Title: Harry Potter and the Extent of Existence
Author: Yih
Disclaimer: This is slash, specifically HP/SS.
Don't like don't read and I don't own anything except new theories,
Signy, Sahar, and Hana.
Beta: Blackumbridge
~
4: Wake the Weary (December 12, 2003 to December 16, 2003)
"He has not woken up yet, my Lord," Lucius stated delicately, knowing that this information would not please Voldemort in the slightest. Despite how angry Sebastian had made Voldemort, Lucius knew that the Dark Lord thought of Sebastian like the son he never had. "Draco has told me that he is still in a coma despite the best efforts from St. Mungo's, Pomfrey, and Severus."
"What is his condition?" Voldemort asked harshly.
"It's serious but not critical."
"Lucius," Voldemort hissed warningly, "it does you no good to lighten the truth. If I should discover that you are lying, there will be hell to pay."
Lucius inclined his head respectfully and obediently. He knew that Voldemort appreciated the truth, no matter how terrible it was. "I stand by what I said. He isn't dying, but he isn't waking up either. They don't know why."
"It's been a month, can't those fools do anything right?"
"The Head Mediwizard has been to see Sebastian," Lucius reminded him, even though Voldemort should know that since he had personally sent the Head Mediwizard an owl telling him immediately to go tend to Sebastian. "He said there is nothing more that can be done. Sebastian has to wake up on his own."
"There must be something that can be done."
"There isn't. We have to wait, my Lord. You know of his strength," Lucius whispered fervently. "You know better than anyone how strong Sebastian is. Trust in him to pull through this."
Usually he didn't share anything with anyone, even with Bellatrix, the mother of his daughter. But with Lucius, he'd found common ground. Who else would understand the paternal feelings he had for Sebastian other than Lucius? Lucius was fiercely protective of his son, it was Lucius that had put the foot down on Draco being marked a Death Eater until after his Hogwarts graduation. Lucius understood. Lucius could comprehend.
"I'm worried about how this will affect our relationship."
Lucius smiled sadly. "It can't be any worse than the episode I went through with Draco seven years ago. And we pulled through it, it takes time. Time heals the rift."
"I want you to inform me when his condition changes for the better or for the worse."
"I understand."
"You may go."
Lucius apparated away and Voldemort's crimson eyes turned to watch the flames flickering underneath the potion that he'd been attempting to brew. It was a special potion. He normally had Severus brew any potions that he required, but this potion was from the book of Slytherin. He'd never share something like this with anyone other than a true Slytherin. When Sebastian recovered, he would show the tome to him--- for Sebastian had the talent to brew these potions. Hopefully the gift would breach the rift between them faster.
He was adept at potions, but he was nothing like Sebastian even if Sebastian had failed his first Potions Mastery. He blamed the failure more on Severus than on Sebastian's lack of ability. Severus had gotten Sebastian too worked up and too weary to even think about doing well on it. Simply put, Severus had pushed too fast in too short of an amount of time. More than a summer had been required, a whole additional year actually.
But this potion that he was brewing was infuriating him. It was a powerful revival potion that he believed would wake up even the most weary of souls. It was a pity that the first two batches had been too discolored for him to risk testing it on Sebastian. This one so far was turning out nicely. If it failed to color properly, he'd give the instructions to Severus. He simply did not want the young man he considered his son--- to never wake up again.
And even if he did wake up, there was a strong possibility that he could suffer permanent damage. This potion was also very powerful for healing. The aftereffects weren't pleasant; it prevented sexual arousal for an undetermined period, but he was certain that Severus could counteract it with an aphrodisiac. He couldn't very well expect Sebastian to father his grandchild without being able to get it up.
Voldemort sighed and glanced down at the simmering potion. It was the perfect shade. Too bad about the side affect, but if it woke Sebastian up--- he didn't think anyone would be complaining too loudly. A month was simply too long of a time for a wizard to be in a coma. Something was dreadfully wrong.
~
"Daddy!" Hana cried out, running over to where Harry was sitting reading over some of his student's essays. "Look at what I made for you!"
Harry lifted his face up and placed the papers on the desk, opening up his arms so that his 5 year old daughter could leap into his arms. He embraced her tightly and kissed the top of her forehead gently. "Did you draw me another of your pretty pictures?"
She nodded and reached into her robes and withdrew the portrait she'd done of him. For her age, she was remarkably good at getting the geometry of a body right. Where she'd gotten the talent, he didn't know. He knew for a fact that Hermione could only draw stick figures. Maybe it was another hidden Malfoy trait. He didn't know whether Draco could draw or not, but Draco did have a lavishly elegant handwriting.
"It's beautiful," he commented as he studied his surprisingly well drawn face. He was Hana's favorite subject to draw after Signy. It still amused him to no end how Signy indulged Hana's every whim like he indulged Signy's and Hana's. What was it about those two females that had him at their beck and call? "Did you show mommy?"
Hana shook her head. "I haven't shown her yet. I wanted to show it to you first."
"Why don't you to show mommy then? I need to finish grading some paperwork," he murmured, handing back the portrait to her. What he didn't add was that he also wanted to spend some time with Severus before he had his customary dinner with his family in their private apartments. But first he had to finish grading these papers, then he'd go to see his snarky lover.
Just the thought of that put a tender smile on his lips. It was too bad that he didn't get to spend more time with Severus, but it was imperative that their relationship remain a secret. They suspected Dumbledore knew, but the old coot wasn't about to tell and risk aggravating Harry any further. It'd taken years for Severus to convince him that Dumbledore wasn't the great wizard he'd been in Harry's world. But when convinced, Harry acted.
"One more paper to go, then Severus."
~
"This will help." Lucius handed a seal potion bottle to Severus, glancing down with concern at the prone figure of his son's best friend. He'd grown to be very fond of the young man. It didn't hurt either that Sebastian was the Dark Lord's favorite. "He brewed it for Sebastian."
"I've never heard of this," Severus said skeptically. "How do I know it won't kill him?"
"You know that our Lord wouldn't kill Sebastian. He may get mad and lose his temper at him, but he cares too greatly--- I daresay, loves him like the son he never had to even think about harming him like that. He regrets that he hurt Sebastian this much. I know the boy means a great deal to you."
Lucius had no idea how much, but Severus wasn't about to tell him. Lucius might be the closest friend he had from Slytherin--- but Lucius was loyal foremost to his family then to Voldemort, and perhaps then to him. "He does. He is my protégée."
"The potion our Lord is convinced will wake and heal whatever Sebastian might be inflicted with. It's very powerful, but it does have some side effects."
Severus expected no less. All strong potions did. This one had a hint of dark magic to it. But he was desperate enough to try anything now. It'd been more than a month. Wizards simply didn't stay in comas that long, especially strong wizards like Harry. And nothing he'd brewed had been able to wake his lover. "What side effects?"
"Impotency."
"Can it be counteracted by an aphrodisiac or can it not be mixed?"
"It can be mixed, so it should only be a temporary problem," Lucius answered smoothly. "You know this potion is one of the few chances that we have left. If the best team of mediwizards from St. Mungo's haven't been able to revive him yet and your potions haven't… don't you think that our Lord, being the greatest wizard of the day would be the only other wizard able to find a solution?"
Lucius had a strong point. But there was a problem. "Why didn't he have me brew this?"
"Because it comes from the book of Slytherin, his Slytherin inheritance. You know that he will let no one put a true Slytherin look into the book. I believe that it's also warded against it. Either way, he won't reveal to anyone outside the heirs."
"I'll take the potion."
"Good," Lucius murmured. "He told me to stay here until Harry woke up."
Severus nodded. It didn't surprise him that Voldemort would command Lucius to do such a thing. "I hope this works for Sebastian's sake."
"We all do."
~
"I failed."
"You failed?" Severus asked with confusion, perplexity, mystification.
Of course Severus wouldn't be baffled, Harry thought with a sigh, he wouldn't have expected this. But Harry had known when he'd finished the subject mastery that it was going to be a very close thing. He didn't know if it was his exhaustion, his anxiety, or that there simply hadn't been enough time to learn all the material required--- but mixed together in whatever way--- they'd caused his failure.
He'd received the owl post results. This he handed over to Severus. "I failed the potions mastery," he clarified. "It's all there in red ink and parchment. I apologize, Severus, for letting you down."
"I don't believe this!" Severus fumed, reading the failure with blazing black eyes. "These fools don't realize that you're the most talented potions students I've had in all my years of teaching. They give you a very low fail, it's not even a low fail, that means were you this close," Severus hold his fingers open to the smallest degree, "to having a very low pass. I don't understand how they can just tip the scales like that! You deserved to pass!"
"You know my potions theory is slightly faulty especially when it comes to brewing. I take too much leeway with it. I'm not one that follows the directions closely," Harry murmured pacifying. "I can always take the mastery again later."
"If it weren't for your faulty potions theory," Severus continued harshly, "I wouldn't have been able to get passed the moments where I've been stuck in making new potions. You see out of the box. It takes extraordinary genius to not get trapped. It's what makes you a great mediwizard. You can adapt to change and turn your gears to act against it."
Harry shrugged and pulled the parchment from Severus's hands. "It's okay, Sev," he said gently, pulling his lover into his arms. He wasn't all that upset that he'd failed. He would have liked to passed. His ego certainly would have been happier, but he'd only really wanted to do well for Severus. "There's next time, and besides," he kissed Severus on the lips gently, "I could really use your help in cheering me up."
"You are an insatiable young man," Severus growled, kissing Harry back hard.
"Yes," Harry licked Severus's bottom lips, "I am. And it's a very good thing too."
"It is indeed."
~
They had administered the potion. Sebastian still hadn't woken up. He hadn't even moved. They waited a few minutes, for it'd take a few minutes for the potion to work its way through his system and start doing its job. The minutes seemed to drag on forever, but when Sebastian's body jerked slightly they both let out a sign of relief. It was working. That was the most movement Severus had seen from Sebastian in weeks.
But their sighs of relief turned into gasps of horror as Sebastian's body seemed to seize out of control. Both Lucius and Severus acted quickly, binding Sebastian's limbs down tightly so he wouldn't unconsciously hurt himself. Once Sebastian was out of danger of hurting himself, Severus turned dark and angry eyes toward Lucius, "You didn't fucking tell me that he could have a seizure, Lucius Malfoy!"
"I didn't know," Lucius whispered hoarsely. "Our Lord never told me of that side affect."
"Get Poppy," Severus snapped. "I need her help. She's the only one that can administer a strong enough sedative."
Lucius was already running to get Poppy. Why hadn't their Lord told him? He couldn't believe that Voldemort would hurt Sebastian, not when he knew that Sebastian was like a son to him. That meant Voldemort didn't know and that Voldemort would be furious at himself. Merlin, he hoped Poppy could right the wrong.
~
"Do you promise to pledge all your allegiance to me, Sebastian Biggerstaff?"
It had been a summer delay. Voldemort had granted Severus this privilege as he knew the blow this was the first student that Severus had thought had had potential to train on. It hadn't come without a price though. Severus had been put under Cruciatus several times before Voldemort had agreed, and Harry had had to watch. It had been brutal seeing his lover under the Unforgivable.
It had almost made him give in but he'd remembered what Severus had strictly told him not to do. He mustn't give in even if Severus was under great pain. If he did, they would both lose out and his previous efforts would have been for nothing. That was what prevented him from giving in, and Severus had been right. Voldemort had eventually given them the time required. It didn't hurt that Voldemort was pissed at him for marrying Hermione either.
"Yes," Harry declared firmly, bowing his head slightly toward Voldemort. It was the first time he'd ever voluntarily inclined his head toward the Dark Lord, previously he had to be put under Cruciatus before he'd bow. It was this stubbornness and this strength that he knew intrigued Voldemort. Voldemort wondered why he wasn't afraid. Let him keep guessing, Harry thought. Let him guess. "I am yours to command, and I pledge my allegiance to you, Voldemort."
He was the only one that dared to say Voldemort's name too. "I am pleased that you have finally decided to join me," Voldemort declared, "but I am displeased that it has taken you this long, Sebastian, to pledge your loyalty to me."
Yes, he supposed Voldemort would be. The Dark Lord had an immense ego and couldn't comprehend why someone wouldn't be drawn to the power that he had offered Sebastian. Some people weren't as power hungry and quite simply Harry wasn't afraid of Voldemort's wrath. It was only because of the law the Voldemort had enacted and because he worried about Severus's own fate that made him decide to become a Death Eater.
"I apologize, my Lord."
"You will need to be punished," Voldemort stated calmly. Harry tensed his body, he knew what to expect. "Crucio!" Harry fell to his knees, but he didn't cry out in pain. He wasn't that used to the Unforgivable, but he didn't doubt after years in Voldemort's service that he would be. Besides, from what he'd heard from Severus--- Cruciatus was a laugh compared the pain of burning the dark mark into the skin, into the very core of the being.
The pain of Cruciatus was terrible. He felt like every nerve was being burned at the tip. He wished his limbs would go numb from the pain but the Unforgivable was that it kept increasing in pain little by little as to keep the brain from being accustomed to it. That was why being kept under Cruciatus for too long was dangerous; it was because the pain was never constant, it was always increasing.
Harry lost count of how long he'd been under the Unforgivable. But when he was released from it, he could hear Severus begging with Voldemort. It took him several long moments to discern what his lover was pleading. "Don't mark him with the dark mark, my Lord," Severus begged. "Not now, not yet. I want him to study with me at Hogwarts for a year and you know that Dumbledore has placed wards on the place to alert him of any Death Eaters in the vicinity."
"And why would he need to be at Hogwarts anyway?" Voldemort inquired coldly.
"Because he failed the Potions Mastery and I will not have a student I've taken under me personally fail to receive his Potions Mastery!" Severus exclaimed, his dark eyes burning intensely. "I won't allow it. I won't. And I am a Hogwarts professor, so he will have to be underneath Dumbledore's eye all the time. Also Dumbledore still trusts him, trusts him more than he trusts me--- you will get another spy, my Lord."
Harry couldn't bring himself to focus on anything. He just let his head rest on the cool marble and hope that he wouldn't throw up. He felt bile coming up his throat since he purposely had eaten nothing. There was nothing more than he hated throwing up dry heave. The horrible taste of stomach acid was even more nauseating than the pain that got him to purge his stomach contents.
"I will consider it." Voldemort gazed down calmly at where Sebastian was lying on the ground. He wasn't twitching or crying or babbling. Sebastian was truly a marvel in strength. Not once in the fifteen minutes he had been under the painful Unforgivable had he cried out. He wondered what it would take to break him, even if he didn't want to break him. He wanted Sebastian whole, but that didn't mean he couldn't ponder on exactly what it would take to crush him. "Take him back to Hogwarts. His initiation is done--- for now."
~
No matter what Poppy did they couldn't get Sebastian to stop convulsing. She was about to portkey to St. Mungo's and get a specialized team for wizard seizures when Sebastian stopped trembling and shaking uncontrollably. Severus held Harry down by his arms and shoulders just as Lucius was doing on the opposite side. He wanted nothing more than to hold his lover in his arms, but he couldn't--- not with Lucius or Poppy there, especially Lucius.
It seemed to take forever, but Harry finally managed to open his eyes. Severus nearly wept with relief. It had been so long since he'd seen those brilliant emerald eyes. So long since he'd seen the passion that was held within them. "I--- hurt," Harry choked out as he coughed out blood. "I---" he couldn't speak as the blood kept coming out of his mouth and was starting to leak from his nostrils.
"Hush," Severus commanded as he had a valid excuse to lift Harry up and to bend him over the bed so that the blood would drain out of his body instead of choking him. He knew that Poppy was already working her magic. He could feel the healing spell being cast. It wasn't too long before Harry stopped bleeding and he felt Harry relax in his arms. "Are you all right?"
"Yes," Harry croaked, but he wasn't all right--- far from it. "I'm all right."
"You should rest," Severus stated firmly, not letting any emotion show up in his voice that might attract Lucius's attention. He knew that Lucius was here to see thepotion work and then he would leave. When he left, he'd be able to rant and rave to Harry about how scared he'd been--- how Harry had paralyzed him with fear. But he couldn't until Lucius left. "You've been out for more than a month Sebastian, you need to rest."
Harry nodded and was about to close his eyes when Lucius remarked, "Our Lord will be very pleased to know that his potion worked. Do you have anything that you would like to tell him, Sebastian?"
Shutting his eyes deliberately, Harry didn't say anything for a few long moments and Lucius just stood there waiting. Finally Harry opened up his lips to answer, "If he expects me to thank him, then tell him what he expects. But if you want to tell him the truth and what is the truth, he reversed what he did to me and I'm not thankful. He's the one that put me where I am."
Lucius nodded and used the portkey to return to Riddle Mansion. He actually had expected something along those lines. If Sebastian hadn't responded like that, it wouldn't be the Sebastian that Voldemort thought of as a son. Sebastian might aggravate and displease the Dark Lord more than Voldemort wished, but Sebastian also was the challenge that he thrived on.
"He's gone," Severus stated.
"And you should retire to your rooms," Poppy added. "You're right. Sebastian needs his rest, and he'll not get it if you're here. I know how you two talk when you're together about potions. I'll let you speak for a little while, but I expect you to let him get some rest. Do you understand me, Professor Snape?"
Severus nodded. Harry did need his rest. Once she'd gotten his physical confirmation that he understood, she left to prepare some potions that would make Sebastian's sleep tonight more pleasant. Severus made sure she was gone before he bent down and brushed a kiss over Harry's forehead gently. "I would have killed him, but he brought you back."
"You can't kill him," Harry murmured. "You know that no one has that power."
"You do," Severus whispered. "That's why he wants you so badly, Harry. You have such extraordinary power. I shudder to think of what would happen if you and Voldemort got into a duel. I do not know who would win."
Harry shook his head and coughed violently. "We can't duel." Severus was puzzled and Harry reached up with a hand to caress his beloved's cheek. "We have brother wands. The cores of our wands are the same. I can't ever duel him, and he can't ever duel me."
Severus's hand closed over Harry's and pressed it harder against his cheek. "You never told me that before."
"There was no need."
"I love you, you foolish Slytherin."
Harry smiled and cupped Severus's face with both of his hands and drew Severus down for a heartbreakingly tender kiss. "And I love you my Potions Master."
~
Author's Note: Harry finally wakes up and next chapter you learn about what's been going on in the his "home world". It'll be out by the 26th. The story's currently on a mini hiatus as I'm back from school. I should be able to pull myself together by then as I decide which class to cut back out. Fallen will most likely be delayed. Thanks for being patient and I really appreciate the reviews. They're food for my muse.
Thanks to Serpent of Light, Black Llama, keebler-elmo, kyra2, kickedoutofthegoblet, Natara, Lindiel Eryn, TigerBlak, Lady Mandara Snake, Eaiva le Fay (haha 'bout Sirius and being shy), RainWaters, Asha Dreamweaver, Redrum, crazy-Girl-3000 (he only bows on certain occasions, just happened to show the ones when he does), Alucardou, Calyx-girl, A Typical Snarry Fan, DaughterofDeath, Colibi, atalante, asa-chan, Shuki – aka Quickjewel, athenakitty, Xyverz, IncubusSuccubus, VD, The Shadow Bandit, Allyanna (yes), deliolith, Lakoma, Kateri1.
Xiaou: Thanks so much for your reviews, they've been very inspirational. If you write a long email, you might want to paste it somewhere else before you send it to make sure you don't lose it. FF.net has done that to me several times too. And your reference to Hitler is dead on.
~Mary~: I don't really like doing MPREG in this story. And if there were MPREG, it would be highly---- HIGHLY dangerous.