Chapter 47

"Nice..." Blaise said appreciatively, inspecting the thin dark wood staff engraved with elvish runes.

"I daresay you'll be able to keep it. Those staffs are customized to the user to drawing out the individual's powers in the most efficient, most direct pathways. Kind of like a huge wand really. Kulia made that one just for you. Just finished it in fact." Draco said as he looked through the implements he would need.

Blaise let out a bark of laughter. "Wow... it really is made for me, isn't it?" He said, turning one of the largest symbols to where Draco could see it.

Draco glanced up and chuckled. It was the symbol representing the elvish version of the libido. "Well, that's definitely going to have no trouble channeling your energies..." He said with a smirk. "Kulia must know you pretty well." He glanced over at Blaise speculatively. "Just out of curiosity, why did you have her teach you elvish?"

Blaise gave a shrug, studiously examining the runes. "Why not? I mean you should have seen how enthusiastic Professor Oblique was when she found out... she was coming over and talking to me about it all the time last year... always stooping down so she could talk to me without all the other students hearing..." He sighed happily. "I spent more time staring down her blouse than I did looking at the blackboard! Sometimes she would have me talk to her in elvish just to hear it. Personally, I think it turns her on..." He said, wriggling his eyebrows suggestively, "But of course she doesn't know the language herself... otherwise she'd probably have slapped me..." he said with an impish grin.

Draco chuckled. "I bet. But still... any old dead language would have done for that, and elvish isn't exactly easy, so why that one?"

Blaise's cheeks blushed, but he just shrugged. "No reason."

Draco eyed him. "Ok, out with it."

Blaise sighed and rolled his eyes, "I found out you knew it, ok?" he admitted with exasperation, "I heard you tell her goodbye in elvish when me and my dad got there right as you and your dad were leaving once. I asked her and she said she'd taught you, so I asked her to teach me. Father only agreed to it because he figured no ministry officials would know the language, so he could have me order if we were somewhere that wasn't secure. Paranoid bastard..."

Draco blinked. "You learned an entire language just because you found out I knew it?" He asked incredulously. Blaise nodded, his cheeks darkening slightly. "And yet you never told me you knew elvish... so what was the point?" Draco asked, confused.

Blaise looked over at him, smirking, "And what would you have said if I told you? Hmm? What would you have thought?"

Draco thought about it, then shrugged, smirking, "Knowing you, I probably would have thought you had a crush on me."

"Exactly." Blaise said as if that explained everything, "Like I wanted you to find that out!"

Draco blinked, staring at him. "Hold up... did you just say you have a crush on me?"

Blaise grinned ruefully, "No... I said I had a crush on you. Or at least I thought I did. Give me a break... it was a confusing time for me. It was still a bit hard for me to differentiate between different kinds of affection... but don't worry, I worked it out."

Draco considered that for a minute, "But... you aren't all in love with me anymore, right?"

Blaise grinned. "Ginny can rest assured, I have no intention of stealing you away. I still love you of course..." He said blithely, giving a negligent shrug, "Just not in that way... it just took me a while to realize my feelings for you weren't sexual. The concept of close friendship was a bit of a foreign concept to me."

"Ah..." Draco said, eyeing him. It was interesting feeling the reactions of his two halves warring inside him. The half of him that was Draco wanted to quickly shy from the subject, being uneasy with the emotional openness. He couldn't deny, especially now, that this boy meant a great deal to him... but labeling his feelings for him was still not something he was comfortable doing. Darien, on the other hand, wanted to hug him. Draco resisted, opting for a change in subject. He'd already found himself hugging Dumbledore without even thinking twice about it today! He had still been a bit high from the engagement, so he wrote it off to misplaced euphoria and left it at that. He was just grateful not many people were there to witness it. "Um... Ron was looking for you a bit ago." he said, guiding the conversation into safer waters.

Blaise looked up, surprised. "He was? Quite frankly I'm surprised he's awake already..."

Draco quickly shrugged off the implications of the comment, trying to keep disconcerting images out of his head, "What were you and Snape doing in the lab anyway?"

"Oh, that..." Blaise said, a wicked grin sliding across his lips. "He was just making sure this was ok..."

Draco looked up, wondering what he was talking about, then stared in shock at Blaise's eyes.

"Don't worry... it is." Blaise said, shifting his eyes back to normal. "Snape thinks it's because I got so very close to changing. The potion cured me, but couldn't completely eliminate the residual effects..."

"So how long are you going to be able to do that?"

Blaise shrugged. "Since Snape couldn't find any record of it happening before, he couldn't tell me. Then again, none of the other survivors had the wraith sight for more than a few minutes before being cured. He said it might eventually fade away, but I hope not. It's absolutely bloody brilliant! I wish you could see... but then again, considering what I went through to get it, I'm glad you can't."

Draco grinned ruefully, "Just don't be peeking at me and Ginny! She's mine!"

Blaise laughed, "Don't worry... I wouldn't be looking at her..." He said mischievously. Draco just rolled his eyes and shook his head. "Well, I suppose I should go find Ron. Probably just worried when he woke up and I was gone, especially considering what followed the last time I left while he was asleep, but I should make sure." Blaise said, setting aside the staff. "My whole job is walking about periodically, chanting a mantra. I think I'm prepared enough." He said with a smirk.

"He's probably still with Ginny and the twins. They're discussing how to break the news to their mum without her having a coronary. They plan on waiting until they can tell her face to face during Christmas break. Two sets of twins is going to be shocking enough, but her youngest getting..." He suddenly glanced up, blushing, "Oh... um... I asked Ginny to marry me..." He said, realizing he hadn't even told him yet.

Blaise's eyes darted up, widening. "You're engaged?!?"

Draco grinned and nodded.

"Congratulations!" Blaise said grinning brilliantly and walking over to him.

Draco quickly held up his hands in a warding gesture, "Hey now, remember our discussion about hugging... I'd rather not be needing any more bone knitting spells today." He said with a smirk. Blaise came to a stop and Draco chuckled as he lowered his hands, "Actually I was afraid I was going to need one earlier when her brothers spotted the ring, but they took it surprisingly well."

Blaise let out a laugh. "They already know you're shagging their sister on a regular basis! Why would they object to you making the relationship respectable and legally binding?"

Draco looked at him thoughtfully, "You have a point." He said with a smirk.

"You're lucky you have that option." Blaise said, his voice dropping.

Draco looked over at him, surprised at the soft spoken, apparently completely serious comment. He thought he saw a fleeting hint of deep sadness in Blaise's eyes, but then it was gone again.

Blaise grinned, "Well I best go find Ron. Oh, and when I'm back to normal, I reserve the right to hug you!" he said, once again his usual chipper self.

Draco grinned, "Ok... maybe just once, but no groping." He teased.

Blaise affected a pout, "Aw... you're no fun..." Then he laughed, "Ok, fine. No groping. But, for now..." Blaise darted in, planting a kiss on Draco's cheek, then darted back away with a chuckle as Draco swatted at him.

Draco couldn't help but smirk and shake his head ruefully as he watched Blaise romp out of the room.

----------

Harry sat down beside the little waterfall, cupping some of the water in his hands. He splashed it onto his face, shivering as the frigid water hit his skin and traced icy trails down his bare chest. He scooped up some more and splashed his face one more time before settling back and peering through the semi-darkness to where Delse lay, curled up asleep in the blanket. He was tired, but he refused to let himself fall asleep, fearing what the demon might do in his absence.

It was quiet for the moment, which was a great relief. When he was with Delse, it had kept up an almost constant commentary. Apparently, it felt if he didn't make some vast improvements she might not let him continue shagging her. He had resented the implication that he wasn't good enough to keep her interested on his own... but as much as he hated to admit it, it had been rather educational. Seven centuries of debauchery in human hosts had made it into a virtual compendium of sexual knowledge.

He quickly turned his thoughts from what he'd been doing earlier. The demon appeared to be sated for the moment, but if Harry let his body get aroused again, he was sure it would nag him until he went back over there and alleviated the problem. Not that he wouldn't want to, but she had more than earned a rest.

He watched her silently as she slept, once again trying to fathom why everything about her seemed to draw him so. Well, almost everything. Her being Blaise's mother was weighing heavily on his mind at the moment. Blaise might have been ok with him shagging his mum when he thought he was about to die, but now that he was back to rights (and then some according to Delse) he didn't need Harry to comfort her anymore. Would he tell him to leave her alone now?

He sighed. He really should leave her alone now... the crises that had thrown them together had passed, and so had their excuse for being together. It was understandable to have a moment of weakness when there was so much stress and turmoil, but to keep on afterwards? He doubted many in the Wizarding community would look kindly on the relationship, and he had no doubt that it wouldn't be him they were pointing their fingers at. He couldn't stand the thought of her being belittled or openly ridiculed for the kindness she had shown him.

He was brought out of his musings by the sound of cloth whispering over the lush grass. He looked over and his cheeks went red. Snape was walking towards him, his long cloak brushing the ground. He glanced over at Delse worriedly. There was really no way to explain away the fact that she was laying there naked under his blanket. He was just thankful he had thought to put his skivvies back on. It wasn't much, but it was better than being seen sitting there naked.

Snape saw the glance and smirked at him, tossing a stack of clothing down beside him. "You two have fun?"

Harry turned beet red. "You... um... know about that, do you?" He asked, embarrassed. For some reason it seemed ten times worse that it was Snape.

Snape gave a snort of laughter. "Anybody in this half of the tunnel knows about it the way you two were carrying on. Ever think to have her cast a silencing spell?"

Harry glued his eyes to the ground, absolutely mortified. The thought had never even crossed his mind. He hadn't been able to think of anything beyond Delse. He began to wonder if Snape had watched them, but quickly decided not to ask. It was creepy enough as a mere possibility, if it were confirmed he didn't know what he'd do.

"Well, get dressed then. It's about time. Unless you'd rather prance about like that." Snape said, obviously enjoying his discomfort.

Harry grabbed up the shirt and started pulling it on. It was a flannel. He tried not to let it remind him of his and Delse's first time. The color was off a bit, but it was unsettlingly similar. When he had it on, he got up and slipped into the pants. He looked around. "Shoes?"

"I took them away with the rest of your ruined clothing. I think I would prefer if you went without."

Harry looked over at him, furrowing his brow. "Why?"

"Frankly, it should make your little friend's escape more difficult if it should somehow get away from us."

Harry's eyes went wide. "But... but she said it couldn't do that! Take over I mean. Not while I'm awake at least."

Snape sighed, the mirth leaving him entirely. "I'm afraid once we are ready you're going to have to give it permission to, Harry."

Harry took an involuntary step back, "What!?!" he asked incredulously.

Snape sighed, folding his arms across his chest. The familiar gesture was less than reassuring, as Harry had noticed that he tended to do that when he was either upset or about to be unspeakably cruel. "The device around your neck..." He began hesitantly.

Harry reached up, brushing his fingertips over the thread-like mesh, "What about it?"

"Our dear Minister of Magic expected to kill whomever it attached itself to, so he deemed it unimportant that there is no known way to remove it. So, since we cannot remove it from your body for the ceremony, the demon will have to be in control of the body in order for it to be close enough to the surface for the ceremony to work. You will give it permission to take over, and then its oath not to cause harm to befall you will keep it from trying to push your consciousness back to the surface during the ceremony. It would do us no good to bind your soul to Darien..."

"But you can still kill the demon, right?" Harry asked, his concern skyrocketing.

"If we were to try to kill it, you would undoubtedly die in the process." Snape said, his voice surprisingly gentle.

Harry hugged himself, his mind whirling. He couldn't possibly live the rest of his life with a demon crawling around inside him, just waiting for him to fall asleep so it could do awful things with his body! "There's got to be a way to get this thing out of me." He said desperately.

"Well, there actually is one known way, but since it involves decapitation, I didn't think you would be interested..."

Harry glared at him, but Snape just stared back neutrally. "So what are you going to do to it then?" Harry asked in exasperation.

"The bonding ceremony, if successful, will at least give us a modicum of control over it... and remove any and all control Lucius has over it, but other than that..." Snape just shook his head. "I might remind you that getting saddled with that device was your own doing."

Harry sighed miserably, despair filling him. "So... how long will I have to leave it running about free in my body?" He asked in a dejected tone.

"It isn't a very long ritual. Once it's done, it will be bonded to Darien and he will be it's master. He will then order it to return control to you. If it is any reassurance, Darien is much better versed in dealing with demons than probably anyone alive. This particular demon used to belong to his grandfather in fact. His grandfather had started teaching him about controlling them before the family got rid of their demons. Well, most of them at any rate."

So it was theMalfoy family demon. It figured. Lucius Malfoy had been almost as big a thorn in Harry's side as Voldemort. Not only had he used gold to get the pompous and utterly gullible Fudge to do anything he asked to make Harry's life more difficult, but he'd also spawned Draco. Harry wasn't sure exactly what was going on with Draco, the whole Darien thing still being rather confusing, but he still couldn't stand him. From what he could tell, the feeling was very mutual as well. He wondered if he would use the demon to force Harry to do whatever he wanted. He wouldn't put it past him.

Harry looked over at Delse. If this demon was stuck in him for good, he definitely had to break it off with her. Even without popular opinion to worry about, subjecting someone to a demon's influence on a daily basis was just wrong. The demon had already gotten him to do things with her he never would have even imagined on his own... and he was sure it was just the tip of the iceberg. What if its influence started filtering into other areas? It could corrupt his entire soul and leave him just as bad as the demon itself, making anyone around him at risk.

"If you'll be so kind as to wake Delse, I'll wait outside while she dresses..."

Harry looked over at him. "Does she have to be there?"

Snape looked at him curiously. "No. She isn't required. Why?"

Harry looked back over at her sadly. "I would prefer it if she weren't there... if something goes wrong... I don't want her seeing it if you have to take me down to contain it."

Snape eyed him for a long moment, then gave a curt nod, leading him towards the door.

-----------

The largest gathering room in the Siege tunnel had been cleared of the tables and chairs that had occupied it, the floor, surprisingly, was now covered in a thick moss. Harry had wandered in here once before, and he was certain it hadn't been there then. He figured it must be another precaution like keeping him in that wooded room. He felt a little trickle of disgust inside and knew it had probably been a good idea. The demon had been disconcertingly quiet, not having said a word since Delse fell asleep. With the way its calculating mind worked, it was probably trying to lull him into a false sense of security. He had to keep reminding himself of it's presence to keep its ploy from working. It really was all too easy to forget it was there when it was quiet.

In the center of the room, he could see a large, perfectly drawn circle marring the blanketing moss, the floor rising slightly right in the middle, where a second circle had been drawn around a tiny hill. Draco was sitting tailor fashion on the 'hill', surrounded by strange implements and supplies, a small cauldron before him already steaming slightly. Blaise was there as well, standing just inside the outer circle leaning casually against a thin staff wearing a close fitting black outfit with far more shiny silver clasps than should have been necessary. It was oddly cut, but seemed to suit him for some reason. Now that he was paying closer attention, Harry realized Draco was wearing an outfit that was of the exact same cut and construction, but in a dark forest green.

Dumbledore and several other teachers were present as well. Hagrid was nearly level in height to the others, though he was sitting on the floor, effectively blocking a tunnel that Harry was pretty sure linked up to the tunnel to the external exit. As the others saw Harry and Snape enter, they began moving around, taking up positions around the circle.

Harry paused uneasily. "Do they all have to be here?" It was bad enough having to let that thing take over his body, but he had hoped that there would at least be few witnesses. From past experience, he knew it would probably be it's usual nasty self and embarrass him to no end, and he wasn't sure he could face his teachers again if it were to do something particularly bad.

Snape sighed. "They are here as a backup. Once the ceremony has begun, the demon must not be allowed to step outside the circle. Blaise should be able to hold it with the containment spell, but we have to be sure. We may not have a second chance at this.

Harry sighed and nodded. "Fine, but why does he have to be here?" he asked, looking past Snape.

Snape turned and let out a growl of irritation. "Mr. Weasley, I thought I made it abundantly clear that you were not to be present! Zabini is going to have a hard enough time retaining proper concentration without another distraction. Now I'm going to have to take down the ward to let you back out."

Ron stepped out of the shadowed corner where he had been standing, looking defiant. "I'm not leaving! Not while you're messing about with that thing in Harry!"

"Ron!" Blaise said, sounding just as exasperated as Snape.

Ron strode over to where Blaise stood. "Please..." He said, dropping his voice to a soft, pleading tone, "You can't send me back out. What would you do if it were Draco and they were trying to keep you out?"

Blaise glanced over at Draco and let out a pained sigh, looking back at him, "Ron... what if something happens to you?"

"It won't." Ron said firmly, "And even if it does, it'll be my own bloody fault." He said with a shrug.

Blaise sighed again, reaching out and gently stroking his hand down the side of Ron's face. "Fine..." He said, unable to deny him when he was looking at him with that stubborn, determined look he loved so much.

Ron smiled brilliantly, leaning forward and kissing him passionately. Blaise quickly leaned into the kiss, deepening it, completely oblivious to the eyes on him.

Harry just stared. He'd seen Ron kiss Blaise before, but it had been almost casual then. He'd never before witnessed the absolute passion and love that seemed to radiate from them now. He had never thought he would ever completely come to terms with the thought of Ron shagging another boy... but seeing them together like this made it seem almost natural... and strangely right. He'd never seen Ron so absolutely content.

I obviously picked the wrong host... an irritating voice whispered in Harry's head, its amusement at the sight obvious, Even blind he probably got laid ten times more than you ever did! Harry studiously ignored it.

Snape rolled his eyes after a moment and shoved Harry into the circle. "Can we get this done while the moon is still in the proper phase please?" He asked with a smirk.

They broke apart, both of them blushing slightly as Ron backed up a bit, taking up a position similar to the ones the teachers held. The others shifted around to make them all equidistant. They all stood about two feet from the circle, about five feet between themselves and the person to either side. There were seven in all now making up the secondary line of defense. Hagrid, Dumbledore, McGonagall, Oblique, Snape, Ron and the diminutive Flitwick.

Harry looked at Ron sadly. He couldn't deny him the right to be there, but he still feared something would go wrong. "Ron..." He said softly, drawing the boy's attention.

"Ya?" Ron said guardedly, obviously afraid Harry was going to ask him to leave.

"If... if this goes wrong... and they have to... stop it..." He said, the implications of what that would mean to him quite clear by his tone, "Promise me you won't try to stop them. It can't be allowed to escape, no matter what."

Ron looked pained, but nodded, dropping his eyes. "I know..."

"Harry..." Snape said softly. It was the first time Harry could recall Snape ever using his first name. "It's time to begin."

Harry took a deep breath and nodded, closing his eyes. Then he opened them again, looking over at Ron hesitantly. "Actually... there was one more thing..." Harry said, reaching out towards Ron.

Blaise slammed his elbow into Harry's chest with such force he was thrown back several feet where he sprawled on his back. Ron just looked at Blaise, stunned by the sudden assault, but Blaise was paying him no attention, stabbing his staff down on the line. It was like a lit match hitting a line of gasoline. Ghostly, silvery light sprang up from the circle drawn in the moss, shooting up almost straight for nearly six feet before arching in, forming a shallow dome top that completed the enclosure. Once it was sealed at the top the light just swirled around lazily, like a thin layer of trapped, illuminated smoke surrounding them.

"If you really thought that it would be that easy..." Blaise said, crouching down beside Harry's side. "Then you really screwed yourself by cursing me..."

'Harry's' eyes widened as he saw opalescent eyes staring down at him. Then his eyes narrowed as he growled, starting to get back up.

Blaise reached out and shoved him back down. It was obvious the demon was struggling against it, but Blaise managed to push him all the way back down without too much apparent effort. "Just giving you fair warning demon. Try any more stupid stunts and I'll give you a right fine pasting! We can always patch Potter back up later."

"What the bloody Hell's gotten into you?" The demon asked angrily, rubbing his chest where Blaise's hand had been.

"Well, thanks to you, about a pint of Re'em blood. It is the most prominent ingredient in the counter curse for the White Wraith, and they had to give me quite a bit... still didn't get it all apparently thought..." he said, batting his eyelashes and smirking, "Too bad for you..."

Blaise then stood, his eyes returning to normal as he walked back over to the edge of the circle. He started chanting softly in elvish as he began pacing slowly around the perimeter. Blue light crackled from the top of his staff, jumping over to the shield like static electricity, making it glow brighter.

The demon growled in irritation, glaring around at the gathered onlookers. He got back to his feet, going over to the edge of the circle and touching it, then snatching his hand back and shaking it, letting out a hiss of anger.

Next he turned his attention to Draco, walking over towards him while keeping a watchful eye on Blaise. Blaise made no move to stop him. The demon stopped dead as he spotted the second circle encompassing Draco. He approached it more cautiously, reaching out. He growled in frustration as his hand came up against another barrier. He let out a shriek of rage, slamming his fist against the barrier. Draco looked up from his work long enough to smirk at him, then paid him no further attention, swirling his wand over the cauldron and beginning to chant softly in elvish..

Blaise completed his circuit and stopped,lowering his staffand smirking over at him. "You don't really think I would leave him unguarded, do you? He was safe in his little barricade five minutes before you even got here. I'm not daft."

The demon eyed him speculatively for a moment, then obviously decided a change of tactics was in order. A grin slipped onto his lips as he strolled over to Blaise. "If you let me out of here, I can give you anything you want..." He purred temptingly.

Blaise chuckled, "You have nothing I want, demon."

"Oh really?" He said, drawing up to him. "I could show you pleasures like you've never known... You can't tell me you've never wanted to give this body a thorough shagging..."

Blaise smiled, "Actually, I can tell you that. And with all honesty. I've never been attracted to Harry."

The demon furrowed his brow. "Well then it had to have been his personality that was putting you off... and that won't be a problem now."

Blaise chuckled. "It wasn't just his personality."

The demon let out a snort. "Oh please. What could you possibly find fault in? If it's endowment, I guarantee that is no problem." He started undoing his pants.

Blaise laughed and clapped his hand over his eyes, "Please! There are ladies present. I believe you. That still doesn't mean I want to shag him."

The demon growled, desisting in disrobing. "What is it then?"

Blaise cautiously lowered his hand, then smirked again. "He's just not Ron, now is he?"

The demon rolled his eyes. "Oh please, like it's a key that will only fit one lock!"

Blaise laughed again. "Two actually. I am in love with the two most wonderful people this world has to offer, they are in love with me, I'm going to be a father, I have the best friend a bloke could ever ask for, I'm young, I'm rich, I can bloody well see through walls, and my father is dead. There is absolutely nothing else in this world that I require." He said with a smirk, leaning on his staff.

The demon eyed him incredulously, then looked over at Draco. "Is he always this insufferably enthusiastic?"

"Always." Draco said without even looking up. "You get used to it." He was carefully filling what looked like a milkweed pod with a number of unidentifiable ingredients.

The demon rolled his eyes. "Bloody Pollyanna." He muttered darkly, glaring at Blaise venomously, stalking off and throwing himself down on his back on the ground before Draco.

Blaise did another circuit and all was quiet for a time. The Demon seemed utterly bored. Draco had sealed the pod and carefully painted elvish characters on the outside. The demon watched him as he finished up.

Looking bored, he raised his hand, pinching his thumb and forefinger together tightly, then easing them apart. When he drew them apart a small glowing blue sphere was floating between them. He pulled his hand away, leaving it suspended there and folding his arms behind his head. He pursed his lips and blew on it, then smirked as it drifted up. Blaise, who was on the opposite side of the circle, having just completing another circuit, turned and saw him staring up. He followed his gaze to the sphere just as it reached the top of the barrier. As it made contact there was a sudden brilliant flash of light and loud crack. When the light faded nothing more than tiny sparks fell away, winking out before even getting near the ground. The demon chuckled merrily.

"What the bloody Hell was that?" Blaise demanded.

The demon gave a negligent shrug. "Spare soul. Don't worry, no one you knew I'm sure... makes for a pretty little bit of fireworks though, doesn't it?"

Blaise's jaw dropped in shock. It had destroyed a soul for simple amusement!

"I've got hundreds more you know..." He said, lifting his hand again and repeating the process, flicking another soul so that it zipped up, colliding with the barrier with the same results as the last.

"Stop it!" Blaise growled threateningly.

"Senseless destruction of random souls is wasteful. You're right." The demon said solemnly. "Even though those souls long since lost their links to the mortal world. You know... it's interesting. After this long, they don't even know where to go anymore... just drift around on air currents and such if released... now fresh souls... they still have living links to the mortal world..." He said, casually drawing out another soul and examining it as he spoke, shooting a surreptitious glance over at Draco and seeing him dropping the pod into the cauldron, the spell nearly complete, "Most especially souls of those who have experienced love... they are drawn back to the source of their emotional attachment. It's fascinating really..."

He pulled his fingers away from the gently glowing sphere, watching it intently as it began to drift away. He sat up and smirked as it drifted over towards the side of the circle. "Hmm...." He said with a wicked smirk, "It appears to be drifting towards you Snape... now who's soul would do that I wonder...?"

Snape's eyes widened as he took a step closer. The little glowing sphere had almost reached the barrier. "Hermione!" He said in a soft, fearful whisper.

Blaise's eyes went round, he looked over, seeing Draco springing to his feet and putting his hands against the barrier, but it kept him in just as surely as it kept the demon out. Blaise darted his eyes back as the soul drifted up to the barrier. He let out a growl of frustration, dropping his staff across the line of the barrier. In an instant the barrier winked out of being.

In the blink of an eye, the demon was up and diving towards the side, straight at Ron, who was the weakest wizard present. Ron's eyes widened. He knew he couldn't let it get out, but what could he do? It would be impervious to his spells even if he could get his wand out in time. As it blurred at him, he did the only thing he could think to. He stepped up to the edge of the circle and braced himself. His arm darted up, the flat of his palm striking it in the center of it's chest as it reached the edge of the circle. He was just as surprised as the demon when the strike made contact with great force, throwing the demon back and sending it sprawling. Then Blaise reached it, pouncing on it.

The demon growled, grabbing Blaise's shirt to try to lever him off, then let out a cry of pain, jerking his hands away from the material, the skin of its hands left red and raw looking. Blaise chuckled, flipping him over and pulling his arm up behind him, planting his knee in the middle of his back and effectively pinning him. "Like the clothes? Elvish living fiber cloth. Very nice."

The demon let out an inarticulate roar of rage.

Blaise looked over, relieved to see that he had taken down the barrier in time. The little blue sphere was drifting up to Snape. As he watched, it disappeared into his chest. Snape closed his eyes, clutching his hand to the place it had entered and letting out a barely disguised sob of relief. He then took a deep breath and let it out, carefully composing himself.

He opened his eyes, looking over to the center of the circle. Draco grinned at him, then looked down as the cauldron hissed. They all watched as a fine mist-like cloud emerged, gathering above the cauldron for a moment before darting purposefully towards the demon. It let out a howl of anger and thrashed, but Blaise held it down. The mist flowed over Harry's body like water, passing through Blaise's hands and knee as if they weren't even there. Then it disappeared, obviously sinking down into Harry's skin.

It's thrashing subsided and it slumped down defeatedly, letting out a sound of pure frustration.

"Don't make any attempts to escape or hurt anyone." Draco said with a smirk.

"Yes master..." it hissed, it's voice full of open hatred.

Blaise let up, standing. He watched it cautiously for a moment as it lay there, then hurried over to Ron, "You ok?" He said urgently, looking him over.

"I'm fine..." Ron said, looking a bit mystified, "How did I do that? It should have torn right through me."

"Unicorn blood..."

They both looked over. Snape was standing there with a highly amused look on his face.

"Unicorn blood?" Ron asked, puzzled.

Snape chuckled. "In your case, it was Re'em blood, but I imagine you got it in the same manner as Potter passed on the unicorn blood..."

Blaise and Ron suddenly made the connection, looking at eachother and blushing brightly. "Oh..." Ron said softly.

"So that's why you woke up so quickly..." Blaise said musingly.

"You realize what this means of course..." Snape said, his amusement growing.

Blaise looked over at him, then back at Ron, comprehension dawning. A brilliant smile lit across his face.

Ron furrowed his brow. "What?"

"How about I tell you back in our room?" Blaise said, his voice dropping into a low, seductive purr.

A smile slid across Ron's face as he realized that Blaise's extra strength wouldn't be that much of an issue anymore. Then he looked over at Snape sharply. "Pansy!"

Snape looked at them thoughtfully. "It might be best if both of you refrained from intimate relations with Miss Parkinson for now... I will study the problem tomorrow... but for now I have other issues to tend to..." He looked over at Draco, who had taken down the barrier and was now staring down at the demon, who had still not bothered to rise. "I trust you have this in hand now?"

Draco looked over at him and grinned, "Go."

Snape then looked over hesitantly at Dumbledore. The aged man was looking at him contemplatively. After a moment, he nodded. "Indeed. Tend to Miss Granger. We'll meet in the morning to discuss... matters."

Snape sighed, but gave him a curt nod of agreement and left without further preamble.

----------

Snape entered the room, looking down at Hermione's peacefully resting body. He carefully closed the door behind him and crossed to the bed, sitting down beside her. He sighed. He knew once she was back she would leave his life once again, one way or another. She'd probably be crushed when she found out Harry was now interested in someone else. He had no doubt the demon was the only reason she would have ever said Harry was anything but the perfect boy for her.

... and yet her soul had come to him...

But then, Harry was currently buried deep beneath the demon's presence, so there was really no chance the soul would recognize it and try to return to it. He closed his eyes, feeling her warm presence suffusing him. He would be content to just let her remain there forever, filling the emptiness he had felt inside for as long as he could remember... but he knew he could never do that. Even if she belonged to another, she had the right to lead her own life, even if it was without him. He was sure the demon would allow Harry to return to her once she was once again awake and able to shag. He flinched away from the image of Harry groping her that instantly blossomed in his mind, shutting off all thought in that direction.

He took a deep breath and let it out. It was time. He reached over and pulled the blanket down some, then gently pulled down the neckline of the nightgown Pomfrey had put her in, placing the palm of his hand flat against the warm, bare skin over her breastbone. He gathered his will and urged her soul towards her body.

He could feel the soul reluctantly drifting towards the waiting body. As soon as the first tendrils made contact with the body, it was immediately drawn out and he felt suddenly cold and empty inside. He pulled his hand away, feeling the ache of loss, even after so brief a period of housing her soul.

She started breathing deeper, and in moments, her eyes fluttered open. He felt immense relief as her eyes darted around dazedly. "Where am I? How did I get here?" She asked in confusion, her voice soft and weary.

"This is a Siege tunnel attached to Slytherin Dungeon. As to how you got here... it is a bit of a long story..." Snape said gently.

She blinked, her eyes fastening on him the moment she heard his voice. "Snape." She said achingly, struggling to sit up. She wrapped her arms around him, her muscles protesting jerkily.

He quickly put his arms around her to support her. "Careful..." He said with soft concern.

"What's wrong with me?" She asked, her arms tightening on him as her voice became alarmed at her body's weakness.

"It's ok... it will work out. You just haven't used your body for several days... What do you remember?"

Hermione thought about it, still clinging to him. "I... I was going to see you... and... then I was in your office... we were talking... I hugged you and then... then I don't know..."

He blinked in surprise. It couldn't possibly have been her all the way up to the hug... she had asked him to take her back before that.

She straightened slightly against him. "There is something else..." She said, suddenly sounding very uncertain. "I... was drifting... and I felt a pulling... and... then I was floating in warmth... and...?" She pulled back some, looking at him in confusion.

He gave her a wane smile. "The demon took your soul. When it released it you were... drawn into me. I carried you within me for a brief period before being able to return you to your body."

"So... that was you that I felt?" She asked, her warm, gentle eyes staring at him so intently it made his heart flutter in his chest. He studiously ignored it.

He inclined his head slightly. "Yes."

Her eyes suddenly got very large and she seemed to be having a hard time breathing properly, "But... when I was in you... I felt like I never wanted to leave... because... it felt like I was completely surrounded by love... but that would mean... you love me?" She asked in a small voice.

His eyes widened, then quickly darted away. He opened his mouth, but then closed it again when no words emerged. He had no clue how to answer that. He'd never considered the possibility that she would have been able to feel his emotions, let alone remember them upon awaking.

She placed her hand on his cheek, gently forcing him to face her. "I love you too..." She said softly.

He had no idea what to say, but then suddenly found words unnecessary as her lips found his. He closed his eyes, unable to contain himself as he quickly deepened the kiss, the pain of watching her lifeless body still fresh in his mind. He forgot all about propriety and maintaining his usual stony facade as he held her to him, kissing her with more passion than he had ever allowed himself to show before. Let tomorrow bring what it may... for tonight, his emotional barriers dissolved, letting her tender kisses ease the aching in his heart.

------------------

A/Ns - A long time in coming, I know. Sorry, but I'm having to work a lot of things out right now as far as plotline. As for how much longer this will run, I'm still not sure. It's not quite over, that much I do know. There are some issues still to resolve, and working out how to resolve them is resulting in a bit of juggling around and revising, so just bear with me. As for a sequel, sorry, but that is not in the plans. Once I have completed the current storyline I will leave it up for reviewer suggestions (Submitted in email only please) as to what I could possibly do as a sequel, but I really doubt anything could possibly inspire another line in this same 'world' even half the length of this story. After a while (haven't set a time limit yet), if I do not receive a feasible sequel idea, I will cap the story, after which there will be no further additions. Sorry. All good things must come to an end. That said, here's a couple of responses to reviewers:

demonicangel - no I don't.

Jeaniy - Voldermortist can be found in the book section of mugglenet dot com under "Name origins". Fascinating what some of the names in Harry Potter mean. She must have put considerable thought into them. I think Mugglenet forgot a couple though... Here are a couple that I found in an online British slang dictionary: ;)

Percy Noun. A pet name for the penis. (So that's why he's such a dick!!!)

Oliver Wood - wood Noun. An erect penis. Cf. 'woody'. (Admittedly, I think of Oliver's wood every time I watch that movie! Man I love the way he talks... ;P Too bad he graduated (pout) ok, he made a cameo in my story, but I didn't feel right working him into the story more)

Dobby - dobber Noun. 1. A penis. ;P ok, this is the more likely origin: dob Verb. To inform on, betray. Orig. Aust. (after all, he did betray his family to inform Harry of his immanent danger!) but the other origin is funnier!

Winky - winkle Noun. Affectionate name for a penis. (And hey, my son calls his a winky! He couldn't understand why they would call her that (ROTFL) He's just standing there with this innocent, puzzled look on his cute little face, completely serious while I'm laughing my arse off... these are the moments we cherish...)

Anybody else getting a heavy Freudian vibe here???