Chapter 17: Of Exorcists and Healers
Goblins were prideful creatures. Their pride originated from hundreds of years of hard work, gold-gathering, and battles won. Magical England wasn't the easiest place for goblins to coexist with other magical beings. In other nations with magical communities such as the United States, China, Australia, and Brasil, goblins were equals to wizards. The reason goblins had only agreed to peace in very particular circumstances was that they were able to fool wizards into giving them the control of the wizarding economy. Wizards and witches, purebloods, in particular, were not the smartest. In-breeding had evident consequences to their intellectual coefficients. They hadn't thought through that all that is needed to control any nation is having control over that nation's pursestrings.
Goblins were as ruthless in business as they were on the battlefield. They kept wizards on a financial leash. Few families hadn't had to bow to the financial demands of the goblin nation. Unsurprisingly for the goblins, those few families had one thing in common: they had married half-bloods or first-generation wizards and witches. This made them more open to business relationships with other magical beings as well as more respectful towards them. King Nagkrat appreciated respect. He sat on a plush chair, going through his mail. He had received a message from the goblin guards he had assigned to take care of Severus Snape at St. Mungos. He broke the seal with his long claws.
Your Majesty,
We have been taking care of Mr. Snape. He has been fighting something really dark for days. He has mumbled many things. We decided that you should be informed of those things that he keeps repeating on a loop at odd times:
-Dumbledore, no!
-I'm sorry Lils, please forgive me
-Let me out!
-Harry, I have to help Harry
-Leave me alone!
-Forehead cursed!
-I want out!
-Darkness in Harry
-Dumbledore hurt Harry
-Please get me out!
-Don't touch him!
Respectfully,
Mighty Shield & Vengeful Spear
Nagkrat suspected as much. The kid seemed healthier than he was in the reports he saw. He had been disgusted at the muggle police statements and pictures. The Grangers had done all they could have known to do. Lord Black had been preoccupied with other things, and since Harry was looking much better, he probably thought a few days of wait wouldn't hurt. Goblins hated to involve themselves in human issues, particularly when it came to children. However, the king felt like he somehow owed Lily Potter the courtesy of checking, provided that the guardians agreed. As he pondered how to phrase the request, goblins rarely requested anything and didn't know how to do so politely, an owl was brought in atop a gold perch. She was carrying a thick envelope.
Your Majesty,
This is Remus Lupin. I am forwarding a message from Lord Black. I was at the Grangers' last night, and he sent this note. Sirius doesn't have an owl there, so I am forwarding it with mine. Thank you for including me in your offer to protect the other guardians. Many would think it preposterous that you would want to protect a werewolf.
May your coffers multiply,
Remus Lupin
King Nagkrat,
The Most Ancient and Noble House of Black bows to you and thanks you, and the Goblin Nation, for your friendship and protection. I've been meaning to write to you since the reading of the will. Harry is doing much better than he was when I found him. He has gained weight and is growing steadily. I was going to get him checked at St. Mungos. However, if my suspicions are right. They won't be of much help.
He has a lightning bolt scar on his forehead. It is the result of the AK curse that Voldemort tried to kill him with. When I took him to the church, where we met the Grangers, his scar was an angry reddish tone, and it was bulging, and the irritation on the skin seemed to be growing towards the rest of his forehead. Yet, it has begun to fade. I may be overreacting, but today, as I helped him dress for bed, he said his scar has been itching.
Furthermore, he also had memories come to him during the reading, and Remy Remus thinks that it would be best if his mind is checked. Minerva was rightfully furious, using obliviation on a toddler is very dangerous. As I say, he seems fine, and Daniel and Emma have done incredible, giving him all they know how to. I want to get some child potions from the Apothecary to help enhance the muggle medications, but I haven't been able to do so yet.
I know that goblins have the best healers around, and I would feel negligent if I didn't at least ask you about the possibility of your healers checking him. Merlin knows he has already been neglected enough. I asked him how he felt, whether his scar or his head hurt, and he said he was okay and that it hadn't hurt again after he got to the Grangers.
Please let me know if this is a possibility. If your healers are out of the question, we would be grateful to hear about anyone you may recommend.
May enemies fall at your feet and may you keep their riches,
Lord Sirius Orion Black
Aka Padfoot, Founding Marauder
Head of the Most Ancient and Noble Houses of Potter and Black
Nagkrat barked a laugh. Sharptooth was right in telling him that Sirius Black was a grown child. Signing first as a Marauder and then as a Head of House confirmed that much. The King knew of the Marauders. Charlus Potter was a proud father, and he loved to talk about his son while they played chess. Charlus and Nagkrat had become friends during the efforts to end the war. They remained friends for years until Charlus and his wife vanished. Nagkrat sighed. He stood up and stretched. He needed to talk to Sharptooth.
Sharptooth was a busy goblin. Being busy made him happy. Today, though, he wished he wasn't this busy. He would have liked to take more slots on Emma Granger's calendar. He was still doing the paperwork to give everyone involved in the Potter will their dues. There was a knock on his office door.
"Come in," he said, without looking up, as he organized some scrolls on his new desk.
"Sharptooth," King Nagkrat greeted him in Gobbledegook.
"Your Majesty?" the confused account manager bowed, replying in their language as well.
"How was your meeting with the Grangers?"
"It was okay. I will be seeing Harry this Sunday," Sharptooth explained.
"I would like to write them a letter."
"A letter?"
"Severus Snape has been mumbling while unconscious," Nagkrat said with a frown.
"What did he say?"
"Something Lord Black and I have been thinking about too. Lord Black just requested that our healers take a look at his godson."
"He did?" Sharptooth was pleasantly surprised. He had been thinking about approaching the subject with the boy's guardian.
"Yes. You are seeing the Potter scion this Sunday, right?"
"I am, your majesty…"
"Good, I will get the best healers to greet you at your office. The Grangers and Lord Black are welcome to be present. Here is a note I want you to give them. I wish I could be here, but I have a meeting with our Irish branch."
"It will be done, king Nagkrat… Thank you for allowing them to use our healers. I think it is for the best," Sharptooth bowed. Nagkrat smiled, turned on his heel, and left.
AT THE GRANGERS
Sirius was anxiously waiting for the kids outside of the house. Their school bus would drop them off right at the end of the driveway. Soon enough, the bus stopped, and the bus driver's assistant helped the kids out. The Grangers were still at work because the kids' classes would run from 7 am to 1 pm. While they were gone, Sirius would do some work around the house and prep for Dumbledore's trial. He was also looking for real estate he could buy as close to the Grangers as possible.
"Padfoot!" a hyper Hermione ran as fast as her short legs would go and jumped in the man's arms. Harry was running and jumping up as well after her. The marauder had to brace himself against the front door. Both kids were laughing. Finally! He thought.
"Mia! Pup!" Sirius laughed. He was really happy to see both kids were finally full of joy when coming back from their kindergarten. This week had been complicated.
On Monday, they were scared. On Tuesday, they were hesitant. On Wednesday, they were sad. On Thursday, Hermione came back crying, and Harry came back with a dirty uniform, a busted lip, and a bruise. Daniel and Emma had immediately called the school. The kids were refusing to talk. A boy had bullied Hermione.
FLASHBACK
Hermione was on a swing with Harry. He excused himself to go drink some water. When Harry returned, he saw a bigger kid pulling Hermione off the swing by her ponytail even though several swings were available. She cried and tried to get herself free. The other children ran to other parts of the yard. This bully was trouble. The swings started moving back and forth. Hermione's magic was getting out of control. The boy lifted his fist to punch Hermione, but Harry was quicker; he got to where she was standing and pulled her behind him. The bully ended up punching Harry's mouth. Harry was furious. All the lights started flicking on and off on the streets and inside the nearby classrooms. Water started coming out of all faucets. That boy could have hurt Hermione badly. Harry was used to being hit. She wasn't. The little wizard growled and tackled the boy to the ground. They brawled for a few seconds until their teacher got there to separate them. When the teacher took them to the nurse, Harry saw that Hermione refused to talk, and he followed her lead. The nurse was quite surprised the boy wasn't crying. She couldn't know this punch was nothing to what the boy had endured in the past. Hermione was inconsolable on Harry's shoulder until they went home.
The Grangers and Sirius had a talk with the kids about violence. Harry didn't understand why they told him he shouldn't have hit the boy. The mean bully wanted to hurt his Hermione. Harry's young heart didn't comprehend his feelings for her yet. All he knew was that he wanted to protect her, to keep her happy, and safe always. Dan and Emma saw Harry's crestfallen face and felt conflicted. He thought he was doing the right thing, and he was protecting their daughter. However, Harry and Hermione needed to understand that since they were magical, they needed to keep their emotions under control as they could seriously harm others.
Emma felt it was a very unfair thing to ask of such young kids. Daniel agreed, but he was concerned when Harry described the swings moving back and forth when Hermione got upset. The boy didn't say anything about the lights or the water. Hermione looked at him in confusion, but if he didn't want to tell, she wouldn't either. Sirius had suggested, later that night, after the kids had been put to bed that if their magic bouts became too strong or happened too often, they would be better off being homeschooled like all other magical children were. The Grangers had to agree. Their only condition was that they kept their non-magical education.
END FLASHBACK
That Friday, seeing the kids happy after school was wonderful. Those little ones were too grown-up for their own good. Sirius took them inside to have lunch. They were given a small lunch at their school, but they ate little of it. The food in their cafeteria was very processed and unhealthy. The kids were used to the natural, nutritious meals they got at home. Sirius had started to cook some dishes with the help of Emma's cookbooks. Today, he had made a chicken noodle soup with a lot of vegetables in different colors. Even Harry was impressed, and that little chef was hard to please. Both kids asked for second helpings. Sirius felt his chest swell with pride. As a rich wizard with a house-elf, he had never bothered with menial tasks such as cooking, but he was starting to like it.
He couldn't wait to cook for Remy for a change. Merlin knew he owed the marauder, not only for what had happened in that dark Halloween but for all the happiness his Wolfie gave him. Padfoot found it hard to believe at times that the man had given him a second chance, and he was going to make the most of it. Remus was a remarkable person, and Sirius knew he would never get to be with someone better or who made him happier. He had even started to reprimand himself when he realized his eyes were wondering to anyone else. Another reason he wanted his own place was that he wanted Remus to be able to come and go whenever he wanted… and stay the night.
Sirius put the plates on the sink, and Hermione went to the pantry to get two little stepping stools. Harry began doing the dishes, and she started drying them. Once they were dried, Sirius would put them up in the proper cabinets. The doorbell rang, the kids had jumped at the sound. They immediately held hands, and at Sirius' silent command, they ran to the pantry and closed the door. Sirius applied several charms quickly and went to open the door with his wand on hand. Remus wasn't going to come today. Who could it be?
Father Martin stood outside the Grangers' home. Sirius opened the door.
"Good afternoon,"
"Afternoon, father."
"Am I at the wrong house?"
"No, sir. This is the Grangers' home," Sirius smiled.
"Oh! Wait! Mr. Black? I almost did not recognize you," the priest gasped.
"Yes, do come in. I am doing much better, thanks to Emma and Daniel's generosity. The children are here if you'd like to talk to them," Sirius offered, taking the man's overcoat and hanging it in the coatroom.
"How is Harry? We've been praying for him," Martin walked towards the living room.
"Thank you for your prayers. Harry's doing much better. His stutter is slowly receding. He has gained weight and has grown a few inches that he was missing for his age," Sirius chuckled. Just because he wasn't a believer, didn't mean he discounted the importance of people sending positive thoughts or energy his or his godson's way.
"That is wonderful, I have missed the family at mass."
"Yeah… I think they are living confusing times."
"Indeed? Is there anything I can do?" Father Martin seemed genuinely concerned.
"You may have to ask them. I'll go get the kids. Would you like some tea? Have you eaten lunch? We have soup…"
"I just ate. Tea would be lovely, though."
The sound of small feet running approached the priest. Hermione took the man's hand and kissed the top of it quickly before jumping into his arms for a hug. Harry just high-fived the man. The priest noticed Harry's busted lip.
"Father Martin! I missed you!" Hermione pouted. For her, the priest was like an uncle. "I had fun at school today! Can you believe it?!"
"Of course I can, now that you have Harry's company, I imagine school is better," he replied, sitting her next to him.
Her face lit up. "I made you a picture last week, and Harry helped! I'll go get it!" she dashed out towards her room, barely missing Sirius' legs. The marauder handed Martin the cup and left saying something about helping Hermione look for her picture.
Harry sat on the floor between the sofa and the coffee table. The priest could tell the boy wanted to ask him a question. He steadied himself. That kid's old soul was way too wise and asked complicated questions. Harry sighed.
"What is it, son?"
"Why does God hate men who love men?"
Martin's eyes widened. He blinked several times rapidly. He took a deep breath.
"What do you mean, Harry?"
"My Uncle Vernon, he said that m-men who capuleit with other men go to h-hell…"
"Copulate?"
"Yes… but w-what if they are g-good people?" the boy asked with moist eyes and a pout.
"Are we talking about anyone, in particular, son?"
The boy looked down. "Yes," Harry was never able to lie or pretend in front of the priest. Telling lies was always wrong. But somehow, if he lied to the priest, he felt guiltier.
"Unfortunately, a lot of people agree with your uncle, Harry. Within my religion, many people think so too."
The boy looked disappointed. Martin continued, "However, I believe that the most important thing people get wrong about God, about the God I believe in, is that God is love."
"What d-does that mean?"
"Do you love Mr. Granger?" Martin asked; the boy nodded. "How about Mr. Black?" Harry nodded again. "Why do you love them?"
"They are n-nice to me. They p-protect me. They f-feed me. T-They let me get in bed with them when I'm s-scared. They give nice h-hugs, and they know fun j-j-jokes, but they also tell me when I do things w-wrong and they w-want me to do better… so they t-teach me how" Harry shrugged with a smile.
"That is what good fathers do," the priest smiled.
"But they are not my f-fathers."
"I know. The point here, Harry, is that God is like a father. He loves his children, no matter what. God is merciful, forgiving."
"But, if he f-forgives, why is there a hell?"
Martin sighed. This discussion was quicky getting too theological and advanced for a five-year-old. "Who are you worried about, son?"
"Me," Sirius replied, coming in with Hermione and her drawing. Harry looked down in shame.
"You? I'm not following."
"Well, me and my partner."
"Oh! That makes sense," Father Martin said, looking pensieve.
"Can they get in trouble with God if they love me?" Harry pouted, tears threatening to fall.
"What?! No! Why would you think that?"
"Harry thinks he'll be a man soon…" Hermione whispered, sitting down next to the priest again.
"And you think that because your Uncle said so they would go to hell for loving you and each other?"
The boy nodded. Fat tears falling from his eyes. Sirius picked him up and engulfed him in a tight hug.
"Sirius, Harry. I know there is a lot of animosity and fear in many religious people when it comes to diverse sexuality. I am young to be a priest. I was orphaned when I was a baby, and my aunt, who was a cloistered nun, and my only family, took me in. I always knew I would become a priest, and I started seminary school very early. Perhaps that is why I have a different understanding of romantic love… I believe that love between consenting adults that is born in a pure place and is given with wholesome intentions is a wonderful thing. In this complicated, violent world. We shouldn't be worried about love. We should worry about hate... Now, I don't know your partner, Sirius, but I don't need to. I'm going to ask you what I ask anyone who wants to know if their love is true."
Sirius sat straighter. "Shoot me," he said to the priest.
"This man you love… Is he otherwise unattached?" Sirius nodded with confidence.
"Is he the first thing on your mind when you wake up?" Sirius nodded with a blush. "When you go to sleep, do you think about when you will see him again?" Another nod. "Do you trust this man with your life?" A decided nod. "Would you give your life to save him?" A confident nod. "Have you seen him in his worst moods, his bad days?" Sirius shuddered a bit and nodded. "Did those days make you reconsider your love for him?" Sirius shook his head. Nope. Not even seeing Remy in full werewolf mode would make him walk away. The priest turned serious. "This is a hard one. If, for any reason, he fell out of love with you and found happiness with someone else, could you be happy for them?" Sirius thought for a few seconds.
"If there was nothing I could do to rekindle his love for me, and I saw he was happier, I would let him go. He deserves to be happy."
Father Martin smiled. "Would you like to spend the rest of your life with him?"
Sirius thought for a while and smiled shyly. "I would love to if he'll have me."
"You, son, are ready for a long-term commitment," the priest coughed the word marriage. Sirius blushed. It was a bit weird to be called son by someone just a bit older than you.
"Are you and u-uncle Moony getting married?!" Harry asked, looking up expectantly.
"Moony?"
"Remus Lupin, Moony is his nickname," Sirius explained.
The priest looked pensieve for a while, and then he chuckled, "That is clever!"
"What, Father?"
"Moony… It's from Lupin, isn't it? Lupin is a form of the Latin word lupus, which means wolf, and you know what they say about the wolves and the moon," Martin smiled like the cat who got the milk.
"Oh! Right! Clever!" Sirius laughed nervously. By now, Harry and Hermione were coloring down on the coffee table, putting the final touches on the picture they made for Martin.
"Speaking of wolves… Whatever happened to Pa-Foo? I haven't seen him around,"
"He's at the vet for an appointment," Sirius lied with a blush. The priest looked at him strangely.
"Must be hard getting rid of fleas with that fur!" Martin quipped. Sirius couldn't know that Martin knew he was both a man and a dog. After all, it was a confessional revelation.
"You have no idea!" Sirius chuckled. Unknowingly, he scratched the back of his head. Father Martin did have a very good idea, but he wouldn't tell Sirius anything. If the man wanted to keep his gift secret, the priest would not push.
Unbeknownst to the Grangers, Father Martin was more than just an average priest. He was part of the priests hand-picked by the Pope to investigate miracles. He was also trained by world-famous exorcists since the middle of his studies after one of his professors thought he had a gift for this. Regardless of his experiences with the strange, the unexplainable, and the paranormal, it had taken him a while to reconcile the idea that a person could transform into an animal at will. Hopefully, one day, he would earn Sirius' trust, and he would be able to see it with his own eyes.
"Father, here's the picture," Hermione held out a colorful page.
"So many colors, Hermione. Very good. I will put it on my fridge for sure!" Martin smiled. Hermione used to only use a drawing pencil. Her drawings were always grey. This one had at least ten different colors.
"The colors were Harry's idea," Hermione beamed with pride. The boy blushed.
"You are quite the artist, Harry," the priest ruffled the boy's hair. "I should get going. Thank you for the tea. Please tell Emma I stopped by. I'd like to meet with her regarding the elderly home's annual party. She said she was going to help, but she seems quite busy lately," Martin stood up and shook Sirius' hand. Sirius walked the priest to the door. Emma Granger was something else. She was an incredible mom, a doctor, and she also did charity. He knew muggles didn't have Time-Turners. How did she manage to do all that? He needed to ask her how she managed to do so many things at the time. She reminded him of Lily.
After dinner, Sirius shared the note King Nagkrat sent, allowing for Harry to be looked at by goblin healers. Mr. Granger looked ashamed; so did Mrs. Granger.
"We should have already done this!" Mr. Granger said, hiding his face in his hands.
"We thought it was enough with everything we checked him for…" Emma replied.
"Look, don't feel bad. You checked for everything you knew how to check for. Harry is at a healthy weight and growing stronger every day. His stutter is vanishing little by little. Not to mention all the strides he has taken emotionally. He accepts affection. He shows affection. He communicates about his feelings," Sirius said with a comforting smile. "You did everything you knew how to do. It was me who failed. I am the magical part of this co-parenting equation. Listen, Harry's reaction to getting back memories was mild. Remember his headache at Gringotts?"
The Grangers nodded. Sirius continued, "Side effects of obliviation vary. Obliviate is a complicated spell that takes a lot of mastery. It is never used on infants because their psyche is still too underdeveloped, and the consequences can't be predicted. That is why Minerva was livid."
"I thought she would kill him," Dan shuddered at the memory. He had felt that slap as if it had been directed to him.
"She probably would have at least injured him severely if she'd had her wand," Sirius said with a chuckle. Emma looked at him with a raised brow. He explained, "Minerva McGonagall is a champion duelist. She teaches Transfiguration at Hogwarts."
"Transfiguration?" Dan asked with confusion.
"Um… Remus would explain this much better than me, but… it is like a branch of magic that focuses on changing the form or the appearance of an object. It has something or other to do with molecules."
"You mean you can alter the molecular structure of objects with a wand?!" Dan's jaw fell. His inner nerd was flabbergasted.
"I guess so…"
"That's how you become a dog! Isn't it?" Emma clapped, all things she could understand better about the magical world got her excited.
"Yes, although that specific type of transfiguration is a bit different. People who can turn into animals at will are called animagus… Technically, you have to register to become one…"
"…And you haven't?"
"No, um… We became animagi to keep Remus safe and sane during the full moon. I became a dog, James became a stag… our then-friend, Peter Pettigrew, transformed into a rat…"
"How fitting," Daniel muttered darkly. He remembered Sirius' retelling of what had happened to the Potters and how that man betrayal ended in their deaths. He made a mental note about transfiguration. He had to ask Remus so many questions. He couldn't wait to talk to Father Martin about this other type of transfiguration, one that wasn't religious.
Soon enough, it was time for the family to join Harry in his goblin visit. Sharptooth came to get them with Neesy. Harry ran to Sharptooth and gave him a hug. He did the same to Neesy. Hermione did the same in reverse order. The goblin and elf were surprised at such a warm welcome. It had taken a while to explain what would happen to the kids. Hermione was scared. Harry was nervous. Healer Chainmaster was expecting them. King Nagkrat had authorized for the Grangers, Sirius, and Remus to go down to the chambers with Harry and Sharptooth. Usually, access in the goblin world was very limited to non-goblins.
Chainmaster had grown a sickly shade of green when she scanned Harry. She told him to go to the loo and wash his hands. Hermione accompanied Harry. That was merely an excuse to talk to the adults.
"We have to move to a safer chamber," Chainmaster whispered quickly.
"Why?" Emma was worried. Medical professionals weren't fazed easily. From what she had seen at Gringotts and all the depictions of battle decorating the bank's walls, she was sure the healer had seen a lot of… gore.
"My reading showed me something really concerning. I have to get back up personnel and my mentor down here. This is beyond my skills. I'll be right back." The healer stepped on a metal plate, and it flew her away from them. Neesy told Sirius she would go to Potter manor to brew some medicinal drinks and salves that would help Harry after the ritual. She vanished.
Ritual? The Grangers thought with concern. Dan grabbed Emma's hand. They would need to be strong for Harry. Remus was pale. Sirius was too shocked to move. Both wizards knew Chainmaster was a famed healer. If she needed help, it had to be bad. Sharptooth was worried. This could not be good.
In a different room, deep in the entrails of Gringotts, a door swung open. An ancient-looking goblin turned around with an angry scowl. He absolutely despised having his lectures interrupted.
"Healer Chainmaster! What is the meaning of this?" the professor said in a quick Gobbledegook grunt.
"Head Healer Bonecrusher, I apologize. This is an emergency. I did a reading of a patient, a child, at the request of King Nagkrat," she began, Bonecrusher interrupted her.
"I trust you can handle a child," he spat back at her with a frown.
"I do… But it is not the child I am worried about."
"What?"
"A word, in private, please."
The professor looked like he would refuse, but a look from his mentee made him reconsider.
"Everyone, keep working," he barked to the goblin healing students.
"I am sorry, professor. I didn't tell you there because I don't want to cause panic."
"Panic? To goblins?" the professor seemed about to tell her off.
"My reading showed he is hosting a Horcrux!" she said agitatedly.
The professor froze. He went a deeper shade of green.
"Are you positive?"
"I did the reading three times!"
"How old is the host?"
"Five-years-old," Chainmaster replied with a concerned face.
"WHAT?! How is the child alive?!" the healer grabbed his staff and his toolbox.
"I don't know, sir. Potter has survived the impossible already…"
"Potter? As in Harry Potter?!"
"Yes, sir. You see why I'm worried?"
He stepped in his own platform and flew next to his protégé back to the chamber.
Chainmaster put Bonecrusher up to date regarding Harry's life, the abuse he had endured, and how the Grangers, Lord Black, and Remus Lupin were trying to nurse him back to health. On their way back, they ordered someone to go get the King. They were told Nagkrat was in Ireland. Well, they would have to proceed without him. Bonecrusher barked the code six hundred and sixty-six to a senior officer who vanished with a concerned, pale face.
When the healers got back, the kids were talking to each other in hushed whispers, and so were the adults and Sharptooth.
"Everyone, this is my mentor Head Healer Bonecrusher," Chainmaster said. All present gave a short bow.
"Mr. Potter, step in front of me," Bonecrusher motioned. Harry looked scared. Hermione didn't want to let go of his hand. Emma had to actually take Harry's hand out of her daughters' hold. She looked hurt at this. Emma mouthed a 'Sorry.'
Bonecrusher waved his hands all over the boy from his feet to his head. When his hand hovered over the scar, his eyes widened.
"Mr. B-Bonecrusher," said Harry. "Are you okay?"
The goblin was taken aback. Mr? This child was something else. "Yes, just worried. Mr. Potter, we have to move to another room."
The entrance to the new healing chamber looked like a giant old school bank vault door. Chainmaster took Harry and helped him up to lie down on a marble bed. Hermione was next to the bed holding Harry's hand again.
The healers took the adults to the side to explain. The news would be upsetting.
"I understand you are all guardians?"
"Yes, my wife and I are Harry's nonmagical world guardians. Sirius and Remus were named as guardians in the Potter will," Daniel explained.
"Understood. Is the other child yours?"
"Yes, she's our daughter."
"We want all of you out of the chamber while we work. It would be too dangerous for you to remain inside."
"What?"
"Why?"
"I have several concerns, but one is the most pressing one. What Mr. Potter has lodged in the scar on his forehead is the darkest of the Dark Magics' creations wand carriers can make," Bonecrusher whispered.
Thick, heavy silence reigned for a few seconds.
"But that's impossible! He's a child!" said Sharptooth. Remus' eyes went unfocused, and he gasped. Sirius looked at him in alarm and fear. He went ghostly pale.
"What is it, Remy?" Sirius asked, feeling dread at the bottom of his stomach.
"A Horcrux," Healer Bonecrusher replied.
"What? What is that?" The Grangers were growing more and more scared by the minute.
"A Horcrux is theoretically an object where a wizard or witch has hidden a fragment of their soul," Healer Chainmaster replied.
"W-What?! How?! Why?!" the Grangers were whisper shouting. Sharptooth kept muttering no over and over.
"It is done to attain immortality. As to the how… it is the darkest of the Dark Magics for a reason."
Chainmaster continued: "Those things can only be created after committing murder, but not just any murder, it has to be gruesome and horrible and all kinds of wrong. A person who creates a Horcrux is responsible for supreme acts of evil."
"But, Harry is not an object!" Emma was horrified.
"No, I think the Horcrux in his scar was created accidentally by Voldemort. Otherwise, the boy would be dead by now, especially considering the abuse he endured. Horcruxes feed on dark energy, fear, and emotional distress."
"But it is fading," Sirius said. "When I found him after the Dursleys kicked him out, the scar was angry red and bleeding."
"Wasn't he already five? If he got this as a baby, the cut should have healed by then."
"But it hadn't. However, as time went by, and Harry was under the care of the Grangers, the scar began fading away. He would scratch it at times."
"Listen, we don't know what will happen when we coerce that dark soul out. It could try to get into another host. That is why we don't want you in the vault."
"But, can we at least see what is happening?" Dan asked, worried. "We are nonmagical healers. I don't think we would be too shocked."
"I disagree. However, if Lord Black and Mr. Lupin take responsibility for your safety, I will allow you to watch from an elevated, safe enclosure. It is usually reserved for our King, but since he put you under the protection of our Nation. I doubt he will mind," said Bonecrusher with a raised brow.
"Thank you, sir," Emma smiled. Bonecrusher looked at her strangely. First, Mr., now, sir.
"Look, we have called for an exorcist to be brought in," Emma gasped. "I know, Mrs. Granger, but we need him to help us coerce the darkness out of the boy so we can trap it and get rid of it. He is one of the best. Please be aware that the wizard who created this is as close to a demon as humans can get." Chainmaster motioned at Hermione. "Take your child with you,"
The girl didn't want to leave Harry. The boy saw everyone's distressed looks and asked her to leave.
"I'll be fine, Mione. Go with them…"
"I'm scared, Harry," she hugged him tightly. The adults told Harry they'd be watching over him, hugged, and kissed him. He noticed the box protruding from the circular wall. That made him feel a bit better. As five more heavily armed healers came in with a white chest, adorned with silver crosses, Harry's hand shot up to his forehead, which twitched, and the boy took two steps back. Chainmaster exchanged a look with Bonecrusher and decided immediately to restrain the boy.
Gold chains and cuffs impeded Harry's movement. The boy's eyes went wide. With a tap of Bonecrusher's staff on the marble bed, the chains and cuffs changed to silver. Harry immediately tried to sit up. His eyes looked at the vault door in fear before it opened. The Healers looked at each other. The reaction to the relics had been immediate, and now, the boy seemed terrified of the new addition to the vault. A tall-fit man stood there. He was wearing all-black. He had a hat on, a cape, pants, and simple black shoes. He was carrying a briefcase. His head was down, the vault door was closed behind him. The man put his briefcase on a desk and took off his cape. Harry saw the clerical collar, and his scar started hurting. When the priest took off his hat, Harry gasped.
Father Martin had trained under some of the best exorcists: Father Jeremy Davies, Reverend Vincent Lampert, Father Peter Mary Rookey, and Father James J. LeBar. He had done a few difficult exorcisms. When his Archbishop called him to tell him he was needed, he was not expecting the possessed person to be someone he knew. He immediately recognized Harry. He had been put under a spell that made him see the goblins as humans. No wonder Sirius said the Grangers were confused, he thought.
He took a deep breath and turned to one of the doctors. He whispered, "Are you sure he is possessed?"
"Positive. Remember, once the spirit starts to leave his body, we will lock it in the relics' chest. Anything you need us to do, just say the word," the doctor replied.
The priest put on his stole, grabbed his rosary beads, and his Bible. He motioned for a doctor to grab the Holy Water, and for another to grab the incense. As he approached the boy, Harry started writhing in pain and speaking in a sizzling, snake-like speech. The priest threw Holy Water at the boy. Harry's torso separated off the marble as he seized, and soon enough, he was barely touching the surface; his wrists and ankles were straining against the cuffs. Father Martin crossed himself, stretched his arm, and placed the Bible on top of the boy's chest. Harry instantly collapsed onto the marble as if a tonne of weight had been put on him.
Up in the box, everyone was in varying degrees of shock and worry. The Grangers had no idea that their priest was an exorcist. Sirius and Remus had no idea that you could drag out a dark magical soul through an exorcism, and Hermione only cared about the fact that Harry was in obvious pain, and she couldn't be there to help him. Padfoot and Moony were not raised to believe in deities. Their knowledge of religion was limited and theoretical. The Grangers were raised catholic and were having a moment of horrible doubt that gave them goosebumps.
As believers, they respected the ten commandments. They didn't know much about exorcism besides what they knew from their medical training regarding exorcisms that went wrong. Neither had ever heard of the church performing an exorcism on a five-year-old nor of the church working with goblins. If the church knew about other creatures… was it all a fraud? What was real? What was fake? Magic was supposed to be evil, and here was their local priest and friend exorcising an evil, magically created soul, out of their boy.
Remus gasped when Harry started growling and hissing. He turned to Sirius and whispered Parseltongue. Sirius' eyes widened, and he frowned in concern. Harry's body was trying to get free from the bindings and lifted off the marble as soon as the Holy Water hit him. When the priest crossed himself and put the Bible on the boy's chest, Harry's body fell as if it had been pushed forcefully against the table. The priest began to sprinkle Holy Water on the boy's body. Harry kept struggling and hissing.
The father began praying in Latin.
"In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit," Martin blessed Harry, and the boy's eyes began darkening. The priest took the Holy Water and poured about half a cup of it directly on the boy's forehead. Harry's darkened eyes went pitch black. There was no white in them at all. Martin was taken aback. He took a silver cross and put it on Harry's forehead. Harry growled in an inhumane way and began speaking with an adult voice that made everyone listening feel cold and bereft. The Father kept praying in Latin. He had no idea which demon he was dealing with. Perhaps it was a spirit.
"Who dares to awaken the Dark Lord?" the spirit said through Harry's mouth.
"What is your name, spirit?"
"I am the Dark Lord: Lord Voldemort."
Harry smelled the incense one of the goblins had started to burn, and he hissed some more.
Martin looked around at the doctors in confusion. They seemed terrified. Who in Heaven's name is Lord Voldemort?
"What do you want from the boy, spirit?"
"His body and soul. He is mine!" Harry began seizing.
"Noooooooo!"
Hermione had been pushing her magic out. When she heard Voldemort say Harry was his, she couldn' hold back anymore. Wizards and witches couldn't apparate inside Hogwarts, but Hermione didn't know that, and neither did her magic.
"Noooooooo!" Hermione vanished from her seat and appeared on top of Harry on the marble bed. "Harry is not yours, you mean, horrible thing! You are lord of nothing! Do you hear me? Nothing! Harry is a good boy! Let him goooooo!" the girl sat on the boy's chest. And put her hands on the sides of his head. Harry started growling in pain. Hermione was pushing all her love for the boy through her hands. She felt heavy, dark energy pushing back.
"Unhand me, you filthy little beast! It burns! I will not let him go! You cannot make me! You are just a child!" the spirit laughed maniacally.
Hermione felt pain in her hands, but she refused to let go. She looked up and yelled, "HELP!"
Soon enough, there was banging on the vault. Bonecrusher rushed to open it. There was no time to take precautions. That spirit could take over the boy for good. The priest started chanting prayers rapidly. The Grangers, Sirius, and Remus ran towards Harry. Sharptooth jumped on the marble bed and put his larger hands over Hermione's. All the adults, except for the priest, put their hands on the boy. Harry's skin was flushed an angry red. He was burning up.
"What do we do now?" asked Mr. Granger. Something in that room made him feel weak physically and crushed his spirit.
"The worst enemy of Horcruxes is love," Sharptooth growled. His hands were burning. As soon as the word love left his lips, Harry's scar split open and began bleeding.
"Push your love for him through your hands!" Bonecrusher ordered. Healer Chainmaster and another goblin brought the white chest and placed it by the top of Harry's head.
Chainmaster yelled, "Father, now!"
"Spirit of Lord Voldemort! The power of Christ compels you! Abandon this boy! God, the Almighty, who created and loves this child, commands you to leave him at once! The Holy Trinity compels you! The relics of the Catholic Church coerce you! This child is loved by many! Leave at once!" Father Martin held on to the silver cross that seemed to be stuck to the boy's forehead.
"Lily and James Potter loved this child so much that they sacrificed their lives so he could live!" Remus growled, pushing his love for the boy as far as his lycanthropy would allow. Remus' skin started getting blisters all over. His body couldn't handle silver near him for long periods of time, but Harry needed him. He wouldn't let go.
"Emma and Daniel Granger love this boy so much that they put their lives, their jobs, and their family on hold so they could love him back to health!" Sirius yelled, pushing his love for his godson as hard as he could. A black tar began coming out of the scar. It began floating slowly
"Sirius Black loves this child so much that he spent years in prison as a dog for a crime he did not commit, and escaped so he could do his duty and love this child back to being confident and trusting adults!" Daniel Granger said harshly.
"You are my best friend, Harry. I love you! You can't give up! I know you are there! We love you! Fight this!"
"Dan and I love Harry like he's our son! We will not lose him to you, you filthy good for nothing, murderer! LET HIM GO!" Emma yelled. "Fight this baby! We believe in you; we love you!"
The tar came slowly into the chest, which was promptly closed with square chains. Father Martin gasped when he recognized the chains: they were St. Peter's Chains!* As soon as the chest was closed, there was a burst of magical energy that caused a power outage in all of Britain. The pulse of the Horcrux being taken out released so much energy from Harry's core, that all those present lost consciousness. Even the goblins, who were famous for having more resistance than most magical beings, fell down, unable to fight the grip of unconsciousness.
A/N: Thank you for reading. I may be able to post a new chapter in a couple of weeks. I appreciate all new readers and favorites. It is quite overwhelming, but it makes me feel cozy inside. Thank you! :) -Lux-
*The chains, according to tradition, once held fast the limbs of St. Peter the Apostle and have been cherished by Christians since the first century.
