Ok, people have asked, I deliver. This has more Severus/Harry interaction and something new.
Special1: Sometimes if I just updated, it will tell you there's chapters, but they're not up yet. Try refreshing the page, and if that doesn't work, check back later! Thanks for reading!
Charlie YuY: You have been reading too much of "Snake of the Vampires." Didn't think you'd like it that much! There is a dueling club, it's just not featured. Perhaps I'll write a chapter with it.
Saimhe: Sorry it's been so long. Hope this helps your condition.
Sparrow: Thanks! That's great for me to hear.
Isis: That's okay, I like the name. I did that with "Not Myself." I read 89 chapters in one sitting. Took me 5 hours. But it was sooo worth it. I'll try to work in divination, but no promises…I don't really like that class
Esperanza: Yes, but one was a filler chapter, and this one took a while. Sorry everyone!
Mikee: I love the locket now. I think I will use it, thanks. Hope it's up to your standards. All went well with the bra—I mean terro—I mean kid. He's really a little angel; he has the horns and everything. Uh, and about Severus…read and find out!
Kateri: I like the shirt idea. And yes, Voldemort is very pissed. And the 28th chapter was supposed to be short…that's why it's a filler chapter!
Pineapplehead: Yes, I do love my parallelism.
Lady Lightning: *smiles* thank you!
LV: Uh…*backs away from the Dark Lord* sorry for taking out your highest ranking Death Eaters…*Muse jumps in and whispers in her ear* OH! Sorry for the mix up…thought you were a different Dark Lord. Hehe, now that my random bout with sanity is over…I like it too. It just came to me one day (actually, I was reading a D&D book).
Frankie the Wonder Wiener Dog: There are so many pennames I do not want to know the origins of. Well, *confetti, streamers, horns, etc* You are the 300th reviewer! So this chapter is dedicated to you. I'll include your (very cool) item in here…*looks at chapter* somehow
Suni, Coffee-Addict from Hell: As I said, I love parallelism. You might see it a lot in my works. Hope that email cleared everything up. Valiant is supposed to be powerful.
Chaser: All Slytherins hate all Gryffindors anyway, so it won't matter in the slightest!
Tantz: I was beginning to worry about you. Glad to see you're still with us. Thanks. I try to keep within scope of the character.
Little Suzi: Ok, it looks as if I'm going to have to explain it. Look at the note before the chapter!
Alecatq: No problem! Least I can do for an avid reader! Thanks for the high praise.
Takari4ever7: Yes, they made up. It was a shock to me too. They can be in the same room as long as Harry has an attack and that's more important than their grudge. Other than that…well, it wouldn't be pretty.
t.a.g.: Yes, it was a loose end for him. I re-read Book 3, and you're right! But hey, this is fanfiction, right?
Charma1219: Here's some more for you!
Saavik: Great minds think alike. And yes, poor Blaise. Why does everyone love Blaise?
Snape coolgirl: Short, concise, to the point. A truly Slytherin comment.
Angel: Well, it did originate with the all powerful might goddess who is Severitus, as it was she who issued the challenge and came up with the idea as Snape as Harry's father. But I thought I'd try something original.
Sk8ereagle: Thanks for the praise!
Inu Lover: Everyone loves the stones, what can I say?
Black Rose: I can stand some HP/SS as long as it's mild, but it's disconcerting to read as I'm more partial to father/son. BTW…I say we storm the author of Tortured. More updates, more often!
Asprcreme: Interesting name. I have the same problem at work, and usually read some fanfiction or write on my fics. It passes the time.
Whew…that was tiring. Good thing I wrote the chapter before hand. Ok, about The Underground. Some people said that they were too powerful, as Valiant countered the Killing Curse. He didn't really counter it, but he did deflect it, and Valiant is the only person who can do it. Also, he has to be matched with a wizard of lesser skill. Which makes sense. If a black belt fought, say, a blue belt, and the blue belt tried a great move that's undeflectable, what do you think is going to happen. The blue belt "power" is not strong enough to get past the years of training of the black belt. Now, if Valiant had tried that against Voldemort, he would so be dead right now. And Lucius was already harmed from the other back fire.
If you look back to the duel between Harry and Severus in "Discoveries", you'll find two distinct spells, "Sparsum" and "Referio" Only three wizards in the entire world can combine spells: Valiant, Dumbledore, and Voldemort. And Valiant can't do this with more powerful spells. (This is a spoiler for an upcoming chapter btw). If you'll notice, the Underground does not use offensive spells, but specializes in deflecting the spells of the caster back upon them. By limiting their spells to affect themselves (protection), they decrease significantly the risk of being discovered by the ministry.
Hope that clears some things up. If you have anymore questions, please put them in the review. I'll answer them as best I can. Thanks all!
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Harry charmed his alarm clock to wake only him at 3 am, then took his potion. He was worried for Snape, but agreed in the fact that he didn't feel up to a vision tonight. Nevertheless, he awoke in pain as his alarm went off and he hobbled out of bed, threw on his invisibility cloak, and ran to the dungeons.
Snape was not answering his calls through the stone, and that only made him run faster. He bolted past the Slytherin common room, never noticing the figure in the shadows. He whispered the password forcefully, leaving Flamel no room for chitchat. He tore off the cloak as he rushed inside, paling at the sight before him.
Snape was sprawled on the floor, vomit and blood pooled around his head. His right arm lay at an odd angle, and his breathing was very shallow. The potions master had barely gotten inside the main room before he'd collapsed, and his Death Eater mask had been dropped at his side.
Harry made to get the Headmaster when he realized he had no clue as to where the Headmaster's chambers were. McGonagall wouldn't help him; she didn't know of their relationship. Throwing on the cloak again, he sprinted from the dungeons to Covial's room. Not really caring about manners, he spelled the door open and rushed inside quickly. He banged on the bedroom door, and Covial came out rubbing his eyes. Harry pulled off the cloak and grabbed the teacher's hand.
"Harry, what's wrong?"
"No time," he threw the cloak over both of them and pulled him to the dungeons. When they reached the portrait and entered, Covial stopped in his tracks.
"Oh my," he whispered. Harry dropped down next to the man and found his pulse. It was weak, but it was still there. He looked back up at the professor with pleading eyes.
"Help him," he begged. The man stood there, shocked at the sight of the boy kneeling down next to the potions master, literally pleading for his life. Covial drew his wand and levitated the body, running to the Hospital Wing. Harry trailed him, running beside his father the whole way.
When they burst in, Covial laid Snape on the bed and ran to fetch Poppy. Harry removed the man's outer robes quickly but carefully so Madam Pompfrey could help him as fast as she could. She flew through the doors and set to work immediately, mending his broken arm and cleaning up the large gash near his temple.
"Will he be alright, Poppy?"
"I don't know, Professor, this session was worse than the others. There are curses here I don't know how to dispel." Harry looked up.
"How is that possible?"
"Well, it looks as if there are many curses on him, but when I try to dispel them, they won't go away. For instance, he has the Aculeatus Curse on him, as well as the Cruciatus, but I can dispel neither."
"That is because Voldemort has the ability to combine spells, thus increasing the power." They all turned to find the Headmaster walking gravely to the bedside.
"What does that mean, Albus?" Poppy moved over to stand beside the old wizard, who looked ready to faint.
"It means, only Voldemort can lift the spell, as it takes the wizard putting his magic signature on the spell to complete the combination." Harry furrowed his brow.
"So that means he'll be like this until Voldemort personally dispels it? What about you, sir? Aren't you more powerful than Voldemort?"
"It's a different type of power Harry. Voldemort uses Ancient Dark Magic, and the only thing that can defeat it is Ancient Light Magic. Not even I know this magic, for one must have the proper essence."
Everyone looked at the Headmaster thoroughly confused, and he continued. "Every witch and wizard is adept at a certain subject, correct?" They all nodded, nothing they didn't know. "In the same light, each witch and wizard has an essence for a type of magic. Voldemort, for instance, has an essence of Ancient Dark Magic. Poppy, your essence is Healing Magic, Severus' is Brewing Magic, and mine is Light Magic, as is Jaren's I presume." The man, realizing Poppy didn't know who he was, beamed.
"I, of course, already knew that, but I felt it necessary for you to tell them yourself, Headmaster." Poppy rolled her eyes and Harry snorted. He looked down on the unconscious man, then back up to the Headmaster.
"How do you find out your essence?" Dumbledore looked down at the boy.
"There is a series of tests, but I doubt we'll need it for you. You defeated Voldemort as an infant. I've no uncertainties that yours is Ancient Light Magic."
"Then I can help him." It wasn't a question, but a statement, and the three merely stared at the young man.
"Harry, Voldemort's been building his power for many years, and you're merely a student. I don't think—" But Harry cut Covial off.
"I can help him," he said again, giving a more forceful tone to his voice.
"Listen to me," Harry gulped and turned to look the Headmaster in the eye. "There is only one person I know of who has this essence. That is Valiant."
"Then Valiant can help him." Covial hid a smirk, and Poppy looked away.
"Albus, you know he is not going to give up easily." The Headmaster sighed.
"I will contact him, but I make no promises." Harry nodded and sat down in the chair next to the bed. Poppy set some potions on the bedside table, and Covial patted Harry on the shoulder.
"If you need anything else, Mr. Potter, just come and find me. I'll be more than happy to take care of it." Harry nodded, and Covial returned to his rooms. The Headmaster lingered for a moment before laying his hand on the boy's shoulder.
"Harry, listen. I know you want to help him, I do as well. But you must take care of yourself as well. And if someone came in here and saw you at his bedside, that would raise interesting questions. Why don't you return to Gryffindor Tower?" Harry silently stood, but halfway to the door he stooped down and picked up his invisibility cloak and pulled it on. He walked back over to the chair and sat down. Dumbledore sighed, knowing it was no use arguing with the boy. He would probably just come back down here anyway. Besides old man, he told himself, you told Sirius not to interfere with them. Taste your own medicine. With a stern glare at the boy, or chair rather, promising a talk later, he left.
Dumbledore entered his office and looked at the clock. It read 4 am, and the Headmaster rubbed his eyes. This was going to be a long day. He unlocked his cabinet and pulled out his scrolls, finally finding his Underground scroll. He locked the office door and cast warding charms to prevent any and all intrusions, then lit a fire. Throwing floo powder in, he began to read the delicate incantation on the scroll, careful to enunciate each word correctly. Soon, Valiant's face appeared in the fireplace.
"Headmaster, might I ask what is so important that you see fit to disturb me at this late hour?" Always the polite one. Dumbledore smiled.
"Yes, I require your assistance. Severus has returned from a meeting, and it seems that Voldemort has taken to using combined spells. Mr. Potter is most adamant in helping him, however I believe you are the only one who can do so." Valiant nodded.
"Quite right. Riddle's magic is strong, and if he is combining spells, he is stronger than we believed. Stand back please." Dumbledore stepped back and a bright blue light filled the office. When it cleared, Valiant stood there. Wordlessly, the two strode out of the office and down to the Hospital Wing. When they entered, Dumbledore called out.
"It's alright, Harry, it's only Valiant and I." In a sweeping motion, Harry stood and deposited the cloak on the chair. Valiant smiled, though no one could tell, and nodded to the boy.
"Please move aside, Mr. Potter." Valiant swept to the man's bedside and laid a hand on his chest and another on his forehead. Whispering words neither Harry nor Dumbledore could understand, a faint white glow appeared around the bed and its occupant.
~…pain…~ Harry jumped at the sudden jolt, and took a step forward. "He's awakening."
~Professor?~
~Make it stop!~ Harry started at the sheer intensity, then at the thought of Professor Snape showing weakness. Perhaps these stones aren't such a good idea, he thought. Unconsciously, he'd always drawn on the man's ability to cover up weakness and emotions. That was the one thing Harry had always respected about the man, and now, through the stone, Harry was witnessing weakness and helplessness in him.
"He's in pain!" Harry yelled, jumping forward. But Dumbledore caught him around the waist and held him back.
"Let Valiant finish, Harry. He is helping." Harry stopped struggling and watched as his father's back arched and his facial features contorted in pain. Then, the bright light that had surrounded him absorbed into his body and he lay still. Valiant turned and nodded silently at the two wizards and swept out of the room. The Headmaster released Harry and followed, patting the teen on the shoulder.
"He'll be alright, Harry," he repeated as he walked out the door. Harry slowly approached the bed, watching as his father lay still as death. Then slowly, carefully, the potions master opened his eyes and blinked. Harry let out a sigh of relief.
~You scared me~
~What happened?~
"I found you lying on your floor bleeding and unconscious. Professor Covial and I brought you here, and Valiant healed you." Harry's voice was unsteady, but Snape didn't notice through his pain. "Are you in pain?"
The potions master snorted, causing a sharp pain to shoot through his ribs. He erupted into a fit of coughs, and Harry sat him up carefully, lightly patting his back.
"That's what you get," Harry grinned. Snape shot him a glare for rebounding his words back on him, and laid back down.
"Are there any Pain Relieving Potions around?" Harry nodded.
"Yes, but you've already had one an hour ago, as well as a bone mending supplement. So no, there aren't any around." Harry sat in the chair and relaxed back, realizing just how tensed he had been.
"No need for sarcasm," Snape said tiredly. Harry chuckled and closed his eyes. "What time did you go to sleep last night?"
"Uh, around ten-thirty, but I got up at three."
"Why?"
"Uh," Harry looked down, "to check on you. I woke up in pain, even though I took the potion, and came looking for you. What happened?"
Severus looked up at his son, "I am not going to delve into the details, but he was not pleased after hearing that his top ranking Death Eaters were captured. But, as you said, the suspicion of being a spy is not on me. He now believes it to be Malfoy, as Lucius was the only one he told of the attack." Harry nodded.
"But what happens when he decides to attack again and the Aurors stop them? Won't he suspect one of you again?"
"He may, but he will be confused. As I said, Malfoy was the only one he'd told about London, and they were still stopped."
"How many Death Eaters are left?" Harry asked, curious. Perhaps the war wouldn't even begin.
"Not many. He is recruiting more, but they are rash and incompetent. I have assumed Lucius' position, and Wormtail mine. He is organizing an attack on Azkaban. He wants his followers back."
"Won't they be insane from the Dementors?"
"That's just it, Harry. Voldemort will recruit the Dementors as well. They are dark creatures that thrive off of emotions. When Voldemort presents them with his offer, they will willingly join him."
"Why are you exhausting my patient, Mr. Potter? Aren't you supposed to be in bed now?" Harry whirled around to meet the mediwitch, and graced her with a smile.
"Good morning, Madam Pompfrey."
"What do you want Potter, you're never this happy to be in the Hospital Wing."
"I'm usually the one in the bed," he pointed out. She chuckled and checked Professor Snape's vitals, declaring him unfit to teach today.
"You'll be lucky to return to classes tomorrow if I have anything to say about it." Snape was about to protest when Harry jumped in.
"Well, it's about five in the morning, so I think I'll go hit the showers and grab an early breakfast. Goodbye Madam Pompfrey, Professor Snape."
"Mr. Potter, I hope I don't see you in here soon."
"Harry."
He smiled as the door shut behind him, hearing the inevitable argument begin. He returned to his common room to find the Fat Lady wide awake and quite shaken.
"What's wrong, Lady?"
"Some one was just here, looking for you dear."
"Who?"
"I don't know, he kept his hood up, but his voice was sinister and cruel. He placed something just over there." She gestured to the shadows, and Harry crept over. Lying in the corner was a black rose with a note. Harry opened it up, and on it was written a single word.
Surprise
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There, that should get an adequate response. *waits patiently for the onslaught of agitated readers*
Muse: That is evil
Rickman's Girl: I am a Slytherin
Muse: I didn't write it like that.
Rickman's Girl: One of the drawbacks to being intangible. No say in the editorial process.
Muse: You really do like that movie, don't you?
Rickman's Girl: It's got the Rickster in it. How could you not like it?