The Lyrium Ghost

by Aina Song

When Harry's magic unlocks a lifetime of hidden memories, he decides to take matters into his own hands to settle a number of wrongs – both recent, and long-ago.

5. Thank You

Title: The Lyrium Ghost

By: Aina Song

Fandom(s): Harry Potter/ Dragon Age II

Genre: Yaoi

Rating: PG-15

Warning(s): Crossover; AU; OOC; Language; Excess Blood; Mentions of Character Death; Flashback(s) to Death Scene; DA2 Direct Quotes and Spoilers.

Pairing(s): Anders/Harry x Fenris

Reviews: Yes, please!

Author's Note: Standard Disclaimer. This story was not written for money. Italics = thought, messages, the Fade.

Teaser: When Harry's magic unlocks a lifetime of hidden memories, he decides to take matters into his own hands to settle a number of wrongs – both recent, and long-ago.

Chapter Five – Thank You

'Harel gave the dark professor an appraising look. "When did you catch on?"

"When you made your entrance into the castle," the man admitted. "A powerful mage appears, backed by goblins and circumventing Albus Dumbledore's every move, and on the very night that Harry Potter goes missing?"

Era'harel turned to Varric in bemused disbelief. "Why is it that no one else made that distinction?"

The dwarf lifted his shoulder in a shrug, but in his eyes was a familiar glint. The old storyteller could likely think of countless reasons, true or not. And none of them flattering.

"Why didn't you say anything?"

Severus Snape gave a small quirk of his mouth. An almost-smirk. It livened his whole expression. "I found it amusing."

Varric gave a loud guffaw, wrapping his arms over his stomach and curling over his knees. It was such an achingly unforgettable sound, Era'harel paused to appreciate it until it was over. But when he turned again to the dark professor, he was interrupted by Kreacher who returned with a crack and a wild gleam in his eyes. "Missy Cissy attacks! She betrays! She harms!"

Quirking a single brow, the young lord sank to his knee and brought himself level to the loyal creature. He touched a hand to Kreacher's shoulder. "Breathe, now, and slow down. What did she do, specifically?"

The poor thing gulped in a great lungful of air, nodding. "Missy Cissy-"

"Narcissa," Era'harel patiently corrected.

Drawing himself straighter, Kreacher began again. "Narcissa does not liking hiding from Bad Snake. Screams and fusses and fights Kreacher's magic to bring her. Kreacher takes her and Mage Lord's Malfoys like he is being trusted to. Missy- Narcissa is seings where Kreacher puts them, and she being screaming and cursing and attacking, and Malfoys is being hurt, and Kreacher try stopping but cans only lock her away and come to Mage Lord for help."

Era'harel frowned, cutting a glance to Varric. The guised dwarf nodded sharply; Grapple and he left quickly for the bowels of the goblin bank. "Professor," 'Harel pronounced, straightening to his full height, all humor fleeing from his steady gaze. "You will want your answers, no doubt."

Snape nodded, catching on with no trouble. "I have all evening."

"Then you will come with me," he said, extending his arm, "and I will see to your curiosity after I have dealt with this… turn."

With another dip of his head, the dark professor stepped forward and set his hand atop the mage's arm, and the three of them vanished from the halls of Gringotts.

~o~

They arrived within the entrance hall of Grimmauld, and 'Harel braced Snape against the wall as the wards closed in on them before recognizing their master's magical aura. After a moment, the darker man nodded that he could breathe again, and they followed Kreacher into the sitting room. Lucius Malfoy and his son were comforting one another on one of the sofas, the elder aristocrat's eyes warily watching a darkened corner across the room. There stood Narcissa Malfoy, raving and screaming silently, her voice stolen or silenced as she threw her fists and kicked at an invisible barrier. Kreacher huffed and nodded his head, as though assured his magic had held in his brief absence, but he said no more.

Snape immediately crouched before the occupied sofa, hands and eyes checking over the younger Malfoy, who seemed to take the inspection with an air of familiarity. Malfoy Senior set a hand to the professor's shoulder, and the two shared a long look, before Snape let out a small sigh and visibly relaxed.

"What did she do?" Era'harel softly demanded.

It was Lucius who answered. "My wife deceived us. We never knew that she was truly loyal to the Dark Lord, and when your elf announced your intent to hide us, she dropped all pretense and attacked us. Very dark curses, which left my son and myself little chance for defense. Your elf is very loyal indeed, Lord Anderfel. He protected us and fought back until he had her cornered there, and I assume by the evidence before me that he then left to tell you of her actions."

"He said you had been hurt."

"She had petrified Father," Draco murmured, turning to rest his forehead against the elder blond's shoulder. "I was distracted with casting the counter jinx, and she threw a bludgeoning hex at my back."

Snape seemed to choke on his next breath; he shot to his feet, carefully but insistently prying at the back of Draco's robes. The boy allowed it as though having expected this behavior, and even Lucius cooperated, loosening his son's collar so that his spine could be inspected. The dark professor hissed at whatever he found there and drew his wand. Draco let out a small whimper but remained otherwise still as his back was healed. Snape and Lucius only relaxed at Draco's relieved sigh, both of them drawing the boy into their arms.

Narrowing his eyes, 'Harel turned to Narcissa. The woman had ceased her barrage against Kreacher's shield, now glaring at all of them with her hands clenched tight at her sides. Her once-fine gown was mussed, and her hair had lost its glossy sheen and fell around her face in disarray. The resemblance to her crazed sister at that moment was uncomfortably uncanny. Yet the resurrected mage had met puppies with better intimidation skills. He turned his wrist and gave a flick of his fingers; Narcissa Malfoy gave a visible shudder, wrapping her arms tight around herself as though chilled through to her bones. At 'Harel's nod, Kreacher cancelled the shield; Narcissa dropped heavily to her knees before vanishing completely.

"Where did you send her?" Snape spoke up.

"I wiped her mind of the entire day and sent her to your Dark Lord's doorstep. She will not even remember leaving her bed this morning. I'd also dwindled her magical core to little more than a candle's glow. She will never be able to harm another by magical means again."

"I don't know which to thank you for," Lucius murmured. "That you showed her mercy… Or that you gave her to a monster who surely will not."

Era'harel gave a dark chuckle, finally turning to his three guests. "Whichever helps you sleep at night. Now, quickly. Show me your arm."

Starting visibly, the aristocrat seemed to swallow an indignant protest before shifting just away from his son enough to comply. 'Harel nodded his gratitude at the trust in Lucius' compliance, patiently urging the sleeve up and away from the writhing black mark marring the man's forearm. Tutting under his breath after a moment's inspection, he turned his gaze and held out his other hand. "Professor?"

With a slight frown, Snape pushed up his own sleeve and surrendered his arm to the young lord. The mark there was black, but calm and almost contrite in comparison to his friend's.

Era'harel brought the two arms together, their marks nearly touching. After a long moment's anticipatory pause, both men hissed in surprise when the mage's hands flared in green. Yet this was not the sickly green of death that haunted their darkest memories, but a soft glow that caressed their skins warmly as it crept up their arms. The glow swallowed their marks. It drowned the marks under its soothing pulse. Snape and Lucius waited tensely. The blanket of 'Harel's magic drew away from the professor's arm first, revealing clean, unblemished skin. Snape drew his arm away as he was released, staring.

Lucius flinched with a pained groan, reaching his free hand over to grip Snape's knee. The darker man looked up, obsidian eyes narrowing upon discovering that his friend's arm was still wrapped in their host's glowing magic. The blond aristocrat seemed to be fighting the instinct to pull away. His jaw was clenched, a muscle along his cheek ticking in irritation, and perspiration beaded along his hairline. Draco Malfoy was staring at his father in candid concern, the need to help and the fear that he would only make things worse written clearly across his wide gaze.

The reawakened mage felt a hesitant nudge within his mind. When he ignored it, he felt the sensation again, almost daringly insistent in its second attempt. Sparing a tiny thread of awareness toward the distraction, Era'harel let escape a breath in sudden comprehension. He pushed at his magic, a dark violet strand permeating the green glow. Lucius flinched again, but in the next instant it was over. The glow faded, drawing back like fog after the rain.

Lucius' arm was clear.

The three on the sofa embraced in greedy elation; 'Harel was kind enough not to draw attention to the tears brimming in their eyes. He stood, leaving them to their quiet celebration, and made his way into the entrance hall. Wilburga gave a stiff curtsy in greeting, appearing to make an effort of not cowering toward the frame of her portrait. "Mage Lord."

"Madame Black," he nodded in return.

"I note we have guests."

"Worry not. They, and I, will not linger long. However, I first offer you a proposal."

The formerly unpleasant woman took a long breath to compose herself as she had learned to do in the scant weeks since he had claimed her home. She clasped her hands before her and gave him her attention.

"I am closing Grimmauld." Era'harel lifted a hand, silencing her protests before she could begin. "This ancient home shall be protected by the strongest magics, and shall disappear from the minds of any who would do her harm. Her walls will be strengthened, her doors and windows sealed tight and undiscoverable. Be assured, her security will be greater than any Fidelius."

"Why?" She finally asked in a hoarse whisper.

"It was never my intention to remain here. Your home was once quite lovely, and I have assured that it is so again. But it was also your sons' home. There are memories within her halls that I am long finished visiting."

"Is this to do with that bit of trouble Kreacher needed your help with?"

He quirked an impressed brow. "Partly. But the reasons I gave are primary."

"I see." She sighed, "What is your proposal, my lord?"

"To take you with us."

Wilburga stared, her lips parting and closing as though searching for something to say.

"Madame," the young lord proffered, "I have spoken with a goblin acquaintance to have another portrait commissioned for you, that you may pass from these halls to our new home. You need not leave your memories behind. I am giving you the option to visit them whenever you wish."

She cast her painted gaze all around her, taking in the familiar, and she gave an unsteady breath. "And if I wish to remain at home, but to visit yours when whim and opportunity take me?"

Era'harel tilted his head in a nod of acceptance. "I know the decision is difficult. These walls have been all you knew for several years. Where I am going is unknown to you, and I understand how unnerving that can be. It is not easy to leave one's home."

"You sound as though you speak from experience."

He gave a small, self-deprecating smirk. "No man gets far by standing still."

They shared a look of mutual understanding, until the sound of soft footsteps interrupted them. Severus Snape entered the hall, his posture and expression as composed as ever. Yet in his dark eyes shone a well of gratitude he did not seem too interested anymore in hiding. He made to speak, cut his gaze for a moment to the portrait watching him, then seemed to correct the start of his words. "Lord Anderfel. We wondered where you had gotten to. And we were curious as to what you intend to do with us, now."

The young mage shook his head; "I've no intention of ever indoctrinating the three of you under my whim, if that is your fear. But now that you are freed, I must hide you from his wrath until he is dealt with. With your consent, I had planned to bring you immediately to my new home."

Snape's brow came together in slight frown. "This… is not your home?"

'Harel knew the true question beneath those words, and he spoke very clearly. "Grimmauld was given to Harry Potter. But these halls are filled with the laughter of his late godfather, and he'd rather not torture himself with the unrelenting proof of the man's absence."

"Where is Potter?" Draco asked as he came into the hall, followed closely by his father. "You told Dumbledore he was with you, but he hasn't come around any corners demanding to see us tossed out."

"Did I?" He mused, bracing an arm casually against the wall. "Because I don't recall ever actually saying he was anywhere."

The young blond seemed to think back for a moment before accepting the truth of his words. "Then where is he?"

He quirked his brow. "Why do you ask?"

"Is he safe?"

Era'harel blinked, taken aback by the hint of worry pushing behind the Malfoy heir's questions. Chuckling under his breath, he gave a small smile. "Harry Potter is safer than he has ever been. I give you my word."

A thoughtful silence fell over his three guests for a long moment. At last, Severus and Lucius each placed a hand to Draco's shoulders as the boy looked up and met their host's gaze. "Thank you."

Author's Note: I know this chapter seems short, barely more than a couple scenes. But I truly felt guilty for making my readers wait so long for me to find energy or inspiration. A few details are important, but I may as well be honest with myself and call this one a filler chapter. Every writer goes through this, having to battle his/her way through a few filler scenes before joyously breezing through the plot bunnies. But I made a promise, to myself and to my readers. You and me, readers. Let's ride this rollercoaster. Read/Review, virtual hugs for everybody!