Yes, I know my replies to reviews are horribly overdue! So replies and then new chapter! Yay!
xikum: Yup, Severus is being one massive jerk. I see it as that he can't exactly try properly because he's so blinded by his hate of James Potter, which he transferred to Harry. He more than likely had some issues with James that never got resolved and so he's taking it out on Harry. And Harry's self- control…well, they learn their lessons eventually. . Yes, poor Lucius…three weeks…I don't think I'd survive. Will Narcissa leave in a huff? That is for a future chapter.
Bookworm: Two in one go, I know. Harry's becoming disillusioned about certain things and taking measure to do something about it as best he can; a person can only sulk for so long. And Lucius does have a rather large problem on his hands at the moment but he always finds someway to have things go his way, doesn't he?
Prongs: Thank you! I'm really working on it.
Lusikithanatos: lol Glad you're happy. Here's another chapter. I'll do my best to get 8 up as soon as I come back from my camping trip. whispers 8 has smut!
Strawberry Pavlova: Glad you liked the chapters. Lucius and Harry meet up in the next chapter.
Shinigami Liliz Black: Glad you got a laugh. Yup Lucius has to deal with that. Things always get worse before they get any better. Call me pessimistic but that's the way it usually is.
Signeus: Yup, I will most certainly keep on writing. Glad you enjoyed it. Mmm, cherries….I should go eat some lunch…that got me hungry.
Chapter Seven
Harry was reading over the book Lupin had sent him for the fourth time. So far it had been pretty interesting and he finally felt ready to give this meditation stuff a shot. Merlin knew he needed anything to calm himself down after the explosive teas he had voluntarily suffered with Snape. A part of him had denounced the words, 'I really have to do this' each and every time he had invited Snape up for tea. What had left him rather puzzled was the Snape came up each and every time. They'd spend a minute or two in silence, one of them would say something, and then would come the five minute argument and it would be over for the day. But the way Harry saw it this was certainly better than suffering whatever it was Dumbledore had up his sleeve for them.
"You and Eastern Meditation: What You Need to Know," he looked over the cover with its simple text. "I wonder why Lupin would have a book like this."
He placed the book on the coffee table and pushed the piece of furniture out of the way. The book had said that finding a quiet, comfortable spot was best when doing something like this for the first time. Check one thing off the list. Harry grabbed a few pillows from the couch and arranged them on the floor before he sat on them. The book had stressed being comfortable and the floor was far from comfortable without some cushioning. Check off a second thing from the list. Once he had settled himself, he rested his hands on his knees while straightening his back, closing his eyes and taking deep calming breaths. Now for the last thing on the list; focusing on something calming.
Harry paused for a second and opened his eyes again. Just what could he possibly think about that was calming? Everything had him stressed out in some manner. The teas with Snape, the extra training he now had to worry about with Lupin and Moody. Not to mention dealing with Bucephalus some days, or the somewhat snide mirror in his bathroom or Hermione increasingly peculiar behaviour. That girl was always running off somewhere, doing something, and she didn't see fit to even tell him or Ron what it was. Harry closed his eyes; the point of this was to calm himself down and relax a bit, not make it worse. Something calming, something calming….
After a few moments he smiled and closed his eyes once more. His breaths gradually became deeper and slower and all the things that were buzzing around in his mind started dropping away one by one until he was left with a single memory.
It had been one of those lazy Sunday afternoons and he and Lucius had been lounging in their room. Lucius was looking over the bright shiny blue book, brows furrowed slightly with a critical look while Harry had his head resting on one of Lucius' legs and he was reading through the gold one. He'd paused while turning the page and looked up at Lucius, forgetting about the book for the moment. The way the sunlight filtered in and came to rest on the bed, it made Lucius look rather…angelic. His hair seemed to glow and as he shifted it was like watching ripples of molten white-gold. He could still remember the feel of it beneath his hands; it was like silk. Lucius had looked down at him at that moment, arching an eyebrow and said, 'See something you like?' Harry had chuckled softly at that and given Lucius a smirk. Lucius' dry wit was another appealing aspect; of course there were the times when Lucius didn't seem to realize he had said something amusing until Harry pointed it out for him. Lucius had given a soft chuckle in response to Harry. Harry could still remember the pleasing soft baritone that sent small trills up his-
"Harry! Get here quick!"
Harry's eyes flew back open as he shifted and sprawled to the floor feet tangling up in the cushions. He stood up, looking around with a bit of confusion. Right, he was still in his rooms. He looked at the clock on the nearby table and was surprised to see that an entire hour had already passed.
Well, he had to say that the meditation was successful. Despite feeling the contentment start to trickle away he still felt oddly calm despite the slight prickling sensation that was coming from his scar. Even with Bucephalus bellowing as if the hounds of Hell were on his very heels. As he walked to the portrait hole, he could already hear Snape roaring in the hallway.
"Yes Buce-" He began as he walked out into the hallway.
"Harry!" Bucephalus said in a shrill voice. "Why, in the name of Athene herself, did you not answer me! I've been calling you for the past five minutes!"
Harry didn't find himself disturbed all that much by Bucephalus' words. He simply shrugged. "What is it?"
"Professor Snape is out here! With a stranger!" Bucephalus said sharply.
"All right," Harry leaned against the wall, looking at Bucephalus expectantly.
"I'm not letting in a stranger!" Bucephalus sputtered; he was obviously bothered that Harry's response had been so blasé. "I can't understand a damned word they're saying!"
Harry didn't say anything for a long moment, thinking. - Did it sound like this? -
Bucephalus' eyes widened. "You know that gibberish?!"
"It's not gibberish," Harry replied in a somewhat apprehensive voice. "It's Spanish. Let them in Bucephalus."
Bucephalus gave an affronted snort but swung aside to reveal Snape standing there with a black expression on his face, while Ernesto stood behind him. Harry's jaw dropped in disbelief.
His eyes had to be playing tricks on him. Ernesto wasn't supposed to be here. He was supposed to be back on the farm in Spain and dealing with the animals with Valencia. Not standing here in the hallway outside his room in Hogwarts…he wasn't even supposed to remember him! This all had to be some sort of mistake. That or it was one really sick joke.
"Er," he managed when he found his voice once more. "Professor?" he still didn't quite believe what he was seeing.
- Harry! -Ernesto exclaimed when he heard his voice. He rushed forward, knocking Snape aside and started inspected Harry. - What are you doing here?! Are you all right?! -
That jolted Harry from his stupor of doubt. He motioned for them to come in and guided Ernesto to the parlour, making sure he was seated on the couch. Harry's eyes flickered to Snape only once when he noticed the man, leaning against the far wall distancing himself as much as possible. Harry would much rather not have Snape here, but if he had to be better he stay there. Ernesto looked a bit pale and tremulous, ready to collapse at any moment but he was managing to keep his wits about. Harry sat down on the couch beside him, taking a deep breath. He opened his mouth to speak but Ernesto beat him to it.
- Harry, what's going on? -
Harry didn't say anything for a moment, running a hand through his hair.
- You remember me, right? -He asked hesitantly. He was relieved when Ernesto both nodded his head; he must have Deoblivated. - Maybe you should rest first before I explain everything, he suggested a bit anxiously. You can have my bedroom. Nothing else is going to happen to you. -
- Where am I? -Ernesto asked in a rather shaky and hoarse voice fraught with worry. - Where is Valencita? -
- You're in Britain, I don't know where Valencia is, - Harry said, glancing at Snape. - I'll answer any questions you have, but it might help if you calm down, rest for a bit…I don't want to spook you any more than you already are. -
Ernesto nodded his head, still looking around a bit fearfully. Harry took his to the bedroom and closed the curtains, leaving him to get some rest. When he came back out, he found Snape still standing there. He collapsed down into the single chair, looking up at him with what must have been a plainly curious yet neutral expression for he saw the genuine puzzlement on Snape's face.
"Is there anything you want, Sir?" Harry asked in a soft and polite voice.
Snape didn't say anything for a moment, looking thoroughly perplexed. "Albus says to not tell them anything."
"Who is Dumbledore kidding?" Harry snorted.
"Be that as it may-" Snape began.
"You know what; I don't really care to listen to Dumbledore on this particular subject." Harry watched as the corner of Snape's left eye ticked slightly.
"Listen-" Snape began.
"No, you listen," Harry began. "I've been listening to all of you, so I think it's time for me to start speaking. You can tell Dumbledore every single word of what I say here, I don't really care. I'd tell him myself but I want to be here when Ernesto wakes up.
"I found more of a normal life due to some freak accident in a battle rather than from the rather questionable choices Dumbledore has made in the area concerning my safety. Ernesto is terrified out of his right minds, and is taking this quite well if you ask me. I know them; the concept of our world wouldn't even have entered his minds and I'm not about to make it worse at the moment. "You can tell Dumbledore that I am telling them everything whether he likes it or not. They took me into their home when they didn't have to go and gave me a place to stay from the kindness of their hearts. They deserve to know the truth and that's the least of things."
Snape didn't say anything for a long moment. Harry had half expected the eye tic to come back, or for Snape to darken with rage. Hr wasn't expecting the silence or the pensive look on Snape's face.
"As you wish," Snape said finally. "Potter."
It Harry's turn to not say anything for a long moment; the tone in Snape's voice was odd and had him…stumped for lack of a better word. Snape turned brusquely to leave and that seemed to make Harry's voice come back.
"Professor?" he called a bit uncertainly.
Snape stopped walking but he didn't turn back around. "What?"
"Do you know what happened to Valencia?"
There was a long tense silence in which neither one of them didn't move. After a few minutes, Snape gave a heavy sigh and spoke quietly.
"She's been captured by Voldemort."
Harry felt the blood rush from his face as he swallowed hard. "Voldemort will rip everything he can from her mind."
"Which is why we are trying to get her back as soon as possible." Snape replied quietly. "If you will excuse me…"
Harry didn't say anything to the slight sarcasm in Snape's voice. "Sir." He called suddenly. "You shouldn't be his messenger boy," Harry aid suddenly. "Tell Dumbledore he should tell me things himself. I'll let Bucephalus allow him in. Last message from me, I swear."
Nothing else was said, but Harry could have sworn that Snape nodded his head, but it was so slight that he wasn't all that sure. Snape continued walking and the quiet sound of the portrait opening and closing was all that was heard. Harry let his head fall back against the chair as he rubbed at his face. That wonderful calm feeling he had a short while ago was now replaced by a sort of weariness. He could more than likely use a rest as well now too.
A gentle shake to his shoulder made Harry wake rather abruptly. He looked around in surprise to find Ernesto looking a bit better but still with anxiousness on his face.
- Oh good; you're awake. Are you all right? How long have you been here since they kidnapped you? -
- No, I wasn't kidnapped, - Harry said as he rubbed at his eyes. - Are you all right? -
- I've been better, Ernesto said heavily as he sat down beside Harry. Your bathroom is…um… -
- The mirror talks? - Harry offered.
Ernesto went a bit pale. - Christ, I need a drink. A good stiff drink; can I even get that? -
- Yeah, -Harry began nervously. - But how it gets here may freak you out even more. -
- At the moment, I don't think that really matters, - Ernesto muttered.
- All right, - Harry said. "Dobby?"
"Yes!" The house elf popped up out of nowhere. "What can Dobby be doing for Harry Potter?"
"We need something to drink. Alcohol for him."
"Right away!" Dobby disappeared and reappeared a few moments later with a laden tray that he placed on the coffee table. "Is Harry Potter wanting anything else?"
"No, thank you Dobby," Harry said as he surveyed the tray; he should have known to be far more specific.
Dobby gave an enthusiastic little bow and disappeared again as easily as he had appeared. He glanced back to find Ernesto a pale white with his hands visibly shaking and a perturbed expression. Harry picked up a glass and poured a bit of Anom's brandy in it; at least, that's what the bottle said it was. He handed the glass to Ernesto who took it gratefully and gulped down the contents in one breath. It took two more glasses before he looked much calmer and his hands stopped shaking so much. Harry regarded the bottle for a moment before pouring himself a little bit in a tumbler to sip. Merlin knew he'd need something too to get through this explaination.
- Explain…please. - Ernesto finally said in a weak voice.
- Um…there's no easy way to say this, - Harry began.
- Just say it, - Ernesto started. - It just makes me more nervous hearing you say that. -
- You want me to be blunt? - Harry asked uncertainly. Ernesto nodded his head. He swallowed hard and finally spoke. - I'm a wizard. -
Ernesto gave something of a high-pitched panicky giggle and stuck his glass out. Harry poured a bit of liquid into the bottom. It sloshed in the glass as Ernesto lifted it to his lips to drink.
- A wizard, right. - He said when he lowered his empty glass.
- I'm serious, - Harry said after an awkward pause. - It's a rather long and complicated story. -
- I'm listening. -
- OK then, - Harry took a deep breath; he could only hope he explained this well enough. - There're two…um…worlds; the Muggle world and the Wizarding world. -
- What's a Muggle? - Ernesto asked abruptly in a still somewhat shaky voice.
- A person with no magical ability at all. -
Ernesto frowned and his brow furrowed. - Say this is true; what if a wizard has no magical ability at all? What are they called? -
- That's a bit different. Usually the people born to magical parents with no magic at all are called Squibs. -
- Hm, - Ernesto said. - Keep talking, -
- The thing is Muggles don't know about the Wizarding world at all, unless they have a child with magical abilities. -
- All right… - Ernesto said slowly. - What does this have to do with you? -
Harry took another deep breath. - When I was born 17 years ago, there was this Dark wizard by the name of Voldemort who thought that all Muggle-born wizards, - he paused until Ernesto nodded that he knew what Harry meant. - Shouldn't be in the Wizarding world and needed to be eradicated. He was all for the Wizarding world being only for the Purebloods. -
- Purebloods? - Ernesto echoed faintly.
- People who come only from Wizarding families and have no Muggles in the family at all. -
Ernesto looked sickened. - He went about committing mass genocide? -
- If he could have, he probably would have. - Harry said.
- What do you mean, 'if he could have'? - Ernesto asked in a faint voice.
- So far as I understand it, my dad was a Pureblood but he fell in love with my mum who was Muggle-born and married her and then they had me, - Harry began, feeling distinctly uncomfortable with the manner in which Ernesto was staring at him so intently. - They were part of a group that wanted to get rid of Voldemort… but one night Voldemort got to them first. -
Ernesto's eyes widen in shock. - Did he… -
- Yeah, -Harry said quietly. - He tried to kill me but it didn't work for some reason. He was forced out of his body, and I was left with this, - he brushed the hair back from his forehead to expose his scar.
Ernesto's eyes barely flickered towards it. - But where have you been living all this time? -
- My mum had a sister, and they raised me from when I was a child. - Harry replied. 'Bang-up job Petunia and Vernon did too' He couldn't stop the bitter thought from flitting across his mind. - I lived with them until I was 11 and I got a letter from Hogwarts, the place we're in now. It's a school. Ever since then, I've been coming here to study and going back to my aunt's in the summer. -
- So how did you end up in Spain by that road? - Ernesto asked.
- Voldemort attacked the school in an attempt to kill me, - Harry paused at the outraged and indignant noises Ernesto made. - Only something went wrong and I ended up in Spain -
- With Lucius. - Ernesto finished for him.
Harry nodded his head. - The thing is…no one is supposed to know about me and Lucius. -
- And why not? -Ernesto demanded sharply.
- Well….um…you see… - Harry knew this wasn't going to go over well. - He's kind of on Voldemort's side. -
Ernesto stared at him blankly for a moment before he muttered something about the glass being a waste of time and he reached for the bottle of brandy. A gulp later and he snapped out if it. And when he did, his eyes narrowed dangerously.
- Do you mean to tell me, - he began quietly. - That you're sleeping with a man who's supporting someone who wants to kill you? Is that it? -
- Not quite… - Harry said after a moment.
- What do you mean not quite?! - Ernesto bristled. - You just said it yourself! -
- He's not going to kill me or turn me over to Voldemort! - Harry retorted hotly. - Just trust me on this! -
- Trust you? - Ernesto said loudly. - You lied to us! -
Harry cringed a bit before sighing heavily. - I didn't tell you because I'm not supposed to. There's a whole Statute of Secrecy thing that clearly says that wizards are not to tell Muggles blah, blah, blah. I'm telling you now because you've obviously seen some things that disturb you and me telling you is the only way to explain it without getting myself into serious trouble with the magical government. -
- Understatement on the disturbing stuff. - Ernesto said harshly before he lapsed into silence for a long moment. - Is there any other reason why you didn't tell us? -
Harry felt his face burn red before he spoke in a small voice. - I thought maybe if I stayed there and you didn't know I wouldn't have to come back here. -
- Why wouldn't you want to come back here? - Ernesto asked in a puzzled tone. - You have family, friends, people that were obvi- -
- My family, - Harry said a bit bitterly. - Is a laughable joke. I'm not going into it. I don't want to. But needless to say, I am not going back there after all this is said and done with. And people, don't see me; they see this first and only. He showed his scar again. That's how I met my friends, Ron and 'Mione. They're great friends and all but sometimes I wonder if they would have bothered with me if I didn't have this bloody scar on my forehead. He gave a heavy sigh. When I first met you and Valencia, it was…nice to not have someone gawk at my head or know me as the Boy-Who-Lived. I was just Harry to you both. -
Ernesto reached over and patted Harry on the leg lightly. - If I was in your shoes, I think I'd be in the loony bin right about now. - He offered Harry the bottle.
- I'm fine, -Harry said raising his tumbler slightly. - You believe me? -
- Well, it all seems rather fantastical, - Ernesto began. - But the way you answered the questions so quickly and easily….no way you could be making this stuff up. So maybe you can answer something for me now. -
- What is it? - Harry said, feeling a massive surge of relief.
- With just what happened before I ended up here! Especially since I ended up in some office. - Ernesto said vehemently. - I ended up in that overgrown bat's lap! -
Harry had to repress the sudden snicker of the thought of Ernesto sprawled across Snape lap; Snape must have been so pleased at that. - What happened exactly before you ended up in the office? -
- Valencia and I were watching TV in the living room when some people barge into the house. We bolted for upstairs for the attic. If we made it there, we could bolt the door shut until they left. -
- The attic door has bolts? - Harry asked.
Ernesto nodded. - When you close it, you should notice a bunch of small handles; you have to twist them to lock it into place. Combined it can take about 800 pounds of pressure before it would give. -
- I doubt it would hold up to what they had, - Harry said. - Were they wearing black robes, white masks? -
Ernesto nodded. - That's them. -
- Death Eaters…Voldemort's followers. - He added after a brief moment. - Voldemort must have come after you for information. -
- But we're safe here, right? - Ernesto asked.
- Yes. Voldemort still hasn't been able to break into Hogwarts. Harry said. So you arrived here, and then… -
- It's the most peculiar thing, - Ernesto said. - This old man asked me some questions, pointed his wand at my head and suddenly I remembered you, as if you were wiped from my memories before. -
- I was, - Harry said grimly. - Your minds were Oblivated of me and probably of Lucius too. -
Ernesto looked highly shocked. - And who would have done such a thing! Wiping people's minds indeed. Don't they have ethics!? -
- Dumbledore was the one who more than likely ordered it done. -
Ernesto's face darkened considerably. - Dumbledore? -he said.
- Er…the old man you probably saw in the office. -
Harry was positive he saw a furious rage building up inside Ernesto. - And does he have anything to do with you being brought back here in such a sloppy fashion? And why no one will tell me what happened to my Valencita? -
Harry nodded his head. - Though I would have to say that- -
- Where's Dumbledore now? -
- Probably in his office. - Harry answered.
- I want a few words with him, - he asked a bit curtly. - Right now. -
- Er…I suppose. - Harry said, rising from his seat; he was honestly disturbed by the black look on Ernesto's face.
Harry nodded his head and led Ernesto from the room. They started for the second floor. The students in the hallway stopped to watch, the murmured whispers flying thick and fast. Wonderful; just bloody wonderful.
- Harry, - Ernesto asked in a tight voice.
Harry ignored the titters and whispers. - Yes? -
- You're still attending school right? -
- Yes. -
Harry could have sworn Ernesto's expression darkened even more before he spoke again. - I need you to do one very important thing for me. -
- All right. -
- Translate for me…honestly. No covering things up, no being polite. - He said tersely.
Harry nodded with a touch of hesitancy as they came to a halt in front of the gargoyle and he said the password. The gargoyle moved aside and they started walking up the stairs. Voices were rather audible from the other side of the door when Harry knocked on it. All the babble died and Ernesto opened the door and barged in.
"Oh Merlin…" Harry muttered as he walked in after Ernesto and closed the door.