Title: The Art of Necromancy
Author: Artemis Luna Diana
E-Mail: artemislunadiana@yahoo.com
Rating: R
Pairing: Harry/Severus
Time: begins right after GoF
Summary: Harry returns to Hogwarts to spend the summer. Out of sheer boredom, he scours the library for books to read and stumbles across a book that will change his life…
Disclaimer: I own not a thing
WARNING!!!! THIS IS A SLASH STORY!!!! IF YOU DON'T LIKE SLASH OR THIS PARTICULAR PAIRING… LEAVE NOW!!!!
Chapter Fifteen: Weakness
Voldemort stood inside the Malfoy's library, staring down at a slim book laid open on the table. It had been simple to discover what Harry Potter had become; however, it had taken him weeks to find any factual information on Necromancers. The book was left over from the Necromancer Wars, the wizarding world's attempt at riding themselves of the powerful sorcerers.
Voldemort felt a slight smile cross his face. The book had listed the weaknesses of the Necromancer as well as the best way to kill them. Their compulsion to heal overrides even their most basic need for defense. The wizards who hunted them need only bring along someone severely injured and innocent, and the Necromancer would heal them instead of protecting themselves. Since very few Necromancers allowed themselves to bond, they were usually defenseless.
Even with a bond-mate, the Necromancer was still vulnerable. A Necromancer was a powerful wizard and spells were for the most part ineffective, but a physical wound could kill even the most powerful Necromancer. In fact, even a small wound could disable a Necromancer. Since they are unable to heal their own wounds, the problem becomes even more pronounced. All of their defenses are centered around magic and as a result their bodies alter to accommodate the change. When the change is done, they are nearly invincible when it comes to magic spells, but the natural defenses and healing properties for physical wounds are nearly gone. Their blood won't clot, bones break easier, their entire bodies are infinitely more fragile. They were made to heal, not to fight.
Voldemort chuckled. At first, it had seemed as though Harry Potter would pose a seriously problem. Now, he would be easier to get rid of then Albus Dumbledore.
***
"Hello, Harry."
"Ylura," Harry said with a smile. The smile faded when he saw her expression. "What's wrong?"
"Your enemy has discovered your weaknesses," Illiar replied. "You can no longer risk yourself by going to the homes of his victims."
"What does he know?" Harry asked, his expression grim.
"Your bodies weakness and your compulsion to heal," Ylura answered quietly.
"Harry, we don't normally encourage this, but… we believe that it would be best if you bonded," Augustine said hesitantly.
"You told me that I shouldn't bond with anyone," Harry said confused.
"That was before. It is more important for you to have a bond-mate than to avoid the weakness he or she would bring… despite your age."
"I'll know his every thought, every feeling. When he's injured, I'll know it because I will feel it too. When he dies, so do I," Harry recited calmly. He looked at his guides. "It doesn't matter who I choose, I'm still so young that I'll never live the full three-hundred years."
"We know," Ylura said quietly.
Harry gave them a slight smile. "At least I don't have to worry about watching everyone I love die."
"We're sorry, Harry," Augustine said softly.
"Who will you choose?" Illiar asked.
"There is only one I would ask," Harry replied. "I just don't know if he'd want to bond with me."
"Severus," Ylura said.
Harry nodded. "I'll have to tell Albus what has happened and then try and convince Severus that this isn't just about protecting me. I would have bonded with him the moment I figured out how to, if you hadn't stopped me."
"We didn't believe that you were thinking logically. You were acting only on your emotions," Illiar defended.
"Perhaps, but my emotions would have resulted in the same situation as the one I'm in now… with a bond-mate." Harry was quiet a moment. "I need to wake up. I need to talk to Albus." He glanced at his guides. "Bye." He woke up.
***
Harry walked to the Headmaster's office. It was just after dawn, and he wondered if the Albus was awake yet. He spoke the password and climbed the stairs to the office. He lifted his hand to knock.
"Come in, Harry."
Harry shook his head. How did the old wizard do it? He opened the door.
Albus sat, relaxing in one of the more comfortable armchairs enjoying a cup of tea. "What can I do for you?"
Harry sat down in the chair across from the Headmaster. "We have a problem."
"Oh?"
Harry sighed and began explaining what his guides had told him.
***
Ron and Hermione sat at the Gryffindor table pushing their breakfasts around on their plates. Harry's presence at the school was to remain a secret as long as possible, all the students who had participated in the training last night had been told to keep quiet. They didn't know how they were going to speak to Harry.
Hermione glanced up at the Staff Table again. "Where is the Headmaster?" she sighed. "If he would just show up, we could ask him."
Ron shrugged. "I dunno. It seems kind of weird to not seem him there though. I don't think I've ever seen him miss a meal."
"We could ask Snape. I'll bet he knows."
Ron made a face. "You can ask him. I'll stay here."
Hermione scowled.
"Besides, maybe Harry will send for us."
Hermione's scowl faded. "That's possible."
There was a loud crash and both looked up at the Staff Table were the sound had come from. They saw a house-elf nervously standing on the table. Apparently it had knocked a few of the dishes off. It squealed and dropped a rolled piece of parchment in front of Snape and disappeared. Snape glared at the spot it had been standing in and picked up the parchment. He opened it and read it. He stood abruptly and left the room. Hermione and Ron ignored the chatter of the other students trying to figure out why Snape had left. They had a pretty good idea that it either had to deal with Voldemort or Harry. Neither sounded very good.
***
TBC…
A/N: this chapter is a little bit shorter than normal, (like a hundred words or so), because I wanted Harry and Sev's conversation in the next chapter. The chapter is probably going to end up centering around their convo and bonding (like Sev would say no!) and because of that will probably be longer than normal. So it makes up for this being a bit shorter.
So is everyone having fun?
~Artemis Luna Diana~