Disclaimer: I own the plot and Saerry Snape. Everything else is JKR's.
A/N: Argh, I made a whopper of a mistake in Chap 28 that I just noticed. Full-Body Bind and Harry could still talk. Aie….. The joys of writing and not truthfully paying attention to what you're writing. *sigh* Moving on…
A/N2: Also a thank you to Dark Wolf for tying Sâerwy down for me. ^-^ Though I don't appreciate being tied to the computer that much but as its Spring Break I am actually sitting in front of the comp during most of the time I'm away from school (thank God for a break from the torture).
ON TO THE STORY!!
Harry Potter and the Dark Defenses
Chapter 30 ***Laughter in the Air***
Harry sat glumly in a chair, staring blankly at a wall. At movement to his right his eyes moved but nothing else wavered an inch. Seeing who it was he let the tightness that had come into his muscles go.
Hermione entered the small, hidden room and turned to face him as the portrait hiding the entrance swung closed. She clutched her robes about her tightly; as the room was in the dungeons it was somewhat cold although the fire burning merrily in the room warmed it up a bit.
"Harry."
Harry didn't look up at all at her saying his name, his eyes focused on the wall once more. It was only when Hermione walked over to him and knelt beside his chair, her hands on his left forearm did he look at her.
Hermione had to hold back a gasp at the pain she saw in his eyes.
She softly said, "It wasn't your fault."
Harry's eyes darkened, turning as cold and expressionless as Snape's. He snarled, "Hell if it wasn't. The only reason she's gone is because he wants revenge on me. And he knows that every time one of you is taken that he's hurting me." Turning away from her, the light from the fire flickering over his face, he whispered, "I wish I had never gone through with it."
Hermione frowned and gave his forearm a gentle squeeze, knowing full well what he was talking about.
Just after Christmas Holidays in their seventh year Harry had received a letter from Voldemort, saying simply that he could join him or die. But not before watching all of those he loved die first. Harry had blatantly refused the offer by tearing up the letter and burning it. Hermione had never seen him in such a rage as he had been in that day. He had rent out curses that would have made the Devil blush then, surprisingly, had begun cursing in Parseltongue without even knowing he was doing it. But as time had worn on, Harry had confessed to Hermione that he was considering accepting the offer. When she had asked why he had replied, "I won't see any of you hurt. And if Snape gets found out, there'll be someone else to report to Dumbledore." She knew then that Harry was going to be like Snape if he took the offer, on both sides of the fences but truthfully on the side of good.
(a/n: I plan to write another story that involves all the happenings of seventh year. Right after I finish this one that is. Unless of course Sâerwy provokes me into doing it sooner. *glares at her muse, who gives a Snape-like sneer in response*)
As Hermione squeezed his forearm Harry winced. Hermione then noticed that her hand was right over the Dark Mark. Quickly she removed her hand.
Harry turned to her as she took her hands back, giving her a faint smile. She looked up into his emerald eyes and saw fear and sadness in them. But behind that she saw anger, immense anger against Voldemort and himself.
And she also saw a little bit of darkness, some part of Harry's soul that enjoyed being on the side of the Dark.
Harry sighed and turned his face back to the fire.
Hermione watched him, studying him, looking at the ways he had changed since she had last seen him.
At the end of seventh year he had been tall, around 6'3, but was still the skinny boy with wild hair and green eyes that she had met on the Hogwart's Express. But now… She had noted that he was about an inch or two taller when he had appeared at her and Draco's front door but she had missed the other details. Or simply dismissed them.
Harry's face was thinner than at the end of seventh year, with faint scars showing about the skin, some of them probably from battles with Aurors. Or from a lesson in torture from Voldemort. His face was also more careworn, making him look older than he truly was. For only 24 he looked about six or seven years older.
Just as she was about to say something the portrait hole opened and Ron stepped in, cautiously looking over his shoulder as he did. He breathed a sigh of relief then turned back to the other two.
Hermione also noticed how Ron had changed. He had reached his full height of 6'4 in sixth year and Harry was now a little taller than him. But Ron had the same red hair and fiery temper. And his immense dislike for Draco Malfoy, which was increased by the fact that the 'Ferret', as he (and Harry) were still wont to call Draco, had married Hermione. Of course, Hermione had always liked Ron. She had even thought she'd had a crush on him at the end of fifth year. But then Draco, by some miracle of God as Ron had called it, abruptly changed and confessed to her that for all the name-calling and torture he actually liked her. Hermione had slapped him for it only to regret it later. It had been almost comical to see the look on Ron's face when he and Harry had found out that she and Draco were going out in the middle of sixth year. Almost.
"Any news," was Hermione's question to Ron when he entered.
Ron shook his head and looked at Harry, who hadn't even averted his eyes from his staring at the wall when his friend had come in.
"Harry?"
Harry still didn't look towards Ron but he did ask, in a voice completely void of emotion, "What?"
Ron was hurt by his friends response and the fact that he wouldn't look at him but he let it slide. Harry had, after all, just escaped being sent to Azkaban and found out that a second person that he cared for had been kidnapped.
A long moment of silence stretched between the three friends until Harry asked, "What about the place in London Snape was talking about?"
Ron sighed and replied, "Empty. I think You-Know-Who knew he was there all along. That he was baiting him.
Harry closed his eyes and hissed under his breath, "Bastard."
Hermione placed a hand on her friends arm again, which was this time covered by Harry's. He opened his eyes and turned to look at her. Hermione found herself caught in the emerald eyes that she had adored at one point in time and sometimes hoped she would see in the morning when she woke up. But no matter how much she hoped for that, she truly did love Draco and was somehow happy that she had not ended up with Harry or Ron. She loved the both of them but just as friends.
Harry smiled at her then looked at Ron. "C'mon Ron. Sit down. Hermione, you'll ruin your robes on the floor. Grab a chair. We still have a lot to catch up on." His lips parted in a grin just as his stomach growled softly. He blushed and said, "Perhaps we should get some food in here too."
Hermione smiled at the same time Ron did. As Ron sat down she rose and said, "I'll go get the food. Don't want the house-elves in a titter over your being here Harry."
Harry snorted.
"I'm sure Dobby wouldn't care if I was a Death Eater or not. He'd be singing my praises all day."
Hermione slapped her friends shoulder as Ron's cheerful face fell at the mention of what Harry was now classified as. In a sharp voice Hermione hissed, "You are not a Death Eater, Harry Potter. And anyone that says otherwise will be killed and have their head on a spike."
Ron blinked at Hermione while Harry gave her a look that was seemingly one of respect. He smiled and asked, "Will that be carried out by you my dear Professor Malfoy?"
Hermione sensed the sarcasm in his voice, which reminded her of Snape for some reason, and slapped his shoulder again then waggled a finger in his face. She hissed, "It'll be your head on a spike if you don't believe me."
"Oh I believe you. I was just wondering whose head was going to be in danger first, Rita Skeeter's or Cornelius Fudge's."
All three of them laughed as Hermione gave a mischievous smile and replied, "Oh, both of their heads will be in danger I assure you."
As Ron wiped tears from his eyes he said, "Just like old times."
Harry nodded, brushing his own laughter-tears away before looking up at Hermione and asking, "Now how about that food?"
Hermione gave a little humphf and stormed out of the room with Harry and Ron's peals of laughter drifting along behind her.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
When Hermione returned with a tray laden with plates of sandwiches, three goblets, and a pitcher of pumpkin juice, the three friends began to tell of what had happened to them after graduation. And Harry's disappearance as he hadn't kept much of a watch on other affairs in the wizarding world beside keeping himself alive in Voldemort's inner circle and reporting to Dumbledore without getting caught.
Harry had spurted pumpkin juice out his nose as Ron told a funny story involving Neville during his first days as an Auror, which Harry had been surprised he had become as both his parents had been put in St. Mungo's from being under the Cruciatus Curse too long. They too had been Aurors but had gone mad from the effects of the curse. Harry had seen it happened at one point in time to a Death Eater. That was not a pleasant memory to remember.
The laughter and stories went on well into the night as the Silencing Charm Dumbledore had put on the room kept anyone but someone in the room from hearing them.
But as Ron poured the last of their third pitcher of pumpkin juice into his goblet the portrait hole opened, causing the three of them to stand, wands at ready. Draco entered the room, his cool gray eyes going to the three wands immediately.
He calmly said, "Are you planning to hex me or stand there like idiots?"
Ron had given a little humphf and sat back down in his chair. Though it looked as though he didn't fully enjoy it now that their nemesis from the school days was with them.
Hermione gave an inward sigh at her friend's behavior. He still hadn't accepted the fact that Draco had changed.
Harry turned to look at Draco and asked, "Something wrong?"
Draco nodded and replied, "The Aurors are combing the castle high and low. Albus tried to stop them but Moody insisted." He turned to look at Ron and added, "They're also looking for you."
Ron cursed and drained what was left in his goblet. Rising from his chair he said, "I better get going before they get anymore suspicious."
Harry frowned at his friend. "At this rate you'll lose your job."
"Nah. I'm one of the best. Almost caught Malfoy at one point in time." He hurriedly added, "Lucius," when Harry looked confused.
"Ah. Well, don't lose your job over me," said Harry.
Ron grinned. "Personally I don't give a damn about the job. Its just something to spend my free time in." He looked around the room and continued, "I'd rather be right here talking to you two."
Harry and Hermione smiled at their old friend just as Draco sneered, "Then you better get going Weasel. I thought I heard something about you getting fired just a moment ago."
Ron gave Draco a death glare and left the room, grumbling something under his breath.
As soon as he was gone Hermione asked, "What are you doing in here Draco? I'd have thought you'd been doing something with Snape."
Draco shook his head and walked over to Ron's seat. As he sat down he replied, "Severus is busy at the moment. Concocting something that involves no interruptions. Which is why he cast a Locking Charm on the Potions door."
"Oh."
Harry sighed and twirled his goblet in his hand, studying the simple markings on the cup. Suddenly he dropped the goblet to the floor as pain flashed across his face. Instinctively his right hand moved to grasp a spot on his left arm.
Hermione and Draco knew instantly what had happened and exchanged glances.
"Harry, are you alright?"
The response came out in a half-growl. "Fine."
Harry gave a little sigh and leaned into the chair, trying to focus on something other than the pain that was slowly spreading up and down his arm from the Mark. He said, mostly to himself, "It always burns. It gets worse as time goes on."
Hermoine looked concerned at that but Harry only laughed, a harsh-sounding laugh that echoed around the room.
"I've been through much worse Herm. Don't worry. I'm not going to keel over just because of a little pain."
He smiled at her and she tried to smile back, noticing that the muscles above his right eyes were twitching. That gave her the impression that his scar was hurting as much as the mark.
"Harry…"
"Herm, trust me on this. We have more important things to worry about than my scar or this." He flicked the fingers of his right hand at his left arm then continued, "We should be figuring out how to rescue Sirius, Ginny, and Saerry."
Draco added in, "First we have to find out where Voldemort is Potty."
"As if I did not know that Ferret."
Draco glared and Harry simply smirked. Hermione had to fight the urge to laugh at the two of them. The little wordplay's between the three boys, men now she thought, had always been entertaining after Draco had changed. They tended to joke with each other rather than insult each other but they still weren't comfortable with it. Or at least Ron and Draco weren't.
Suddenly the portrait opened again, allowing Dumbledore to enter, followed by Remus and a flustered looking McGonagall who had stared at Harry for a good moment or two, one hand slipping into her pocket for her wand.
Harry sighed and held up his hands. "Do whatever you wish Professor. Just don't turn me in. I have something to take care of before I let them lay their hands on me." Everyone in the room caught the cold note in Harry's voice as he spoke. McGonagall took her hand out of her pocket as her eyes locked with Harry's for a split second. She gave a faint nod and sank down into a chair.
Dumbledore looked at Harry and said, "Severus came just a moment ago to tell me that the mark was burning. Did yours do the same?"
At Harry's nod Remus asked, "What do you think it means?"
"He's baiting me," was Harry's response. "Trying to get me to come after him. But I won't. I'm not sure I'd have a chance against him alone. I barely managed to get him the first time."
Hermione smiled at her friend and said, "But you did beat him."
"Not enough."
Hermione frowned and leaned forward to touch Harry's hand at the hopelessness in his voice. He looked up at her and she once again found herself caught in the green depths. She gave his hand a firm squeeze and growled, "You can beat him Harry. I know you can." There was a little pause before she smiled and added, "And if you can't beat him fairly then beat him at his own game."
Harry stared at her for a moment before his lips curled up into a smile. He let out a little bark of laughter and said, "Thanks Herm."
"Anytime."
Dumbledore smiled at them and said, "I've managed to bring Alastor in on our side." As Harry blinked and arched an eyebrow he added, "He believes your story."
Harry scoffed. "Professor, I truly doubt many Aurors would believe that story."
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled at Harry's words.
"True. But Alastor is the believing type. And he's a bit tired of Cornelius' obsession with catching you."
Harry shook his head and said, "The man has had it in for me since he found out I was a Parselmouth."
Remus smiled and said in low voice, "Let's just hope he doesn't find out about your other secrets Harry."
"The man needs Skeeter to tell him anything," growled Harry.
Draco smirked. "And still doesn't believe Voldemort was the one responsible for all the Death Eater raids."
"Oh the man's a real idiot. A horse with blinders on." Harry chuckled and added, "The great fool."
Everyone in the room smiled at the descriptions of Fudge that Harry gave, except for McGonagall, who simply frowned. Even Draco gave a half smile and nodded.
"You've gotten one thing right today Potter."
Harry leaned towards Draco, his face stern but his eyes glittering with half-hidden mirth. "And what may I ask is that Ferret?"
Draco actually grinned at the nickname and replied, "Calling Fudge a great fool."
Harry fell back into his chair with a laugh and Hermione smiled.
McGonagall suddenly spoke up, her voice a tad harsh.
"You all do know that we'll have to face him someday won't you?"
Instantly the laughter in the room faded and Hermione saw sadness cover the laughter in Harry's eyes as he ducked his head and said, "The time will come."
McGonagall leaned forward. "But how soon?"
Harry turned to look at her and she gave a little jump. He smiled, a cold smile that Hermione thought didn't belong on her friends face, and said, "We'll know soon enough Professor. We'll know soon enough."
A/N: PHEW! 6 pages. Most I've done yet! ^^ *sigh* This chap seemed to get away from me and aim toward being from Hermione's point of view. At least to me it did.
Snape: That's only because you didn't listen to me.
Me: You wanted me to kill Harry!
Snape: Not much of a loss.
Me: *growl* Sev….
Snape: *glare* Fine.
Me: Thank you. As I was saying, the chap seemed to get away from me. And for those who want to know what Sev's working on…..well, I truthfully don't have a clue myself but I'll figure it out.
Snape: *sneers* And you call yourself a writer.
Me: *glare* How about I lock you in a room, alone, with dear old Voldemort?
Snape: *pales*
Me: *smile* I thought so.
Ah, moving on. A few thank you's —
Cay – *bows* I'm glad you like it. And frightfully impressed that my story managed to keep someone awake to all hours of the night. ^^ Never had that comment before.
Anya – There's MUCH more comin' and the first char killed will be killed with class. (Snape: I doubt it. ; Me: Oh shut up Severus…) Thank you. They are wonderful aren't they? (Me: Look Sevvie, you got a compliment. ; Snape: *glare* Don't call me that…) Ah, and an interesting thought you have there. *evil grin* Could work. Hmmm…. *wheels spin in her head* (Snape: *moans* Why did you give her a suggestion? The woman is pure evil! ; Me: Petrificus Totalus! ; Snape: *glares*) Hehehehehe. Thank could work! (*Harry hides in a broom closet*) Or perhaps not as he's hiding. ^__^
To all the reviewers – You guys are wonderful! 53 reviews! Most I've EVER had for a story! *beams and runs around, singing various song and jumping for joy*
Til next chap guys!