Suicide Solution.

Notes: this is a Severitus Challenge, go to www.geocities.com\challengefics\thechallenge.htm To find out the 'rules' for a Severitus Challenge piece.

Disclaimer: I do not own anything that is recognisably harry potter-ish, and the Severitus challenge-ness belongs to the writer Severitus, userid=123967

Summary: A Severitus challenge, [Snape is Harry's father] Story begins at 11.59pm on July 30th. It's the summer before Harry's 6th year, and Harry's changing . . .

Chapter 4

Harry entered Gringotts and was taken on the twisting, winding, rattling cart ride down to his vault. It now had more than ten times what it originally had when Harry first visited it, just because he had inherited the entire Black family fortune after his godfather's early death the previous June. Now because it was entwined with the Potter fortune he already owned, Harry was now financially on par with the Malfoy and Lestrange families.

Harry collected 40 galleons and 10 sickles out of his vault and took to jumpy cart ride back up to the surface, and out onto the cobbled street. He looked at his watch, '09.30'; he was to meet Ron and Hermione at 11am outside Florean Fortescue's ice cream parlour. So he had an hour and a half to himself to look around and he knew exactly where he wanted to go; Knockturn Alley.

Having been there once in his second year, he was eager to go again. No longer a scared 12-year-old child, he was now an almost fully-grown 16-year- old man, who had duelled and survived the wrath of Voldemort four times; something not even his parents could do.

He walked the length of Diagon Alley and stepped out of the sunlight lit street into the dark, dank and dingy alleyway that was Knockturn. He was dressed in long black robes covered with a long black cloak - with the hood pulled up over his head, which shielded his face in darkness, so that no one could see his features or more importantly his scar.

He may have survived Voldemort, but he was not prepared to do battle with those Death Eater's who not only had escaped imprisonment of Azkaban but have also kept their names clear.

He spotted Borign and Bukes and entered it for the second time in his life. Walking slowly, he made his way around the edge of the shop, looking at the displays and thinking about how amusing it would be to use against some of his enemies; Draco Malfoy or Snape for example.

One thing in particular caught his eye: the Hand of Death. Much like the Hand of Glory, it obeys the owner. But in the case of the Hand of Death it strangles anyone the owner tells it to, unless given a weapon - where it uses that to kill them, until the owner tells it to stop or the victim dies. Harry smirked; yes he would defiantly like to use it against Malfoy. He slowly ran his forefinger over the withered palm of the hand before wrapping his fingers around the wrist and picking it up.

"What are you doing child?" said a slippery voice from behind him.

Turning around slowly Harry replied, "I intend to buy this, how much is it?"

"That is a very expensive item child."

"How much?" Harry replied firmly, impersonating Hermione

The shopkeeper seemed to be taken back by Harry's vicious tone and adopted the same tone Harry had heard him use when he was talking to Lucius Malfoy 4 years ago.

"12 galleons sir. Come." He turned and headed off to the counter, Harry followed, bemused at the turn of events that were occurring. He would have to impersonate Hermione more often.

"Do you have any interesting books here, or is all you sell the stuff that is only slightly better than riff raff?"

The keeper looked insulted that someone dared to call his trinkets 'riff raff' but he remembered the tone that he had used earlier and asked

"What is your name sir?"

Luckily for Harry, he had thought that someone may ask for a name and had spent the Gringotts cart ride thinking up one. He had decided upon

"Guerra, Tanathos Guerra."

He had read about the Greek god of death 'Tanathos' in a book he had borrowed from Hermione about ancient history the year before, and he knew that 'Guerra' meant war, though he couldn't remember in what language though. He found it suitable that his second name would mean 'death' seeing as that was what his life would include, and his surname 'war' seeing as he would be a main part in the upcoming war between light and dark.

"Good day to you sir, you will find the books sections on the far side, over there." He pointed to a ceiling high books shelf that covered most of the far wall. Harry nodded and wandered over to the shelf and began examining the titles. He had began to read the opening paragraph in 'Forbidden Dark curses' when he heard the door open, he looked up curious to see who it was, and smirked as he recognised the platinum blonde hair that belonged to Draco Malfoy.

Harry watched Malfoy talk quietly to the keeper and then slowly closed the book as he saw that Malfoy was making a direct route to where he stood.

"Borign tells me your name is Guerra, I thought your family name died out years ago."

'Shite!' Screamed Harry's mind as he did some quick thinking. "My ancestors moved into hiding, they found the world changing into something they didn't like - a world full of idiotic muggles and squibs." He looked at Malfoy's face to see a reaction, 'I hope he buys that' he thought to himself. Luckily Malfoy did.

"What are you reading?"

Harry handed him the thick black book and Malfoy's crystal eyes roved over the thin silver lettering, he gave a small nod of approval before handing the book back.

"I have purchases of my own to make. Good day Guerra."

"Good Day Malfoy."

Malfoy turned and walked over to a different section of the store and Harry, glancing at his watch, swiftly walked over to the counter again. When he reached it Borign said to him

"Guerra eh? Don't that mean war?"

"Mister Borign, I advise you to not butt into other peoples personal lives and just do your job. How much?"

"10 galleons sir, I apologise for prying."

Harry paid for the book and put it into the bag along with the Hand of Death.

"Good day Mister Borign"

"Good day Mister Guerra."

Leaving the shop Harry then headed into the shop immediately opposite 'Borign and Bukes', a small shop called 'Jugson's inexplicable blades'. Walking through the door Harry was thinking to himself 'Jugson . . . Jugson . . . I know that name. Jugson, where have I heard it before? Jugson . . . Jugson.'

He didn't remember where he had heard the name 'Jugson' until he was back in Diagon Alley, hood thrown back, Hand of Death, a small 8 inch dragon dagger, and curses book hidden back in his room and a coconut and rum double scoop ice cream in his hand whilst sitting outside Florean Fortescue's parlour with the days copy of the 'daily prophet' in front of him.

     STILL MISSING NOW 16 ESCAPED DEATH EATERS

      Report by Callidora Patil

             It's been 7 months since the immense Azkaban break out, where 10 of He-who- must-not-be-named followers (called death eaters) escaped, recently it                was discovered that they didn't have help from ex-convict, and erroneously accused murderer, Sirius black, (for the report on how we know this turn to
page 6)

Now missing are: Lucius Malfoy; Rodolphus Lestrange; Walden Macnair; Tobias Nott; Vivienne Crabbe; Antonin Dolohov; Algernan Rookwood; Philip Jugson .
. .

'There!' Harry stared at the front page of the daily prophet, his eyes roaming over the list of escaped death eaters. 'Philip Jugson. A death eater owns a shop. A shop in Knockturn alley no less. But still a shop.' He sniggered at the thought.

"What's so funny mate?"

Harry turned around to see his two best friends, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, holding hands. His grin faded slightly as he noticed that the latter of the two was looking pissed. Very pissed.

"Er . . . Hermione whats up? You look mad at something."

Hermione walked towards, stopping just a few feet away and said in a voice that was shaking with barely controlled rage

"You idiot! You didn't tell Remus you were gonna be here! Him and the others have been going frantic with worry! I can't believe you didn't write and tell them!"

Harry's grin completely faded, Hermione was right he had forgotten to tell them, "Where's Remus now?"

"Right here Harry." Came Remus' gruff voice from behind them. Harry turned to face him

"I'm sorry Remus, I totally forgot." Lupin smiled at his best friends son at the use of his first name. Ever since the death of Sirius, Harry had been calling Lupin, Remus or Moony.

"Well at least you're safe, that's all that matters. Oh I have some good news for you three."

All three of them joined Harry at the table and ordered ice creams.

"Oh?" prompted Hermione.

Remus smiled at her, "Yes, Albus has got a new DADA teacher for you."

"Who is it?" Harry asked, but was cut across by Ron, who had folded his arms over his chest and said

"It better not be another cow like Umbridge! 'Cause if it is I'm not going back!"

Harry laughed at his friend whilst Hermione asked again "Who is it?"

"Yeah come on Remus who is it?" inquired Ron eagerly.

Remus looked at Ron and replied, "You three will have to stop calling me Remus from September, and you'll have to go back to professor."

It took a while for this information to sink in then Hermione squealed and hugged Remus tightly, who blushed; Ron was punching the air and saying 'yes!' with every punch, whilst Harry was smiling at Remus happily and laughing slightly at his discomfort.

"It'll be good to have you back Remus."

"I'll bet! Hey I wish I could have seen Snape's reaction to find out you were coming back!"

Harry's face suddenly darkened at Ron's words and he hissed venomously "Don't you ever mention that bastard's name in front of me again."

Ron, Hermione and Remus stopped smiling and Remus said happily trying to lighten the mood "Come on let's go get your school supplies, then we can go have dinner and travel back to Grimmauld place. Okay"

"I'm not going back there yet. I can't it's too soon to stay there. Maybe Christmas or Easter, but I can't stay there now."

Remus put a hand on Harry's shoulder and said quietly "I know it's hard, but we have to continue normally."

"What continue as if he never died! Continue as if he never even existed? NO!"

"Harry that's not what I meant. Trust me, this is just as hard for me as it is for you, he was my best friend since I was eleven, and it's been so hard especially since James died and he was locked away and then with the betrayal of peter. It's just been so hard, so please come back tonight, just tonight. For me, please, to help me. It will help me as well as you. Please."

Harry looked at Remus, the pain from the departure of his three best friends was clear on his aged face and Harry immediately felt sorry for not realising the pain that Remus must have gone through the past 16 years.

"I'm sorry Remus. I will come back with you tonight, but only to do one thing."

"Whats that harry?" came Ron's voice

"To kill Kretcher."

"Oh harry! You cant, he's ill, he doesn't know what he's doing at all!" Hermione said shocked. Harry's anger flared up at once.

"Cant' I? He tricked me into believing that Sirius was at the ministry! He told Bellatrix what I saw at Christmas! He laughed when he found out that Sirius had died! And you have the gall to stand there all-innocent and tell me that I can't hurt him for what he's done! Can't kill him for the death of Sirius! Can't do anything because he's 'not all there'? Well you listen to me Hermione, he is all there, and he knows exactly what he's doing, knows exactly what he means and says! So he is going to die a very slow and very painful death, and if anyone tries to stop me I'll turn the hand onto them!"

Ron and Hermione were silent; they had never seen Harry this mad before. Remus had, and Remus knew he was serious; Harry had the same look in his eyes now as he did when he saw that Bellatrix had killed his godfather. This anger in Harry scared Remus; he knew that once he was this mad he would not change his mind. It was this anger that had caused Harry to use an unforgivable against another human. It was this anger that had given him inhuman strength and power, to first break away from Remus, who because of the werewolf was incredibly strong and secondly to command the mysteries section of the ministry to obey his command. You had to be exceedingly powerful to do that. Only Dumbledore and Voldemort had been able to do that in the past. He sighed Harry scared him, and he had to tell someone his worries or Harry could easily go dark and become more powerful and ruthless than Voldemort himself. Remus knew he had to tell someone - 'but who? Not Dumbledore, he wouldn't help the situation, no I will have to tell Severus, he would be able to help Harry - the only problem is that Harry hates Severus, and Severus hates Harry. Obviously Severus doesn't know' Remus' mind was trying to find an answer. He sighed; it was like trying to decipher a really hard riddle.

"Come on lets go get your stuff." Remus repeated.

The other three nodded and all four set off to collect their Hogwarts things for the next year.

~S~