First Kill

Chapter 2 Explain

By WittchWay

Dumbledore circled Harry slowly looking over the surface of the mask before he actually attempted to remove it. Harry rocked fidgety on the balls of his feet, his hands flexing and twitching at his side.

Wand still in hand Dumbledore pressed his fingers along the seam of the mask. He tried to ignore Sirius Black who had given up sitting on the edge of seat and was now pacing. Dumbledore bent down tilting Harry's head back looking where the mask molded to the fold of Harry Potter's neck.

Harry hummed lightly trying to will himself to remain still. Dumbledore turned the boy's head from side to side. "Tell me again what happened".

Harry rattled out the story again, trying not to feel like a foolish child. Dumbledore set down his wand. He tried to wiggle his fingers beneath the seam of the hood again. When that attempt failed, he tried to grab a hand full of the mask and just pull it off. Those seemingly easy methods didn't work either, but Dumbledore figured you had to start slow with this type of dark magic.

The Headmaster picked his wand back up, several sparks of red flew out of the tip. The old wizard straightened his back and set to work trying to remove the mask in a different method. He muttered spells, charms, enchantments, hexes, he even attempted to dab a small ointment on the base of it.

"Hmmp", The normal twinkle in his eye, faded slightly.

"Sirius Sit" Dumbledore snapped. He sat quickly, watching the headmaster turn and start pulling books from the massive book collection. It had been nearly an hour since they had returned back to the castle. The sun had risen and another day had begun. Sirius had a feeling in the pit of his stomach this situation wasn't going to turn out well. He took another sip of tea that had long ago turned cold, just wishing this feeling in his stomach would go away.

Both Sirius and Harry sat watching the headmaster, pour through volume after volume of books. Every once in a while the headmaster would look up and ask a simple question, "did it hurt." "What do you feel now" he even came over and took the boys pulse, shown the tip of his wand light in Harry's eyes. He even looked up each nostril.

Hours passed and lunch and supper were over and finally Dumbledore slammed the last book shut, leaning back in his chair. He stared out the window watching the sun set for a moment. Harry and Sirius sat on the edge of their seats each waiting for the words of wisdom and the solution that Dumbledore was sure to have.

They sat in silence seeing the old man thinking things over. Sirius was sure that Dumbledore was simply contemplating which method to use. Which potion or perhaps who he should contact at the ministry. Both boy and Godfather watched silently as Dumbledore walked around the desk straight to the fireplace, he threw in a handful of Floo powder "Severus... could you come to my office".

Sirius felt his stomach crap, growling as Snape came through the Floo system looking slightly irritated himself. The Hogwarts teacher looked sternly at Albus Dumbledore ignoring the other occupants of the room.

"Severus, I thought you could help us with our little problem", resting his hand on the shoulder of Harry Potter. Snape looked at the boy for the first time since entering the room. Harry's eyes locked on the floor. Dumbledore tilted his chin upward, Harry kept his eyes shut.

Snape's face clouded over with fury, crossing his arms across his chest, "explain", he growled.



Harry whispered the story once again. Sirius nodded, Dumbledore looked grim. 


Snape simply grunted. He walked around Harry, "tell me again what happened...leave nothing out"


Sirius jumped to his feet, "he already told you what happened. He's telling the truth ... he told Dumbledore the same thing."


Harry nodded but started to re-cant the story again. From the moment he killed the man, to the moment he tripped over the mans dead body, "I bite my lip. Then went and hid behind..."


Snape held up his hand for him to stop. He looked down at the boy, Harry fidgeted. "Albus. If you please." he gestured toward a more private room. 


Sirius hugged Harry to him and stood. Snape glared "you stay. Albus" he pushed.


The Headmaster followed to the small conference room. 


"Is it bad Severus?"


"Shouldn't that mutt have been by his side. Wasn't that what was agreed when we all allowed him to fight in this war."


"That bad Severus?" Dumbledore bowed his head


"Yeah that bad. The mask is stuck." Snape paced the room, "Only Voldemort can release it. My god Albus, if this gets out."


"Explain". Trying to calm the panic of the moment. 


"When he tripped, he bit his lip, so he blood bonded himself to the mask and loyalty to Voldemort. It's supposed to be only for those he ask it of. Only those whose loyalty is unwaverable, unquestionable."


"How many are there of them?"




The potions master shrugged. Bewildered.



The Dark Mark on the upper left arm of Professor Snape took that moment to burn. Snape stiffened, "I have to go Albus", his hand clasped over the mark. 


Albus Dumbledore nodded as a shrill scream broke through the air. Both Headmaster and professor ran back to the office. 


Sirius was holding Harry around the chest, the boy struggled to free himself. His normal green eyes had turned black with hints of red. He was clawing wildly at Sirius arms, chest and face. He kicked and pounded his feet, screaming and yelling. "I must go… he needs me". A swift kick to Sirius shin and his Godfather released him holding his leg. Harry ran for the door. 


"Stufiy" Dumbledore cried. 


Harry dropped to the ground. 


TBC…


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