Part Seven: The Gifts We Are Given



Sirius followed Glynnis as she led the way to her home. She skirted around the edge of the park, wanting take the least visible route, and came out at her gate ten minutes later, just as she'd said. "In here," she said to Sirius as she opened the wooden, vine-covered gate. He eased Harry a little higher in his arms, ducked under the iron trellis and stepped into a wildflower garden in full bloom. Sirius didn't stop to admire the beautiful blossoms as he followed Glynnis down a grassy path and up to the small back door of a quaint old cottage.



Glynnis reached into her pants pocket and pulled out a key. She unlocked the door and pushed it open, gesturing Sirius inside. Once he'd entered, she pulled the door closed and turned on the lights. They were in a small, cheery kitchen decorated with flower pots and blooming herbs. "This way." Glynnis beckoned Sirius down a small hall and into a bright, airy bedroom. He lay Harry down on the dark green coverlet. Glynnis saw immediately that Harry was unconscious. She raised questioning eyes to Sirius. "Just after we started off," he answered. He motioned to the fireplace that took up half of the bedroom's outer wall. "May I?" Glynnis nodded and watched in fascination as he ignited the stacked wood with a single word and a wave of his wand. A quiet sound from the bed brought her instantly to Harry's side.



"Harry?" she inquired quietly. "Can you hear me?" Harry's eyes fluttered open. "Are we there?" he asked.



"We're here," she assured him. "Harry, I'm going to get my scissors and cut away around the knife. You just rest here with Sirius and I'll be right back." She glanced at Sirius and walked out of the room. Sirius sat on the edge of the bed and ran the back of his hand across Harry's forehead. He frowned slightly at the heat he felt but only said "I've got to leave you here, Harry, while I go and get someone to help us."



"Who?" Harry asked.



"I have a doctor friend. Well, I should say I had a doctor friend. Years ago, before . . . well, you know." Harry nodded sympathetically as Sirius continued. "He may be willing to help seeing as it's you. I've at least got to try."



Sirius stood and Harry reached out to grab his hand. "What if this doctor turns you in? What if he calls the Dementors?" Sirius could see that Harry was as terrified of losing him as he was of losing Harry. He tried to smile but only grimaced instead. "I'll come back. If I'm wrong about Attivus, I'll leave immediately. I'm using floo powder so they won't be able to track me, especially since this is a non-magical household. Just hang on for a little while longer, Harry." He squeezed Harry's fingers reassuringly and stepped over the fireplace.



Sirius rummaged around in his tattered robes and came out with a small pouch which he opened. Taking a small pinch of the floo powder, he closed the pouch and put it where he could reach it quickly. He looked at Harry a final time and simply nodded. Then he cast the powder into the flames and vanished. A small gasp from the bedroom doorway got Harry's attention and he looked over to see Glynnis gaping at the empty hearth.



"It's alright, Glynnis. He's gone for a doctor." Glynnis blinked a few times and turned toward Harry. "Well, he certainly is doing it faster than I ever could," she mused. She crossed to the bed and sat down next to Harry. In her hand she a strange looking pair of scissors. "What are those?" he asked curiously, pointing at the flat end.



"They're bandage scissors. The flat end goes under the cloth without cutting into the skin. I'm using these so I don't scratch you. Are you ready?" Harry nodded and looked away toward the fire. He felt the cool scissors slide up his left arm and across his shoulder, then the same thing on his right shoulder. Glynnis cut up the center of his shirt and the cold steel on Harry's stomach caused him to shiver slightly. She cringed slightly and peeled the left side of his shirt away.



Glynnis took a deep breath and worked the scissors around the knife, always making sure she didn't touch the blade or the hilt. When she'd freed enough of the cloth to remove it, she pulled away the blood soaked material and threw into the waste can beside the bed. She'd done this several times and now the only piece of shirt left was directly under the bandaging strips she'd managed to put on in the woods. Glynnis brought the flat bottom end up and pulled the material toward her. The scissors barely missed the dagger's gleaming edge and the dragon snarled at her. She resisted the temptation to pull away quickly and instead concentrated on making cut by small cut and finally, with a release of breath, she removed the last piece from under the bandage and exposed the entire wound.



Glynnis saw to her dismay that the blade was buried into Harry's shoulder almost to the hilt, leaving only a few millimeters between his skin and the bottom of the dragon's tail. Around the entry point, angry black lines stretched out across Harry's chest which was smeared with drying blood. She knew she couldn't get any more cloth packed around the wound and was thankful that, for the moment, the bleeding had stopped. She left the strips in place.



Harry felt the last piece of his shirt pull away and then Glynnis took hold of his hand. "It will be alright," she assured him softly. "I'll get a cloth and we'll clean it up some. Then the doctor will be here and he'll get that thing out, I'm sure of it." Harry managed a nod and felt the bed rise when she stood. He heard her soft footsteps retreating and only then did he turn his head to look at the knife currently residing in his body. He paled as he took in the depth of the blade and the dark smudges that covered him. His head fell back and he took several deep breaths.



"I don't know how much more of this I can take," he thought morosely. "Someone has tried to kill me every year since I turned eleven and every year it seems it gets closer to really happening." Harry removed his glasses and threw his arm over his eyes, trying to bury the welling tears in darkness. He thought about seeing Cedric die, thought about his parents' ghosts emerging from his enemy's wand. "I never asked for this," he said angrily, dashing away the offending wetness.



"Harry?" inquired Glynnis from beside the bed. "I'm here if you'd like to talk. I've been told I'm a good listener." Harry swallowed the ache that threatened more tears and shook his head.



"Well, just remember, I'm here if you want to," Glynnis assured him. She reached into a steaming bowl and produced a washcloth. "You know," she continued as she bathed the dried blood from him, "when Hermione first got notice that she was a witch, it took her parents completely by surprise. I wasn't though. Surprised, I mean. I always knew she was something special. To be given the talents that she has, that you have, is a gift, Harry. I know it doesn't seem like it sometimes but it is. And with a gift like yours there will come moments when you'll wish it had never been given to you." Glynnis paused to rinse the cloth. Her soft words and the soothing warm water lulled Harry into some semblance of relaxation. It was because of this momentary sense of peace that Harry failed to immediately grasp her next words.



"I have a gift too, Harry. Only my parents and sister know about it. I'm going to tell you something that not even Hermione knows. Sometimes, I know what's going to happen before it happens. I have the Sight, Harry."



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Sirius Black nervously peered out of the fireplace in his old friend's study. The room appeared empty but he could tell from the steaming mug on the desk that Attivus was in residence and due to return. He stepped out of the flames, secreted himself in a dark corner, and waited.



It was only a moment before the wizard doctor appeared. Sirius grinned. In the 15 years since he'd seen the man, Attivus Attlewart had not changed a whit. He was still wearing the long apple green robes he had specially made, the many pockets bulging with various implements of his trade. Bright blue triangular glasses framed violet eyes that had, in the past, always twinkled with merriment. Would they still flash with welcome, Sirius wondered. He watched while Attivus picked up the mug and seated himself with a sigh.



Attivus took a long drink of the warm tea. "Sirius, if you're going to stand there all night, you could at least have had enough courtesy to warn me ahead of time. I would've cleaned out the corner for you." Sirius jumped at the words and stared open-mouthed at the doctor. Attivus stood and raised his eyes to peer into the darkness and Sirius saw the humor he remembered reflected in them. "Sirius." Attivus said simply and put down his mug. He stepped out from behind the desk and held open his arms. Sirius stepped forward and into the embrace of his old friend. They parted after a moment and stepped back from each other, taking in the changes that 15 years had wrought.



"You haven't changed a bit, Attivus," Sirius said fondly. The doctor frowned. "I wish I could say the same about you, old friend," he said as he took in Sirius' scruffy appearance and pale, almost skeletal features. Sirius sobered and looked beseechingly into Attivus' eyes. "Attivus, I didn't betray them. Please believe . . . "



Attivus cut him off with a wave of his hand. "Of course you didn't! What utter rubbish. No one who knew you, knew James and Lily, ever believed you did. The thought never crossed our minds. I'm glad you escaped that dreadful place, Sirius. Have you weathered it well? Are you alright?" His keen doctor's eyes surveyed his friend and saw what years of deprivation and torment had done to him. "You should eat, Sirius. That dog's diet isn't good for you for long periods."



Sirius interrupted him. "I'm not here about me. It's Harry. Oh, God, Attivus. I think it's a leech blade." Sirius swayed on his feet, only the doctor's quick, steadying hands keeping him upright. "He sent it, through Harry's cousin. It's killing him, Attivus. Please, you're my only hope." Upon hearing this, Attivus went from a concerned friend to a whirlwind in a heartbeat. He knew the 'he' Sirius referred to was Voldemort. It had to be. And he knew a leech blade could kill in a matter of hours, or days. That Harry was still alive was a good sign. It might mean they had time. He grabbed an enormous leather case that had seen its share of late nights and by the time a surprised Sirius could think twice, he was standing by the fireplace, ready to go.



"Are you going to stand there gaping at me, Sirius, or are you going to take me to Harry? I can't help him from here, you know." Sirius took a deep breath and removed the floo powder from his pocket. "You'll have to hold on to my robes, Attivus. It's a non-magical place we're going and I don't want to lose you on the way." The doctor chuckled. "I'll hold on, never you fear. There won't ever come a day when I can't keep up with you." Sirius smiled slightly and faced the fire.



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Harry put on his glasses and blinked at Glynnis a moment. "Pardon me but did you say you had the Sight?"



Glynnis nodded. "It's not a full Sight, mind you," she explained. "I can't predict earthquakes or anything like that. It's very personal. I only know when something is going to happen that involves me."



Harry thought about that for a moment. "I'm not sure that would be a good thing. All the time I mean." She chuckled ruefully. "I've often felt the same way. I am lucky in a way because it doesn't happen all the time. Only sometimes. Still, it's my gift to deal with, just as being a wizard is yours."



"What is it like?" Harry asked, his curiosity growing. "Do you see visions like Professor Trelawney?"



Glynnis mouth quirked. "Ah, Professor Trelawney. Hermione has spoken of her. No, I don't think she and I share quite the same kind of Sight." Harry couldn't help but smile. Glynnis continued, "For me it comes as very strong feelings. My father calls it instinct. Anyway, it's that instinct that led me to you. Something told me that my - I don't know - I guess you'd call it my destiny, waited for me in that clearing."



Harry looked rather stunned. "I...I'm your destiny?" he stammered.



"No, not you personally. Well, yes you, but . . . it's hard to explain. Your life and mine, Harry, are tied together somehow. And I wouldn't tell you this if I wasn't absolutely certain, but," she leaned close, "you aren't going to die. Not now. Not soon. The three of us are connected somehow. I don't know how else to explain it."



"The three of us?" Harry asked. Glynnis realized with a start what she had said and sat upright. "Well, I meant . . . " she started. Harry stopped her. "You mean Sirius?" Glynnis stood and looked out the window at the darkening sky. She stared up at the brightening stars for a moment and then dropped her cheek against the still warm glass. "Yes," she said softly, so softly that Harry could barely hear her. "Sirius and you and I, Harry. There's something between us." He realized that while Glynnis appeared to be talking to him, she was really in a conversation with herself. He stayed quiet to hear what she said. "I don't know what it is. There's something about him. I feel as if I've known him all my life. He feels it, too, I know it. I just wish I knew . . . " Her thoughts were interrupted by a commotion at the fireplace. Suddenly Sirius appeared. She gasped as he walked right through the flames and into the room. Following him, literally on his coattails, was a man Glynnis assumed to be the doctor. Only he was unlike any doctor she had ever seen. He was easily shorter than she was and his flaming red hair was tied back in assorted pony tails all over his head. His blonde beard and black mustache oddly enough enhanced his colorful glasses and purple eyes, and when you added in the bright green robes he wore, he was without a doubt the strangest person she had ever seen.



Sirius immediately went to Harry. "Harry, I've brought a doctor. His name is Attivus Attlewart. He's a friend. Actually a friend of the family. He knew your mother and father." Harry watched the strange little man brush himself off and come over to the side of the bed. "How do you do, Harry my boy? I haven't seen you since . . . well since the day you were born, actually. No, no. That's wrong. You had a nasty cold when you were about six months old and I saw you then. You've grown quite a bit since that time. I see you inherited your father's hair. And, bless me, your mother's eyes. I'd ask how you were but unfortunately I can see that you are, perhaps, not feeling just the thing right now. We'll remedy that, never fear. Now where's my . . . oh, yes. Here it is."



Harry and Glynnis watched in fascination as Attivus carried on this one sided conversation, put his large satchel on the bed, examined the knife, and patted his pockets at the same time, his last words coming as he pulled a rather large magnifying glass from somewhere in the depths of his apple green robes. "Now hold still, Harry, while I get a good look at this." Attivus held up the glass, his violet eyes blinking hugely at the dragon, who was snarling and gnashing its teeth. After a moment he looked up, the bright smile that had creased his features since entering the room had disappeared.



"First," he said, "I would like to know who bandaged around the hilt."



Glynnis gulped and stepped forward. "That would be me, Doctor. I'm a nurse you see and I thought that perhaps I should try and pack the wound to staunch the bleeding." She fell silent under the doctor's penetrating gaze.



"You did a fine job, Miss . . . Miss . . . ?"



"Glynnis, Doctor. Glynnis Babcock."



"Well, Miss Babcock. I've never seen a Muggle with such foresight in a matter such as this. Usually they run screaming in the other direction. Very well done."



Glynnis flushed. "I've a niece who's a witch. She goes to school with Harry," she admitted proudly.



"Ah! That would explain it then. Now I assume you also bathed the area?" She nodded. "Very good, very good. Now then, Harry, please tell me exactly what happened, and what you have felt since."



Everyone in the room listened as Harry slowly related the events of the day. Even as he spoke, his voice would weaken now and then and he'd stop to catch his breath. When he finished, Attivus sat on the bed beside him and faced him directly, his face solemn.



"Harry, I've got to know what you think you can handle. I'll be honest and tell you exactly what I think right now, or I can take Sirius out into the hall and tell him alone. It's up to you, young man. I know you've been through a lot in the past few years. I do have my ways of keeping up on things. But I will not discuss this if you aren't completely certain you are ready to face it."



Harry looked at Sirius, and then at Glynnis. He knew that they would understand whatever he decided to do. But he also knew that he had been through enough in his short life that he felt prepared for anything. So he held onto Glynnis' assurance that he wasn't going to die right yet and made his decision.



"I want to know, Doctor."



Attivus nodded and beamed at Harry. "Good lad. Knew you could take it like a man." He stood and faced the three of them. "Sirius, I'm afraid you are right. It is a leech blade and a very powerful one. It is protected by some very formidable spells. If I am not mistaken, this is a Slagger Dagger and you know Slagger's reputation. I have no doubt that it was commissioned by a very powerful dark wizard, and from Harry's description, I do not think we need to contemplate who that would be."



"Pardon me," Glynnis broke in, "but what is a leech blade?"



Harry nodded and chimed in. "Yes. I'd like to know as well."



"My mistake for not enlightening you sooner, Miss Babcock. With your wonderful efficiency and presence of mind, I had forgotten you aren't one of us," Attivus apologized with a slight bow. "Leech blades have been around for centuries, but their use has declined greatly in the past 15 years. I am not surprised young Harry here doesn't know of them either." The doctor cleared his throat. "Basically, a leech blade is a knife that is designed to drain away a wizard's life energy. Mostly it is used simply to kill, but once in a while it is used for a darker purpose."



"What could be worse than killing someone?" Glynnis mused, only realizing she'd spoken aloud when the doctor addressed her.



"The wizard who commissions this particular kind of blade will receive his victim's power and absorb his very life force. The victim will then drain away slowly and painfully until there is nothing left and they die. Fortunately, this can only be achieved if the two wizards share a bond of blood. And since Harry and Voldemort are not related, this blade would be of the former and only requires finding the proper counter spell and removing it."



Harry went white and his breath was coming in short hitches. Alarmed, Glynnis sat down next to him and took his cold hand in hers. "Harry, what is it? Are you in pain?" She looked at Sirius and saw to her dismay that his hands were buried in his hair, his face a mask of anguish. "What is it?" she cried. "What aren't you telling me?" Glynnis turned to the doctor for help. "Doctor, what's the matter?" Attivus looked confused and only shrugged. "Sirius?" he asked. "Is there something I should know?"



Sirius covered his face with his hands and took a shaking breath. "He shares Harry's blood."



The doctor pulled himself up to his full height and approached his old friend. "Tell me what you mean and tell me now," he demanded quietly. Sirius related the events of Harry's capture during the Triwizard tournament. He explained that Voldemort had used Harry's blood to regain his former body.



"You mean that this knife is draining Harry's life and transferring it to you-know-who?" Glynnis choked out. Attivus nodded grimly. "But . . . there must be something we can do!" She cried.



A grim silence descended upon the room, broken only by Harry's rapid breathing and the crackle of the flames in the fireplace. After a moment of pacing, Sirius spoke. "There is the obvious," he stated. Glynnis and the doctor looked at him. "Either Attivus or I can try and remove the dagger."



Attivus frowned. "You know what happened when this young lady tried. If it's protected against Muggle interference, it is certainly protected against us."



"But we don't know for certain," Sirius pleaded. "We have to try."



"Please," came Harry's whisper from the bed. "please at least try. At least if you try and fail, we'll know we have to try something else." Sirius came over to him and placed his hand on Harry's head. "Are you sure?" he asked, himself uncertain. "We don't know what might happen." Harry's eyes, so like his mother's, glittered with a pain and fear that ripped at Sirius' heart. "It hurts, Sirius," he confessed in a ragged whisper. That was all he needed to bolster his owning failing resolve. "Attivus, we must try," he said to the doctor.



The doctor studied them both for a moment and then, with a resolute nod, approached the bed.