Chapter 36 – Recovering.

Harry was able to leave the infirmary on Saturday just in time to get down to Advanced Potions in the dungeons. Entering the classroom, Snape who had already started lecturing thinking Harry wouldn't be arriving, stops mid sentence.

'How kind of you to join us Mr Potter. 5 points from Gryffindor for being late.' Harry nods and sits down on his bench to the left of Snape and pulls out parchment and a quill.

'Harry, you look better.'

'Thanks.'

'If you wouldn't mind Mr Finch-Fletchley, I would like to get back to my lecture.' Justin nods and turns back to his own notes. 'I'll start again. The Irreversibles are the equivalent of the Unforgivables. They require a cure to be given within 24 hours if ingestion or the patient dies. Unless you're Mr Potter, who seems to be able to cheat death.' Snape glares at Harry for having the audacity to survive. 'There are four main ingredients that are used in the antidotes for these poisons. Can any of you name them?'

Hermione's and Justin's hands shoot straight up, which is hardly surprising as they helped make the antidote.

'Ms Granger?'

'Mandrake Root, Jugfish Lungs, Orache Seeds and Bugle Flowers.'

'Correct. For the Orache seeds what needs to be done to them before you can add them? Mr Fletchley?'

'You have to steep pine needles first for an hour, then add the Orache seeds and slowly bring the solution to the boil before rapidly cooling. Then you can add them to the antidote.'

'Correct. Now we will be making a base antidote today. Then we will discuss which ingredients need to be added for each poison classed as an Irreversible. Begin.' Snape sits down and watches as the four students make a move over to his ingredients cabinet and take out vials before returning and after throwing on their covering potion robes, they got to work.

As Harry entered the Great Hall for lunch every student went quiet. Rumours of Harry attending lessons and leaving the infirmary had spread rapidly and everybody had been woken up and raced down for lunch especially to see Harry up and about.

'Harry!' Ron yells before racing over. 'Madam Pomfrey said you had gone to your lessons. You could have gotten the day off if you'd have wanted!' Ron reaches Harry and pulls him into a tight hug. 'Glad you're alright mate.' He whispers into Harry's ear. The loudness of Rons response was the signal for students to start cheering causing Harry to blush. On his way to his usual seat in the middle of Gryffindor table, he had his back patted, hand shook and 'glad you're betters' shouted at him.

Taking his seat, his plate was piled high by a mothering Hermione and Ginny, before he raised a hand and stopped them.

'I'm not allowed to eat solids yet.' Harry says before pulling over a bowl and ladling soup into it. Eventually students stop clapping and sit down to chat to their friends but never taking their eyes off Harry, worried he might disappear again.

'I'm glad you're alive Harry.' Neville says across the table. 'There'd by no DA without you.'

'Sure there would. The lesson plans are written and you are quite capable of taking over if you needed to.'

'Me?'

'Sure, you're strong, determined and seem to understand when people are getting things wrong.' Neville blushes and ducks his head into his plate. Harry takes a sip of his soup and smiles.

'So what did I miss? Come on, who broke up with who, who's now dating who and what did everybody do over Easter. Me I haven't broken up with Mione, and I got poisoned with an Irreversible.'

'I broke up with Parvati. She said I didn't appreciate her. I'm now dating a fourth year Hufflepuff called Clementine.' Seamus starts. Dean snorts.

'Saw my mum and dad and they took me out for this big posh dinner with my dads work colleagues. Very boring, lots of big men talking about money, I only got through it by reciting in my head all of the spells we had covered this year.'

'Ha, I had to go to my mums school reunion with her as my dad was out. I kept on getting called her toy boy. She even made me do a dance with her for the final waltz.' A lot of the lads wince in sympathy with seventh year Davis.

'Ouch.'

'Can I have your attention please?' The Great Hall falls silent as they all turn and look at the Headmaster who is standing up and smiling benevolently. 'Thank you. I am pleased to say Mr Potter has been released from the infirmary. He is still recovering and will be seeing Madam Pomfrey for further treatment at odd times of the day. All prefects and the Head Boy and Girl need to let Harry pass when he is on his way to the infirmary as he has to return every four hours even during the night. Now, I think you should all take advantage of your last weekend of the Easter break and the sun outside and have some fun.' Dumbledore sits down and waves his hand indicating they should all start chatting again.

Harry and his friends made their way outside chatting and laughing trying to avoid the topic of Harry's stay in the hospital wing.

'So who is up for a game of Hit?' Ron asks.

'Yeah go on then.' Seamus says.

'Sorry, under orders not to use my wand until Monday and only then when necessary in lessons and DA.'

'When do you listen to Madam Pomfrey?' Dean jokes hitting Harry on the shoulder.

'When she threatens to keep my in there for another week if I don't.'

'Ouch mate.' Seamus laughs. 'Well we'll play and you can be referee.'

Harry nods and sits down on the grass after Hermione casts a drying and warming charm on it for him. The group split into two and stand in two lines 20 feet apart.

'Okay, rules. 1) You guys are blue.' Harry points to his left, the team with Ron, Neville Hermione, Ginny and Luna. '2) You guys are red.' Harry points to his right to the team with Dean, Seamus, Lavender, Parvati and Justin. '3) Only paint please. And no permanent paint. I got the blame last time when Ron shot Neville in the eye. Okay begin.' On the word begin paint flies. Literally. Harry sits back smiling and watches as Ernie comes over casting a bubble shield over him to keep the paint away and sits down next to Harry.

'Bet you 5 chocolate frogs Justin's left standing.'

'Don't eat chocolate anymore. That's what poisoned me.'

'Okay, I bet you a days homework…'

'Nah, Hermione will do it for me if I can't.'

'Fine. I'll give you 2 rare chocolate frog cards.'

'Which ones?'

'Agrippa and Merlin himself.'

'Deal. I bet you 20 chocolate frogs, freshly brought so you don't have to worry about them being stuffed with poison, that Luna will be left standing. If both of us lose we still exchange bets.'

'Deal.' Harry and Ernie shake hands, paint hitting the shield around them. Harry shouts.

'Hey shoot each other not the watchers.' After a good 15 minutes only Luna and Ginny are left standing. They look at each other and then start shooting each other, laughing.

'We both win. I'll send the frogs later today.' Ernie nods and goes and helps Justin remove all of the paint that is covering him. Ron staggers over to Harry grinning and covered in red paint and one dot of blue.

'Cool. I love this game.'

Whilst the small group of students were playing Hit in the grounds of Hogwarts, Dumbledore was seated in his office with trusted members of the order, including Lupin, Snape, Simon, Arthur and McGonagall. He was standing at the window watching the paint game and chuckling to himself.

'Really Albus. They are destroying Hogwarts property.' Minerva huffs in annoyance.

'Minerva, I think they learnt their lessons last time. I'm sure it's nothing permanent this time.'

'This time! Albus, they've played this game a few times this year and every time Ponoma has to re-grow grass, trees and she even had to repair the Whomping Willow!'

'Minerva, I've had a word with Harry and I trust he will curb his friends' natural instincts to destroy school property.' Minerva huffs but lets it go.

'Albus are you going to tell us why you called us here?'

Albus turns from the window and takes his seat back behind his desk.

'I believe we have found the spy.'

'Who is it Albus?' Lupin asks sitting on the edge of his seat. 'Is it the same person who poisoned Harry?'

'We believe it is.'

'Who is it Albus.' McGonagall asks worried for one of her favourite students.

'Alastor Moody.' Stunned silence follows.

'You're joking right. He was already Polyjuiced once, I doubt he would let it happen again.' Lupin stated.

'Harry has evidence and even has the real Alastor safe after finding him dying locked up by our impostor.'

'How did he figure it out?' Arthur asked.

'He hasn't told us, Poppy has stopped us from questioning him and I haven't had time to pull him aside since he came out of the infirmary this morning.'

'The real question is how we are going to deal with this. We can either call him out and question him with Veristium before handing him over to the Ministry, or we can start passing false information over.' Simon says.

'Who idea was this?'

'Harry's.' Albus smiles and his eyes start to twinkle as he looks at Minerva's, Arthur's and Lupin's stunned faces.

'Harry told you to use him?! Albus please stop fabricating lies about that poor boy. I think he's been through enough without you lying. Harry is a pure Gryffindor and would not recommend such Slytherin methods.' Severus snorts in his chair and even Albus and Remus exchanged a look. Remus cannot help himself when he catches Albus' eye and bursts out laughing.

'That's Lily's son. She always presented a Gryffindor front but if she hadn't been a muggleborns she would have been in Slytherin. The sorting hat wanted to put her there but it changed its mind when it realised she was a muggleborn witch.'

'Just like Harry.' Albus says chuckling.

'Albus you mean to say Harry could have been in Slytherin!' Minerva asks shocked.

'He actually had to put up a large fight to make sure he didn't go in there.' Minerva splutters outraged.

'But he's a Gryffindor, he jumps into fights, is brave enough to fight You-Know-Who and he's never shown any sly motives.' Severus snorts again, Minerva turns and glares at him. Remus coughs to get everybody's attention.

'Back to Moody. We could use him. It will give us time to actually figure out who is the actual impostor.'

'All those in favour raise their hands.' Every hand in the room is raised. 'That's settled then, now what do we want to let Voldemort find out about first.' Dumbledore's eyes start to twinkle.

Harry is sitting on a hospital bed waiting for his medication with Hermione and Ron sitting either side of him.

'How long you gotta take potions for Harry?' Ron asks.

'Till Madam Pomfrey says my stomach has healed. The poison destroyed the lining of my stomach and intestines. It will take a while for it to repair itself.' Madam Pomfrey comes over and Harry takes the vial she holds out quietly and knocks it back before he can taste it. He hands the vial back as Madam Pomfrey moves his shirt out of the way and taps his heart monitor with her wand.

'That's it for today Mr Potter. Come back in four hours for another check up and your next vial.' Harry nods and leads Hermione and Ron out of the hospital wing and down to dinner. In the Entrance Hall they meet Lupin.

'Remus.' Harry shouts out. Remus looks up from talking to Minerva and smiles at Harry.

'Harry. How are you?'

'Fine.'

'Good. You will send me a letter and tell me how you are getting on?'

'Yes. I always do.' Harry smiles. 'Thanks for the Easter Egg by the way. I know it must have been difficult to get it for me with all of the work you have been doing for the Order and the Twins.' Lupin frowns.

'Harry I never got you an Easter Egg. I ordered you a book, but it hasn't arrived yet.'

'No, I got it Sunday afternoon. It was red with Griffins moving around on it.'

'No. I promise I never sent you an egg.'

'You did.' Ron jumps in. 'It was wrapped up in Harry's trunk I took it down to Snape when he was testing everything for poisons.'

'Perhaps we should take this up to the Headmaster.' Minerva says. Seeing everybody agrees with her she leads the way up to the Headmaster office. Dumbledore looked surprised to see Lupin back again so soon.

'Remus, is there a problem?'

'Harry says I sent him an Easter egg but I didn't.' Albus looks up with interest.

'Harry?'

'It's true sir. I received a red wrapped Easter egg that had griffins moving about on the paper, saying it was from Lupin.'

'I have ordered a book on offensive moves and their counter curses for Harry and it hasn't arrived yet. Flourish and Blotts had to order it from China and then it had to be translated. It should have arrived last week but the Death Eaters have killed a few of the traders and they had to find somebody else.'

'So now we know it was the spy that sent the egg to Harry, knowing that anything to come from you, Harry would assume to be safe.' Albus explains. 'I'll have Severus confirm what he found the positive results for the poison on, but I can safely assume we have found the culprit of the poisoning.'

'That's it, I'm not eating chocolate ever again. That will be the second time this year Voldemort has tried to poison me through chocolate and I'm not falling for it again.' Harry declares sitting down on a chair and looking faintly ill. 'Do you know any spells that can detect poisons in food sir?' Harry looks at Dumbledore. Dumbledore sighs and stands up walking along his bookcases before pulling out a slim blue book and handing it over to Harry.

'I hope this helps Harry and I apologise that I cannot protect you.'

'It's okay Professor Dumbledore.'

'No Harry it is not okay. I have failed you dreadfully. You have been poisoned on my watch, you are supposed to be protected at Grimmauld Place and at school and at both places you have been targeted.' Dumbledore places a hand on Harry's shoulder and looks into his eyes. 'I also apologise for not trusting you when you first mentioned who the spy was.' Harry shrugs.

'You do your best, sir. I had better go read this book.' Harry waves it a bit before leaving the office with Hermione and Ron. Minerva stands there looking shocked at Albus.

'Albus.' Albus smiles sadly at Minerva and sits back down behind his desk.

'Remus, I will talk to Severus and see which item contained the poison. I believe you were heading back to Grimmauld Place.' Knowing a dismissal when he sees one Remus turns and leaves. Minerva stays and looks at Dumbledore.

'Harry understands Albus.' Albus smiles sadly.

'I know, but I should have been able to protect him.'

'You run a school, the Order of the Phoenix and you are trying to protect the Wizarding population as well. I think Harry understand when you cannot protect him all of the time. At some point Harry is going to have to become responsible for himself and watch his own back.' Minerva smiles softly and leaves.

Severus found himself as the lucky person who had to visit Grimmauld Place to inform Lupin that it had been the egg that had poisoned Harry. Why he couldn't do it by owl was explained when he was told Moody would also be there and Albus had some sensitive information he wanted him to be told.

When he entered Grimmauld Place through the fireplace in the kitchen he found Molly, Arthur, Lupin and Moody sitting around the table eating a small lunch of soup and freshly made bread. Molly stands up as soon as he appears and puts another place setting out pouring out a bowl of soup and placing it down.

'Join us Severus. You can tell us how Harry is.' Molly says. Severus takes the hint and sits down sipping carefully on the hot soup. He frowns at the taste.

'It is unusual for you to cook tomato and herb soup.'

'Molly is trying out different soup recipes and then sending Harry some. Poppy told her Harry cannot eat anything other then soup for the next two weeks so Molly is using us as tasters.' Arthur says as he smiles fondly at Molly.

'How is Harry, truthfully, Harry always down plays what is wrong with him.'

'Mr Potter, I believe is getting better, but if you insist on knowing about every ache and pain I suggest you speak to somebody who cares, for example, Madam Pomfrey.' Severus sneers.

'Has Albus mentioned when the next meeting is? I need to debrief. Mrs Malfoy has been busy the last few days, moving money around and such.' Snape sneers at Moody.

'Albus informed me there would be a meeting this evening. Now you know.'

'Did you just come here to inform us of Harry's progress?' Arthur asks.

'No. Albus sent me with information. We caught the Order spy.'

'Who was it?' Moody growls.

'Hagrid. Apparently he had been going drinking in the Leaky Cauldron and the Three Broomsticks and telling Order secrets to anybody who was sober enough to listen. Albus is sitting down with Hagrid and discussing this breach of security. Hagrid will not be attending any meetings or receiving any information from the Order until Albus is satisfied Hagrid can keep a secret.' Severus scowls. Moody grins.

'It is about time he was caught the spy and I am not surprised with it being Hagrid he has had a dubious past. Kicked out of school at 13 wasn't enough to tell Albus that Hagrid was dangerous and not to be trusted. The old man is getting senile in his old age.' Moody growls. Moody pushes his empty bowl away from him and stands up. 'I had better get back to following Narcissa Malfoy in case she moves more money.' Moody stumps his way out of the kitchen, up to the front door and out of the house. Arthur and Severus both hold their hands up for silence at Molly as she opens her mouth. They both casts spells in the direction of the front door.

'It's clear.'

'What is going on?'

'We have some doubts about Alastor, Molly.' Arthur says calmly. 'We just want to keep a few things secret from him for a while.'

'He's the spy?' Molly questions.

'We don't know. He is around Malfoy Manor and tracking the Lestrange's so often he could be under the Imperious Curse. We just want to keep any information he knows to a minimum.' Molly nods in understanding.

'We think he may be responsible for Harry's poisoning.' Severus says. Molly's face hardens.

'Don't worry Severus I will not let Alastor know about this.' Molly bustles around cleaning up the kitchen as Arthur and Severus share a look.

'Harry is going to be okay? Madam Pomfrey has been closed lipped about his prognosis.' Arthur asks.

'Madam Pomfrey is not expected to give out any information on Potters treatment unless you are his aunt and uncle or Albus. She only informs you and Molly as Harry requested you were told if he had an accident and you ever asked when he was 12. I can safely assure you though that Potter is going to recover as though he was never poisoned in the first place.' Arthur breathes out in relief.

'Thank you. I will let you get back to school.' Arthur stands up and waits until Severus has disappeared in a flash of green flames before helping his wife finish cleaning up the kitchen.

'Harry's going to be fine Molly.' Molly and Arthur share a happy smile before getting back to work.

Harry knew something was wrong the moment he went down to dinner. He couldn't pinpoint what exactly made him think that, but it could have been the combination of his scar tingling, his survival instincts screaming and his heart twinging. Knowing he should inform the Headmaster, Harry headed straight for the professors table and Dumbledore.

'Harry, can I help you?' Albus asks worriedly. 'Is your stomach hurting? Do you need me to fetch Madam Pomfrey?'

'Something big is going to happen. I don't know what but it's going to happen now.' Dumbledore nods and stands up. 'Students your attention please.' The hall falls silent and faces Dumbledore, noticing Harry standing in front of him. 'I want everybody to return to their house common rooms immediately. If your house mates are in the library or on the grounds inform your house prefects who will inform your Head of House who will find them.' As the students stood back up again and left the hall Harry and Dumbledore left the hall thought the side door. Once safe from the crowd and in private Dumbledore turns back to Harry.

'What do you feel will happen?'

'He's really, really happy. It's everywhere!'

'I'll inform the Order.'

'Hogwarts is worried!' This simple phrase stops Dumbledore in his tracks as he heads for the door.

'Could you repeat that Harry?'

'Hogwarts is worried.'

'I have the same feeling.' Harry nods in agreement. 'Harry I would like you to go to my office.' Harry nods and with Dumbledore they leave the side room.

Back in Gryffindor Tower, Hermione and Ron were panicking when Harry never turned up.

'Neville have you seen Harry?' Neville shakes his head at Ron.

'I thought he would have left with you guys.'

'No.' Ron replies, looking around the common room hoping to stumble across Harry.

Professor McGonagall comes into the common room and Hermione and Ron make their way immediately over to her.

'Have you seen Harry, Professor?'

'Mr Potter is with the Headmaster. Now who is missing?'

'Nobody Professor. Everybody wanted to chat to Harry.' Fifth year prefect Zara says.

'Thank Merlin. According to Flitwick he was missing 20 Ravenclaws.'

'We all know they'll be in the library.' Ron snorts. McGonagall purses her lips making Ron fall silent and look at the floor.

'Now I want all of you to stay in these dorms until I come and see you tomorrow morning. The house elves will bring you up some food.' McGonagall tells Hermione.

'When is Harry returning?'

'I have no idea Ms Granger. Dumbledore is talking to Harry at the moment and will send Harry back when they have finished.'

Hermione nods her head and Professor McGonagall leaves through the portrait into the dark hallway.

Albus has obviously brought the schools security into play, McGonagall thought. Noticing the paintings were emptying and the suits of armour were moving towards house common room entrances. Dodging the armour heading for Gryffindor Tower McGonagall makes her way to Dumbledore's office. When she enters she notices Harry pacing in front of the fire where Dumbledore is kneeling, his head in green flames.

'Harry?' McGonagall questions. She had expected Albus to send Harry back to the common room, not keep him in his office.

'The Professor is alerting the Aurors and the Order.'

'What has happened?'

'I had a bad feeling and Hogwarts was worried.'

'Hogwarts.' McGonagall asks confused. Harry nods as Dumbledore removes his head from the fire and gets up.

'Minerva, I have alerted the order and put Hogwarts into lock down. The Aurors didn't need the warning.' Harry and Minerva look at Albus shocked. 'There are multiple attacks all up and down the country. There's floo messages coming in every minute of more attacks.' Harry drops down sitting down onto the floor his head in his hands. Albus kneels down next to him and grips his shoulder tightly. The door to the office slams open and in stalks Severus.

'Albus. He's calling I have….' He trails off when he sees Harry. Throwing his Death Eater garb onto the sofa he comes over and crouches down on the other side of Harry and grips the other shoulder. 'Harry?'

'He's attacking muggles as well. Children.'

'Occlude your mind!' Snape says squeezes Harry's shoulder harder.

'I am. But I can still see flashes. It started on mass a few minutes ago.'

'He must have been planning this all year Albus.' McGonagall gasps.

'Severus you had better go, he'll be waiting.' Severus nods and gets up after giving Harry's shoulder a final squeeze. Grabbing his Death Eater garb again he leaves the headmasters office glancing behind to see Harry still sitting on the floor, head in hands with McGonagall taking his place at Harry's side.

'Harry lets get you onto the sofa.' Dumbledore helps pull Harry up off the floor and onto the sofa. McGonagall takes off Harry's shoes and conjures a blanket wrapping it around him. Dumbledore meanwhile is propping Harry up on a couple of pillows and conjuring up some tea and biscuits. 'Here you are Harry. You just rest here and I will see how the Aurors and Order are dealing with things.'

Harry nods and accepts a cup and a biscuit placed in his hands and watches Dumbledore go back over to his fireplace and kneel down on a cushion before sticking his head into green flames. McGonagall sits on a chair she pulls over.

'So how are your lessons going Harry?'

'Okay. I'm a little worn out from my Advanced lessons this morning. But Madam Pomfrey says I'll be better in no time.'

'I'm surprised you don't use her real name Harry. You're becoming a permanent fixture in her ward, I would have thought she would have given you permission to use her real name by now.'

'She says she doesn't want me to think I am welcome there. She's says the last thing she needs is me wanting to go in.' McGonagall laughs quietly and takes Harry's cup away from him as his eyes start to drop.

'You get some sleep Harry.' Harry shakes his head. 'Go on Harry.' Harry eyes drop for the last time and his hand holding the biscuit drops letting the biscuit fall to the floor.

Well done Albus at putting that sleeping draught in the tea, McGonagall thought.

She turned to Albus and noticing he still has his head in the fire went to his desk and sat down pulling a pile of paper towards her and picking up a quill.

The aftermath of the nightly attacks was felt acutely the next morning when the Daily Prophet arrived at Dumbledore's office window. Dumbledore paid the owl and took the newspaper over to where he, McGonagall, Flitwick, Pomona and Harry were sitting around a round table eating breakfast.

'How bad is it?' Ponoma asks worried. Albus turns the front page to them.

Mass Attacks

Death Eaters attacked up and down the country last night. Nobody

was safe. Murders, torture and rapes happened to nearly every family

who were helpless as Aurors were over run.

Were can we all go! Where are we safe!

This reporter is scared and doesn't think the Ministry is able to protect

her. Where is our hope?

Will the Chosen One and Albus Dumbledore be able to save us?

This reporter isn't so sure, but who will if they don't.

Reported by Esmeralda Notchkins.

A large picture on the front of the Dark Mark accompanies the report.

'Did anybody stick up for themselves, or did they hide and wait for the Aurors?' Harry asks. The professors turn to him unbelievingly.

'Harry. They were terrified.' McGonagall scolds.

'Well so am I every time I face him. But they expect me, a 16 year old, to go out and murder him for them! They should start sticking up for themselves!' Harry stands up arguing.

'Harry.' Dumbledore says calmly. 'You are right. You have had to watch all night people tortured without fighting back. It must be very frustrating.' Harry nods. 'But all of their lives they have been instilled with a fear of the Death Eaters and Voldemort. Where as every year you have fought against him and make fun of the names with your friends.' Harry nods again. 'Go back to your dormitory Harry and spend some time with your friends. Also, please go see Madam Pomfrey before she comes after me for not sending you for your potions last night.' Harry nods and silently leaves the office. 'Minerva, take the school out of lockdown. Make sure Harry spends all day with his friends. I am cancelling Monday's lessons; he can do any homework then.'

'How about Harry's lessons?'

'I'm glad you reminded me Flitwick. Madam Pomfrey has allowed Harry to return to his lessons but he is under orders to still go and fetch his potions every four hours which may fall during your lessons. She also doesn't want any spells practised on Harry if they could possibly do any harm to internal organs.'

'Of course Albus, I will practise all spells with Harry in his lessons.' Flitwick reassures Albus.

'I'm glad. I do not wish for Poppy to be berating me later today for any relapse Harry might have.' Albus twinkles before he moves the conversation onto how to tell students about their family's demise and what to do with the resulting orphans.

Bowing in front of the Dark Lord Severus, was worried. He had had to partake in some of the… games that the inner circle was interested in, tortured children, watched whilst some of the men raped women and young teenagers who should have been in school, but whose parents were too frightened to send away and help Malfoy capture three small boys to bring back and present to the Dark Lord.

The three small boys were brothers and were huddled together in the centre of the inner circle and at the Dark lords feet who was sitting on his throne made of snakes. The oldest boy must have been around 8 and stood shaking in front of his two younger siblings trying to protect them.

'Well done Malfoy. Thessse ssssspecimens are ssssssuperb. Sssseverusss I hope you have brought those potionsssss I requesssted.' Severus walks forward out of the circle and bows down at the Dark Lords feet holding up 4 vials. 'Perfect.' The Dark Lord takes them out of Severus' hands and Severus seeing his dismissal makes his way back to his place. 'Crabbe, Goyle, hold one down.'

Crabbe and Goyle leave the circle and grab the youngest boy. The oldest launches himself at them and hits them with his clenched fists trying to make them let go. Crabbe swings out his arm and knocks the boy back. The inner circle and the Dark Lord laugh cruelly. Crabbe and Goyle pull the now screaming boy to the Dark Lords feet and pin him face down on the floor. The Dark Lord opens one of the vials and holds it over the boys back. A few drops land on the boys back and fizzes, the boy screams.

Inside Severus' head he is screaming for the child. That burn potion was specially made, it was meant to be used on stone when digging new sites of magical exploration. Thankfully the child passes out before it gets any worse.

Smiling, which twists his face making the other two young children shudder, the Dark Lord, upends the rest of the bottle over the boy, the smell of burning flesh assaults Severus' nostrils. All around him the Death Eaters are cheering, or in the case of Bella, smiling and stroking her husbands chest. Malfoy next to Severus turns and looks at him.

'Isn't that the best smell? The smell of burning half breeds in the evening.'

'Crabbe Goyle, bring the next one.' Too petrified to stop them they drag over the oldest over and down at the Dark Lords feet. This time on his back so he can watch. The Dark Lord opens the next vial and leans down forcing the boys jaw open. After pouring the potion into the spluttering boy he holds his jaw and nose closed and strokes the boys windpipe until the boy can't help but swallow. Crabbe and Goyle let the boy go expecting him to start writhing in pain.

When the boy just lies there Crabbe and Goyle look confused.

'My Lord….?' Bella starts from the sideleines.

'Patient, Bella. It's an Irreversible.' Grinning Bella turns to her husband and kisses him hard. 'Now who wants the final boy?'

Looking around the Dark Lord nods at Nott and Nott drags the boy out of the room by his hair. The Dark Lord finally stands up from his chair and makes a complete circle around his inner circle. He stops at Severus.

'You can go Sssseveruss, I know what happens next isn't to your specific tasssstes. Get thosssse other potionsssss ready for me ssssooon.' Severus bows and kisses the hem of the Dark Lords robes before turning and stalking out of the room ignoring the jeers from his fellow inner circle members.