Disclaimer: See all previous chapters.
Irreversible Destiny
By: SheWolfe7
A/N: Sorry this is so late! I was busy and then I need to re-write some scenes. Also, this chapter is once again, partially Betaed. I wasn't too pleased with it overall so I may re-write some more things later. If I do I will let you know next chapter or on my Group.
Warning: There is a small Harry/Cyriacus scene in this chapter. It's not graphic but if you want to avoid it skip the scene 'The Golden Chamber' down to the next divider. That paragraph will begin with 'After combing Diagon Alley…'
Parseltongue, foreign words, letters/articles etc.
Telepathy
Character's thoughts
Emphasized words, headings,
Chapter XIII
Preparation (II)
There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure.
- Colin Powell, US General (1937 - )
The Drawing Room
Number 12 Grimmauld Place, London UK
Saturday the 23rd of August 1997
4:15 PM
Harry was sitting at the writing desk, scribbling a long winded note to his Law Wizard Mr. Alaric Brandt. As his death neared he wanted everything to go exactly as he willed it. It would be most disconcerting after all to return amongst the living to find that his body was missing vital parts or hadn't been healed properly. If anyone dared to interfere with Alaric overseeing his funerary preparations, Harry wanted them to face the threat of Vita Ustum (Life Burn). No one in their sane mind (or so Harry was hoping) would even chance the bad end of the Life Burning Curse which would dramatically shorten the poor victim's life. If all things went accordingly, once Voldemort plunged the knife into the real Harry Potter's chest, anyone who tampered with the body after the Life Burning Curse came into effect would find themselves dying very, very quickly and painfully.
Just as Harry finished with his letter, signing his name in script and using the Potter signet ring to seal the envelope shut the door opened and several of the Junior Order members poured inside of the room. Ron and Hermione both led the wave of students inside, all of them almost freezing upon seeing him seated in the room. Harry ignored them as he finished writing the address on the envelope:
Mr. Alaric Brandt
Brandt and Moreau Law Wizards
Marseille, Provence-Alpes Côte D'Azur, France
Ginny walked over towards him. "Hi Harry, what are you doing?"
"I just finished a note to my Law Wizard, nothing important really. Have any of you seen Sirius?" Harry asked as he tapped the letter with his wand, emblazoning the Potter Family Seal onto the front and back of the envelope as well as infusing it with a few wandless security charms.
"Mr. Lupin and Mr. Black went to the Ministry, there's a meeting there about the Summit if I remember correctly." Terry Boot commented.
Harry frowned. "I don't suppose Moody is here?"
Hermione shook her head, "Moody's also at the Summit briefing."
"Well are there any adults here?" Harry asked impatiently.
"No, they all left after our lesson." Susan Bones replied, head tilted. "Why are you asking anyways?"
Harry scowled. "I have to go to the Triad Alleys for a bit, I need to send this letter by phoenix and then I need to pick up my robes for the Summit at Sartorial Splendor."
"Can't you go tomorrow?" Ginny asked.
"No, my Law Wizard needs to get this letter today and he'll be leaving his office at five thirty." Harry responded as he tucked his letter into his pocket. "I shouldn't be gone too long actually; would you let them know where I went in case any of them get back before me?"
Ron nodded. "Sure."
Harry headed towards the door. "I'll be back in twenty minutes at the latest, I'll see you all then."
The moment the door closed behind him and his footsteps had faded down the stairs, Hermione turned to Ron.
"Ron! What were you thinking agreeing to that! We could get in so much trouble letting Harry leave like that," said Hermione, hands on her hips frowning.
Ron straightened. "Or we could get him to trust us a little more by doing this."
The others watched at the two Gryffindors began bickering and arguing as they always did. It was everyone's hope that sooner or later the two would realize that they liked each other and stopped their annoying bickering. Ginny turned to the others and took out a pack of Exploding Snap while a few others took out Gobstones or crossed over to the chess set. They were all so involved in their games and ignoring Ron and Hermione that none of them realized how much time had passed until they heard loud banging and Mrs. Black's shrieking from downstairs.
Quickly cleaning the room they were about to leave the room when Sirius, Remus, Tonks and Moody entered the room looking exhausted.
"Fudge is an idiot; Voldemort's not going to let an opportunity like the Summit go without trying something!" Tonks exclaimed.
Moody snorted. "We all know how stupid the Minister is but he could be right. We'll just have to wait and see what happens when we report on Monday night for another briefing."
Remus gave the students a tired smile. "Sorry we were gone so long but we did pick up dinner, Mrs. Weasley should have everything set in about ten minutes. Have any of you seen Harry?"
Everyone froze, no one had heard Harry come back at all and he would have had to pass by the Drawing Room to go up to any of the other floors. Instantly all eyes turned to Ron who was suddenly looking very pale.
"Harry said that he needed to go and send a letter by phoenix to his Law Wizard and that he needed to pick up his robes for the Summit. He said he'd be gone maybe twenty minutes at the latest but he hasn't come back yet." Ron whispered eyes on the floor.
Sirius gaped for a moment before shaking his head. "When did he leave?"
Padma Patil looked at her wristwatch. "Harry left around four thirty or so."
"Four thirty!" the four adults exclaimed loudly.
Hermione glanced at the clock on the mantle and nearly moaned. "Oh my God, Harry's been gone for nearly two hours! I told you we shouldn't have let him go!"
"Calm down, we'll find him." Remus said softly before the four turned and stormed out of the room stopping in the kitchen to get reinforcements.
The Throne Room
Riddle Mansion, Little Hangleton, UK
Saturday the 23rd of August 1997
7:00 PM
After being put through his paces for the benefit of the Ministry's spy, Cyriacus had more than gotten a decent work out. The Elite and the Inner Circle had put on a good show of acting very suspicious of Cyriacus's intentions as Voldemort looked on with hidden amusement as Cyriacus gave his reasons for turning against his 'friend'. As the others watched, Cyriacus was questioned by Voldemort to see how he would be placed amongst the other Death Eater trainees. Though most attempted to hide it, Cyriacus could tell that they were impressed by his answers as his schooling was questioned. Voldemort was visibly gleeful when Cyriacus dismissively labeled himself a Master of Mind Magicks and proceeded to test his skills on a Death Eater from Voldemort's prized Chimera Death Squad. After showing off his skills in Legilimency, Occulmency, Imperius Curse, Oblivation and Memory Fabrication/Implantation it seemed as if he had finally passed inspection.
As Cyriacus sprawled in a chair as a House elf fetched him some iced spring water, Voldemort was gloating to his Inner Circle about all the uses Cyriacus could be put to. While drinking his water, Cyriacus eyed the other Death Eaters watching for any possible troublemakers though it was unlikely anyone would bother him after having seen the display of powerful Mind Magick he had just presented. However being overcautious was always a wise thing. Eventually after Voldemort had finished gloating he had dismissed everyone to prepare for dinner, Cyriacus returning with the other Elites to their suite of rooms. After taking a shower and telling everyone he'd see them tomorrow, Cyriacus had Shadow Stalked up to Voldemort's suite to dress in his Necromancer robes. Voldemort had already added a door between Necromancer Ruin's suite and Voldemort's Floo room so their appearances were perfect.
Cyriacus bid Voldemort a momentary farewell before Shadow Stalking back to Eagle's Spire and claiming his four Truth Guardians. They were spectral spirits dressed in midnight blue robes, their pale milk white skin shining luminously. A strip of dark fabric hid the upper parts of their faces, covering their foreheads down to their mouths. The moment they felt Cyriacus enter the room, they quickly surrounded him.
"Master," They murmured, their hands touching his robes with reverence.
Cyriacus smiled behind his mask. "My servants come with me and seek the unfaithful, scheming liars."
"Yes Master," They agreed pressing closer to him as Cyriacus wrapped his Chaos magic around them and pulled them along with him through the corridors of the Chaos Plane. They emerged in the darkened hall just outside of the Dining Hall.
"Now seek those with unfaithful hearts, those who would dare to betray the Dark Lord's cause. Mark them but do not allow them to know who has been marked, I shall cull should there be need. I will tell them nothing of your powers, only that you are my servants, let them know not what you or I seek in this endeavor." Cyriacus instructed.
The Truth Guardians nodded and Cyriacus strode through the open doors, ignoring the sudden silence that fell as those within the Hall took in his arrival. He wore an elaborate samite robe which was mainly black save for the sleeves and hem which looked as if they had been soaked in blood. A cloak blood red with a silver wyvern embroidered on the back draped around his shoulders and his face was hidden behind a black metal half mask. Ignoring the sudden silence Cyriacus continued directly to the table at the far end of the room as his servants glided amongst the common Death Eaters.
"Good Evening Dark Lord, I trust your day has been productive?" Cyriacus greeted as he took his seat next to Voldemort.
Voldemort inclined his head. "It has been very productive, Necromancer Ruin. I trust you have settled in your suite of rooms?"
"They are more than suitable for my needs, Dark Lord. I have finished preparing a suitable Summoning Circle as you had desired. I shall be ready to begin my work beginning at sundown tomorrow."
"Excellent, I look forward to it." Voldemort replied.
Dinner passed by quickly the conversation varying from recent Ministry actions to the import/export of Dark Artifacts. Cyriacus kept an eye on his servants as they glided around the room, seeking possible spies and marking them. As dinner finished Cyriacus was pleased to see only five marked Death Eaters who seemed to be only wavering from the glow the Truth Guardians had placed around them. Cyriacus would watch them carefully the next few days and if necessary have them eliminated. Under the table, Cyriacus nudged Voldemort with his leg and jerked his head towards the exit.
Voldemort nodded back and stood up, waiting until the room fell silent. "In fifteen minutes I will see all Inner Circle and the First Tier Death Eaters in the Throne room. Nundu and Basilisk are to alert the rest of the First Tier Death Eaters at Slytherin's Citadel."
After Voldemort's announcement the room began to empty as Death Eaters went either went home or to entertain themselves. Cyriacus ignored the others as he swept down to the exit, his servants falling into step around him. After leaving them in the Throne room to observe the new arrivals, Cyriacus headed back to the Main Staircase and towards the garden doors by the Game room. Lights lit up the cultivated garden and as Cyriacus noted he was not the only one out to get a bit of air. Some Death Eaters were conversing in clusters of two or three, others were smoking cigarettes or pipes and a solitary few were strolling idly along the paths. Cyriacus ignored the glances cast in his direction as he withdrew a pack of menthol cigarettes and finding a nice secluded alcove, had a smoke as he waited. Nearly twenty five minutes later, he strode into the Throne room shutting the doors firmly behind him and casting several powerful of his favorite Privacy charms. Once that was completed he conferred with his Truth Guardians and after scanning the room carefully walked up to Voldemort.
"Everyone present in this room is completely loyal to you and your cause." Cyriacus stated.
Voldemort relaxed marginally. "Excellent, I had hoped that it would be so but one can never be too certain. You have warded the room?"
"No one will be able to speak of anything they hear outside of this room and without my express permission." Cyriacus agreed.
"Very well, you may begin your briefing." Voldemort agreed, gesturing for Cyriacus to do as he liked.
Cyriacus nodded and turned around to face the crowd behind him. "If you do not already know, I am Necromancer Ruin Heir of the line of Blaze Hawthorne and First Tier Lord of the Guild of Necromancy. As you have just heard, you have been spelled to secrecy and it is spelled specifically to me. Should I find that any of you have somehow found a way to betray any information I am about to brief you on to the Ministry or the Order of the Phoenix, you will meet a fate worse than death. Is that understood?"
"Aye!" The room answered as they waited.
"Very good," Cyriacus commented as he pushed back his hood and removed his mask.
"You!" Someone exclaimed towards the front.
Cyriacus chuckled. "Yes, it is I. For those of you who were not present at today's Trainee training, I am Cyriacus Snape recently a student of the Arcanum Institute of Magic. Before anyone asks, I am both a Master of Mind Magicks and a Master of Necromancy among other things. My past is somewhat colorful, you will understand fully tomorrow evening so I shall be brief. On Wednesday Evening, Harry Potter will be killed at Fudge Manor which will be holding the Alliance Summit. In preparation for that momentous occasion, you have been gathered here to be briefed regarding your roles on that evening. Lord Voldemort, have you chosen the thirteen?"
"Yes, the thirteen who will be joining the Inner Circle and myself on the attack at the Summit are: Basilisk, Chimera, Lethifold, Thestral, Occamy, Ashwinder, Auguery, Acromantula, Grim, Abraxan, Re'em, Manticore and Runespoor." Voldemort listed.
"If you have been named, I will be expecting you promptly tomorrow evening at five o'clock for an early dinner. After dinner the Eastern Bathing room on the second floor will be closed off, you will thoroughly wash yourselves and dress in the robes provided to you. Tomorrow evening I am performing a very high level Protection and Bonding Summoning and as such, all of you will need to be prepared exactly as I need you to be. I suggest that this evening you all get as much rest as you can, abstain from alcohol, sex and anything that may result in bodily injury. If any of you have already tainted yourselves this evening I suggest you speak to me after I dismiss you to get a Cleansing Solution. Tomorrow evening should I be unfortunate enough to discover any of you having been stupid enough not to get a Cleansing Solution from me, I shall make you a prize sacrifice at the next Summoning that requires a live sacrifice." Cyriacus said glaring.
Someone from the back of the room asked the question on everyone's mind. "What exactly would happen if we didn't take a Cleansing Solution?"
"Whoever is standing within a Protection circle at the time of the Summoning would be perfectly safe as the Spirit would first attack the sacrifice. However, after the Spirit consumed the sacrifice, it would then turn to me as I will not be within the safety of a Protection circle. Suffice to say should I be at the un-tender mercy of the Spirit I'm Summoning tomorrow evening and survive the necessary ten minute wait until I can safely banish it, I'll make whoever caused the Summoning to fail suffer beyond mortal comprehension."
"Mortal comprehension?" Someone asked nervously.
Cyriacus smiled in such a way that everyone present shivered. "There are nine levels of Summoning and each require a different offering. Tomorrow I am performing a level eight Summoning which requires the sacrifice to be violently killed to amass the always powerful but very fleeting, Death Energy. There is one level above that and that requires the sacrifice to have their soul devoured by the Summoned Spirit. It works much like a Dementor's Kiss and often times the Summoned Spirit will Possess the body of the sacrifice. I have read that it is a less than pleasant experience but I will be more than happy to carry it out should it prove necessary."
"Now before I dismiss you, those who are not going to be joining Lord Voldemort at the attack on the Summit will report here on Tuesday evening at eleven o'clock. You will be acting as a diversion for the Summit attack and as such will be taking a few of my pets along to insure your safety and stealth. Your presence is not required at the Summoning but I suggest that you all come whole of body; my pets tend to get a little…excited when they scent blood and you will not be safe from them until they are bonded to you. Should you be injured on your raid, their priority is to Heal you as best they can and they will protect you until you recover, you will be in charge of them until Friday evening most likely."
Cyriacus glanced back at Voldemort who shook his head; he had nothing left that needed to be said.
"If those named would step forward?"
The crowd shifted as several groups of people moved together towards the front of the room. Cyriacus moved them around until they stood in columns three squads deep and five feet away from each other. Cyriacus unbuckled his robe, letting it fall to the floor before unbuttoning his black silk shirt and tossing that on the floor too. Everyone was watching him raptly as he turned his left arm palm up finger pointing at the ground in front of the first group, and using his right pointer finger touched the tattoo rune just above his elbow on his bicep. A black mist collected in front of the squads while Cyriacus calmly repeated the gesture another twelve times before taking a step back and waving his hand. Two buckets and four silver trays appeared next to him on the ground. Picking up a bucket he carefully poured the dark crimson blood into two of the pans, before taking the other bucket and filling the remaining two. Once that was done, Cyriacus pulled out a silver dagger from his right boot and cut his arm deeply, letting the blood pour into each of the trays.
Once he deemed that enough of his blood had been added to the calf's blood, he pressed the dark green 'gem' on his left bracelet and waited as a vial of Invitcus Potion drained into his bloodstream, healing the cut. Finally finished with his preparations, and only far too aware of the stares, Cyriacus scooped up his clothes and put them back on as he Incanted several words in Necromancer's Cant. The black mist formed into twenty six large spiders, whose bodies were the size of two joined soccer balls. They were fairly hairy spiders with purple eyes and soft dark black fur.
"Drink from your Offering," Cyriacus murmured, gesturing at the blood filled trays. Twelve of the spiders skittered forward to the trays and drank while the last remaining one, who had a silver S on its back, calmly approached Cyriacus. Bending down Cyriacus petted it once before calmly scooping it up off the floor and turning his neck aside, waiting as the spider positioned itself before sinking fangs into his neck and drawing blood.
A nameless Death Eater with a Chimera mark on their mask stared with fascination as the spider drank. "What are they?"
"Necromancers call them Gatherers; they're very intelligent and quite good at finding the perfect sacrifices for whatever Summoning is needed. I generally only summon females as they're the best at web weaving, she'll spin a web searching for a mind that resonates with the criteria I instruct her to find. Once she locks onto the location of that mind, she and her sister will use the Shadow Stalking ability I've temporarily granted them and weave a web into the mind of the sacrifice. Humans are always looking for their missing kinsman, so the spiders control the human who will make a general mess and write a suicide note before 'disappearing'. Then the spiders will bind the sacrifice with a special kind of silk and bring her to the room I've set aside for the sacrifices. After the sacrifice is used, I dispose of the body and no one's any wiser for it." Cyriacus explained, as the spider he carried finished drinking.
Everyone was silent; Cyriacus idly stroked the soft fur on the Queen Gatherer in his arms and waited until the other spiders had cleaned the trays of blood. Cyriacus set the Queen down on the ground and murmured a few words as the spiders arranged themselves into groups of two. Carefully placing Protection charms on them, Cyriacus spoke another word and waited as the spiders cautiously fanned out and searched for the group most suited to them. Once they had finished and were waiting patiently, Cyriacus walked over to the first group, which was Basilisk and scooped up the larger of the two spiders.
"Now hold out your arm, this will only hurt for a moment." Cyriacus instructed, waiting for the Squad Captain to pull up his right sleeve.
The Squad Captain hissed as the spider bit his arm, drawing a bit of blood before releasing him. The spider glowed for a moment and Cyriacus could feel a gentle mental touch as she searched for the information in his mind regarding the type of sacrifice needed for this particular occasion. Once she had the information she needed a gold Basilisk appeared on her back and after exchanging information with her sister, they stepped into his shadow and vanished. Ten minutes passed as Cyriacus continued with the same procedure, the spiders each vanishing to find a suitable place to spin their webs.
Cyriacus was just about to speak when his eyes glazed over and he became distracted, seeing for a moment what his Golem had gotten up to. Cursing softly, Cyriacus scanned the members of the Inner Circle before focusing on the one he thought was Augustus Rookwood.
"Go and ask the Dementor Lord to come here and explain how to use the Cleansing Solution, something has come up which needs my immediate attention." Cyriacus instructed as he took off the Glamour hiding the large crate of Cleansing Solution which was a few feet away from the Dark Lord's throne.
Rookwood glanced over to Voldemort, "My Lord?"
"Do as you have been instructed Rookwood and be quick about it! Where are you going Cyriacus?" Voldemort said glancing at Cyriacus.
Ignoring Voldemort's question Cyriacus mumbled a Switching Spell, exchanging his Necromancer robes for a pair of tight fitting green dragonhide chaps and calf boots, silver briefs and a loose mesh vest which opened all the way to his sternum, made of tiny steel loops. Glancing down at his clothes with approval, he created a bubble of air around his body and upped the temperature to a sweltering 112 degrees Fahrenheit until he was sweating rather heavily and began once again to muss his hair.
Voldemort repeated his question and before Cyriacus could answer; his father's voice interrupted him.
"What kind of situation is so urgent that it requires you to go out looking like a whore?" Severus demanded his tone filled with outrage.
Cyriacus merely laughed. "I'm happy I pass muster then, Father. As for your inquiry, Harry's done something incredibly stupid and now I have to go and repair the situation as best I can. I'm certain that you'll find yourself summoned to the Order Headquarters as soon as you're done here so be sure to act surprised and outraged." Cyriacus saluted Voldemort just before he walked into the shadows and vanished.
The Gold Chamber
Rapture, Leisure Alley, London UK
Saturday the 23rd of August 1997
8:43 PM
Cyriacus entered the room and after cringing at the nauseatingly gaudy décor. Everything was done in either white, new minted gold or rich dark gold. Every metallic surface was gilded to the extreme until the dazzle nearly made Cyriacus want to poke his eyes out. Kicking the door shut with a loud bang, an inebriated Harry and a scantily clad brunette woman twisted around from their entangled position on the bed.
Cyriacus growled as he approached the bed and gently pulled away the prostitute. "Here, take this and go, make sure no one else interrupts us." Cyriacus ordered as he passed her ten Galleons.
The brunette glanced from one to the other and after winking sashayed out of the room. Cyriacus tossed up several powerful Privacy charms as he dropped down onto the bed to join his golem.
"I don't suppose you'd like to explain what the hell you're doing?"
The golem smiled. "I figured this would be a perfect way to distract the Order from your activities and keep me from using our mutual reserve of energy. I know that you'll need every drop of energy yourself for the Summoning tomorrow evening and to recover on Monday."
Cyriacus glared as he unbuckled his vest. "That's true but now we're going to have to pretend to be lovers if only so they don't wonder where we both are the next few days. Not to mention when they do catch us later this evening, the lecture they'll give us will be worse than having to sit through three hours with Professor Binns."
"It's not the complete end of the world you realize, Cy." Harry replied as he too began to strip out of his clothes, tossing them strategically around the bed. Once they were both naked, they slipped under the covers of the bed, Cy frowning darkly.
"You do know how disconcerting this is for me?" Cy commented resisting the urge to jump out of bed and away from the golem as it pinned him to the bed.
Harry quirked an eyebrow at him and ignoring Cy's remark, began to kiss and bite Cy's neck. "Even if it is disconcerting, we'll still need to do it."
Cyriacus winced at the contact. "Bite the other side, the Gatherer Queen bit me on that side."
"Sorry." Harry replied before obligingly marking the other side of Cy's neck.
Knowing it was pointless to lay there like a statue; Cyriacus decided that if they were going to make this believable then they would need to take it up a notch. Harry continued nipping and licking his way down Cy's neck and chest while Cy raked his fingernails over as much of Harry as he could reach from his position. Crushing his lips against Cy's Harry nibbled and sucked on the 'younger' boy's lip until Cy reluctantly opened his mouth. As their tongues dueled, the flavor of mint and Firewhisky passed between them. Grinding their hips together as they moved back to exchanging bruising love bites and love scratches Cy felt his Incubus side rising to the surface. Any remaining inhibitions melted away as the two writhed against each other, still exchanging bites, kisses and scratches.
After combing Diagon Alley, Tonks and Kingsley were finally able to learn that the shopkeepers had last seen Harry on his way to Leisure Alley, clutching a letter. A stop at the Post Office revealed that the letter Harry had received bore the seal of Arcanum, which was the image of the island Arcanum called home with a silver gate overlaying it. The clerk unfortunately could not tell them the name of the sender only that it looked as if it had been written by a feminine hand.
Another two hours were spent combing through the shops and eventually the nightclubs, burlesque houses and two or three brothels. It seemed that Harry had stopped by at nearly every club, house or brothel in the more secluded area of Leisure Alley. It was approaching nine fifteen when they finally managed to determine that Harry was currently being ah, entertained in a chamber in Rapture. The brothel was one of the better known ones and though it was gaudy the professionals were supposedly the best in the Alley.
Another ten minutes were spent amongst the Order members arguing about whether to wait until he was finished or to interrupt. Eventually Dumbledore, Moody and Hestia Jones won the argument and Sirius, Remus and Tonks ended up trailing the other three as they made their way up the stairs and to the Gold Chamber. By the time they reached the door, practically everyone except Dumbledore and Moody were red in the face as they had heard quite a bit more than they would have liked from the other patrons. The moans coming from behind the door however caused even the two oldest members of the group to blush lightly.
"God damn…the things you can do with your tongue should be fucking illegal!" Harry rasped loudly, causing everyone in the hall to go completely beet red.
Hestia glanced at the door before looking away. "I don't think they'll hear if you knock, Albus."
Dumbledore closed his eyes briefly. "You are right; perhaps it would be best just to go in."
Taking a deep breath, he opened the door and they entered the room closing the door behind them before freezing at the sight that greeted them. Sprawled in the center of the bed on his back was a disheveled Harry Potter whose hands were entwined in the hair of his lover and lying half on top of him was Cyriacus Snape, who had his teeth latched around Harry's left nipple. Sirius made a choked noise and abruptly collapsed to the floor with a dull thump that immediately caused the two in the bed to twist around, wands drawn.
"Headmaster?" Harry slurred, surprised.
Cyriacus glanced from Sirius to the other adults and turned red before practically rolling off of Harry and covering his face with his hands in a lame attempt to hide his burning cheeks. Harry glanced from his lover to the older adults at end of the room and back.
"Oh Merlin, oh Merlin, oh Merlin…" Hestia was muttering to herself, staring at the ground.
Tonks meanwhile was staring at the bed with shock while Remus and Kingsley attempted to rouse the unconscious Sirius Black. Dumbledore was rubbing his temples, silently begging for patience at the unexpected sight they had stumbled upon.
"Cy?" Harry called out tenatively.
Cyriacus grumbled as he cautiously peeked out from between his fingers. "I told you this was a bad idea."
"Get up Sirius Black, Merlin knows you've seen worse things then that!" Remus snarled as he and Kingsley took turns slapping and throwing Eneverate spells at Sirius.
Dumbledore took a deep breath and choked on the heavy, unmistakable scent of sweat and sex that laced the air. "Boys, get dressed, we'll wait in the hall."
Tonks and Hestia were quick to follow Dumbledore out, while Kingsley and Remus dragged a still resisting Sirius. Quietly Harry and Cyriacus cast Cleaning Spells on each other before pulling on their clothes. As they reached the door they shared a triumphant look at their acting before allowing themselves to be led out back to Grimmauld Place.
Number 12 Grimmauld Place, London UK
Saturday the 23rd of August 1997
9:25 PM
It was the sound of Mrs. Black's shrieking about Half-blood's that alerted the students to Harry's arrival. They poured out of the Drawing room, Ron, Hermione and Ginny in the lead and nearly tumbled down the stairs when they saw Harry. Leaning against an equally disheveled Cyriacus Snape, both men were sporting large red love bites along their necks. Harry's clothes looked wrinkled and looked askew while Cyriacus was covered with Remus's robe, leaving the werewolf dressed in simple gray slacks and a loose white button up shirt. Sirius was staring at the two in something like shocked disbelief while Tonks was trying to distract Hestia who was muttering something about 'always knocking before entering a room'. Kingsley and Moody both looked grim and the former told Remus he'd 'get the bottle' from the library. Dumbledore looked very tired and slightly uncomfortable.
"Harry? Are you alright?" Ginny asked cautiously.
Both Harry and Cyriacus turned and after seeing over a dozen kids around their age looking at them, flushed.
"I'm fine. I suppose Cy and I will just uh, get cleaned up." Harry said lamely, far more sober after Moody had hit him with a Sobering Charm.
Cy quickly agreed with Harry. "Yes that's a great idea! Let's go up to your bedroom!"
The two younger men had managed three steps towards the stairs when Dumbledore stopped them, laying a hand on one of their shoulders.
"I think it would be best if you two stayed away from each other until we have a discussion about your…activities this evening." Dumbledore said in a no nonsense tone.
Cy glanced at Harry then Dumbledore. "Um, I'm going to need a change of clothes and Harry's the only one about my size so I think it would be better if we just cleaned up in Harry's room."
Molly Weasely clucked. "I'm sure I can clean up your clothes while you take a shower dear, now take off Remus's robe and let me have a look at your clothes."
"Molly just leave the boy alone." Sirius said flatly.
Dumbledore moved forward to intercept the mother hen. "You need not concern yourself with the state of Cyriacus's clothes, Molly."
"It's really no trouble, Albus. Off with the robe dear." Molly told Cyriacus who was now trying to hide behind Harry.
"NO! Really, that's not why-" Harry began but by then the Weasley Matriarch had waved her wand and Remus's robe had vanished, leaving Cyriacus clad in his rather revealing clothing.
Several girls squeaked at Cy's undeniably well toned body which as they could now see, was definitely covered in bruised love bites and scratches alike. Both Cyriacus and Harry's faces flamed and Cy dragged Harry to stand in front of him, blocking the younger kids from looking at him. The boys however looked at how closely the two were standing, their expression and their jaws dropped open as the revelation of just how close the two were became obvious. Mrs. Weasley was gaping like a landed fish while Sirius unbuttoned his robes and silently handed them to the very embarrassed younger man. Cyriacus quickly pulled on the robes and buckled them shut, staring at Harry who was still shielding him.
"We'll be going up to my room now," Harry said somewhat coldly. "No more protestations about it, we'll be down in exactly twenty minutes."
"But-"
Harry turned to glare at Tonks. "We'll discuss it later, I think between the seven of you, you have embarrassed and invaded our privacy enough for one evening. If you make things difficult, I will be happy to invite Cy to stay over at Potter Manor for a few days until you cool your heads."
Sirius looked like he was going to protest but Dumbledore calmly cut him off, "Go then and meet us in the kitchen when you are done."
Severus growled as he was directed to the kitchen by a rather shaken looking Molly Weasley. Muttering about his luck, or lack thereof, Severus entered the kitchen with a dark look and paused as the room became dead silent upon his entrance.
"There had best be a good reason for calling me tonight! The Dark Lord has had me brewing potions all day and I'm exhausted and irritated!" Severus snarled, looking at Dumbledore.
"Perhaps you should sit down Severus; I fear this news may be somewhat unexpected." Dumbledore replied smoothly.
Charlie glanced at Dumbledore to Severus and to his mother who entered and sealed the room with several Privacy charms before taking her seat. "I don't suppose you'll finally tell us why some of you look like someone's died or that Voldemort's just won?"
Poppy Pomfrey glanced at Harry then to Dumbledore. "Ms. Granger told me that Harry was missing but he seems to be in fine health so I don't see what has you all so upset."
"Potter left the house alone?" Severus drawled glaring at Harry who glared right back.
Dumbledore drew a deep breath. "After combing Diagon and Leisure Alley, we finally found Harry in a rather…unexpected place."
Harry shot Dumbledore a dark look. "I hardly think that we need to discuss this with the entire Order, Dumbledore!"
"Then you should have thought about what you were doing going to Rapture with a minor and shagging each other's brains out!" Sirius shouted.
The room became dead silent before everyone immediately began to speak.
"What was he doing?" Emmaline Vance exclaimed.
Fred and George spoke simultaneously. "Harry and Snape's son!"
"Rapture? As in the brothel?" Bill asked looking dumbstruck.
All the reactions however, were overshadowed when a furious red faced Severus Snape jumped to his feet, banged both of his hands on the table and roared. "What the Hell do you think the two of you are doing! I will not stand for this sort of illicit behavior between my son and a Potter!"
Calmly, Harry glanced over at Severus. "I hardly think you are in any position to tell either of us what we can and can't do, Professor."
Dumbledore looked at Harry and Cyriacus. "Harry things are very clear on this matter and I do not think it wise for you to continue this…relationship. It would not be healthy for two Blood sworn brothers to be engaging in such acts."
"You know very little about Blood Magic then, Headmaster." Cyriacus said speaking up for the first time since he and Harry arrived in the kitchen.
Moody looked at the two former Arcanum students suspiciously, "And what, pray tell, don't we know about Blood Magic?"
"There are all sorts of different ways to use Blood and many different bonds," Harry explained. "When I said that Cy and I were Blood brothers you assumed naturally that the form of bond we swore was the one sworn between platonic males. Cy and I did not bother with attempting to clarify our relationship as it was a moot point and as we wanted to avoid this confrontation. Suffice to say, Professor Snape may protest and be as outraged as he likes and it will not cause either of us to change our ways, what we have done is mostly irreversible."
Dumbledore looked thoughtful. "And the full term of this particular bond?"
"The Old books call it a Shieldmate's Oath; the new books call it a Shieldbrother Oath. If you're curious where the bond itself originates from, I'm told it was named after the way the Spartans fought or so I've been told."
Severus closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "And how long have you sworn your Oath?"
Cy looked his father in the eye. "It's been just over a year. I wanted to swear it earlier but Harry said to wait until after my fifteenth birthday."
"Oh Merlin," Sirius muttered, looking ill.
Remus rubbed his face. "And you chose this particular bond because?"
"I don't think any of you need to know our reasons, this is embarrassing enough discussing it like this." Harry calmly stood up, offering Cy his hand. "However since you do, this makes things easier for us. Cy and I will be taking a short trip away to Potter Manor from Sunday to Wednesday morning. As Cy has already been presented to Voldemort, I think we can afford a bit of time away from everyone. This letter should explain everything; I'll see you all in a few days."
The Order watched as the two walked out of the room. Sirius reached over and picked up the envelope and opened it. Two sheets of paper lay inside, the first had 'READ ME FIRST', scribbled on it. Taking it out, Sirius opened it and read it aloud.
Harry-
I wish I was writing you for the sake of speaking with you but I'm afraid that's not the case. Clarisse has had another vision and I'm sorry to tell you that 'as the leaves turn' has now become a more definite 'before the ninth moon's new face'. It is our hope that you will receive this letter as soon as possible, but as we had no access to Phoenix mail you should receive this letter at the latest on the 22nd of August.
This is a terrible secret to know, especially as you have hidden the truth from all your friends and even Cyriacus. However as we both know, the two of you swore a Shieldmate Oath and if you want him to live past your death, you must carefully begin to unbind your half. As you are a Master, I need not elaborate I'm sure but you will need at least two full days to unbind your half without alerting Cyriacus to what you are doing.
I hope that you finally finish the battle that began before your birth and I assure you now, I will see to it that Cyriacus is seen to. You have my support and that of your fellows, never doubt that.
Fight hard, love truly and die honorably,
Celestin Nigel Randolph
Headmaster of the Arcanum Institute of Magic
Sirius dropped the first letter as he finished and stared at it, hoping the words were wrong. Remus saw his shock and reached over and took out the second letter which had 'WHEN YOU COMPOSE YOURSELVES' written on it. Slowly unfolding it Remus scanned through the contents.
"Well?" Severus asked after a few minutes of silence, looking grave.
Remus set the letter down. "In it he writes that arrangements for his burial have been scheduled on the morning of September 3rd and that he has scheduled the reading for his will to be held on September 5th. He writes that his Law Wizard Alaric Brandt will see to all the necessary details and that exactly three hours after his death his body will be under the protection of a Vita Ustum Curse. If any of us are present, we are to please ensure that no one tampers with his body until his Law Wizard arrives."
Dumbledore closed his eyes. "And so it draws to an end, may the world remember his sacrifice."
The Grounds
Riddle Mansion, Little Hangleton, UK
Sunday the 24th of August 1997
6:25 PM
Cyriacus was silent as he led the wave of bronze robed Death Eaters deep into the forest on the Mansion grounds. Floating silver orbs of light lit the way as they walked until they reached a large circular clearing which was around a hundred or so feet in diameter. In the middle of the clearing was a large octagon made of solid obsidian which spanned fifty five feet across and was three feet high. On top of the octagon was a foot high circle with a diameter of forty five feet. One foot high and wide steps had been carved into the octagon to make it easier to climb up onto the level of the octagon and then up to the circle.
An aerial view of the obsidian Summoning Circle would reveal five circles the outside circle being the biggest and the inside circle being the smallest. Each circle was exactly five feet away from the next and overlapping each of the larger circles were smaller Protection Circles which had been carved directly onto the obsidian stone. The fifth circle (counting outward) was unmarked as it was barely a foot away from the edge of the raised obsidian circle; the forth and the third circle had eight Protection Circles carved on them, the second circle had four and the innermost circle was a Protection Circle in and of itself. Also the innermost circle was two inches higher off the ground than the rest of the circles.
Looking from above, four right triangles with three Protection Circles in each, created a cross within the four circles. The middle point of that cross being the center Protection Circle and the longest part of the cross being the southern point on the cross. Altogether the Summoning Circle fit exactly twenty one people, not counting the center Protection Circle. Torches in the corners of the octagon lit up the outermost edge of the octagon, eight torch stands lit up the outermost two circles, three located on the shorter ends of the cross while the remaining five were located on the between the edge of the raised circle and the fifth carved circle itself.
Cyriacus glanced back at the Death Eaters behind him. "Fan out around the octagon, two squads on the northern, western and easternmost points and three groups on the southernmost point. The rest of you, stand wherever you like just don't get in my way."
Temporarily ignoring the mass of Death Eaters as they moved into position, Cyriacus climbed up the steps until he was standing just on the edge of the fifth circle where he tipped over four bags of large rock salt crystals. A gesture with his hands smoothed out the spilled salt into a perfect circle in between the actual fifth circle and the raised edge of the slab of obsidian itself. Walking around the circle, he checked to make sure it was as geometrically correct as possible before carefully stepping over it and down to the obsidian slab cut in the shape of the octagon. Cyriacus walked to the northern face of the octagon and collected the leather satchel from Macnair before walking to Lucius who was standing at the eastern point and collecting a large velvet sack. Placing a hovering charm on both bags Cyriacus walked towards the southern face, gesturing for the others to step back as he stepped down.
Taking out a knife from the leather satchel floating next to him, Cyriacus turned his left arm palm up and cut down in between his bracelet and his first Pre-Summon Rune. He watched the blood drip for a moment before shaking his head and taking out a gray vial of Numb Discharger. Sticking out his tongue he let two drops hit his tongue before swallowing and waiting a few more minutes. The cut on his arm had already sealed when he put the tip of the knife on his arm and cut again. This time he nodded, satisfied with the current level of apathy. Tugging the belt on his waist, Cyriacus slipped out of his robe and with a flick of his fingers banished his robes to his room.
Voldemort stared for a moment, surprised. "You are going to do this Summoning ritual nude?"
Cyriacus glanced over at Voldemort. "We all are, actually. I, however, am perfectly comfortable with my lack of dress. The rest of you will have to adjust I suppose." Cyriacus turned away and glanced around at the others. "I know the Dementor Lord briefed you after I left yesterday regarding what was expected of you at this Summoning, have you any questions before we begin?"
Silence.
"Good we will begin with the southernmost point, which would be?"
"Abraxan, Necromancer Ruin." The Squad Captain answered.
Cyriacus nodded, "Disrobe and join me above. Do not, I repeat, do not disturb the circle of salt or I will gut you."
Another five or so minutes was spent directing them into positions on the circles while he carefully withdrew his tools. When he finished there were several daggers of various lengths and several vials of Royal Incubi blood mixed with phoenix tears and ground unicorn horn shavings, floating in the air around the center Protection Circle. Once he was prepared he waved his hand and a cocooned figure appeared in the center of the circle, a gesture of his hands and the cocoon fell away revealing a slim blonde girl around his age.
Finally ready to begin, Cyriacus faced moved into position south of the center Protection Circle and began his incantation. "I Summon, a Revenant from the Chaos Plane, by offering of a death energy sacrifice. I summon the Revenant Altaros, by the blood of the Illusionist, I summon!"
Wisps of black mist streaked with what seemed to be lightning began to form a few feet to his right. As the mist gathered it seemed to gain substance, forming into a human-like shape which steadily became a man with fierce expression.
"You have some nerve to Summon me here, mortal. We shall see how well learned you are soon enough, what is my task?" Altaros demanded.
Cyriacus didn't bat an eye at the Revenant's tone. "I will let the blood of the sacrifice and you will bind each of them," Cyriacus pointed to the Death Eaters standing in their Protection Circles, "To that one there," Cyriacus pointed again to the Squad Captain. "The bond you are to form will allow him to act as a Channel with me as an Anchor, can you do this?"
The Revenant smiled, "At last, a challenge worth my time. Yes, Necromancer, I can do as you require."
"That is good; I should have hated to waste my time." Cyriacus commented as he reached for a particularly sharp dagger. "Captain Abraxan, would the runes for 'fair horse' pass?"
The Squad Captain blinked. "Whatever you desire would be more than suitable, Necromancer Ruin."
"Mmm," Cyriacus hummed before waking his sacrifice with a wandless charm and a full body bind to keep her still. Raising his knife he circled around her, before settling on cutting a curved V along her breasts. As her terrified blue eyes widened in pain, Cyriacus glanced at the positions of his tattooed Runes before settling on carving the runes on the middle of her left thigh. With each cut of the knife, a similar red mark appeared exactly on their thigh in the same place on the Death Eaters and Cyriacus. When he finished, Cyriacus released his dagger and reached for a paintbrush and a vial of the mixed blood. Dipping the brush in Cyriacus coated the carved runes with the specially prepared blood. Stepping back, he turned to face the Revenant who nodded and began chanting. A brief flair of pain sizzled on his thigh as the mark burned onto his skin and quickly faded becoming a form of a weak Soul link.
Cyriacus brushed his awareness against it and after confirming it was accurate turned to face the Revenant. "Are you fond of any particular style of death?"
"Blood, lots of blood." Altaros answered, looking eager.
"Right." Cyriacus picked up the largest of his daggers and repeatedly sank it into her soft, yielding flesh. Blood poured from the stab wounds, staining his hands and trickling down her body. Watching as the light extinguished from her eyes, Cyriacus waited until the last of her life faded and with it the Revenant howled his freedom, as he was finally able to transition into the Mortal Realm. After disposing of the body, Cyriacus called up the next group and began the Summoning all over again.
After the thirteen sacrifices had been slain, some more messily and slower than others, Cyriacus called up and positioned each of the Squad Captains and began another Summoning. Using a Lethifold carcass, a bucket of Nundu blood and a squalling infant his Gatherers had retrieved as Offerings, Cyriacus began the far more challenging Summoning. As a rule, attempting a level nine Summoning was considered by some to be chancing suicide and what he was doing was…well simply put, he could be classed as either a very cocky bastard or a stark raving lunatic. Cyriacus preferred to believe the former.
"…I summon the Dark Wraith Nusayr, by the blood of the Illusionist, I summon!"
For a moment there was dead silence, it looked as if nothing had occurred and perhaps Cyriacus had misjudged something and the Summoning failed entirely. He wouldn't be terribly surprised if it had, after all he had never attempted a Multi-level Summoning before. Only the darkest of the Dark souls, supernatural beings or primordial beings ever required a Multi-level Summoning and unsurprisingly, they did not teach them at Arcanum.
"Hmm that was unexpected…according to the books and Blaze I did everything correctly so why didn't he appear?" Cyriacus muttered to himself carefully looking over his Offerings before leaving to inspect the circle of salt. Everyone had been careful crossing the circle and without robes, no one could have possibly disrupted the circle without being aware of it. Walking around the circle of salt, Cyriacus noted that it was intact and mentally ran over the list of requirements and actions. Every object and item necessary was perfectly in place and not even tainted or tampered with so what was he missing? Something clearly though, had gone horribly wrong.
"Oh shit," Cyriacus exclaimed sharply, thinking back to what he knew about a failed Dark Wraith Summoning, Cyriacus paled. "Oh fuck."
"What?" Voldemort questioned.
Cyriacus carefully raised his hands and moved into a defensive position. "Something's wrong, the Wraith was Summoned but where exactly he is, is another question. He's bound to the Summoning Circle until my death but as we can't see him, this doesn't bode well for us."
"Are we safe?" Peter Pettigrew squeaked.
"No one's safe, relatively speaking, Dark Wraiths are primordial beings and their motives are, well anyone's guess. He's got a perfect working body up until my death and even then that may not stop him." Cyriacus answered carefully reaching out with his Necromancer senses. "For now those of you outside the Summoning Circle are as safe as those within the Protection Circles. How long that will last is debatable."
Lucius Malfoy looked nervous. "Is there any way to correct the error?"
"It's possible to negotiate terms but as the Wraith is not visible, that means that he's not open to it." Cyriacus commented, heart racing. "In ten minutes I'll be able to banish him, it's surviving the ten minutes that worries me."
Before anyone else could speak a cold, voice without inflections spoke. "It should worry you Necromancer, no one's lived to boast of Summoning the Dark Wraith Nusayr…and no one will."
Cyriacus whirled around and had to fight down his fear. Standing not five feet away from him was an unearthly beautiful figure; he had hair the color of blood spilled on a moonless night, skin the color of ivory and bright piercing gold eyes. His body would have made every Classical sculptor weep with envy and beg him to be their model, the Wraith had an athletic muscled build, which combined with his striking looks would have had men and women fighting over him. While Cyriacus appreciated the Wraith's looks, he was far to consumed with what he knew about primordial beings. The more they resembled humans and the more symmetrically accurate they were, was an easy way to guess at how powerful they are.
He was many things certainly: Hero or Traitor, Necromancer or Blood Mage or Mind Mage, friend or enemy and to one he was a lover. Seventeen years of life he'd seen, from each and every angle imaginable and now he was faced with one thing and he'd never been more certain of it before in all his life.
Cyriacus Alcaeus Snape, formerly one Harry James Potter, was looking Death in the eyes…and he didn't stand a bloody chance!
"Um father?" Cyriacus called out taking a deep breath.
Severus looked away from the Wraith. "What?"
"When I die, tell Alaric to give you the second version of my will and Voldemort, best of luck conquering the world." Cyriacus said solemnly before releasing his breath and launching his first attack.
Whew! All done and yes, you have permission to rant about how I ended this. However it was long enough (21 full pages) so you'll just have to wait until the next chapter to see what'll happen. This is taking so much longer than I thought it would and I apologize if I'm building this up so slowly but I want to make sure I cover everything.
Harry and Cy's interlude at Rapture: It's not all it appears so please do not rant about how strange it might seem at the moment. I would have gone into more detail but this was getting so tremendously long that I wanted to get it finished so I could move towards the Summit and eventually Hogwarts.
Please review if only to yell at me for making you wait and then ending this chapter with a cliffhanger. Thank you for all the reviews! I really, really love reading them and they really do encourage me to work faster!
NEXT CHAPTER: Cy vs. Nusayr, Voldemort and Cy talk about Harry's mad scheme and a Grim and a Werewolf, a peek at the Order/Ministry/Defense League's final preparations for the Summit, a look at another set of Cy's beasties, a few flashbacks of events I couldn't fit in earlier (mainly the Harry/Cy scene earlier and the trip to Ollivanders) and finally (hopefully) the beginning of the Summit! It will be 2 possibly 3 parts depending on how much I can fit in next chapter. Things should speed up after the Summit though.
SheWolfe7 (3-18-05)