Chapter 7
Draco walked inside the Entrance Hall, and doubled over, his arm burning with pain. Vaguely, he could feel that something was terribly wrong. He ran back outside, trusting his instincts to guide him. Harry. Something was wrong with Harry. DRACO!!!! Cut like a knife across his thoughts. A knife. What the hell? Why was Harry bleeding? He sprinted to the lake, just in time to catch Harry in his arms as the Gryffindor tried to stand up and toppled over. Harry's arm was a mass of bleeding cuts.
Someone got a little too happy with his knife, didn't he? Draco asked lightly, trying to keep his fear at bay. Something wasn't right. Why wasn't Harry healing on his own? His aura flared and he ran a hand over Harry's arm. Instantly, the slashes stopped bleeding and closed, healing with a small scar.
It didn't feel right. I didn't heal. I was bleeding so much and for so long. Why didn't I heal? I have every other time. Harry sank into unconsciousness.
Alanna! Xander! Uncle Sev! HELP!!!! Draco panicked. Come on, Harry, wake up, please!!! I can't deal with this! He froze as images of agony and terror began flashing before his eyes. Oh SHIT he thought desperately as he was sucked into a repressed memory. HARRY! HELP!
Long black robes surrounded him from where he lay on the floor, gasping in pain.
"Crucio" He screamed over and over, trying to escape the pain. He sank into blackness, only to be jolted back into consciousness. He hung from a wall in the dungeons. I'm in the dungeons, his clothing in tatters. Oh GOD it's cold down here. Please help me, someone, please GOD help me.
"Crucio". He screamed again and again, in agony then the pain was lifted. He gulped in a ragged breath, only to have it slammed out of his body.
"Crucio". Again, screaming. Don't they ever stop? What deity did I piss off? he asked, detached from the pain. He was floating above himself, watching. He could see someone who was standing there, watching, crying, and screaming in commiseration. What the hell? He thought, and floated over to get a closer look. It was Harry, eyes wide in terror and agony. Suddenly, he darted forward, blocking Draco's body from the curses with his own, trying to comfort the still screaming form on the wall, doing anything to help relieve the pain.
What is he doing? Why is he helping me? He thought incredulously.
You were in pain, and I wanted it to stop. Harry floated next to Draco, calmly watching what was happening. He watched as his other self tried to stop Lestrange and Nott from hurting Draco, but his hands passed right through their arms.
What are you doing here? Weren't you bleeding to death a little while ago?
You called for me, and I came Harry answered simply. They stood there, in silence, as the entirety of Draco's memories of that night replayed itself in front of them. Draco gasped when he watched Harry come in on his broom and rescued him from certain death.
You saved me when even my own GODFATHER didn't do anything to help. Why, and don't give me that 'I'm bored and had nothing better to do' shit. Tell me.
Honestly, I was being ignored and beaten by my relatives every summer after coming back from Hogwarts. I wanted to get out of that house before it could start up again. Also, I may have disliked you, but I didn't hate you, and I knew that if I didn't do something, you would have died. You may have pissed me off, but I never wanted you dead. Plus, it pissed off Voldemort. But, the true reason is that I really don't want you to die. He lightly punched Draco's arm. Besides, if you go, who's gonna make my life a living hell, and by extension, interesting?
Draco wrapped his arms around Harry. Thank you, he whispered over and over, burying his face in the crook of Harry's shoulder.
I would have never even considered another course of action, he replied, and hugged Draco back.
So, now I know, now I know that my father was willing to let me die for his Half blood master, whispered Draco brokenly. Harry remained silent and let the other boy cry.
I promise, Draco, no one is ever going to hurt you like that again. I won't let them. You have my word.
All in all, Dudley was having, he was certain, the worst summer of his life. First, his father, the asshole bastard, disowns him for something he has no control over whatsoever. Next, he's stuck in freaksville, learning how to control his powers from the biggest freak of them all, Albus Dumbledore. But I'm a freak, too. I don't want to be a freak! MAKE IT STOP!
He sighed, resting his head against the mirror in his bathroom. It just wasn't his fault. The worst of it happened five days ago. He had been reading a book, and had gone to get another one from the back section of the library. As soon as he had opened that one, Moste Potente Hexes, it had started shrieking at an ear splitting volume. All he had wanted was for the book to shut up, not for every book to catch on fire and turn to dust. The stone columns had exploded, too, raining debris everywhere. Oh, that lady had been furious, Madam Pinch or whatever her name was. She had chased him down three flights of stairs before giving up, screaming the whole way about damage to priceless books. It wasn't like there had been any permanent damage, though. He had gone in there just this morning and everything was the way it had been before.
Then, yesterday, the suit of armor had grabbed his arm, and he had panicked again. The next thing he knew, the damn armor had exploded in an inferno. He'd gotten it for that one, too. Dumbledore had lectured him about how important it was to not use his powers when he was scared. Geez, that old bat. Who the hell does he think he is, anyway! I'd rather be learning with my cousin. His teacher is so pretty, and she's so smart, too. I bet she could help me, he mused, gazing into his reflection's eyes.
One thing was for certain, Dudley thought as he turned the gold knob, these freaks sure know how to decorate. Luke warm water gushed from the gold faucet into the onyx marble sink. He splashed water on his face and washed his hands, drying himself off on the thick, maroon cotton towels. "Why me?" he moaned aloud, sinking down to sit on the grey stone floor. "What did I do to deserve this? Why can't I be normal?" He closed his eyes.
"Hello, dearie. I think you are overreacting a little. You are making too much of a fuss over nothing." His eyes snapped opened.
"Who said that? Who's there?" he screeched, struggling to his feet and looking about for the source of the voice.
"Why me, of course, the mirror. Up here, dearie."
"You can talk? Please let this be a joke! Ha-ha, funny, Harry, you've gotten me back, you can come out now." He frantically began searching the room for a hidden camera, a tape recorder, anything that could explain this.
"Of course. All the mirrors here talk, silly boy. Haven't they taught you anything? As I was saying, you are really taking this way too seriously. You are related to the most powerful wizard ever born. Of course you won't be normal." Dudley felt his blood pressure spike. His damn cousin. It all boiled down to him. His vision turned red at the edges, and the temperature in the bathroom jumped forty degrees. The mirror continued to prattle on, oblivious to Dudley's growing fury. "-and she said that Harry Potter is the only wizard who can defeat Lord Voldemort."
CRACK. A huge crevice appeared running through the center of the mirror, just before it exploded into billions of pieces. The miniscule shards melted, then pooled on the floor.
Petunia rushed in. "Dudley! I- AAAUUGH!" she screamed, throwing herself backwards to escape the lethal heat emanating from Dudley's body. She ran to the fireplace and threw in a handful of Floo Powder. "ALBUS DUMBLEDORE!" she shrieked. Without warning, Fawkes burst from the fireplace and landed on Dudley.
Petunia stared at the gorgeous bird. Where did THAT come from? she wondered, and then screamed as Dumbledore grabbed her shoulder. She whirled around.
"What seems to be the-" he took in her burned face and arms, Fawkes sitting on a human torch, and the steadily rising temperature in the room. Thinking quickly, he grabbed Petunia around the waist and Flooed her to the Hospital Wing. He deposited her on a bed, summoned Madam Pomfrey, and Flooed back to their rooms.
Dudley was a fiery, floating ball in the center of the room. "Make it stop, make it stop, please GOD make it stop," He chanted over and over. The room was well over a thousand degrees. It took every bit of strength Dumbledore had to keep himself cool enough to function. The furniture and wall hangings had been incinerated, and the carpet was nothing more than a smoky ash. The mirror was still a bubbling puddle on the bathroom floor.
"Dudley Dursley! What is the meaning of this?" Dumbledore asked him gently. Dudley cracked one eye open then squeezed it shut again.
"Can you make it stop? Please sir, I don't want to be a freak. I don't want my da- da- dad to hu- hu- hate me! Please, make it go away!!!" he wailed, fire flaring around him.
"CALM DOWN." Dumbledore thundered. Dudley's eyes sprang open. He stared at the Headmaster in shock.
"I want to go HOME!" he shrieked the last word and the walls themselves lit on fire.
"You have to calm down. You burned your mother, and have destroyed everything in this room. You are out of control and need to calm down. You cannot go home until you learn how to control your powers. We have gone over this. You are not a freak, you are gifted with magic."
"MY DADDY SAID I AM A FREAK! I WAN - WAN - WANT MY DADDY! I WANT HIM TO LOVE ME AGAIN!!!!"
"DUDLEY DURSLEY!!!" The walls shook from the force of Dumbledore's voice. Dudley stopped screaming and the fires gradually receded. "You are emanating enough power to destroy this castle and everyone in it. Your mother is still here. You wouldn't want to hurt her, would you? Come on, calm down. Calm down." Dudley ignored him, the fire growing hotter.
Dumbledore sighed. I could use a little help here. He isn't going to calm down, and I can't move him anywhere or he might blow up Hogwarts. Alanna, Xander, Severus, where are you when you're needed?
Elsewhere in the castle, Alanna and Xander stopped in their tracks. Oh shit. What's happening now? Waves of terror crashed into them, making them stagger and clutch each other for support. Without a second thought, they disapparated.
Severus Snape, walking towards Dumbledore's office, suddenly collapsed as waves of terror and agony washed over him. Oh GOD make it stop! he thought deliriously. Draco. Something was terribly wrong with his Godson. I'm not going to fail you again, he vowed, and disapparated with a POP.
Harry awoke slowly, a blinding light shining in his eyes. He could hear someone moaning softly beside him. Ignoring the spikes of pain shooting through his head, he rolled over. Draco, hang on. It's gonna be all right. His soul mate lay beside him on the grass, sweat and tears streaming down his pallid face.
Draco? Harry thought hesitantly. There was no answer. He propped himself up on his elbows, and scooted himself over to the unconscious boy. Something compelled him to put his fingertips to Draco's temples. He pushed with his mind, and could FEEL Draco's consciousness. Draco? He thought nervously.
Harry? Where are you? Why did you leave?
Draco!!! You're all right! Harry yelled, relieved.
Ouch, too loud. Draco mentally winced. Harry grinned, happy to hear him again.
Hey, I can feel your emotions... Draco trailed off in wonder.
I can feel yours, too. Didn't Alanna say this wouldn't happen? Harry asked, confused.
Come back. Don't leave me here, alone. I can't deal with this by myself, Draco pleaded.
I don't know how. Wait; put your fingertips on my temples. Draco lethargically raised his arm and put his hand on the side of Harry's face. They pushed, together, and felt something click into place in the backs of their minds. All of a sudden they could feel everything about each other: their hopes, dreams, and fears, their most private thoughts. Everything was laid bare for the other to see. WHAT THE HELL??? they both screamed and tried to withdraw from the terrifying contact. They found they couldn't, and stared at each other, humiliated and scared witless.
Umm, ok... this is too much information. Sensory overload, here! Harry muttered, trying not to pry and embarrass Draco further.
I couldn't agree more, Harry. This is too much. Ok, we got into this. We can get out, right? Draco asked hopefully. They heard three distinct POP'S, and whipped around.
Alanna and Xander stood together, and Uncle Sev/Professor Snape stood behind them. Help us, please! We're stuck and can't get out of each other's minds! They babbled hysterically, all dignity forgotten in their desperation.
WHAT? Alanna and Xander snickered, and Uncle Sev/ Snape looked confused. What were you two doing? Having fun, now, were we? Harry blanched and stiffened at the insinuation.
Oh hell, thought Draco as Harry's memories threatened to surface yet again. Potter, snap out of it! he mentally yelled. Come on Harry, she doesn't know. You can't keep reacting like this. He isn't ever going to hurt you again, I promise. I won't let him. He felt Harry calm down and finally relax. That's it, Harry. No one is ever going to hurt you like that again. No one is ever going to touch you without your permission. I will make sure of that.
No, thought Harry and Draco simultaneously. We weren't doing anything. Harry/I put his/my hands on my/Draco's face because I/he was still unconscious and not responding to his/my calls. Then he/I told me/Draco to put my/his hands on his/my temples, and we pushed at the same time and now we're stuck! HELP!
Umm, that's weird. I've never heard of a bond being completed without a physical relationship. Xander stared thoughtfully at the two. How the hell did that happen? He asked Alanna privately. I've never heard of two soul mates who aren't twins, yet are not meant to have a relationship. That doesn't make sense, unless, he turned to study the two teens. 'Lana, remember when I got you back, how our bond intensified until you felt safe?
Yes, but what does that have to do with anything? Oh, wait, that's right. Do you think they have been sharing memories?
Draco, have you two been sharing memories? Xander gently asked them. I don't want to pry, but if either or both of you have had very traumatic experiences, you could have bonded until the person suffering feels safe again.
Harry and Draco nodded. That did make sense. Oh boy, looks like we're in for the long haul, then. I doubt you are going to feel safe for a while, they remarked to each other, and then laughed.
I am fine, but I am worried about you, Harry chided Draco. Your dad is an asshole for hurting you.
Harry, my problems are nothing compared to yours. I swear I am going to kill your uncle. He makes my father and Voldemort look like saints. At least they just want to kill you. Your uncle is scum.
You know, Draco, Voldemort was wrong, in the Department of Mysteries. There are fates worse than death, that make death preferable, and sometimes, welcome,Harry thought bitterly, feeling phantom hands running over him. He shivered. Draco hugged him, and they both became acutely aware of how their positions must look to the others. They were lying on the ground, Harry half on top of Draco, and now Draco was hugging him. Harry laughed and sat up, pulling Draco with him. No wonder they wondered! gasped Harry, laughing hysterically out loud.
All of a sudden, Harry gasped, pain and anger lancing through his mind. Beside him Draco did the same, both of them feeling the same thing. Oh SHIT! thought Draco desperately, what the hell is going on? He noticed, vaguely, that Alanna, Xander and Severus were feeling the same thing. We have to GO NOW! thought Draco desperately. Alanna nodded, and a second later they were all in a large, bare, and unbearably hot room. Harry launched himself at what looked to be a floating ball of fire.
"DUDLEY!!!" he screamed, all thoughts focused on his cousin. Glaring, he turned to Dumbledore. "WHAT DID YOU DO TO HIM!!!" he bellowed, his deep green aura flaring. He formed a protective barrier around him and his cousin. Dumbledore tried to protest, but Draco cut him off.
"Just shove it, Dumbledore. You always make things a hundred times worse." He joined Harry and strengthened the barrier with his own aura. An incandescent aura with swirls of light blue and deep green effectively cut Dudley, Harry, and Draco off from everyone else in the room.
"Come on, Dudley." Harry spoke and thought simultaneously. Flaring a protective ring of fire around him, he reached through Dudley's flames and grabbed his hand. Draco did the same on the other side. Come on, Dudley, let us in, they thought as one, drawing on each other for strength and support.
"Harry, why are we doing this?" asked Draco curiously. "I mean, didn't he hurt you for a long time? Why are we helping one of your tormentors?"
"We are helping because Dumbledore is incompetent and I don't want Hogwarts to blow up. Also, because it's the right thing to do."
"Your first two reasons are ok, but the last one sucks, just to let you know." Draco grinned and they redoubled their efforts.
DUDLEY! They both screamed mentally. They almost wept in relief when they felt Dudley's mind stir, and respond.
Oh look, it's my asinine cousin, and the freaky blond that he rescued. What the hell do you want? Dudley snottily asked.
First of all, it's your asinine DEMIGOD cousin, and his freaky DEMIGOD blond. Get it right! Draco spat. Harry grinned.
So sorry, cuz, he hasn't had his coffee yet. Oh, we came in to tell you to WAKE UP AND KNOCK THE SHIT OFF!!!! Harry bellowed, making Dudley wince and crack an eye open.
Who died and left you in charge? he asked irritably. Tears clouded his vision, and he withdrew again. You wouldn't understand. None of you do. I just want to be normal. Make this go away, make it stop. I don't wanna be a freak anymore. I thought the fire was cool, until they all started yelling at me for using it.
Dudley, I've been called a freak all my life. Now, I just found out that I'm an even bigger freak than I thought I was. I know exactly how you feel. Come on, drop the fire. It's getting old.
Dudley's face screwed up, preparing to throw a tantrum. I DON'T WANNA BE A FREAK!!! I WANT MY DADDY TO LOVE ME AGAIN!!!! WHY CAN'T YOU PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT??? Harry winced.
What did he do? Draco asked quietly.
He disowned me, and called me a freak and hit me, then he hit Mom, and he made her cry, then she found out about him hurting Harry THAT WAY and I had to remember that he tried to hurt me THAT WAY and I just want to forget again, but I don't know how! Dudley wailed, tears streaming down his face.
He did WHAT??? Harry roared. I'M GONNA KILL THAT FUCKTARD!!!
HARRY, CAN IT! roared Draco. Harry immediately calmed down.
Hmm, that could come in handy, the ability to influence your emotions like that. Anyway, Dudley, do you know what my dad did to me? I thought he loved me, he said he would always accept me, and he had me tortured. He chose his 'master' over me. When I refused to join Voldemort, he let them slice off parts of my skin and break almost all my bones and burn me. They did that for almost fifteen hours straight, and they sent what they were doing to me, to Harry, to haunt his dreams. He did rescue me, and he saved my life. Your father raped Harry from the time he was three and a half until just before he got his acceptance letter. So, we both know how you feel. Trust me, your father doesn't deserve your love, and if he cannot accept who you are then don't bother.
Dudley stared at Harry. What do you mean, until his acceptance letter came? he asked, finally. I didn't tell Mom, but I heard what happened on your fifteenth birthday, when-
DUDLEY, SHUT UP! Harry screamed, his face white. I- I-
Harry? Draco purred dangerously. What is your cousin talking about?
I'm talking about how, every summer, on his birthday, Dad would go to Harry's room, and - and, do - you know... and then He would leave and tell Harry happy birthday as he left. He used to do it every Christmas, Easter, Halloween, New Year's, and every other major holiday, too. I knew it was happening, but I heard it after my parents moved him into the second bedroom where I used to keep all my toys. Dad would dope Mom with sleeping pills so he could get away with it. He knew I knew, and I knew what would happen to me if I told anyone, so I didn't.
Draco stared at Harry, mouth open in shock. Harry hung his head in shame. So it stopped just before your acceptance letter, huh? Right.
I'm sorry, whispered Harry. I just didn't want anyone to worry.
Dudley slowly uncurled and the fire died. "Harry, I'm so sorry. I should have told someone, but I was so scared. I even made my dad and I forget that I could do magic because he told me I was a freak, just like you and that he punishes freaks because they don't deserve to live." He met Harry's anguish filled eyes with anguish in his own. "Please, don't blame Mom. She didn't know, and she's divorcing Vernon because of this. You have got to believe me. She had no idea."
"I don't blame her." Harry said softly. He shook his head, and pulled on his Gryffindor Golden Boy mask. "Come on, put on your game face. We gotta go convince them that we aren't crazy." The three of them laughed sadly, and erased all tears and sadness.
"Right, let's do this." Dudley released the hold he had on his magic, and they all took a deep breath.
Draco glared at Harry. This isn't over, Potter. You lied to me.
"Oh, before I drop the aura, Dudley, we have training every day in the Room of Requirement from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Would you like to join us tomorrow?" Draco asked.
Dudley grinned. "Is your teacher the hot one?" he asked.
"Hey, that's our sister." Harry and Draco mock warned then laughed. "I take it you are in agreement?"
"HELL yes." Still laughing, Harry and Draco dropped the aura and they stepped out into the room.
Alanna and Xander rushed forward. Severus couldn't rush to his Godson because he was too busy trying to restrain the rather peeved Headmaster. "Are you all right? They asked anxiously. Harry, Draco, and Dudley nodded.
"We're fine," stated Harry firmly, with a hint of a smile. Dumbledore relaxed.
"Let go of me," he commanded Severus. Severus immediately stopped restraining him and stepped out of his way. Dumbledore walked regally toward the three boys.
"I trust you are in control of yourself, Mr. Dursley, and that there will be no further outbursts?" he quietly demanded an answer.
"Ye- yes sir. I promise I won't do it again." Dudley, shamefaced, stammered his apology. Harry winked at him and he relaxed.
"Very well, we shall continue our training tomorrow."
"With all due respect, Headmaster," Harry interjected, fighting back a smirk and a snigger, "we invited Dudley to join our training sessions. Seeing as how Xander is a fully trained Fire Elemental, we thought that he would be an excellent choice to teach Dudley how to control his new powers. If you don't mind, that is."
Dumbledore beamed. Finally I get to get rid of that annoying brat! Everyone around him, including Dudley, who was listening in through Harry and Draco, choked. "I agree wholeheartedly, Harry. Dudley would benefit from training with you and the others."
"Good! I would be happy to teach you everything I know about controlling the element fire!" Xander enthusiastically replied. Severus had visions of Dudley using his ability to torch Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, Gringotts, and other places.
God help us all, thought Draco and Severus in unison.
HEY! I wouldn't blow up OUR monuments! Maybe the White House or the Taj Mahal...Dudley stared dreamily off into space, dreaming about burning buildings. Harry groaned and shook his head.
"Um, Professor Dumbledore? If everything is taken care of, can we go? Do you need us for anything else?" Harry asked politely, you sadistic old coot added after that. Draco and Dudley choked back a laugh.
"Of course. I will see all of you later for dinner. Severus, the meeting was cancelled due to the problems with Dudley, so enjoy your afternoon." Somberly, they all exited the Headmaster's office. Once past the gargoyle, Harry and Draco started howling with laughter.
"Oh Merlin! His face was priceless! Uncle Sev, we should piss him off more often!" Draco gasped, holding his sides from the pain of laughing so hard. He turned to Severus and stopped laughing immediately. Severus was staring at Harry stonily, as were Alanna and Xander.
"Harry, oh hell, I don't want anyone overhearing us." Severus said. Harry immediately stopped laughing and tensed. Harry, what in HELL did your cousin mean about your uncle hurting you? Severus asked as calmly as he could. Harry looked as if he were about to cry, throw up, and faint all rolled into one.
Yes, Harry, what in HELL did he mean? Alanna and Xander asked as one, echoing Severus. Draco slung a protective arm around Harry's shoulders, and Dudley stood in front of them.
It isn't any of your business! Dudley yelled, fists clenched. Immediately, they found themselves outside, right in front of the lake, exactly where Harry had just almost killed himself. Harry looked at the ground. He was standing on the bloodstains. Dudley let out a squeak of surprise, but stood his ground, determined.
HARRY POTTER, ANSWER US!!!! the three adults bellowed. Harry started to cry and backed away from them.
No, no, NO! YOU CAN'T MAKE ME!!!! he screamed and ran back into the castle. After he had taken only two steps, Alanna threw her hand out and Harry shot into the air. He was wrenched backwards, fighting the whole way. "NO NONONONONO!" he screamed, his powers coming into play. With a bellow of rage, he slammed Alanna backwards. She flew almost fifteen feet before Xander caught her.
"YOU HURT MY MATE!" He roared, and picked Harry up again, then threw him into the closest oak tree. Harry crumpled, and Draco sprang forward.
"YOU FUCKING ASSHOLE!" Draco picked Xander up in a whirlwind and threw him into the lake. The giant squid, which had been basking peacefully nearby, playfully grabbed at him, and the enraged demigod threw the squid at Draco. Harry froze the squid in midair and made the earth buckle and quake. A thirty-foot tiger formed out of stone. Harry quickly sicced the stone cat on the opposition. With a roar, the giant cat attacked Xander and Alanna and batted them both into the lake. Harry then dropped the squid on them. They came up, sputtering, a few minutes later, extreme expressions of pain on their faces. They flew up from the water, covering their ears in agony.
"Oh, it burns!" Alanna moaned. Xander moaned in agreement.
"Am I bleeding? Who knew sound carried so well under water." Moaning Myrtle arose behind them, screeching "The Marriage of Figaro" at the top of her 'dead' lungs.
"FIGARRRO FIGGGARRROOOO! FIGGARRRROOOOOO!" she howled, sounding as if Professor McGonagall, in her cat form, had had her tail stepped on. All the windows on the East side of the castles exploded as she hit an earth shattering high note. Harry, Draco, Dudley, and Snape slammed their hands on their ears, moaning and screaming in pain.
"OH MY GOD, will she SHUT UP???" Harry cried, rocking back and forth in agony. Xander summoned the poor squid and threw it at her. The squid went right through her, and hit the east wall of Hogwarts. Gryffindor Tower rocked and swayed. With a loud groan, it tipped and fell over. Harry could hear screams from inside. Oh shit, Ron and Hermione!
Alanna and Xander shot towards the tower and caught it. They pushed it back upright. One of the up most windows opened and two heads poked out. "What the hell is going on? Leave us out of it!" The window slammed shut.
Moaning Myrtle let out a loud cry at the squid slamming through her. She immediately stopped 'singing' and pouted at them. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
"That wasn't very nice," she hissed at them. With an ear-exploding shriek, she turned and dove head first into the lake. A huge tidal wave erupted around her exit, slamming into everyone. Harry suddenly found himself and Dudley twenty feet above ground in the middle branches of the oak tree. Draco was floating out of harms way a few hundred feet above them. Turning around, Harry craned his neck and saw Snape peeling himself off of the wall of Hagrid's stone hut over one hundred yards away. Alanna and Xander were still floating next to Hogwarts.
Harry brought him and Dudley back down to the ground. Immediately, Draco and Severus wrapped their powers around him, immobilizing him. NO! Draco! LET ME GO!!!! screamed Harry. Let me go, please let me go! He begged over and over. Alanna, Severus, and Xander came and stood right in front of him. He felt Draco wrap his arms around him and hold him tightly.
Harry, it is time, you have to tell someone. Come on, tell them. They can help you. Come on, Alanna knows what you went through, Draco pleaded with him.
Harry, what did your uncle do to you? Severus asked quietly. Harry stiffened and he glared suspiciously at the three in front of him.
You already know he hissed angrily. Somehow, you know. Why are you going to make me say it, when you already know? Tears streamed down his face, and he angrily brushed them away. So, if you already know, what are you going to do about it? He hissed and stood up, breaking the bonds that held him.
Hmmm thought Severus sarcastically, there was my turning his dick into a bunny rabbit, and the fact that whenever he even thinks of another person in a sexual manner the rabbit starts biting him. I dunno, what could we do?
"Ssssssssshit" Harry swore in Parseltongue. Alanna raised her eyebrows.
"Where did you learn that language?" She asked curiously. Harry laughed, a bitter, hate filled sound. Draco cringed.
"Voldemort. He 'taught' me when I was a baby. One of the many skills he is known for is Parseltongue, and some of his powers were transferred to me when he tried to kill me that first time." He turned and strode angrily away, then turned back to them and spat over his shoulder. "So, now what? Yes, my uncle called me a worthless freak and liked to use that as an excuse to kick the shit out of me. Yes, he is a child molester. Yes, he has raped" Alanna shuddered "me since I did my first bit of will magic at age three and a half. He hasn't stopped since then, and my magic doesn't stop him from hurting me. What the fuck are you going to do about it?" he asked bitterly. Turning back around, he strode angrily back into the castle.
"I hope you're happy now. He's pissed and really suicidal." Draco said, glaring at them before he sprinted after Harry, catching up to him right before they walked through the entrance. Dudley followed them at a slower pace.
"I'm going to go find my mom." he called over his shoulder.
"Potter is one screwed up kid," commented Snape sadly. The other two nodded. "How the hell did he wind up in Gryffindor, instead of my house?" Alanna turned to him, confused. They watched as Harry and Draco shot out of an upstairs window on their brooms at a breakneck speed. They sped off over the Forbidden Forest.
"Your house is Slytherin, right?" Severus nodded. "Harry is a dead ringer for Salazar Slytherin. What the hell is he doing in Gryffindor?"
"WHAT?" Snape snapped, giving her his full attention. Xander nodded thoughtfully.
"True, 'Lana. Except, Harry is much more powerful than Sal. However, they have the same personality, same characteristics. Both of them are incredibly good actors, able to hide their true personalities and feelings. Both of them are cunning, and place unnecessary burdens on themselves. How Harry got into Gryffindor is beyond me." Xander murmured to himself as he thoughtfully tossed a fireball back and forth between his hands. On a whim, he tossed it to Severus, who caught it and threw it back, as well as one of his own. Xander added another one and was juggling three balls of fire.
Still juggling, Xander mused, "I wonder how he did it." He frowned for a second as one of the balls slipped, and then his face broke into a sunny grin. "You know, we do have to go after them at some point. Severus, how would you like a broom?"
Severus smiled fleetingly. I do miss playing chaser he thought to himself. Alanna caught that thought and smiled. "I would like one. May I ask how you make them? They are incredibly beautiful..." and fast, and turn on a dime, and move with you almost telepathically, he trailed off, lost in thought.
"Actually, they do move telepathically, if you can bond with your broom. It's quite easy, since they are made from part of your aura." Alanna smirked. Flare your aura so we know how to make it.
"What? Do what?" Severus asked, confused.
"You know, power up. Flare your aura?" Xander repeated. Severus still looked confused. "You've never flared before, have you?" Xander asked him. Severus shook his head.
Ok, watch and learn, little brother. Alanna and Xander slowly pushed their auras out of their skin, and then looked expectantly at Severus. Taking a deep breath, he copied them. A brilliant silver glow shot out of his skin.
"Oh wow" Alanna said enviously. She circled Severus like a hawk. "Oh my, that is so beautiful. So this means that Laurel is pure gold. I am so jealous of you. I wish I were a mind elemental." She finally stopped circling. Severus blushed slightly, having never been called beautiful in his life.
"Um, thank you, I think." he replied bemusedly. He watched in awe as Alanna and Xander held their hands together. A pure silver broom appeared between them. Oh my GOD this is incredible. They handed him the broom with matching grins. Thank you so much. This is perhaps the nicest thing anyone has done for me. On a whim, he hugged them both. They broke apart, and Severus mounted his broom to go find Harry and Draco after testing the broom's capabilities.
"Yes, we know. If we tell anyone that you have a heart, you'll hunt us down and kill us." Alanna mocked. Severus laughed.
"Actually, now that I don't have to act like an asshole to keep up appearances, I think that people are going to be pleasantly surprised at my personality transformation." He kicked off and shot into the air. WHOOOOO HOOOO! THIS IS GREAT!
Alanna and Xander grinned at each other. "Another satisfied customer" she commented drolly. Xander nodded in agreement, laughing at the dour Potions Master's antics in midair.
Harry flew aimlessly over the Forbidden Forest. Draco struggled to keep up with him. Harry! Slow down already, would you? I can't keep up! Harry ignored him, lost in his thoughts.
They hate me. They all hate me. It's all my fault. Why the hell did they have to find out? Now they hate me and it's all my fault. It's all my fault that Sirius died, it's all my fault that I'm a freak, it's all my fault that I couldn't stop my uncle. It's all my fault that my parents died. Everyone I love dies and it's all my fault. I want to die, but then the entire Wearing World will be destroyed. Oh God, why couldn't I have died with my parents?
Draco finally caught up with him. Harry was flying in circles over a particular area of the forest. Looking down, Draco saw a clearing with a small waterfall feeding a pond. Sighing, he grabbed Harry's broom and forced him to land. Harry heavily collapsed, falling from his broom and sliding onto the ground in a heap. He sat there and didn't even notice Draco sitting across from him.
Hey, Potter. You are wrong, you know. No one hates you, except for Moldywart. Do you really call him that? It fits you know. He has this HUGE wart on the side of his chin, and it is decaying. It is so gross. Draco tried to cheer Harry up, but nothing worked. Eventually, Harry's depression got to Draco and he sat there, too, lost in his own depressing thoughts.
You know, Potter, we should start our own pity club. It's for people that feel worthless and miserable. You and I could be co-presidents. Let's see. Weaseley could join because he's poor, and that's just sad. Longbottom could join because he's a pathetic squib. Crabbe and Goyle could join because they share a brain cell. Parkinson could join because she's an ugly bitch that can't get laid. Bulstrode could join because she looks like a really ugly guy. Chang could join because her boyfriend died two years ago and she's still crying.
Harry finally looked up at that. And that's all my fault. She's upset and miserable because of me. Kill the spare echoed hollowly through his mind. He shivered. Draco hugged him, but Harry pushed him away. You know, you can't be a president. The club is for worthless people only, and you aren't worthless.
Then why did my dad abandon me? Why did he choose that monster over his own child? Why would he do that if I have some sort of worth? He watched them skin me alive, and he did nothing! He even cheered them on! He let them hurt me and he did nothing! Draco softly started to cry. Harry immediately forgot about his own problems to comfort the other boy.
Damn, what a sorry pair we make. Both of us are suicidal, yet trying to convince the other that their is a reason to live. Draco sniffed and grinned.
I know my reason to live. It's to kill Voldemort. After that, nothing matters. I can finally die like I want to. Maybe I'll get to see my family again, Harry thought bitterly.
If you go, I'll go too. It would be inevitable, you know. If I felt you die, I would die too. Even now, only being bonded this close for less than an hour, I'm already used to having you here. If you go, it'll kill me. I cannot imagine not having you in the back of my head. Draco hunched his knees to his chest, suddenly vulnerable.
Harry sighed. Fine. If I promise to not kill myself will you realize that your dad is wrong about you?
Only if you promise to try to realize that Voldemort is responsible for their deaths and you are not responsible for what your uncle did to you. It is not your fault. None of it is. Sirius may not even be dead, and you are not responsible for Cedric or your parents, either. Voldemort killed them, Voldemort is responsible. NOT YOU! Draco shook Harry by the shoulders. What do I have to say in order to convince you?
Harry looked up hopefully. Can you give me either Sirius or my parents back? I don't ever want to go back there again. If I have one of them, then I won't have to. Otherwise, Dumbledore'll send me back.
Draco was at a loss. Umm, I'm pretty sure I can pull Sirius Black, he's pretty resourceful. If he fell into Hell, I'm fairly certain he is still alive. Your parents have been dead for almost sixteen years. That'll be a little harder to pull. Harry hugged him.
Thank you. I have a shot of getting out of there, don't I? Draco nodded, a lump in his throat as Harry's hope sprang back into life. Draco actually felt his mood lifting. He stood up and stripped down to his jeans, which he transfigured into swim trunks.
Hey, since we are here and all, let's go swimming. Harry nodded and transfigured his jeans into swim trunks also. They quickly hopped in.
Hey! It's so warm! Harry was amazed. It must be fed by a hot spring or something. Floating above the water, he followed the stream to where it bubbled out of the earth. Harry called to Draco Hey, come up here! It's really cool! Within seconds, Draco had joined him. They waded into the hot spring, then sat down and relaxed. Ahh, that hits the spot. This is better than a Jacuzzi! Harry sank blissfully into the steaming water.
What's a Jacuzzi? Draco asked, curious.
Muggle invention. Very similar to a hot spring, but it is artificially made. Has jets of water that are really nice for sore muscles. Harry explained, sharing his one memory of being in a Jacuzzi with Draco. It had been nice until his uncle had found him. Then all hell had broken loose.
Harry and Draco both heard a soft noise and their auras were instantly flared, encompassing the entirety of the spring. They both tensed in the water, all relaxation forgotten. Severus Snape stepped from the shadows, hands held up in a calming gesture.
"It's just me" he called softly, then stared at the sight of them lounging in the spring. Draco smirked and probed his mind.
Uncle Sev, is that really you? he asked. Severus chuckled wryly.
What do I have to do in order to prove who I am? He asked simply. Draco thought a minute. Harry interjected.
Where did you two go on his eighth birthday? Harry asked. Draco and Severus looked at him in surprise, and then Draco nodded.
Well, let's see. Your eighth birthday. Your parents had left for Morocco and your father had entrusted you to my care. We went for your first time into the Muggle world. We went to New York City, stayed at The Plaza and acted like a couple of tourists. We saw the World Trade Center being built, the Statue of Liberty, toured the Metropolitan museum of Art, and visited the largest toy store in the world. I remember I had to drag you out of there after buying you almost half the store and letting you play for over six hours. I had to swear you to secrecy so your father wouldn't find out that I had let you within a hundred yards of Muggles, let alone played trains with them. You loved trains. I still have your-
Enough, Sev. Draco was blushing, his alabaster skin a dusky pink. Harry laughed.
"Aw, does Widdle Dwaco wuv Choo choos? Aw, how cute!" Harry smirked and simpered. Draco scowled.
"Stuff it, Potter," he growled menacingly. Harry formed a large Thomas the Train set in midair and sent in running around the edge of the aura. Draco sank even lower into the spring, mortified. "Potter I'm warning you, knock it off!" Harry just laughed. Draco snapped his hand out, and Harry's nose was transfigured into a train engine. Severus laughed, and Draco let him through the aura.
"BUCK! DA BUCK!" Harry quickly transfigured his nose back to normal. Severus quickly turned his pants into swim trunks and joined them, soaking in the incredible water.
"Oh wow, this is wonderful" Severus lay there, completely relaxed. "How did you find this place? I've been collecting Potions ingredients from this forest for over twenty years and I have never come across this place. I definitely have to remember this," he mused, sinking even lower into the water.
"It's all Potter's fault. He wouldn't wait for me, so I finally grabbed his broom and forced him to the ground. We found the waterfall and the pool, then he had to go exploring. I think you should give him detention." Draco lazily swirled his hand in the water.
"Sure, why not. Ok, Potter, here's your detention. Every week, you, me, and Draco have to come here. Sound fair?" A soft snore answered him. Harry was floating, asleep.
Concerned, Severus started to shake his shoulder, but Draco held up a hand. "Don't wake him," he said softly. "Today has taken a lot out of him." Severus sank back, keeping an eye on the slumbering Gryffindor. Draco reached over and removed Harry's glasses and pocketed them for safekeeping.
"What happened?" he asked, finally. Draco gazed sadly at Harry, and then started talking.
"Sev, he tried to kill himself today. He was cutting his wrists, and he didn't heal. He must really want to die for his magic not to kick in and heal him. There was so much blood, and he scared me so badly. I could feel him bleeding and in pain, and I came running" Severus was about to say something, but Draco cut him off. "Please, just let me talk."
"Harry thinks everything is his fault. The abuse, his being raped, his parents dying, Cedric dying, Sirius falling through the Veil. He thinks that he is here only to kill Voldemort, and after that, he's useless. He is scared that everyone that he loves will die. His uncle has really screwed him up, and I don't know what to do. I can feel everything he has gone through, and it makes what my dad did to me look normal. His uncle has been hurting him since he was three, and hurts him over the summer when he goes back to that house. We have to get him out of there, especially if we are bonded. Seeing his memories is bad enough. If I actually have to live through that I'll kill the dumb fuck myself. As it is, I'm gonna help Harry kill him." Severus raised his eyebrows.
"I trust you know several nice ways of making him suffer before he dies?" Severus asked carefully. Draco nodded and grinned evilly.
"Oh yes" he replied. "I know several, and even more now that I remember exactly what happened to me." Severus hugged his Godson hard.
"Oh God, Draco, I am so sorry I didn't do anything. I should have stood up to them and gotten you out of there. I failed you."
"Sev, don't be stupid. If you had stood up to them, they would have killed you, too, and then Harry wouldn't have been able to get me out of there. You gotta admit, he never does things by halves. Flying a broom five hours across Britain, rescuing me from the most evil man on the continent, then flying back. It was suicide and he did it."
"That is true. He is exactly like his mother."
"Lily, your best friend? Odd, everyone says he is like his father. He certainly gets his flying skills from him."
"Yes, but James would have never done something like that for one of his best friends, let alone for his worst enemy. Lily would have. Did you know, that's how we became friends?"
"I don't think I've heard this one. Go on, tell."
"Well, it is a long story. I'll give you the shortened version, and tell you both when Potter is a little less sleepy. Basically, we were in this forest in our first year, gathering Potions ingredients for our class. We had been partnered against our will, and like the idiot first years we were, forgot our wands. We were actually the reason that the forest is forbidden. We were fighting like usual, and got lost, in the dark, and couldn't find our way out of the damn forest. We had to stay here over night. I freely admit that if I had been alone, I would not have made it out alive. However, Lily made a fire, and we picked food for both of us to have enough. She even gave me her extra cloak when it started to rain. It seems that she had been a Girl Scout when she was in grade school, and had been camping many times. I, on the other hand, had no idea what to do. Then the next day, she single handedly found the way back out of the forest. You can't exactly hate someone when they save your ass like that." Snape sat there, reminiscing. Draco shook with laughter beside him.
"Uh huh." Draco sniggered. "You had NO idea what to do?" He snorted with laughter.
"Why else do you think I took you camping several times? I didn't want you to have the same thing happen to you. You know, it was a big deal to me. I was lost and scared, and she took care of me." Draco gave up and laughed.
They sat there for hours, just talking and soaking in the still, almost searing water. Harry gradually awoke, feeling content and secure. He yawned and stretched blearily, looking around for his glasses.
"Well, look who decided to rejoin the land of the living! Hey, Potter, have a nice nap?" Draco asked cheekily. Harry smiled sleepily and nodded. Suddenly, his eyes opened wide, and he clutched his forehead.
"Oh SHIT! AAARGH!" Harry yelled, doubled over in pain. Pain lanced through Draco's skull as well. Their combined auras pulsed then dropped to just individually encompass the two boys. Severus, the only one unaffected, stared at them for a second.
What the... Voldemort. ALANNA! XANDER! he bellowed. He heard them quickly respond.
What? What's wrong? they asked.
Voldemort is finally affecting Harry. I need your help- AAARGH! Severus felt a crushing pain start in his Mark, then spread through his shoulder. Alanna and Xander quickly apparated to his side. As he blacked out, he saw the two appear. The cavalry has arrived he thought weakly, and then all was black.
Alanna and Xander quickly gathered the brooms and the three unconscious men from the spring. Hey, this place is nice! Let's extend the wards to cover this place as well! Alanna cheerfully thought. Xander agreed with her. With a loud POP, they apparated everyone, including their discarded clothing and brooms right into the Hospital Wing. They watched as the three instantly, coming through the wards, relaxed as the pain was shut off. Xander tended to Harry and Draco, while Alanna looked over Severus.
"Hmm that does make sense. Our wards block Harry's bond to that loser, so going outside of them would cause him extreme pain. But Severus...What happened to him?" She gently pried his clenched fingers off of his forearm and saw the Dark Mark. The skin around it was blistered and raw. "Oh my," Alanna murmured. "That looks painful. Odd choice for a tattoo," she mused. "Oh well, in order for me to heal the burns, the tattoo will have to go."
"She stretched her hand over the Mark. Instantly, she could feel the evil emanating from the eyesore. "Oh hell. He's linked to Moldy Voldy as well. This should make things interesting." Gold threads shot from her fingertips and encompassed the Mark. She pushed quickly with her mind, and snapped the link. Dimly, she could hear Voldemort's howl of anguish and fury as the link was ripped out of Severus and snapped back into himself. Stay away from my family! she called after the retreating link.
She concentrated again, and the Mark vanished. Severus opened his eyes and stared at the rapidly healing burns. Within seconds, he had unblemished skin. "What? What did you do?" He asked, confused and reeling from the after effects of the pain.
"I hope you didn't like that ugly tattoo. I kind of got rid of it for you. It was in the way of my healing your burns." Severus stared at her incredulously and promptly passed out from shock. "You know," Alanna told Xander, "all of them need some sleep."
"Let's put them in their beds and call it a night. It is almost nine o'clock." The three sleeping figures disappeared, reappearing in their own beds.
Harry lie there, peacefully sleeping. Suddenly, he shot out of bed. Something was terribly wrong with "Draco!!!" He screamed mentally and physically, leaping out of bed and racing out of the Gryffindor Tower. Ron blearily woke up, and then rolled back over.
"God, Harry" he groused. "Can't you let a bloke get a full night's sleep?" He went back to bed.
A/N: Hey, yes, I agree whole-heartedly. My characters are definitely OOC. However, they started in character, and the events forced them to change. So, how do you like it? Thank you everyone who reviewed. Your continued support means a lot to me. Damn, nineteen pages and I ain't cutting or changing any of it. Again, enjoy and chapter eight should be up soon.
B/N: Hey all, Annie here. So how was it? Was it good? Gooder than good? I don't think "gooder" is a real word, but what the hey. Yes, I rather liked this one, myself, lots of ha-ha, and oodles of funny. Mmhm, juuuust the way I like it. Pour in a little angstyness and we got a story! Just so you know, the author here is not suicidal, incase anybody was wondering; she just happens to write a lot of shi- I mean stuff like that. Ahem Anyways, where was I? Keep reviewing! Yes, we do accept flames, but if you're gonna send 'em, plan on joining the Witness Protection Program, hear? Mwahahaha- cough cough cough... Sorry, this, uh, cold I have, it's, uh, kinda, bad...yeah. Oh, before I forget, I was reading a story (yes this is becoming one of those bad habits, isn't it?) and the pairings are as follows: Harry/Draco, Crabbe/Neville/Goyle (yes, all three of them), Ron/Pansy, Hermione/Snape. The story line is something like Dumbledore forms two special groups that help him with Order stuff, I think, one is in Gryfinndor, the other is in Slytherin, and after awhile, he joins them together, and that is all I can remember. So if you know this one, please tell Laura, so she can tell me.
Love ya, byebye!
Draco walked inside the Entrance Hall, and doubled over, his arm burning with pain. Vaguely, he could feel that something was terribly wrong. He ran back outside, trusting his instincts to guide him. Harry. Something was wrong with Harry. DRACO!!!! Cut like a knife across his thoughts. A knife. What the hell? Why was Harry bleeding? He sprinted to the lake, just in time to catch Harry in his arms as the Gryffindor tried to stand up and toppled over. Harry's arm was a mass of bleeding cuts.
Someone got a little too happy with his knife, didn't he? Draco asked lightly, trying to keep his fear at bay. Something wasn't right. Why wasn't Harry healing on his own? His aura flared and he ran a hand over Harry's arm. Instantly, the slashes stopped bleeding and closed, healing with a small scar.
It didn't feel right. I didn't heal. I was bleeding so much and for so long. Why didn't I heal? I have every other time. Harry sank into unconsciousness.
Alanna! Xander! Uncle Sev! HELP!!!! Draco panicked. Come on, Harry, wake up, please!!! I can't deal with this! He froze as images of agony and terror began flashing before his eyes. Oh SHIT he thought desperately as he was sucked into a repressed memory. HARRY! HELP!
Long black robes surrounded him from where he lay on the floor, gasping in pain.
"Crucio" He screamed over and over, trying to escape the pain. He sank into blackness, only to be jolted back into consciousness. He hung from a wall in the dungeons. I'm in the dungeons, his clothing in tatters. Oh GOD it's cold down here. Please help me, someone, please GOD help me.
"Crucio". He screamed again and again, in agony then the pain was lifted. He gulped in a ragged breath, only to have it slammed out of his body.
"Crucio". Again, screaming. Don't they ever stop? What deity did I piss off? he asked, detached from the pain. He was floating above himself, watching. He could see someone who was standing there, watching, crying, and screaming in commiseration. What the hell? He thought, and floated over to get a closer look. It was Harry, eyes wide in terror and agony. Suddenly, he darted forward, blocking Draco's body from the curses with his own, trying to comfort the still screaming form on the wall, doing anything to help relieve the pain.
What is he doing? Why is he helping me? He thought incredulously.
You were in pain, and I wanted it to stop. Harry floated next to Draco, calmly watching what was happening. He watched as his other self tried to stop Lestrange and Nott from hurting Draco, but his hands passed right through their arms.
What are you doing here? Weren't you bleeding to death a little while ago?
You called for me, and I came Harry answered simply. They stood there, in silence, as the entirety of Draco's memories of that night replayed itself in front of them. Draco gasped when he watched Harry come in on his broom and rescued him from certain death.
You saved me when even my own GODFATHER didn't do anything to help. Why, and don't give me that 'I'm bored and had nothing better to do' shit. Tell me.
Honestly, I was being ignored and beaten by my relatives every summer after coming back from Hogwarts. I wanted to get out of that house before it could start up again. Also, I may have disliked you, but I didn't hate you, and I knew that if I didn't do something, you would have died. You may have pissed me off, but I never wanted you dead. Plus, it pissed off Voldemort. But, the true reason is that I really don't want you to die. He lightly punched Draco's arm. Besides, if you go, who's gonna make my life a living hell, and by extension, interesting?
Draco wrapped his arms around Harry. Thank you, he whispered over and over, burying his face in the crook of Harry's shoulder.
I would have never even considered another course of action, he replied, and hugged Draco back.
So, now I know, now I know that my father was willing to let me die for his Half blood master, whispered Draco brokenly. Harry remained silent and let the other boy cry.
I promise, Draco, no one is ever going to hurt you like that again. I won't let them. You have my word.
All in all, Dudley was having, he was certain, the worst summer of his life. First, his father, the asshole bastard, disowns him for something he has no control over whatsoever. Next, he's stuck in freaksville, learning how to control his powers from the biggest freak of them all, Albus Dumbledore. But I'm a freak, too. I don't want to be a freak! MAKE IT STOP!
He sighed, resting his head against the mirror in his bathroom. It just wasn't his fault. The worst of it happened five days ago. He had been reading a book, and had gone to get another one from the back section of the library. As soon as he had opened that one, Moste Potente Hexes, it had started shrieking at an ear splitting volume. All he had wanted was for the book to shut up, not for every book to catch on fire and turn to dust. The stone columns had exploded, too, raining debris everywhere. Oh, that lady had been furious, Madam Pinch or whatever her name was. She had chased him down three flights of stairs before giving up, screaming the whole way about damage to priceless books. It wasn't like there had been any permanent damage, though. He had gone in there just this morning and everything was the way it had been before.
Then, yesterday, the suit of armor had grabbed his arm, and he had panicked again. The next thing he knew, the damn armor had exploded in an inferno. He'd gotten it for that one, too. Dumbledore had lectured him about how important it was to not use his powers when he was scared. Geez, that old bat. Who the hell does he think he is, anyway! I'd rather be learning with my cousin. His teacher is so pretty, and she's so smart, too. I bet she could help me, he mused, gazing into his reflection's eyes.
One thing was for certain, Dudley thought as he turned the gold knob, these freaks sure know how to decorate. Luke warm water gushed from the gold faucet into the onyx marble sink. He splashed water on his face and washed his hands, drying himself off on the thick, maroon cotton towels. "Why me?" he moaned aloud, sinking down to sit on the grey stone floor. "What did I do to deserve this? Why can't I be normal?" He closed his eyes.
"Hello, dearie. I think you are overreacting a little. You are making too much of a fuss over nothing." His eyes snapped opened.
"Who said that? Who's there?" he screeched, struggling to his feet and looking about for the source of the voice.
"Why me, of course, the mirror. Up here, dearie."
"You can talk? Please let this be a joke! Ha-ha, funny, Harry, you've gotten me back, you can come out now." He frantically began searching the room for a hidden camera, a tape recorder, anything that could explain this.
"Of course. All the mirrors here talk, silly boy. Haven't they taught you anything? As I was saying, you are really taking this way too seriously. You are related to the most powerful wizard ever born. Of course you won't be normal." Dudley felt his blood pressure spike. His damn cousin. It all boiled down to him. His vision turned red at the edges, and the temperature in the bathroom jumped forty degrees. The mirror continued to prattle on, oblivious to Dudley's growing fury. "-and she said that Harry Potter is the only wizard who can defeat Lord Voldemort."
CRACK. A huge crevice appeared running through the center of the mirror, just before it exploded into billions of pieces. The miniscule shards melted, then pooled on the floor.
Petunia rushed in. "Dudley! I- AAAUUGH!" she screamed, throwing herself backwards to escape the lethal heat emanating from Dudley's body. She ran to the fireplace and threw in a handful of Floo Powder. "ALBUS DUMBLEDORE!" she shrieked. Without warning, Fawkes burst from the fireplace and landed on Dudley.
Petunia stared at the gorgeous bird. Where did THAT come from? she wondered, and then screamed as Dumbledore grabbed her shoulder. She whirled around.
"What seems to be the-" he took in her burned face and arms, Fawkes sitting on a human torch, and the steadily rising temperature in the room. Thinking quickly, he grabbed Petunia around the waist and Flooed her to the Hospital Wing. He deposited her on a bed, summoned Madam Pomfrey, and Flooed back to their rooms.
Dudley was a fiery, floating ball in the center of the room. "Make it stop, make it stop, please GOD make it stop," He chanted over and over. The room was well over a thousand degrees. It took every bit of strength Dumbledore had to keep himself cool enough to function. The furniture and wall hangings had been incinerated, and the carpet was nothing more than a smoky ash. The mirror was still a bubbling puddle on the bathroom floor.
"Dudley Dursley! What is the meaning of this?" Dumbledore asked him gently. Dudley cracked one eye open then squeezed it shut again.
"Can you make it stop? Please sir, I don't want to be a freak. I don't want my da- da- dad to hu- hu- hate me! Please, make it go away!!!" he wailed, fire flaring around him.
"CALM DOWN." Dumbledore thundered. Dudley's eyes sprang open. He stared at the Headmaster in shock.
"I want to go HOME!" he shrieked the last word and the walls themselves lit on fire.
"You have to calm down. You burned your mother, and have destroyed everything in this room. You are out of control and need to calm down. You cannot go home until you learn how to control your powers. We have gone over this. You are not a freak, you are gifted with magic."
"MY DADDY SAID I AM A FREAK! I WAN - WAN - WANT MY DADDY! I WANT HIM TO LOVE ME AGAIN!!!!"
"DUDLEY DURSLEY!!!" The walls shook from the force of Dumbledore's voice. Dudley stopped screaming and the fires gradually receded. "You are emanating enough power to destroy this castle and everyone in it. Your mother is still here. You wouldn't want to hurt her, would you? Come on, calm down. Calm down." Dudley ignored him, the fire growing hotter.
Dumbledore sighed. I could use a little help here. He isn't going to calm down, and I can't move him anywhere or he might blow up Hogwarts. Alanna, Xander, Severus, where are you when you're needed?
Elsewhere in the castle, Alanna and Xander stopped in their tracks. Oh shit. What's happening now? Waves of terror crashed into them, making them stagger and clutch each other for support. Without a second thought, they disapparated.
Severus Snape, walking towards Dumbledore's office, suddenly collapsed as waves of terror and agony washed over him. Oh GOD make it stop! he thought deliriously. Draco. Something was terribly wrong with his Godson. I'm not going to fail you again, he vowed, and disapparated with a POP.
Harry awoke slowly, a blinding light shining in his eyes. He could hear someone moaning softly beside him. Ignoring the spikes of pain shooting through his head, he rolled over. Draco, hang on. It's gonna be all right. His soul mate lay beside him on the grass, sweat and tears streaming down his pallid face.
Draco? Harry thought hesitantly. There was no answer. He propped himself up on his elbows, and scooted himself over to the unconscious boy. Something compelled him to put his fingertips to Draco's temples. He pushed with his mind, and could FEEL Draco's consciousness. Draco? He thought nervously.
Harry? Where are you? Why did you leave?
Draco!!! You're all right! Harry yelled, relieved.
Ouch, too loud. Draco mentally winced. Harry grinned, happy to hear him again.
Hey, I can feel your emotions... Draco trailed off in wonder.
I can feel yours, too. Didn't Alanna say this wouldn't happen? Harry asked, confused.
Come back. Don't leave me here, alone. I can't deal with this by myself, Draco pleaded.
I don't know how. Wait; put your fingertips on my temples. Draco lethargically raised his arm and put his hand on the side of Harry's face. They pushed, together, and felt something click into place in the backs of their minds. All of a sudden they could feel everything about each other: their hopes, dreams, and fears, their most private thoughts. Everything was laid bare for the other to see. WHAT THE HELL??? they both screamed and tried to withdraw from the terrifying contact. They found they couldn't, and stared at each other, humiliated and scared witless.
Umm, ok... this is too much information. Sensory overload, here! Harry muttered, trying not to pry and embarrass Draco further.
I couldn't agree more, Harry. This is too much. Ok, we got into this. We can get out, right? Draco asked hopefully. They heard three distinct POP'S, and whipped around.
Alanna and Xander stood together, and Uncle Sev/Professor Snape stood behind them. Help us, please! We're stuck and can't get out of each other's minds! They babbled hysterically, all dignity forgotten in their desperation.
WHAT? Alanna and Xander snickered, and Uncle Sev/ Snape looked confused. What were you two doing? Having fun, now, were we? Harry blanched and stiffened at the insinuation.
Oh hell, thought Draco as Harry's memories threatened to surface yet again. Potter, snap out of it! he mentally yelled. Come on Harry, she doesn't know. You can't keep reacting like this. He isn't ever going to hurt you again, I promise. I won't let him. He felt Harry calm down and finally relax. That's it, Harry. No one is ever going to hurt you like that again. No one is ever going to touch you without your permission. I will make sure of that.
No, thought Harry and Draco simultaneously. We weren't doing anything. Harry/I put his/my hands on my/Draco's face because I/he was still unconscious and not responding to his/my calls. Then he/I told me/Draco to put my/his hands on his/my temples, and we pushed at the same time and now we're stuck! HELP!
Umm, that's weird. I've never heard of a bond being completed without a physical relationship. Xander stared thoughtfully at the two. How the hell did that happen? He asked Alanna privately. I've never heard of two soul mates who aren't twins, yet are not meant to have a relationship. That doesn't make sense, unless, he turned to study the two teens. 'Lana, remember when I got you back, how our bond intensified until you felt safe?
Yes, but what does that have to do with anything? Oh, wait, that's right. Do you think they have been sharing memories?
Draco, have you two been sharing memories? Xander gently asked them. I don't want to pry, but if either or both of you have had very traumatic experiences, you could have bonded until the person suffering feels safe again.
Harry and Draco nodded. That did make sense. Oh boy, looks like we're in for the long haul, then. I doubt you are going to feel safe for a while, they remarked to each other, and then laughed.
I am fine, but I am worried about you, Harry chided Draco. Your dad is an asshole for hurting you.
Harry, my problems are nothing compared to yours. I swear I am going to kill your uncle. He makes my father and Voldemort look like saints. At least they just want to kill you. Your uncle is scum.
You know, Draco, Voldemort was wrong, in the Department of Mysteries. There are fates worse than death, that make death preferable, and sometimes, welcome,Harry thought bitterly, feeling phantom hands running over him. He shivered. Draco hugged him, and they both became acutely aware of how their positions must look to the others. They were lying on the ground, Harry half on top of Draco, and now Draco was hugging him. Harry laughed and sat up, pulling Draco with him. No wonder they wondered! gasped Harry, laughing hysterically out loud.
All of a sudden, Harry gasped, pain and anger lancing through his mind. Beside him Draco did the same, both of them feeling the same thing. Oh SHIT! thought Draco desperately, what the hell is going on? He noticed, vaguely, that Alanna, Xander and Severus were feeling the same thing. We have to GO NOW! thought Draco desperately. Alanna nodded, and a second later they were all in a large, bare, and unbearably hot room. Harry launched himself at what looked to be a floating ball of fire.
"DUDLEY!!!" he screamed, all thoughts focused on his cousin. Glaring, he turned to Dumbledore. "WHAT DID YOU DO TO HIM!!!" he bellowed, his deep green aura flaring. He formed a protective barrier around him and his cousin. Dumbledore tried to protest, but Draco cut him off.
"Just shove it, Dumbledore. You always make things a hundred times worse." He joined Harry and strengthened the barrier with his own aura. An incandescent aura with swirls of light blue and deep green effectively cut Dudley, Harry, and Draco off from everyone else in the room.
"Come on, Dudley." Harry spoke and thought simultaneously. Flaring a protective ring of fire around him, he reached through Dudley's flames and grabbed his hand. Draco did the same on the other side. Come on, Dudley, let us in, they thought as one, drawing on each other for strength and support.
"Harry, why are we doing this?" asked Draco curiously. "I mean, didn't he hurt you for a long time? Why are we helping one of your tormentors?"
"We are helping because Dumbledore is incompetent and I don't want Hogwarts to blow up. Also, because it's the right thing to do."
"Your first two reasons are ok, but the last one sucks, just to let you know." Draco grinned and they redoubled their efforts.
DUDLEY! They both screamed mentally. They almost wept in relief when they felt Dudley's mind stir, and respond.
Oh look, it's my asinine cousin, and the freaky blond that he rescued. What the hell do you want? Dudley snottily asked.
First of all, it's your asinine DEMIGOD cousin, and his freaky DEMIGOD blond. Get it right! Draco spat. Harry grinned.
So sorry, cuz, he hasn't had his coffee yet. Oh, we came in to tell you to WAKE UP AND KNOCK THE SHIT OFF!!!! Harry bellowed, making Dudley wince and crack an eye open.
Who died and left you in charge? he asked irritably. Tears clouded his vision, and he withdrew again. You wouldn't understand. None of you do. I just want to be normal. Make this go away, make it stop. I don't wanna be a freak anymore. I thought the fire was cool, until they all started yelling at me for using it.
Dudley, I've been called a freak all my life. Now, I just found out that I'm an even bigger freak than I thought I was. I know exactly how you feel. Come on, drop the fire. It's getting old.
Dudley's face screwed up, preparing to throw a tantrum. I DON'T WANNA BE A FREAK!!! I WANT MY DADDY TO LOVE ME AGAIN!!!! WHY CAN'T YOU PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT??? Harry winced.
What did he do? Draco asked quietly.
He disowned me, and called me a freak and hit me, then he hit Mom, and he made her cry, then she found out about him hurting Harry THAT WAY and I had to remember that he tried to hurt me THAT WAY and I just want to forget again, but I don't know how! Dudley wailed, tears streaming down his face.
He did WHAT??? Harry roared. I'M GONNA KILL THAT FUCKTARD!!!
HARRY, CAN IT! roared Draco. Harry immediately calmed down.
Hmm, that could come in handy, the ability to influence your emotions like that. Anyway, Dudley, do you know what my dad did to me? I thought he loved me, he said he would always accept me, and he had me tortured. He chose his 'master' over me. When I refused to join Voldemort, he let them slice off parts of my skin and break almost all my bones and burn me. They did that for almost fifteen hours straight, and they sent what they were doing to me, to Harry, to haunt his dreams. He did rescue me, and he saved my life. Your father raped Harry from the time he was three and a half until just before he got his acceptance letter. So, we both know how you feel. Trust me, your father doesn't deserve your love, and if he cannot accept who you are then don't bother.
Dudley stared at Harry. What do you mean, until his acceptance letter came? he asked, finally. I didn't tell Mom, but I heard what happened on your fifteenth birthday, when-
DUDLEY, SHUT UP! Harry screamed, his face white. I- I-
Harry? Draco purred dangerously. What is your cousin talking about?
I'm talking about how, every summer, on his birthday, Dad would go to Harry's room, and - and, do - you know... and then He would leave and tell Harry happy birthday as he left. He used to do it every Christmas, Easter, Halloween, New Year's, and every other major holiday, too. I knew it was happening, but I heard it after my parents moved him into the second bedroom where I used to keep all my toys. Dad would dope Mom with sleeping pills so he could get away with it. He knew I knew, and I knew what would happen to me if I told anyone, so I didn't.
Draco stared at Harry, mouth open in shock. Harry hung his head in shame. So it stopped just before your acceptance letter, huh? Right.
I'm sorry, whispered Harry. I just didn't want anyone to worry.
Dudley slowly uncurled and the fire died. "Harry, I'm so sorry. I should have told someone, but I was so scared. I even made my dad and I forget that I could do magic because he told me I was a freak, just like you and that he punishes freaks because they don't deserve to live." He met Harry's anguish filled eyes with anguish in his own. "Please, don't blame Mom. She didn't know, and she's divorcing Vernon because of this. You have got to believe me. She had no idea."
"I don't blame her." Harry said softly. He shook his head, and pulled on his Gryffindor Golden Boy mask. "Come on, put on your game face. We gotta go convince them that we aren't crazy." The three of them laughed sadly, and erased all tears and sadness.
"Right, let's do this." Dudley released the hold he had on his magic, and they all took a deep breath.
Draco glared at Harry. This isn't over, Potter. You lied to me.
"Oh, before I drop the aura, Dudley, we have training every day in the Room of Requirement from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Would you like to join us tomorrow?" Draco asked.
Dudley grinned. "Is your teacher the hot one?" he asked.
"Hey, that's our sister." Harry and Draco mock warned then laughed. "I take it you are in agreement?"
"HELL yes." Still laughing, Harry and Draco dropped the aura and they stepped out into the room.
Alanna and Xander rushed forward. Severus couldn't rush to his Godson because he was too busy trying to restrain the rather peeved Headmaster. "Are you all right? They asked anxiously. Harry, Draco, and Dudley nodded.
"We're fine," stated Harry firmly, with a hint of a smile. Dumbledore relaxed.
"Let go of me," he commanded Severus. Severus immediately stopped restraining him and stepped out of his way. Dumbledore walked regally toward the three boys.
"I trust you are in control of yourself, Mr. Dursley, and that there will be no further outbursts?" he quietly demanded an answer.
"Ye- yes sir. I promise I won't do it again." Dudley, shamefaced, stammered his apology. Harry winked at him and he relaxed.
"Very well, we shall continue our training tomorrow."
"With all due respect, Headmaster," Harry interjected, fighting back a smirk and a snigger, "we invited Dudley to join our training sessions. Seeing as how Xander is a fully trained Fire Elemental, we thought that he would be an excellent choice to teach Dudley how to control his new powers. If you don't mind, that is."
Dumbledore beamed. Finally I get to get rid of that annoying brat! Everyone around him, including Dudley, who was listening in through Harry and Draco, choked. "I agree wholeheartedly, Harry. Dudley would benefit from training with you and the others."
"Good! I would be happy to teach you everything I know about controlling the element fire!" Xander enthusiastically replied. Severus had visions of Dudley using his ability to torch Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, Gringotts, and other places.
God help us all, thought Draco and Severus in unison.
HEY! I wouldn't blow up OUR monuments! Maybe the White House or the Taj Mahal...Dudley stared dreamily off into space, dreaming about burning buildings. Harry groaned and shook his head.
"Um, Professor Dumbledore? If everything is taken care of, can we go? Do you need us for anything else?" Harry asked politely, you sadistic old coot added after that. Draco and Dudley choked back a laugh.
"Of course. I will see all of you later for dinner. Severus, the meeting was cancelled due to the problems with Dudley, so enjoy your afternoon." Somberly, they all exited the Headmaster's office. Once past the gargoyle, Harry and Draco started howling with laughter.
"Oh Merlin! His face was priceless! Uncle Sev, we should piss him off more often!" Draco gasped, holding his sides from the pain of laughing so hard. He turned to Severus and stopped laughing immediately. Severus was staring at Harry stonily, as were Alanna and Xander.
"Harry, oh hell, I don't want anyone overhearing us." Severus said. Harry immediately stopped laughing and tensed. Harry, what in HELL did your cousin mean about your uncle hurting you? Severus asked as calmly as he could. Harry looked as if he were about to cry, throw up, and faint all rolled into one.
Yes, Harry, what in HELL did he mean? Alanna and Xander asked as one, echoing Severus. Draco slung a protective arm around Harry's shoulders, and Dudley stood in front of them.
It isn't any of your business! Dudley yelled, fists clenched. Immediately, they found themselves outside, right in front of the lake, exactly where Harry had just almost killed himself. Harry looked at the ground. He was standing on the bloodstains. Dudley let out a squeak of surprise, but stood his ground, determined.
HARRY POTTER, ANSWER US!!!! the three adults bellowed. Harry started to cry and backed away from them.
No, no, NO! YOU CAN'T MAKE ME!!!! he screamed and ran back into the castle. After he had taken only two steps, Alanna threw her hand out and Harry shot into the air. He was wrenched backwards, fighting the whole way. "NO NONONONONO!" he screamed, his powers coming into play. With a bellow of rage, he slammed Alanna backwards. She flew almost fifteen feet before Xander caught her.
"YOU HURT MY MATE!" He roared, and picked Harry up again, then threw him into the closest oak tree. Harry crumpled, and Draco sprang forward.
"YOU FUCKING ASSHOLE!" Draco picked Xander up in a whirlwind and threw him into the lake. The giant squid, which had been basking peacefully nearby, playfully grabbed at him, and the enraged demigod threw the squid at Draco. Harry froze the squid in midair and made the earth buckle and quake. A thirty-foot tiger formed out of stone. Harry quickly sicced the stone cat on the opposition. With a roar, the giant cat attacked Xander and Alanna and batted them both into the lake. Harry then dropped the squid on them. They came up, sputtering, a few minutes later, extreme expressions of pain on their faces. They flew up from the water, covering their ears in agony.
"Oh, it burns!" Alanna moaned. Xander moaned in agreement.
"Am I bleeding? Who knew sound carried so well under water." Moaning Myrtle arose behind them, screeching "The Marriage of Figaro" at the top of her 'dead' lungs.
"FIGARRRO FIGGGARRROOOO! FIGGARRRROOOOOO!" she howled, sounding as if Professor McGonagall, in her cat form, had had her tail stepped on. All the windows on the East side of the castles exploded as she hit an earth shattering high note. Harry, Draco, Dudley, and Snape slammed their hands on their ears, moaning and screaming in pain.
"OH MY GOD, will she SHUT UP???" Harry cried, rocking back and forth in agony. Xander summoned the poor squid and threw it at her. The squid went right through her, and hit the east wall of Hogwarts. Gryffindor Tower rocked and swayed. With a loud groan, it tipped and fell over. Harry could hear screams from inside. Oh shit, Ron and Hermione!
Alanna and Xander shot towards the tower and caught it. They pushed it back upright. One of the up most windows opened and two heads poked out. "What the hell is going on? Leave us out of it!" The window slammed shut.
Moaning Myrtle let out a loud cry at the squid slamming through her. She immediately stopped 'singing' and pouted at them. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
"That wasn't very nice," she hissed at them. With an ear-exploding shriek, she turned and dove head first into the lake. A huge tidal wave erupted around her exit, slamming into everyone. Harry suddenly found himself and Dudley twenty feet above ground in the middle branches of the oak tree. Draco was floating out of harms way a few hundred feet above them. Turning around, Harry craned his neck and saw Snape peeling himself off of the wall of Hagrid's stone hut over one hundred yards away. Alanna and Xander were still floating next to Hogwarts.
Harry brought him and Dudley back down to the ground. Immediately, Draco and Severus wrapped their powers around him, immobilizing him. NO! Draco! LET ME GO!!!! screamed Harry. Let me go, please let me go! He begged over and over. Alanna, Severus, and Xander came and stood right in front of him. He felt Draco wrap his arms around him and hold him tightly.
Harry, it is time, you have to tell someone. Come on, tell them. They can help you. Come on, Alanna knows what you went through, Draco pleaded with him.
Harry, what did your uncle do to you? Severus asked quietly. Harry stiffened and he glared suspiciously at the three in front of him.
You already know he hissed angrily. Somehow, you know. Why are you going to make me say it, when you already know? Tears streamed down his face, and he angrily brushed them away. So, if you already know, what are you going to do about it? He hissed and stood up, breaking the bonds that held him.
Hmmm thought Severus sarcastically, there was my turning his dick into a bunny rabbit, and the fact that whenever he even thinks of another person in a sexual manner the rabbit starts biting him. I dunno, what could we do?
"Ssssssssshit" Harry swore in Parseltongue. Alanna raised her eyebrows.
"Where did you learn that language?" She asked curiously. Harry laughed, a bitter, hate filled sound. Draco cringed.
"Voldemort. He 'taught' me when I was a baby. One of the many skills he is known for is Parseltongue, and some of his powers were transferred to me when he tried to kill me that first time." He turned and strode angrily away, then turned back to them and spat over his shoulder. "So, now what? Yes, my uncle called me a worthless freak and liked to use that as an excuse to kick the shit out of me. Yes, he is a child molester. Yes, he has raped" Alanna shuddered "me since I did my first bit of will magic at age three and a half. He hasn't stopped since then, and my magic doesn't stop him from hurting me. What the fuck are you going to do about it?" he asked bitterly. Turning back around, he strode angrily back into the castle.
"I hope you're happy now. He's pissed and really suicidal." Draco said, glaring at them before he sprinted after Harry, catching up to him right before they walked through the entrance. Dudley followed them at a slower pace.
"I'm going to go find my mom." he called over his shoulder.
"Potter is one screwed up kid," commented Snape sadly. The other two nodded. "How the hell did he wind up in Gryffindor, instead of my house?" Alanna turned to him, confused. They watched as Harry and Draco shot out of an upstairs window on their brooms at a breakneck speed. They sped off over the Forbidden Forest.
"Your house is Slytherin, right?" Severus nodded. "Harry is a dead ringer for Salazar Slytherin. What the hell is he doing in Gryffindor?"
"WHAT?" Snape snapped, giving her his full attention. Xander nodded thoughtfully.
"True, 'Lana. Except, Harry is much more powerful than Sal. However, they have the same personality, same characteristics. Both of them are incredibly good actors, able to hide their true personalities and feelings. Both of them are cunning, and place unnecessary burdens on themselves. How Harry got into Gryffindor is beyond me." Xander murmured to himself as he thoughtfully tossed a fireball back and forth between his hands. On a whim, he tossed it to Severus, who caught it and threw it back, as well as one of his own. Xander added another one and was juggling three balls of fire.
Still juggling, Xander mused, "I wonder how he did it." He frowned for a second as one of the balls slipped, and then his face broke into a sunny grin. "You know, we do have to go after them at some point. Severus, how would you like a broom?"
Severus smiled fleetingly. I do miss playing chaser he thought to himself. Alanna caught that thought and smiled. "I would like one. May I ask how you make them? They are incredibly beautiful..." and fast, and turn on a dime, and move with you almost telepathically, he trailed off, lost in thought.
"Actually, they do move telepathically, if you can bond with your broom. It's quite easy, since they are made from part of your aura." Alanna smirked. Flare your aura so we know how to make it.
"What? Do what?" Severus asked, confused.
"You know, power up. Flare your aura?" Xander repeated. Severus still looked confused. "You've never flared before, have you?" Xander asked him. Severus shook his head.
Ok, watch and learn, little brother. Alanna and Xander slowly pushed their auras out of their skin, and then looked expectantly at Severus. Taking a deep breath, he copied them. A brilliant silver glow shot out of his skin.
"Oh wow" Alanna said enviously. She circled Severus like a hawk. "Oh my, that is so beautiful. So this means that Laurel is pure gold. I am so jealous of you. I wish I were a mind elemental." She finally stopped circling. Severus blushed slightly, having never been called beautiful in his life.
"Um, thank you, I think." he replied bemusedly. He watched in awe as Alanna and Xander held their hands together. A pure silver broom appeared between them. Oh my GOD this is incredible. They handed him the broom with matching grins. Thank you so much. This is perhaps the nicest thing anyone has done for me. On a whim, he hugged them both. They broke apart, and Severus mounted his broom to go find Harry and Draco after testing the broom's capabilities.
"Yes, we know. If we tell anyone that you have a heart, you'll hunt us down and kill us." Alanna mocked. Severus laughed.
"Actually, now that I don't have to act like an asshole to keep up appearances, I think that people are going to be pleasantly surprised at my personality transformation." He kicked off and shot into the air. WHOOOOO HOOOO! THIS IS GREAT!
Alanna and Xander grinned at each other. "Another satisfied customer" she commented drolly. Xander nodded in agreement, laughing at the dour Potions Master's antics in midair.
Harry flew aimlessly over the Forbidden Forest. Draco struggled to keep up with him. Harry! Slow down already, would you? I can't keep up! Harry ignored him, lost in his thoughts.
They hate me. They all hate me. It's all my fault. Why the hell did they have to find out? Now they hate me and it's all my fault. It's all my fault that Sirius died, it's all my fault that I'm a freak, it's all my fault that I couldn't stop my uncle. It's all my fault that my parents died. Everyone I love dies and it's all my fault. I want to die, but then the entire Wearing World will be destroyed. Oh God, why couldn't I have died with my parents?
Draco finally caught up with him. Harry was flying in circles over a particular area of the forest. Looking down, Draco saw a clearing with a small waterfall feeding a pond. Sighing, he grabbed Harry's broom and forced him to land. Harry heavily collapsed, falling from his broom and sliding onto the ground in a heap. He sat there and didn't even notice Draco sitting across from him.
Hey, Potter. You are wrong, you know. No one hates you, except for Moldywart. Do you really call him that? It fits you know. He has this HUGE wart on the side of his chin, and it is decaying. It is so gross. Draco tried to cheer Harry up, but nothing worked. Eventually, Harry's depression got to Draco and he sat there, too, lost in his own depressing thoughts.
You know, Potter, we should start our own pity club. It's for people that feel worthless and miserable. You and I could be co-presidents. Let's see. Weaseley could join because he's poor, and that's just sad. Longbottom could join because he's a pathetic squib. Crabbe and Goyle could join because they share a brain cell. Parkinson could join because she's an ugly bitch that can't get laid. Bulstrode could join because she looks like a really ugly guy. Chang could join because her boyfriend died two years ago and she's still crying.
Harry finally looked up at that. And that's all my fault. She's upset and miserable because of me. Kill the spare echoed hollowly through his mind. He shivered. Draco hugged him, but Harry pushed him away. You know, you can't be a president. The club is for worthless people only, and you aren't worthless.
Then why did my dad abandon me? Why did he choose that monster over his own child? Why would he do that if I have some sort of worth? He watched them skin me alive, and he did nothing! He even cheered them on! He let them hurt me and he did nothing! Draco softly started to cry. Harry immediately forgot about his own problems to comfort the other boy.
Damn, what a sorry pair we make. Both of us are suicidal, yet trying to convince the other that their is a reason to live. Draco sniffed and grinned.
I know my reason to live. It's to kill Voldemort. After that, nothing matters. I can finally die like I want to. Maybe I'll get to see my family again, Harry thought bitterly.
If you go, I'll go too. It would be inevitable, you know. If I felt you die, I would die too. Even now, only being bonded this close for less than an hour, I'm already used to having you here. If you go, it'll kill me. I cannot imagine not having you in the back of my head. Draco hunched his knees to his chest, suddenly vulnerable.
Harry sighed. Fine. If I promise to not kill myself will you realize that your dad is wrong about you?
Only if you promise to try to realize that Voldemort is responsible for their deaths and you are not responsible for what your uncle did to you. It is not your fault. None of it is. Sirius may not even be dead, and you are not responsible for Cedric or your parents, either. Voldemort killed them, Voldemort is responsible. NOT YOU! Draco shook Harry by the shoulders. What do I have to say in order to convince you?
Harry looked up hopefully. Can you give me either Sirius or my parents back? I don't ever want to go back there again. If I have one of them, then I won't have to. Otherwise, Dumbledore'll send me back.
Draco was at a loss. Umm, I'm pretty sure I can pull Sirius Black, he's pretty resourceful. If he fell into Hell, I'm fairly certain he is still alive. Your parents have been dead for almost sixteen years. That'll be a little harder to pull. Harry hugged him.
Thank you. I have a shot of getting out of there, don't I? Draco nodded, a lump in his throat as Harry's hope sprang back into life. Draco actually felt his mood lifting. He stood up and stripped down to his jeans, which he transfigured into swim trunks.
Hey, since we are here and all, let's go swimming. Harry nodded and transfigured his jeans into swim trunks also. They quickly hopped in.
Hey! It's so warm! Harry was amazed. It must be fed by a hot spring or something. Floating above the water, he followed the stream to where it bubbled out of the earth. Harry called to Draco Hey, come up here! It's really cool! Within seconds, Draco had joined him. They waded into the hot spring, then sat down and relaxed. Ahh, that hits the spot. This is better than a Jacuzzi! Harry sank blissfully into the steaming water.
What's a Jacuzzi? Draco asked, curious.
Muggle invention. Very similar to a hot spring, but it is artificially made. Has jets of water that are really nice for sore muscles. Harry explained, sharing his one memory of being in a Jacuzzi with Draco. It had been nice until his uncle had found him. Then all hell had broken loose.
Harry and Draco both heard a soft noise and their auras were instantly flared, encompassing the entirety of the spring. They both tensed in the water, all relaxation forgotten. Severus Snape stepped from the shadows, hands held up in a calming gesture.
"It's just me" he called softly, then stared at the sight of them lounging in the spring. Draco smirked and probed his mind.
Uncle Sev, is that really you? he asked. Severus chuckled wryly.
What do I have to do in order to prove who I am? He asked simply. Draco thought a minute. Harry interjected.
Where did you two go on his eighth birthday? Harry asked. Draco and Severus looked at him in surprise, and then Draco nodded.
Well, let's see. Your eighth birthday. Your parents had left for Morocco and your father had entrusted you to my care. We went for your first time into the Muggle world. We went to New York City, stayed at The Plaza and acted like a couple of tourists. We saw the World Trade Center being built, the Statue of Liberty, toured the Metropolitan museum of Art, and visited the largest toy store in the world. I remember I had to drag you out of there after buying you almost half the store and letting you play for over six hours. I had to swear you to secrecy so your father wouldn't find out that I had let you within a hundred yards of Muggles, let alone played trains with them. You loved trains. I still have your-
Enough, Sev. Draco was blushing, his alabaster skin a dusky pink. Harry laughed.
"Aw, does Widdle Dwaco wuv Choo choos? Aw, how cute!" Harry smirked and simpered. Draco scowled.
"Stuff it, Potter," he growled menacingly. Harry formed a large Thomas the Train set in midair and sent in running around the edge of the aura. Draco sank even lower into the spring, mortified. "Potter I'm warning you, knock it off!" Harry just laughed. Draco snapped his hand out, and Harry's nose was transfigured into a train engine. Severus laughed, and Draco let him through the aura.
"BUCK! DA BUCK!" Harry quickly transfigured his nose back to normal. Severus quickly turned his pants into swim trunks and joined them, soaking in the incredible water.
"Oh wow, this is wonderful" Severus lay there, completely relaxed. "How did you find this place? I've been collecting Potions ingredients from this forest for over twenty years and I have never come across this place. I definitely have to remember this," he mused, sinking even lower into the water.
"It's all Potter's fault. He wouldn't wait for me, so I finally grabbed his broom and forced him to the ground. We found the waterfall and the pool, then he had to go exploring. I think you should give him detention." Draco lazily swirled his hand in the water.
"Sure, why not. Ok, Potter, here's your detention. Every week, you, me, and Draco have to come here. Sound fair?" A soft snore answered him. Harry was floating, asleep.
Concerned, Severus started to shake his shoulder, but Draco held up a hand. "Don't wake him," he said softly. "Today has taken a lot out of him." Severus sank back, keeping an eye on the slumbering Gryffindor. Draco reached over and removed Harry's glasses and pocketed them for safekeeping.
"What happened?" he asked, finally. Draco gazed sadly at Harry, and then started talking.
"Sev, he tried to kill himself today. He was cutting his wrists, and he didn't heal. He must really want to die for his magic not to kick in and heal him. There was so much blood, and he scared me so badly. I could feel him bleeding and in pain, and I came running" Severus was about to say something, but Draco cut him off. "Please, just let me talk."
"Harry thinks everything is his fault. The abuse, his being raped, his parents dying, Cedric dying, Sirius falling through the Veil. He thinks that he is here only to kill Voldemort, and after that, he's useless. He is scared that everyone that he loves will die. His uncle has really screwed him up, and I don't know what to do. I can feel everything he has gone through, and it makes what my dad did to me look normal. His uncle has been hurting him since he was three, and hurts him over the summer when he goes back to that house. We have to get him out of there, especially if we are bonded. Seeing his memories is bad enough. If I actually have to live through that I'll kill the dumb fuck myself. As it is, I'm gonna help Harry kill him." Severus raised his eyebrows.
"I trust you know several nice ways of making him suffer before he dies?" Severus asked carefully. Draco nodded and grinned evilly.
"Oh yes" he replied. "I know several, and even more now that I remember exactly what happened to me." Severus hugged his Godson hard.
"Oh God, Draco, I am so sorry I didn't do anything. I should have stood up to them and gotten you out of there. I failed you."
"Sev, don't be stupid. If you had stood up to them, they would have killed you, too, and then Harry wouldn't have been able to get me out of there. You gotta admit, he never does things by halves. Flying a broom five hours across Britain, rescuing me from the most evil man on the continent, then flying back. It was suicide and he did it."
"That is true. He is exactly like his mother."
"Lily, your best friend? Odd, everyone says he is like his father. He certainly gets his flying skills from him."
"Yes, but James would have never done something like that for one of his best friends, let alone for his worst enemy. Lily would have. Did you know, that's how we became friends?"
"I don't think I've heard this one. Go on, tell."
"Well, it is a long story. I'll give you the shortened version, and tell you both when Potter is a little less sleepy. Basically, we were in this forest in our first year, gathering Potions ingredients for our class. We had been partnered against our will, and like the idiot first years we were, forgot our wands. We were actually the reason that the forest is forbidden. We were fighting like usual, and got lost, in the dark, and couldn't find our way out of the damn forest. We had to stay here over night. I freely admit that if I had been alone, I would not have made it out alive. However, Lily made a fire, and we picked food for both of us to have enough. She even gave me her extra cloak when it started to rain. It seems that she had been a Girl Scout when she was in grade school, and had been camping many times. I, on the other hand, had no idea what to do. Then the next day, she single handedly found the way back out of the forest. You can't exactly hate someone when they save your ass like that." Snape sat there, reminiscing. Draco shook with laughter beside him.
"Uh huh." Draco sniggered. "You had NO idea what to do?" He snorted with laughter.
"Why else do you think I took you camping several times? I didn't want you to have the same thing happen to you. You know, it was a big deal to me. I was lost and scared, and she took care of me." Draco gave up and laughed.
They sat there for hours, just talking and soaking in the still, almost searing water. Harry gradually awoke, feeling content and secure. He yawned and stretched blearily, looking around for his glasses.
"Well, look who decided to rejoin the land of the living! Hey, Potter, have a nice nap?" Draco asked cheekily. Harry smiled sleepily and nodded. Suddenly, his eyes opened wide, and he clutched his forehead.
"Oh SHIT! AAARGH!" Harry yelled, doubled over in pain. Pain lanced through Draco's skull as well. Their combined auras pulsed then dropped to just individually encompass the two boys. Severus, the only one unaffected, stared at them for a second.
What the... Voldemort. ALANNA! XANDER! he bellowed. He heard them quickly respond.
What? What's wrong? they asked.
Voldemort is finally affecting Harry. I need your help- AAARGH! Severus felt a crushing pain start in his Mark, then spread through his shoulder. Alanna and Xander quickly apparated to his side. As he blacked out, he saw the two appear. The cavalry has arrived he thought weakly, and then all was black.
Alanna and Xander quickly gathered the brooms and the three unconscious men from the spring. Hey, this place is nice! Let's extend the wards to cover this place as well! Alanna cheerfully thought. Xander agreed with her. With a loud POP, they apparated everyone, including their discarded clothing and brooms right into the Hospital Wing. They watched as the three instantly, coming through the wards, relaxed as the pain was shut off. Xander tended to Harry and Draco, while Alanna looked over Severus.
"Hmm that does make sense. Our wards block Harry's bond to that loser, so going outside of them would cause him extreme pain. But Severus...What happened to him?" She gently pried his clenched fingers off of his forearm and saw the Dark Mark. The skin around it was blistered and raw. "Oh my," Alanna murmured. "That looks painful. Odd choice for a tattoo," she mused. "Oh well, in order for me to heal the burns, the tattoo will have to go."
"She stretched her hand over the Mark. Instantly, she could feel the evil emanating from the eyesore. "Oh hell. He's linked to Moldy Voldy as well. This should make things interesting." Gold threads shot from her fingertips and encompassed the Mark. She pushed quickly with her mind, and snapped the link. Dimly, she could hear Voldemort's howl of anguish and fury as the link was ripped out of Severus and snapped back into himself. Stay away from my family! she called after the retreating link.
She concentrated again, and the Mark vanished. Severus opened his eyes and stared at the rapidly healing burns. Within seconds, he had unblemished skin. "What? What did you do?" He asked, confused and reeling from the after effects of the pain.
"I hope you didn't like that ugly tattoo. I kind of got rid of it for you. It was in the way of my healing your burns." Severus stared at her incredulously and promptly passed out from shock. "You know," Alanna told Xander, "all of them need some sleep."
"Let's put them in their beds and call it a night. It is almost nine o'clock." The three sleeping figures disappeared, reappearing in their own beds.
Harry lie there, peacefully sleeping. Suddenly, he shot out of bed. Something was terribly wrong with "Draco!!!" He screamed mentally and physically, leaping out of bed and racing out of the Gryffindor Tower. Ron blearily woke up, and then rolled back over.
"God, Harry" he groused. "Can't you let a bloke get a full night's sleep?" He went back to bed.
A/N: Hey, yes, I agree whole-heartedly. My characters are definitely OOC. However, they started in character, and the events forced them to change. So, how do you like it? Thank you everyone who reviewed. Your continued support means a lot to me. Damn, nineteen pages and I ain't cutting or changing any of it. Again, enjoy and chapter eight should be up soon.
B/N: Hey all, Annie here. So how was it? Was it good? Gooder than good? I don't think "gooder" is a real word, but what the hey. Yes, I rather liked this one, myself, lots of ha-ha, and oodles of funny. Mmhm, juuuust the way I like it. Pour in a little angstyness and we got a story! Just so you know, the author here is not suicidal, incase anybody was wondering; she just happens to write a lot of shi- I mean stuff like that. Ahem Anyways, where was I? Keep reviewing! Yes, we do accept flames, but if you're gonna send 'em, plan on joining the Witness Protection Program, hear? Mwahahaha- cough cough cough... Sorry, this, uh, cold I have, it's, uh, kinda, bad...yeah. Oh, before I forget, I was reading a story (yes this is becoming one of those bad habits, isn't it?) and the pairings are as follows: Harry/Draco, Crabbe/Neville/Goyle (yes, all three of them), Ron/Pansy, Hermione/Snape. The story line is something like Dumbledore forms two special groups that help him with Order stuff, I think, one is in Gryfinndor, the other is in Slytherin, and after awhile, he joins them together, and that is all I can remember. So if you know this one, please tell Laura, so she can tell me.
Love ya, byebye!