowed tearfully.

Harry nodded and smiled, looking around at the three men in the room. 'Lunch first, and then I think we need to talk.' He added forebodingly.

Snape raised an eyebrow, obviously there had been a second letter that Dobby had given directly to Harry; he knew he shouldn't have taught him that read-aloud spell. He just wondered what else the letter had said to have caused such a change in Harry's attitude towards his friend. Harry pulled completely away walked out of the room towards the kitchen, the others quickly following him.

He didn't speak all that much over the meal as conversation stayed away from the topic of Voldemort all knew would come up after lunch.

Finally they settled into the now resurrected sitting room before the now roaring fireplace; it was December after all. Harry sat curled in Snape's arms as he stared at the auras of those arrayed around them. Hermione's eyes had widened at the blatant display in spite of the speech Bill had given her as they had apparated from Hogsmeade. Snape stared back at her in challenge even as Harry began to speak.

'Three days.' The Gryffindor said quietly.

'Christmas Day?' David asked curiously.

Harry nodded. 'Narcissa is throwing a Ball at Malfoy Manor the evening before and then all the Death Eaters will go home. Other than Lucius, Narcissa and Draco he will be alone.'

'I thought Lucius was in Azkaban?' Hermione spoke up curiously.

Harry glanced up at Snape before shaking his head. 'No, he's been out for over a month. Working with Fudge and Dumbledore for the treaty.'

'How can you know this, Harry?'

Harry didn't answer.

'I told them.' Bill offered and Hermione nodded in understanding.

There was silence for several minutes. 'Rhys, you obviously have a plan.' Bill spoke up again leaving Hermione looking dreadfully confused. It seemed as if there had been one detail Bill had forgotten to pass on.

'Hermione, I need you and Bill to come up with anti-apparition and anti portkey wards. Use runes to do it. You will both stay outside the wards and keep them activated. David, you task is Narcissa and Lucius. Narcissa won't be much of a task, but Lucius is a master with both wand and weapon so be careful.'

David nodded. 'I understand.'

'I, of course, will be with you.' Snape murmured before Harry could speak. Harry glanced up at the defiant obsidian eyes and snorted softly, easily feeling the emotions pouring off the potions master.

'Was there ever any doubt.' He imitated the older man's sneer perfectly.

Snape allowed a smile to cross his face. 'Presumptuous brat.' He murmured, pulling Harry tight to his side and placing a gentle kiss on his temple.

'Harry, what of Draco?' Hermione asked hesitantly.

'I will take care of Draco.' Snape said firmly.

Harry shook his head. 'I don't believe you will have to.' He said quietly. 'In fact, I believe he will be assisting David in incapacitating his father.'

Snape's eyebrows shot skywards. 'What? Rhys, you can't be serious. Draco adores his father.'

Harry nodded in agreement. 'Yes, he does. But he enjoys living more.'

'What on earth are you on about?' Snape glared. He didn't like not knowing something about his godson that Harry did.

Harry shrugged out of Snape's arms and stood moving to stand by the merrily crackling fire. 'He's letting us in, on Thursday.' He said quietly.

There was several moments of stunned silence before Snape exploded. 'What! Are you out of your mind? How could you involve him in this? He's just an innocent boy!' He bellowed leaping up of the sofa.

Hermione moved to speak but David grabbed her arm and shook his head. He knew Harry was quite capable of looking after himself.

Harry folded his arms over his chest and stared unblinkingly at the red sparking aura that was the older wizard. 'He's the only son of Tom's right hand man. He's no more innocent in this then I am, Severus.' Harry said quietly. 'Besides, he contacted me. I didn't ask him.'

'How could he have contacted you? We're under the Fidelius for Merlin's sake.'

'Hermione is not the only one aware of Dobby and Winky's relationship, and the ways of house elves. Particularly ones he grew up with. Dobby knows Draco means us no harm.'

That shut the potions master up. Snape closed his eyes and looked away causing Harry to sigh heavily and move back towards him. 'Sev, he'll be alright. I won't let anything happen to him.' he murmured softly placing a hand on the black clothed chest.

Snape opened his eyes and stared down into the milky green ones so full of promise. He could clearly see by the younger man's expression that Harry would move heaven and earth to keep his godson safe. He also knew Harry was right and that Draco stood a greater chance at life and liberty if he stood behind Harry in the war and in that moment he realised just how intelligent Draco was and silently thanked the gods that the Slytherin had chosen the right side. There was no doubt whatsoever in Snape's mind that the Dark Lord would not live to see Christmas night.

'I know you won't.' He breathed, wrapping Harry tightly in his arms and wishing this was all over.

Harry must have felt what he was wishing as he pulled away and kissed the older man gently. 'It will be soon.' He promised. 'Very soon.'

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