Water. It was the only thing he wanted. He needed a cool drink of water, and, mercifully, there was a pitcher full of the glorious liquid next to him on the bedside table. He sat up easily, and reached for the pitcher.
"Allow me, Severus." Madam Pomfrey said, pouring a tall glass full, and handing it to him. Severus Snape swallowed half the glass in one long drink. His thirst began to abate, and he took several smaller drinks of the refreshing beverage.
"You've been asleep for a day. Don't try to speak, your throat is still very raw. I don't know what your were experimenting with, but thank goodness Professor Dumbledore found you." the matron prattled on, refilling the glass of water. "There doesn't seem to be any permanent damage, but I'll ask you to be careful in trying new potions."
The hospital matron bustled off, leaving a tired, and much confused, patient behind. Snape looked around, and relief flooded him. He was alive, and back at Hogwarts. Apparently, nothing else had happened. Dumbledore had obviously lied to Madam Pomfrey regarding the manner in which he, Snape, had been poisoned. That was probably a good idea, as it would be better to avoid questions as to why they had been visiting a cave in the middle of nowhere, and Snape had consumed an unknown potion.
He tried to remember what had happened to him, but all he saw were flashes of horrible memories, and a pretty redheaded woman with green eyes smiling at him. The same green eyes he'd seen in his dreams since he'd been eleven years old. Lily Evens' eyes.
Severus rubbed his temples, trying to clear the cobwebs from his mind. The last few months had been very taxing on him mentally. First, he'd had to tell the Potter boy his deepest secret. The reaction was not what Snape had expected. Potter had been angry, but Snape expected the boy to curse him, to use every hex he knew to cause suffering. But, the boy had done nothing. Potter had simply avoided Snape for a while, and then he'd come for help, just before the exams had begun.
Snape had wanted to help the boy. Not because the Headmaster had ordered him to do so. Snape genuinely wanted to ease the boy's concerns, but had been unable. The Dark Lord had lured Potter to the Ministry. From what Snape had gather from Dumbledore, and the Dark Lord, Potter had fought valiantly, and had caused Voldemort serious damage. Snape had seen first hand what had been wrought from Voldemort's possession of the boy. The pale skin had been red and raw, and the Dark Lord now had an incessant cough.
Dumbledore had been most enthusiastic to hear that report. The old man had all but broken out in song.
There was more news that disturbed Snape. He'd received a letter from Narcissa Malfoy, requesting that he meet her regarding Draco. Snape knew that the Dark Lord had been most upset at Lucius' failure, and extremely angered over losing several other Death Eaters, only managing to rescue an incapacitated Bellatrix. She had suffered greatly at her master's hands.
Narcissa wanting to met with him concerning Draco must mean that Draco took the Dark Mark. Now, the woman would want him to try and discourage Draco from fulfilling whatever task the Dark Lord had set. Snape groaned at the thought. Draco had become more arrogant than his father, and even more of a ponce, if it were possible. Snape had no interest in trying to protect the little ferret any longer. In fact, Snape was giving serious thought to allowing Draco to get expelled. Snape had had enough of trying to cover the ungrateful little bastard's atrocities.
Then, something occurred to Snape. Draco had stopped coming to him for help last year. He'd become more secretive, and elusive. And all this happened right around the time that Zabini had turned up having been tortured and Obliviated.
Snape wanted to slap himself. Of course, the Malfoy brat was behind it. Snape wanted to curse himself. How could he have been so idiotic? He would have to keep a very close eye on Malfoy this year.
Again, Snape's thoughts drifted to Potter. Thanks to himself and Dumbledore, Potter was closer to his ultimate victory over the Dark Lord. Snape knew that there was still a long way to go, and the boy had much to learn. Potter needed guidance, and proper dueling training. Snape had quite a few spells up his sleeve that could be useful to the boy, if he were willing to listen. If not, he could slip them to the Greengrass girl, and she could pass them on.
This actually made the head of Slytherin house smile. Of all the girls in the school, Potter had chosen one from his house. Gryffindors and Slytherins had been rivals for so long it didn't seem possible that the two could come together, but it had happened, and not once, Longbottom had even begun dating a Slytherin. Snape had been very hard on the Longbottom boy for so long. It had been his only other source of malicious joy, after taunting Potter, but just like Potter, Longbottom had changed so dramatically over this past year, it had been astonishing to watch. Snape was losing his one source of entertainment, fortunately there was still the Weasley boy.
Again, visions of his past sins flooded his mind, and Snape rubbed hard at his temples, trying to ease the pain. He took a few slow breathes. Snape hated who he was. He had hated himself for nearly as long as he'd been alive, and frankly he was sick of it. He began thinking that a change was in order. If anything, his experience in the cave had awaken something inside of him. No longer could he exist as he'd done for so long. He'd had enough of being a spy, and of being feared. He'd never wanted that, but his self-hatred was projected on to the children he'd been charged with teaching. Lily would have been ashamed.
No, he couldn't live with that. It was no longer acceptable. He would change, and make her proud. And he would start with her son. He would teach Harry all he knew and prepare him for the battle that lie ahead, even if he had to go behind the old man's back. Harry Potter would not face Lord Voldemort without a fighting chance to survive.
"Alright! Enough about the squid." Sirius Black said, throwing his arms up in surrender. He closed the door to their hotel room and looked at his godson, who was eyeing him menacingly. "I've been trying to get you to experience new things this whole trip!"
"No, you've been trying to poison me this whole trip!" Harry said, a hint of a smile in his emerald green eyes. "You've been putting the most disgusting things in front of me, hoping I'd be dumb enough to try it. Snails in France, that boiled garbage in Istanbul, and now, tonight with the squid. We're in Hong Kong, you couldn't just get me some noodles without trying to poison me? Why not just put a plate of Dragon testicle down and be done with it?"
"So, you'd eat that?" Sirius grinned.
"Not funny." Harry said, unable to keep the smile from forming. It had been this way the entire month. Harry had never felt so carefree. He'd seen and experienced more in this month than his entire life, and the best part, he'd done with his godfather at his side.
"I swear if you put one more foul thing in front of me to eat, I'll have you fixed, Snuffles."
"Oh ho! So, you think because you've defeated the most powerful dark wizard ever known-" Sirius began.
"Five times now." Harry smirked.
"Whatever. So you think you can't be taken down a peg is that it?" Sirius' grin grew wider.
"Bring it, mutt." Harry said.
Sirius gave a mock war cry and tackled his godson to the floor. The two began wrestling around, which had become one of their favorite activities, and had ended many debates. Harry liked it. It was as if he was getting back some of the childhood he'd missed out on, and Sirius was getting back part of the life that was stolen from him.
It wasn't always this immature. The pair had wandered through great art museums, and visited ancient ruins. They'd had hundreds of heart felt conversation and really bonded. Harry felt he had a real father figure in Sirius, and Sirius felt he had done right by James and Lily, helping their son, who'd sacrificed so much, get a little taste of life.
"Again, I have conquered the mangy mutt!" Harry smiled, after pinning Sirius to the floor. Sirius, out of breath from laughing so hard, admitted defeat and promised he would exact his revenge. Most likely at their next meal.
"So, I bet you're excited to be going home, eh?" Sirius said, once Harry had helped him up.
"It's been fun, and I've loved every moment of our trip, and I want to do it again. But, I do miss my friends, yeah." Harry admitted.
"You've sent back enough gifts, they might prefer you stay away a little longer." Sirius chuckled.
"It would've been nice to get some letters from them, just to know how they were doing."
"Or, more specifically, a certain dark haired beauty?" Sirius smiled coyly. "You were on the French Riviera, for Merlin's sake, Harry, and you were looking right through all those gorgeous half naked women. I thought I was going to have seizures with all those women sunning themselves, rubbing coca butter on their skin…"
"BAD DOG!" Harry said smacking his godfather with a rolled up paper. "You're really helping the argument to have you fixed."
"As a hormonal teenage male, you can not tell me you weren't at least looking." Sirius accused.
"Why do you think I wore such dark sunglasses?"
"AH HA!" Sirius said triumphantly. "Sneaky bugger. But just like you're father, you were watching and thinking how your beautiful girlfriend would look in one of those swimsuits. All you bloody Potters are so faithful. Bless you all."
"Maybe you should look into it. Find a woman who is good, honest, sense of humor." Harry said with compassion. "Who doesn't mind fleas…"
Sirius turned to stare at his godson. "Now you're going to get it, pup!" Sirius launched himself at his godson, and again they were at it, each trying to wrestle the other to the floor. They were laughing hysterically and shouting meaningless threats, hoping to distract the other and win. The harder they laughed, the more their strength ebbed, until the were both on the floor holding their sides, tears streaming form their eyes.
"Sirius." A voice called.
"What is it now?" Sirius said, looking at his godson. "Another remark on my culinary choices?"
"Sirius."
"I didn't say that." Harry gasped, desperate for air.
"Sirius."
"Who said that?" Sirius said, wiping at his eyes.
"SIRIUS!"
"Remus!" both men said. Sirius went to his knapsack, where his new two way mirror rested. He had lost the first one during his travels last May. He and Remus had made a new set so that Sirius and Harry could get news from home, and check in and keep the Order abreast of their location in case something were to happen.
"Remus!" Sirius said, staring at his friend through the mirror.
"Sirius, Harry. Finally. I've been trying to reach you for hours. Something has happened. Something….amazing. Sirius, you've been cleared." Remus was smiling happily.
Sirius felt his legs give way beneath him. Harry quickly caught his godfather and settled him into a chair. Sirius looked ready to pass out. He looked strangely at Harry and back to Remus, who had been unable to stop smiling.
"It happened last night." Remus began. "Wormtail was caught in a raid on Borgin and Burkes, and Tonks caught him as he was trying to escape. They brought him in and gave him Veritaserum. He told them everything. The Daily Prophet had it this morning. Congratulations, old man. When you come back tomorrow you're free man!"
"I'm free? Truly?" Sirius said, tears slipping down his face. Harry clutched his shoulder tightly. Remus watched from his vantage point.
"No more hiding, no more running. The Ministry has already sent reparations in the amount of one hundred thousand galleons, and they will give you back your original wand just as soon as you come in for the full pardon."
"This isn't a trap? Some kind of trick?" Harry asked suspiciously.
"Dumbledore confirmed it. Amelia Bones wants to see you herself. But there's some bad news as well." Remus smile faded. "Kingsley was killed along with three other Aurors. Tonks witnessed it, and she's still a mess. There's some new Death Eater, or Voldemort has gotten a new body after what you did to him, Harry. I don't know the details yet, but it wasn't pretty."
"I want to come home." Sirius said. He looked at Harry who nodded. He knew what it meant to his godfather, to go home as a free man, able to walk the streets as himself, and not hidden as a dog. To see Harry off to school, just like other parents. To leave his house and just enjoy the sun without having to leave the country. Harry couldn't fault him for wanting those things. It was all he wanted for Sirius, as well.
"You're portkey will arrive tomorrow morning. Just be ready. The house is ready for you, and we'll be glad to have you back. Both of you." Remus nodded proudly.
"Thank you, Remus. We'll see you tomorrow." Harry said. Remus' face disappeared, and Sirius slowly stood, walking to the window and looking out of the bay. He ran his hands through his long, dark hair and sighed. For twelve years of his life he'd been held as an innocent man, and for the last three years he'd been a fugitive on the run. Now, it was over. He was truly free and cleared. What would he do? He'd never thought about how his life would change once he'd been cleared.
He turned to look at Harry who was watching him with relief and joy on his face.
"I'm free." Sirius said simply. Harry launched himself at his godfather, and hugged him fiercely. Sirius wept with happiness. This was the greatest moment in his life, and he was sharing it with his godson, the most important person in his life. Sirius couldn't have asked for anything more in that moment.
Alastor Moody stomped around the prisoner. He was watching him closely with both his normal, and magical eyes.
"Tell me again, Pettigrew. I need to understand it."
The fat balding man was looking very tired, and very frightened. His magical hand had been removed, and he was whimpering ceaselessly. He had failed, and been caught by the Aurors. His master would be most displeased. If he managed to be freed, he would be tortured into madness. The alternative was that he would lose his soul.
"How many times must I tell you?" Pettigrew said, rubbing his forearm where his right hand used to be attached. "I don't know who he was. None of us knew. We had been ordered to meet him and take him to Borgin and Burkes. If Borgin didn't have what we had come for, we were to let the new one take care of it."
"What did your Lord tell you about this new recruit?" Moody sneered.
"Only that he should be called the Dragon. And he was to be in charge. The Dark Lord said that he would know if we disobeyed."
"I see. And that's it? You don't know what you were to be receiving from Borgin?"
"The Dark Lord never trusted me to know any more. After he regained his body, I was no longer his confidant. I have never been part of his circle, though I have been the most loyal."
"Well, you're loyalty is going to get you kissed by Dementors this night. I do hope your loyalty was worth it." Moody snarled and left the cell.
Pettigrew watched him leave, his words swimming in his head. Realization hit him like a bludger, and Peter Pettigrew, known too many as Wormtail, began screaming. Screaming to be spared, to be shown mercy. He had been fooled, led astray. He swore he was not to blame for his crimes.
Moody could hear the screams echoing down the hall, and knew better than to believe the ranting. They were the desperate cries of an even more desperate man. And Moody didn't care. He'd lost a powerful ally and a good friend this day. He meant to see justice done. The sad excuse for a man didn't deserve his pity or his remorse, or any other show of mercy. Alastor Moody just didn't have it in him.
After seeing Kingsley's mutilated body, and seeing Nymphadora shut down so completely, made the old Auror angry. He wanted nothing more than to find this "Dragon" and make him pay with his life. Moody swore to himself he would show as little mercy to this vile creature had shown Kingsley. None.
Blaise Zabini felt himself very lucky. He was walking hand in hand with an extremely stunning redheaded girl. A girl he had pined after for the better part of two years, and had finally plucked up the courage to ask her out. Well, that and he'd been goaded into asking her out by his two best friends.
It had taken a lot of work, and a lot of patience, but eventually, He had gotten Susan Bones to let down her walls, and she had fallen in love with a boy she had known to be somewhat of a playboy. She had been wrong. Blaise was the sweetest, most affectionate, and honest gentleman she could have ever chosen.
He had even been punished for his love for her. Someone, though they were sure they knew who, had tortured him with the Cruciatus curse and then obliviated his memory. It hadn't changed anything. In fact, it made Blaise care more deeply for Susan.
Susan had been suspicious when Blaise had first approached her, but he was always so nice to her. He never pushed, and was always interested in her feelings. He talked to her, not her ample chest as many boys did. She had been very stand offish with him, fearing he was up to something. But, he finally convinced her that he was serious in his advances, and she had allowed him into her heart. The first time he kissed her, she had felt something so genuine, and incredibly wonderful. She had known that Blaise was for her.
Susan had invited Blaise to come and stay with her family for a few weeks. Usually, Blaise would travel with his father, but this summer, his father had been unable to clear up his schedule for the holiday. Blaise was not upset by it, in fact he was happy. Being with Susan was more enjoyable to him than visiting someplace foreign.
The Bones family had been very welcoming. Susan's mother was a wonderful cook, and her father was a warm and friendly fellow. The two men often would get into discussions regarding Quidditch and matters of finance. Susan's father worked at Gringotts, and Blaise had been thinking that a career in banking might suit him. It helped in bonding with Susan's father.
But at the moment, the two teenaged lovers were enjoying another glorious sunset. Hand in hand, they walked towards Susan's house, as slowly as possible.
"Are you excited to visit Harry and the others?" Susan asked casually.
"I am. I'm anxious to see Daphne and Tracey. We've never seen each other during summer months, so it might be weird. But it'll be fun to. I like Neville and Hermione and Harry a lot, too. Weasley's still a prat, but I think he's got potential, if he can get his wand out of his arse."
Susan laughed at the imagery.
"What about you?" He asked.
"Honestly, I'm surprised he invited me. We're not close by any means, but I'm honored. We all spent time together this past year, but I don't know that I'm close with Harry."
"Well, I'm not close with him either, but he considers us friends, and I like the guy. Who am I to say no to a guy who can beat Voldemort?"
"Do you think it's true, what they're saying in the Prophet now?" Susan looked up to her taller, dark skinned boyfriend. "About him being the Chosen One?"
"Look, after all the rubbish they printed about him last year, I highly doubt it. They're making him into a savior just because he keeps fighting the pillow biter."
"Blaise!" Susan said chagrined, swatting her boyfriend playfully. "Don't say that in front of my parents."
"What? You don't think they'd agree that Voldemort is some kind of nancy boy, always chasing after a young boy? It's not right." Blaise scrunched up his face, shuddering.
"That's not the issue." Susan said, trying not to laugh and failing.
"The point is, the Daily Prophet is trying to make amends to Potter, but they're just repeating their earlier mistakes, they're just going to the opposite extreme. Instead of being completely mental, he's the savior of our world. Could he be? Maybe. I don't know what was so important in that prophecy, no one else seems to know. If Harry knows, he's certainly not saying."
"Why does life have to be so cruel to that boy?"
"Life hasn't been that cruel. Sure he lost his parents, and he's had to rise above things that most of us would rather avoid, but look at what's been happening to him lately. He's found true love with Daphne, and in my humble opinion he could not have done better…"
"Careful, or I might begin to feel jealous." Susan smiled playfully.
"Over that hag?" Blaise asked with mock distress
"Stop it! You are absolutely wicked, you know that, don't you?"
"You have no one to feel jealous of, my love. But back to my point. He's got Daphne. Over half the school would fight by his side if he asked, and that means he could affect real change in our world. He's going to get his revenge on Umbridge in court next week, and to top it all off, his godfather was cleared. Harry Potter's luck might actually be changing."
"I hope it keeps changing for the better. He's a good man, and there are so few of you." Susan smiled at her beau.
"We are a rare breed, aren't we?" He smiled self assuredly.
"And so humble." Susan rolled her eyes. Something caught her eye in the distance. "Is that smoke?"
Blaise looked toward Susan's house and saw thick clouds of black smoke billowing from the windows.
"MOM!" Susan began running towards the house. Blaise chased after her. He watched closely, looking for what had caused the smoke. His skin tingled warningly, but he wasn't about to let Susan get hurt.
The redheaded girl burst into the front door, her dark skinned boyfriend right behind her. There was smoke everywhere, and they could hear screaming from the upstairs. Blaise led the way, trying to see in the black haze, Susan close on his heels.
Coughing and sputtering, they tried to find their way to where the screaming was the loudest. Suddenly, Susan screamed as she felt arms around her. She kicked and struggled against her large captor, but he kept her arms pinned at her sides. The man laughed in her ear.
"This was feisty. Perhaps we should have a bit of fun with her." The gruff voice spoke loudly.
Blaise ducked low as a spell shot over his head. His wand was in his hand, and he hit Susan's captor with a Severing charm just above his ankles. The big man screamed, releasing Susan as he fell. She whipped out her own wand and rushed to her boyfriend, who was turning to fire curses at another dark robed man.
"I've got to find my parents." Susan screamed. She flicked her wand, conjuring a major gust of wind which cleared away much of the smoke and caught the dark robed man by surprise and sent him flying down the hallway. Blaise and Susan were moving swiftly, and entered her father's study, where they found the Bones' bound on the floor.
Five Death Eaters stood watching as the two adults squirmed and screamed in terrible agony. Laughter was heard from behind the gruesome masks. In the center of the group, standing over the bound captives, was a slender, dark robed figure. The figure wasn't much shorter than Blaise, but easily taller than Susan. Its face was hidden beneath the mask of a Death Eater, but unlike the others, there was no runes, or any other markings. Also unlike the others, the eyes were glowing a dark red. The figure turned slowly, regarding them momentarily.
"I guess, I don't need you after all." It said to Susan's parents, who were writhing in pain. The figure flicked his wand, and Susan's parents stopped screaming. The figure turned to face the newcomers. Susan waved her wand, screaming out a Stunning spell, which the new figure simply swatted away.
Blaise tried several spells, which the robed figure batted away as if shooing an annoying fly. The other Death Eaters laughed as their leader tilted its head regarding, the two teenagers like they were curious objects.
"You are going to give a message to our Minister of Magic. She will not be able to ignore a message from her own family." the creature spoke, it's voice a gravely sort of snarl. Blaise felt his skin crawling with repulsion. "Come closer. You simply must see this." The creature said softly.
Its arm moved in a blur and both Blaise and Susan were lifted off their feet and brought forward. Both teens tried to move, but found the arms and legs had been bound by invisible bonds. The robed figure came forward staring at each of them in turn. It reached a black hand up, caressing Susan's cheek lovingly.
"Like sweet cream," the monster purred. "Just like her mother's." The figure turned and bent over Susan's mother. With the same hand that had caressed Susan's cheek so gently, the apparition reached down and slid a long finger down Susan's mother's face. Susan began to cry as her mother, helpless to do anything, screamed as a small strip of her beautiful skin peeled off her face. The horrid beast took the freshly shaved flesh and shoved it into a pouch.
"A memento." It purred.
Suddenly there were loud cracks all around.
"Dragon, the Aurors are here." One of the Death Eaters said, apprehension in his voice.
"Good. I was getting tired. Tell Minister Bones that the war ends now. Lord Voldemort will show mercy if she surrenders." With a wave of his hand, Dragon banished both Susan and Blaise through the wall.
Susan felt her body smash through the wall, and crash into the banister railing, and finally land amidst debris on the first floor. She couldn't breath, as all the air had been forced from her lungs. She tried to move, but her head was spinning so badly she had to remain motionless for a few moments.
The Dragon emerged from the study to admire his work. Smiling defiantly under his mask, he turned to those he had been charged with, motioning for them to go. Dragon gave on long look at the Death Eater that Blaise had cut down. He was trying to crawl towards Dragon, begging to not be left behind. Dragon shook his head once, and pointed his wand at the pathetic cripple before him. With barely a whisper, the Killing curse ended the man's existence and the Dragon Apparated away.
Susan rolled to her knees, just as Aurors were entering her home. One of them came to her, checking to see that she was alright. Susan felt she would have a serious headache, and a lot of bruising, but she would be okay. She began asking about her parents. Several of the Aurors raced up the stairs where Susan had said her parents were tied up.
"Fletcher! We got to get him out of here. I can't heal this."
"Merlin!" gasped a female Auror
"What did that to him?" asked another.
Susan's mind thought of her father, and she pushed forward to see what the Aurors were talking about. Susan fell to her knees when she saw it.
Blood was seeping from several deep cuts, and there was a large piece of wood sticking out of his chest. His eyes were open, and searching. He saw her, and began reaching out for her.
Susan's eyes filled with tears as she rushed forward, taking his bloody hand in hers, and holding it to her cheek. He tried to speak, but only blood came from his lips. His eyes said everything. Susan saw that he was saying sorry, telling her that he loved her.
"Don't you dare give up." She sobbed angrily. She would not let him go out this way. "You hang on. You stay with me, Blaise, do you hear me? Stay with me. Don't you dare leave me."
The Aurors were moving all around her, shouting orders and moving things, probably her parents. She couldn't look away from his eyes, she fought when several Aurors began pulling her away so they could help him, but she wanted to be by his side. She was afraid that if he couldn't see her, he would die. She fought harder than she had ever fought, and eventually she was Stunned.
The lead Auror, Fletcher, had hated to do it to the girl, and was sure Amelia Bones would dress him down later on, but if they were going to have any chance of saving the boy, the girl had to get out of their way. His team had found the parents alive upstairs. They had arrived in time, it seemed. They had also found two Death Eaters, one was dead, the other had been knocked unconscious.
"Sir, if we don't get him out of here, he doesn't stand a chance."
"Move him." Fletcher said.
"What the hell is going on?" Alastor Moody hollered as he came into the Bones' home.
"Sir, we're moving the boy and the parents to St. Mungo's, now." Fletcher said, saluting the senior Auror.
"And the girl?"
"We need to question her."
"Boy, you get her to the hospital now. She'll be unable to answer any questions until she knows those people will be alright."
"Sir, that's against procedure." Fletcher said, confusion on his face.
"You're a good Auror, Fletcher, but you know nothing of people. I'll take her myself. I want to hear from you in one hour." Alastor Moody glared. He revived Susan and knelt in front of her. She stared at him, worry and fear in her bright blue eyes.
"My parents. Blaise, are they…" She began tearfully.
"I don't know, lass. We're going to go find out now." Moody took the girls hand and Apparated away. Fletcher had watched, mystified by the compassion the most dangerous Auror in history had show the young victim. Indeed he did have a lot to learn.