Disclaimer: Blah blah blah. It's JKR's.
A/N: We are very glad you are enjoying our story. SPREAD THE LOVE!!!
A few days later found Harry walking silently through the quiet halls of Hogwarts. It was a Hogsmede weekend, and students
in their first or second years that were not yet allowed to visit the small fully wizarding town, were occupying themselves
with a Wizarding Chess Tournament in the Great Hall.
Every day at this time, Harry would meet with Hermione and Severus to test new salves prepared by the potions master. To date,
none had succeeded in removing or at least reducing the burn; though some did remove the linger pain.
As he ambled along, a sharp pain raced through his body, from the burn up; causing him to double over in pain. Gasping for
breath, he cradled his wrist in his arm and staggered towards Hermione's classroom. Rounding in a corner, he ran headlong
into another figure; who, by the sounds of it, had been running.
Harry glanced at the figure who was picking himself up off the floor. Malfoy.
"What where you're going Potter." he seethed, dusting his robes off in haste and catching his breath in the process.
"Sod off Malfoy." Harry managed to grit out through the pain coursing through his body. The burn hadn't been this painful
since it was first inflicted. He glared at the retreating back of the figure who had given him the wound. He barely
caught Draco's departing words.
"Some of us have pain to inflict." he had mumbled, before breaking into a fevered run again.
Shaking his head wearily, Harry pushed open the door to Hermione's classroom with his body. Hermione and Severus sitting
in chairs at her desk, with an array of flasks before them, did not greet Harry this time. Instead, when he entered, it
was to find Severus doubled over in pain, grasping his left arm; with Hermione leaning over and soothing him best she could.
"Voldemort?" Harry questioned, grimacing in pain as he unconsciously moved his injured wrist. Hermione only nodded, not
bothering to glance behind her at Harry. Sitting down, he took deep breaths as to alleviate the pain somewhat.
"Harry...are you doing" Hermione paused, finally looking upon her friend, "lamaze?"
Harry blushed. "Well, when Ginny was pregnant, we went to the classes. The woman who was teaching it said that the deep
breathing exercises helped to alleviate pain." he paused, breathing deeply as another wave of pain coursed through his
already exhausted body. "And since I'm in a bloody lot o'pain, I figured, what the hey!" his pitch was bordering insanity
as he fought against the pain.
During his tirade, Hermione had turned back to Severus, rubbing his back soothingly as he grimaced during wave after wave.
She didn't understand how he could endure such pain in silence; yet she admired him for it. He was a strong man, and crying
would admit weakness; something he had vowed never to do.
After a while, the pain began to eb away in both figures. As Severus drank shakily from a glass of water, Hermione turned
to Harry.
"What's wrong with you?" she inquired softly.
"My bloody burn burns!" he exclaimed, stating the obvious.
"Odd." Severus quipped from behind, voice ragged with exhaustion.
"When did that start?" Hermione asked, gathering the newest salve and a pile of bandages. As she worked intently at the
wound, she listened to Harry's recount of his encounter with Malfoy.
"It had just started to burn when I rounded the corner and ran headlong into Malfoy. Or more like he ran into me." hissing
as Hermione applied the salve, he continued. "Bloody git must have been in an awful hurry to have been going as fast as he
was."
"Odd." Severus once again added, setting his empty glass on the desk before him.
"And what is so strange about all of this," Harry continued, paying no heed to Severus' questioning glare, "is that the burn
hasn't caused me this much pain since the day I got it."
"Odd." Hermione this time, as she taped the bandage into place. What do you make of this Severus?" She was seemingly
ignored; however, as he paced back and forth before the desk, deep in thought.
Finally, he turned to Harry.
"Harry...I know we haven't been friends that long..."he trailed off, wincing at the term 'friends,' "Listen, we've put up
with each other for a while now...and well," he paused again, fighting to get the phrase out, "I need your help."
"You," Harry laughed, "Need MY help?"
Severus rolled his eyes.
"Mr. Potter." Harry stopped, the tone reminiscent of his school days. "Grow up." he sneered.
"Fine!" Harry threw up his hands in defeat. Severus smirked triumphantly. "I'll help you."
Before Hermione could speak, the two had stalked out the door.
~*~
"Albus!" Severus pounded on the door leading to the Headmaster's chambers. After passing the gargoyle (Whatchamacallit), the
unlikely duo had entered Professor Dumbledore's office, only to find him not there. Knowing he wasn't elsewhere in the castle,
they tried his chambers.
The door was locked.
No answer.
Albus was sleeping.
"Wake up you old fool!" he bellowed, pounding on the door again. Harry watched, amused at his ex-professor's antics.
"It's a bloody emergency!" Finally, they heard the rustle of sheets and the hurried shuffle of feet against floor. Albus
swung open the door, a startled expression crossed his aging features.
"Severus? Harry?" he inquired, placing his moon-rimmed glasses atop his nose. "What is the problem?" his tone was fatherly,
comforting. Severus visibly relaxed until his silent scrutiny.
"We need to talk." Severus answered, gesturing towards Albus' office.
"Yes, yes. You go along, while I get dressed." he closed the door behind him as Severus and Harry entered the office. "Help
yourself to the lemon drops!" they heard from behind them. Severus rolled his eyes, settling into one of the many plush
armchairs in the office, signaling for Harry to do the same.
Albus walked in shortly after, closing the door and placing a secure locking spell on it. Another mumble of Latin and the
room was encased in a silencing spell. Satisfied, he fell into his chair and began rummaging in his desk for his lemon drops.
"They're in the right drawer." Severus grumbled; Harry suppressed the urge to laugh.
"Alas! They are!" Albus exclaimed, popping one into his mouth and offering Harry the box. After Harry took one, Albus offered
Severus, but as always, he declined.
"Albus, I have reason to believe that Harry's burn is linked to Voldemort like a death-eaters dark mark." Harry gasped in
surprise. After asking Harry for his help, the two had left for Albus immediately, but the time had remained silent. Until
now, Harry had no clue what Severus was on about.
Albus nodded gravely, prompting Severus on.
"I knew it was dark in nature, but didn't know why it couldn't be cured." Severus paused, taking a deep breath. "Today there
was a summoning. About an hour ago, to be precise. I felt it, Hermione was with me, so she can confirm. It happened
at the time Mr. Potter comes for his burn treatments. When he came in, he too, was in a large amount of pain." pointing
at Harry's wrist, he continued. "The burn had sparked to life. The pain ebbed away just as mine did. Simultaneously."
"Curious."
"I ran into Malfoy." Harry whispered, glancing down at the floor. "I felt the pain first, and then mere moments later, I ran
into him. He was running, fast. He was in an awful hurry." he glanced first at Severus, than Albus. "I can't help but
wonder if he was responding to the call...if he has a dark mark."
"I knew it!" Severus exclaimed. "I knew that boy was evil."
"Now Severus, we mustn't jump to conclusions." Albus chided softly. "After all, if I had those many years ago, where
would you be now?"
Severus didn't speak, Harry smirked.
"Now the question being presented is," Albus continued, "What do we do, knowing what we know now?"
"Actually," Severus answered, "I have an idea. Mr. Potter has agreed to help me."
"Hey! I said I would help you, but you never told me what I was going to be doing!" Harry whined. Severus glared.
"If that burn does, indeed, act as a dark mark; the next time there is a summoning, if Harry apparates, he'll be brought
to Voldemort." Severus explained. "An advantage for us..."
"Ah..." Albus nodded in understanding. Harry still looked confused. Severus elaborated.
"If you appeared, wearing Death Eater's robes, then Voldemort would be none the wiser." he paused for dramatic effect, "Then
you would be free to kill him."
Harry's eyes widened to the size of saucers.
"We must prepare then." Albus spoke softly, nodding at the two before him.
"We'll have to have several options. We can prepare a number of potions that will defeat him, in case something goes
wrong and Harry is left without his wand." Severus spoke, glancing at Harry. "I'll need your help with those, Mr. Potter."
"Why?" Harry questioned, "If you remember, I was no good in potions."
"I remember." Severus smirked. "But some of the potions require blood or flesh from the user." he explained, pointing at
Harry. "That would be you."
Harry groaned, not fond of the idea of parting with skin or blood.
"Remind me to never agree to help anyone again."
A/N: We are very glad you are enjoying our story. SPREAD THE LOVE!!!
A few days later found Harry walking silently through the quiet halls of Hogwarts. It was a Hogsmede weekend, and students
in their first or second years that were not yet allowed to visit the small fully wizarding town, were occupying themselves
with a Wizarding Chess Tournament in the Great Hall.
Every day at this time, Harry would meet with Hermione and Severus to test new salves prepared by the potions master. To date,
none had succeeded in removing or at least reducing the burn; though some did remove the linger pain.
As he ambled along, a sharp pain raced through his body, from the burn up; causing him to double over in pain. Gasping for
breath, he cradled his wrist in his arm and staggered towards Hermione's classroom. Rounding in a corner, he ran headlong
into another figure; who, by the sounds of it, had been running.
Harry glanced at the figure who was picking himself up off the floor. Malfoy.
"What where you're going Potter." he seethed, dusting his robes off in haste and catching his breath in the process.
"Sod off Malfoy." Harry managed to grit out through the pain coursing through his body. The burn hadn't been this painful
since it was first inflicted. He glared at the retreating back of the figure who had given him the wound. He barely
caught Draco's departing words.
"Some of us have pain to inflict." he had mumbled, before breaking into a fevered run again.
Shaking his head wearily, Harry pushed open the door to Hermione's classroom with his body. Hermione and Severus sitting
in chairs at her desk, with an array of flasks before them, did not greet Harry this time. Instead, when he entered, it
was to find Severus doubled over in pain, grasping his left arm; with Hermione leaning over and soothing him best she could.
"Voldemort?" Harry questioned, grimacing in pain as he unconsciously moved his injured wrist. Hermione only nodded, not
bothering to glance behind her at Harry. Sitting down, he took deep breaths as to alleviate the pain somewhat.
"Harry...are you doing" Hermione paused, finally looking upon her friend, "lamaze?"
Harry blushed. "Well, when Ginny was pregnant, we went to the classes. The woman who was teaching it said that the deep
breathing exercises helped to alleviate pain." he paused, breathing deeply as another wave of pain coursed through his
already exhausted body. "And since I'm in a bloody lot o'pain, I figured, what the hey!" his pitch was bordering insanity
as he fought against the pain.
During his tirade, Hermione had turned back to Severus, rubbing his back soothingly as he grimaced during wave after wave.
She didn't understand how he could endure such pain in silence; yet she admired him for it. He was a strong man, and crying
would admit weakness; something he had vowed never to do.
After a while, the pain began to eb away in both figures. As Severus drank shakily from a glass of water, Hermione turned
to Harry.
"What's wrong with you?" she inquired softly.
"My bloody burn burns!" he exclaimed, stating the obvious.
"Odd." Severus quipped from behind, voice ragged with exhaustion.
"When did that start?" Hermione asked, gathering the newest salve and a pile of bandages. As she worked intently at the
wound, she listened to Harry's recount of his encounter with Malfoy.
"It had just started to burn when I rounded the corner and ran headlong into Malfoy. Or more like he ran into me." hissing
as Hermione applied the salve, he continued. "Bloody git must have been in an awful hurry to have been going as fast as he
was."
"Odd." Severus once again added, setting his empty glass on the desk before him.
"And what is so strange about all of this," Harry continued, paying no heed to Severus' questioning glare, "is that the burn
hasn't caused me this much pain since the day I got it."
"Odd." Hermione this time, as she taped the bandage into place. What do you make of this Severus?" She was seemingly
ignored; however, as he paced back and forth before the desk, deep in thought.
Finally, he turned to Harry.
"Harry...I know we haven't been friends that long..."he trailed off, wincing at the term 'friends,' "Listen, we've put up
with each other for a while now...and well," he paused again, fighting to get the phrase out, "I need your help."
"You," Harry laughed, "Need MY help?"
Severus rolled his eyes.
"Mr. Potter." Harry stopped, the tone reminiscent of his school days. "Grow up." he sneered.
"Fine!" Harry threw up his hands in defeat. Severus smirked triumphantly. "I'll help you."
Before Hermione could speak, the two had stalked out the door.
~*~
"Albus!" Severus pounded on the door leading to the Headmaster's chambers. After passing the gargoyle (Whatchamacallit), the
unlikely duo had entered Professor Dumbledore's office, only to find him not there. Knowing he wasn't elsewhere in the castle,
they tried his chambers.
The door was locked.
No answer.
Albus was sleeping.
"Wake up you old fool!" he bellowed, pounding on the door again. Harry watched, amused at his ex-professor's antics.
"It's a bloody emergency!" Finally, they heard the rustle of sheets and the hurried shuffle of feet against floor. Albus
swung open the door, a startled expression crossed his aging features.
"Severus? Harry?" he inquired, placing his moon-rimmed glasses atop his nose. "What is the problem?" his tone was fatherly,
comforting. Severus visibly relaxed until his silent scrutiny.
"We need to talk." Severus answered, gesturing towards Albus' office.
"Yes, yes. You go along, while I get dressed." he closed the door behind him as Severus and Harry entered the office. "Help
yourself to the lemon drops!" they heard from behind them. Severus rolled his eyes, settling into one of the many plush
armchairs in the office, signaling for Harry to do the same.
Albus walked in shortly after, closing the door and placing a secure locking spell on it. Another mumble of Latin and the
room was encased in a silencing spell. Satisfied, he fell into his chair and began rummaging in his desk for his lemon drops.
"They're in the right drawer." Severus grumbled; Harry suppressed the urge to laugh.
"Alas! They are!" Albus exclaimed, popping one into his mouth and offering Harry the box. After Harry took one, Albus offered
Severus, but as always, he declined.
"Albus, I have reason to believe that Harry's burn is linked to Voldemort like a death-eaters dark mark." Harry gasped in
surprise. After asking Harry for his help, the two had left for Albus immediately, but the time had remained silent. Until
now, Harry had no clue what Severus was on about.
Albus nodded gravely, prompting Severus on.
"I knew it was dark in nature, but didn't know why it couldn't be cured." Severus paused, taking a deep breath. "Today there
was a summoning. About an hour ago, to be precise. I felt it, Hermione was with me, so she can confirm. It happened
at the time Mr. Potter comes for his burn treatments. When he came in, he too, was in a large amount of pain." pointing
at Harry's wrist, he continued. "The burn had sparked to life. The pain ebbed away just as mine did. Simultaneously."
"Curious."
"I ran into Malfoy." Harry whispered, glancing down at the floor. "I felt the pain first, and then mere moments later, I ran
into him. He was running, fast. He was in an awful hurry." he glanced first at Severus, than Albus. "I can't help but
wonder if he was responding to the call...if he has a dark mark."
"I knew it!" Severus exclaimed. "I knew that boy was evil."
"Now Severus, we mustn't jump to conclusions." Albus chided softly. "After all, if I had those many years ago, where
would you be now?"
Severus didn't speak, Harry smirked.
"Now the question being presented is," Albus continued, "What do we do, knowing what we know now?"
"Actually," Severus answered, "I have an idea. Mr. Potter has agreed to help me."
"Hey! I said I would help you, but you never told me what I was going to be doing!" Harry whined. Severus glared.
"If that burn does, indeed, act as a dark mark; the next time there is a summoning, if Harry apparates, he'll be brought
to Voldemort." Severus explained. "An advantage for us..."
"Ah..." Albus nodded in understanding. Harry still looked confused. Severus elaborated.
"If you appeared, wearing Death Eater's robes, then Voldemort would be none the wiser." he paused for dramatic effect, "Then
you would be free to kill him."
Harry's eyes widened to the size of saucers.
"We must prepare then." Albus spoke softly, nodding at the two before him.
"We'll have to have several options. We can prepare a number of potions that will defeat him, in case something goes
wrong and Harry is left without his wand." Severus spoke, glancing at Harry. "I'll need your help with those, Mr. Potter."
"Why?" Harry questioned, "If you remember, I was no good in potions."
"I remember." Severus smirked. "But some of the potions require blood or flesh from the user." he explained, pointing at
Harry. "That would be you."
Harry groaned, not fond of the idea of parting with skin or blood.
"Remind me to never agree to help anyone again."