A/N: This story will level out and be less confusing. I'm purposely jumping around a bit to give the reader a chaotic feel. I hope you like it, and those of you who aren't reading the Dead until Dark series I'm posting, my sister, Sensibly Tainted, is writing a story I'm really in love with. I highly recommend it. It's title is Growing Pains!
Chapter Two
It had been nearly a month since Dumbledore had charged him to work Dark Magic. First Severus had to acquire the deceased Auror's bodies secretly, then work out the spell for his needs, and last he had to cast it at a time where he could disappear for a few days without causing others to remark upon his absence to give him time to investigate his findings. After all of that, he now found himself outside a generic little house in a generic little neighborhood in England.
At least his spell had led to the Dursley's. That gave him great hope there was weight to the idea of Potter being alive after all. But asking around had proven fruitless. No one had ever seen a dark haired child with the Dursley's. They only remarked upon the blond son who went by the name of Tubby or some such. Now there was only one coarse left to him. He knocked on the damn door. He hated having to demand answers from the source as every good spy should.
"Yes? May I help you?" A thin woman asked.
"I'm here about a child. Harry Potter?"
The woman's face paled dramatically, "We didn't do anything! He just went mad! It wasn't anything to do with us!"
"Who is it dear?" A deep rumble called and muted thunder approached. The obese man looked Severus up and down and promptly slammed the door. Severus could just make out the words he yelled quickly through the door, "We don't know what you're talking about! Leave at once!"
Now all of this was rather curious. But a few things stuck out in his mind. One: Harry was alive. Two: they did in fact have Harry. And three: something was very wrong with the child, enough so that the Dursley's feared horrible retribution. Whether it was deserved or not remained to be seen, but Severus knew all he needed to know.
He stepped out of sight of the house and opened a pocket watch. The top lid showed darkness for a minute before it cleared to show Dumbledore's face, his office behind him. After a few short sentences, Severus shut the watch and waited. Four pops sounded surprisingly swiftly and Dumbledore, Lupin, Mad-Eye, and McGonagall were standing around him.
"Show us to this house." Dumbledore said grimly.
Severus nodded and led the way.
…
Think, Harry.
"I am." Harry nodded and moved his finger over the dirt on the floor.
They had made a chess board on the ground and Harry's guardian had explained so carefully what each piece did and where it started. Then they played. At first it was difficult seeing how they had no real pieces or even objects to use as pieces. He insisted Harry use memory only and they had progressed to the point where it was simple to keep the whole board and every piece in his mind without physical representation.
In fact, Harry rarely crouched to look at the outline of the board anymore, having that memorized as well. They just played mentally. The only reason why Harry had reverted back to the outlines in the dirt to play was because for the last few days Harry had been playing not merely for the fun of it, but to win. His guardian had encouraged the change in attitude whole heartedly, though he played just as mercilessly as always. He wouldn't let Harry win. In everything they did together, Harry had to earn praise or victory. They heard Petunia's yelling shriek and then Vernon's bellow. Harry didn't even bat an eye, but his guardian seethed.
"You're play. Focus." Harry chided, bouncing on his heels excitedly. He was sure he was winning.
After a few minutes, the guardian whispered, Rook to H11.
Harry nodded absently. He began chewing on his lips, rocking back and forth as he deliberated over his next move. He was just reaching out a slender finger when Petunia screamed. Harry jerked up to his feet and spun to face the basement door. His heart began to beat fast. Vernon bellowed again, but it was cut off abruptly along with Petunia. He could just make out Dudley crying and then that stopped as well. Harry was shaking now and backed away until his back hit the wall.
Be calm, Harry. Remember what I've taught you. Keep calm and you will be fine.
"Guardian…" Harry stuttered. It was the name Harry had given to the presence in him a long time ago. "I can't…"
He wrapped his arms around his thin chest. His eyes were wide with panic. He heard several people searching the house, heard both male and female voices. And then it happened. Footsteps neared the basement door. Harry whimpered, but calmed as he felt Guardian's warm reassurance wash through him starting at the top of his head and washing down to his feet. Like the feeling of warm sunshine.
It had been years since he had seen more than his uncle or aunt's silhouette in the doorway. And now black booted feet followed by a figure in an elegant black robe began to descend down into his world. Even through the warm emotional shield Harry shrank back even further.
"Harry? Harry, are you down here?"
Say something, Harry.
Harry shook his head sharply in response. His throat had closed. He really couldn't say anything. He felt vulnerable and seven years old all over again. Then his fear was banished with wonder for the stranger whispered a soft word and the basement was flooded with gentle white light.
Harry gasped softly in awe and even stepped forward a bit. His attention was so focused on the glowing wand tip that he didn't even look at the person holding it until Guardian sharply scolded him. His enthralled emerald eyes shifted and he looked right into ebony eyes within a sharply angular face curtained by lanky ebony hair. Guardian twisted in reaction and Harry cocked his head.
"What is it?"
I think…I don't know, Harry. He feels…familiar.
"Harry, I am here to take you away from here." Severus finally got out.
He had been caught completely off guard to find Potter in the basement at all. That was why he volunteered to look there, freeing the others to search the rest of the house. But when he had cast Lumos, a dirty child with tangled hair that fell in a snarl down to the middle of his back and wearing rags had come into view.
Strangely enough, he would never have thought this was Harry Potter until he got a real good look into those emerald eyes. There was no mistaking it. This was Lily's son. And once he was sure of that he could see the resemblance to James, in an emancipated sort of way. It wasn't until the boy asked curiously what he wanted that he was jerked back into motion. Unknown to him, Harry had never been talking to him.
"Take me away?" Harry jerked startled. "Why would you do that?"
"How long have you been locked down here?" Severus asked, almost hoping he wouldn't get the answer.
"I don't know. What is today?" Harry asked, cocking his head.
"It is almost Christmas, Harry."
"What year?"
Severus swallowed hard, oh god! "1995."
"Four years then." Harry nodded, but then bit his lip, unsure. "Right, Guardian?"
Yes, Harry. Guardian sighed. Four years since November 7th.
"Guardian?" Severus asked, glancing around quickly, but he saw no one.
Harry narrowed his eyes and backed a step, "Yes. Guardian, and you can't make me stop talking to him. He isn't imaginary! He's my friend!"
"I'm sure." Severus quickly agreed, hearing the child yell so furiously was quite disturbing.
But it did have the bonus of bringing the others down. He relaxed, but Harry didn't. Now with four strangers crowding into his basement, he felt closterphobic and frightened. They wanted to take him away.
Calm, Harry. They won't hurt you and if they try you need to be calm to defend yourself. Guardian soothed. You must go with them. They will teach you magic.
"No. I don't want to go. I don't care about magic. I'm happy here. Happy, happy, happy, here in my basement." Harry spoke and the adults stared at him with wide, pitying eyes.
"Oh, Harry, my boy. We've been looking so long for you." Dumbledore stepped forward, but Harry jerked back and away. He didn't trust strangers. Dumbledore stopped advancing. "There is a place. A school for special children like you. We will care for you and love you. You'll be safe. We'll get you out of here and you'll never return."
Stupid fool. Guardian muttered with an angry hiss.
"No!" Harry yelled furiously. "I don't want to leave. No, no, no!"
"Why not, Harry?" Remus asked softly. "The Dursley's won't hurt you."
Harry sneered at him, "Course they won't hurt me. Can't hurt me no more. No one can. No, no, no."
"Harry," McGonagall tried. "This is the school your parents went to. Don't you want to see it?"
"Mum? Dad?" Harry was instantly interested.
Yes, yes. Guardian quickly jumped on the opportunity. Harry must go to magic school. Your parents went there and I know they would want you to.
"I was one of their very best friends." Remus spoke. "I miss them very much, and I'm sure you do to. We could talk about it back at school if you'd like."
"Miss them?" Harry again tilted his head. "Why would I miss them?"
No! Harry, don't ask that! Take it back, don't listen to them!
"But Guardian!" Harry protested stubbornly.
"Who are you talking to Harry?" Dumbledore asked, glancing at Severus when the dark haired professor sharply shook his head. "We'll leave that for later as well, shall we? But, yes, we all miss your parents. You might not remember them, but they were good people. Very brave people."
"Won't you consider coming with us?" McGonagall asked tearfully.
"Where are Mum and Dad?" Harry persisted.
No! Please, Harry, don't. Guardian begged his host, but the boy was always so damn stubborn.
"They are dead, Harry." Remus said gently.
"Dead?" Harry repeated. "Dead? Dead. Dead, dead. Like Mr. Kenneth. Yes. That's right. Dead like him. They aren't real then. No. Just imaginary." Harry began rocking and the dirt floor began to shift around the boy in agitation. Harry had long ago pulled up the floorboards so he was always standing on earth.
"Come, Harry. We will tell you all about them." Remus said and then his eyes sharpened with hate and rage. "The Dursley's are taken care of. They won't hurt you if you leave with us."
Harry, calm down. Guardian said sternly.
"Okay." Harry said to his Guardian, but Remus thought he was talking to him, so the werewolf stepped forward. Harry saw him coming and earth rose in a sheet, blocking the wolf's approach.
"Stay back." He warned, matted hair falling into his face and his heart beginning to pound.
"Harry. We have to touch you to bring you to the school. It's the only way we can get you out of here." McGonagall said encouragingly.
"I will not go." Harry repeated, not understanding why they wouldn't listen.
"We'll help you, my boy." Dumbledore promised sweetly. "You don't have to be afraid."
"I don't need help." Harry glared. "Now go away. Guardian, tell them to leave!"
I told you. You must go.
"But why must I go?" Harry cried petulantly.
Because soon you will have magic and it won't listen to you. You must train your magic because it is strong.
"I remember them. You help me remember, but they are dead."
Yes. Your parent's have always been dead. I help you remember things from when you were a baby. Did you really think they would leave you here?
"No. They wouldn't. I don't think they would have liked the Dursley's much, huh?"
Not at all. Guardian promised. I hate them and they would have too. You know how much I hate them. I know what's best for you.
"They would never have left you with them." Remus promised, unknowingly echoing Guardian. "They loved you so much and they'd have let no one hurt you like they have."
"Then who left me with them?" Harry asked.
"The law." Dumbledore answered smoothly. "Petunia was your only blood and blood takes blood."
"Yes. They did take a lot of my blood." Harry said mournfully and McGonagall had to cover her mouth to stifle her distressed cries.
We can take it back. Guardian offered. As we leave, we can take all the blood back from the fat fuckers!
"No, no, no." Harry rocked his head back and forth slowly. "We can't hurt the Dursley's, Guardian. We can't take back the blood. That is bad. Hurting people is bad. Hurting is bad."
Guardian remained silent.
"Harry." Dumbledore said sharply. "Let's not talk to Guardian now, okay?"
Harry hissed, literally hissed, and backed away further. "You will not make me leave him!"
"No, of course not." Dumbledore quickly assured. "I just want to talk to you, so can you please focus on me?"
Harry said nothing.
"Good boy. Now come with us, or we'll make you sleep, and you'll wake in the school and see it is a good place."
"No." Harry said weakly, fear entering his face.
Kenneth was the last person to call him a 'Good boy' and that was when he was being tortured. Those memories rose easily due to the stress the stranger's were putting on him and the things they were bringing up. And only Guardian kept them from swamping the small teenager's mind.
"Trust us, Harry." Remus urged earnestly. "We'll take good care of you."
Harry screamed, the memories breaking past Guardian as another phrase etched into his mind with torture sliced through the Guardian's protections. He crumbled to the ground, rocking himself, whimpering. Dumbledore and Remus rushed forward and as soon as they touched Harry, they made it worse. Remembered pain, reliving it and feeling it as if it were happening again, Harry screamed with terror and dove deep down into darkness. He had to get away from it. And that let Guardian take control. His green eyes filled with red and he stood, lashing out instinctively with magic, sending the adults flying away from him.
"Listen to me, you moronic fools!" He bellowed. "Harry can leave whenever he wishes. Do you think these paltry walls could keep him here? NO! He chooses to be here because it is known and safe and keeps him from idiot humans like you! But he needs help controlling magic or it will destroy him, so stop bringing up topics that make him remember horrible things, like his parents' deaths! You stupid imbeciles! I demand for Draco Malfoy to be brought here at once! He's the only one Harry will trust enough to leave with and his life depends on it!"
Guardian was so frustrated and angry he wanted to hurt someone, but he was use to denying himself that pleasure, so it wasn't that difficult. He only wished he could have sent for Draco from the beginning, but he had no idea where he and his host lived to tell Draco to find them. So he had to count on this ancient, powerful, despicable mind to find them. But now that they were found, Draco could be brought and Harry's fear could be subdued.
He was actually pleased. He couldn't wait to see his host's reaction. He'd be so happy to finally meet his dream friend. The adults were staring at him like he were mad, which was understandable from their view. It was dark and they couldn't see Harry's eyes to know that someone else was speaking.
"Draco Malfoy, Harry?" Remus gasped. "But why?"
"How do you know this name?" Dumbledore asked suspiciously.
"Just do as I say!" Guardian roared, enraged, and Severus gasped, clutching his suddenly awakened mark.
"Voldemort." Dumbledore said calmly. "Get out of young Harry or I'll be forced to exercise you."
McGonagall fainted and Remus growled with a whine of confusion. Severus stared dumbly. Too shocked to think or move or react.
"Is that who I am?" Guardian asked intrigued. "I do not remember."
"Shut that lying mouth!" Remus barked. "Get out of my godson!"
"No." Guardian smirked and crossed his arms.
Dumbledore's powerful magic slammed into him and almost shook him free and with him half of Harry's soul and sanity. They were too closely intertwined to separate now. Harry came screaming out of his mental hiding place, easily taking control again. He was the host and had complete control. Only severe willing retreat let Guardian use his body. Harry clawed at the earth as the pain wracked him, and he screamed all the louder.
He had sworn he wouldn't let anyone hurt him again and here he was. No! No more, no more, no more, no more pain! He screamed and the earth exploded. It encased him in spelled living earth. No magic could get through. No light, no touch or voice. He was safe again. And he'd never leave. Never let the pain get to him. Never again.
End Chap