Title: When Harry Left Severus
rating: R for adult themes including male/male relationships.
Chapter 14 - The Last Blocks
by: Raven Dancer
disclaimer: All characters belong to J.K. Rowling except for the Drs. Barnes, Daniel Murphy and Beryl. I receive no monetary compensation for these works.
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Bill Weasley gingerly pushed open the door to the Headmaster's study. He'd been with his brother reading quietly when the security chief, Murphy, had come in to speak with Ron. He listened as the wizard explained they needed Ron to identify the three wizards they'd caught. One was definitely Harry's lover.
Plans were quickly made to apparate to the Ministry and from there port key to Vachel's home. Bill could tell his brother was extremely nervous but he couldn't offer to go with him. First, Bill didn't have the strength to apparate and secondly he knew he'd get violently ill if he used a port key. When he came to Hogwarts with his mother it had taken a full day just to get over the nausea.
Dumbledore seemed to know all this without having spoken with Bill and offered to go with Ron. He explained he should check in with the Minister briefly and going on to France would enable him to get a feel for Vachel himself. Ron gratefully accepted the Headmaster's offer.
Which left Bill alone. Professor McGonagall suggested he stay with his mother. So the oldest Weasley managed to move down to Harry's small suite to find a chair.
He walked into a minor crisis. His mother was comforting a sobbing Harry while Jeffrey Barnes was rummaging through his medical satchel. Bill quietly sat down to watch the unfolding drama.
Bill? Why are you here? the younger Barnes inquired as he poured out some bilious green liquid into a tea mug.
Professor McGonagall suggested I stay with you while Ron goes
with Officer Murphy, Bill began. He suddenly had two tear-stained green eyes staring at him. The poor cursebreaker ground to a halt. He couldn't tell Harry they'd gone to identify his lover!
I think you'd be best off upstairs with my Da, Jeffrey determined quite quickly.
And so here he was quietly creeping through the door into the Headmaster's office. A quick glance about the room revealed the sleeping Healer and Snape. On the far couch were Lupin and Black talking softly. Bill moved around and sat in one of the arm chairs near the couch.
Hello Bill, Lupin greeted the wizard with a small smile. Weasley returned the smile and greeting.
Severus is napping but if we talk softly Dr. James won't hex
us, Black said teasingly. His mate bopped him on the arm.
You haven't endeared us to Dr. James at all you fool, Lupin scolded.
Is Severus doing better? I heard from mom he had a slight
set-back, Bill inquired. Lupin glanced at the animagus.
Yes, although that's a rather mild assessment, Lupin murmured.
Sev had a full breakdown Bill. Just totally collapsed. He hasn't
been doing well although I think he's had a bit of a breakthrough today, Black quietly explained Murphy's visit. Bill listened quietly.
You know, when I first was released to Mom after my accident
I couldn't be in any room smaller than our living room. Even the
kitchen made me break out in a sweat, Bill related.
Mom kept spelling the walls to look like the outdoors. We
celebrated the first time I was able to shower without running out
screaming.
Lupin looked sympathetically at the cursebreaker.
How long did it take you to be able to be indoors comfortably? he asked.
I've been home a month. I'm generally ok but the hallways here
give me trouble, he admitted.
Then it must be have been hard coming up here, Black remarked gently. Bill nodded with a slight shudder.
At least the Headmaster's room is large and open. Once I got in
here I felt better nearly immediately, Weasley said.
Say, why are you up here? We don't mind, but I thought you
were staying with Ron, Lupin asked.
Ron has gone with Officer Murphy and the Headmaster to identify
Vachel and two other wizards, Bill whispered, not knowing if Snape was really asleep or not.
There is some confusion of identities; between several
glamourie spells and polyjuice on the premises the Ministry wants
to be sure who is who. Ron offered to go.
How is Harry doing? Black suddenly asked. He'd not been down to see his godson since they'd pulled Snape out of the closet. He was suddenly hit with a wave of concern and guilt.
I think it's been really hard for him. Jeffrey has removed three of
the blocks. The first was bad enough but the second was
devastating. He realized that Vachel's friends caused him to write
some scathing letters to Severus, Bill reported. The third block
was just removed this morning. I think there's just one left. I'm
not sure what is bothering him more: causing Severus so much
pain or the fact he was trapped by these wizards. Black rubbed his hands over his face.
gods, I need to go see Harry! He's my family and I haven't been
supportive at all. I was so concerned over Severus' injuries and
so mad at Harry because of what he did. Poor kid didn't have any
control over the situation, Black lamented.
That's the other thing that's bother Harry so much. He was
very aware of some of the harassment of Severus and he went
along with it. As it escalated it seems Vachel's friends selectively
blocked some memories of the harsher activities, Bill reported.
But they were using potions that left him very vulnerable to
manipulation, Lupin protested.
Yes, but Harry doesn't see it that way. He thinks he could have
fought it better than he did. Jeffrey and Mom are working with
him to sort out his feelings, Bill explained. Black looked at his mate.
I'm going down to see Harry, Black said firmly.
Yes, you need to go now Siri, Lupin affirmed without hesitation. Transforming into his dog-form, Black immediately trotted to the door, opened it and left.
Are you sure that's wise? Bill asked. Lupin smiled.
Yes. Like when your mother was there for Ron. Harry needs
to know his godfather still loves him after all the hell he's been
through. I know that Sirius is not happy about what has happened,
but I also know he will be there for Harry, the werewolf explained. Bill nodded in agreement.
loped downstairs through the castle. Although he'd been cleared of the murder convictions and could move about freely in his wizard form Black found it much easier to move quickly as a dog. It was between classes and there were many students hurrying about in the halls. Snatches of tense and panicked conversations indicated it was finals week. He glided through the sea of legs then came to an empty hallway where there were no classrooms, just guest and staff quarters. With a paw and a nudge he let himself into his godson's rooms.
He was greeted by the sight of Harry refusing a mug from the Healer.
I don't want to calm down Barnes! I am angry and I want to
stay angry! I want to be in control of myself, Harry spat out. He suddenly froze as the large black dog pushed into the room.
Harry whispered, hardly daring to believe his godfather would come near him. The animagus moved across the room and gave a few swipes with his tongue to clean away the leftover tears blotching his godson's face. Keeping close he transformed and had his arms around Harry before anyone could say another word.
Harry, I am sure whatever Jeffrey is offering you will only help
you calm down and not take away your control, Black said.
Although I quite understand not wanting to take a potion at
this point. The animagus held the stiff body closer.
I know you're afraid of being ensnared again, Molly said as she came closer and put her hands on the young man's back, rubbing gently. Surrounded by two adults he trusted completely Harry finally began to calm down.
Jeffrey Barnes sat quietly watching the triad. Harry had been more than a difficult patient for the Healer. Just working through the denial and anger was bad enough. That Harry had hurt his close friend made it worse. He knew that he was a professional, had taken an oath to heal the sick, but Jeffrey knew this young man would be referred to a colleague soon.
May I have Harry's potion? Black asked softly as he reached towards the Healer. Molly had managed to explain the beneficial properties of the mixture and with Black's support Harry agreed to take the potion. The mug was passed over and soon he sipped down the calming tonic.
Setting the empty mug aside the witch maneuvered the tired wizard to the couch and soon he was sitting leaning against his godfather.
I didn't think you'd come Sirius, Harry admitted. The potion had calmed him down and he was merely a little sad now.
You're my family, Harry, I could never stay away from you! Black told him.
But I, I was such an ass! Harry spluttered as a few tears formed. Jeffrey had inched closer and was now sitting on the low coffee table by the couch.
Harry, you were under several potions not to mention hexes to
control your actions... the Healer began.
But not at first! That's what I remembered after you removed
the very first block. I was thrilled to be out and meeting all
sorts of new people. I, I was very flattered with all the attention
I was given. It seemed that everyone knew who I was, Harry explained, his voice tight.
I wrote the first letters that you showed me, Sirius. Then I wrote
the next couple with Andy dictating to me. I think I was under
the potions' control for those. But worse, I was the one who
suggested the polyjuice because I didn't feel like going back to
the Manor to get my things. Iris brewed the potion and Andy
disguised himself as me. I was upset when he returned and
started bragging how he'd treated Severus. I think that's when
they began to block some of my memories.
They couldn't have you leaving, Black said, especially when
they wanted to get Severus for some reason.
Andy and Iris went to Durmstrang, Harry said. I think their
parents were Voldemort supporters. Harry rubbed his temples, the ever-present headache spiked. Jeffrey carefully touched the youth's forehead.
That last block is causing you the pain, Harry. I will remove it
now. Let Sirius and Molly hold you, the Healer directed. He reached out and tugged on the block, a small spell used to keep the young man from accessing that part of his brain.
The relief was profound; Harry sagged against his godfather with a shuddering sigh.
Oh merlin, that feels so good, he muttered. After a moment Harry stiffened but neither witch nor wizard let him go.
Their parents were death eaters. Iris' mother is in Azkaban but
the other three, Andy's parents and her father, were given the
dementor's kiss and died soon after, Harry remembered the conversation.
They blamed Severus for it; for having exposed them and then
killing Voldemort.
Didn't they hate you as well? Molly asked.
I don't think so. Vachel loves me, at least I think he does. The
others are childhood friends. They knew Severus had been a
traitor and that he delivered the death blow to Voldemort, Harry said shakily.
When Vachel no longer cares for you I'm sure their attitudes will
change, Black said darkly.
No, Vachel loves me. He and I are going to exchange vows, Harry said weakly. He was beginning to wonder if Vachel really loved him.
I want to scan you, Harry. Then I want you to rest for a few
hours and let yourself assimilate all those memories that have
been blocked, Jeffrey held out his hand to his patient. Harry looked at the Healer.
Can Sirius stay with me? he asked in a very small voice. Black immediately hugged him tighter.
Of course I can stay with you, Harry, the animagus soothed.
Good, then I can go and see Dr. James and Severus, Jeffrey said with a quick smile. He pulled Harry up and pulled him over to the bed, Black in tow. Harry looked at the Healer questioningly.
How is Severus? he asked. Jeffrey considered his answer.
Better. Physically anyway, the Healer said.
Better all around. Officer Murphy brought him his insurance
papers. Severus can rebuild or buy new. Plus he gave Severus
a couple books to start up his library again. That seemed to be
more important to Sev than the monies, Sirius explained.
Poor Severus! Harry lamented. I should have never left him.
No, Harry, don't think that way. You needed to get out on your
own. Those people would have had their revenge some other
way if they hadn't ensnared you, Molly said quietly. Harry chose not to reply and instead lie down so that Jeffrey could scan him once more.
No more blocks. I think after you rest you should have a good
lunch and a walk around the gardens with your godfather, Jeffrey prescribed. His patient yawned deeply and nodded.
'k. Nap, eat, walk, Harry sleepily listed the plan.
I'll be up in Albus' rooms if you need me, Sirius, he whispered to Black. Molly joined the Healer as he left the room.