A/N- Oh. My. God. This is unbelievable. I can't believe I actually have 54 reviews as I'm typing, and not a single one is a flame or in any way critical. Wow. I don't deserve readers like you guys. Thanks go out this time to MusicalHermione (heh heh heh), kichigai, Phoenix Flight, Hrei-siesn, lunablue, Charlotte, monkee-maimer, Furioh, snoopy, Rowena Ravenclaw (wow, one of the Founders reviewed…), Hermione HP, Ms. Padfoot, Wind (sorry, I like Harry/Draco too, but I couldn't write it if my life depended on it), LinZE, and totaloser. You guys are so awesome. I'm starting to catch up to where I've written, so chapters may start coming out slower in the near future. I love the support you give me! *sniffles* By the way, if anyone has an idea for a girl for Remus, let me know!
Anyway, I don't own anything you recognize. Most of it belongs to J. K. Rowling, and the rest I got from reading other people's fics. Sorry, but suing me would be a waste of time, as I'm trying to get through college and therefore have nothing of worth.
Bonds of Pain
Chapter 11
In which there are ideas and a vision
Students had been back at Hogwarts for only two days, and it was already turning into a living hell for the resident Potions Master. His House paid no attention to him, and he was seriously considering asking the other professors to take the Slytherin detentions off his hands. Lord knew the children needed some proper discipline, not to mention proper role models.
In fact, Severus was on his way to see the headmaster about such arrangements. Perhaps some sort of community service could be substituted, or a trip back to the time of You-Know-Who's first reign by way of a pensieve.
"Starburst." When he named the odd, chewy Muggle candy, the gargoyle slid aside to allow him access to the office above. Albus opened the door just as he was about to knock.
"Severus. I thought I might see you soon. What can I do for you?" It took him a moment to realise that his ancient mentor was unusually sombre.
"Ah, yes. Actually… I was wondering if an alternate detention could be arranged, or perhaps something for Figg's class, that would put a healthy dislike of the Dark Lord in the students. Especially when it comes to his methods and motives." It was the only thing he could come up with, as ridiculous as it sounded.
"Enlighten the students to Voldemort's evil qualities, you mean? Show them his flaws, the folly of his ways, the mistakes in his reasoning?" Albus asked. Severus nodded mutely, and Dumbledore frowned in thought. "Perhaps a pensieve with memories from several different witnesses would be appropriate. Of course, we would have to make it a part of Arabella's curriculum, so that every student will see it. Would you be so kind as to donate some of your own memories, Severus?" He nodded.
"It's my idea, so I will certainly put in my memories." They might prove to be the most compelling. He had first-hand experience of the terror that the Dark Lord revelled in. He had been both victim and observer, though never tormentor. In fact, he was sickened every time he witnessed a torture or a murder. That was what had convinced him to turn spy for Dumbledore. He knew that most of the students most at risk had no idea of what evil and pain the snake-like wizard could inflict, even on his own minions. Especially on his own minions. Maybe they would actually be frightened enough to make sane decisions.
Snape snapped out of his reverie to see his old mentor holding a stone bowl in front of him. Wordlessly, he raised his wand to his temple and concentrated on his experiences with the being that had become the bane of his life. He slowly drew a silvery wad of copied memories from the side of his head before dropping them in the rune-covered bowl.
"Thank you, Severus. How are Hagrid's lessons going?" Oh, blimey…
"Not too bad. He's a bit better than most third-years, despite fifty years without practice. He told me that he tried to turn Dudley Dursley into a pig on Potter's eleventh birthday, when he delivered the boy's letter, and he actually managed to give him a tail. I doubt most third-years could do that." It had actually been a very entertaining story, and Severus saw the headmaster's eyes regain some of their characteristic twinkle. "I must say, he is eager beyond words to learn whatever I can teach him, and his hexes alone are very powerful. Hagrid may well be a huge benefit for our side," The half-compliment brought a huge smile to the headmaster's face.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Harry grinned to himself. They had Professor Lupin back in the castle, even though he wasn't teaching, and he had brought his "dog," Snuffles. A few had taken the huge black creature for a Grim, but its playful, happy nature had soon changed their minds. Lavender had recognised the dog as one she had seen several times third year, and Hermione had hurried to tell her about Harry's godfather in her room, away from listening ears. Of course, Ginny had pried the stories of all their misadventures out of Ron over the summer.
The six students had spent many hours in Ron and Hermione's rooms. Prefect status included private rooms, as well as access to the Prefects' bathrooms, which aided the mischief planned by the group. Two weeks into term, the expanded Dream Team was preparing for the first Hogsmeade weekend. The professors would be prowling all over the village for student safety, and the students themselves had been advised to take their wands, something which had been frowned upon in the past. They were also prompted to stay in groups.
"We have to get the ingredients for the potions tomorrow," Hermione was insisting. Ron only wanted to visit Honeydukes and Dervish and Banges, but Harry agreed somewhat with Hermione.
"Why don't we get the ingredients and then go to some of the other shops?" Ginny suggested. She had already shown herself to be very level-headed and good at planning. They would probably end up canvassing the village the next day, if she had anything to do with it.
"Look." He said, cutting off Ron's imminent protest. "Why don't we just hit every shop tomorrow? That way, everyone gets to do their shopping, we get the potions supplies, and everyone is happy. Can we get some sleep? I know I'm going to need it in the morning." Draco simply nodded and stood, and Harry got up as well.
"Wait," Draco said. He looked as if he'd just thought of something. "We should probably be able to defend ourselves if we can't use our wands, and I believe there's a weaponsmith in the village. I think we should stop in there and arm ourselves, just in case." As the girls protested being so violent, Harry looked at his friend.
~You know, that's bloody brilliant, mate. We may have to drag the girls inside, though. Perhaps we should cast some sort of charm that will help us find the weapons we are best suited for so that we play to our advantages.~ Defending themselves might be crucial in the future, with the growing power of Voldemort. He couldn't let anyone else die for him.
{I'll sneak down to the library and take a look for something like that.} Harry nodded in response as they left the others and climbed to the dormitory. As he was getting out his boxers, Harry pulled out the Invisibility Cloak and handed it to Draco. The blond was gone when he returned from the loo.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Swathed in the borrowed Cloak, Draco padded through the stone halls in stocking feet towards the library. He couldn't argue with Harry's idea for a charm. The reason he had volunteered for the 'mission' was because his friend needed the sleep desperately. He on the other hand, spent many nights creeping around, often with a sheaf of parchment on him somewhere, as the case was tonight.
The blond gently eased open the library door and slipped inside, lighting his wand once the door was closed. At least he'd not encountered Filch on the way.
He was actually glad now for name he'd coined for the original trio so long ago. The Dream Team fit the expanded group even better than it had the original, and it had stuck. Their talents and knowledge complimented each other nicely, and both Professor Snape and Remus Lupin had been heard to say that they were "even worse than the Marauders." Since he knew how legendary that group had been, Draco was quite flattered by the comparison.
Ah, well. Compatibility charms. Draco scanned the shelves of the Charms section for a few minutes. Wait. Charms for Compatibility. Pulling the book from the shelf, he skimmed the table of contents. There. "Charms for Finding Suitable Items."
Draco smiled and pulled his Never-Ending Parchment pad from his robes. Placing the book on a table with the pad beside it, he flipped to the first page of the chapter. His wand swiftly tapped the parchment and then rested on the top of the first page.
"Replicatus." As he began to move the tip of his wand down the page, the words were duplicated on the parchment. Soon the twenty pages in the text were copied, and Draco went back to searching the stacks.
An hour later, Draco had been through both the normal stacks and the Restricted Section, as well as having dodged Filch and Mrs. Norris at least twice. There had been little of use in the Restricted Section, and he saw no reason to search in there again unless he found nothing outside.
Draco had nearly made it to the Fat Lady when searing pain shot through the bond. Panic and guilt soon followed. Throwing caution to the winds, the blond sprinted for the tower. He could almost hear Harry screaming. Surely Dean, Seamus, and Neville had been woken, and he wouldn't be surprised if the rest of Gryffindor Tower had been scared out of sleep as well.
"Vervain!" he hissed at the Fat Lady. Looking around for the invisible student, she swung open, and Draco darted through as soon as there was enough room for him. He had to dodge confused Housemates in the common room before he could get to the stairs, and he had undoubtedly bumped at least a few. He burst into his dorm to see Harry convulsing on his bed, eyes wide and screams ripping from his throat. Their roommates were huddled in the farthest corner from Harry's bed, not even noticing when Draco dropped the Invisibility Cloak and the pad of parchment.
"Harry. Harry! Oh, God, he's having a vision," Draco yelled, catching one of the other boy's arms in a vice grip. "Neville, get Professor McGonagall. Dean, Professor Snape. Seamus, Professor Dumbledore," he snapped. The others didn't move. "NOW!!!" Panicking at his tone, they scrambled from the room.
Once they had left, Draco sat down behind the raven-haired boy and pinned his arms to his sides. He began to rock slowly and murmur reassurances to his friend. The screams faded to be replaced by heaving sobs. Tears streamed down the face of the Boy Who Lived, and the emerald eyes were clouded with pain below the pulsing red scar.
"It's not your fault. We'll get him. Don't worry. We can help them. Take it easy. You're safe." The soft assurances continued ceaselessly, not even stopping when the teachers arrived.
"Another nightmare?" McGonagall asked. Harry was coherent despite the sobs, and he shook his head.
"A vision, then," Dumbledore said, confirming Draco's original opinion. He pulled a small book from somewhere in his robes and placed it on the nightstand next to Harry's glasses as Snape set out some potions for Harry. "I would appreciate if you would write in there when you have these visions. I have the companion in my office. It may help us get a step ahead of Voldemort." Draco watched as Harry nodded silently. He was willing to give a great deal to take away his friend's pain, but there was nothing he could do. Not to his knowledge, at least. Hell, he still couldn't get along with Ron for any length of time. For the nth time in almost two months, Draco sorrowed for the Boy Who Lived.
What will happen in Hogsmeade? Will the charms Draco found work? Why is Remus Lupin at the castle? Find out next time!
I'm not sure whether I will post the next chapter on Monday or Tuesday, but I'll have it up by Wednesday at the latest!
Beth Weasley