Remember: Peace, Love and be a Marauder! I mean, why wouldn't you be?
Disclaimer: *Albus, Severus, and Harry level their staffs on the authoress* Geez! Alright, alright, I don't own anything! Put those things down you could poke someone's eye out.
Chapter 21- Harbored Suspicions Grow
The twins were just leaving the Headmaster's office when there was a cautious knock at the door. Seri quickly repaired the window before answering.
"Come in," she called. The door opened a fraction and McGonagall peeked her head in.
"What can we do for you Minerva?" Kit asked politely as the woman slipped in followed by Remus.
"We just came to see what was wrong with Albus, he seemed ill at lunch," the Transfiguration professor answered. Both healers smiled and led the two professors back out the door.
"No need to worry, just a mild allergic reaction. We've given him some medicine and he should be up and around by this afternoon," Seri assured as the reached the bottom of the revolving stairs. Minerva looked relieved but Remus still seemed unconvinced.
"An allergic reaction? To what? And why was Severus affected? What happened to him?" he asked in rapid succession. The twins did some quick thinking.
"It seems that our dear Headmaster and Potions Master have developed the same allergy. It's sprung up just this summer and Kit and I have been monitering it closely. Though, apparently, not close enough. It is rather hard to change one's eating habits and neither has yet. It's entirely our fault, we both failed to mention to the house-elves not to put that spice in the foods. Luckly it was only a small amount, no real harm done. I think both will be much more careful from now on and we will be more attentive. Now, if you'll excuse us, we have some rather pressing business to attend to," Seri took her sister by the elbow and led her away from the other two. They professors stood there for a moment, still processing all that they had been told.
"Well," Remus began, "I guess we can check up on him later then." McGonagall nodded and both headed their own seperate ways.
It was time to return to the land of the living, his body informed him. He did not care; he fought to stay asleep, to not have to face what had happened, to not have to face the cold harshness of reality alone. Reality's pull, however, was too strong to resist and it dragged him to the surface. He opened his heavy lids to discover that he was not alone after all. Albus on one side, sleeping peacefully and Severus on the other, though his sleep was not so peaceful. The Potions Master moaned silently, his hands twitching and head moving from side-to-side.
"Sev?" he croaked out, hardly loud enough to be heard. He failed to reach the man through the nightmare he was trapped in.
"No...no not them. Please not them, take me instead," he pleaded, hands twitching more voilently. Harry grasped one of his hands, forged through their link and slammed him out of his dreams. Severus awoke with a gasp as did Albus. Severus sat straight up Albus winced and rubbed his head.
"Goodness Harry, what did you do? My head feels like I've been hit with a bat." Harry ignored him for the moment and stared at Severus.
"Father?" he tried a different appoach. Severus snapped out of his trance and grabbed Harry in a fierce hug.
"Father?" he asked, concerned by the man's behavior.
"I'm sorry Harry, God I am so sorry I couldn't protect you," he choked out, burying his face in the long black hair.
"It's not your fault Severus, it was bound to happen sooner or later."
"Did you know he was after you Harry?" Albus asked sharply. Harry looked away, ashamed.
"Yes. I had suspicions he might try something and they were confirmed when Dudley told me Vernon had been roaming the halls." Albus laid a hand on his grandson's shoulder, reasoning the boy thought he was scolding him.
"Did Dudley tell his dad the password?" Was the man's next question, spoken more gently so as not to frighten the boy. Harry shook his head.
"I doubt it. His ears were covered and he'd turned around. Merlin would have said anything if he'd turned back." Albus ran his hand over Harry's back.
"We'll talk about this later. How about some dinner?" Harry shook his head and buried his face in Severus' pajamas.
"Now come on little one, you have to eat something." He immedieately knew that he'd said something wrong when Harry stiffened and pulled away from him, seeking out Albus. Severus stared at him, at a loss.
"What? What did I do?" he asked desperately.
"Please don't call me that," came the muffled response. Severus nodded, not understanding the boy's reaction. He laid his hand on the other's back and was dismayed when Harry flinched away from him. He sighed miserably and slid off the bed.
"Why don't I order some food for us Albus?" he said, keeping his tone as nuetral as possible. Without waiting for an answer, he left them alone.
"Oh no, I hurt his feelings," Harry moaned, burying himself deeper in the headmaster's nightshirt. The older man ran a caressing hand through the messy hair.
"You can't help the way you react fire child. Though, why you are reacting that way is a good question," he said hopefully. He felt his grandchild shift in his arms until his face emerged from the soft, white material.
"That's what he called me, little one," he shuddered, tightening his hold on his grandfather. Albus had a firm feeling who exactly this 'he' was but thought it prudent not to mention it.
"It's okay, he won't come near you again," Albus murmured just as the door opened and Severus came through it with a full tray.
"Would you rather eat there or at the table?" the Potions Master asked stiffly.
"Table," was the quiet response.
"All right. Father would you carry him, we don't want him to injure that ankle anymore." Gathering Harry tightly to him, Albus scooted to the edge of the bed and stood up. Severus pulled out a chair and Albus placed him in it, then took his own chair beside him. The meal included chicken soup which Severus spooned into a bowl and placed in front of Harry. As he reached for the spoon to feed him, a smaller hand closed around his won. With the hand came the familiar mental hum, tinged purple in apology. He looked up into soul-ful green eyes and smiled.
"Oh course I forgive you childing; how could I not? You are hardly to blame." His smile was returned with shy happiness.
"Well, are we going to stare at the food and watch it congeal or are we going to eat?" Albus asked teasingly, earning him a kick under the table from his son. Harry allowed Severus to feed him and was able to spoon the last few bites before his eyelids became to heavy to hold up. Severus took the spoon from limp hands and wiped excess soup from around his son's mouth before picking him up and replacing him on the bed. Just as he did, there was a hesitant knock.
"Who is it?" Albus called.
"The local potions hawker and her partner in crime the witch doctor," came the cheerful reply. The headmaster snorted and Severus walked over to open the door.
"The witch doctor is appreciated but the potions hawker can take a hike." The 'potions hawker' drew herself up haughtly and pushed him aside.
" Move aside amatuer, professional coming through and I have pain killers for the wee one." Kit dropped her bag on the end of the bed and began digging through it, muttering to herself.
"I swear she's one feather short of a full plume," the dark man muttered. Seri laid her hand on his shoulder and whispered, "I agree," as she passed by on her way to the bed. She pulled the boy's limp form into her lap, resting his head against her chest.
"Why pain-killers?" Albus asked as Kit filled her syringe. She answered while administring the shot.
"His wounds may be healed but we did it, not allowing the body to do so naturally. Therefore the remembrance of the pain still lingers and can be quite a discomfort."
"Besides the fact," Seri picked up, "that he still has bruises that are awfully painful and will have to go away on their own. That black-eye may take a while to completely fade."
"All done," Kit proclaimed, drawing away and re-packing her bag. "Now," she rounded on the men, "I....what happened to you Albus?" she asked, surprise shining out from her voice. Albus and Severus traded confused looks before Severus spotted what was causing the commotion.
"Albus, your hair," he pointed a shaking finger at it. The Headmaster's frown deepened.
"What, what about my hair?" he turned to look in the burea mirror.
"What on earth....?" he fingered the changed chin whiskers. His once snow white hair was now streaked with auburn. As he studied his face more closely he noticed that there seemed to be less wrinkles than before. He turned to the others, uncertainty possessing his features.
"What's happened to me?" he asked. The healer and Potions Master shrugged.
"Maybe this is a side-effect of you gaining your mage powers, it's regressing your aging process," Severus hazarded to guess, shrugging again to show he wasn't certain himself.
"But why has it started now? It's been a week and a half since I got my staff."
"We'll worry about that later Albus, it's not effecting you any is it?" Kit asked. The Headmaster shook his head.
"The only difference I can tell is that I've felt more energetic of late but besides that," he shook his head once more, "nothing out of the ordinary." Kit clapped her hands together.
"Good. Now, I want you two out of here." They stared at her in put off confusion. When they didn't move or say anything immediately, Kit became impatient.
"Well," she tapped her foot, "I don't see you going."
"What makes you think we'll leave him alone?" Severus demanded. Kit rolled her eyes.
"Do you honestly think we'd leave him alone? Seri wanted to stay with him the rest of the afternoon," she gestured to the sleeping woman, "My instructions for you are to go take a walk; do something to get rid of your anger. It won't do you or Harry any good bottling it up inside." Albus scratched his head thoughtfully.
"I suppose a walk around the school wouldn't be so bad," he admitted and Kit bobbed her head up and down, smiling encouragingly.
"Good idea, and take Fawkes with you, he'll help soothe your frazzled nerves." Severus cleared his throat.
"I refuse to leave," he crossed his arms stubbornly. Kit bounced on her the balls of her feet in annoyance when a sudden idea struck. She grinned, strolled up to him and tweaked his nose.
"Is there a reason you're tempting death?" he growled. She grinned cheekily.
"I challenge you Severus Snape-Dumbledore to a fencing match." He blinked then sneered, looking down his nose at her.
"Why should I answer the challenge of person with obvious insuperior skills?" he asked arrogantly.
"Afraid you'll lose Severus?" A drowsy voice called from the bed. Both turned to observe Seri squinting at them.
"Are you?" she asked again. Severus puffed up.
"Very well, I accept your challenge. Meet me at the painting of Hogwarts. It's a couple of halls over from my room. Bring your gear." She nodded, still grinning at her victory.
"Oh, and sister," Kit turned, "don't run him down too much, I'll be there soon enough to take your place." Severus raised an eyebrow at this but said nothing. Kit nodded in understanding, grabbed her bag and headed out the door. Both men watched her leave before turning back to the bed to discover....
"She's asleep again," Severus said in disbelief. And so she was. Severus heaved a heavy sigh, knowing he'd been tricked into leaving his son. But as he watched, he noticed the distinct way she was holding him. With the slightest of turns, she could shield him from an attack, yet the position allowed him the maxium amount of comfort. As he approached them, her hold tightened and protectiveness began to waft off of her in almost tangible waves. He stopped, surprised.
"Well," he turned to the older mage, "we might as well get dressed and do as she says. What are we going to say about what happened in the Great Hall though?" Albus shrugged, not knowing what else to do.
"I trust the healers have explained our abrupt depature and what was ailing us."
"Though likely not the truth," Severus added.
"Likely not," the man conceeded. Backing away from the bed slowly, the Potions Master walked to the chest of drawers and began to rifle though it.
"After my little jaunt around the castle maybe I'll stop by the torture chamber and see what's left of you after those two are done," Albus smirked, which earned him a shirt in the face.
"As Harry would say: Oh shut up."
Fifteen minutes later both were dressed and in a presentable condition. By then Severus had worked himself up into a rather foul mood and even Albus was treading lightly around him. It was decided he would leave first then Albus would follow a few seconds later. It would look as though the Headmaster were making his customary rounds of the castle, Fawkes in tow.
"Ready?" Albus asked his son. Severus squared his shoulders and blanked his expression; you would think that he was going into battle. Which, considering what awaited him downstairs, might not be far from the truth. At his affirmative nod the Headmaster opened the door and Severus stomped down the stairs, not waiting for them to take him. He waited impatiently for the stonewall to move aside and when it did he ploughed through the opening, straight into McGonagall and Lupin.
"Move," he growled, not bothering to apologize.
"Well excuse you," McGonagall called grumpily as Remus helped her to her feet.
"Wonder who stuck a stick up his ass," Remus muttered as they watched the man's retreating back. Their question was answered a second later when the stonewall again slide aside to reveal the headmaster himself. He greeted both professors with a smile.
"Hello. Is there something I can do for you?" he asked politely though he was anxious to get going. They both shook their heads, relieved to see the Headmaster up and about.
"We just came to check on you. After your allergic reaction at lunch we were afraid you weren't going to be well....well," McGonagall answered, concern lighting in her eyes. He smiled brightly.
"I'm fine," he said, trying to assauge their fears. His smile, tone and quick step assured them both that the man was not suffering in any way. It was then that Remus noticed....
"Albus your hair!" he exclaimed. The Headmaster grimaced and once again touched the altered whiskers.
"It was a reaction to the medicine from the healers, it should fade in a day or so," he explained quickly. He hated lying to his friends but he could see no other way to offer an explination. Telling that he was a mage, that was for another time.
"Well I'm off for a walk, I'll see you two later." With a jaunty wave good-bye he headed off, Fawkes firmly latched to his shoulder.
Kit was stretching when Severus arrived at the torture chamber. This particular room in the castle had been used when it was first built by the founders as an indoor training arena. It earned the name 'torture chamber' because of the grueling work the students were put through while here. The four founders, especially Slytherin and Gryffindor, had been hard task masters, demanding everything from their pupils . They would push them to the very edge of their limits and beyond, preparing them for life outside the formidable stone walls. After a century or so it had ceased to be used and left to gather dust and cobwebs. He'd discovered it in his third year and had been his special place of solace during his time at school. Even after he'd returned to teach, he continued to use the room to hone his battle skills. Plus it was the perfect place to meditate. Once he completed his stretching he put on his padding and turned to face Kit who was waiting for him.
"The challenge," he slid his mask into place, "is on." They saluted one another. At the first shout of "En garde!", the battle of clashing metal began.
Harry slowly awoke to the soft, sweet smell of night-blooming jasmine. There could be no mistaking who held him gently in her arms. Seri's fine gold hair tickled his nose and he pulled away a bit. Her first reaction was to tighten her grip but then it loosened as she too awoke.
"Hello childing, how are you feeling?" she greeted warmly. Harry sat up a bit to look at her. Behind the happy visage he could see her worry. It showed in the lines around her eyes and the tightness of her mouth. He found something else strange. She handled him in an almost motherly way, brushing the hair from his eyes and running a calming hand down his back. That, and the fact that she called him childing; a thing no one but Severus had done. With a little encouragement, he gave into the mothering touch and laid his head back on her shoulder.
"Better," he croaked, his thoat dry. As if sensing his wish for water, Seri held out a glass and helped him take a couple of swallows before placing it on the nightstand.
"Do you feel up to talking about what happened?" she broached the subject cautiously, hoping she had not done this too soon. She felt his body stiffen but he did not pull away from her which she took as a good sign. After a few moments of quiet reassurances, he relented and let the tension flow out of his body.
"You know you don't have to say anything if you're not ready, I'll understand completely. I am asking a great deal from you," she said but he shook his head.
"No, no it's better to do it now and get it over with," he drew in a deep breath, "I was coming in from fencing with you and I ran in to McGonagall. She was on her way to lunch and I said I'd be there after I'd cleaned up," Seri nodded, encouraging him to go on. "Well, I went down to the dungeons and as I was going in Merlin kept trying to tell me something but I wasn't listening because I was in a hurry. I didn't sense anything out of the ordinary when I went in. I changed clothes and was just coming out when he came up behind me," he began to shiver and she gather him closer to her, "All he said was hello but I knew that tone. I was in for it. When he threw me against the couch I knew I had to do something about Severus and Albus."
"Why didn't you call to them or use your magic to stop him?" Seri asked. He shook his head, burying his face in the crook or her neck as sobs wracked his thin form.
"I-I couldn't, I just c-couldn't," he sobbed. The healer ran her hand over his back and through his hair, whispering to him that it was alright, she understood. And she did. It was not an uncommon reaction, to freeze when faced with someone that had abused you all your life. All she needed to do was establish the fact that it wouldn't happen again firmly in his mind.
"Do you want to go on?" she asked finally after letting his tears flow a few minutes. He nodded and she gently dried his face with a tissue.
"I closed off Albus and Severus because I didn't want them to suffer with me. I was barely able to do that before the whip came down," he shuddered, "Again and again, he just wouldn't stop. It was just like the first day back to Privet Drive all over again."
"He's beat you with a whip before?!" she cried in astonishment. He nodded miserably. She closed her eyes and fought fiercely to keep her anger from surfacing. There would be at time and a place to let that anger emerge. When she next met that slimy git Vernon Dursley.
"Go on," she commanded.
"He kept calling me names and telling me how worthless I was and how the world would be better off if I had died with my parents," he made a pathetic mewling sound, "He's right. The world would be better off. Ron and Hermione wouldn't be in danger all of the time and Cedric would be alive." Seri reached down and pulled his chin up, gently but firmly, making him look directly into her fiery green eyes.
"Harry you were not meant to die that night because you had a purpose and that purpose was to change all of our lives. Severus would not be as he is today with out your love for him. More than likely he would have died at the hands of Voldemort. But you prevented that by simply being here and loving us. Cedric dying was a tradgedy yes but not your fault. Neither of you knew that trophey was a port key. I just happened, let it go." He sniffed and laid his head against her shoulder once more, wrapping his arms around her body. She complied by doing the same.
"Thank you, you're right. I can't blame myself," he drew in a breath, determined to finish now that he'd started. "Everything becomes sort of fuzzy after that, I think I was trying to block out what was happening. That and keeping Severus and Albus blocked off was stealing most of my concentration. I do remember one thing. At some point, Hedwig and the others tried to help me," he looked up at her, concern making his eye bright, "What happened to them?" Seri sighed, knowing he would not like the answer.
"Both birds have broken wings and Tave was cut but they are doing fine in Hagrid's care." Harry smiled his relief.
"Another thing I remember is him cutting my ankle. He'd grabbed a sharp stick of wood from one of the furniture pieces and slashed it at me. It felt as though he'd put a hot poker to my foot. Did he damage it badly?" Seri pulled the blanket back so he could see. He grimaced.
"I get the feeling I won't be walking around much."
"Not with out your cane you won't," she said sternly, then let that expression melt away, "Do you remember anything else?" Harry nodded.
"I remember when it stopped. I thought I had died, I figured he must have finally beaten me to death. Then I felt the warmth. But when someone called out 'little one' I thought Vernon had come back but it turned out to be Severus....." he moaned, "I hurt his feelings earlier because he called me that. It's going to happen again, I know it and I can't help the way I react." The healer rocked him for a moment, racking her brain for a solution.
"What would you do Harry if I called you that right now?" He shrugged helplessly.
"Probably the same thing I did to Sev," he said miserably. Seri gathered her energy together and waited to catch him off guard.
"Little one," she whispered into to his ear. His reaction was immediate; he tried desperately to break away from her. Her hold, however, was too strong and she held him stead-fast to her. With a few well chosen words, warmth began to permeate Harry's cold body and slowed his struggle somewhat. With the warmth came her love for the boy as well. This stopped his struggle all together.
"Little one," she whispered again. This time he didn't even try to break away but looked up at her in confusion. She hugged him tightly.
"You are our little one and we should be able to call you that," she said firmly, "All you have to do when someone calls you that is seek the warmth it should bring and I garentee you'll cure it in no time." He smiled weakly, grateful for what his moth...the woman had done.
"Now, I think you need more sleep little one," she shifted to allow him to be more comfortable, "How about a lullaby? Say...Rock A Bye Baby?"
"I don't know that one," he admitted in a small voice. Her initial response was that of surprise but she tapped that down, knowing she should not be; especially with family life that he'd had.
"Well, then it's about time you heard it. Ready?" He nodded.
"Rock a bye baby, on the tree top. When the wind blows, the cradle will rock," she began to to rock him back and forth, her contralto voice soothing the last of his fears away, "When the bow breaks, the cradle will fall. And down will come baby, cradle," she brushed a lock of his hair from his face as his eyes drifted closed, "and all."
"Okay, okay!" Kit waved her arms, backing way from the advancing Potions Master, "I yield. Can we stop now?" It took a moment for the angry haze to dissipate but it did. He sighed and dropped his foil, removing his mask.
"I need a drink, what about you?" Severus nodded and sat down on the bench.
"You'll have to go up to the kitchens. The house-elves don't like coming down here," he man divulged. Kit grabbed her towel and headed towards the door.
"Be back in a bit," and she was gone. When she was outside, she smirked and pulled an old piece of parchment from her pocket. After a few words and a tap she knew where she was going and headed off.
After Albus had left his office, he'd more or less wandered aimlessly through the cavernous halls. That, and wallowed in self-anger. Yes he was angry at Vernon Dursley for doing what he'd done to Harry but he was even more angry at himself for allowing it to happen. He was the Headmaster, he was here to prevent such things from occurring. More importantly he was Harry's grandfather, his grandfather, he was supposed to protect him. He couldn't even do that. He sighed, he wasn't fit to be part of Harry's family. Fawkes let out a depressed note, reflecting his master's emotions.
"You keep berating yourself like that Headmaster and I'm going to have to dump you in the lake," came the stern, yet amused voice from behind. He turned and was surprised to see Kit walking toward him.
"I thought you were sparing with Severus," he said as she joined him.
"Eh, we're done." She waved Fawkes off the Headmaster's shoulder, "Go on and take Seri's place." The red phoenix nodded, tugged at his master's hair affectionately and flew off, piping a cheerful song. They watched him disappear before resuming their walk.
"So," Kit began after a time of silence, "how are you doing?" Albus sighed, removed his glasses and rubbed the bridge of his nose.
"I'm caught between wanting to raid Argus' office for his manicles and hanging that man by his thumbs or shoving hot coals in his stomach*," he paused, a slow smile forming, "or both." Kit eye's bulged then she burst out laughing and eventually the Headmaster chuckled as well.
"You are a Slytherin I swear!" she proclaimed. Albus took on a look of complete innocence, a smile playing on his lips.
"The Sorting Hat did offer to put me there if you want the absolute truth." This admission halted the healer in her tracks. Albus turned and saw her staring at him in disbelief.
"You are joking, right?" His smile took on a distinctly evil element and he resumed his walk.
"Absolutely not." There was silence from behind then she caught up with him.
"So...." she started as before, "how exactly do you shove hot coals into someone's stomach?" Albus' evil smile widened.
"Well, it's quite simple really....."
Seri looked up from her sleeping charge as Fawkes appeared in a burst of flame at the foot of the bed. She smiled and waved him oever, gently laying Harry on the bed. The phoenix hopped over and nestled down beside him, the coal black eyes watching her as she slid off the bed.
"Take care of him for us friend. You are wingbrothers and he needs your help." The creature dipped it's elegant head in understanding. Seri grinned, grabbed her duffel bag and dashed out.
Severus towel dried his face, wondering what had happened to Kit.
"It shouldn't have taken her this long," he mumbled. He threw the towel away and it landed on the healer's bag, knocking it open. A glint from within caught his attention and he reached inside. He withdrew an unopened bottle of water.
"Now why would...." Cold metal pressed against the back of his neck and he stiffened. Slowly, so as not to make any sudden movements, he turned and found himself staring directly into the wire mesh of a mask.
"Kit what took you so long?" he asked. The covered metal tip of the fencing foil pressed threatingly against his Adam's Apple. With the sharp tip covered it could do no harm but could be extremely uncomfortable. He swallowed; who ever this was, he had the vaguest feeling that it wasn't Kit.
"What do you want?" he asked. The foil pushed upwards and he followed, maintaining eye contact. Once he was standing the person stepped back and, using their fencing foil, picked up his foil and tossed it to him. He caught it and stared at the person incrediously.
"You want a match?" His opponent nodded their head fractionately. Severus straightened.
"Very well," he snagged his helment from the bench and both walked to the center of the chamber. After a quick salute it began, the war of skill, procission, calculation, and control. It quickly became apparent to Severus that this person was no amatuer; they knew what they were doing, and doing it well. His or her, he wasn't certain which yet, defense was nearly impenatrable; they blocked every advance. Not only that but used the attack to their advantage. Severus was in no rush, he studied and tested, trying to find a chink in that invisible suit of armor. As he studied the form he suddenly realized who it was. If she kept up what she was doing she'd eventually faulter, all he had to do was wait. In a sport such as fencing one thing should never be allowed to interfere with a player's performance: emotion. Emotion was a distraction, a distraction that would bring down a player's ability. That's what she was fighting with now, emotion. She was letting it control her. But, he discovered, as the battle progressed, that her moves became less eradic and reckless and more procise and calculated. It seemed as though she had harnessed her anger and was using it to her advantage. Before he knew it, she had him backed against the wall, his foil knocked to the floor.
"I yield," he said, raising his hands in the universal sign of surrender. Both were breathing hard from the forty-five minute dance or swords. She did not back way immediately but held him there, though only for a moment. In the next second she was several feet away from him, stripping off her gear. He have himself a little shake, picked up his foil and started towards her. As he approached, a quiet sobbing met his ears.
"Seri?" he called in concern, laying his hand on her shoulder. She removed her helmet, allowing her golden hair to fall before turning to him.
"He told me," her eyes sparkled with the tears she would not allow herself to shed, "he told me everything or what he could remember. Severus how he do that? How could he....how could he...." He pulled her to him, his arms encircling her thin form and his calm, steady presence enveloping her senses.
"You know it's not good to bottle things up inside," he commented which earned him a weak chuckle. She laid her head against his chest, now allowing the tears to flow freely.
"I just don't understand people sometimes Severus. Harry is one of the nicest people I've ever met and Vernon hates him for no reason whatsoever. How could he do what he did?" she asked again. She felt the man sigh.
"Why do Death Eaters do what they do? There's no logical reason for it, but that doesn't stop them from killing and torturing muggles and wizards now does it?"
"No, it certainly doesn't," she agreed. She wiped her red eyes with the back of her hand and looked up at him.
"Would you believe that Harry had never heard 'Rock A Bye Baby' until I sang it to him?" Severus raised an eyebrow.
"Neither have I."
"You've never heard 'Rock A Bye Baby'?'
"My parents weren't exactly what you'd call nurturing. Neglictant is a better word." A small smile formed on her lips.
"Then maybe I should sing it to you too."
"I'd like that," he said as he pulled her down to sit on the bench without relinquishing his hold on her.
"It's a very simple tune really; just listen." She sang softly in her rich voice, deep and yet clear as a bell. When she finished his sighed in contentment.
"Thank you songbird, that was lovely." She hugged him.
"You're welcome Severus, you are very welcome."
When Severus and Albus re-entered the bedroom it was in better spirits than they had left it. They found Harry under the watchful eye of the Headmaster's phoenix.
+It's just us Fawkes,+ Albus said as he shed his robe, +Is he alright?+ The phoenix flew to perch on the man's shoulder.
+He is doing fine, though he needs you two more than me.+ He left Albus' shoulder and pushed him in the back, the did the same to Severus.
+Sleep well you two. I'll alert you if anything happens.+ The Headmaster smiled.
+Thank you old friend, we appreciate it.+ The phoenix winked and disappeared.
"I guess then it's time to turn in," Albus said. Severus nodded, grabbed a pair of pajamas and headed towards the bathroom. He desperately needed a shower. Albus sat down beside his sleeping grandchild and placed a hand on his head. He watched the youthful face for his emotion. A small smile had formed at his touch. He let he gaze wander to the open window to the setting sun and his thoughts wander over the day's events. It had started out normal though certainly hadn't ended that way. So much had happened already; what could the remaining days of the week possibly bring?
Wednesday dawned bright as the sunlight flooded through the window. Harry, as before, was the first to wake and snuggled down between his father and grandfather, seeking the security their warm bodies offered. He most likely would have stayed there until they had woken up if he ahd not sensed a presesence approaching. With a little probbing he discovered it to be the twins. He squirmed to the end of the bed and sat up, calling his cane to him. Scooting over, he grabbed the bed post and pulled himself to his feet. Testing his weight, he discovered his ankle was numb, which meant Kit had given him the heavy duty painkillers. Which also meant he probably shouldn't walk on it. Sighing, he sat back down and waved the door open, startling the healers.
"Be quiet, they're still sleeping," he whispered. They entered silently, shutting the door behind them.
"Have you eaten?" Kit asked. When he shook his head, Seri levitated him over to the table and set him down in one of the chairs.
"Then let's get us some breakfast, it maybe a bit early but I don't think it'll matter," she pulled the bell pull and Dobby popped in with out a sound. He yawned wide and blinked at them sleepily.
"What can Dobby do for you?" he asked.
"Dobby are you alright?" Harry asked back. The house-elf nodded though his ears drooped.
"Dobby is only tired. He has just come off guard duty."
"Why don't you go to bed and send another elf up," Kit suggested gently, but Dobby shook his head, he ears flapping back and forth.
"No, Dobby will help you. What would you like?" Seri looked undecided but answered.
"Just breakfast for three." The house-elf nodded, yawned once more and popped out. A hand fell on the top of Harry's head and he moaned as the loving presesence of Seri flowed through him, poking here and prodding there.
"You're doing much better today though that ankle won't be completely healed before school starts." Harry grimaced as she drew away.
"Is it alright for me to walk on it now?" he wanted to know. Seri's lips pressed into a thin line.
"Yes, but only for short periods of time."
"So a ten kilometer run is out?" he jested. Kit rolled her eyes at the boy's playfullness.
"Yes a ten kilometer run is out. So are you going to eat or let it get cold?" she remarked, gesturing to the food that had appeared on the table. With a sudden fierce appetite he dived in, tasting each of the dishes.
"Hungry are you?" they asked in amusement. He only nodded and continued. When he'd had his fill, he sat back and watched them eat.
"Seri?" The healer dabbed the corners of her mouth with napkin.
"Yes little one?" He closed his eyes, seeking the warmth that endearment should bring. Finding it he re-opened he eyes and smiled.
"Have Aunt Petunia and Dudley been told what has happened yet?" The healer shook her head in a negative fashion.
"No one but the five of us knows," Kit explained.
"They've been under elf guard like Vernon. Why?" Seri asked. Harry squirmed a bit in his chair, refusing to look either in the eye.
"I want to explain to them what happened, tell them why they're confined to their room." A hand fell on each of his shoulders and he looked up.
"I think that's very noble of you," Seri said proudly. Kit nodded.
"I don't know if I could do the same in your place." He smiled sheepishly and ducked his head in embarressment. Seri ruffled his hair affectionately.
"Why don't we go now?" the dark-haired healer suggested.
"Shouldn't we tell them?" He gestured to the two on the bed. Seri stood and walked over to Severus who was still sleeping soundly.
"Severus," she laid a hand atop his head and tugged at his hair to get his attention, "dear, wake up." He grumbled and turned to her, his eyes slitting open a fraction.
"What?" he slurred, not truly awake.
"Kit and I are going to take Harry with us for an hour or so. Don't be alarmed if you wake up and he's not here, okay?" Severus nodded, turned over and promptly fell back to sleep.
"Well that's taken care of. How about you ride on my back on the way there and you can walk back? How does that sound?" Harry agreed and Seri transfigured into her animagi form, a white tiger. Harry was astounded, he'd never seen anything like this before. He'd seen pictures of tigers yes, but pictures could not capture the glowing beauty of the animal. She was built to hunt and her eyes, still green, showed a hint of the primeval wildness that coursed through her. With Kit's help, he gingerly lowered down onto her back and tucked his legs around her underbelly. His legs may have been long but tigers are large animals and Seri must have been close to twice the size of a normal tiger. Kit opened the door and allowed her sister to go through first then followed behind. Through the office and down the stairs they went. Once they reached the bottom, Kit transformed and trotted along beside her much larger sibling. In fact, Harry kept thinking of a house cat and a lion. That was the real difference in size. The journey was relatively average, they only met one tearcher, Catmar the Ancient Runes professor, along the way. She stared as they passed and Harry inclined his head to her respectively. Before he know it they were standing before the Red room, Petunia and Dudley's room. He shivered, Vernon was next door. He eased off of Seri's back, using his cane to support himself. Both healers resumed their nartural forms and looked at Harry. He drew in a breath and knocked.
"Come in," came Petunia's hopeful voice. Harry turned the knob and pushed open the door. First impression was that the room didn't lived up to it's name, it was decorated in purple. Harry chuckled mentally; only Hogwarts would have a Red room that wasn't actually red. Petunia was sitting a high back chair while Dudley was on the couch, novel in hand. The blonde woman had half risen from her seat but slumped down in disappointment upon seeing who it was. Dudley, however, smiled in welcome.
"Hey Harry, have a seat," he waved to one of the rooms many vacant chairs. Harry hobbled over as best he could and sank down gratefully.
"What happened to my husband?" Petunia demanded, not mincing words. The twins sat down on either side of his as he answered.
"He's fine, he's in in the room next to your's under guard."
"Why under guard?" she persued. He hesitated, wondering if he could actually do this. Seri touched his shoulder, reassuring him both sisters were behind him. He drew in a breath an let it out slowly, his hesitation blowing out with it.
"Because he attacked me, with a whip." Dudley paled and Petunia drew in a breath sharply.
"You're lying!" she screeched. Seri growled threateningly but Harry held up his hand.
"Aunt Petunia I wouldn't lie about this, he did attack me," he said calmly. The woman wouldn't hear a word of reason.
"You're lying! You're lying!" she insisted, approaching hystery. It was too much for Seri.
"Lying!" she screamed, "I hardly recognized him when we went to help him. Death Eaters are more merciful!" Kit put a restraining hand on her sister's shoulder and whispered quietly in her ear although her eyes smoldered as well. Frightened by the woman's anger, Petunia backed down.
"Harry," the other four turned to the boy on the couch, "is that why you were limping? You weren't doing that before." His dark haired cousin nodded, bent down and lifted his pant leg. A livid, jagged scar stretched across the Achilles tendon of his foot.
"Cut from a piece of wood," he explained.
"He didn't, he didn't," Petunia persisted tearfully. Seri snorted in disgust at the woman's attitude.
"I can't believe Lily ever liked you," she said. Petunia looked at her through her tears.
"What?"
"When we first met all she could talk about was her sister and how they loved working and playing together. Especially on crafts, Lily loved crafts. She was the one that taught us how to quilt and work needlepoint. We showed her how to crochet. She even quilted Harry's baby blanket," Harry's eyes lit up, "but it was destroyed with the house." The light faded but Seri caught his expression and tucked it away for later reference.
"What would you know about my sister?! It was your kind that got her killed!" Petunia yelled. Seri seemed to grow with anger, as did Kit.
"We were her best friends through school," Kit said coldly.
"We were her maids of honor at her wedding to James," Seri continued.
"We were there when Harry was born," Kit stated.
"And we gave the eulogy at her funeral," Seri finished. Petunia sat stunned, not believing what she was hearing. She glanced up at them then back down in shame. It was a few moments before the two regained control over their tempers and resumed their seats.
"I'm sorry, I didn't know," the blonde woman's voice was thick with grief, from the sudden realization of the sister she had lost and the husband she knew she had. The healers detected the sorrow and felt a bit guilty; it wasn't right to take their frustrations out on this woman, even if she did know how to push their buttons. Seri took pity on her and said,
"She was a remarkable person and a good friend to us all."
"What are you going to do now? With my dad I mean," Dudley asked.
"He's going to moved to another part of the castle. Once he's there you'll be allowed out. Though I must ask you please not to tell anyone else of what has happened. I'll do that myself, in due time," Harry said. Petunia sighed dispairingly.
"There's nothing to do here," she complained. Kit raised an eyebrow and glanced at Seri. Catching on to her sister's idea she smiled.
"How about you quilt?" Petunia looked up curiously.
"That would be nice but there's nothing to quilt with." Kit tapped her chin thoughfully.
"There's a fabric shop in Hogsmeade, we could take you there. Dudley is there anything you would like?" The boy shrugged.
"Something to read would be nice. Couple of mysteries maybe?" Kit grinned, bouncing slightly in her chair.
"How about The Orient Express? That's one of my favorites."
"Or Sherlock Holmes, he's good too," Harry injected. Dudley nodded affirmative to both suggestions.
"Anything will be fine." Harry suddenly winced and touched his temple gingerly.
"What is it childing?" Seri asked in immediate concern. Harry massaged his temple slowly.
"Severus and Albus just woke up. I don't think Severus got your message," he said. Seri rolled her eyes and Kit chuckled.
"Then we better go before those two blow this school apart looking for you," her voice held more than a touch of amusement. With a quick good-bye he limped out of the room. He only made it half way back before he leaned against the wall for support.
"I can't go any farther," he panted. Checking the hall to make sure no one was watching, Seri turned into a tiger and offered him a ride. He readily accepted and the two cats loped along, reaching the Headmaster's tower in a fairly short amount of time. They'd only reached the gargoyle's entrance when it slide aside and Albus and Severus tumbled out, still dressed in their pajamas.
"Morning sleepy heads," Harry greeted causally. He was snatched off of the tiger and into two sets of arms.
"Harry you scared us. Don't do that again," Albus scolded, hugging his grandchild fiercely.
"Why did you two take him off with out telling us?" Severus demanded, glaring down at the two white cats. The tiger made a deep throated growl that could only be associated with annoyance. The two cats head-butted them, directing them back upstairs. Both suddenly seemed to realize they were standing in the middle of the hallway, in their pajamas. They quickly retreated back up the stairs. It was fortunate that they did for Peeves swooped down the hall not a second later. Once they were in the safety of the Headmaster's office the twins became human.
"We did tell you Severus, but apparently you don't remember," Seri bit out, hands on her hips. The Potions Master's brow furrowed in confusion.
"What are you talking about?"
"She woke you," Harry said from his place between his father and grandfather, "and told you not to be worried," a sly smile crossed his face, "Guess that didn't work did it?" Severus shook his head.
"No little one it didn't." He immediately kicked himself and waited for Harry to pull away. When he did not Severus looked down. Harry's eyes were closed and he was taking deep, calming breaths. After a moment he opened his eyes and smiled at his father.
"Seri's been helping me," he explained upon seeing the man's perplexed expression. Relief washed over him and he glanced at Seri who was watching them with a warm glint in her eye. He reached over and took her hand in his own.
"Thank you," he said, and he meant it, from the bottom f his heart. Her smile widened and she gave his hand a gentle squeeze.
"Your welcome Severus." Harry scruitenized at his father and the healer. If he didn't know any better, he'd say they were....His eyes widened as the last piece of this puzzle fell into place. He glanced up at Albus who was watching them just as intently and then at Kit who had a smirk on her face. She obviously knew more than she was letting on. Seri broke the moment by clearing her throat and releasing Severus' hand.
"Why don't we get breakfast for you two and we'll tell you what we did," she suggested. The rest agreed and soon they were discussing what had occured with the two Dursleys.
"So you don't think they'll go looking for him?" Severus asked, sipping the ice cold milk. Both healers shook their heads.
"Both seemed a bit stunned that he had done what he had done. I mean, even if they do, they have about a snowball's chance in hell in finding him. They don't have the years of experience the rest of us do. Heck, I"ve been here for years and I still get lost," Kit pointed out while her sister nodded in agreement.
"There's still one other matter of importance," Albus reminded, gaining everyone's attention, "Remus. Harry you said you'd meet the man today. Do you still want to?" All eyes turned to the nervous teenager. Harry thought: could he handle seeing the man now? After what had happened he just wanted to be around his family. But Remus needed to see him. Something had obviously been bothering the other man, though what that was was still a mystery. He had to go, but he didn't want to go alone.
"Yes. But I want someone there with me, one of you." They traded skeptical looks.
"He won't talk freely if we are," Severus pointed out and Harry nodded.
"I know that," he admitted, "but he doesn't necessarily have to know you're there." Albus deduced his meaning and raised an eyebrow.
"Would you have us go in our animagi forms?" Once again Harry nodded.
"Well that rules us out," Kit said, leaning back into the overly stuffed chair, "he knows our forms too well. He'd spot us just like that," she snapped her fingers.
"But he doesn't know ours," Severus said thoughtfully, his eyes narrowing as he concentrated, "Albus or I could be there."
"Out of you two Severus might be the best choice," Seri said, "There is the small chance that he'll recognize his markings," she gestured to the Headmaster, "They are quite distinctive."
"That's settled then. Now, where must they meet?" Albus asked. There was silence for a moment before a quiet voice answered,
"The dungeons." The four adults turned to the teenager. "In Severus' and my rooms down in the dungeons." He held up his hand to stave the coming arguments. "I have to go back some time, all of you know that. Besides, that's where he expects us to meet. It must be in the dungeons." He stared at each of them in turn, determination shining like steel in his bright green eyes. Slowly, each one nodded in very reluctant agreement.
"We have to make sure the room has been completely cleaned or you can't see him there no matter what you want," Severus said and Harry smiled.
"Then why don't you go check them, you and Seri. We'll be fine until you get back," he suggested casually. the mage and witch looked at one another and shrugged, rising from their seats.
"We'll be back in a bit," Seri called as they left. Once they were gone Harry charmed the room.
"All right Kit, out with it. You know something you're not telling us," Harry accused. The healer's smirk returned.
"So that's why you wanted them to go. All right, here's the deal. You know that I mentioned the other day that our dear Serenity had a crush on a certain Slytherin?" The other two nodded. "Well that certain Slytherin was Severus Snape."
"I knew it!" Harry exclaimed. Albus nodded, a smile forming on his lips.
"Yes, I remember they dated in school. It caused quite a commotion, a Slytherin dating a Gryffindor," His brows suddenly furrowed together. "I also seem to remeber that relationship ending rather abruptly. one moment they were walking hand in hand and the next they wouldn't get within ten feet of one another. What happened?" Kit tucked a loose strand of her thick brown hair behind her ear and sighed.
"It was the middle of our fifth year, right at Christmas and most of the students were preparing to go home. Seri and I were saying as our foster families intended to travel back to the States for the holiday and neither of us wished to go. Seri was estatic because Severus was staying behind as well. It was supposed to be the perfect holiday for them; no teachers, no housemates, and no house rivelry. It wasn't meant to be. The Marauders always left school with a bang, every year and that one was no exception. Remus was the only one staying behind. Sirius and James always picked a target for this prank and that target was usually Severus," she sighed, more heavily this time and took a sip of her cold tea, "They had the perfect plan you see but what they hadn't counted on was Seri being there......"
Howgarts was giving a whole new meaning to, "Deck the halls with mounds of holly." (A/N: I can't remember if that's right or not. But it fits so don't knock it.) Everywhere, decorations of red, green, gold and white were being put up. Seri sighed in content, a smile playing on her lips. What a joyous Christmas this was promising to be. She was pulled out of her reverie by a gentle nudging in her side.
"What are you thinking about?" Severus wanted to know. Her smile widened.
"The best ways of driving Madam Pomfrey and Professor Walcraven insane of course," she deadpanned, earning a double take from her boyfriend. After a moment the Slytherin smiled as well.
"Yes, making old Walcraven's life more miserable is the hope and dream of every student," he laid his hand across his heart and spoke with such solemnity that it sent Seri into absolute hysterics.
"You know," she began when she gained control over herself, "I wonder why he hates us so much, you and me in particular." Severus shrugged, squirting around the Bloody Baron as he passed.
"Because we go against all tradition. Slytherins and Gryffindors are not supposed to like one another, let alone date each other. It goes all the way back to the founders, they didn't like one another either," he said. Seri sighed.
"I hate this stupid rivelry; what's the big deal? We're all students aren't we? We all go to Hogwarts don't we?" The Slytherin sighed as well. It was not easy being an inter-house couple, but being a couple from houses that hated one another was nigh impossible. The two had endured four months of ridicule, hatred, and snide remarks. It had actually made them grow closer together and depend on the other.
"Look!" Seri's estatic voice drew Severus from his thoughts. He followed her pointed finger and spotted what had made her so happy.
"Come on," she grabbed his arms and dragged him, though he wasn't offering much resistance, to stand underneath the misletoe with her.
"We must preserve tradition," her eyes sparkled merrily. His smile widened.
"Yes, we must." He leaned downward, his eyes closing. What happened next neither were exactly sure. One moment Severus was leaning in for a kiss and the next he was flying backwards. He slammed painfully into the wall, all the breath knocked from him. He grunted and sat up, then opened his eyes. Seri was still standing as before, though her forest green eyes had grown wide.
"What?" he asked then clamped a.....white gloved hand? over his mouth. His voice....sounded like an elf's. Uproarous laughter filled the hall as Sirius and James fell out of their hiding places.
"What's so funny? What have you done Potter?!" he demanded. His absurdly squeaky voice only served to send them into further hysterics.
"H-here, l-look," Sirius waved a mirror in front of him. Severus could do nothing but stare. Instead of the impressive six foot two he had been before he now stood at four foot. He was dressed in a red and green....Santa's helpers outfit? It had a green top and red pants that were little better than tights and a black belt and shoes. There was even a red hat with a white puff ball on the end. Severus bared his teeth and swept the mirror aside. He intended to take Seri and get out of here before he murdered both of the pranksters. What Sirius said next, however, stopped him cold in his tracks.
"Thanks for luring him under the misletoe for us Seri." No, no it couldn't be. She wouldn't. Not after what they had been through together.
*What if she's been setting you up from the beginning and this is all been an elaborate ruse to make a fool out of you?* a wicked voice inside him asked. He shook his head, as though to chase away those poisonous thoughts.
'She wouldn't do that,' he told himself firmly.
*Oh really? She is a Gryffindor after all and you're nothing but a lowly Slytherin, hardly good enough to grace her presence. Why would she want to date someone of the likes of you?*
'I....I....' his heart sank.
*Face it boyo, you've been had,* the voice finished smugly. No, no, NO!!! Severus' anger raged to the surface, taking over his voice.
"How could you do this to me? How?" His voice showed the betrayel that was tearing through him. "I cared about you and you just used me. Well, no more, were through!" He stomped away in the direction of his dormitories, bells jingling with each step he took. What he said hit Seri approxmately five seconds later. She rounded on the two Marauders and marched over, wand drawn.
"Think it's funny to break someone's heart do you?" she trembled in anger. Sirius and James traded nervous glances. They had never seen her this furious before. Then again, they'd never ruined her relationship before. "Well if you think that's funny, this ought to be a riot!" What followed was such a bombardment of curses, hexes and jinxes that neither Marauder stood a chance. It only ceased when McGonagall rushed in and physically restrained the inraged witch. The two boys were rushed to hospital wing to be treated, both out cold. McGonagall hauled the fighting student into her office. Once there, she ceased to struggle and endured her professor's tirade silently.
"Serenity." The woman sat down heavily in her chair. "What happened? What did they do? It's not like you to just fly off the handle like that. Usually that's Mr. Black's department." The young Gryffindor stared at her through dead eyes that made the professor shiver.
"What they did can not be fixed and I don't intend to forgive them any time in the near future for it." The older woman sighed.
"All right dear. If there's anything you wish to talk about, my door is always open. You may go." The student stood and headed to the office door. "Oh and one more thing." Seri turned her stony expression back on her. "You have two weeks detention with Hagrid after the holidays." The girl nodded and slipped out.
It was in a shock-induced haze she walked in on her way back to the dormitories. The second she cleared the portrait-hole, Kit pounced on her, demanding to know what was wrong. She ignored her jabbering until she reached the bottom of the stairs.
"Severus dumped me okay?" she yelled, startling everyone in the common room. "And it's all those two idiots James and Sirius' fault!" Before anyone could say anything she bolted up the stairs and slammed the door behind her. She threw herself on the bed and cried. It wasn't fair, it just wasn't fair! She'd had nothing to do with that idiotic prank yet Severus thought she had. How could he think that even for a second, after all they'd been through?
"Seri," a gentle hand touched her back hesitantly.
"Go away Kit, I want to be left alone." Her sibling shook her head. The bed suddenly dipped to the left as Kit stretched out beside her.
"Come one," she coaxed. Eventually she managed to get her sister to turn over, facing her.
"Why Kit? Why?" she cried into her twin's shoulder. Kit stroked her sister's hair and held her tight.
"I don't know Seri. But you know our motto. 'Everything happens...."
"....for a reason," Seri finished, sniffing. "I still wished it hadn't happened."
"So do I sis, so do I."
Later that night, once the others were sound asleep, Seri rose silently from her bed. With stealth-like skill she stole from her rooms to the boys. Spotting her target, she made her way over to it. There was no need to worry really, Peter was the room's only inhabitant at the moment and he could sleep through anything. Sh dug frantically through James' trunk until she found what she was looking for. She clasped the invisibility cloak tightly in her fist and slipped out. Once outside the Gryffindor Tower she threw the cloak over herself and slinked down to the bowls of the castle. In next to no time she was standing outside the entrance to the Slytherin dormitories. It was ten that she hesitated, wondering if this was such a good idea. She shook herself. She'd come too far to back out now.
"Basilisk," she hissed and could not help but roll her eyes. Severus had complained many times of the cliche passwords they had been given. She bit back tears at the happy memory and waited tensly for the stone wall to move. Once it had, she hurried towards her destination: the boy's rooms. She was treading dangerous territory now; if Malfoy or one of the other Slytherins woke it would be nearly impossible for her to escape, let alone escape unscathed. But luck was with her and her journey was unhindered. Severus' bed was at the end and she pulled up a chair beside it. She sat for the longest time watching him sleep, wondering what it might have happened between them if the prank had not gone through. There was no way to tell now. She sighed, it was time to do what she had come to do. From the depths of her robe she drew out a crystal statuette and placed it on his nightstand. It caught the moon-light and gave off a faint glow. It was that of a tiger in mid-leap, a gift from Artimus on her last birthday.
"I'm sorry it had to end like this Severus," she whispered. She leaned forward and brushed a kiss across his lips before drawing away and hurrying from the room. Severus' eyes slight open a fractionand he caught sight of the tiger.
"I'm sorry too Seri," he whispered before dropping off to sleep once more.
"Her holiday had been spoiled and Severus hated her. I can honestly say I've never seen her so depressed in my life. She refused to get out of bed for three days and when she finally did she wouldn't come out of the dorms," Kit twisted the end of her braid as she paused, "I finally had to bind her and bring her downstairs. Remus and I talked to her and brought her around to where she would at least go to the Christmas dinner with us. It would have been the first time she'd come down from the Gryffindor Tower since the prank. When we got there, Severus was already at the table, seated at the end. It was just the one table, with the students and staff memebers dining together. She started to move towards him but he looked up. Those eyes," she shivered, "those eyes could have frozen boiling water. She did freeze and it took both Remus and I to pull her away to the other end of the table," she looked both of them square in the eye.
"She was never quite the same after that; it was as though an important part of her was missing. I think she really loved Severus and he loved her back. But that childish prank tore that budding relationship to shreds. It's like a wound that not even the strongest healer's magic or potion can cure."
"But they seemed to have made up now," Harry said when she finished.
"She was able to tell him what really happened some years back and Severus admitted that after his anger had died down he'd forgiven her, though he'd been too scared to tell her. They've been friends ever since."
"But didn't they ever, you know, try to rekindle that old flame?" the fire mage wanted to know. The healer shook her head.
"Seri still loves him, that's very true, but both are too afraid that something will go wrong." Albus reclined back and steepled his fingers in front of him.
"It seems to me, that all they need, is a bit of nudging," he raised an eyebrow at both of them. They caught onto his meaning rather quickly and grinned.
"Just a little nudging," Harry said innocently, projecting his angelic intentions. Kit snorted and rolled her eyes.
"Oh yes, just a little."
The journey to the dungeons was a silent one. Before either knew it, they were standing before Merlin.
"Hello you two," The portrait sounded distinctly depressed.
"Hello Merlin, Wingbrothers." The portrait ducked it's head in understanding and swung open.
"My goodness they have been busy," Severus murmured, eyes roaming around. Indeed, the house-elves had been busy. Any traces of debris, such as wood, couch covering or stuffing ,had been removed. The furniture had been repaired or replaced and arranged as it once had been. As they looked around, a house-elf scurried by.
"Daylen," Seri called, halting the elf in her tracks.
"Yes Miss?" she asked in a suprisingly low voice for an elf.
"How are things progressing?" the healer asked. The elf turned to them fully, blinking her luminous blue eyes at them.
"It is almost done Miss. All that is left is to straighten Professor Snape's room and clean Mr. Harry Potter's room," she informed them. Severus waved his hand in dismissal.
"That's alright, you may come back this evening and do that, say, after dinner." The elf bowed and popped away.
"I think it's time to go, come on Harry." The two headed towards the door and Seri stood to follow.
"How about I give Harry a ride down to the dungeons and Severus you get Remus." The Potions Master nodded and swept down the hall, heading in the direction of the Defense classroom. He found the DADA teacher at his desk, pouring over a book.
"Lupin," he greeted gruffly, catching the other's attention. Remus looked up from his book, surprise flashing over his features. Severus stood in front of him, arms crossed and feet spread. Every line read disapproval. Indeed, Severus didn't like this. He felt his child was not ready, but it was his choice.
"Severus is there something I can do for you?" the man asked politely, laying his book aside. Severus managed to contain his snort.
"Harry is waiting for you in the dungeons, I suggest you go now." With out another word he was gone. Remus scrambled to his feet and hurried out. He more or less flew to Severus' apartment, needing to get to his Gryffindor friend as soon as possible. It wasn't long before he was outside the rooms. The portrait looked him over.
"You're Remus Lupin?" it asked. He nodded.
"Very well, you may enter." Remus pushed the portrait aside and peeked inside. The only light in the room was pouring in from the open window. It fell across Harry's face, who was sitting on the couch with his back to Remus. The boy took no notice of his entry.
"Harry?" he called. No reaction met his call and he slipped the rest of the way in. Gliding silently, he stood at his student's side. Tentatively he placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Harry?"
After Seri had delivered him to to his rooms, she'd stayed as long as she dared before making her escape through the open window. Once she'd left, he'd stared at the couch with mounting apprehension, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts. What had happened, had it only been yesterday? seemed far away and distant in his grandfather's tower, but now, now, faced with the room in which it had happened it was present in the front of his mind with painful clarity. He took a step.
"Silly boy, did you think I wouldn't find you?" Vernon asked.
Harry shook his head and took another step.
"Now little one, time for some obedience training and I'm the instructor."
Another step.
"You worthless piece of shit, the world would have been better off if you had died that night with your parents!" Another crack of the whip across his bare flesh.
And another step.
"No one wants you, no one cares about you. Who would? You're nothing but a freak with a scar." The demonic glint in the man's eye was clear.
The step was hesitant.
Every where I turn there's magic and more magic! You are the cause of it! All the pain and all the suffering everyone has been through, it's all because of you."
Harry trembled.
You dirty, stinking, rotten whelp! I've told you time and time again that I didn't want my family mixed up with you freaks. You're nothing but a parentless bastard....!"
He sank down into the soft cushions of the couch and covered his face. Verbal abuse had always been a favorite of his uncle's, it usually came before the actual physical abuse. He closed his eyes and tried in vain to shut out the man's rough voice cutting through his fragile confidence. He reached mentally for his family. Not touching so much that they would detect his presence but enough to reassure himself that they were near. He sighed and looked out the window, letting his thoughts wander. He was unprepared therefore, when a hand fell on his shoulder.
"Harry?"
"Hello Remus," he said quietly. The werewolf bit his lip and blinked back his tears. He....he hadn't been expecting this. He sat down beside the boy who turned to him.
"What happened? Who did this to you?" he demanded. Harry blinked at him, appearing to be thinking very quickly.
"No-no one, no one did this to me. It was a potions accident. I got this from a potions accident." 'I wasn't as ready for this as I thought but I can't get out of it now, it's too late,' Harry thought.
'He's horrible at lying, someone did this to him, I'm certain of it,' Remus thought as he once again reached out to Harry. He was not surprised when the boy flinched away.
"Harry," Remus tried again but only succeeded in making Harry squirm off the couch and head to the window.
"Are you sure......what is that?!" he exclaimed as a large silver bird soared through window, circled the room once before settleing on the window sill beside Harry. The creature let out a quavering note and nuzzled the boy's neck.
"He's a phoenix, his name's Telaki, he's my friend," Harry answered, running a hand over the bird's head. Remus studied this new beast with interest. The thing was basically the same shape and build as Fawkes though there was silver instead of red and black instead of gold. His eyes had closed in contentment at the boy's touch but now, as if aware of his scrutiny, they opened once more and stared like cold black ice at him. The message was quite clear: Harm him or upset him in any way and you will regret it. The ice melted into love as he brushed his beak against Harry's cheek affectionately.
"He's beautiful Harry (A/N: Hah! If he only knew who that was. *snickers*), where did you meet him?" Harry sat on the settee below the window and the phoenix fluttered down beside him.
"He saved my life." Was all the Gryffindor would say. That wasn't the answer he was quite expecting but decided to return to the previous subject.
"Harry, are you sure no one did this to you? You know you can tell me anything," Remus encouraged, seating himself on the otherside of the phoenix. Harrk looked up at him and indescion warred in those fathomless green eyes. He blinked and the indescion vanished.
"There are some things Remus I can't even tell you, not yet anyway. But I know one thing: My family," his eyes strayed to the phoenix, "will never let anyone hurt me," his eyes looked with the bird's, "Ever," he whispered the last. It seemed to Remus as though he were echoing another's words. He stared a the boy, confusion dominating his expression. His family? Who was he talking about? *You for one,* his ever present mental voice said. He decided it was time to change the subject.
"Harry," the boy looked up from his avain friend. "Would you show me your room? I'd very much like to see it." Harry perked up and nodded, rising from his seat. He led Remus, who followed behind the bird, to one of the room's four doors.
"IT was a storage room," Harry told him, "but since I was to stay down here it was changed." He opened the door and waved the man through. Remus was impressed by his surroundings. A four poster bed decorated in scarlet and gold, a wardrobe, chest of drawers, desk and another door.
"That's my bathroom," Harry pointed to the afore mentioned door. "What do you think?" Remus walked around the room slowly, noting it's every detail.
"It's nice," he said. True, it was nice but it lacked one thing: a lived in feeling. A thin layer of dust coated the furniture and bedding further supported this feeling, or lack there of. It was quite obvious this room hadn't been used in several weeks. He suddenly turned to his student.
"Do you mind if I looked into Severus' room? You know, just to see if they're very different from mine," he asked hopefully. He wanted to see what the state that room was in. Harry traded glances with the phoenix before he finally shrugged.
"I guess so, come on." The room Harry showed him was not that different from his own. The bed was twice as big, decorated in silver and green, the traditional Slytherin colors.
"It's nice in here." Harry sat on the edge of the bed and the phoenix hopped up beside him.
"Yeah it is," the boy agreed.
"That bed seems big for just one person," Remus dropped casually. It's meaning was lost on Harry.
"It's softer than mine," he said, more to himself than his professor. Remus, however, had a werewolf's acute sense of hearing and caught it. He closed his eyes.
'Oh God, how......how would he know that unless he's slept on it before?' Harry had slept on it before, though for not the reason Remus was thinking. It had been after a particularly bad dream and he'd climbed in with the Potions Master. They'd talked more than slept that night. Before Remus could say anything else, both were distracted by the phoenix. The bird marched importantly towards the head of the bed. Reaching out, he snatched several pillows and tossed them to the center of the bed. He placed himself in the center of the pile and began methodically arranging them in a nest like fashion. Once he was satisfied, he settled down and let out a sigh of content. He opened his eyes when a chuckling met his actions. He arched his neck aristocratically and gazed at Harry critically. The boy laughed again.
"I don't think the Professor would appreciate what you're doing to his bed Telaki," he said innocently. Apparently this was some sort of personal joke between the creature and the young Gryffindor for the bird merely rolled his eyes and snapped his beak playfully at Harry before settling down once more.
"Come one." Harry and the Defense teacher retreated back into the living room.
"It's almost time for lunch, maybe we should get going," Harry suggested. Remus grabbed his arm.
"Why don't we order lunch down here?" the werewolf proposed. The mage began to panic. No, no he didn't want to stay. Remus would pressure him into revealing who had hurt him and he wasn't ready to tell him yet. Seri was one thing, Remus was another. Severus picked up on his child's panic and flew from his room and out the window. It was time to show his human side.
"Not today Remus I'd rather eat up in the Great Hall with everyone else," Harry said, unsuccessfully keeping the note of pleading from his voice. Remus frowned and opened his mouth to comment when the door slammed open.
"Lupin let go of him this instant." The Defense teacher, stunned by the man's abrupt entrance, did so.
"Come with me Harry, the Headmaster wishes us to eat with him." Severus wrapped an arm firmly around the boy's shoulders and headed out, leaving the still shocked teacher behind. Remus shook himself and jogged to catch up with them. He followed at a polite distance, watching them talk among themselves. It was immediately obvious to Harry that he wouldn't be able to keep up with his father's ground eating stride.
"Slow down Severus," he puffed. The man's pace instantly slackened.
"Sorry," he said quietly, mindfull that the werewolf was still behind them.
"Not a problem and thank you for bailing me out back there." Severus smiled.
"Not a problem," he echoed, "By the way, did you happen to notice different about Albus the other day or today?"
"I've either been in his lap or sitting next to him so no I haven't. Why? Is anything wrong with grandpa?" Severus raised an eyebrow at the sudden transformation of 'Albus' to 'grandpa' but did not comment on it.
"Well no, but there is definately something different about him. Trust me, once you get a decent look at him you'll understand." This cryptic response was met with confusion but Severus refused to say more. Lunch was just beginning as they entered and Harry searched for the Headmaster, wondering about this big secret. As his eyes lighted upon the old man, he was astonished. There were auburnstreaks through his beard and hints of it at his temple. Beside him he could feel Severus chuckle.
"Surprised?"
"You could say that again. What happened?"
"We'll tell you later. Now," he directed the boy to a chair beside the Headmaster before seating himself, "eat." He pointed a stern finger at the empty plate. Harry happily obeyed and piled the food on his plate.
Half way through the meal Harry was beginning to feel quesy. His vision was blurring at the edges and his body ached. His anckle and bruised throbbed fiercely with each beat of his heart. He pushed his plate away and wrapped his arms around his stomach. Both Albus and Severus began to worry.
"Harry are you alright?" the Headmaster asked. He sent them both the mental equivalent of 'NO!'. Severus discreetly, so as not to catch the attention of the other teachers, slid a bottle to him.
"Take this. The twins left it with us. But be careful, it's going to make you extremely dizzy," the man warned. Harry snatched it up and lurched to his feet, stumbling through the door behind them. A few seconds later Remus sat down his fork and stood up.
"Excuse me," he said and followed Harry's path. He was unaware, however, of the two dark eyes following him. Remus spotted Harry as the boy leaned against a wall and slid to the floor. Hies eyes were like that of a hawk as he watched his student uncork the bottle and down it's contents. Harry then attempted to haul himself to his feet and stagger down the hall, weaving first one way then another.
"What are you doing Lupin?" An icy voice from behind asked. Remus spun around and came face to face with the Potions Master's arctic glare.
"What did you give him?" he demanded.
"That is none of your business." Remus growled, sounding much like the werewolf that he was. He rushed the man, grabbed him by the throat and slammed him against the wall.
"What did you give him?" Answer me?" he snarled, "Don't think I'm blind Snape, I've seen what's been going on. You traitrous Death Eater I intend to find out exactly what you're doing to that boy and when I do you're not even going to be able to crawl back to Voldemort." Severus didn't even bat an eye at the man's behavior though on the inside he was staggering inshock.
"Then I suggest you have your eyes examined Lupin because I have no idea what you're talking about. Now," Remus suddenly found himself reeling backwards, pushed by an invisible force. The other man straightened his robes. "If you'll exuse me, I have important business to attend to." Without another word he turned on his heel and marched down the hall in the direction Harry had gone. Remus ground his teeth in frustration. This was getting him no where, he needed to tell someone.
"Remus?" Speaking of which. The man turned to see McGonagall's startled gaze fixed upon him.
"Remus what's going on?" she asked her former student. The man sighed.
"This might be best explained in my rooms," he took her by the elbow and led her away.
"I don't know what Lupin's problem isbut he's sticking his nose where it doesn't belong," Severus groused as he handed Harry his tea and sat down beside him. Harry accepted the warm mug gratefully and took a sip.
"What did he do?"
"He wanted to know what I had given you and I naturally refused to tell him. Then he got angry and slammed me against the wall." Harry sputtered.
"Slammed you against the wall? Remus? What ever for?" Severus shook his head.
"Damned if I know. He said, and I quote, 'Don't think I'm blind Snape, I've seen what's going on. You traitrous Death Eater, I intend to find out exactly what you're doing to that boy,' and he means you, 'and when I do, your not even going to be able to crawl back to Voldemort.' "
"I can't believe Remus said that!" Harry exclaimed.
"Neither can I, he's normally the level-headed one. But it's strange," he began then trailed off.
"What's strange?" Harry prompted. Severus drew his knees up under his chin.
"Ever since we've met him in Diagon Alley he's been acting peculiar. With the way he's behaving you would think that he thought that I was beating you," he joked.
"You don't think he actually thinks that, do you?"
"No. Even with the way I used to behave I would never lay a finger on a child, it brings back to many memories of when I was young."
"I hope you're right."
McGonagall looked up in shock.
"Is this letter serious?!" she whispered, forgetting the fact that they were alone. Remus nodded in defeat and threw himself down in a chair.
"I couldn't believe it myself at first but then I saw him in Diagon Alley dressed in Slytherin clothes Minerva. And he was almost submissive to Snape, submissive! harry has too much of James in him to be submissive, at least willingly." McGonagall sat the letter aside and touched her collegue's arm.
"I think you're blowing this a little out of proportion. You got this letter before you went to Diagon Alley and you were looking for the signs of abuse. I think you saw normal, every day happenings and misinterpreted them." Remus shook his head.
"I'll admit I had some prejudices going into this, that's true, but I was willing to give Snape the benifit of the doubt. But Minerva, when I saw Harry today, he didn't even want to be near me. I tried to touch him and he flinched away! Then at lunch Snape gave him a bottle of something and when Harry drank it he started weaving like a drunken fool all over the halls. Minerva I don't just think Snape is beating Harry, I think he's aiding a drug addiction."
"What?!" she screeched, jumping to her feet. He nodded, determination lining his very being.
"How else would you explain his actions and it could explain his behavior towards Snape," he pointed out. The Transfiguration teacher's legs gave way beneath her and she collapsed back into her chair.
"I still think," she started after a moment, her voice shaky, "that we should just watch this, let it develop more. I've been watching Albus lately and he's been hovering over the boy. If anything else out of the ordinary happens he'll likely witness it." Remus sighed.
"Till then I suppose there is nothing more we can do."
The grandfather clock struck twelve as Harry nervously straightened his clothes. Could he do this, could he really face his uncle? Today was the day that the man would be moved to another room in the castle. There he would remain until it was decided what was to be done with him. He didn't want the man to go to court, at least, not yet. All Harry needed was more publicity, that would make his life unbearable. The reporters had more of less left him alone after the Triwizard Tournament. They'd love to sink their teeth into a juicy story like this. Although, that was likely what they would do with the adoptions. If Rita Skeeter went back on her word to Hermione then the stories were going to get twisted all out of proportion. He sighed, this had just not been his week. Right now he felt like crawling in a hole and staying there.
"Ready?" Severus dropped a hand on his shoulder. His grip on his cane tightened and he nodded, following the man out. Once they'd ascended the stairs Albus joined them. Both men flanked Harry, unconciously displaying their protectiveness of him. They stopped in front of the door and Harry twisted his can in his hand.
"Are you sure you want to be with us? We can do this alone, you could wait for us in the tower," Severus said but Harry shook his head.
"No, I have to do this." Albus frowned.
"You don't have to do anything fireling, you know that."
"This is one thing I have to do," the teenager insisted. The adults traded uncertain expressions over his head but nodded all the same, marveling at the boy's courage. After a second Harrry turned the knob and pushed open the door. It was dark inside, the only illumination came from the drawn back curtains. At their entrance a shadow stirred.
"What do you want?" Was the gruff response. It was Harry that spoke next.
"Uncle Vernon we've come to take you away," he answered nuetrally, fighting to maintain his composure. The laughter that followed was tinged with a slight note of insanity.
"Take me away? Take me away! There's no where you can take me that I can get away from this magic," the shadowy figure turned to him. "And it's all rooted in you. No matter what I do I can't seem to get rid of you and your blasted kind!" There was that slightly insane laugh again. "But if I get rid of you I'll be rid of it all! All I must do is bet you, thrash you, kill you..." With lighting speed the man launched himself at Harry, knocking them both to the floor. Before either Albus or Severus could react, Vernon was tossed across the room with no more effort than if he were a rag doll. Beside Harry was a fiery.....beast. It's form resembled a Barice unicorn though to it's very essence it was fire. The flames danced along the creature's limbs and in it's eyes as it snorted and bared it's teeth in anger. When Vernon picked himself up and started towards the boy the phantom lowered it's head threateningly. Even Vernon had the sense to back off. Severus and Albus helped Harry to his feet, eyeing the animal warily. If need be, they could restrain Harry's magic if he became too angry. They were unaware however, of the two beasts close to them. Be Severus was an enourmous crystilline tiger. It stared at Vernon through glassy eyes, curling it's lips to show the very sharp teeth it possessed. The creature beside the Headmaster didn't even appearto be real, le alone have a form. If you looked closely enough though, it became obvious that it was another feline. This cat was smaller than the glacial tiger and created from pure light. Around it's body wove thin vines, helping to define the beast's shape even more. It's two most distinctive features were it's frighteningly blue eyes, much like those of Albus, and a small ankh made of vines on it's forehead. It was in a crouch, ready to spring at the slightest provocation. But Vernon didn't appear as though he were going to provoke anything. He'd seated himself on the floor and drawn his knees up to his chest. There he sat, crooning softly to himself. As they helped the child to his feet, Severus and Albus searched for anyt telltale signs of anger from Harry. They found only worry. The teenager met both sets of eyes and they released him . He walked unsteadily forward, stopping by his creature. It raised it's head and gazed at him obediently, waiting for his next command. He smiled and patted it on the neck before speaking once more.
"Uncle Vernon," he began with the utmost gentleness. The tinest bit of probbing confirmed his earlier suspicions. The man was clearly unbalanced.
"We're going to move you. Okay?"
"Okay," was the small reply. Harry raised his cane slightly and cast the mobilicorpus spell and, for safety reasons, the petrifying spell. He then turned to the flaming creature.
"You may leave now," he told it, "I am safe. They will protect me." The beast bowed, touching the tip of it's horn to his scar before fading away.
"I would advise you calling off yours' as well. We don't want to cause a commotion in the halls now do we?" It was then the two men noticed the beastly protectors. They each nodded and the creatures disappeared.
It was an unusual sight they made walking down the hall. Harry, though in the middle, walked in front of his father and grandfather, backwards. The older mages flanked the invisible (thanks to Albus) Vernon. It was pure luck they did not meet another professor on their trek, it might have bee difficult to explain. When the man was safely shut up in his new residence, Harry slumped against the door, exhausted both physically and emotionally.
"Are you alright little one?" Albus asked, concern making his blue eyes dark. Harry gave a small nod.
"I'll be alright grandpa." The Headmaster's smile clearly showed his relief. He paid no heed to the change in name. Very carefully he slipped an arm around the other's shoulders.
"Why don't we head back to my tower then? Severus would you be so kind as to track down one of the twins and have them examine Mr. Dursley?" The Potions Master agreed and headed off. With his grandfather's assistance, Harry and the Headmaster retreated back to the safety of the tower. As they walked they discussed what had happened. Unbenounced to them Remus was coming around the corner. Before he did, however, these words stopped him.
"He's insane, there is no other reason he would have attacked me," Harry's fatigued voice drifted through the hall's stillness. He halted, flattening himself against the wall. Who would Harry be speaking to? His question was answered in the next reply.
"That he was, but we can do nothing until the twins examine him fully. Though the overwhelming sense of his insanity was....quite disturbing." The voices faded away. Remus leaned against the wall, his mind racing. Could they be speaking of Severus? If they were, then he no longer needed to worry because the Headmaster knew. That only left one other person that needed to be informed. Turning back, he had proceeded in the direction he had come.
As the grandfather and grandson entered the office, they found Seri by the window. When they entered she turned and smiled at them.
"I was hoping to find you. Harry I have a present for you." Her smile widened at his innocently confused expression. She crooked her finger in beckoning and pushed open the door to the bedroom. The table had been removed to make room for a rather large guest.
"Silverhoof!" he exclaimed happily. She whickered at him and lowered herself carefully to lay on the thick rugs. Harry grinned and rushed to her, throwing his arms around her neck. He buried his face deep in her silken mane, breathing deeply of her uniquely sweet smell. She lowered her wing over him, sheltering him in her love. He smiled and it grew when two birds and a certain albino snake poked their heads over the unicorn's back.
"You guys." He lifted each gently into his lap, cradling them to him. He spoke quietly to each in turn, confirming they were well and assuring them that he was too. Seri and Albus wathed him in happy silence before the healer signaled for them to leave.
"That was a wonderful idea. Bless you child," Albus praised. Seri tried to hide her blush of pleasure.
"I just want to help him through this, I want to be there for him." The Headmaster's eyes sparkled as he surveyed the woman in front of him. Through her actions and affections she had earned her place in Harry's life as a surgate mother, much like Severus was the surgate father. It was plain that she loved the boy as her own.
"Why don't you go with him, I'll go help Severus find your sister." After a moment the woman nodded and slipped back in the bedroom. Harry was leaning against the unicorn and dozing. He did not stir as the white tiger curled next to him. He cracked open an eye and looked at her with amusement.
"You do act just like a mother cat," he murmured before dropping off to sleep.
The next days flew by in a whirlwind of preperation, anticpation, and healing. By Sunday, Harry was back to being himself once more, though the bruises on his face hadn't entirely faded and his ankle hadn't fully healed. With his renewed health, his good spirits returned as well. He traveled the halls with his grandfather every afternoon, smiling and chatting with the teachers he knew, and by now that was everyone. The twins informed the men that Vernon would have to be placed in an insane asylum for safety reasons and treatment. They declared that it was his time with Voldemort that was the cause. Though during these bright days he grew increasingly worried about his father. Severus hardly left the dungeons anymore, only to come to the Headmaster's tower at night and never to meals. Every time Harry saw him his face was white and drawn. There were constant bags under his eyes and it made him appear more dead than alive. Harry knew he hardly slept for he himself would wake to find Severus by the window, wide awake. He'd plead with him to back to bed but the man would only stare at him with dark, haunted eyes that were alive with inner pain. He'd shared his observations with the Headmaster and the man admitted to having seen the same. As Severus seemed to be avoiding them as much as possible they could do nothing but wait and watch.
Remus sighed and sat back, rubbing his tired eyes. It had taken him three days to write this letter. He'd chosen his words very, very carefully and this final production was one of hard labor. He picked it up and read through it one last time.
Dear Padfoot,
I hate being the bearer of bad news but this time I'm afraid that is the role I must play. I know you had expressed some concern about Harry and about the fact that he had not written in awhile. Well, I found out why.
You may remember the letter I got from a particularyly small owl? The one I had to freeze to catch? The letter was from Ron and Hermione about Harry. It wasn't pleasant news my friend. They were afraid Harry was being abused, by Snape. Not only that but sexually abused as well. Yes I know this seems rather far-fetched and frankly dangerous and I had my doubts. They informed me that they had invited him to Diagon Alley on Sunday. That's why I left early. What I saw there was confusing at best, suspicous at worst. When I first laid eyes on him, I hardly recognized. His hair was past his shoulders and covered most of his face. Not only that but he was in Slytherin colors. He acted as though Snape had surpreme authority over him.
I was surprised but not as surprised as by what happened at Hogwarts. I was to meet with Harry on Wednesday and I did, down in the dungeons. He'd spent the entire summer with Snape. When I saw him, I thought my heart would break. He tried to put on a brave face but it's hard to do that around a black eye and a bruiesed cheek. When he showed me around the apartment he limped noticably. When I questioned him about it he just denied anyone had done it to him and said he'd got his injuries in a potions accident. If he got those marks from a potions accident I'll snap my wand in half. Oh there might have been an accident but I think it involved a certain Potions Master not potion.
At lunch the same day I saw Snape pass a bottle to Harry and Harry get up and leave. I followed and watched him drink it. He wove all over the hall after he had. I don't know what he took but I'll bet it wasn't medicine. In fact, this new development led me to another theory. I think Snape is aiding a drug addiction.
"I can't prove all I've told you but I felt I had to tell you because I get the feeling Harry will not. As I've said before, I hate being the bearer of bad news but this time I have no other choice.
Your Friend,
Moony
PS: I'm enclosing Ron and Hermione's letter as well.
Satisfied with his work he rolled up the parchment and placed it inside his robes. He glanced at the clock and winced. The students would be arriving in another hour, he'd better get the letter off now. With a resigned sigh he stood and headed off to the owlry.
READ PLEASE!: The prank is off, I repeat, the prank is off! If you do not know this this chapter won't make much sense.
A/N: *authoress collapses from exhuastion and slumps over the computer* There, happy? *looks to see that the readers are and are beginning to write their reviews* Finally. *slips away silently.*
2A/N: Exuses time now! I do have excuses for the reason this is so damn late. One, when I told you a deadline that this would be out (which I will never do again) I thought it would be out by then because I was spending the night at a friend's house and she has the internet. Well I didn't and it wouldn't have mattered because it turned out I was only half way through anyway. Second is that school started two weeks ago. I have had three to four hours of homework every night since then. It wouldn't be so bad if I hadn't just started taking my driver's ed class which takes two hours out of my day. *shakes head* I never should have waited this late to take that class. I have been getting up a half an hour early every morning trying to type this so I could finally finish so be nice.
OF BIG IMPORTANCE, SHOULD READ!!!! Alright, every one seems to be worried about Remus Lupin and the fact that he suspects all these things. Well, I'm telling you now, don't be. Everything will work out I promise. If he should seem out of character, look at it from my stand point. Harry is his best friend's only son, all he has left. Don't you think he'd get a little crazy trying to protect him? I know it's a weak arguement but that's my story and I'm sticking to it.
Replies Now! I don't have them all so if you don't see your name don't be made. I've read them all but I lost the sheet they were on.
angelic devil: Don't worry, I can't wait till the first day either.
watelgwe: *blushes* No I'm not related to J.K. Rowling but that was a wonderful compliment.
Gil-Celeb: You made me check and the last part of the paragraphs got cut out. But I fixed it. Yes, I do have a very high opinion of Remus and I will say this: He well understand, I have it all planned, don't worry. I think I effectively took care of Vernon Dursley, don't you?
Meisako: Stop worrying! Geez, you people are worry-warts. Sirius will come back. In fact I already have it planned I just haven't decided exactly when he'll come back. Long before he does though I'll have Remus taken care of. About that look on Sev's face during the movie....it was cute! But I really like it when he's being all evil because I just want to grin and laugh. You know, that scene between Draco & Harry, I don't know where that came from. I think it came to me when I was working FISH camp (Freshman introdcution to high school) and when I gave a rough outline to my friend Rose she cracked up so I assumed it would go over well. And you seemed to be so worried about Kit, well if you're really worried I'll drop you a line and tell you what's going to happen to her if you like, though it might ruin a serious surprise.
HentaiJess: *grins impishly* But if we didn't write cliffhangers into the chapters how would we get you to come back?
Essence of Magic: Actually girl, I like the changes I made. See, I'll get the same effects I want with out the complications later (now Harry has a real reason to be pissed off when he finds out what they're thinking). There are not many things I'll let my readers sway me on but that was one of them. But I promise you that will likely be the only thing. And I also solemnly swear that this story will not turn docile. I have a few tricks up my sleeve that are likely to put this story into a 90 degree plunge. Since you expressed concern I'm willing to let you in on them, just leave a note in your review that you want to know. By the way, thanks for sticking up for me.
Cresha Potter: I'm glad you like the story!
Anneliese: I'm sticking by my changes but I still get the same effects.
sasina: *munches happily on the cookie she's been given* Thank you so much.
Arizosa: *wails* Why do you hate me so? *sniffs then suddenly grins* Sorry I did that to you.
Courtney: That was kind of the point to make him think that it was Sev's fault but the boy's don't know that.
Wink At J00: No I'm not Wufei, I'm Wufei's sister! :) Jk, though I'm still waiting very impaitently for the next part of your story. *hint hint* Nightfall's Wing: Thanks for your help. I've decided what I'm going to do with Albus now.
Marissa: Normally I do but sometimes I don't have the luxury of running spell-check. Though I will admit that my spelling is not the best (try reading my friend Kitty's, you'd think you were reading a foreign language) I'm getting better.
Arabella Figg: The joke that Harry & Albus should be in Slytherin is just that, a joke. There is absolutely no seriousness to it and it'll probably crop up several times.
Prophetess of Hearts: Dudley is Harry's cousin and has just the tiniest bit of magic in him. Though in all truth he is a muggle.
Voydag: There is no more prank. If you haven't re-read chapter 19 & 20 by now I suggest you do.
Terra: Thank you for telling me I'm not evil, that means a lot to me.
And to the others: Sophie W., sk8reagle, Nicky, Moonlight, Jen, Aurelius, wolfbane, firepixie, MoonFire, Cynara, Tabby Cat, ouch, aKlingon, Saranimal, Cerra Snape, izean, Arsinoe, Sarissa Epans Lei Dumbledore, Sherylyn, sweets, schulyr, Patchfire, jenny, yamatoluv7, Mave & Zie. I'm sorry, I know I missed a lot of people but be assured I read them all!