The Serpent Under the Innocent Flower

by FandomCameo

YEAR 2, Harry Winchester struggles to keep his identity as Harry Potter a secret as horrible things start to happen at Hogwarts. With Dean, Cas and Sam busy trying to stop the Apocalypse that he started, how will Harry fare without his adopted family there to guide him? Can he trust in his friends to keep his secret, or will the Headmaster be able to sow distrust among them? Sequel

4. Toxic Ink

Chapter: Toxic Ink

Song Inspirations: Oh Raven , Revenge and a Little Bit More by Unlike Pluto. Toxic (cover) by J2

"No running boys." Severus warned as Harry and Draco left the room to play on their own. Lucius gestured to a nearby seat and Severus sank into it gratefully. He had received a message late last night from the blond man, requesting his presence as soon as possible. With Sam at the house, morning hadn't come soon enough. However now that Lucius was explaining to him his concerns, Severus felt a dark cloud settling over him. He held up a hand to pause his friend, throwing up a quick Silencing spell around the room. "Please continue."

In the next room the boys groaned as they were no longer able to hear the adults. Draco whispered something into Harry's ear and the black-haired boy nodded in agreement. They raced up to Draco's room, a dizzying experience for Harry who had never been in a house so big. Draco's room was much more lavishly furnished than his own, with several magical trinkets floating around. There was a pop as Draco called his house elf. It was a weird little creature, with ears and eyes seemingly too big for its head. The creature, Dobby, wiped his hands on his pillowcase.

"Yes, Master Draco?" Dobby asked, his eyes wide. The youngest Malfoy was notorious for wanting to break the rules, and Dobby feared this would be another one of these times. It was always hard to remember what orders were more important. House Elves were supposed to take care of the wizard children, though most crossed the line into spoiling. Dobby could remember a younger Draco begging to play, and it is that reason only that he did not leave right away.

"Dobby, I order you to spy on my father and then report back to us." Draco said haughtily. Dobby wrung his hands together, a small whimper escaping him. While technically Head Master Malfoy had not told him to not spy, he still felt it would be wrong to intrude on his privacy. "Well, what are you waiting for!"

"Please Dobby?" Harry begged; his baby blue eyes wide. Dobby turned to look at the young Friend Winchester with surprise. He let his hands fall to his sides. Little Friend Winchester did not look like a troublemaker. He had even told Dobby please! Dobby gave a small laugh as he nodded, popping away. Draco grumbled to himself as he made his way to the closet.

"You don't have to say please to them you know. They are just supposed to listen to you." Draco complained as he dug through his many clothes. Harry shrugged, sitting on the bed. It was plush and warm, and Harry sunk into it with glee.

"It worked though." Harry reasoned, looking up at the high ceiling. He could almost make out the pattern that was splayed across it. Draco rolled his eyes, tossing something at Harry without any warning. Harry caught it without difficulty, turning the small accessory over in his hand. It looked like a solid cube of clear ice, except it wasn't cold. "What's this?"

"Music player." Draco called out from the depths of his walk-in closet. The blond was looking for the pair of mirrored parchments his mother had given him last Christmas. Harry frowned, turning the cube every which way trying to find a button. "Just talk to it!" Rolling his eyes, Harry sat up, wondering what kind of music wizards listened to. Maybe it knew Muggle songs. He grinned, whispering to the cube.

"Ladies and gentlemen…. this is Mambo Number Five." Harry placed the cube on the bed and stepped away from it, nodding along to the music that filled the room.

"What the heck is this?" Draco asked, an eyebrow raised high. He yelped as Harry grabbed his hands and led him in a sort of made up dance. The blond couldn't help the laugh that bubbled out of him, missing the pink tinge to Harry's ears. Harry liked Draco's laugh, it was sweet and melodic unlike his own, which was akin to a donkey wheezing. He twirled Draco, prompting an argument that had Harry howling with laughter. "Heimrich Robert Winchester, are you even listening to me?!" Harry had continued on dancing without him, instructing the cube to go louder. "HARRY!" Draco whined.

"Hope we aren't interrupting?" Severus said smoothly, drawing the boy's attention. He and Lucius stepped fully into the room, the music reaching their ears. "Lou Bega, interesting." It was nice to see Harry enjoying his childhood. Especially with what the future held; it would do the boy good.

"Though I must say, you are doing the dance all wrong." Lucius told Harry, joining the boys in the center of the room. "Watch." Blue eyes watched intently, before mimicking Lucius' actions. In no time at all they were in perfect sync, laughing merrily. Severus had covered his eyes with his hand, burning with second hand embarrassment.

"I think it's time to go Harry." Severus said, to which Draco and Harry set puppy eyes on him.

"Aw no, please can't I stay with Draco a bit longer?" Harry pleaded.

"Come now Severus, you and I have some catching up to do, let the boys enjoy their day." Lucius told his old friend. Severus could hear the undertone of desperation in his voice. Severus gave a nod. He too would not want to be alone after what Lucius had told him. "Have fun you two." Lucius called out as the adults left. Not a second after Dobby popped into the room. He began to pace nervously, for the news he had heard from Master Malfoy had not been for young Master's ears.

"Well?" Draco prompted. Dobby sank to the floor. The two wizards exchanged glances, wondering what was wrong with the elf.

"Master Malfoy be telling Snape about a very bad book." Dobby started, Harry taking notes in his journal. It was small, nothing to the level of Dean and Sam's, but he would not let the mistakes of last year happen again. He would keep all the clues on him, so that he could piece together the threat. "He be saying that it making him do bad things when he is not remembering! Says the bad book is why Mistress Malfoy is going to France. Snape telling Master Malfoy to leave the bad book all locked up. And soon will be Goyle turn to hold, yes." Harry and Draco looked at each other with worried eyes. "Dobby thinking it be having to do with You Know Who." The house elf whispered. There was a humbling silence following the words. His heart skipping a beat, Harry wondered how many times he would have to face his parent's killer before they were avenged.

"Don't worry Dobby, we're gonna stop Voldemort." Harry assured the elf in a serious monotone.

"Yeah, he won't know what hit him." The blond agreed. Dobby made a noise as if he did not quite agree with Draco. The blond glared. "What, elf, you think I can't?"

"Leave him alone Draco, he probably didn't mean just you." Harry tried to placate the blond by placing a hand on his shoulder. Draco threw the hand off, ears turning red in anger. His friend wouldn't understand. Just because the Malfoys were Pureblooded everyone assumed, they would follow Voldemort.

"What do you know Winchester?" he snarled, shoving the boy. It wasn't as if Harry had even grown up in the wizarding world. The boy did whatever he wanted without respect for the societal rules. Harry growled, tackling the boy. Dobby merely watched; eyes wide. They fought for some time, until Severus came knocking. Draco shoved Harry off of him and thrust a piece of parchment at him. "This isn't over. We'll see who the better wizard is, and who will get the glory of defeating Voldemort."

And so, began a correspondence on a mirrored parchment, both of them letting their minds go wild. However, despite their feuding, never in their imagined futures were they ever apart.

I can ride a broom with no hands. -HW Harry wrote sometime later, while sitting at his dinner table. It was a simple taunt really, but Draco was being a stubborn idiot. He didn't want to fight him for the chance to defeat Voldemort. He wanted his friend at his side. It was hours before Draco responded with a single sentence.

So can I, probably better. -DM

/ / Harry stuck his tongue out at Draco as he zoomed past on his broom, tricking the Slytherin Seeker into giving chase. Once Draco realized that Harry had not seen the Snitch at all he pulled up, scanning the pitch once more. His eyes continued to drift to Harry however, as the boy was a natural on a broom. He chuckled as Harry was forced to dodge a bludger. His laughs turned to shouts of concern as the bludger continued to focus on Harry. The rest of the Slytherin team shouted for Draco to stop as he weaved through them to reach his friend. Draco let his wand slip into his hand once he was close enough and send a powerful blasting spell at the bludger, steering away quickly as it exploded. Harry gave him a pat on the shoulder as thanks, but continued on, having spotted the elusive snitch. Draco called him a name, speeding after the red Seeker. Harry let go of the broom with one hand, then two, gripping the broom tightly with his legs. He felt the flutter of wings and as he closed his hand around it, he heard a shout of warning and flipped on his broom, hanging from it by his legs, upside-down. The other bludger was not done with him though, and it crashed into him roughly, breaking his leg. He slipped from the broom, closing his eyes, not wanting to see the ground rushing up to meet him. He felt someone grab his wrists and he hesitantly opened them, seeing Draco pulling the same move he had minutes earlier, preventing him from falling. What was even more exciting was that Draco was still able to control his broom, and rushed to get them to the ground. They both heard the whistle of the bludger as it came towards them. /

I'm the luckiest person alive -HW

I'm the most famous person at school -DM

Only cuz Harry Potter is not around -HW

I'm an amazing dancer -DM

And I'm a great DJ! -HW

((Harry shouted out to the crowds preparing them for the next song. Draco rolled his eyes from the side of the dancefloor. The Gryffindor gave him a wink as he twirled a record, laying it down to play. The beginnings of a song they both knew started, shocking the blond. Harry called the boy up, and it took the urging of several other students to get Draco up on the stage with Harry. Harry took Draco's hand, and led him in the dance that Lucius had shown him three years ago. The Slytherin let his cold mask fall, and laughed, bringing a beaming smile to Harry's face.))

I can take apart any hex -DM

And I can almost do all of them. -HW

/ Hex after jinx made their way towards Harry, but Draco was right there behind him, knocking them all off course, or fizzling them out with the counter. Harry was shooting his own hexes back, though not many hit the man who was nimbler than they had both assumed. Harry managed to stutter on one of his words, and the blast resulted in something entirely different than he had intended. Draco looked at him in shock and Harry winked at him, as if it had all gone according to plan. Draco shook his head wondering how each school year continued to get weirder. /

I can tie a knot in a cherry stem -DM

I can tell you about Leif Ericson -HW

I know all the words to "De Colores" -DM

And I'm proud to be an American - HW

I'll be the first to see a new creature! -DM

And I'll be the first to record it, in my journal. -HW

((Draco was in shock at what he was seeing. It was such a beautiful creature, and had only been spoken of in myth. As Draco recounted the story to Harry, the raven-haired boy noted down everything significant in their journal. Draco took it from him, pulling out various colored inks to sketch the creature. The two teens spent hours discussing becoming full time hunters once they graduated in a few years.))

Well, then maybe I'll just become famous for singing instead. -DM

And I will be your super awesome talent manager! -HW

I see the strings that control the systems, I can do anything with no assistance. -DM

Yeah, well I'll be leading the world against Voldemort one day! -HW Harry wrote, reigniting their initial feud.

/ It had taken nearly all night but Draco knew it would be worth it. The news may not want to report the truth, but the blond knew that it needed to be heard. He gave Harry the signal and the teen stepped forward; eyes hard as he stared out to the crowd. He called them all to action against the Dark Lord, uniting them. Cheers roared out, and Harry dragged Draco next to his side, proclaiming the importance of friendship in the coming times. /

I could help. Maybe I could invent a new spell of some sort. We'll be on top! -DM

((Draco gave out a shout as his arm was grazed by a passing spell. Harry couldn't reach him, not in time, he was already fighting several bad guys at once. He was overpowered, and Voldemort was winning. Harry called out to his friend as the bad guys forced him to kneel. Harry was losing blood, and he feared life as well. He couldn't call up any of his powers. A golden beam hit Draco and the bad guys began to laugh. Harry shouted for Draco as his vision started to grow dark. The blond did something he couldn't even describe and the spell was transformed into something new, but it was racing at Harry instead. Harry closed his eyes in acceptance, putting all of his faith in Draco.))

Our reach will be global -HW

Our tower secure -DM

Our cause noble -HW

Our power so pure-DM and then, on the path back towards the best future, for a moment they had the same daydream about a day yet to come.

(/ Harry placed a map down in the middle of the table, several people around him, waiting for instruction. The teen pointed across the map and began to explain the complex plan. Draco didn't bother to listen; he and Harry had spent hours getting every detail just right. He heard some gasps and he knew that Harry had reached the part about sacrifices that would need to be made. One by one he heard the Junior Hunters agreeing to the plan. Harry came over and placed a hand on Draco's shoulder. The blond nodded, dropping their defenses. They rushed out to the impending ambush. / )

I can make anybody go to prison. Just because I don't like them. -DM
I can do anything with no permission. I have it all under my command. -HW

/ With Voldemort dead, he and Harry were heroes and had been given positions of power. Harry was of course was the Head Auror, and Draco his right-hand man. The wizarding world would finally be perfect, as he had always dreamed. After all, with those secret powers that Harry had, no one would ever dare to defy them. They would become more powerful than even Dumbledore, filling up Azkaban to the brim. /

Hey maybe I'll get secret powers like you one day -DM

((The small bowl of water was beginning to ripple, until Harry's face came into view. Draco gave a gasp. The young man was running through forests with friends by his side, shooting spells left and right. It would be no use. Draco let his powers build up, focusing on the location he had seen through the screen. Within the water Harry looked around as dark clouds began to darken the sky.))

I don't know what you're talking about -HW

Harry waited the rest of the day for a response, but he never got one. He shrugged, locking the parchment in his trunk. In Malfoy Manor, Draco watched as his father threw his parchment into the fire. The elder Malfoy drew his wand, raising his voice to his traitorous son. Dobby popped in front of Draco, raising his hand to Lucius, as his Master had instructed. Draco cried out as Lucius was thrown back and the walls turned to liquid in order to trap him. The ex- Death Eater continued to shout and rage as Dobby sent him to his room. Draco did something he hadn't done in a very long time.

He clung to Dobby and cried.

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Harry wandered out to the gardens around sunset. He was beginning to feel cooped up in the house, and he felt the fresh air would do him good. He had not seen Sam all day and wondered if the man had gone somewhere. He made his way over to the bench, finding Severus already there much to his surprise.

"Hey Sev." Harry said softly, taking a seat next to the man.

"I didn't hear you come out." Severus said as a way of greeting. They spent some time in silence until Harry asked the older wizard something that had been on his mind.

"Severus…what was my mother like? Why didn't you stay friends?" Severus let out a long sigh. He didn't feel like opening those wounds tonight, but the boy deserved to know. Looking at the child, he knew that at least the boy would not betray him as Sam had.

"Your mother, was… a very popular girl. She was likable, intelligent and beautiful, not to mention a Gryffindor to boot. There were constantly people pursuing her, whether for friendship or relationships, and at first it didn't bother me much. However, as the years progressed, I came to the realization that while she was constantly being asked to join, I was not. But still, for the most part, I was able to cast it aside. Until James Potter." Severus couldn't help the way that the name came out of his mouth. Harry looked away, ashamed. "It became a game to him, to get her to realize how worthless I was, by constantly harassing me. I figured as long as I maintained the upper hand, she would continue being my friend. In the end, it wasn't enough." Severus clenched his fists in his lap. "What am I without her? A sap who falls for the first fool to look my way?"

"I think Sam really does like you." Harry whispered out, not liking how broken up Severus seemed to be.

"Even worse." Severus commented. "I should have never let it distract me. Harry, you are my priority. I promised Lily's memory that I would protect you." Severus said seriously. "Unspeakable things may occur at Hogwarts this year. I think it would be best if you did not attend."

"What?" Harry exclaimed in shock. "Not go to Hogwarts?! Wouldn't that be like suspicious or something. No, there's no way. I have to go back."

"It is dangerous there." Severus began. Harry jumped from his seat.

"I don't care!" Severus looked up to the boy to berate him, but found himself speechless. Lily's eyes were staring back at him. Only he had never seen them look so powerful. Severus hastened to his feet as the crackle of golden lightning danced across Harry's skin. His chocolate brown hair whipped around in some unfelt wind.

"You cannot even control yourself and you wish to go back?" Severus asked, gesturing to the boy. Harry looked down in shock, seeing that he was Harry Potter at the moment. He cried out in alarm, and his powers shut off, leaving him as Harry Winchester once more.

"I already know what might happen at Hogwarts. Me and Draco spied on you with a house elf." Harry admitted. "I have to go; my friends could get hurt."

"And what of your own life?" Severus snarled. "Have you no regard for it?"

"I do, and that's why I need to go. I need to face Voldemort every time he surfaces. I can't give him that chance to grow stronger." Severus sunk back down onto the bench in disbelief. The boy had a point. He shook his head, wishing he would have let the boy be a child a bit longer. Blue eyes looked at him defiantly.

"You know Harry, sometimes I wonder if your mother can see me through your eyes." He gave a defeated chuckle. "What would she think of me now?" Harry dropped his stance, taking note of Severus' drooped shoulders and the bags beneath his eyes. Harry sat next to the man, leaning into his side.

"Well, I think you're pretty great." Severus wrapped an arm around the child, and together they enjoyed the moonlight.

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Lucius looked at the book in his hand with disdain. The fireplace flickered before him and he considered tossing the book in, as he had his son's paper. He took a deep steadying breath, unknowingly inhaling a large amount of the mind-altering spores that were imbedded in the book. He pulled the journal closer to his chest, eyes dark. His wife would return in time. Sure, they had denounced the Dark Lord, but that is because they thought he had failed. Now…Their Lord would return to them, and he would succeed. As for his son, well consorting with that Gryffindor would have to come to an end. Lucius cocked his head to the side as if listening to something. He nodded, as if drugged and made his way to his son's room. Several times his limbs jerked in mysterious ways, and he stumbled, but he persisted. The whispers continued to sneak by his ears, leaving nothing more than an impression of what he must do. He stood in front of his son's door, looking the villain he used to be in his youth. He placed his hand on the doorknob and opened the door with a swift movement.

"Dragon?" he asked softly, seeing the boy red-faced. Sad silver eyes looked at him, and once more he wanted to throw the book into the fire. His fingers felt like they were on fire when he tried to let the book go. "I have brought you a present to apologize." His son perked up, ever the spoiled boy. "It's a journal that works similar to your parchment." Draco stood, making his way over, and Lucius eyes were involuntarily dry. "I will send the other to your friend tomorrow."

"Thank you, father." Draco said, turning the journal over, admiring the leather cover. "I love it." Lucius pulled his son into his arms, the voice telling him to make it count. He squeezed the blond close, the tears running down his face betraying the cynical smile.

"I knew you would."

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Sam sat cross-legged on his floor, carefully adding the last ingredient to the first-year potion he was brewing. It shimmered in the light from the window. He didn't even pause to ladle it into a vial. Sam took the small cauldron and lifted it in his hands, his skin burning. He drunk from the cauldron like a centurion would from the fountain of youth. His shirt would be ruined from the backsplash, but he didn't care. The cauldron hit the floor with a noticeable thump. He stood, looking down at his hands.

"It won't work." Lucifer told him from the bed. "If you want those powers back, you'll need to say yes." Sam lifted his hand and snapped, dispersing the vision. He did not have time to play mind games with the devil. He raised his arm to the lamp nearby, trying to make it explode. "I told you." Lucifer taunted. "You probably didn't make it right, try it again."

"That's the fifth time." Sam said lowly. Lucifer winced. Sam ignored the fake sympathy and went about cleaning up the floor. He needed help, but the rest of the house had turned against him. Sam couldn't even face Harry without seeing the underlying doubt in his eyes.

"Yikes, is it safe for you to be mixing all that? Wouldn't want you to get hurt." Lucifer asked, coming to stand next to Sam. The Hunter lifted the cauldron with more force than necessary, almost loosing balance. He didn't dare brew anything higher than a first-year level for fear of doing it wrong, or drinking a potion that would harm him.

"Yeah, I mean…I don't know." Sam stared into the cauldron, wondering if being alive was even worth it. Lucifer had said it himself, that Sam was his true vessel.

"You should ask that scary guy, oh wait, he refuses to talk to you after you betrayed him." Lucifer make a noise through a fake grimace. "I wouldn't betray you; you know?" Lucifer began to circle him. Brown eyes turned deadly as he began to pull books to the table. He would not betray Harry's trust for good. If he had to stay alive to attract the devil's attention then he would do so. He couldn't afford Harry to be seduced down that dark path.

Even if it drove him insane.

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Draco paced around his room, not able to relieve his pent-up energy. He slumped at his desk, tapping his fingers against the granite. He wondered what had made his father change so rapidly. Could a book really hold that much power over someone? Draco frowned, thinking it was exaggerated. He feared that deep down his father would pick Voldemort's side. Malfoys always picked the winning side. He went to tap his fingers again, only to hear the click of a quill tip against the desk. He looked into his hand, surprised to see his peacock quill. He frowned at it, placing it back in the desk drawer where he had stored it. He needed to think about what he was going to tell Harry regarding his new discovery. He closed his eyes to think about the interaction again. His father hadn't seemed to be under any spell. It was almost like the worst parts of him were being drawn forward. He would not deny the man was his father if asked. Draco bit his lip, only to find he was already chewing the end of a different quill. Grey eyes followed the tip of the quill to the journal his father had given him. Shakily he placed the quill down, hands flat on the desk as he stared at the simple leather-bound journal.

Could this be the bad book?

Draco shook his head. His father loved him; he would not give him something dangerous. He would kill himself first if it came down to it. Draco picked up the quill, opening the journal to the first page. The parchment looked old, yet not a single thing had been written in it. He held the quill over it, unsure if he wanted to write in it. A drop fell onto the page, disappearing without a trace. Draco relaxed, his father had told him it was a twin journal and it behaved as such. A grin spread as the ink he had dropped began to form into words. He hadn't expected Harry to get his so soon, but he was grateful.

Hello Draco.

Draco lifted his quill to respond, but the twin wasn't done writing.

My name is Tom Riddle…

Draco slammed the journal shut before it even had a chance to dry, throwing it as far away from the desk as he could. He was breathing harshly, eyes uneasy as he watched the journal.

"Dobby!" he croaked. The little House Elf appeared in a second, standing protectively in front of the young Master. Draco felt his eyes well up with tears, having forgotten exactly how loyal Dobby was to their family. "We need to get rid of it." The small body twitched.

"MMM Can't, Master will hurt young master!" Dobby looked around for something to harm himself with. The door was thrown open, Lucius stalking in.

"ELF!" Dobby's green eyes went wide. Draco pushed the small body behind him.

"Don't hurt him!" Draco shouted. "I called him; he didn't do anything wrong." Draco was too young to understand the desperate worry in Lucius' eyes as he looked between the book and his son. Instead, the young mistook it for plotting.

"Move out of the way, Draco." Lucius warned, raising his wand. Dobby popped back in front of Draco, sworn to defend his young Master, even if it was from Master. Lucius took his chance and sent a stunner that could affect a House Elf. The beam was a ghastly yellow, but that did not stop Draco from fighting to get in front of Dobby. The Elf's magic was holding his legs in place pretty good. His arms however were free, and the only thing he wanted was for Dobby to be safe. He lunged, his body toppling forward, his arms passing the elf as the yellow light came into range. "DRACO!" Lucius called in alarm. His mouth opened in shock when the beam hit Dobby and the elf was thrown into a fit of giggles. Draco got to his feet as he felt the magic leave him.

"You bluffed." Draco said in anger, face contorting into an ugly scowl. Lucius did not speak right away. His son might have thought that he had been unable to deflect the spell, but Lucius had seen with his own two eyes the small alabaster hand pass through the beam as if it were water. "How dare you!" Why had it not sent his son into a coma?

"Go to your room." Lucius said numbly.

"I'm already in my room! You go to your room!" Draco shouted, stomping his foot.

"Very well. Dobby, come." The elf scampered after him reluctantly, and the two left Draco alone in his room. Draco clenched his fist in anger, crying out in alarm when a quill jabbed his palm. Perhaps alone wasn't the best choice. They had left him with the book.

And that was so much worse.

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"We may need a new strategy regarding the Winchester boy." Albus stated as he walked into Gilderoy's rooms unannounced. The blond for the most part didn't seem phased, and continued to stock his quarters. "I think he knows where Potter is hiding." Gilderoy clenched the bottle of cologne in his hand tightly.

"You wish to find out Potter's location?" He asked. Albus, worried about his golden pawn, did not catch the undercurrent of distaste. Lockhart frowned as Albus began to speak in the affirmative. He couldn't allow Potter to be found. The boy was meant to be the thing of legends. Which left the options of befriending another brat. Seeing his reflection in the mirror he had set upon the desk; an idea came to mind. "Do not alienate the boy, Gilderoy."

"Of course not Headmaster." Lockhart readily agreed, placating the old man. Why ever would he want to frighten his next project? If he could tutor this American boy, become to him what his parents apparently weren't, he could take credit for the boy's accomplishments. The boy would sing his praises, and if they found Potter… Well. He would have the perfect scapegoat, if Albus continued with the delusion that a twelve year old child could be evil. He doubted it would need to come to that however. If he played his cards right, Winchester would agree to keep the Boy Who Lived as the Boy Who was Lost.

"Lockhart." Albus said sharply. The blond startled.

"Ah, apologies, got lost in my own gaze again." He said with a winning smile.

"Remember, no one else can know of these suspicions, I am trusting you alone." The Headmaster intoned seriously, placing a hand on Gilderoy's shoulder. The hand was unwelcomed, not feeling like a placing of pride by a grandparent, but rather like the cold steel of manipulation. He wondered if he could truly Obliviate the older wizard.

"Your trust is well placed."

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Draco was pacing his room, debating whether a fall from his window could kill him. He reasoned that his instinctual magic would save him, and if all else the bushes below would catch him. But then, he would think of broken bones and being trapped not only in his room but in his body as well. Draco didn't know what would happen if he broke his hands. They tangled up in his hair, as he began to fall into hysteria. Against better judgement he tried the door again, banging it with his fists until it hurt too much. His father wouldn't do this to him, he refused to believe it. The journal still laid innocently on the floor. Draco closed his eyes and tried to calm down. He needed to be smart about this, brave too. How he interacted with this book could help or hurt his family. Maybe if he pretended to be what the journal liked; it would like him back. It would help him escape his room, and then he could have the power. Grey eyes slid open and he walked towards the journal with purpose.

Hello Tom Riddle. He wrote, forcing his hand not to tremble.

I was wondering when I would hear from you next. I was getting quite lonely without your lovely presence. Draco fought to keep his composure, reminding himself that this book was evil and it was trying to trick him.

I was getting lonely too, Father locked me in my room. Draco told the journal. He didn't know what type of response he was hoping for, but he was not expecting what followed.

Come spend some time with me then. The pages began to flutter of their own accord, the spine glowing brightly. His vision blurred and he screwed his eyes shut to ward it off. "Here, let me help you."

"Wha-" Draco opened his eyes, finding that he was no longer in his bedroom but rather was lying in the grass. A hand was outstretched to him and he took it. The boy who helped him up had not been what he thought. He was a teen of about 16 or 17, with warm chestnut hair and brown eyes. His smile was kind and sly at the same time, looking perfect on his pale skin. "We're at Hogwarts." Draco blurted upon seeing the Lake nearby.

"Not quite." The teen explained. "We are in my memory of Hogwarts…I did always love the lake." He gave a content sigh, placing his hands in his pockets. Draco followed his gaze, amazed at the beautiful sunset that was falling behind the hills.

"Are you always here?" Draco asked, thinking that the scene was gorgeous. Tom looked towards the approaching dark clouds in the north, making sure to catch Draco's attention.

"I wish that I could, but this book holds years of my memories. Some of them are my darkest ones." Thunder rumbled loudly, the ground cracking beneath them. Draco clutched onto the taller boy, terrified. Tom wrapped a protective arm around the boy, brown eyes meeting grey. "You need to leave now, I'm sorry."

"No, what's going…" Draco blinked slowly as his room came into view. "…on." The young boy took a stuttered breath as he released the quill in his hand. Tears pricked at his eyes as he cradled his aching hand close to his chest. The small black journal was so unassuming on his desk, as if it had not manipulated his father and hypnotized a child. What scared him most was seeing Tom being so caring and dare he say noble. The teen that he had briefly interacted with was someone he hoped to grow into. Perhaps, thought Draco, the teen was trapped as well. It could be the last bit of innocence and goodness that Voldemort had wanted to get rid of so he could be more powerful. A niggling feeling in the back of his mind told him that he should not take Tom at face value, especially so early, but the seed that had been planted by the older wizard was stronger. The clouds in the book must have been the real culprit, like a poison in the pages. There was a lot that he was unsure about, but he knew one thing.

He would need to keep writing if he wanted to save Tom.

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Harry spent a long time looking in to the mirror. He hadn't heard from Draco in over a week since denying having any powers. Blue eyes were devoid of emotion, no matter how much he tried to feel something. It hadn't occurred to him the consequence his powers would have on others. He still had no teacher for his demon powers, and Cas had not been around to explain his angelic side to him. He thought of Rowena Ravenclaw, but he doubted he could find her accidently on purpose again. If he were being honest, he had been avoiding mirrors since being kidnapped. Seeing one with Rowena had been the first in a long time. It was strange to him that Harry Potter was just gone. He clenched his fist, using the other hand to feel the pulse coursing through his wrist. The body he was in was definitely real, and it was his. But nobody wanted him. They were waiting on Harry Potter. His knuckles turned white and he aimed a fist at the mirror, causing it to crack. In the fractured glass his glare turned to shock as he saw emerald green eyes, and midnight brown hair. He pulled his fist away from the mirror, looking down at himself. Green eyes met their reflection, and Harry felt the weight of his inner demon on his shoulders.

"Change back, change back." Harry pleaded. The olive tint seemed to bleed away from his skin, his hair and eyes returning to normal. There was a knock at the door.

"Harry, you doing alright?" Danny asked. It lacked its usual echo, meaning the boy was in human form. Perhaps he was like Danny? Did God give him a literal second life as a Winchester, with the price of having to share with Potter still? Potter did come out when he had gotten angry just now. Had his hero thought he was in danger? "Harry?"

"I'm fine!" Harry called back. He wished he could talk to Danny about it. He pressed his forehead to the cool glass, holding back tears. There was nobody truly like him.

And it made him feel all alone.

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Danny sighed, and continued on his way downstairs to talk to Severus. An owl had delivered a letter to him that morning. No one was supposed to know that he was residing in Spinner's End, and he feared who it might be from. He phased through the bookshelf that led to the lab, reappearing slowly as to not startle Severus. The potion master looked up briefly, giving a hint of a greeting. Danny took the time to pursue the shelves, knowing that Severus would gain his attention when the potion was in a stable state. Blue eyes travelled to the plain white envelope in his hand. So unassuming, yet potentially a threat. His hand crept up to the scar on his neck of its own accord. The pads of his fingers pressed a bit harder when he heard the telltale sound of Severus vanishing a potion. The callused hand was gently covering his own in a second, pulling it away from the scar.

"What happened, Danny?" Severus asked, his voice low and soothing. Danny held up the letter. It was taken from him, a few spells muttered over it. "Not magical in origin."

"I think it's from Vlad." He whispered; eyes distant. "Taunting me. I think I'm free, but only because he is allowing me to be." He was led to the workbench, where they both sat.

"Danny, we have discussed this. What you saw that day…was merely a projection, a trick, used by the scum known as demons. We are all still recovering from the disaster." Severus closed his eyes wearily; his dreams having been haunted by the Dark Mark he had cast in the sky.

"I saw him, in the marketplace." Danny insisted. "I pretended it wasn't him. But I know it was." He took the letter back. "Just like I know this is from him. He is the only Muggle who knows that I am here."

"Perhaps it is from Tonks. She is a Half Blood." Severus tried to reason as Danny tore the paper open. On it was a single word.

Zombie

"I…" Severus scowled at Danny's loss of words. Tonks was definitely a suspect still, but his gut wanted to lean towards Moody. He ignored the voice that told him that Danny may be right. He took the paper from Danny.

"I wish to run tests on this. I have a few suspects, all of which would take precaution to make sure their magical signature would not be detected." Severus explained. "Would you go and teach Harry how to meditate? It would do you good as well."

"Yeah, I can do that." Danny said, walking towards the stairs. He paused at the bottom step. He looked over his shoulder. "So, you don't think it's Vlad?"

"Even if it were, which I doubt, he will never make it into our home." Severus vowed. "You are safe here." Danny smiled weakly, heading upstairs. Severus waited a few moments, listening carefully to ensure the boy had actually left. His wand touched the paper, and he muttered a spell. The word on the paper glowed briefly, as it was analyzed. He was surprised when no brand name of ink came back as a result, but rather a crude plant-based ink.

In fact, it was made from Blood Blossoms.

"No…" Severus whispered in horror. He cast the spell again, but the result remained the same. Whoever had sent the letter was planning to do more than simply terrorize the teen. Someone was trying to hurt his brother. It was more than pettiness, or frustration, for the single word was more than sufficient. The letter was crumpled in his hand, wordless magic burning it to a crisp. He stalked towards the stairs, passing through the barrier into the living room. Fists clenched; he made his way upstairs to the bedrooms. For a moment he merely stood in front of Sam's room. He did not want to trust the man, but he had no choice. "Winchester." He called through the door. It opened slowly, a haggard Sam looking out at him.

"Sev?"

"I require information from you, step aside." The older man demanded. Sam did so without hesitation. Severus became distracted by the Hunter's shirtless appearance. The Anti-Possession tattoo on his chest seemed to be darker.

"Your symbol." He pointed out, causing Sam to look down at it. "It's darker since the last time I saw it. What does that entail?" Sam swallowed thickly, unsure of what to say. He didn't want to be thrown out for attracting the Devil. Yet, if Lucifer was infiltrating his mind to bring visions, perhaps Severus could help him.

"It doesn't mean anything. It's a 'mystical' tattoo. I'm sure yours does the same." He lied, avoiding the man's eyes as he looked for a new shirt. Severus forced him to look towards him again, pulling up his own sleeve.

"There is nothing 'mystical' about this brand. Ink does not darken of its own accord." Sam softly touched his thumb to the skull on the wizard's arm.

"It looks darker." He confided, not wanting to startle the man. Severus looked down at his arm, seeing that Sam was correct. The Dark Mark was indeed a shade darker. He pulled his sleeve down, turning away from Sam. "Look, it's obvious we aren't in a place to be together. But this is more serious than that. I need you to trust me."

"How could I? When you foster no trust for even yourself?" Severus snapped back.

"Because we're in danger." Sam responded. "Better the devil you know." He said, extending his hand, giving Severus direct eye contact.

"Aw come on Sammy, you know me." Lucifer pouted in the background. Sam's hand did not waiver as Severus' dark eyes met his own. He gave no indication that he had even heard the fallen angel. Severus took a step forward and accepted the hand. "NO!" Lucifer growled out, his anger flaring in Sam's subconscious. Severus pulled away as if burned. Lucifer gave a small triumphant chuckle, which faded away as understanding dawned in Snape's eyes.

"He's trying to get within you." He whispered, horrified.

"I won't let him." Sam told him. "I promise." There was a desperation to his eyes that Severus recognized from his bid to save Lily. Severus gave a small nod.

"I believe you."

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"Harry?" Danny asked softly. Golden eyes stared into his blue, not a hint of recognition in them. "Harry, I need you to come back now." Danny said softly. They had just been meditating, and Danny had opened his eyes once Harry had finally stopped fidgeting. He wondered if he should have opened them sooner. The golden eyed boy stood silently, stretching his arms and back as if he had awoken from a long slumber. Danny could do nothing but watch in confusion as the boy surveyed the room. At last the boy looked back to him, and extended a hand. Danny reached toward it shakily.

"Help." It still sounded like Harry, but there was no emotion behind the word. The small hand grasped Danny's tightly, forcing him into his ghost half. Danny pulled away in alarm. Harry had not even forced his energy rings out. It was as if he had merely flipped the switch in his DNA in an instant. He gave a startled sob, changing back.

"No!" he shouted, his hand moving immediately to his neck. It was too similar to the chambers Vlad had thrown him into. The boy continued to stare. Emotionless, just as Vlad had been, ignoring his screams of pain as his additions short circuited within him. "I can't. He'll find me." It was whispered hoarsely, blue eyes distant. Help, the boy had said. Was he looking for his help, or to help him?

"Danny?" Harry asked quietly, not liking how still the boy had gone. He didn't even remember Danny standing. In fact, he didn't remember himself standing. At last, the teen gave a side glance to the younger boy. Danny pulled the boy into a strong hug, burying his face in the short black hair. "Danny?"

"Harry listen. Something bad is going to happen. We need to tell Severus and Sam." There was a knock at the door, causing both boys to look towards it. Sam walked in, looking worried.

"Boys, we need to talk." He opened the door a bit wider so that Adam and Severus could enter the room. He shut it behind him with some finality. Danny had instinctively pulled Harry closer to his side, charging up an ectoball in case. "Something bad is coming." He stressed. "Something evil."

"It's Vlad isn't it?" Danny asked, dejected, powers fizzling out. He glanced down at his hand in defeat, similar things having been happening with his powers lately.

"It is a variety of things." Severus clarified. "Things connected in a way that can be no mere coincidence. As it stands, Sam, Danny and myself have received dark omens in the form of ink, tattooed or written." He allowed the severity to sink in.

"Sev, the book. Mr. Malfoy…" The potion master's lips sent themselves into a grim line. "And Draco hasn't written me back on our parchment for at least eight days."

"I'm certain Dobby would inform us if anything was amiss in Malfoy Manor." He told the child, though he had his doubts. "Adam has anything happened to you in these past days?" Danny looked to his companion with worried eyes. The blond shook his head in the negative, giving everyone a bit of relief. "No one is to leave this house until we can find a better way to protect ourselves."

"We should all go to the palace. I have guards…" he trailed off as Severus raised his hand.

"Vladimir may be back." An instant shock of cold filled the room.

"No. He can't…I…" Harry pressed closer to his side, Adam grasping a flailing hand so it did not go up to the scar on his neck. "He tore me apart. I can't do… I." Severus pulled a vial from his pocket, passing it to Adam. The young man carefully tilted Danny towards him, pouring it down his throat. The teen struggled a bit before calming, a glazed look coming over his eyes. Severus watched with worried eyes, as Danny's fear had been increasing daily, the note from this morning doing nothing to help.

"That isn't fair." Harry ground out, glaring at Adam and Severus.

"Harry…" Severus began, intending to explain things to the child. After all, a well placed calming draught here and there was of no harm, and could help people overcome their fears.

"No! Don't Harry me!" The child shouted, stamping his foot. "That is wrong! He is allowed to be scared!"

"We're trying to help…" Adam said weakly.

"You're drugging him up so he won't cause trouble." Harry responded bitterly; half remembered nights under the influence of cold medicine at the forefront of his mind. "Get rid of it, reverse it!"

"That is not possible, Harry. The calming draught will remain in effect until…" He trailed off as he noticed blue eyes turning gold.

"I said, get rid of it!" his small hand pressed against Danny's chest, forcing the boy into his ghostly alter ego once more. This time however, with Harry more or less in control of his powers, brought forth the energy rings, as it was the only way he knew Danny to change. The previously dimmed white aura grew stronger until it was radiant enough to cause the others to shield their eyes. When it finally dimmed away, Danny took a deep breath in as if he had not known air for years. Harry wavered on his feet, tipping backwards.

"Harry!" Sam called out, moving to catch him. Soft green energy encased the boy, pulling him to Danny's side. Severus looked uneasily into solid green eyes. Was his brother going to fall into his Kingly mindset once again? Danny did not pay them much mind, checking over Harry. The young boy held tightly to the ghost boy's hand, reassuring him. A small smile graced the teen's lips as he placed a kiss on Harry's head. He laid the boy gently onto the floor before turning to Severus.

"How long have you been drugging me?" he asked. There was no malice in his voice. His ghost half had been feeling weak ever since the day they had gone to fight, and he had assumed it was a result of creating so many ghosts. To learn that his own brother had been dosing him, keeping him weak…it made his core feel as if it had been plunged into fire. Surprisingly it was Adam who answered.

"Every night, inside of the tea you hate so much." He admitted. "I just, didn't want you to have to deal with it. Because I know despite what Severus thinks, that Vlad was real." He pulled a book off the nearby desk, flipping through it, revealing various sketches concerning ghostly anatomy and the like. The others could only stare, blindsided by Adam's decisions. Severus, for one, was surprised that Adam had not caused Danny to overdose. On the other hand, Sam could hardly believe his younger brother could pull something so devious, especially when he knew of his feelings for the ghost boy. "I was trying to keep your core energy repressed enough so that he couldn't find you. I was trying to protect you." He showed them the book and his calculations. Danny snatched the book from him, reviewing the math, with Severus peering over his shoulder.

"These levels are toxic to muggles!" Severus gasped in alarm.

"Well he isn't one, is he Severus?!" Adam shouted, snatching the book back. "Look, it isn't as if this came to me out of the blue. I reviewed Sam's own journals about Danny's initial power sets when he was still just a human hardwired with ectoplasm."

"I…I don't have any journals about that." Sam stuttered out when Severus gave him a glare. Adam rolled his eyes at the pathetic attempt, lifting his mattress and pulling out a leather-bound book. He held it up as evidence, but the thing that caught Danny's eye first was the emblem of a small badger embossed on the back. "Dude, that's not mine." He took it from Adam gently, opening it up to the writings. "This isn't even my writing." The script flowed as if it had been written with the finest of fountain pens, in a looped and aristocratic font. An argument broke out between the other males, stirring Harry from his position on the floor. Danny glared at the lot.

"HEY!" he yelled, silencing them. He opened his mouth to berate them.

Nothing but a blue mist escaped.

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"A piece of me was possessing someone?" Tom asked in fake horror. The young boy nodded solemnly, not realizing the teen's insecurity. Tom rested his chin on his knees, looking over the lake. It was concerning that his future self had to stoop so low to revive themselves. "Did anyone get hurt?"

"Yes, the host and your future self both burned to ash when Harry Potter showed up." Tom clenched his fists, eyes flashing red with the mention of the Boy Who Lived.

"And you saw this yourself? What is Harry Potter like?" Tom asked neutrally. Draco sighed softly, leaning back against the tree.

"I didn't see him. My friend, Winchester, did. Harry Potter radiated golden light and reduced the host to ash with a mere touch. Winchester says that the piece of your soul became a shadow being, and probably would have escaped if Potter hadn't tried to defeat a demon as well. The shadow was obliterated by the pillar of light that the demon made when it exploded."

"Did your friend get hurt?" Tom gasped, assuming that they probably did. How could something destroy a piece of his soul and leave a little boy unharmed?

"No, Potter forced them away to the hospital wing before the light could get them. We don't know what happened to Potter after that." Draco admitted, running his hands through the grass. "He came back…different though." So perhaps his soul piece had survived.

"Different how?" Tom asked.

"He looked different. His eyes were a little bit lighter blue. His hair was blacker. I don't think anyone else really noticed." The lake lapped at the bank softly. Tom tired not to rush the boy's description, but the way the boy seemed to languidly answer everything really grated on his nerves. Perhaps not all the spoiled brat's fault, as the book had calming properties, though he expected more from a pureblood. "He has these powers, you know." Brown eyes widened as he turned to Draco in shock. "I've seen them twice. His eyes turn black. He crushed stone under his hand."

"Draco…" Tom said softly, a touch of a purr to gain the boy's attention. "I think this boy is dangerous. You should not see him anymore."

"He's my friend though." Draco said back, brow furrowed.

"What could you gain from this boy? Not even a pureblood, and a Gryffindor to boot. I think he may be deceiving you." Tom explained. Dark clouds began to infringe on their small spot, but Tom ignored them. He stood, offering a hand to Draco. "You trust me, of course?" Draco nodded. "So you will stay away from the Winchester boy." Draco removed his hand from Tom's clearing his head.

"What…no." Thunder cracked loudly. "Harry is my friend."

"I thought I was your friend?" Tom asked darkly, winds whipping his robes menacingly. Draco spread his arms to keep his balance. How dare this brat spurn him for what was obviously some type of half breed. Black eyes, and super strength? A beast for sure. "You are a traitor to your kind." He hissed.

"I want to go back to my room. " Draco whimpered, tears forming in his eyes.

"You will leave when I say so!" Rain poured down on them, drenching them to the bone. Tom's snarl fell from his face upon seeing Draco. Shaking and soaked, pale face tinged red. He stepped forward, cupping the boy's face. "Sorry."

"It…It's okay." Draco stuttered out between sobs. Tom placed a soft kiss to the boy's hair, sending him away. He sat back against the tree, used to the storms by now.

LINE BREAK

"What a pleasant gathering we have here." Danny felt his throat close. He didn't want to turn around but the shock in everyone else's eyes was hard to ignore.

"Please, no no no." Danny muttered to himself. He always thought he would be braver the next time he saw Vlad. In his mind he had thought of ways to fight the man. Of how he would defend his family. A hand rested on his shoulder. He straightened his posture. It would do no good to get Vlad upset.

"Please, introduce us Daniel." Vlad said cordially. Danny shook himself out of his stupor, pulling away from the man. When a look of confusion passed over Vlad's face, Severus raised his wand, intending to make good on the promise he had made at the Ministry. A red beam of light shot out at Vlad, which was barely blocked by a green shield. It fell to pieces almost in slow motion as everyone tried to process what had occurred.

"Danny?" Sam asked in confusion. Danny began to tremble, realizing he had been the one to cast the shield. What was going on? The smirk that was on Vlad's face showed that he had been expecting this loyalty. Another beam of light, another shield. This time Danny grunted loudly as if he had been hurt. Severus dropped his arm.

"Very well, I will do it myself." Vlad said snidely. "Samuel, Severus, Adam, Harold, my name is Vladimir Masters." Sam's eyes widened in shock. This was the man who had broken this child for years. The symbol on Sam's chest grew darker as anger grew. Sam charged at the billionaire, throwing a punch. Vlad deftly moved out of the way, but the human didn't relent. Vlad had not been expecting the man to have such a bloodlust in him. All too soon, Vlad was backed into a corner and he was forced to transform. He blasted Sam back, the man falling unconscious. Plasmius gave them a fanged grin.

"Who's next?" He looked at the still frozen Danny. "Daniel, perhaps you'd like a turn?" Something snapped in the boy. White rings sprung from his middle, blinding the others. A green ectoball was shot towards Vlad. Plasmius caught it as if it were harmless, wrapping his own red energy around it. He smirked at Danny's confused expression.

"You like them?" he asked, gesturing to his gloves. "They're new." Upon closer inspection one could see circuitry running through it, pulsing in time with Danny's natural energy. Adam was forced to dive away as Plasmius sent the dual energy ball at him. Danny threw up two green shields to protect the Adam and Harry as Plasmius charged another attack.

"Expelliamus." Plasmius gave a shout as he was knocked from the air by a powerful blow. He gave a beastly snarl, sending purple electricity through the floor to take out the wizard. Severus gave a shout, gripping his wand tightly to avoid dropping it. His robes began to smoke and he could endure no more. He collapsed.

"Enough games!" he stood, making his way to Danny. The teen's eyes lit up to full power, a warning clear on his face. "I am taking what I came here for."

"No, you're not." Announced a voice from the doorway.

"Dean!" Danny called in surprise. The room was filled with Plasmius' laughter. He touched down on the ground, surveying the newcomer.

( ) ( )

Dean calmly looked at Danny, ignoring the pulsing red in his veins. His eyes caught a glimpse of the others still breathing, before his eyes rested back on the infected Danny. His skin was a greenish blue, just as it had been in the Forbidden Forest.

"Another human." Danny scoffed offhandedly. Dean took note of the forced accent. "What on Earth could you do to me? You are inferior."

"I'm not here to stop you." Dean told him, searching desperately for a secondary device. Danny cocked his head to the side, and that's when he saw it, a small earpiece. "Danny, your father gave me something for you."

( ) ( )

"Father?" Vlad asked with a glare. "That boy is mine."

"What is it?" Danny asked, Dean's lack of fear inspiring something within him. Vlad, not liking that Dean was not cowering in fear, grabbed the human by the coat collar.

"Something to deactivate your powers when you lose control." Dean answered easily. "Not that I think that will ever happen."

( ) ( )

"Who is this father you speak of? Tobias is dead, Jack is dead, all he has is me!" Red streams of energy started to leak from Danny's eyes, fangs growing sharper as he clenched the coat tighter. He threw Dean to the nearby wall. Instinctively, Danny used green ectokinetic energy to catch the man before he hit. A fond smirk graced Dean's face as he was set down.

( ) ( )

"The kid will never be yours." Dean announced. "He belongs to himself." Danny looked at Dean with awe and respect in his eyes, inciting jealousy in Vlad. "Which is why I told your father to bring me this instead." A small object was thrown from his inner jacket, growing in size as it spun through the air. An emerald and sapphire khopesh landed in Danny's hand, igniting with white flame. Black lightning raced from the tip, striking the earpiece neatly. Danny blinked slowly, as if he were seeing the room for the first time. The house began to shake violently.

"Dean?" Danny asked in concern. He gasped as he caught sight of himself in the mirror behind the human. Dean rested his hands on the teen's shoulders.

"Hey," he said softly, causing Danny's red eyes to focus on his face. "We still have teammates to defend." Danny squared his shoulders and nodded. "That power inside of you, we may never understand it. But that doesn't matter. What matters is that you embrace it." Dean smiled. "That goes for you too Harry." The eleven year old looked up at his father, pausing his fidgeting of the golden ring. "There is a reason we are all here together, and right now…" Dean placed one of Danny's gloved hands onto Harry's shoulder. "It's kicking Vlad's ass."

"How much does he know?" Danny asked. "How long has he…been in my head."

"He knows enough, but…" Dean patted Adam on the head as he passed the man. "That's never stopped a Winchester before."

"They are okay. Severus just needs a few potions from downstairs. Sam will wake up naturally soon enough." Adam explained, still not sure what had happened to Danny, and why the teen had attacked them so viciously. Dean nodded in approval, herding the other two towards the door.

"Hold down the fort Adam. Things are gonna get pretty nasty out there." He called over his shoulder.

"How are you so calm?" Danny asked, nervousness returning as they made their way to the exit. Vlad was just on the other side of that door.

"Eh, a little bit of future vision." He said with a wink in Harry's direction. The blue eyes widened at the implication. Danny dug his heels in as they reached the door.

"No, I can't." The flames on his weapon dulled significantly. Harry placed a small hand on his kin's arm in comfort, his eyes glowing gold. Harry didn't feel nervous, not in this moment. Perhaps it was because he no longer felt alone. His Dad was right. He and Danny, were alike. The man out there had damaged his kin almost beyond repair. Harry felt the familiar burn on his chest, and this time he welcomed it.

"Oh, Raven won't you sing me a happy song." Dean sung softly in a lovely baritone as he moved past the two to open the door. He moved with confidence, already knowing the paths this could take thanks to Clockwork.

"Dean wait!" Danny called in alarm. The human ignored him, stepping out and closing the door behind him. The shaking of the house had stopped, which could only mean that Vlad had shifted his focus. "He brainwashed him. He was spewing nonsense."

"Nevermore, nevermore, nevermore." Harry said, continuing his Dad's song. "He listens to it when his nightmares get bad." Harry looked up at the teen, gold lightning beginning to spread across his face, just as it had in the cavern. It burned like fire, but he endured. "Can I ask you something? A favor from you my friend?" Golden wings sprouted, though they were that of a mere fledgling. He wondered if other non-angels would ever see them. "The song, keep on singing…Nevermore, nevermore, nevermore." For a long time, red eyes stared into gold, as both stood there in forms they had little to no control over. Danny took a deep breath, releasing his hold on his powers. His ears grew to a point, his hair to flames and his tongue to a fork. Red encompassed his entire eyes, much like his father's. He saw the shift in Harry's demeanor and knew that their little Heimrich had fallen behind the veil once again, the Golden Warrior taking over as it perceived an advanced threat.

"Oh, Raven, won't you sing me a happy song." He mimicked in a whisper. Blue smoke curled around the two of them, teleporting them outside.

Line break

Draco woke with a sudden gasp, drenched in sweat. He fought with his sheets until he was a tangled mess on the floor. His palms struck the floor harshly, sending a welcome tingle of pain through his arms. The blond ripped the sheets away from his legs, standing abruptly. The room tilted around him and he clutched the bedpost to keep himself from falling over. None of his lights were illuminated, and the sunlight from outside was spotty. His heart felt as if it would leap from his chest any second.

"Dobby?" he called out weakly. He heard a pop outside his door and he walked towards it shakily. He stumbled twice, unable to stand back up the second time. The young boy crawled forward desperately, his small fist barely making a rattle on the door once he reached it. "Dobby…"

"Young Master." Replied the squeaky voice. Draco pulled his hand away from the door when he felt the tingle of a ward being tampered with. His vision was fading as he felt hunger and thirst crash onto him. But then, oddly, he felt as if he could see the ward and his elf. It was if the door was not even existent. Draco forced himself from the ground, placing both palms againt the ward.

"ELF! What the blazes do you think you are doing?" Lucius shouted as he appeared, cane in hand.

"FATHER!" Draco shouted, voice hoarse. Shock covered Lucius' features as he turned to look at the door. He had placed silencing charms on it from the outside, the boy should not have been able to hear him. He shook his head, figuring the boy was calling out to anyone.

"Repair this ward, and if I find you messing with it again, you will pay for it!" Dobby made a reluctant noise of agreement, raising his hands towards the door once more.

"NO!" The ward turned into an explosion of sparkles, and Draco fell through the now unlocked door. He was more of a mess than he had thought. His clothes were soiled, his hair cracking and frayed. His stomach growled audibly. "Food, Dobby, now." The elf popped away before Lucius could stop him.

"I see you are finally over your fit and wish to rejoin us." Lucius said smoothly. Grey eyes looked to his father with a sharp edge that he had picked up from Tom.

"Yes, so it seems." Draco replied cuttingly, playing along for now. He had gotten good at pretending in his escapades with Tom. He wondered how much time had passed in the real world. In the journal it had been months. Learning about Tom, and the perfect piece of innocence that he pretended to be. He might have fallen for it, had Tom not been so adamantly against Winchester. But Draco had pretended right along with him. It is why Tom had finally let him resurface. "Where is Mother?"

"She will be away until school begins." Draco nodded as Dobby returned with food. The elf looked at Lucius fearfully, but the father inclined his head before leaving the two alone. Once he rounded the corner he broke into tears, worried for his boy. Meanwhile, Dobby helped Draco back to his bed, the tray floating behind them.

"Young Master, may I makes you clean?" Draco nodded in agreement, feeling the familiar tingle of elf magic cleaning his clothes and body. With a snap the sheets beneath him were replaced with a second pair. He gave a sigh of content, sinking into the fresh linen. "I be bringing your favorites." Draco held out his hand, lazily taking piece by piece from the tray.

"Thank you Dobby, that will be all." The elf left reluctantly. Draco reached over to the bedside table, picking up the journal and quill. He wrote a single sentence, eyes closed.

I want revenge.

Inside the journal, Tom smiled cruelly, knowing the boy was referring to his father and not him. The young Slytherin often forgot that he was speaking with a wizard much older than him. Slowly but surely Draco was falling under his manipulations, and the boy thought he was winning. It would be no time at all before he would be able to possess the boy to enact his plans.

You will get your revenge. Tom wrote back with the recycled ink. 'And a little bit more.'

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Vlad turned to look at Danny and Harry as they arrived outside. Except it still wasn't Vlad, but rather a puppet he was using. A girl of about 16 stood on the lawn, green energy crackling around her. Same shock of white hair, same neon green eyes. Danny's instinct would have gone to Dora, were it not for the obvious ecto enhancers fused into the teen. He felt like vomiting. Danny took a step back, bumping into the Golden Warrior. Gold looked at him calmly.

"I don't want to fight this girl." Danny admitted, his voice sounding foreign to himself due to the forked tongue. "She is just another one of his experiments. It wouldn't be right. She doesn't know what she's doing."

"Would you wish to live like this again?" Gold asked. As an angel he was more detached from the plight of humans in general, unless his inner human screamed out to him, and right now Harry was causing a riot. Gold saw flashes of cupboards and starvation. He carefully boxed Harry away, looking at the experiment on the lawn. The Righteous Man was speaking to her, but she did not blink, nor listen. The green around her protected her from anyone interfering with her. "He has learned since he created you." Danny flinched. It was bizarre to hear these things from the mouth of a child. The King of the Ghost Zone lifted his chin defiantly.

"I created myself. What he made, is at best a cheap imitation." It made Danny think. Gold might have been right. Where had Vlad found her?

"You did a good job, for not being God." Danny gave a chuckle, knowing that despite the archaic speaking, the angel really was just an extension of Harry. Just a child. Danny made his way towards the doppelganger, Gold following at a moderate distance.

"State your name." Danny commanded, allowing the Crown and Ring to appear on him. Sickly red spread further through her veins as he she looked over Danny with a critical eye.

"Danielle." She said at last. She paused as if listening to something. "You are to return with me to Master."

"Master? You are confused youngling. As a ghost, that makes ME your Master." Danny allowed more of his powers to come forth, the sensation almost addicting. He wondered if Clockwork always felt like this. She did not rise to his taunt. Danny recognized a lot of the enhancers on her. The one directly on her chest however, was new. And so was the external earpiece. "Are you listening in Vlad? Unable to retrieve me yourself? Too weak from our last battle?" Each taunt felt like poison escaping him, and boy did it feel good. He had kept it within him for so long. Blaming. Regretting. Self- hating. He wanted the poison to hurt someone else.

"New objective." Danielle said aloud. The green energy around her entered her body, charging up her enhancers. She sent out a blast towards Dean, but in an instant Gold was there moving the Righteous Man away. Green bled away from the female's eyes, leaving only neon iris'. She took a moment to gain her bearings as her free will was returned. Her eyes widened when she saw the imposing Ghost King before her. "They call you an omen." She whispered.

"Of what?" Danny asked, slightly amused at her impending failure of mission. Vlad had left the girl to fend for herself. To prove what? To torment him perhaps? The decision was easy enough. She would need to be locked away until she could be cured. "Where did Vlad find you?"

"He…he didn't. He made me." She seemed to gain confidence. "He made me from you!"

"A clone." Danny said. He felt something wicked and hellbent claw from his core. A mimic. How dare Vlad? Ice raced to freeze Danielle to the spot as he stalked towards her. His. This girl belonged to him, not Vlad. A daughter almost. He would not allow this. "You're just a damned soul pretending." He turned his weapon so the sapphire blade was against her core enhancement. "I hear God is out, but Heaven should still be lovely." She barely had time to process before he pierced through the enhancement to her heart. Blood and ectoplasm leaked out, running down the glistening ice like Christmas decorations. A laugh bubbled from his lips, at the situation, at the irony of his least favorite holiday, at the sight of blood. Claws grew from his hands, the rest of his teeth sharpening. He had so much power at his disposal. He could pass judgement on all in a matter of seconds. Why had his father never done this?

The light brushing of a feather. The laugh died instantly.

"Nevermore, nevermore, nevermore." Danny tried to shake off the bloodlust, hearing both Dean and Gold. Perhaps this is why Clockwork did not use all his powers. Or why he seemed so impartial to everything. In the past he might have thought Phantom was tainting him, but he knew that was not true. He had created Phantom; the ghost was not evil. HE was not evil, because much like wolfsbane and monkshood were one and the same, he too was one being. A powerful one.

"Thanks, Gold." Danny said. "But it isn't over."

"I figured." Dean gaped in shock of the Golden Warrior's voice.

"Can I ask a favor from you, Gold?" Danny asked. Gold snapped his fingers, sending Dean back into the house, as the Righteous Man had played his part. The archangel then tilted his head in acknowledgement. "I need you to keep this darkness from clouding my judgment."

"Do you think this necessary?" Gold responded, though his brightening aura told Danny he was willing. Danny stared at the clone he had just dispatched. The regret did not hit. To be made to be nothing but a puppet was nothing he would wish on anyone.

"Yes." Gold placed a hand over Danny's core, and for a moment, Danny saw all his forms overlapping. Harold Potter, the brown haired, green eyed hero. Heimrich Winchester, the black haired, blue eyed hunter. The demon, white haired and white eyed. Lastly, Gold, the towering pillar of light with golden wings. Red steam drifted from the corner of his eyes as his mortal half tried to process what he was seeing. A single blink later, and no one stood before him. Instead he screeched and fell to his knees, feeling as if he would implode with power. Blood leaked from his tear ducts as he looked skyward.

[What on Earth is that thing!] an angel cried out.

[Locate it, immediately!] another one barked.

[Vlad.] Gold whispered into the airwaves. Danny's body convulsed in place as his mental state was thrown about, as they tried to locate the other halfa. He was in the middle of a meeting, and had only rubbed his ear at the previous whisper. The Ghost King felt his breath leave him as he saw the man act so casually as a human. Danny could never have that. Never again. He had lost too much time to mind control, and abuse.

Vlad looked around as if he could feel the teen's hate.

Danny thought Vlad had truly cared about him when he was taken in after his family's demise. The first few days was nothing short of perfect, and he had truly BELIEVED that everything was going to be okay. A lump formed in his throat, because after all this time, he still did not know what possessed Vlad to hurt him the way he had. He had done everything the man had asked. The first few upgrades had been cool gadgets. But then, the fusion came and…

[Thought you loved me, but you fooled me] Danny whispered brokenly, Gold's presence preventing from his anger lashing out.

Vlad excused himself from the meeting, a headache forming. He stumbled into his office, rubbing his temples. [You drove me to madness.] Danny said at normal volume, wanting the man in pain. He fell to his knees, covering his ears as glass shattered around him. Where could these words be coming from? Daniel? He had left Danielle to deal with him, so what had gone wrong?

The ethereal form of Danny let blue smoke pour off of his body, filling the room that Vlad inhabited. He watched at the man scrambled for the door, but it was too late. The smoke grabbed at him, covering him a thick cocoon. With a few whispers from Gold, Danny closed his eyes and brought the source of his torment to them.

The Gold possessed Danny pulled away from the angel radio, watching with mix matched eyes as Vlad landed in front of them. The black rings sprung from his middle turning him into Plasmius. Danny bared his fangs in distaste.

"Daniel." Plasmius sneered.

"I hope you have your affairs in order." Danny replied. Purple lightning arched towards him, which he met with gold lightning, much to Plasmius' surprise.

"What is this? A third core?!" Plasmius ranted. It had taken him so long just to get his heat core to work with his human body. How was Daniel mastering abilities so quickly, when all their trials had left the boy broken.

"No, just help from a friend." Danny quipped. With his free hand he sent a barrage of ice shards. Plasmius turned into a red mist to avoid them, racing towards Danny. A white shield came up, stopping the mist in its flight, a dazed Plasmius appearing.

"Friend? You mean the pack of deplorables that have kept you, like the stray that you are?" Plasmius taunted. "Your friends died long ago Daniel." Something in Danny switched over. Gold tried to push more influence into their mutual possession, but the deep well of hurt and poison in Danny's core was beginning to overwhelm the fledgling. Danny began to phase erratically as his time powers reached peak levels. Gold was phased out of his body, power half gone already. Plasmius took the chance and struck, using a purple beam charged with static. Gold turned to meet the attack, raising his hand and shooting out his lightning. It fizzled out as it struck Plasmius attack, the gold draining from Harry's eyes as he reverted to his normal form.

"AH!" Harry cried out, the beam hitting him in the shoulder, sending him skidding several feet away. Plasmius smirked in satisfaction. He did not notice the shadow forming behind him, until it had him in a strangle hold. His gloved hands reached up trying to send electricity through it, but it was fruitless. Ice was surrounding his neck, and he was grateful he did not need to breath in this form. Red fire engulfed Plasmius, causing Danny to let go.

"You shouldn't have done that Plasmius." Danny intoned darkly. He darted forward, faster than a blink of an eye, smashing into the older halfa. The two crashed into the side of the house, shaking it to its foundation. Plasmius groaned, opening his eyes wearily as Danny loomed above him. Danny's eyes had gone to the same teal blue as his smoke, darting back and forth as his power continued to build with his anger fueling it. "Harry, can you hear me?" Danny called out.

"Y-yes." Harry responded, a hiss escaping him as he tried to move his arm.

"Go get Severus." He watched as Harry ran past them to get to the house. Plasmius took this chance to hit Danny with a large blast. Danny grunted as he was pushed back a few feet. With a snap of his fingers the Crown and Ring appeared, burning brightly.

"Please, Daniel…think. No one will understand you the way I do." Plasmius pleaded as he attempted to stand.

"You don't understand me if you think that claim will calm me." Danny spat back, claws extending from his fingertips. "Nevermore, nevermore, nevermore."

Plasmius screamed as the claws were plunged into his chest.

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Cas sat silently on a park bench; hands collapsed together. It was late, and he was tired. Having a body of his own was more work than he had expected. He blinked when a paper was held in front of his face. Cas took the paper as he looked up at the teenager that was handing it to him. Taller, with blond hair and blue eyes.

"Can I have a moment of your time Sir?" the young man asked. Cas gave a nod. "My name is Dash Baxter. I am the founder of the Your Own Ghosts Foundation. It's a nonprofit that seeks to consul those with mental illness." Cas' brow furrowed as he noticed the thin sheen of liquid in the boy's eyes as he spoke.

"Have a seat." Cas told Dash, patting the bench next to him. "How long ago did you start this?"

"About 4 years ago, sir." Dash responded, looking out at the sunset. "I lost… there was an incident here, you probably know. The Fentons." The last word was said in a whisper as if he would disturb the dead if he spoke any louder. A jolt of shock raced through Cas. What were the chances?

"I am unfamiliar." The angel said, looking intensely at Dash. The young man sighed, pushing his hair away from his face.

"Danny Fenton, was a boy in my class. Relentlessly bullied, perfect older sister, and only a couple friends. One day, he just snapped. He detonated one of his parents experiments and…and they couldn't find a single trace left of him." Dash's voice cracked again, breathing coming quicker. Cas placed a hand on the boy's shoulder, not only to comfort him, but also to experience this new type of fear. "The police, they said that he had some sort of disease from the years of abuse… No one was expecting, I didn't mean to…" The papers in his hands were shaking with repressed sobs.

"Danny had no illness." Cas said softly. "He may now, but never has he threatened to hurt anyone."

"N-now?" Dash asked. Cas pushed an image of Danny, laughing with Harry, into Dash's mind. The young man stumbled away from Cas. "What are you?" Cas tilted his head in thought.

"An angel, I suppose. Dash, I do not see you as the monster you do." The pamphlets crumbled in the blond's fist.

"So, what? God forgives me just like that? The whole thing was a fake? What if it wasn't?! What if Danny had actually killed himself and his family? Would I be forgiven then?" Dash shouted, his voice echoing in the park.

"I wish I could answer you, Dash. It is difficult to give counsel to you when I have no love for myself." Cas admitted. Dash's defensive posture dropped, the papers in his hand crinkling as pressure was released. He looked down at it, and back at Cas, who had taken to staring up at the sky.

"What have you tried so far?" Dash asked, sitting back down. "To make yourself feel better?"

"I am searching for my father, God. No matter how much I pray, he does not answer me." Cas looked down at his hands. "He gave me this human body, I can almost remember it. For what? To just exist? If this is all my purpose is, then I feel hopeless."

"Can you think of any reason, God would give you a body?" Dash questioned. "Or does he give them to all angels?"

"No, not that I am aware. I suppose this is what I wanted. This is what I imagined as I watched Dean Winchester from Heaven. To be human. He told us to love them, and I do. Becoming one? I do not want my opinion of them to change." Cas confessed. Blue eyes looked into Dash's. "Humans like you give me hope. Able to learn, able to change, able to make a difference."

"Is Danny really alive?" Dash asked in a whisper.

"Yes." Cas responded. "This does not mean your work has been in vain. There is no need to experience tragedy to help." Dash remained silent for a moment, looking up at the moon with Cas.

"Tell him I said hello…and…that I'm sorry." Cas nodded, and the blond walked away, disappearing into the night as if he had never stopped at all.

"What do you think Father?" Cas asked the night. "Was my advice sound? Why did you bring this boy to me?" he sighed, getting up to continue his search. A slight wind pulled at his jacket, bringing a flyer into view. The angel reached for it, looking at the back.

'Don't give up.'

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"Thank you for alerting us of this threat Daniel." Kingsley said, looking at the black shadow incased in a green box.

"It's Danny." He corrected, keeping an eye on the box now that he was in human mode.

"What precautions must be taken with this human?" Kingsley asked, motioning to Vlad. Severus held the haggard looking billionaire at wand point.

"He will be sent straight to Azkaban, or there will be not a scrap left of him for the Americans to find once he is reported missing." Severus ground out, barely restraining the volley of spells we wished to cast upon the man.

"Severus is right. If you put him in a regular prison, he will just find a way to escape or bribe someone. Not to mention the fact that a dementor might be able to keep his ghost half away should it ever escape." Danny explained. He was silent a moment. "It will keep us away too."

"Understood." Kingsley motioned to the Aurors he had brought with him. "I'm doing you the courtesy of ignoring the plot of freshly dug ground in the back garden. Think of it as a thank you for brining down a threat to the Ministry." Danny felt a heavy hand on his shoulder. "That being said, try to keep out of trouble. Otherwise you may find your own cell there." The teen was left speechless as Kingsley walked away to clear everything up with his men. After a moment he clenched his fist, the box holding Plasmius shrinking to nothing as he was sent to the Pit of Lost Souls. His eyes burned green as he processed the threat. Azkaban hold him? He was the King of the Ghost Zone. Nothing could stop him.

"Danny?" Harry called out. Danny blinked quickly, eyes retuning to blue.

"Yeah?"

"Are you okay?" Danny pulled Harry into a side hug. He surveyed the damage around them, and the damage their family had sustained. The damage they had done to their prized garden to bury the damaged clone. The damage to his control, the damage to Harry and Gold.

"Of course, bud." He said, leading Harry inside as white rings sprung from his middle. "…of course…"