A/N: Well, I'm on spring break so I'm getting these out as many and fast as possible. So, enjoy.
Chapter 20
Harry turned and caught Draco against his chest. Silver eyes locked with his as a tongue slowly traced a pathway down his chest... Harry shook his head, banishing the image. GOD DAMN IT!!!! STOP THINKING, BRAIN!!!! He ordered himself sternly. He turned and laid Draco gently down on the floor. I'm not thinking about running my hands through his hair, I'm not thinking about kissing him, I'm not- Who the fuck am I kidding?
Isis snickered softly. "Massssster, go for it. He isssss yoursssss, after all. Jusssssst do it already." She slithered off, presumably back to the Dungeons and her cage.
"No!!!!!" Harry shouted, backing away from his soul mate. "I WON'T!!!!"
Ginny stared at them, concerned. "Harry, why are you shutting him out?" she asked quietly, unable to keep the worry from her voice.
"It's complicated, Gin, and I don't want to get into it right now. NOW, onto your problem. You do realize that Adrian's the son of Satan, right? He's the most powerful demon in existence. How in HELL can he be your soul mate?" Harry asked bluntly.
Ginny gaped at him. "He's my WHAT???"
An echoed sentiment had them whipping around. Alanna stood in the doorway to the Great Hall. "He's what?" she asked again weakly, sinking to a sitting position. "No... that's not possible." She turned shell shocked eyes to them, staring at Ginny. "How- why?"
"I- I don't know, Alanna. He just feels so right to me. It's hard to explain. I-" Ginny broke off, eyes wide and frightened. Alanna stood and wrapped her arms around the shaking girl.
"Did it feel like this?" she asked Ginny, opening her mind. Ginny and Alanna stood there for almost a minute, a soft golden glow around them. On the floor, Draco slowly started waking up.
"Excuse me- OOF! Malfoys do NOT sleep on the floor! This is SO undignified!" Harry turned around, eyes on permanent spin cycle from the amount of eye rolling he was doing.
Draco was sitting up, holding his head. "Did you REALLY say she's soul mates to the Spawn of Satan?" He asked Harry weakly.
Harry nodded, sighing. "Yep."
Draco blinked and stood up, dusting himself off. "Figures. Why the hell can't one day go by that's normal?"
Harry let out a short bark of laughter. "What're you talking about? This IS normal."
Draco cocked an eyebrow. "You scare me sometimes."
Harry was about to fire a retort when Alanna and Ginny separated. Ginny swayed, and Harry darted forward, catching her before she fell. Draco was at his side in an instant, catching Alanna as their older sister stumbled and collapsed.
"Oh great," Draco snapped, scooping her up and lifting her. Beside him, Harry had Ginny cradled protectively in his arms. "What the hell happened?"
"Oh, I don't know. You did the same about two minutes ago, so shut up." Harry transfigured a bench into a couch and laid Ginny on it. Draco did the same, sputtering.
"What- What? I NEVER fainted. Malfoys NEVER FAINT!" Draco glared at him.
"Stuff it, Malfoy. We have to figure out what's going on!" Harry said, exasperated.
Alanna and Ginny chose that moment to wake up. "Ohh, I have such a headache," moaned Alanna, clutching her head.
"Stop speaking, it hurts," moaned Ginny in reply.
Gin-
"GET OUT OF MY HEAD!!!" screamed Ginny in agony, grabbing her temples.
"Our powers back lashed a bit when we joined. She's so strong mentally we couldn't handle it. Our minds are a bit fragile right now." Alanna winced and sat up. "It's amazing the sheer power she holds inside of her. She shouldn't be able to exist physically, but her magic holds her together. So, anyway, she is soul mates with Adrian. It's strange. They are both so powerful that they might burn each other out. Clautius didn't give his creations the ability to handle power very well, I'm afraid. He never wanted any of them to even attempt to become more powerful than he."
Harry raised an eyebrow. "And..." he trailed off, waving his hand for her to continue.
"Alanna thinks that if we do get together it could kill us both, but now that I know he exists, I'll go insane anyway trying to get to him. So, it's screwed both ways. Either way, you'll have two extremely insane, extremely powerful beings running amok. Lovely, isn't it?" Ginny grinned sarcastically.
Harry enveloped her in his arms. "Oh, God, Gin, I'm so sorry. Can we do anything?" He asked Alanna.
"That bonding ceremony is a good idea, actually. It might ground her enough to survive this." Alanna stood up, swaying slightly. Draco caught her elbow.
"Does the first week of winter hols work?" he asked her, steadying her.
"That should be fine. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to contact Mother about this. I need answers and I hate it when she keeps me in the dark about things." Alanna strode off, a white glow enveloping her.
Lily, James, Severus, Neville, Luna, Blaise Seamus, Emily and Eric Apparated into the Great Hall. Severus looked decidedly queasy. "I must ask Alanna and Xander about this," he muttered, sweeping past Harry, Ginny and Draco. "ALANNA!!!! XANDER!!!!!!" He walked off in the direction Alanna had gone.
Harry turned to his parents. "Mum, Dad, what's with Uncle Sev?" he asked, staring after his distracted uncle.
"He had to figure out if that bastard was telling the truth or not," Lily explained.
Ginny stomped her foot. "He isn't a bastard! Take it back!"
James's eyebrows disappeared into his hairline. "What the hell is going on? What did we miss?"
"Only that that bastard, as you so kindly put it, is my SOUL MATE!" Ginny half yelled, bursting into tears. "What am I going to tell my parents? Hi Mum, Dad, this is my soul mate, the Spawn of Satan. Oh, don't worry about it, he only roasts the really bad people," she sobbed into Harry's shoulder.
Harry rubbed her back. "If they love you, they'll understand. Besides, you're not evil, so maybe he isn't." He was treated with ten icy stares. "Ok!" he held up his hands in surrender. "Maybe he's an evil git."
Ginny sniffed. Draco glared at him and pulled Ginny into his arms. "Harry, you aren't helping."
"Fine!" Harry stomped off, fuming. Stupid Draco, God damn asshole! I'm trying! He failed to realize that everyone, Draco included, had heard him as he Apparated to the Quidditch Pitch and summoned his broom, venting his frustration in the air.
"What did I do to deserve this?" Draco asked quietly, holding back tears.
Lily and James gave each other 'the look' over everyone else's heads that spoke volumes. Love, are you thinking what I'm thinking? James asked her privately.
That our son is soul mates with one of the densest people on the planet? Not at all, James, not at all, Lily responded sarcastically. James laughed.
I'm beginning to hate Quidditch, thought Harry morosely after practice Wednesday afternoon. Madam Hooch had screamed at them for over an hour before pulling the three of them from the practice, sending them out to 'deal with their petty differences'. Of course that had been a flop. Draco still is clueless, Harry thought bitterly, and Ginny is no better. Only because you won't tell them, the little voice in his head reminded him.
Harry studiously ignored the damn voice, which was starting to remind him of Hermione. You should tell them. They do care about you, and they only want you to be happy- SHUT UP!!!! If Draco cared, he'd never have kissed that whore!!! The voice fell silent. Maybe, you're right, it admitted after a while. I can't see how, if he cared, that he would kiss and date someone else when he is supposed to be with you.
The voice agreeing with him made Harry feel even worse. Oh shut it already, would ya? I'm depressed enough as it is. You aren't helping. Angrily, he pulled his jeans and a black tee shirt on, sitting on a bench in the locker room. He Apparated to the Shrieking Shack, where he was sure he wouldn't be bothered.
Severus paced in his quarters, alone. He had just had another vision, a bad one. They were becoming even more frequent, even occurring while he was awake.
Good God, I need to get her out of there! Those demons- I- AAARGH!!! Severus wearily felt like banging his head into a wall.
That damn potion isn't coming along at all. I can't figure it out, and it has all of us stumped. Even Sal can't figure it out, although she did vaguely recall writing a potion based on mental abilities once. If I could only find SOMETHING to help me.
Severus grasped his desk as waves of dizziness flooded him. Oh no.... not again, he moaned, bracing himself for another foray into his soul mate's body. This is gonna be bad.
Draco wandered the halls, thinking. Ever since that Saturday, he had been incredibly depressed, and he knew it wasn't him that was feeling bad. Harry's unconsciously bleeding his emotions into my mind. I have to do something to help him, but what? He walked through a hallway on the fourth floor, glancing at the paintings as he passed them.
Hey, that one's weird. I wonder what it's of? Draco thought as he passed a large painting of what looked to be a large, dimly lit hallway. Intrigued, he stepped closer to study it. As if possessed, he pressed his hand against the canvas, only to stumble thought what felt like a veil and into the Hall. He felt something pressing on his mind and, after a moment's internal deliberation, he let whatever it was in. He felt a cool consciousness appraise him, allowing him access. Access to what? he wondered.
He stared around at his surroundings, shocked. Four doorways, each in a particular House color, branched from the dim, gray stone corridor. Picking a doorway at random, he walked through the door decorated Silver and green. He stopped in shock as he found himself in the living quarters of Salazar Slytherin himself. Well, figures, he thought to himself. Who else liked Silver and Green as much as he did?
He cautiously entered the living room completely, admiring the beautiful antique leather couches and mahogany tables. He sat on one of the couches and leaned back, wrapping himself in a deep emerald throw. Just like Harry's eyes, he mused, his mind wandering. He put his feet on the table, relaxing, and accidentally kicked something. He sat upright and looked at the table. There, in the center, next to his foot, was a black and silver leather bound journal, the title being POTIONS in the center of the cover.
Intrigued, Draco opened it and flipped through the pages, skimming the entries. About half way through, he stopped and reread the page he had just turned. His eyes widened comically. "That's IT!!!!! I've got it!!!! Oh, wow, Sev's gonna be astounded!!! Wait till I tell him!" He clutched the book to his chest and sprinted from the room and skidded out of the Hall and back into the school. He Apparated straight into Severus's quarters, still cradling the book as if it were worth its weight in gold.
"UNCLE SEVERUS!!!!!!" he yelled excitedly, skidding into Severus's bedroom. He stopped short, staring at his Godfather, who was collapsed against his desk, moaning and thrashing, his eyes clenched shut and tears streaming down his ashen cheeks. "Sev?" he asked, whipping around. HARRY!!!! GINNY!!!!! LILY!!!!! HELP, SEV'S IN ANOTHER VISION!!!!!! he screamed, grasping Severus's shoulder. He gasped, being pulled into the vision.
Severus lay there, panting, trying to escape from the semicircle of enormous demons standing over him. He burrowed back into the wall, desperation clouding his mind. Already he had exhausted his powers destroying over half of the demons, but it was still not enough. The closest one, an enormous club wielding tank, reached out, grabbing the manacle around his neck, and dragged him upright, his legs kicking uselessly almost a foot in the air.
Another demon, thin and sinewy, but still over twelve feet tall, reached out, pulling his hair so that his head was overextended backwards, exposing his neck in an expression of submission. Severus howled and fought his captors, to no avail, when, "SEV??" shot through his mind.
Draco, you have to get out of here! They're- OH HELL, I won't let you see this! GO! NOW! Severus gasped, barely on the brink of sanity. With the last ounce of control he had, he attempted to shove Draco from the vision, but Draco held fast.
Nope, so sorry, but I'm staying, Draco announced grimly.
Us, too. Harry, Ginny and Lily made their presence known. As one, they fed their magic through Severus's mind to Laurel's body. Laurel's body erupted in an incandescent light, sparks flying all over the room. The demons jumped back, then crept cautiously forward, staring at the female body in front of them with trepidation.
"Id uruk HELLAT?" (What the HELL?) The tankish one asked. The others shrugged.
"Grup ivish tru-olop."( Poke it and see what happens.) The sinewy one suggested. A third cautiously stuck his clawed finger out and poked Laurel's body tentatively. Nothing happened. Emboldened by that, they once again surrounded Laurel's body.
NOW! Draco screamed. As one, they shot their conjoined powers from Laurel, simultaneously healing her multiple injuries, Severus's exhaustion, and exploding all eight demons at once.
Severus could feel a consciousness slowly swimming to the surface of Laurel's mind. He embraced it, finally feeling as if he were home. Laurel, he sent tentatively. Laurel, is that you?
Who- Severus? Is that really you? came the sweetest mental voice he had ever felt. Home, was the only thought running through his mind. He could feel the others forming a mental wall, giving him privacy. Silently, he thanked them, then focused solely on his soul mate.
Yes, love, I'm here, and we're trying to get you out of here. I promise, Laurel, we are going to come after you.
You can't. He's after Alanna and I'm the bait for his trap! You have to tell her-
We know and we've taken care of it, he reassured her, trying to calm her down.
And Sirius! You have to help him too! He's the only one who had kept me sane! We can't leave him! she thought frantically.
Don't worry, Sirius Black will be rescued as well. In fact, his soul mate has been most vocal. 'Don't for get about SIRI!!!' Severus smirked mentally.
Well, Severus Snape, you better not, or you're sleeping on the couch! Laurel giggled, warming Severus's heart.
That cinches it. Sirius will be rescued. Severus grinned, feeling as if he were wrapped in a blanket of love, warmth and security.
Sev, you have to get out of here. Clautius is coming back and- She broke off as the door opened and a familiar black haired head poked in.
"Laurel?" Came Sirius's voice. He slunk into the room, sticking to the shadows. "Are you- HOLY SHIT! Did you do that?" He stared in awe at the multiple body parts, internal organs, and completely unrecognizable bits and pieces strewn around the expanse of the room.
"Actually, Black, we're all here. Harry, Draco, Lily, Ginny, Laurel and Severus." Laurel remarked dryly.
Sirius gave a whoop and rushed forward, wrapping the smaller woman in his arms. "You're awake!" He searched her eyes, a little disconcerted by the glow pulsating around her body. "You're all in there? Who am I talking to, then?"
"Whoever you want! We all can hear you just fine," remarked Severus. Sirius jumped to hear the smooth, velvety voice of the Potions Master come from Laurel's mouth.
"SIRI!!!" yelled Harry, using Laurel's arms to hug him. Laurel chuckled.
And you are... She thought in amusement. Sure, use my arms without introducing yourself first.
Oops, sorry. My name is Harry and Sirius is my Godfather and I'm just a little excited. We thought he was dead until Severus saw him that one time.
"Harry? This is incredible! When are you coming to get us out of here? It's insane! Adrian is back, screaming at his father about how he has a soul mate and she's a fucking good guy and how unfair it all is. He wants to kidnap her or something but she's behind these wards and he can't get to her."
Ginny blushed mentally, waves of embarrassment coming off of her. "Um, that would be me, Ginny. We kind of found that out earlier today."
"You poor kid, saddled with a monster like that. Did you know that he has his own personal sex slave chained to his wall just like his father?" Severus reached out and smacked him upside the head.
"You Dumbass, Black! Stop scaring her! She's only fifteen, for God's sake!" Sirius blushed and grinned sheepishly.
"I really put my foot in it, didn't I? Well, she does have to know what she's getting into. He's not Clautius's favorite child for nothing."
"And Alanna can tell her the G rated version when we get back," Severus interjected smoothly, trying to sooth his niece. Ginny couldn't be consoled and fled the connection.
Oh, Uncle Sev, I found it!!!! I found the Potion! Severus's mental head shot up, and he focused on Draco.
What did you find? he asked cautiously, not even daring to believe.
The mind potion! It's in a book I found in a really old part of the castle! It belonged to Salazar Slytherin! Draco exclaimed, almost bursting with excitement.
Severus let out an undignified whoop of joy, mentally embracing his Godson. Well, read it!!!
Draco brought himself half in and half out of the connection, enough for him to see the book in front of him. Next to him, Ginny sat there, sobbing, her heart shattered. Harry saw, through his eyes, that she was crying and broke the connection. Draco watched as Harry picked Ginny up and Apparated from the room. Draco turned back to the Potions book, reading the ingredients. Ok, let's see. Start with a cauldron of water drawn from a clear running spring, free of any impurities...
Harry and Ginny appeared in the Chamber of Secrets, Harry cradling Ginny to his chest possessively. He carried her to a couch and gingerly sat down, letting her cry herself out. It's all right, sis. I promise, no matter what, you'll have me. I promise. Ginny sniffed, burying her face into his shoulder. They sat like that for almost half an hour, the silence only broken by the occasional strangled sob.
After Ginny had finally cried herself into silence, Harry just sat there, holding her. "Gin, I swear it'll be all right."
"But how? He's evil, completely evil! I can't live with that! All he's going to do is hurt me!" Ginny exclaimed, turning to look Harry square in the eye.
"I don't think so, Gin. I don't think he CAN hurt you. Soul mates can't really hurt each other. It's like hurting yourself, only worse." Harry sat back, thinking over what he had just said. That is such bull, and you know, it Potter. Draco thinks nothing of hurting you, he reminded himself sternly.
"Harry, what is going on between you and Draco? I love you both so much, I can't stand to see you unhappy. Please tell me!" Ginny turned impossibly huge eyes up at him, an angelic pleading expression on her face.
Harry laughed, rolling his eyes. "All right, I'll tell you. You remember the party?" Ginny nodded solemnly. "Well, we did some stuff and we both were under the influence of mind altering substances, and the next morning I remembered everything."
"Are you all right? Are you traumatized? I KNEW it was a bad idea for you to get so stoned!" Ginny exclaimed, throwing her arms around his neck.
Harry gently untangled her arms. "No, Gin, that's not it at all. I was FINE with what happened. In fact, I wouldn't have minded a repeat performance when we both were sober...like that'll happen any time soon," he muttered.
Ginny gasped. "You mean-"
Harry nodded. "I felt perfectly safe and I didn't have any flashbacks at all. Look, I love Draco, I really do, and I did trust him not to hurt me. I spent the whole day after the party thinking about what to do and how to tell him that I was all right with the furthering of our relationship, because he locked me out of his mind for some reason. I found out why when I went to find him. He was KISSING a Ravenclaw. Gin, he didn't feel anything and he even told me it meant nothing. I just can't stand to feel his mind, knowing I want more but unable to have it." Harry sat back, a huge weight off his chest.
Ginny was glaring, her face a storm cloud. "So that's why he's been sneaking out at night. The bastard! I'm gonna hit him so hard..." She stood up.
Harry caught her arm. "Gin, please, don't. I'm not going to force it. If he feels something, great. If not, as he has stated, then I don't want to force him to try to feel something that's not there. That would hurt worse."
Ginny sat back down, tears trickling down her face. "And I thought I had it bad. Harry, how could your soul mate hurt you? You just said it hurts you just as badly."
"It does, Gin. It hurts so bad I almost can't stand it. He's right there and I can only watch. This sucks!" Harry slammed his hand onto the armrest angrily.
"Well, what are we going to do about it?" Gin asked.
"There's nothing to do, Gin. He doesn't see me that way. Maybe he never will. All I know is that no straight guy describes their first kiss as 'wet', and I've never been as attracted to someone as I am to him. All I can do is wait and hope." Harry sighed. I hate my life.
Monday, in Spellwriting, Draco ignored Harry completely, choosing instead of doing any work to sit there, lost in thought. Big surprise there, Harry thought sarcastically, as he perfected his shield against the Unforgivables, Avada Kedavra in particular.
He picked up his research and walked over to their teacher, Professor Sinistera. "Professor, I think I have it, but it needs a Potion in order to work."
Sinistera looked over his research approvingly. "Excellent work, Mr. Potter. I expect you to devise a suitable potion in order to make this work. Perhaps Professor Snape would help you with that." Harry nodded and walked back to his seat, already devising another project. Maybe I can find a spell that'll remove the Dark Mark while I'm at it. I'll ask Alanna what she felt when she removed Uncle Sev's. She can help me. He sat down, already lost in his thoughts.
He never noticed Draco slide his research over and read through it, eyes widening as he went point by point down the page. Oh my God, Harry. You're a genius! Draco thought enviously as he stared at the different incantations Harry had tried and combined to create the strongest shield he'd ever seen, in theory. But to have the power to hold it- oh wait, he's got a space where a POTION is needed. Brilliant! I never would have thought of Basilisk's blood!
Harry abruptly stood. "Professor, can I be excused early? I'd like to get started on the potion as soon as possible."
"Of course."
Draco hastily dropped the notes and went back to staring at the wall, an oblivious expression on his face. Harry gathered his notes distractedly and walked out.
Harry walked out of the classroom and Apparated straight to the Dungeons, right outside the classroom. He checked the time. Oh great. I have an hour before Sev's done with his class. Oh well, I don't think he'd mind if I sat in the back. Harry poked his head into the classroom.
Severus was teaching a group of unruly fourth years. "Mr. Patil, that is not the way to mix a Potion! Honestly, boy," he grabbed the boy's wrist, reversing his mixing direction. "Clockwise, not counterclockwise, unless you wish to brew a deadly poison!"
Harry smirked. "Um, Professor?" He asked politely.
Severus looked up. "Yes, Mr. Potter? I am extremely busy here," he snapped irritably.
Harry recoiled slightly, visibly stung. "I was going to ask if I could simply sit in the back and do some research for a potion I have to come up with."
Severus waved a hand impatiently. "You cannot use the library?"
"I could, but the library doesn't have the resources I need, such as some books you have."
"Use my quarters then. Don't bother me here. MR. PATIL I SAID CLOCKWISE!!!!!!" he bellowed, causing the young man to jump, splashing a little of the potion on his robes. A yellowish smoke billowed from his robes as the potion, a corrosive, ate a large hole in his sleeve.
Harry quickly stripped him, banishing the robe and conjuring another. "Un- Professor, I got it. I'll help him and get him to the Hospital wing."
Severus looked up from the rapidly melting cauldron. "A little help here!" Harry shooed the frightened and fascinated students to the other side of the classroom, then turned back.
"Banish it?" he suggested, coming up behind his uncle.
"You do realize this is your fault, don't you? If I hadn't had to divert my attention like that I could have prevented this," Severus snapped.
Harry scowled, stung. "Well excuse me for living. What bee crawled up you ass?" he asked in an undertone.
"You do realize I'm about to dock your house two hundred points for that remark," Severus wiped a hand across his brow.
"If it makes you feel better, go right ahead. Seriously, what's wrong?"
"Nothing." Harry seriously doubted that, but kept quiet. They banished the cauldron, carefully banishing every trace of the corrosive. "Aw, and I would have liked a sample of that," Harry complained good naturedly.
Severus snorted. "Why?"
"Would have been interesting to play with. Might I ask what potion it was supposed to be?"
Severus shook his head. "Calming draught."
"How the hell did he get that?" Harry wondered out loud, walking back over to Mr. Patil. The young Hufflepuff stared at him fearfully.
"Hey, what did you do to get that really cool corrosive?" Harry asked conversationally.
"I DIDN'T MEAN TO!!!!" the fourth year wailed, rubbing his eyes with a slightly burned hand. Harry picked up his hand, studying it. With a sigh, he Apparated the both of them to the Hospital Wing. After informing Poppy about what had happened, he Apparated back to see class back in full swing.
"So I can use your library, then Professor?" Harry asked, catching Severus's eye. Severus nodded distractedly.
Whatever. Harry Apparated straight to Severus's quarters, missing the confused expression on Severus's face.
Draco walked into Experimental Potions class and found his Godfather but no Harry. "Uncle Sev, where's Harry?" Draco asked casually.
Severus looked up from the cauldron he was stirring. "In my quarters doing research. Considering the way you two have been treating each other, why do you care?"
Draco sharply drew in a breath, trying to control the surge of anger he felt. "I care because, no matter what, I care about him. So, what's he doing there?"
"He said something about research like I said. Why?" Severus studied his Godson.
"Oh, no reason. Just that he's found a shield that works against the killing curse, that's all." Draco thoroughly enjoyed the shocked look on Severus's face.
"What?" Severus asked, his mouth hanging open. Draco smirked. "The incantation is Protecte de Vitae and requires a strengthening potion so the person's magic is stronger than the curse. I read his notes. What are you doing?" Draco asked, wrinkling his nose at the cauldron.
"It's the potion you found. I'm making it. I know it doesn't look like much, but according to the notes and Sal, it looks correct." Severus motioned to the dark green sludge in the cauldron.
Draco raised his eyebrows. "If you say so."
"So, are you going to help me or not?" Severus asked impatiently. Draco sighed and rolled up the sleeves of his robes.
"Sure, why not?" Within seconds, they were working in unison, dicing and slicing the different ingredients.
Harry curled up on the leather couch, engrossed in an ancient tome, occasionally taking down notes. He scribbled in his notebook, writing suggestions, thoughts and comments about what to use in the potion. Hmmm, unicorn hair for health, Dragon scales for their shielding properties, plus the Basilisk blood to increase strength, all in a spring water base with a couple of different ingredients to pull it all together. Let's see, how will all this react? Well, no time like the present. Harry stood up, tome in hand and notes in the other and Apparated straight to the Potions classroom.
Severus looked up from the potion, taking in Harry's distracted air. Harry set up quickly, hell bent on testing his theories. He summoned the ingredients, ignoring Severus's incredulous look. I do hope Potter knows what he's doing. Those are incredibly rare and expensive ingredients.
Harry set four cauldrons up, each simmering a different amount of ingredients. He quickly mixed the potions, taking notes on their color, viscosity, and temperature.
An hour later, he was ready to test them. The first potion, a thick, purple gel, was force fed to a conjured mouse. Harry watched as it promptly grew four feet in length, grew muscles worthy of Mr. Universe, and its front incisors sharpened into lethal fangs. "Uncle Sev, HELP!!!!!!!" Harry hollered as the giant killer mouse chased him around the room. He crawled on a desk, staring at his creation in horror and abject fascination. Right, put this in the 'only play with when suicidal' category'. Sheesh.
Severus stared at the enormous mouse, completely enthralled. "Harry, what did you mix?" he asked, watching as the mouse promptly chewed through a stone table leg trying to get to his nephew.
"My notebook is on the other table. PLEASE GET IT AWAY FROM ME!!!!!" he yelled again as the mouse chewed through the other table leg. Too late. Harry slid down the incline, straight into the Doberman sized mouse. Ulp! he thought as the mouse promptly pounced on him and ....
Nuzzled his chest???? Harry stared at the killer- yet extremely cuddly mouse that was trying to burrow through his clothes. Draco watched, slightly jealous, from his corner.
That should be me over there... he thought to himself, not noticing Ginny's raised eyebrow as she overheard the stray thought, filing away the information for later use.
Severus stared at the potions Harry had prepared. "All right, this one is physical strength," he noted, bottling the purple gel. "That could come in handy, especially if we want physical intimidation. How about the others?" he asked, all business until he saw his nephew, on the floor, being snuggled to death by the enormous mouse. "Um, Harry?" he asked in confusion.
"I haven't tested any others. Why?" Severus quickly conjured three more mice, gesturing for Harry to continue.
"Fine!" Harry huffed, picking out the mouse with a grunt. Draco doubled over, laughing silently as his soul mate lugged the animal across the classroom and set him on the table next to the other experiments. He quickly grabbed an eyedropper and filled it with the next potion, pale green liquid. He fed it to the second mouse, which just twitched its nose and blinked. Harry wondered what that potion did when the overwhelming desire to find chips and seeds and all things crunchy overpowered him. He Apparated to the kitchens, and begged Dobby for some crackers and chips and anything to ease the cravings. He Apparated back, and the entire class spent the next five minutes eating and munching, trying to figure out what was going on.
"It's a mental powers increasing potion. It makes your telepathy powers greater," Severus figured out after it wore off. He quickly bottled some, staring at it speculatively. "I wonder how much more powerful it would be if it were allowed to simmer for about twelve hours?"
Harry shrugged. "Why don't you try it? It's still on the fire, so let some simmer." Severus levitated the entire cauldron into his back office.
Harry grabbed the third potion and fed some to the third mouse. It immediately turned to stone. Harry stared at the mouse in consternation. "What the hell??" he asked stupidly.
Severus stared at the potion. "That could be useful," he mused, conjuring another mouse. "Just to be sure," he put an eyedropper full onto the back of the newly conjured mouse. It fell over with a crash, petrified. "Interesting. Ingestion has the same effects as the direct stare of the Basilisk, while the skin contact has the same effect as an indirect stare." He bottled some of that, grinning.
Harry just stared at the poor mice in consternation. Draco walked over to the table, studying the mice. "What's the fourth one?" he asked casually, staring at the enormous mouse. The mouse bared its fangs and licked its lips hungrily. Draco stepped back, apprehensive. "Harry, call off your mouse," he said worriedly.
Lily stared at him, smirking. "Do you even realize how stupid that sounds?" she asked, laughing. Emily and Eric were doubled over, giggling hysterically.
Harry glared at them and scratched the enormous mouse on the head, behind its ears. It squeaked happily, stretching. "It's all right, Angel. He's isn't going to hurt you. Relax."
"Angel?" Draco asked.
Harry smirked. "Why? Do you have a better name?"
"How about Killer?" Harry laughed as he administered the last potion to the last mouse. A silvery glow surrounded the tiny animal.
Harry stepped forward excitedly. "That's it! Protecte de Vitae!" the silver glow intensified, finally solidifying into an opaque barrier. "Now for the final test." Harry looked around sheepishly.
"I really shouldn't do this in a classroom. Everyone stand back. I have no idea how this'll react." Everyone backed up. Severus carried the potion he was working on, the telepathic bonding potion, into his back office, where it had to sit and stew for one week. After that, it had to sit in an air tight container for another week before it could be used.
"What are you going to do?" Severus asked.
Harry stared at him. "Test it, of course." He turned to the mouse and braced himself, pointing a finger. "Avada Kedavra," he whispered, wincing. A sickly green light shot out of his finger, taking a part of him with it. It sped towards the silver shield. Harry held his breath, waiting. Everyone mimicked him, watching anxiously. The green light hit the shield and disappeared. Harry waited a second and removed the shield, hoping.
He cheered as the mouse cautiously crawled around the table, sniffing for food. Harry fed it a cracker and bottled the potion. "Perfect," he grinned.
Harry sat in the Shrieking Shack, his trusty pocket knife in his left hand. Hello, old friend. It's been a while, he thought almost fondly as he stared at the shiny silver blade. Wincing slightly, he drew the blade down his right wrist, feeling the sting as his blood began to flow freely. Oh, I've missed this, he thought happily, feeling some of the weight of the past two weeks lifted from his shoulders. Why'd I ever stop?
Grinning, finally happy, he drew the blade down his left wrist, slashing across several times as well. He watched the blood flow, dripping down his fingers. He was unable to tear his eyes away from the red streams flowing down his arms. At long last, after almost ten minutes, he finally healed himself. He stood up, dizzy from the loss of blood, and Apparated back to the Slytherin Dorms.
Draco noticed him Apparating into the room. "Where were you?" he asked unable to keep the fear from his voice.
"What's it matter to you?" Harry asked dizzily, tumbling into bed. "It's not like I matter to you anyway." He immediately fell asleep.
Draco lay awake almost the whole night, debating about what to do.
Harry and the rest of the Quidditch team assembled on the Quidditch Pitch, ready to Apparate to Magica Universidad de Roma. Madam Hooch joined them, anxious to be off. "Ready everyone?" she asked. Harry and the others nodded. Harry, Nicholai, Damien, Ginny and Draco tied their magic together, creating an Apparation field. With Madam Hooch to guide where they were going, they Apparated to the school in Rome.
Harry looked around, intrigued by the similarities between all the schools. It would really be cool to go to school in Italy or China. That would be really sweet.
But if you went to school somewhere else, then what would happen to me? Ginny asked half jokingly.
Harry wrapped his arm around her. Don't worry, Gin. I'm not going anywhere. And if I did, you fit in most overhead compartments, so I'd take you with me!
Draco listened in on their conversation trying to equate the seemingly happy boy in front of him with the angry, depressed feelings radiating off of him, especially at night, especially the nights he came in really late.
They arrived at the locker rooms and sat on the benches. Harry stood in the center of the room. "Ok, team, ready for this game?" he asked quietly. A resounding chorus of "HELL YES!" had him grinning.
He pushed a hand through his hair distractedly, and Draco saw something he had never wanted to see again for as long as he lived: new slash marks on Harry's wrists. Draco felt his heart plummet into his stomach as he stared at Harry's forearms, wondering just how many more there were hidden under the robes. He angrily brushed a hand over his eyes, hoping that no one would notice just how close to tears he was. Damn it, Harry, I love you more than life itself. Why the fuck do you have to feel you are worth so little?
Harry turned to him. "Ready, Draco?" he asked teasingly.
Oh, so it's the Golden Boy mask. Well, two can play at this game, Harry. Draco dropped a mask of indifference over his chiseled features. "As ready as I'll ever be," he drawled, becoming the Slytherin Prince for the first time since the summer.
Harry's eyes widened fractionally and he nodded approvingly. "Good, let's strengthen the links, then. Shall we?"
Draco felt a moment of panic that he squished like a bug. Harry, I've made up my mind. I am going to tell you the truth, reaction be damned. Just not yet. I can't handle it yet, or your rejection. I'm just tired of hiding. With that thought, he steeled his mind, increasing his personal shields, then cautiously linked his mind to everyone else's.
The announcer started up his spiel about the two teams. Harry slipped his translator into his ear, the rest of the team doing the same. They shot out of the locker room onto the field, ready for anything.
Harry passed his mother, Uncle Sev, and Alanna in the stands. They waved, and Harry waved back. This time, his mother didn't look like she was about to throw up, which was a blessing in and of itself.
"HEY HARRY!!!!" yelled Olivia and Gaila. "WE'VE GOT A SONG FOR YOU!!! CHING CHING CHONG, SMOKE FROM A BONG! PUT SOME POT AND SMOKE RIGHT ALONG!!! A HUFF AND A PUFF AND BLOW THE HOUSE DOWN-" they collapsed in a fit of giggles. Harry almost fell off his broom.
"When the hell did they come up with that and what are they smoking?" Draco asked incredulously. Harry shook his hand and landed on the field, Draco beside him.
Harry quickly shook hands with the other captain, Draco doing the same, and the game began. Harry and Draco quickly put aside their differences to play. They scored four goals in rapid succession, and Ginny scored the next two. They were up by one hundred and twenty points after the first ten minutes. The Roman team sucked.
Damien and Nicholai just slammed the Bludgers back and forth, playing keep- away from the other team. i Nick sent to Dami.
Emily sat in the Goals, filing her nails. James, catch the Snitch already! This is boring! I could give myself a manicure down here and it wouldn't matter!
Everyone laughed as James spotted the Snitch and lazily caught it. The other Seeker was on the other side of the field, not even paying attention. He was too busy flirting with the girls in the stands.
The Referee angrily blew his whistle. "GAME OVER, HOGWARTS WIN, 270 TO 0!!! THIS GAME SUCKED!!!!" He Apparated from the field.
"It's not like we give a shit anyway," The Rome captain remarked to Harry as they prepared to Apparate back to Hogwarts. "We didn't even want to participate anyway. Good game."
"Then why'd you even sign up for the League?" Harry asked curiously.
"We didn't. Our Headmaster is a dick and is forcing us to at least appear to play. Oh well, see ya next time around."
"Yeah, see ya around," Harry waved goodbye as they Apparated back to Hogwarts less than a half an hour from when they left. "That blew." Angrily, he stomped into the showers. "At least, in our house games, everyone at least made an effort to play. They didn't even attempt to stop the Quaffle!"
Draco stood in the locker room, wracked with indecision. Now or later? he asked himself over and over, not even noticing that Harry had long since left the shower and Apparated from the locker room, headed for wherever he had gone.
Draco slowly walked into the shower, alone, and upset. GOD DAMN INDECISION! I'm such an idiot and a coward. I can't even tell him that I care about him. I'm so scared he'll really try to die again and I won't be able to feel it happen. I can't lose him, not when he means everything to me!
Elsewhere, Harry again had his knife out, slicing open his wrists, forearms, upper arms, anywhere to draw blood and drain some of the pain and hurt he was feeling. He lolled back against the chair, feeling a rush from the loss of blood. He felt giddy as he stared, fascinated, at the scarlet ribbons dripping from his fingertips to the ground. I wish I could just float away and never come back, he thought hazily as he healed himself yet again. Then I wouldn't have to worry about anything at all. It would all be over and I could finally find peace instead of constant pain and anguish. God, I just want some peace. Why do you hate me? Why does anyone even care? I'm worthless, used goods. I can't do anything right. They're better off without me. Harry rolled over and fell into an uneasy sleep, his demons once again destroying his ability to have a decent night's rest.
A/N: So, not too bad of an ending, right? No horrible cliffie like last time yet enough to keep you all interested. Poor depressed Harry, sitting there all alone... it's so sad... Anyway, write back, or not, it's up to you. You all are probably staring at Harry wondering how the hell he's going to off himself with his parents there and all, but yeah. Suicidal people aren't too rational and he was already depressed. Take it from the expert on depression and suicidal tendencies, no one is rational at that stage and he doesn't have the one person who can balance him out and make him whole, so to speak. So, he's actually OOC, but everyone who's suicidal is pretty OOC. Enough explaining! Anyway, see ya next chapter!
B/N: Not too shabby, not too shabby at all. In fact, I rather liked it. Hehehehe, I want a mousey, ooh, so cute! Oh Mickey what a pity, you don't understand – wait, nope, take it back, completely wrong song there.... Ugh! (shudder) I need a carrot... why, I am not sure, but hey, when the cravings hit, who am I to be stubborn? To Livvie, and The Gabster: I LOVE THAT THING! Call it a chant, or a song or inspiration while under the influence of some unknown drug – I dunno, but it rocks! Whatever you're smoking, can we get some? Tata!
Chapter 20
Harry turned and caught Draco against his chest. Silver eyes locked with his as a tongue slowly traced a pathway down his chest... Harry shook his head, banishing the image. GOD DAMN IT!!!! STOP THINKING, BRAIN!!!! He ordered himself sternly. He turned and laid Draco gently down on the floor. I'm not thinking about running my hands through his hair, I'm not thinking about kissing him, I'm not- Who the fuck am I kidding?
Isis snickered softly. "Massssster, go for it. He isssss yoursssss, after all. Jusssssst do it already." She slithered off, presumably back to the Dungeons and her cage.
"No!!!!!" Harry shouted, backing away from his soul mate. "I WON'T!!!!"
Ginny stared at them, concerned. "Harry, why are you shutting him out?" she asked quietly, unable to keep the worry from her voice.
"It's complicated, Gin, and I don't want to get into it right now. NOW, onto your problem. You do realize that Adrian's the son of Satan, right? He's the most powerful demon in existence. How in HELL can he be your soul mate?" Harry asked bluntly.
Ginny gaped at him. "He's my WHAT???"
An echoed sentiment had them whipping around. Alanna stood in the doorway to the Great Hall. "He's what?" she asked again weakly, sinking to a sitting position. "No... that's not possible." She turned shell shocked eyes to them, staring at Ginny. "How- why?"
"I- I don't know, Alanna. He just feels so right to me. It's hard to explain. I-" Ginny broke off, eyes wide and frightened. Alanna stood and wrapped her arms around the shaking girl.
"Did it feel like this?" she asked Ginny, opening her mind. Ginny and Alanna stood there for almost a minute, a soft golden glow around them. On the floor, Draco slowly started waking up.
"Excuse me- OOF! Malfoys do NOT sleep on the floor! This is SO undignified!" Harry turned around, eyes on permanent spin cycle from the amount of eye rolling he was doing.
Draco was sitting up, holding his head. "Did you REALLY say she's soul mates to the Spawn of Satan?" He asked Harry weakly.
Harry nodded, sighing. "Yep."
Draco blinked and stood up, dusting himself off. "Figures. Why the hell can't one day go by that's normal?"
Harry let out a short bark of laughter. "What're you talking about? This IS normal."
Draco cocked an eyebrow. "You scare me sometimes."
Harry was about to fire a retort when Alanna and Ginny separated. Ginny swayed, and Harry darted forward, catching her before she fell. Draco was at his side in an instant, catching Alanna as their older sister stumbled and collapsed.
"Oh great," Draco snapped, scooping her up and lifting her. Beside him, Harry had Ginny cradled protectively in his arms. "What the hell happened?"
"Oh, I don't know. You did the same about two minutes ago, so shut up." Harry transfigured a bench into a couch and laid Ginny on it. Draco did the same, sputtering.
"What- What? I NEVER fainted. Malfoys NEVER FAINT!" Draco glared at him.
"Stuff it, Malfoy. We have to figure out what's going on!" Harry said, exasperated.
Alanna and Ginny chose that moment to wake up. "Ohh, I have such a headache," moaned Alanna, clutching her head.
"Stop speaking, it hurts," moaned Ginny in reply.
Gin-
"GET OUT OF MY HEAD!!!" screamed Ginny in agony, grabbing her temples.
"Our powers back lashed a bit when we joined. She's so strong mentally we couldn't handle it. Our minds are a bit fragile right now." Alanna winced and sat up. "It's amazing the sheer power she holds inside of her. She shouldn't be able to exist physically, but her magic holds her together. So, anyway, she is soul mates with Adrian. It's strange. They are both so powerful that they might burn each other out. Clautius didn't give his creations the ability to handle power very well, I'm afraid. He never wanted any of them to even attempt to become more powerful than he."
Harry raised an eyebrow. "And..." he trailed off, waving his hand for her to continue.
"Alanna thinks that if we do get together it could kill us both, but now that I know he exists, I'll go insane anyway trying to get to him. So, it's screwed both ways. Either way, you'll have two extremely insane, extremely powerful beings running amok. Lovely, isn't it?" Ginny grinned sarcastically.
Harry enveloped her in his arms. "Oh, God, Gin, I'm so sorry. Can we do anything?" He asked Alanna.
"That bonding ceremony is a good idea, actually. It might ground her enough to survive this." Alanna stood up, swaying slightly. Draco caught her elbow.
"Does the first week of winter hols work?" he asked her, steadying her.
"That should be fine. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to contact Mother about this. I need answers and I hate it when she keeps me in the dark about things." Alanna strode off, a white glow enveloping her.
Lily, James, Severus, Neville, Luna, Blaise Seamus, Emily and Eric Apparated into the Great Hall. Severus looked decidedly queasy. "I must ask Alanna and Xander about this," he muttered, sweeping past Harry, Ginny and Draco. "ALANNA!!!! XANDER!!!!!!" He walked off in the direction Alanna had gone.
Harry turned to his parents. "Mum, Dad, what's with Uncle Sev?" he asked, staring after his distracted uncle.
"He had to figure out if that bastard was telling the truth or not," Lily explained.
Ginny stomped her foot. "He isn't a bastard! Take it back!"
James's eyebrows disappeared into his hairline. "What the hell is going on? What did we miss?"
"Only that that bastard, as you so kindly put it, is my SOUL MATE!" Ginny half yelled, bursting into tears. "What am I going to tell my parents? Hi Mum, Dad, this is my soul mate, the Spawn of Satan. Oh, don't worry about it, he only roasts the really bad people," she sobbed into Harry's shoulder.
Harry rubbed her back. "If they love you, they'll understand. Besides, you're not evil, so maybe he isn't." He was treated with ten icy stares. "Ok!" he held up his hands in surrender. "Maybe he's an evil git."
Ginny sniffed. Draco glared at him and pulled Ginny into his arms. "Harry, you aren't helping."
"Fine!" Harry stomped off, fuming. Stupid Draco, God damn asshole! I'm trying! He failed to realize that everyone, Draco included, had heard him as he Apparated to the Quidditch Pitch and summoned his broom, venting his frustration in the air.
"What did I do to deserve this?" Draco asked quietly, holding back tears.
Lily and James gave each other 'the look' over everyone else's heads that spoke volumes. Love, are you thinking what I'm thinking? James asked her privately.
That our son is soul mates with one of the densest people on the planet? Not at all, James, not at all, Lily responded sarcastically. James laughed.
I'm beginning to hate Quidditch, thought Harry morosely after practice Wednesday afternoon. Madam Hooch had screamed at them for over an hour before pulling the three of them from the practice, sending them out to 'deal with their petty differences'. Of course that had been a flop. Draco still is clueless, Harry thought bitterly, and Ginny is no better. Only because you won't tell them, the little voice in his head reminded him.
Harry studiously ignored the damn voice, which was starting to remind him of Hermione. You should tell them. They do care about you, and they only want you to be happy- SHUT UP!!!! If Draco cared, he'd never have kissed that whore!!! The voice fell silent. Maybe, you're right, it admitted after a while. I can't see how, if he cared, that he would kiss and date someone else when he is supposed to be with you.
The voice agreeing with him made Harry feel even worse. Oh shut it already, would ya? I'm depressed enough as it is. You aren't helping. Angrily, he pulled his jeans and a black tee shirt on, sitting on a bench in the locker room. He Apparated to the Shrieking Shack, where he was sure he wouldn't be bothered.
Severus paced in his quarters, alone. He had just had another vision, a bad one. They were becoming even more frequent, even occurring while he was awake.
Good God, I need to get her out of there! Those demons- I- AAARGH!!! Severus wearily felt like banging his head into a wall.
That damn potion isn't coming along at all. I can't figure it out, and it has all of us stumped. Even Sal can't figure it out, although she did vaguely recall writing a potion based on mental abilities once. If I could only find SOMETHING to help me.
Severus grasped his desk as waves of dizziness flooded him. Oh no.... not again, he moaned, bracing himself for another foray into his soul mate's body. This is gonna be bad.
Draco wandered the halls, thinking. Ever since that Saturday, he had been incredibly depressed, and he knew it wasn't him that was feeling bad. Harry's unconsciously bleeding his emotions into my mind. I have to do something to help him, but what? He walked through a hallway on the fourth floor, glancing at the paintings as he passed them.
Hey, that one's weird. I wonder what it's of? Draco thought as he passed a large painting of what looked to be a large, dimly lit hallway. Intrigued, he stepped closer to study it. As if possessed, he pressed his hand against the canvas, only to stumble thought what felt like a veil and into the Hall. He felt something pressing on his mind and, after a moment's internal deliberation, he let whatever it was in. He felt a cool consciousness appraise him, allowing him access. Access to what? he wondered.
He stared around at his surroundings, shocked. Four doorways, each in a particular House color, branched from the dim, gray stone corridor. Picking a doorway at random, he walked through the door decorated Silver and green. He stopped in shock as he found himself in the living quarters of Salazar Slytherin himself. Well, figures, he thought to himself. Who else liked Silver and Green as much as he did?
He cautiously entered the living room completely, admiring the beautiful antique leather couches and mahogany tables. He sat on one of the couches and leaned back, wrapping himself in a deep emerald throw. Just like Harry's eyes, he mused, his mind wandering. He put his feet on the table, relaxing, and accidentally kicked something. He sat upright and looked at the table. There, in the center, next to his foot, was a black and silver leather bound journal, the title being POTIONS in the center of the cover.
Intrigued, Draco opened it and flipped through the pages, skimming the entries. About half way through, he stopped and reread the page he had just turned. His eyes widened comically. "That's IT!!!!! I've got it!!!! Oh, wow, Sev's gonna be astounded!!! Wait till I tell him!" He clutched the book to his chest and sprinted from the room and skidded out of the Hall and back into the school. He Apparated straight into Severus's quarters, still cradling the book as if it were worth its weight in gold.
"UNCLE SEVERUS!!!!!!" he yelled excitedly, skidding into Severus's bedroom. He stopped short, staring at his Godfather, who was collapsed against his desk, moaning and thrashing, his eyes clenched shut and tears streaming down his ashen cheeks. "Sev?" he asked, whipping around. HARRY!!!! GINNY!!!!! LILY!!!!! HELP, SEV'S IN ANOTHER VISION!!!!!! he screamed, grasping Severus's shoulder. He gasped, being pulled into the vision.
Severus lay there, panting, trying to escape from the semicircle of enormous demons standing over him. He burrowed back into the wall, desperation clouding his mind. Already he had exhausted his powers destroying over half of the demons, but it was still not enough. The closest one, an enormous club wielding tank, reached out, grabbing the manacle around his neck, and dragged him upright, his legs kicking uselessly almost a foot in the air.
Another demon, thin and sinewy, but still over twelve feet tall, reached out, pulling his hair so that his head was overextended backwards, exposing his neck in an expression of submission. Severus howled and fought his captors, to no avail, when, "SEV??" shot through his mind.
Draco, you have to get out of here! They're- OH HELL, I won't let you see this! GO! NOW! Severus gasped, barely on the brink of sanity. With the last ounce of control he had, he attempted to shove Draco from the vision, but Draco held fast.
Nope, so sorry, but I'm staying, Draco announced grimly.
Us, too. Harry, Ginny and Lily made their presence known. As one, they fed their magic through Severus's mind to Laurel's body. Laurel's body erupted in an incandescent light, sparks flying all over the room. The demons jumped back, then crept cautiously forward, staring at the female body in front of them with trepidation.
"Id uruk HELLAT?" (What the HELL?) The tankish one asked. The others shrugged.
"Grup ivish tru-olop."( Poke it and see what happens.) The sinewy one suggested. A third cautiously stuck his clawed finger out and poked Laurel's body tentatively. Nothing happened. Emboldened by that, they once again surrounded Laurel's body.
NOW! Draco screamed. As one, they shot their conjoined powers from Laurel, simultaneously healing her multiple injuries, Severus's exhaustion, and exploding all eight demons at once.
Severus could feel a consciousness slowly swimming to the surface of Laurel's mind. He embraced it, finally feeling as if he were home. Laurel, he sent tentatively. Laurel, is that you?
Who- Severus? Is that really you? came the sweetest mental voice he had ever felt. Home, was the only thought running through his mind. He could feel the others forming a mental wall, giving him privacy. Silently, he thanked them, then focused solely on his soul mate.
Yes, love, I'm here, and we're trying to get you out of here. I promise, Laurel, we are going to come after you.
You can't. He's after Alanna and I'm the bait for his trap! You have to tell her-
We know and we've taken care of it, he reassured her, trying to calm her down.
And Sirius! You have to help him too! He's the only one who had kept me sane! We can't leave him! she thought frantically.
Don't worry, Sirius Black will be rescued as well. In fact, his soul mate has been most vocal. 'Don't for get about SIRI!!!' Severus smirked mentally.
Well, Severus Snape, you better not, or you're sleeping on the couch! Laurel giggled, warming Severus's heart.
That cinches it. Sirius will be rescued. Severus grinned, feeling as if he were wrapped in a blanket of love, warmth and security.
Sev, you have to get out of here. Clautius is coming back and- She broke off as the door opened and a familiar black haired head poked in.
"Laurel?" Came Sirius's voice. He slunk into the room, sticking to the shadows. "Are you- HOLY SHIT! Did you do that?" He stared in awe at the multiple body parts, internal organs, and completely unrecognizable bits and pieces strewn around the expanse of the room.
"Actually, Black, we're all here. Harry, Draco, Lily, Ginny, Laurel and Severus." Laurel remarked dryly.
Sirius gave a whoop and rushed forward, wrapping the smaller woman in his arms. "You're awake!" He searched her eyes, a little disconcerted by the glow pulsating around her body. "You're all in there? Who am I talking to, then?"
"Whoever you want! We all can hear you just fine," remarked Severus. Sirius jumped to hear the smooth, velvety voice of the Potions Master come from Laurel's mouth.
"SIRI!!!" yelled Harry, using Laurel's arms to hug him. Laurel chuckled.
And you are... She thought in amusement. Sure, use my arms without introducing yourself first.
Oops, sorry. My name is Harry and Sirius is my Godfather and I'm just a little excited. We thought he was dead until Severus saw him that one time.
"Harry? This is incredible! When are you coming to get us out of here? It's insane! Adrian is back, screaming at his father about how he has a soul mate and she's a fucking good guy and how unfair it all is. He wants to kidnap her or something but she's behind these wards and he can't get to her."
Ginny blushed mentally, waves of embarrassment coming off of her. "Um, that would be me, Ginny. We kind of found that out earlier today."
"You poor kid, saddled with a monster like that. Did you know that he has his own personal sex slave chained to his wall just like his father?" Severus reached out and smacked him upside the head.
"You Dumbass, Black! Stop scaring her! She's only fifteen, for God's sake!" Sirius blushed and grinned sheepishly.
"I really put my foot in it, didn't I? Well, she does have to know what she's getting into. He's not Clautius's favorite child for nothing."
"And Alanna can tell her the G rated version when we get back," Severus interjected smoothly, trying to sooth his niece. Ginny couldn't be consoled and fled the connection.
Oh, Uncle Sev, I found it!!!! I found the Potion! Severus's mental head shot up, and he focused on Draco.
What did you find? he asked cautiously, not even daring to believe.
The mind potion! It's in a book I found in a really old part of the castle! It belonged to Salazar Slytherin! Draco exclaimed, almost bursting with excitement.
Severus let out an undignified whoop of joy, mentally embracing his Godson. Well, read it!!!
Draco brought himself half in and half out of the connection, enough for him to see the book in front of him. Next to him, Ginny sat there, sobbing, her heart shattered. Harry saw, through his eyes, that she was crying and broke the connection. Draco watched as Harry picked Ginny up and Apparated from the room. Draco turned back to the Potions book, reading the ingredients. Ok, let's see. Start with a cauldron of water drawn from a clear running spring, free of any impurities...
Harry and Ginny appeared in the Chamber of Secrets, Harry cradling Ginny to his chest possessively. He carried her to a couch and gingerly sat down, letting her cry herself out. It's all right, sis. I promise, no matter what, you'll have me. I promise. Ginny sniffed, burying her face into his shoulder. They sat like that for almost half an hour, the silence only broken by the occasional strangled sob.
After Ginny had finally cried herself into silence, Harry just sat there, holding her. "Gin, I swear it'll be all right."
"But how? He's evil, completely evil! I can't live with that! All he's going to do is hurt me!" Ginny exclaimed, turning to look Harry square in the eye.
"I don't think so, Gin. I don't think he CAN hurt you. Soul mates can't really hurt each other. It's like hurting yourself, only worse." Harry sat back, thinking over what he had just said. That is such bull, and you know, it Potter. Draco thinks nothing of hurting you, he reminded himself sternly.
"Harry, what is going on between you and Draco? I love you both so much, I can't stand to see you unhappy. Please tell me!" Ginny turned impossibly huge eyes up at him, an angelic pleading expression on her face.
Harry laughed, rolling his eyes. "All right, I'll tell you. You remember the party?" Ginny nodded solemnly. "Well, we did some stuff and we both were under the influence of mind altering substances, and the next morning I remembered everything."
"Are you all right? Are you traumatized? I KNEW it was a bad idea for you to get so stoned!" Ginny exclaimed, throwing her arms around his neck.
Harry gently untangled her arms. "No, Gin, that's not it at all. I was FINE with what happened. In fact, I wouldn't have minded a repeat performance when we both were sober...like that'll happen any time soon," he muttered.
Ginny gasped. "You mean-"
Harry nodded. "I felt perfectly safe and I didn't have any flashbacks at all. Look, I love Draco, I really do, and I did trust him not to hurt me. I spent the whole day after the party thinking about what to do and how to tell him that I was all right with the furthering of our relationship, because he locked me out of his mind for some reason. I found out why when I went to find him. He was KISSING a Ravenclaw. Gin, he didn't feel anything and he even told me it meant nothing. I just can't stand to feel his mind, knowing I want more but unable to have it." Harry sat back, a huge weight off his chest.
Ginny was glaring, her face a storm cloud. "So that's why he's been sneaking out at night. The bastard! I'm gonna hit him so hard..." She stood up.
Harry caught her arm. "Gin, please, don't. I'm not going to force it. If he feels something, great. If not, as he has stated, then I don't want to force him to try to feel something that's not there. That would hurt worse."
Ginny sat back down, tears trickling down her face. "And I thought I had it bad. Harry, how could your soul mate hurt you? You just said it hurts you just as badly."
"It does, Gin. It hurts so bad I almost can't stand it. He's right there and I can only watch. This sucks!" Harry slammed his hand onto the armrest angrily.
"Well, what are we going to do about it?" Gin asked.
"There's nothing to do, Gin. He doesn't see me that way. Maybe he never will. All I know is that no straight guy describes their first kiss as 'wet', and I've never been as attracted to someone as I am to him. All I can do is wait and hope." Harry sighed. I hate my life.
Monday, in Spellwriting, Draco ignored Harry completely, choosing instead of doing any work to sit there, lost in thought. Big surprise there, Harry thought sarcastically, as he perfected his shield against the Unforgivables, Avada Kedavra in particular.
He picked up his research and walked over to their teacher, Professor Sinistera. "Professor, I think I have it, but it needs a Potion in order to work."
Sinistera looked over his research approvingly. "Excellent work, Mr. Potter. I expect you to devise a suitable potion in order to make this work. Perhaps Professor Snape would help you with that." Harry nodded and walked back to his seat, already devising another project. Maybe I can find a spell that'll remove the Dark Mark while I'm at it. I'll ask Alanna what she felt when she removed Uncle Sev's. She can help me. He sat down, already lost in his thoughts.
He never noticed Draco slide his research over and read through it, eyes widening as he went point by point down the page. Oh my God, Harry. You're a genius! Draco thought enviously as he stared at the different incantations Harry had tried and combined to create the strongest shield he'd ever seen, in theory. But to have the power to hold it- oh wait, he's got a space where a POTION is needed. Brilliant! I never would have thought of Basilisk's blood!
Harry abruptly stood. "Professor, can I be excused early? I'd like to get started on the potion as soon as possible."
"Of course."
Draco hastily dropped the notes and went back to staring at the wall, an oblivious expression on his face. Harry gathered his notes distractedly and walked out.
Harry walked out of the classroom and Apparated straight to the Dungeons, right outside the classroom. He checked the time. Oh great. I have an hour before Sev's done with his class. Oh well, I don't think he'd mind if I sat in the back. Harry poked his head into the classroom.
Severus was teaching a group of unruly fourth years. "Mr. Patil, that is not the way to mix a Potion! Honestly, boy," he grabbed the boy's wrist, reversing his mixing direction. "Clockwise, not counterclockwise, unless you wish to brew a deadly poison!"
Harry smirked. "Um, Professor?" He asked politely.
Severus looked up. "Yes, Mr. Potter? I am extremely busy here," he snapped irritably.
Harry recoiled slightly, visibly stung. "I was going to ask if I could simply sit in the back and do some research for a potion I have to come up with."
Severus waved a hand impatiently. "You cannot use the library?"
"I could, but the library doesn't have the resources I need, such as some books you have."
"Use my quarters then. Don't bother me here. MR. PATIL I SAID CLOCKWISE!!!!!!" he bellowed, causing the young man to jump, splashing a little of the potion on his robes. A yellowish smoke billowed from his robes as the potion, a corrosive, ate a large hole in his sleeve.
Harry quickly stripped him, banishing the robe and conjuring another. "Un- Professor, I got it. I'll help him and get him to the Hospital wing."
Severus looked up from the rapidly melting cauldron. "A little help here!" Harry shooed the frightened and fascinated students to the other side of the classroom, then turned back.
"Banish it?" he suggested, coming up behind his uncle.
"You do realize this is your fault, don't you? If I hadn't had to divert my attention like that I could have prevented this," Severus snapped.
Harry scowled, stung. "Well excuse me for living. What bee crawled up you ass?" he asked in an undertone.
"You do realize I'm about to dock your house two hundred points for that remark," Severus wiped a hand across his brow.
"If it makes you feel better, go right ahead. Seriously, what's wrong?"
"Nothing." Harry seriously doubted that, but kept quiet. They banished the cauldron, carefully banishing every trace of the corrosive. "Aw, and I would have liked a sample of that," Harry complained good naturedly.
Severus snorted. "Why?"
"Would have been interesting to play with. Might I ask what potion it was supposed to be?"
Severus shook his head. "Calming draught."
"How the hell did he get that?" Harry wondered out loud, walking back over to Mr. Patil. The young Hufflepuff stared at him fearfully.
"Hey, what did you do to get that really cool corrosive?" Harry asked conversationally.
"I DIDN'T MEAN TO!!!!" the fourth year wailed, rubbing his eyes with a slightly burned hand. Harry picked up his hand, studying it. With a sigh, he Apparated the both of them to the Hospital Wing. After informing Poppy about what had happened, he Apparated back to see class back in full swing.
"So I can use your library, then Professor?" Harry asked, catching Severus's eye. Severus nodded distractedly.
Whatever. Harry Apparated straight to Severus's quarters, missing the confused expression on Severus's face.
Draco walked into Experimental Potions class and found his Godfather but no Harry. "Uncle Sev, where's Harry?" Draco asked casually.
Severus looked up from the cauldron he was stirring. "In my quarters doing research. Considering the way you two have been treating each other, why do you care?"
Draco sharply drew in a breath, trying to control the surge of anger he felt. "I care because, no matter what, I care about him. So, what's he doing there?"
"He said something about research like I said. Why?" Severus studied his Godson.
"Oh, no reason. Just that he's found a shield that works against the killing curse, that's all." Draco thoroughly enjoyed the shocked look on Severus's face.
"What?" Severus asked, his mouth hanging open. Draco smirked. "The incantation is Protecte de Vitae and requires a strengthening potion so the person's magic is stronger than the curse. I read his notes. What are you doing?" Draco asked, wrinkling his nose at the cauldron.
"It's the potion you found. I'm making it. I know it doesn't look like much, but according to the notes and Sal, it looks correct." Severus motioned to the dark green sludge in the cauldron.
Draco raised his eyebrows. "If you say so."
"So, are you going to help me or not?" Severus asked impatiently. Draco sighed and rolled up the sleeves of his robes.
"Sure, why not?" Within seconds, they were working in unison, dicing and slicing the different ingredients.
Harry curled up on the leather couch, engrossed in an ancient tome, occasionally taking down notes. He scribbled in his notebook, writing suggestions, thoughts and comments about what to use in the potion. Hmmm, unicorn hair for health, Dragon scales for their shielding properties, plus the Basilisk blood to increase strength, all in a spring water base with a couple of different ingredients to pull it all together. Let's see, how will all this react? Well, no time like the present. Harry stood up, tome in hand and notes in the other and Apparated straight to the Potions classroom.
Severus looked up from the potion, taking in Harry's distracted air. Harry set up quickly, hell bent on testing his theories. He summoned the ingredients, ignoring Severus's incredulous look. I do hope Potter knows what he's doing. Those are incredibly rare and expensive ingredients.
Harry set four cauldrons up, each simmering a different amount of ingredients. He quickly mixed the potions, taking notes on their color, viscosity, and temperature.
An hour later, he was ready to test them. The first potion, a thick, purple gel, was force fed to a conjured mouse. Harry watched as it promptly grew four feet in length, grew muscles worthy of Mr. Universe, and its front incisors sharpened into lethal fangs. "Uncle Sev, HELP!!!!!!!" Harry hollered as the giant killer mouse chased him around the room. He crawled on a desk, staring at his creation in horror and abject fascination. Right, put this in the 'only play with when suicidal' category'. Sheesh.
Severus stared at the enormous mouse, completely enthralled. "Harry, what did you mix?" he asked, watching as the mouse promptly chewed through a stone table leg trying to get to his nephew.
"My notebook is on the other table. PLEASE GET IT AWAY FROM ME!!!!!" he yelled again as the mouse chewed through the other table leg. Too late. Harry slid down the incline, straight into the Doberman sized mouse. Ulp! he thought as the mouse promptly pounced on him and ....
Nuzzled his chest???? Harry stared at the killer- yet extremely cuddly mouse that was trying to burrow through his clothes. Draco watched, slightly jealous, from his corner.
That should be me over there... he thought to himself, not noticing Ginny's raised eyebrow as she overheard the stray thought, filing away the information for later use.
Severus stared at the potions Harry had prepared. "All right, this one is physical strength," he noted, bottling the purple gel. "That could come in handy, especially if we want physical intimidation. How about the others?" he asked, all business until he saw his nephew, on the floor, being snuggled to death by the enormous mouse. "Um, Harry?" he asked in confusion.
"I haven't tested any others. Why?" Severus quickly conjured three more mice, gesturing for Harry to continue.
"Fine!" Harry huffed, picking out the mouse with a grunt. Draco doubled over, laughing silently as his soul mate lugged the animal across the classroom and set him on the table next to the other experiments. He quickly grabbed an eyedropper and filled it with the next potion, pale green liquid. He fed it to the second mouse, which just twitched its nose and blinked. Harry wondered what that potion did when the overwhelming desire to find chips and seeds and all things crunchy overpowered him. He Apparated to the kitchens, and begged Dobby for some crackers and chips and anything to ease the cravings. He Apparated back, and the entire class spent the next five minutes eating and munching, trying to figure out what was going on.
"It's a mental powers increasing potion. It makes your telepathy powers greater," Severus figured out after it wore off. He quickly bottled some, staring at it speculatively. "I wonder how much more powerful it would be if it were allowed to simmer for about twelve hours?"
Harry shrugged. "Why don't you try it? It's still on the fire, so let some simmer." Severus levitated the entire cauldron into his back office.
Harry grabbed the third potion and fed some to the third mouse. It immediately turned to stone. Harry stared at the mouse in consternation. "What the hell??" he asked stupidly.
Severus stared at the potion. "That could be useful," he mused, conjuring another mouse. "Just to be sure," he put an eyedropper full onto the back of the newly conjured mouse. It fell over with a crash, petrified. "Interesting. Ingestion has the same effects as the direct stare of the Basilisk, while the skin contact has the same effect as an indirect stare." He bottled some of that, grinning.
Harry just stared at the poor mice in consternation. Draco walked over to the table, studying the mice. "What's the fourth one?" he asked casually, staring at the enormous mouse. The mouse bared its fangs and licked its lips hungrily. Draco stepped back, apprehensive. "Harry, call off your mouse," he said worriedly.
Lily stared at him, smirking. "Do you even realize how stupid that sounds?" she asked, laughing. Emily and Eric were doubled over, giggling hysterically.
Harry glared at them and scratched the enormous mouse on the head, behind its ears. It squeaked happily, stretching. "It's all right, Angel. He's isn't going to hurt you. Relax."
"Angel?" Draco asked.
Harry smirked. "Why? Do you have a better name?"
"How about Killer?" Harry laughed as he administered the last potion to the last mouse. A silvery glow surrounded the tiny animal.
Harry stepped forward excitedly. "That's it! Protecte de Vitae!" the silver glow intensified, finally solidifying into an opaque barrier. "Now for the final test." Harry looked around sheepishly.
"I really shouldn't do this in a classroom. Everyone stand back. I have no idea how this'll react." Everyone backed up. Severus carried the potion he was working on, the telepathic bonding potion, into his back office, where it had to sit and stew for one week. After that, it had to sit in an air tight container for another week before it could be used.
"What are you going to do?" Severus asked.
Harry stared at him. "Test it, of course." He turned to the mouse and braced himself, pointing a finger. "Avada Kedavra," he whispered, wincing. A sickly green light shot out of his finger, taking a part of him with it. It sped towards the silver shield. Harry held his breath, waiting. Everyone mimicked him, watching anxiously. The green light hit the shield and disappeared. Harry waited a second and removed the shield, hoping.
He cheered as the mouse cautiously crawled around the table, sniffing for food. Harry fed it a cracker and bottled the potion. "Perfect," he grinned.
Harry sat in the Shrieking Shack, his trusty pocket knife in his left hand. Hello, old friend. It's been a while, he thought almost fondly as he stared at the shiny silver blade. Wincing slightly, he drew the blade down his right wrist, feeling the sting as his blood began to flow freely. Oh, I've missed this, he thought happily, feeling some of the weight of the past two weeks lifted from his shoulders. Why'd I ever stop?
Grinning, finally happy, he drew the blade down his left wrist, slashing across several times as well. He watched the blood flow, dripping down his fingers. He was unable to tear his eyes away from the red streams flowing down his arms. At long last, after almost ten minutes, he finally healed himself. He stood up, dizzy from the loss of blood, and Apparated back to the Slytherin Dorms.
Draco noticed him Apparating into the room. "Where were you?" he asked unable to keep the fear from his voice.
"What's it matter to you?" Harry asked dizzily, tumbling into bed. "It's not like I matter to you anyway." He immediately fell asleep.
Draco lay awake almost the whole night, debating about what to do.
Harry and the rest of the Quidditch team assembled on the Quidditch Pitch, ready to Apparate to Magica Universidad de Roma. Madam Hooch joined them, anxious to be off. "Ready everyone?" she asked. Harry and the others nodded. Harry, Nicholai, Damien, Ginny and Draco tied their magic together, creating an Apparation field. With Madam Hooch to guide where they were going, they Apparated to the school in Rome.
Harry looked around, intrigued by the similarities between all the schools. It would really be cool to go to school in Italy or China. That would be really sweet.
But if you went to school somewhere else, then what would happen to me? Ginny asked half jokingly.
Harry wrapped his arm around her. Don't worry, Gin. I'm not going anywhere. And if I did, you fit in most overhead compartments, so I'd take you with me!
Draco listened in on their conversation trying to equate the seemingly happy boy in front of him with the angry, depressed feelings radiating off of him, especially at night, especially the nights he came in really late.
They arrived at the locker rooms and sat on the benches. Harry stood in the center of the room. "Ok, team, ready for this game?" he asked quietly. A resounding chorus of "HELL YES!" had him grinning.
He pushed a hand through his hair distractedly, and Draco saw something he had never wanted to see again for as long as he lived: new slash marks on Harry's wrists. Draco felt his heart plummet into his stomach as he stared at Harry's forearms, wondering just how many more there were hidden under the robes. He angrily brushed a hand over his eyes, hoping that no one would notice just how close to tears he was. Damn it, Harry, I love you more than life itself. Why the fuck do you have to feel you are worth so little?
Harry turned to him. "Ready, Draco?" he asked teasingly.
Oh, so it's the Golden Boy mask. Well, two can play at this game, Harry. Draco dropped a mask of indifference over his chiseled features. "As ready as I'll ever be," he drawled, becoming the Slytherin Prince for the first time since the summer.
Harry's eyes widened fractionally and he nodded approvingly. "Good, let's strengthen the links, then. Shall we?"
Draco felt a moment of panic that he squished like a bug. Harry, I've made up my mind. I am going to tell you the truth, reaction be damned. Just not yet. I can't handle it yet, or your rejection. I'm just tired of hiding. With that thought, he steeled his mind, increasing his personal shields, then cautiously linked his mind to everyone else's.
The announcer started up his spiel about the two teams. Harry slipped his translator into his ear, the rest of the team doing the same. They shot out of the locker room onto the field, ready for anything.
Harry passed his mother, Uncle Sev, and Alanna in the stands. They waved, and Harry waved back. This time, his mother didn't look like she was about to throw up, which was a blessing in and of itself.
"HEY HARRY!!!!" yelled Olivia and Gaila. "WE'VE GOT A SONG FOR YOU!!! CHING CHING CHONG, SMOKE FROM A BONG! PUT SOME POT AND SMOKE RIGHT ALONG!!! A HUFF AND A PUFF AND BLOW THE HOUSE DOWN-" they collapsed in a fit of giggles. Harry almost fell off his broom.
"When the hell did they come up with that and what are they smoking?" Draco asked incredulously. Harry shook his hand and landed on the field, Draco beside him.
Harry quickly shook hands with the other captain, Draco doing the same, and the game began. Harry and Draco quickly put aside their differences to play. They scored four goals in rapid succession, and Ginny scored the next two. They were up by one hundred and twenty points after the first ten minutes. The Roman team sucked.
Damien and Nicholai just slammed the Bludgers back and forth, playing keep- away from the other team. i Nick sent to Dami.
Emily sat in the Goals, filing her nails. James, catch the Snitch already! This is boring! I could give myself a manicure down here and it wouldn't matter!
Everyone laughed as James spotted the Snitch and lazily caught it. The other Seeker was on the other side of the field, not even paying attention. He was too busy flirting with the girls in the stands.
The Referee angrily blew his whistle. "GAME OVER, HOGWARTS WIN, 270 TO 0!!! THIS GAME SUCKED!!!!" He Apparated from the field.
"It's not like we give a shit anyway," The Rome captain remarked to Harry as they prepared to Apparate back to Hogwarts. "We didn't even want to participate anyway. Good game."
"Then why'd you even sign up for the League?" Harry asked curiously.
"We didn't. Our Headmaster is a dick and is forcing us to at least appear to play. Oh well, see ya next time around."
"Yeah, see ya around," Harry waved goodbye as they Apparated back to Hogwarts less than a half an hour from when they left. "That blew." Angrily, he stomped into the showers. "At least, in our house games, everyone at least made an effort to play. They didn't even attempt to stop the Quaffle!"
Draco stood in the locker room, wracked with indecision. Now or later? he asked himself over and over, not even noticing that Harry had long since left the shower and Apparated from the locker room, headed for wherever he had gone.
Draco slowly walked into the shower, alone, and upset. GOD DAMN INDECISION! I'm such an idiot and a coward. I can't even tell him that I care about him. I'm so scared he'll really try to die again and I won't be able to feel it happen. I can't lose him, not when he means everything to me!
Elsewhere, Harry again had his knife out, slicing open his wrists, forearms, upper arms, anywhere to draw blood and drain some of the pain and hurt he was feeling. He lolled back against the chair, feeling a rush from the loss of blood. He felt giddy as he stared, fascinated, at the scarlet ribbons dripping from his fingertips to the ground. I wish I could just float away and never come back, he thought hazily as he healed himself yet again. Then I wouldn't have to worry about anything at all. It would all be over and I could finally find peace instead of constant pain and anguish. God, I just want some peace. Why do you hate me? Why does anyone even care? I'm worthless, used goods. I can't do anything right. They're better off without me. Harry rolled over and fell into an uneasy sleep, his demons once again destroying his ability to have a decent night's rest.
A/N: So, not too bad of an ending, right? No horrible cliffie like last time yet enough to keep you all interested. Poor depressed Harry, sitting there all alone... it's so sad... Anyway, write back, or not, it's up to you. You all are probably staring at Harry wondering how the hell he's going to off himself with his parents there and all, but yeah. Suicidal people aren't too rational and he was already depressed. Take it from the expert on depression and suicidal tendencies, no one is rational at that stage and he doesn't have the one person who can balance him out and make him whole, so to speak. So, he's actually OOC, but everyone who's suicidal is pretty OOC. Enough explaining! Anyway, see ya next chapter!
B/N: Not too shabby, not too shabby at all. In fact, I rather liked it. Hehehehe, I want a mousey, ooh, so cute! Oh Mickey what a pity, you don't understand – wait, nope, take it back, completely wrong song there.... Ugh! (shudder) I need a carrot... why, I am not sure, but hey, when the cravings hit, who am I to be stubborn? To Livvie, and The Gabster: I LOVE THAT THING! Call it a chant, or a song or inspiration while under the influence of some unknown drug – I dunno, but it rocks! Whatever you're smoking, can we get some? Tata!