Author's note: Much to my own surprise…Chapter 9! I had planned to get this done by my birthday but decided to give you what I have so far. I also believe that this part is better of on its own. Ever since I started writing this story I knew this was coming…not the easiest chapter I can assure you. Still it is essential to the story, if I left it out I would have been in such a mess further on that there was just no way around it now. For all of you who reviewed! THANK YOU!
Saavik – Are you still alive?
Lotti – Oh dear another victim to my cliffhanger.
Mel – Read on, you'll find out!
Arinya – Taking a bow! I did my best not to take too long. And I am reading your story! You are going so fast! vbg
Elvenprincess – Thank you very much! vbg Just don't die…chapter 9 is here!
Nicky – He's in bad shape…scroll down!
Piri Lupin-Snape – Thank you, thank you … I love her to! (Who would have guessed?!) As for working out…hum … Wait and see! I'm just evil; I know. Part of your other questions will be answered below!
Zardiphillian Beryllix – I just love cliffhangers! vbEg And thanks for pointing out my mistake.
Lilpup - vbg You'll see! All your questions will be answered!
Title: Untold Past, Unknown Future
Author: Dagmar De Meyer
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, that is the property of J.K. Rowling. I only borrowed what she started and had them play in my mind twists. One character however will be of my own creation, you'll soon find out.
Rated: Better make it PG although I still think it is G. Don't want to offend anyone with certain expressions.
Reviews: Oh, yes please… For better or worse I suppose.
Summary: My take on 'Severitus's challenge'. What if Severus Snape is Harry's father?! Voldemort is still on the loose and who is the lady with the violet eyes!
Untold Past, Unknown Future Chapter 9By Dagmar De Meyer
The boy was shaking violently in his arms. Sweat clearly visible on the pale face as it twitched in agony. Holding Harry tight, the mad dash up to the hospital wing seemed to take ages, blasting open the doors that blocked his way. Behind him he heard footsteps running, trying to keep up.
The last obstacle, the doors to the hospital wing were thrown out of their hinges. Swiftly he moved to the closest bed and laid the still form down. As soon as he stepped away Harry started trembling, face etched in pain, his arms and legs trashing wildly.
"POPPY!" He screamed, the panic clearly heard in his voice as he picked up his son and held him tight. Vi was next to him in an instant holding Harry's hand and smoothing back the long black tresses of silky hair.
"Shhht, Harry, it's alright, we're here, and you're going to be alright."
Over and over she whispered as he rocked him back and forth. Harry had calmed down a bit, still he felt the boy tremble uncontrollably.
"Albus, where's Poppy?" Severus urged, glancing up into the worried face of the Headmaster. Albus was afraid to, not the most comforting thought.
"She's on her way Severus."
As soon as the words left his mouth a very agitated Medi-witch hurried up to them. Not taking any notice of the other people in the room she walked straight to the bed where Severus was sitting with Harry in his arms.
"Severus, you have to put him down now." Madame Pomfrey urged, busying herself with retrieving her wand from her cloak.
Reluctantly Severus got up, turned around and laid the unconscious boy back down. The scream that left Harry made his blood turn cold.
"Oh, my God…" Madame Pomfrey whispered as she watched Harry arch his back and his nails dig in the mattress beneath him. Pointing her wand, followed by blue sparks a binding spell was cast on the figure before her. Now only Harry's head was wildly moving from left to right. And then it stopped, just as suddenly as it had begun.
The whimpering of a frail looking boy drenched in sweat only broke the eerie silence that fell over the room and its occupants.
Snape never thought it possible, the ice wall he had build around his heart was breaking in a thousand pieces. Panic, pain and fear and something else he dared not to dwell on…emotions he had learned to fight and ignore, now had nestled deep within him.
No, not now, he wouldn't be of any help if he let his self-control fail him now. Taking a deep breath he willed his emotions back, a mask of neutrality. Becoming aware of someone staring at him he looked around. Meeting a similar mask on Violet's face, accompanied by a small nod. Still, no matter how good an actress she was, her eyes betrayed her to him. Taking her hand he pulled her closer. They would do this together. They needed to do this together.
The minutes ticked by, each taking hours, or so it seemed as they waited for Madame Pomfrey to finish her examination. Although save for Violet; Snape, Lupin and Dumbledore knew very well what was happening. Still there was hope, always hope that they were wrong. Foolish, it never paid hiding from the truth.
A heavy sigh was heard from the Medi-witch as she placed a wet cloth on Harry's forehead and stepped away.
Glancing up she noticed for the first time the others standing around the bed. If she was surprised when Violet sat down next to Harry she didn't show it. Nor did she protest when Violet pointed her wand on the cloth to cool it and started gently dabbing Harry's forehead.
Her gaze shifted from person to person; Remus Lupin white as a sheet, nervously wringing his hands. Not his usually behaviour for sure. The Headmaster, calm, still the ever-present twinkle gone from his blue eyes. And then there was Severus, cold and distant, as always. No, that wasn't right. The image of her entry returning; Snape with a look of pure desperation clearly visible on his pale features as he tightly held the boy in his arms.
What was going on?
"Poppy…" A gentle voice brought her out of her musings.
"I'm sorry headmaster. I have no idea what is wrong with Mr. Potter. According to my tests nothing is wrong. He's obvious in a lot of pain but without cause. I can't find any hexes on him. By all counts he should be up on his broom playing Quidditch not lie in one of my beds in a coma.
"Coma?" Lupin voiced, his eyes fixed on the still form before him. "How is that possible? I never knew that…"
"Remus." Dumbledore warned, immediately silencing his friend.
Puzzled by the Headmaster's reaction to this all, Madame Pomfrey reluctantly turned her attention towards Lupin.
"Yes, Remus, a coma. What ever is wrong with Mr. Potter his body just can't handle, it shut down. It could be temporary, I'm unsure for I don't know what's causing it."
This was taking too long, Snape thought as he moved to stand behind Violet. Dumbledore must have noticed the same and placed his arm around Madame Pomfrey's shoulders, gently moving her towards the door.
"Poppy," he started. "I want you to go down to the field and inform Minerva to continue the game."
Stopping abruptly Madame Pomfrey looked up at Dumbledore.
"Headmaster," she exclaimed. "That's unacceptable. I cannot leave my patient in the condition he's in. Send Mr. Lupin or Professor Snape but I have work to do. Now if you'll excuse me I have a patient to tend to." Turning on her heals she was to head back to Harry when a hand grabbed her arm and whirled her around. Shocked, she stared up into the Headmaster's face.
"Poppy…I must insist, please leave us…now." His voice gentle but firm, he guided her once again towards the door. "There is nothing you can do for Harry, you admitted so yourself."
"But…Headmaster, surely…" Madame Pomfrey protested.
"No, not this time, I am sorry. You did more then enough, now it is our turn."
Seeing it would be foolish to argue with the headmaster, Madame Pomfrey reluctantly agreed. Before the doors were back in place she addressed Dumbledore. "May I at least ask what is the matter with Mr. Potter?"
"You may. Although I can tell you now that I will not provide the answer as of yet."
"Headmaster…please, send for me when I am needed."
"I will, Poppy, I will."
"I'll be back."
"I'm counting on it. Oh and Poppy!"
"Yes, Headmaster."
"Keep a sharp eye out for Mr. Weasley and Miss. Granger. I'm well aware of their worry over young Mr. Potter, it is imperative however, that they do not disturb us. Tell Minerva to confiscate their wands if need be, they both are very inventive when they set their minds to something. I will talk to them as soon as I can but for now please make them understand that for Harry's sake they let us help him first." His voice was gentle and friendly but there was no mistaking that he meant every word.
One more glance at the pale boy, Madame Pomfrey left her hospital wing, her mind full of questions.
Silently he moved back and stopped next to Lupin, placing his hand on the young wizard's shoulder.
"It's time Remus."
"Time? … Yes, Albus, I'm well aware of that, I can see."
"Time, you idiot, to tell us what you did to Harry." Snape growled. "We need to know exactly what James used for the potion."
"I don't know."
"YOU DON'T KNOW." Snape bellowed, in two steps he was next to Lupin his cloak wrapped around his fingers.
"Severus, calm down."
"Calm down…"
"Loosing your temper won't help Harry."
"I wasn't there Severus." Lupin said, his eyes never leaving Snape's. "James asked me for information. Something about going undercover, Aurors, to keep Harry save… I gave him textbook stuff. I never learned to brew the potion, never learned to cast the spell. All in theory yes, to recognize the signs and even if I did know, what would it help?" Lupin sucked in a trembling breath. How dare Severus blame him for this? Why should he not? You blame yourself!
"Are you meaning to tell me that a man, who barely passed potions brew a potion so dangerous without supervision without really knowing what he was doing, gave that concoction to MY SON." Now Snape was really angry, his fists clenching and unclenching trying very hard not to hit the man before him unconscious.
"Stop it, just stop it." Violet yelled, shooting daggers at the two arguing wizards. Instantly earning their full attention…
"Can someone please enlighten me as to why Harry is in a coma? And don't you dare tell me that you don't know."
"You did not recognize the signs Vi? Did you not ever wonder why Harry looked so much like James or that since after his 15th birthday he's been changing? Up and till a day ago you were the only one who knew for sure who Harry really was… We were merely guessing." Dumbledore explained. Violet gazed mouth open from Harry to Dumbledore and back, her mind working over what had just been said. She had wondered many times why Harry looked so much like James. Oh, so many questions still unanswered even for her. Polyjuice? No, that was ridiculous. Glamourie? No, remembering what Severus had told Hermione. Then what? Never learned the potion never learned the spell. Harry's pleading voice; 'It hurts.' The tremendous pain the boy was in and now, nothing. The fog lifted as tears welled up in her eyes, forcing herself to look up she didn't hide them…
"He wouldn't…he couldn't…why?" Violet forced herself to say.
"We can not answer you that. We do not know, we may never know." Dumbledore admitted, sitting down in the chair next to Violet and took her hand.
"The Alternatum Personum… I can't believe that. No, no there must be another reason." Violet kept shaking her head all the while dabbing Harry's forehead, ignoring the men around her.
Minutes passed by, not a word was spoken.
Somewhere to her right Remus had taken a seat and was sitting with his hands in his hair, mumbling to himself. Behind her Severus had taken to pacing, up and down he went. She could feel the tension emanating from him as he searched his mind for answers. Albus just sat quietly beside her, he to lost in thought. Finally she found her voice; "This is not right, the coma Severus? He shouldn't be in a coma." Snape had stopped pacing and ran a hand through his hair as he watched the still form of his son on the bed before him. She was right, why hadn't he seen it before.
"What on earth had Potter been thinking?" He growled.
"Why? Isn't it usually the body shutting down to heal itself?" Remus asked confused.
"I some cases … now it means that the body has given up. Harry can't handle it anymore. His body has been fighting all his life, now with the spell to keep the potion in balance wearing off, the pain was just too much." Albus explained.
"Didn't you read that in your books Lupin." Snape's voice dangerously low as he eyed Lupin from the shadows.
Lupin remained quiet, although his hands were trembling from controlled rage.
Dumbledore turned from Harry to look at Lupin. Curious, he thought to himself, but Remus would have to wait; now his concern should be for Harry. Violet and Severus were right; the coma was not a good sign, not a good sign at all. He was not an expert in these things, never had been but both Violet and Severus knew this type of Dark Magic by heart. He had felt it run through Harry's veins as he held the young boy's hand. Oh, James what were you thinking?
Getting to his feet, Dumbledore moved to the other side of the bed, pointed his wand at Harry and removed Harry's binds, followed by more sparks from his wand and the mumbling of an ancient Latin spell.
"As I thought…" Dumbledore mumbled, immediately earning everyone's attention. "The coma, as Poppy described it is not really as such, still Harry is slowly drifting away from us. As far as I can see you are right Severus, James brew the potion it was however Lily who cast the spell."
"Yes, she would have known that with the potion alone, if something were to happen to James, Harry would surely die. But it only lasted 15 years…" Snape continued with Dumbledore's reasoning. " Maybe there is…" Snape started pacing again.
"Albus? What is he on about?" Remus whispered.
Before Dumbledore could answer, Snape stepped forward and addressed the both.
"The Alternatum Personum is based on blood. In many ways it works the same way as Polyjuice. Difference being that Polyjuice only lasts for a short period of time if you do not continue taking the potion. The potion for the Alternatum Personum is permanent. Unless you have someone recite the spell while brewing and when the person in question is given the potion to drink. The spell never really lets the potion complete the transformation it is brewed to induce; it keeps the real person underneath intact. Still it will result in great pains until both have run its course." Snape lectured as if he was teaching one of his classes.
Lupin sighed. "I should have asked, insisted to know why James needed the information. I should have known, should have stopped him. Why didn't I see?"
"The past is in the past Remus. We cannot undue what has been done." Dumbledore began. "But if I remember my potions lessons correctly, and believe me it has been awhile." He added eyes twinkling. "There is away to help Harry."
"Albus you can't be serious. We can't mess around with him more then was already done." Snape exclaimed.
"What do you mean?" Remus inquired. "There is no way to reverse it … is there?"
Lupin looked from one to the other; Dumbledore gazing knowingly down at Harry, the twinkle back in his eyes however faint, Snape eyes wide, back ridged staring unbelievably at Dumbledore and Violet shocked.
"Albus, we can't…Harry would not survive!" Violet said softly.
"If we do nothing, he won't." Dumbledore answered. "With both your bloodlines, you can offset what the potion is poisoning inside him."
"My blood is hardly pure Albus." Snape voiced bitterly, his hand absentmindly brushing over the Dark Mark.
Dumbledore stared at him with a penetrating gaze…"Severus, you are his father, blood is thicker then water. Your strength will help, Vi will counteract your Dark Mark."
"NO…" Vi panicked. "Albus I can't, not with the curse…who knows what it will do to Harry?"
"It is part of you Violet, and although it was and still is a result of the curse, it is one of the most cherished in our world, pure and innocent. It runs through your veins, use it, and don't fight it. Make what started out as something evil into something worthwhile."
What Albus was talking about Snape didn't know, but he did know he was right. They couldn't wait any longer, he realised that. Lily had given them one opening when casting the spell on Harry. Blood is indeed thicker then water, thicker then any potion. Was his? Was there enough of the real Harry left that the potion had not already destroyed? They would soon find out. Stepping up to the bed he sat down and retrieved his wand. All emotions tightly looked away he watched as his wife came to her own decision. He would make her tell about what Albus already seemed to know. Now he pushed all thoughts aside and watched as she to retrieved her wand and extended her left hand.
It is a curse…I never thought of it as anything different. It took away my life, my husband, and my son. All the pain it caused. How can I now see it as a good thing? Am I really strong enough to do that? Pure and innocent…I must believe.
Vi watched as Severus retrieved his wand and extended his hand, slowly she did the same. She would try, for them.
The words spoken, were of a language few ever learned, the spell older then a thousand years. Over and over they recited, feeling the power building up followed by a violet string of pearls leaving her wand making its way towards Snape's palm leaving behind a deep cut. Soon followed by a string of black leaving his wand cutting through her palm showing a similar blood-dripping cut. One more time the words were uttered this time down on the hands of the pale boy between them. No sooner had the strings disappeared, when an unseen force pulled their hands towards their son's forcing them together and both Violet and Severus fell unconscious.
* * * * * *
Dark, it was so dark. He didn't mind though…not that he liked it very much, more like being used to it. Years locked inside a cupboard can do that to you. Still, maybe he should open his eyes; the darkness would disappear if he just opened his eyes. Slowly he felt his eyelids open…nothing. Strange, he thought to himself, blinking rapidly. The darkness remained. He had his eyes open he was sure of it. The fog lifting from his mind he became aware of more things around him. That is, the lack of things around him.
What happened? Where was he? Why was it so dark? And why couldn't he feel anything? He didn't feel a thing! His hands grabbing empty air, his feet not touching the ground, hell he wasn't toughing anything with any part of his body. He was floating in the darkness of nothingness.
He felt himself begin to panic. No… calm down, breathe… He was brave, he was a Gryffindor!
But being brave didn't bring him any answers. Over and over questions repeated in his head. Where am I? What happened? Am I death?
The last thought he pushed back, he couldn't be death. Could he?
He felt so alone…the darkness becoming more stiffening, closing in on him. Drawing his knees up to his chest he hugged them tightly. I don't want to be alone anymore… His soft voice whispered, as his head rested against his knees, his eyes closed. It was easier this way, the darkness he created himself was not as frightening as the emptiness around him.
With his eyes closed he failed to see the light in the darkness coming towards him.
"Harry…"
Harry's head shot up, his eyes wide open. Had he just heard something?
"Harry…"
There it was again, and as he whipped his head around from left to right he finally noticed the light, however faint, in the distance.
As if hypnotized he watched it come closer. He watched as the light revealed to be a string of violet pearls wrapped in a string of golden light. Soon he could make out a second string, this time the pearls were black with a silver light.
It was beautiful, closer and closer it came. His mind was in a battle with itself, run it said, stay… He didn't have to run, hell where would he go? No, he felt warmth coming from them, relieve, pain but most importantly love.
Like a child grabbing for a new toy, Harry reached out his hands, immediately jerking them back. There out of his palms a green string of pearls appeared, wrapped in a red light. Fear took hold of his heart as the string climbed higher and higher through the darkness taking him along. The violet and the black pearls remained by his side; it was as if they sensed his fear. Slowly, but deliberate he felt them being wrapped around his body, taking away the fear. He let himself be taken; closing his eyes he drifted along, not alone anymore.
* * * * * * * * *
To be continued
Author's note 2: Allright! I know I lost it now completely… Still bare with me…this chapter was important for the rest of the story. Remus' behaviour may be a bit of, but I assure you there is a reason for that. Also this last part has a purpose, explanations to come.
I do hope you enjoyed it and will let me know what you think! g
Groetjes Dagmar