Hello all! I'm *SO* sorry this took so long, and with that mean cliffhanger
as well…I just survived the week-and-a-half from Hell (among other things,
I suddenly found myself stage managing a show on campus…which meant 6+ hour
rehearsals every day that I hadn't been planning on – but the show is over
now – woooohooo!).
A/N at the end.
Disclaimer: Harry Potter and co. are not mine…which is probably why it's so easy for me to torture them so.
____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________
The Color of Crimson
By: Lady of Arundel
Chapter Seven: Inklings in Crimson
Lunch had been a very brief affair, Severus anxious to be finished and gone by the time the meal officially commenced. Albus had excused himself as well and accompanied the Potions Master, much to Severus's chagrin. He felt on edge, had felt on edge since waking that morning, a feeling only worsened by his confrontation with Remus and veiled encounter with Albus. He simply was not in the mood. The pair reached the main entrance to the Dungeons and Severus slowed to take his leave.
"Will you be joining me for tea this afternoon, Severus?"
"If you don't mind, I do have a few details to attend to after all."
Albus regarded the younger man for a moment before nodding. "Very well, Severus. Oh, and the lesson plans?"
"I'll bring them up directly, I –"
Severus suddenly doubled over, clutching his left forearm as a cry of pain was wrenched from his lips. He would have surely fallen if Albus hadn't reached his side in time, strong hands seizing Severus's collapsing form. The older wizard gently eased Severus to a half-sitting position, Severus cradled in his arms as Albus leaned back against the cold stone wall. Albus simply held the man he thought of as a son in silence, knowing from experience that Severus would be unable to give a coherent response until the spasms subsided. Still clutching Albus's robes, Severus after a length looked up into the eyes of his mentor, breath ragged and eyes wild.
"Something has happened."
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
"Harry!"
Within the space of a breath Remus had sprung across what was left of the room and now knelt beside Harry's still form.
/Please don't be dead, don't be dead…/
"Harry? Harry can you hear me?"
Still nothing.
Hands to slight – too slight – shoulders, shaking the boy gently…
/Don't be dead, don't be dead, please don't be dead, please…/
"Harry, I need you to wake up…"
The terror that had seized him the moment he saw the destroyed house began to solidify and settle heavily in his stomach. He removed an unsteady hand and pressed trembling fingers to Harry's neck, praying, searching, seeking…
The boy's skin felt on fire.
But beneath the fever and the faint crackle of magic that seemed to dance across the too hot skin Remus felt a pulse. Slightly irregular, but it was there.
Remus shakily exhaled and renewed his attempts to wake the boy, tightening his grip on the frail, limp form and shaking him with doubled resolve.
"Please, Harry, wake up…it's Professor Lupin…you have to wake –"
"Ahem."
Remus froze, blood and body, mid-sentence at the sound of a throat being cleared directly behind him. He spun half-kneeling, half-crouching, placing himself between Harry and the sound's source.
He found himself staring at the tip of an outstretched wand.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
A sharp pop broke the heavy silence.
A solitary figure dressed in heavy black robes disapparated into the small open strip between a soaring wall of stone and the row of trees at the fringe of the dense forest. The figure leaned against the wall to catch his breath and compose himself before pressing onwards to the aged gate.
/Interesting. Very, very interesting./
The unmanned gate automatically opened upon recognition of his magical signature and the man broke into a purposeful stride towards the looming mansion – Malfoys never ran, after all.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
Remus dared not move aside from imperceptibly tightening his grip on his own wand, having raised his own wand as he whirled to face the intruder.
For a moment the two stared at each other, Remus still kneeling before a towering figure in black robes.
"Professor Lupin, Sir?"
Startled, Remus's eyes widened briefly before narrowing. He held his wand steady, on guard for the slightest opportunity to gain control of the situation. A moment more of the tense stand-off and the man suddenly stepped back, lowering his wand.
"Professor Lupin? Bernard Basil, Sir, I'm the driver the Ministry sent o'er at yer request."
Basil, Ministry, driver…yes, yes of course. He had requested a driver so that they could stop at Diagon Alley for Harry's school supplies before returning to Hogwarts.
Remus slowly lowered his wand, but did not pocket it. He flicked his tongue across parched lips.
"Basil, yes, yes, I did…" Remus turned back to Harry's still form and Basil stepped closer, wand held loosely at his side.
"Merlin! What happened here?"
"I…I'm not certain. He…Harry…the house…was like this when I got here. I just arrived myself." Remus swallowed and placed a hand on the boy's scorching forehead, brushing back wet, tangled black locks. /Was like this while I was at Arabella's, safe, while…/ Remus shook himself. "He won't wake up."
Basil took another step and raised his wand arm and spoke before the shaken Defense professor had time to block the spell.
"Ennervate."
Remus sharply turned his apprehensive gaze from Basil to Harry at the sound of a sharp intake of breath. He temporarily pushed aside his unease and self-reprimands – for not having the presence of mind to remember a spell as elementary as Ennervate, among other things – and focused his entire being instead on Harry.
The boy's eyes were still closed.
"Harry? Can you hear me?"
Still nothing.
/Why didn't the spell work? Come on, come on, Harry…/
He gently shook the boy's shoulder with his free hand.
This at last elicited a response in the form of a faint, low moan.
Remus's heart leapt.
He shook the boy a little harder.
"Harry, it's Professor Lupin, you need to open your eyes, open your eyes, Harry…"
Harry moaned again, louder, but slowly his eyes fluttered open. Remus smiled weakly, again smoothing the boy's hair off his forehead.
"That's a good boy, Harry. Can you sit up?"
Dulled, pained green eyes gradually focused on Remus and faintly lit with recognition just before eyelids slid closed. Remus panicked.
"No, Harry, you need to keep your eyes open, you need to stay awake – Harry!"
Eyes drowsily opened again and Remus exhaled heavily.
"Good boy. How badly are you hurt?" No response.
"Can you sit up?" Again nothing. At least he was still awake.
"I'm going to lift you, is that okay?" Not expecting a reply Remus carefully scooped the boy up in his arms, cradling him against his chest as Harry hissed in pain.
"I'm sorry, Harry, but I need to get you to safety." Green eyes blinked but remained open and dazedly trained on the Professor.
"Professor? Are yeh wanting me to drive yeh or should I take Mr. Potter while yeh stay and –" Remus had almost forgotten about Basil. He shook his head and began to pick his way out of the rubble, careful not to jostle his light - /too light/ - bundle.
"No. I'll take Harry. I need you to contact the Ministry, anyone you can find. Aurors – these death eaters need to be taken into custody. I put them under petrificus totalis – they're alive but going to need medical attention from whatever..." Basil nodded.
"Yeh sure yeh don't need me to –" Remus stopped as he reached the edge of the lawn.
"No. Get the Ministry, Basil. I have a feeling something was done to the Muggles, it's far too quiet. Someone, anyone, should have arrived by now. Get help."
As Remus hurried away from Number Four he glanced down to check his charge. Harry's face was contorted into a pained grimace, upper lip caught between his teeth as if to prevent himself from crying out. The professor tightened his grip on the boy and quickened his pace as much as he dared.
"Just hold on, Harry. Hold on."
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
Lucius braced himself against the floor, steeling himself against the tremors characteristic of the after-effects of the Cruciatus curse. He sensed his Master approach, but dared not look up.
"No, Master, I know not what happened. The old man must have placed additional wards around that house that we were not aware of, our new spy's information must have been incomplete. I cannot think of any other plausible explanation for what I saw."
Lucius raised himself to a kneeling position, head bowed and thankful for the mask that concealed the smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
TBC….
A/N: You didn't seriously think I'd kill Harry off, did ya? I was actually tempted (really, REALLY tempted…can you just IMAGINE the SnapeAngst?) …actually, the only real reason Harry is still alive is because since the beginning I've envisioned a scene that should be coming up soon, and it wouldn't exactly work if Harry was dead. I consoled my muse by assuring him (he looks like a mini version of Severus) that I can always kill someone off later. I *was* tempted to stop after Lucius's little bit, but I figured I've been overly cruel as of late.
My, this is taking much longer than I thought it would…I've been a little distraught to see a fanfic or two pop up with some elements vaguely similar to what I've been setting up from the beginning, but I figured I should plug on ahead anyway. *shrug*
I'm not that happy with this chapter, but I didn't feel I could safely just jump ahead…I've been tinkering with it but it absolutely refuses to improve itself. Ah well.
*J.Lynn: Aww, thanks. I've been kind of nervous about the two slash fics…well aware that Visiting Hours is a bit ridiculous and, um, bad…glad you liked the Picnic story. :-) And very glad you like this one!
*Atheis: It seems that every fandom I go to I quickly gain a reputation for being "Evil." Sheesh. Although I do freakishly have a tendency to get sorted into Slytherin…every time I pick up one of those Sorting Hat key chains or pick a house stone for the HP board game I get Slytherin…I'm a Gryffindor, really I am! :-) Anyway, hope this chapter helped cure the eye twitch a bit, lol…
*Tidmag: Proper care for a death eater includes at least 3 doses of Cruciatus a day….
*Nicky: Heh, I like the motherly Remus-Minerva relationship too…between those two, Albus and Severus, and other combinations, this seems to be developing into a story about family…who knew?
*Quoth the Raven: Yeah, you missed the battle scene, but it'll probably make an appearance in flashback form…I just can't tell you what happened all at once, can I? How badly is he hurt? You'll just have to see…
*Erin Finnlaith: Ha – that had to be one of the most complimentary reviews I've ever received…*points to keyboard* See? I am writing more!
*Lady Foxfire: I dunno, maybe I should threaten to kill Harry if we don't get another installment of A Broken Child ASAP! It's almost been a month! Wormtail, the Ministry, and all will be explained. I will tell you that the Dursleys are all fine and dandy…well, that is, until they discover their house has been destroyed. That might not go over well with Vernon.
*Ariana Deralte: Minerva would be too old for Remus but it's not that kind of relationship – more like a proxy mother-son sort of deal.
*RJLL: *Whistles innocently.*
*Allocin: Happy? He's not dead. (Yet.) Although like I said, the endless SnapeAngst should Harry die before he can reveal his identity to his son IS mighty tempting…I'm very glad you're hooked – I was addicted to Curse of Guilt. :-)
*Prophetess of Hearts: I could end the chapter there because, like I told Atheis, I'm apparently Evil. I could have easily turned this into a cliffhanger but I behaved. This time.
*Indiana Jones: Awww, *blush*. Thanks!! Thankfully I do have at least a rough outline in my head, or else this story would have been shot dead in the water by my unexpected interruption.
*Terra: Wow, what a review!!! Yeah, this story is kind of a compilation of the things I like about Harry fics…it's keeping me entertained. I am well acquainted with Dark!Harry, and although I'm not at liberty to say whether or not he will be making an appearance in this fic, if he doesn't I could probably be easily persuaded into writing a Dark!Harry fic…
*Von: Thanks, I think? :-) No really, thanks for reading despite the plot…teehee. There will be much more HarryTorture to come, don't worry.
*Severitus: Speaking of a renegade author falling off the face of ff.net! I'll forgive you if you post more of YOUR deviously-wicked story ASAP! Yeah, the flashback and Remus-Minerva bits were my favorites, too. :-) Thanks!
*Venus4282, Arabel, Silver*Chime, Luna Rose, Whome the Fox Goddess, Mary Potter, Kyohaku Celestiale Vespertina, Rowen Mafair, tolkeinite, Teigra, Saerry Snape, Maab, kat, Relle, and Diana Le Defonceur: thank you all so much and I hope you enjoyed the chapter…!!!
A/N at the end.
Disclaimer: Harry Potter and co. are not mine…which is probably why it's so easy for me to torture them so.
____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________
The Color of Crimson
By: Lady of Arundel
Chapter Seven: Inklings in Crimson
Lunch had been a very brief affair, Severus anxious to be finished and gone by the time the meal officially commenced. Albus had excused himself as well and accompanied the Potions Master, much to Severus's chagrin. He felt on edge, had felt on edge since waking that morning, a feeling only worsened by his confrontation with Remus and veiled encounter with Albus. He simply was not in the mood. The pair reached the main entrance to the Dungeons and Severus slowed to take his leave.
"Will you be joining me for tea this afternoon, Severus?"
"If you don't mind, I do have a few details to attend to after all."
Albus regarded the younger man for a moment before nodding. "Very well, Severus. Oh, and the lesson plans?"
"I'll bring them up directly, I –"
Severus suddenly doubled over, clutching his left forearm as a cry of pain was wrenched from his lips. He would have surely fallen if Albus hadn't reached his side in time, strong hands seizing Severus's collapsing form. The older wizard gently eased Severus to a half-sitting position, Severus cradled in his arms as Albus leaned back against the cold stone wall. Albus simply held the man he thought of as a son in silence, knowing from experience that Severus would be unable to give a coherent response until the spasms subsided. Still clutching Albus's robes, Severus after a length looked up into the eyes of his mentor, breath ragged and eyes wild.
"Something has happened."
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
"Harry!"
Within the space of a breath Remus had sprung across what was left of the room and now knelt beside Harry's still form.
/Please don't be dead, don't be dead…/
"Harry? Harry can you hear me?"
Still nothing.
Hands to slight – too slight – shoulders, shaking the boy gently…
/Don't be dead, don't be dead, please don't be dead, please…/
"Harry, I need you to wake up…"
The terror that had seized him the moment he saw the destroyed house began to solidify and settle heavily in his stomach. He removed an unsteady hand and pressed trembling fingers to Harry's neck, praying, searching, seeking…
The boy's skin felt on fire.
But beneath the fever and the faint crackle of magic that seemed to dance across the too hot skin Remus felt a pulse. Slightly irregular, but it was there.
Remus shakily exhaled and renewed his attempts to wake the boy, tightening his grip on the frail, limp form and shaking him with doubled resolve.
"Please, Harry, wake up…it's Professor Lupin…you have to wake –"
"Ahem."
Remus froze, blood and body, mid-sentence at the sound of a throat being cleared directly behind him. He spun half-kneeling, half-crouching, placing himself between Harry and the sound's source.
He found himself staring at the tip of an outstretched wand.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
A sharp pop broke the heavy silence.
A solitary figure dressed in heavy black robes disapparated into the small open strip between a soaring wall of stone and the row of trees at the fringe of the dense forest. The figure leaned against the wall to catch his breath and compose himself before pressing onwards to the aged gate.
/Interesting. Very, very interesting./
The unmanned gate automatically opened upon recognition of his magical signature and the man broke into a purposeful stride towards the looming mansion – Malfoys never ran, after all.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
Remus dared not move aside from imperceptibly tightening his grip on his own wand, having raised his own wand as he whirled to face the intruder.
For a moment the two stared at each other, Remus still kneeling before a towering figure in black robes.
"Professor Lupin, Sir?"
Startled, Remus's eyes widened briefly before narrowing. He held his wand steady, on guard for the slightest opportunity to gain control of the situation. A moment more of the tense stand-off and the man suddenly stepped back, lowering his wand.
"Professor Lupin? Bernard Basil, Sir, I'm the driver the Ministry sent o'er at yer request."
Basil, Ministry, driver…yes, yes of course. He had requested a driver so that they could stop at Diagon Alley for Harry's school supplies before returning to Hogwarts.
Remus slowly lowered his wand, but did not pocket it. He flicked his tongue across parched lips.
"Basil, yes, yes, I did…" Remus turned back to Harry's still form and Basil stepped closer, wand held loosely at his side.
"Merlin! What happened here?"
"I…I'm not certain. He…Harry…the house…was like this when I got here. I just arrived myself." Remus swallowed and placed a hand on the boy's scorching forehead, brushing back wet, tangled black locks. /Was like this while I was at Arabella's, safe, while…/ Remus shook himself. "He won't wake up."
Basil took another step and raised his wand arm and spoke before the shaken Defense professor had time to block the spell.
"Ennervate."
Remus sharply turned his apprehensive gaze from Basil to Harry at the sound of a sharp intake of breath. He temporarily pushed aside his unease and self-reprimands – for not having the presence of mind to remember a spell as elementary as Ennervate, among other things – and focused his entire being instead on Harry.
The boy's eyes were still closed.
"Harry? Can you hear me?"
Still nothing.
/Why didn't the spell work? Come on, come on, Harry…/
He gently shook the boy's shoulder with his free hand.
This at last elicited a response in the form of a faint, low moan.
Remus's heart leapt.
He shook the boy a little harder.
"Harry, it's Professor Lupin, you need to open your eyes, open your eyes, Harry…"
Harry moaned again, louder, but slowly his eyes fluttered open. Remus smiled weakly, again smoothing the boy's hair off his forehead.
"That's a good boy, Harry. Can you sit up?"
Dulled, pained green eyes gradually focused on Remus and faintly lit with recognition just before eyelids slid closed. Remus panicked.
"No, Harry, you need to keep your eyes open, you need to stay awake – Harry!"
Eyes drowsily opened again and Remus exhaled heavily.
"Good boy. How badly are you hurt?" No response.
"Can you sit up?" Again nothing. At least he was still awake.
"I'm going to lift you, is that okay?" Not expecting a reply Remus carefully scooped the boy up in his arms, cradling him against his chest as Harry hissed in pain.
"I'm sorry, Harry, but I need to get you to safety." Green eyes blinked but remained open and dazedly trained on the Professor.
"Professor? Are yeh wanting me to drive yeh or should I take Mr. Potter while yeh stay and –" Remus had almost forgotten about Basil. He shook his head and began to pick his way out of the rubble, careful not to jostle his light - /too light/ - bundle.
"No. I'll take Harry. I need you to contact the Ministry, anyone you can find. Aurors – these death eaters need to be taken into custody. I put them under petrificus totalis – they're alive but going to need medical attention from whatever..." Basil nodded.
"Yeh sure yeh don't need me to –" Remus stopped as he reached the edge of the lawn.
"No. Get the Ministry, Basil. I have a feeling something was done to the Muggles, it's far too quiet. Someone, anyone, should have arrived by now. Get help."
As Remus hurried away from Number Four he glanced down to check his charge. Harry's face was contorted into a pained grimace, upper lip caught between his teeth as if to prevent himself from crying out. The professor tightened his grip on the boy and quickened his pace as much as he dared.
"Just hold on, Harry. Hold on."
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
Lucius braced himself against the floor, steeling himself against the tremors characteristic of the after-effects of the Cruciatus curse. He sensed his Master approach, but dared not look up.
"No, Master, I know not what happened. The old man must have placed additional wards around that house that we were not aware of, our new spy's information must have been incomplete. I cannot think of any other plausible explanation for what I saw."
Lucius raised himself to a kneeling position, head bowed and thankful for the mask that concealed the smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
TBC….
A/N: You didn't seriously think I'd kill Harry off, did ya? I was actually tempted (really, REALLY tempted…can you just IMAGINE the SnapeAngst?) …actually, the only real reason Harry is still alive is because since the beginning I've envisioned a scene that should be coming up soon, and it wouldn't exactly work if Harry was dead. I consoled my muse by assuring him (he looks like a mini version of Severus) that I can always kill someone off later. I *was* tempted to stop after Lucius's little bit, but I figured I've been overly cruel as of late.
My, this is taking much longer than I thought it would…I've been a little distraught to see a fanfic or two pop up with some elements vaguely similar to what I've been setting up from the beginning, but I figured I should plug on ahead anyway. *shrug*
I'm not that happy with this chapter, but I didn't feel I could safely just jump ahead…I've been tinkering with it but it absolutely refuses to improve itself. Ah well.
*J.Lynn: Aww, thanks. I've been kind of nervous about the two slash fics…well aware that Visiting Hours is a bit ridiculous and, um, bad…glad you liked the Picnic story. :-) And very glad you like this one!
*Atheis: It seems that every fandom I go to I quickly gain a reputation for being "Evil." Sheesh. Although I do freakishly have a tendency to get sorted into Slytherin…every time I pick up one of those Sorting Hat key chains or pick a house stone for the HP board game I get Slytherin…I'm a Gryffindor, really I am! :-) Anyway, hope this chapter helped cure the eye twitch a bit, lol…
*Tidmag: Proper care for a death eater includes at least 3 doses of Cruciatus a day….
*Nicky: Heh, I like the motherly Remus-Minerva relationship too…between those two, Albus and Severus, and other combinations, this seems to be developing into a story about family…who knew?
*Quoth the Raven: Yeah, you missed the battle scene, but it'll probably make an appearance in flashback form…I just can't tell you what happened all at once, can I? How badly is he hurt? You'll just have to see…
*Erin Finnlaith: Ha – that had to be one of the most complimentary reviews I've ever received…*points to keyboard* See? I am writing more!
*Lady Foxfire: I dunno, maybe I should threaten to kill Harry if we don't get another installment of A Broken Child ASAP! It's almost been a month! Wormtail, the Ministry, and all will be explained. I will tell you that the Dursleys are all fine and dandy…well, that is, until they discover their house has been destroyed. That might not go over well with Vernon.
*Ariana Deralte: Minerva would be too old for Remus but it's not that kind of relationship – more like a proxy mother-son sort of deal.
*RJLL: *Whistles innocently.*
*Allocin: Happy? He's not dead. (Yet.) Although like I said, the endless SnapeAngst should Harry die before he can reveal his identity to his son IS mighty tempting…I'm very glad you're hooked – I was addicted to Curse of Guilt. :-)
*Prophetess of Hearts: I could end the chapter there because, like I told Atheis, I'm apparently Evil. I could have easily turned this into a cliffhanger but I behaved. This time.
*Indiana Jones: Awww, *blush*. Thanks!! Thankfully I do have at least a rough outline in my head, or else this story would have been shot dead in the water by my unexpected interruption.
*Terra: Wow, what a review!!! Yeah, this story is kind of a compilation of the things I like about Harry fics…it's keeping me entertained. I am well acquainted with Dark!Harry, and although I'm not at liberty to say whether or not he will be making an appearance in this fic, if he doesn't I could probably be easily persuaded into writing a Dark!Harry fic…
*Von: Thanks, I think? :-) No really, thanks for reading despite the plot…teehee. There will be much more HarryTorture to come, don't worry.
*Severitus: Speaking of a renegade author falling off the face of ff.net! I'll forgive you if you post more of YOUR deviously-wicked story ASAP! Yeah, the flashback and Remus-Minerva bits were my favorites, too. :-) Thanks!
*Venus4282, Arabel, Silver*Chime, Luna Rose, Whome the Fox Goddess, Mary Potter, Kyohaku Celestiale Vespertina, Rowen Mafair, tolkeinite, Teigra, Saerry Snape, Maab, kat, Relle, and Diana Le Defonceur: thank you all so much and I hope you enjoyed the chapter…!!!