Chapter 25- "Sirius" Complications
Harry sighed as Draco passed. The talks they'd had, had progressed to the point that Draco told him everything, his past, his present and what he wanted for the future. He loved being the boy's "animal" confidant but he hated not being able to do anything for him when he was human. 'At least Kit can stay with him,' he thought. The healer had grown quite attached to the blonde Slytherin and had taken it upon herself to escort him to all of his classes. It was something Draco had come to expect and seemed to appreciate as far as the Gryffindor knew. She had accompanied him to the nightly meetings as often as she was allowed. As long as the Aurors did not call, though the summons had become more frequent, she was there. Harry himself was there every night and had come to know the Slytherin quite well. He longed to become human before him and talk but knew he didn't dare, not yet. Of course, he was not the only nightly visitor. Many woodland creatures like rabbits, squirrels and even a few birds were frequent callers to the tucked away haven. The creatures all loved Draco unconditionally and the mage knew that without a doubt they would come to his aide at a moments notice. Harry knew that he would too. He considered the obstinate, unruly, yet kind-hearted boy the brother he never had. It was strange, he would never had predicted in this occurring in the eternity that he would likely live out his life. Tonight would be a new test of Arrigo's friendship with Draco. Harry had talked Severus and Albus into joining him that night though neither had needed much persuasion. They were naturally intrigued by the boy's case. The twins would be there as well, though it was Seri's first time. It was going to be a bit crowded, okay more than a bit, but they would manage. Draco had shown a phenomenal talent for shaping and re-shaping the land around him. This "seemingly useless talent," as Draco had described it, enticed his curiosity. It was a puzzle he intended to solve. To do that he'd have to engage Hermione's assistance. Unfortunately, he had to go to Divination first. Now, originally, he had dropped that as a subject but since his Head of House had not been informed of the change (a glaring oversight really) he still had it. McGonagall herself had been very elusive of late and when one could get their hands on her she slipped through their fingers like an eel. She had also been very cold and suspicious, which only wanted to make Harry himself avoid her. Harry sighed as he climbed the ladder to the room above. It had not changed one iota since he'd seen it last. Everything from the chipped tea cups to the intoxicatingly heavy perfume was the same. It still made Harry want to fly from the room as soon as possible. He smiled a bit as he sat beside Ron near the window. At least he could fly away if he absolutely needed to.
"Man," Ron whispered as he leaned toward his friend. "What kind of incense does she burn in this place? I think I'm going to be sick." Seeing his friend was a bit green around the gills, Harry fished though his pockets and handed two bottles to him.
"Take a sip of each. One is to settle your stomach and the other will clear your head and block the smell." The red-head eyed the bottles incrediously. "I made them myself this morning." This seemed to quell the other's doubts and he did as instructed. Relief spread almost immediately across the freckled face.
"Thanks Harry," he whispered just as Trelawny rose from her armchair by the fire. How she could stand such oppressive he heat was beyond Harry. He was beginning to wonder if she did not originate from the scorching lands of the Sahara Desert. As she rose, Harry could see time had not touched her either. She still wore a gaudy outfit (by Harry's standards, obviously not by her's) with it's customary scarves in various colors and materials. She rang like a thousand different bells sounding as one when she moved. The jewelry (including bracelets, earrings, and necklaces of every kind imaginable) contributed to this. Her eyes, magnified greatly by the glasses she wore, seemed even larger than normal as she scanned the class. She resembled, Harry reflected, a carnival gypsy one would see predicting other's fortunes; how very appropriate.
"Class," her whispery voice, in a mystical way, unlike his father's own ominous manner, captured their attention. "I welcome you back. I had foreseen you would all be well." Ron snorted, as did Harry. Though he knew of the woman's two real predictions, her act was fairly annoying. Trelawny gave no indication that she heard them and continued. "This part of the year we will be using three of the most powerful magical substances: fire, ice, and water. Each can be used in clearing away the veil of mystery over the future and divining its secrets. As fire and ice are still a bit advanced for you all," Harry hid a grin, "we will begin with water." She looked up and the class followed her example. A dozen small basins of water floated above their heads.
"Isn't that a bit dangerous?" Ron whispered. While at first Harry privately agreed, he studied them more closely. As he extended a bit of his power out to touch them he met with resistance. His eyes darkened as he looked at them with a new light. Ah, of course, now it made sense.
"Don't worry, they're held in place by a magical net."
"You sure?" Harry gave the other a knowing look and the Gryffindor backed down. With a flicker of her wand, Trelawny released the basins from their prison and they floated to settle before the students.
"Now you will pluck one hair from your head and place it inside the water. You then need to stir with the tip of your wand three times counter-clock wise. All you need to do then is to gaze into its inmost depths and determine what the Fates are willing to let us see." Taking that as the signal to begin Harry plucked a single black hair and dropped it inside. The water bubbled as he stirred it with the head of his cane.
"Where's your wand?" Ron asked suddenly.
"Uh....." Harry trailed off, "inside this." He laid the staff on the table.
"How did that happen?" Ron continued.
'Oh boy,' the raven-haired boy thought.
"I put it there for safe-keeping." Seeing the other was going to continue to question him, he added, "I'll explain the rest later." When the other shrugged and looked away, Harry turned back to the water. At first he saw nothing. He blanked his mind and closed off all of his senses except for his eyes. Gradually the water began to spin on its own, slowly at first then picking up speed until it resembled a small whirlpool. Fascinated, he watched, but found it harder to do just that as a strange white film crept over his vision. He staved off the want to claw at his eyes and instead stared unblinkingly into the shimmer. Eventually it receded and he was astonished to see there was no longer water in the basin but now it seemed almost like a window one would look out. The first image that displayed itself was of Draco and his father. The boy seemed glum, defeated almost, if his expression was any indicator. The elder Malfoy was positively glowing with pride as he presented his son before Voldemort. The image swirled and changed. It was Draco again only this time he was with Kit. Draco himself seemed to glow happily as the two walked along the lake's edge. It faded away and was replaced by both twins but the air around them suddenly grew dark as Voldemort loomed over them and grasped each by the shoulder. Before Harry could react to this it changed yet again. Instead of the twins it was he who kneeled before Voldemort. The dark lord touched his image's cheek and all Harry could then see was a phoenix (that looked remarkably like him) locked in battle with a serpent. Pain flared through his scar and he bit his tongue to keep any sound from escaping. Finally, and thankfully, the pain ebbed and Harry found the nerve to look in the basin once more. The symbol was gone. In its place were Seri and Severus holding hands. He could honestly say he had never seen them happier. They wore formal, yet elegant robes, as if for some special occasion. What's more, rose petals showered down over them. Before he could grasp the full meaning of the image, it vanished. The water returned to the basin as it had been before. His other senses awakened and he realized, someone was shaking him.
Ron quickly grew bored of staring at the water and watching it do nothing.
"Hey Harry," he whispered out of the corner of his mouth so as not to attract the teachers attention. He did not receive a response.
"Hey Harry, do you see anything?" he whispered again as he poked the basin with his wand. Again there was no response. Finally he turned to his friend, a tad annoyed about being ignored.
"Har-" The name died on his lips as he saw what was happening to the other. Harry's gaze was fixed unblinkingly on the stone basin before him, the water of which was frothing ominously. Panic rose in his throat as he called the other's name, louder than he wished.
"Harry!" This strangled cry drew the attention of the majority of the class, as well as the Professor, as they all turned to see what was wrong. The fire mage's eyes had gone completely white as if he were blind; indeed, it seemed he was, of the outside world. The alabaster skin grew even whiter and he gripped the table in such a way that suggested physical pain. Slowly, it passed and Ron drew up the courage to reach out to his friend.
"Harry?" he called again. The class watched with great apprehension as Harry turned those startling milky-white orbs on them. His mouth opened and the voice that issued from it was almost that of a military commander.
"The three are one but still not whole. Fire, Ice, Light, Water, and Wind must unite to banish the rising darkness. Even these five, the Star of Hope cannot do it alone. They will need the strength of Earth and Crystal behind them or all shall be lost." He pointed a finger at a frightened Trelawny. "Warn them, for Earth is swaying. Wait too long and he will be beyond our reach. Warn them, before it is too late." His message having been delivered, the student's eyes closed and he slumped in his chair.
"Mr. Potter?" Trelawny laid a hand on Harry's shoulder. The boy did not react immediately, which worried some, but invariably he roused himself from what ever stupor giving the prophetic message may have caused.
"Wh-what?" He reached up first to touch his scar then his right cheek where he could still feel the caress of the bony finger.
"What happened?" he asked, having reasonably established this was reality.
"You made a prediction Mr. Potter. Might you remember?" The Divination teacher asked hopefully. After a moment of careful thought, the student nodded.
"I need to speak to Professor Dumbledore." Though his voice was faint, quite in contrast to what it had been moments before, and a tremor ran through it, its resolve was firm and left no room for argument. Yet Trelawny, being the persistent soul that she is, did so.
"Oh, it can wait! You must tell us what you saw my dear boy, you must!" The Gryffindor absolutely refused to speak a word of the matter even with Trelawny's constant, "You must! You must!" and was rather relieved when there was a knock at the trapdoor, distracting her from her ensatus buzzing. She crossed the room and opened the door.
"Headmaster!" she exclaimed with mixed surprise and suspicion. She had a vague notion that with his coming, she was about to be denied a wondrous treat. He greeted her warmly with his usual benign smile and graciously accepted her assistance in helping him inside.
"Hello Sybil. I thought I'd just pop around and see how everything was going." The woman began to twitter like a bird in her haste to tell him what had transpired.
"Mr. Potter has seen into the water and even made a lovely prediction for us. He was just about to share with us what those were." Harry drew himself up, ignoring his protesting muscles, and stared down the female professor.
"I will not, they are of very personal events that frankly are none of your business." With the burst of adrenaline departed, Harry slouched back in his chair. Concerned about his grandchild, Albus left the teacher and went to him. A cool hand touched his sweaty forehead.
"Ah yes, just as I thought." He turned slightly to Trelawny, "I'm afraid he's sick. He better come with me to the hospital wing." He offered the boy a helping hand, who readily accepted, thankful for the help. The Headmaster, amid the Divination professor's protests, led his young charge out of the perfume-filled environment. Once they were a reasonable distance from the room, the elder mage halted and began to run searching hands over the boy's body.
"What happened in there?" he asked as he pulled the boy closely to him.
"I'm not sure, but what ever it was, it drained me," Harry answered, surrendering himself to his grandfather's probing; it was quite comforting after all.
"Come on," Albus tugged at the boy's robes, propelling him forward, "We are going to the hospital wing." The journey was relatively short or maybe it was just his imagination, Harry thought as he found himself being lowered on to familiar white cotton sheets. Hushed voices spoke just out of range of his diminished perception and a soft hand caressed his face.
"He's just exhausted, nothing a little sleep won't cure." Harry allowed Seri to fuss over him, freeing his mind to wander. What was the signfigance of his visions? Were they even visions at all or just random fragments of his overactive imagination? But then, what of his message? Who were Earth and Crystal? And, for that matter, Water and Wind? Where Water and Wind the Moonlight Cats? Were those their elements? Too many questions for him to think of, he thought as his mind finally drifted into sleep's warm arms.
Seri smiled as she felt the boy slip under.
"Don't worry Albus, he'll be ready to leave by lunch," she politely pushed him toward the door even as the man kept glancing back.
"Now shoo! I am sure you have enough appointments and paper work to last you well into next week." Albus grabbed the door frame, making a last ditch effort not to be evicted.
"Yes but...."
"No but's! I promise that I will personally take care of him." He still seemed reluctant to go so she added, "If anything happens to else happens I swear upon the fact that I am a Marauder that you will know." With one final shove, he was out the door and she slammed it closed behind him. She leaned against the cool wood and blew her bangs away in frustration. Kit chuckled.
"Rather overprotective at times, no?" she teased. Seri gave her a sour look.
"Bite your tongue."
Just as the bell for the noon hour rang, there was a cautious knock at the door of the hospital wing. Kit, being the closest, opened it.
"Hello," she greeted the two nervous students, "is there something I can do for you?" The red-haired boy answered.
"We're here to see Harry." The dark-haired healer smiled and stepped aside, allowing them entry. They hurried past her to see Harry propped up by pillows and daintily tasting the barley soup before him. He grinned at them as they took their places on either side of him.
"Hello you guys, how was class?" Ron grimaced and Hermione smiled happily.
"It was horrid, Trelawny was in a right huff about you. She acted like a child that hadn't gotten dessert or something." Harry shared the boy's grimace. He'd suspected she would act along those lines.
"I imagine so. It wouldn't have mattered, if grandpa hadn't come, I would have left. What about you Hermione?" The girl nodded her bushy head.
"It was wonderful. Professor Tamra stared us on a new dialect...."
"Medieval Celt?" Harry finished for her. Her expression turned to one of surprise.
"How did you know?" The boy shrugged, taking another sip of his soup.
"I suggested it to her. If you need any help with it, ask me." Slowly, confusion still clearly written on her features, she nodded.
"Thanks."
"Harry, about your prediction...." Ron trailed off when he saw the other pale. Unconsciously, he ran a finger over his right cheek again.
"It was real, very real. That's never happened to me before and I don't know if it will again." The boy sighed and shivered, thinking of the ambagious nature of his visions. One side promised hope and happiness, the other, disaster and despair. A thick woolen blanket wound itself around him, securing him in a warm, comfortable cocoon. Harry smiled at Seri, her hand still raised in casting, who returned the gesture. No wand, he noted. He sighed again, this time in content. He could get used to Seri's mothering nature very quickly. It seemed very natural to accept the treatment from her.
"Are you alright?" Hermione touched his hand briefly.
"I'm fine." A glance in Seri's direction, who had gone back to work. "And I think I'm going to stay that way." Both Gryffindors were very relieved to hear this. "Hermione," he abruptly changed the subject, "I need your help with a bit of research." This piqued the girl's attention immediately.
"On what?"
"The Star of Hope and Trinity of the Phoenix."
"I've never heard of either." Harry ran a weary hand over his face.
"I know a little of the Trinity but nothing of the Star of Hope."
"Where do we start?"
"We start by looking for every book on Merlin, he's at the root of both of them. In both the restricted and non-restricted sections." Ron, feeling left out, suddenly butted in.
"Can I help too?" Harry smiled and nodded.
"I'd hoped you would. Is there anyone else you think would be of help Hermione?"
"Ginny. She would be of great help."
"Harry, is this really important?" Ron asked suddenly. The mage's face and tone were grave.
"It could be the difference between us winning or losing the war with Voldemort."
Sirius let his doggy body collapse against the brick wall of the train station. After hitching a ride on the boat, he'd navigated through London with relative ease, but it was right now and he needed to rest. It would be a short rest, for he still needed to get to Hogwarts as soon as possible. He dare not try to sleep for he only had nightmares about what that bastard might at that moment be doing to his godson. It would take the better part of another day to reach the school, meaning it'd be around noon. He only hoped it would be soon enough.
~Are you ready?~ Arrigo asked from his place on the window sill. Sureves nodded as Ladus (Dumbledore) adjusted the pack on his back. Arrigo himself had a pack of blankets while Sureves carried food. The temperature had dropped dramatically of late and yet Draco had insisted that their meetings remain outdoors. Though Arrigo had argued eloquently (through a friendly squirrel that had been there at the time) he'd finally given in to the boy's rock solid resolve. Since it was to be outside, Arrigo thought he might as well bring something to ensure they felt warm. Sureves was bringing food as they knew Draco hadn't had lunch or dinner that day. As his elders hopped up beside him, he leapt out the window. A quick circle around the school was in order to make sure all was well before they landed before the bushes. Arrigo was first as he entered and took up his normal place to the boy's left. Draco smiled.
"Hello my feathered friend, what have you brought with you?" With a quick chirp, the straps holding his pack fell away and he pulled the grey woolen blanket from his back and held it out to the boy. Draco gratefully accepted it and was surprised to find it so warm.
"How..." he trailed off as he looked into the emerald fire that blazed in the phoenix's large, intelligent eyes. He shook his head as he wrapped it around himself. While Arrigo took the other blankets and arranged them in a nest-like fashion around the Slytherin, Sureves, Ladus and the feline healers joined them inside. Draco's eyes lit up as he caught sight (and smell) of the food the silver phoenix had brought with him. He choked out his thanks as he devoured one of the sandwiches and they settled in a circle around him. At the smell of food, Mrs. Norris stuck her head out of the blanket cocoon, nose twitching. Draco fed her bits of different meats from his sandwich.
"So," the blonde began as he swallowed, "Who did you bring with you Arrigo, Snowball?" He directed the to both creatures. The golden phoenix pointed a wing tip to the one next to him.
+Sureves, my father,+ Mrs. Norris relayed this to the Slytherin. Most creatures spoke mind to mind with Draco and though Harry and the others had the ability, they did not. It was for safety reasons only. They knew he would recognize their voices if they did so. Draco inclined his head respectively to the elder.
"It is an honor to meet you sir." Sureves pointed at the slightly larger white phoenix.
+Ladus, my father and his grandfather.+ Mrs. Norris translated that as well. The boy's smile widened.
"It's a pleasure, really." The white phoenix let out a quivering note. The snow leopard, ignored up to this point, made an impatient noise in her throat. The others turned to her, all wearing amused expressions.
"And who did you bring Mistress Leopard?" She gave a toothy grin and stood up importantly.
=My heart sister Tigress,= (A/N: Now she can't tell them they are actual sisters, they're two different types of cats.) After a second he smiled.
"Greetings Lady Tigress." The feline nodded. After he finished his dinner he sighed and sat back, stroking Mrs. Norris's head. The scraggily grey purred her pleasure and cuddled closely to the boy. After a moment and the Slytherin had not said anything, Arrigo chirped a question. Draco smiled at the bird sadly.
"Nothing gets past you does it? Alright, I'll spill. I received a letter from my father today." With a bit of shifting, he retrieved a folded piece of parchment from his pocket. "I won't bore you with the details but the gist of it is he's pressuring me again to become a Death Eater." Blue eyes flashed. "I will not become one! I will not be like him!" The anger faded almost as quickly as it had appeared. "Why can't I escape him? Must I always play this game?" Snowball rose from her place and laid herself at the boy's feet. He absently scratched her ears as he continued.
"I can hardly stay in the Slytherin dorms anymore for fear they'll curse me, or worse," he shivered despite the warmth the blankets provided, "haul me to Voldemort." He fell silent again and Arrigo turned to his elders.
+See?+
+Oh yes little one, we see. The question is, what do we do about it?+ Ladus asked.
+Be his friend, I think at the moment, that's all we can do,+ Sureves said finally. The four turned to look at him. The boy's blonde hair fell in front of his blank face as he continued to stroke the soft white fur.
+He needs a family,+ Ladus trilled softly. +A real family.+
=He's mine.= The phoenixes and tiger turned to the snow leopard. Her eyes were dark blue steel, determination written her very being. =He is my cub. I will not let that bastard Malfoy take him from me.= She growled, evoking a worried expression from the Slytherin. She switched to purring immediately and nuzzled his leg reassuringly. Now Arrigo understood the healer's feelings towards the Slytherin. She though of him as her son, or should we say cub? He had a feeling she would be a tremendously good influence over him, if he allowed her to be. But what of the elder Malfoy? He certainly couldn't be left out of this equation. Arrigo was positive that if the man came within even a one mile radius of his 'son', Kit would rip out his throat, literally. For now it was best to follow the school's motto: Never tickle a sleeping dragon.
The next day found Harry trudging reluctantly to Transfiguration. It was not as though the subject didn't interest him, quite the contrary, but a bad teacher could ruin any subject. That was just what McGonagall was doing; she was an absolute terror. As fast as his father was losing his cruel reputation, she was gaining one. Her unexpected turn in behavior was a puzzle to the Gryffindor, and he loved puzzles. He only wished this one was not so unpleasant.
"Back off Parkinson!" The all too familiar snarl of Draco's drifted around the corner. Harry dashed forward, peering around. Draco and Kit (as Snowball) were completely surrounded by Slytherins, six in all. They were circling their victims like hunters getting ready to take down their prey.
"Whatcha gonna do Malfoy? You're outnumbered, even with you flea-bitten friend." Snowball snapped at them menacingly, but it had no effect. It was obvious she was worried for Harry could see she was preparing to shift into her human form. Knowing that was the last thing the healer wished to do at the moment, he quickly ran through his options. Ah, why not heat things up a bit? As the Slytherins shouted insults at one another, Harry knelt down and placed a finger to the cold flagstone. Instantly a spark ignited. The Gryffindor closed his eyes and the spark sped away from him, heading towards the impending fight. No one noticed the trail, until it had completely encircled Draco and Snowball. The first shout of "What the hell?" caused a grim smile to cross the Gryffindor's pale face.
Draco watched in wonder as a line of fire surrounded him and his guardian, cutting them off from their attackers.
"What the hell?" Millicent swore as she tried to stick her hand past it. The blonde could see, even thought girl was nursing it against her chest, that it had been severely burned.
"Malfoy, what trick is this?" Pansy demanded as she reached out. The blonde's smile was grim.
"I didn't do this Parkinson. Obviously someone doesn't want your pathetic lot near me." With a hiss of outrage, she dove towards him. The fire flared up, sending the girl flying through the air. She landed with a sickening crunch five yards away.
'Sounds like she broke something,' Draco thought with satisfaction, 'Good, now maybe she'll leave me alone.'
Sweat broke out on Harry's brow as he tossed the Slytherin girl away from the others. It was a lot harder than he thought it would be, telling him he needed more practice. Fire did bend to his command but it did have a will of its own. If he gave even a fraction of an inch into it, it would roar out of control and he couldn't have that. What he intended to next was going to be even more difficult.
Angered by the treatment of their leader, the others closed in on the two.
"Get him!" Goyle shouted. Draco ducked, grabbing a hold of the snow leopard to shield her. The group never came close. The flames shot up, surrounding the two in a fiery column. After a second and no one came, Draco opened his eyes to see nothing but fire. And, to his surprise, he could see through it. It wasn't even hot, but pleasantly warm.
"Is he in there?" Zabini asked as he reached out to the column. A whisp of fire reached out and licked his hand, burning the skin. He drew it back with a yelp and glared. The blonde grinned and patted Snowball's head as she gave an inquiring meow. He placed a silencing hand over her muzzle. Apparently, however, they did not hear her on the outside.
"Let's get out of here," Crabbe rumbled. The others quickly nodded and scampered away, making a great deal of noise in the process.
When the Gryffindor was certain the Slytherin attackers were out of sight, he let the fire die away. When it was completely gone, Harry ran around the corner.
"What's going on here? Draco what happened?" The Sltytherin straightened, pulling his cold demeanor firmly back into place.
"Nothing Potter, nothing is going on. I don't know what you're talking about. Now if you'll excuse me." Draco attempted to beat a hasty retreat to his next class, maintaining at least a minuscule amount of his pride, but the Gryffindor caught him by the arm.
"Draco," he stared into the boy's agitated blue eyes, "I'm serious. I want a truthful answer: What happened here?" The Sltytherin jerked away, hissing, his eyes burning in outrage at the boy's audacity.
"Nothing happened! And if anything had happened, it wouldn't be any of your business! Leave me alone!" He turned on his heel and marched away angrily. Harry watched him go, sad and yet frustrated at the confrontation. Snowball only stayed long enough to nuzzle him reassuringly before bounding off to catch up with her young charge. Harry sighed, this time in defeat. Now he was going to push back becoming human in front of Draco even farther, just to ensure he cooled down. Shaking his head at his own stupidity, he set out for Transfiguration once more, unaware that he was being followed. The fat brown rat scurried closely behind the boy, making sure it was not left behind.
"Pay attention!" Harry was jolted from his thoughts as McGonagall brought a ruler down hard across his desk. He glanced up and gulped, seeing the angry hazel slits.
"Yes Professor," he mumbled, not wishing to anger her further. It was not to be, he realized, as she puffed up in preparation for her tirade.
"Just because you have a new status at this school Mr.....Mr..... Well, what am I supposed to call you?!" she wanted to know. The boy blinked.
"Potter Professor, that is my name, though I do answer to all three." Several students giggled at this but the teacher silenced them with a glare.
"Very well Mr. Potter. I do not want to catch you sleeping or daydreaming in my class again or I'll take twenty-five points from Gryffindor and you'll have detention with Filch. Is that understood?" The dark-haired boy nodded, a small sigh escaping his lips.
"Yes Professor." With a brisk nod of approval, McGonagall turned her attention back to the class and once more began her lecture. Harry tried to pay attention, he really tried, but found that against his will his mind wandered. What he was chiefly worried about was Sirius coming to Hogwarts. Remus had not stopped apologizing since he'd realized what he had done. Only a sharp snap from Severus had finally made him stop. Severus had been furious with the man at first for sending the letter and even now was still so, after the reasons had been explained. The anger he held was irrational and he knew it. But, then again, as Severus put it, "Who ever said human beings were rational?" Harry did not blame his father for being angry, he was a tad angry himself. Why couldn't the Defense teacher have confronted them first? This whole upcoming incident might have been avoided. Now Harry had to worry about Sirius showing up at any moment and whisking him away. By their estimations, he could arrive at anytime, which did nothing to calm Harry's nerves. The Gryffindor only hoped they would be able to explain what was going on before his godfather carved out Severus's heart with a dull wooden spoon.
"Mr. Potter!" The boy cursed under his breath, realizing what had happened and looked up. Oh wonderful, he was in for it now, he realized, as he saw how livid the Professor seemed.
"Yes Professor?"
"Don't be cheeky Mr. Potter. Since you feel that you do not have to pay attention in my class I'd like you to demonstrate for everyone what they are supposed to do." She slammed a pen down on his desk.
"Transfigure this into a bird." Harry stared at her for a moment, then stood.
'Okay,' he thought, 'This is going to be simple enough, but I need specifics first.'
"Alright ma'am, what kind?" The teacher pressed her lips together.
"I don't care what kind."
"What color?" The woman threw up her hands.
"I don't care! Get on with it before I do give you detention." Harry nodded, knowing he was making a bad situation worse. With a quick flicker of his staff the pen exploded in a flurry of feathers. Through the shower he could see McGonagall's smirk.
"Well, it seems that since you could not do what I asked I'm afraid I have no choice but to....." She was cut off abruptly by a scraggily cry. Emerging from the storm of feathers was a colossal bird. With another bone-shaking wail, it spreads wings. Once the last note faded away, it lowered its wings and blinked at them all with its wise yellow eyes. What Harry had chosen seemed to be a parody of an overgrown phoenix. Its plumage included a mixture of red, blue and bronze, fringed in gold. It shifted its overlarge bulk to the side, making the wood of the desk creak in protest. McGonagall was struck speechless by the his creation's incredible display. The Ravenclaws and Gryffindors began to clap and Harry nodded in acknowledgment, the faint red of a blush gracing his cheeks.
"Well," McGonagall began when she regained control over herself. "It seems the Headmaster was correct in his word that you have....advanced in your studies. Now, change it back. With a shrug, Harry raised his staff to do so when the bird let out a sudden cry and leapt forward. It closed its beak around a brown furball that let out a high squeak when it was captured. The colorful creature hopped up to Harry and displayed its prize proudly. The small brown rat squeaked and struggled to get away, but the bird had a firm hold on its tail. Frowning, Harry reached out with his senses. What he encountered caused him to gasp and raise his staff.
"Mr. Potter, call off that beast this instance." Harry shook his head, hand never wavering.
+When I say drop him, do so. Understood?+ The phoenix-like creature swished its tale in understanding.
"Mr. Potter do you hear me?" McGonagall shouted into the boy's ear. He didn't even blink, his emerald eyes fixed on the squirming rodent.
+Now!+ he barked sharply. "De-transformus!" The brown squirming mass dropped from the beast's beak, only to be hit by a bright blue light. It struggled and began to change. The bird backed away as a man fell to the floor, in the place of the rat. Blue watery eyes darted around the room in search for escape even as a silver hand reached for his wand.
"Expellerimus!" Harry snatched the flying wand from the air and pocketed it, pointing his staff at the quivering man. "So nice to see you again Peter, but I'm afraid you won't be going anywhere." The man began to stutter, running a hand through the thinning hair.
"I don't know what you're talking about. I-I'm not Peter..." Harry's low chuckle stopped him.
"Oh really? Then how unfortunate for you that you look like him." Almost too late, Harry saw the flash of a second wand and was barely able to duck the Cruciatus curse. Unfortunately the Ravenclaw behind him had no such chance and screamed as pain racked through her body. As Harry fell he tucked his body and rolled, coming up in a kneeling position.
"Flamus Bindus!" He cried. The spell hit the small man full in the chest and sent him flying into the back wall, the impact knocking the breath from him. As he did hit, fiery bands sprang up, securing his wrists, ankles and neck. Not pausing to see if the man was secure, Harry rushed to the aide of the fallen girl. A simple finatem spell whispered over her and a bit of magic to block her pain centers and she was fine. Pale gold eyes met emerald in a silent thanks as she slumped into oblivion. Leaving her to be tended to by her friends, he marched over to the restrained man.
"You have hurt enough people you bastard, I will not let you hurt more. I intend to see you pay." Blind fury coursed through his body as he thought of all the lives this one man had ruined. Unconsciously, his hand rose, a small green light forming in it.
+Master,+ the colorful bird nuzzled his knee. His hand lowered and the light disappeared.
+What?+ he snapped, not taking his eyes off his captive.
+There is more magic about him, do you not sense it?+ The boy blinked, his anger fading a bit. With the tiniest bit of probing he realized this man was not who he seemed to be. He called out to his father and grandfather, knowing they needed to be there.
Severus stumbled to a stop mid-way through his lecture. Harry's summons rang through his mind loud and clear as did the emotions behind it. Giving a stern order to his class not to move but to read a chapter from their books, he raced out of the classroom. Throwing a feather at the next archway, he disappeared in a brief flash.
"Harry." The boy did not turn but kept his eyes fixed on the person in front of him.
"Father," he motioned for the man to join him at his side, "I want a second opinion. Do you sense Polyjuice on him?" Severus scrutinized at the supposed Wormtail, allowing his own senses to flow out. He nodded grimly.
"Only one way to find out." He clasped Harry's hand in his own and both raised their other.
"Revealous." The Headmaster stepped into the room just as the spell was cast. It took only a second to take effect but what it left behind had definite repercussions.
"Fudge," Harry breathed. The pudgy little man glared at the three fiercely before finally settling his glare on the Potions Master.
"Traitor!" he shouted, causing most of the class to jump. "You betrayed your family."
"What family? I only have one and I know you do not speak of them." Severus asked with feigned curiosity.
"You betrayed your master." Understanding dawned on the pale face.
"Ah. You're referring to Voldemort and my so called Death Eater brethren," he spat in disgust.
"Aha! Then you admit it! You are a Death Eater," the minister said in triumph. The Potions Master merely raised an eyebrow.
"I never said I wasn't, but if you want the truth then yes, I was a Death Eater, once. But it did not bring me fame and fortune, only pain and misery. All in a foolhardy attempt to merely be approved of by my parents." He spat again. "I didn't know what I was getting myself into until it was too late. Too late to run and too late to hide, from the Aurors and myself." The man began to shake from the overload of emotions as he continued bitterly. "But I knew what I was doing was wrong and turned away from the Dark side as soon as I could. But not before I had seen more death, torture, and destruction to last ten people a lifetime. No Fudge, I am not a Death Eater." The room was deathly still after this speech as the students stared at the Professor with varying degrees of wonder and dare he say respect? Harry and Albus each grabbed an arm, offering their support and making sure the man didn't launch himself at the minister. Fudge only stared at him, mouth opening and closing wordlessly. Before anyone had time to react the Potions Master suddenly hissed and fell to his knees, clutching his left arm. He was not the only to react as the man on the wall howled in pain, making motions of trying to claw at his arm. The class watched as Harry dropped beside his father and called his name repeatedly. He received no immediate response, for the man's eyes were glazed over and he seemed beyond reach. Finally he nodded and allowed Harry to pull him to him. When it just seemed that the man's convulsions had lessened a new wave hit, this time the pain engulfing Harry as well.
"Harry!" The Headmaster cried as the boy collapsed next to his parent. Albus himself fell to his knees, swaying dangerously.
"Headmaster, what's going on?!" The Transfiguration teacher, forgotten up to this point, demanded.
Sirius grinned in triumph as he bound through the oak doors and into the Entrance Hall. The grin became feral as he turned into the direction of the dungeons. Time to do what he had come to do. As he loped along, contemplating the many ways to kill a person, when a familiar voice caught his attention of his sensitive canine hearing. Intrigued by who it was, he was distracted and stopped to listen. (A/N: Has a short attention span doesn't he *shakes her head* Padfoot what am I going to do with you?)
"Something's wrong," Seri's worried voice drifted through the closed door.
"What?" Remus asked with equal concern. He knew the woman would not say that unless she had a good reason.
"It's Severus, Harry and Albus." There was a scraping of wood against stone as she stood. "We need to go to them, now!" her voice had risen to the point of panic. The door banged open and three figures rushed from the room. They were totally oblivious of the dog that tagged along behind them.
Seri stood frozen in the doorway of the Transfiguration class for only a fraction a second before she leapt into action. Crossing the room in three great strides, she pulled Severus from the pile of bodies and into her arms.
"Severus, answer me," she shook him hard, gently slapping his face, "Severus!" Kit came up and pulled the Headmaster to her, scanning.
"Seri the Dark Mark!" The other sister immediately ripped back the sleeve to show it to be a livid red.
"Sweet Merlin," she whispered. "Remus! Help us! We need to get Harry aw-" She stopped when she realized it was not the Defense teacher holding the young boy, but Sirius Black.
Forest green eyes met blue in a silent battle. The fury that was roiling inside the other was not going to make this easy, the healer realized.
"Sirius…" She began but got no further.
"Traitor!" he hissed, clutching the unconscious boy to his chest possessively, "You're betraying Lily and James's memory by helping that…..that….." he struggled with a word to describe the Potions Master. "Child molester." The healer gritted her teeth and wished dearly she had her wand at that moment so she could curse the idiotic moron but knew it would do no good.
"You don't understand Harry needs Severus."
"Needs to be taken away from him you mean," Sirius challenged. With a rumbling growl that sounded like the cat she was, Seri reached over and grabbed the collar of his shirt, bringing them nose to nose.
"Listen to me you pathetic excuse for a human being, I'm trying to save lives here. Harry feels Severus's pain of being summoned, as does the Headmaster. The only way to stop it is if Voldemort ceases the summons or Harry performs the Ralalus spell. Judging by the intense physical agony all three are going through I doubt the Dark lord is going to let up. Now, are you going to wake Harry so he can perform the spell or let him suffer?" The ex-convict saw no other way. In order to save his godson he had to help that Slytherin Snake. He gently shook the boy in his arms and received no reaction. The animagus sighed and drew out his wand, pointing is at Harry.
"Ennervate." The slim boy stirred in his arms before cracking open pain-clouded eyes.
"Sirius?" he croaked, disoriented and not sure what was happening.
"Little one," Seri's desperate voice directed him to her. "The spell, you must perform the spell." With an understanding nod, he pushed himself up, with Sirius's aide, and relieved Severus's burdening weight from the woman. Automatically he began to sing in the phoenix language, the rich vibrant tone of his voice soothing the crowd's frazzled nerves. The two healers began to worry. The young Gryffindor was almost ready for the phoenix tears and yet Fawkes had not arrived. When the moment came Seri was biting her knuckles, the suspense too much for her to take. But as she and the others watched, thick pearly tears cascaded down the boy's cheeks and splashed onto the hand covering the Dark Mark. This continued even as he bled his life into the other. Finally it was through and Harry slumped back into Sirius while Severus sat up, straight into Seri's arms.
"Wh-what?" he began but Seri stopped him.
"Harry performed the spell, you must help him." He turned immediately and reached for his boy but Sirius pulled him away.
"You bitch," he directed this comment to Seri, "You tricked me. All so you could save your bastard of a boyfriend! Harry's dead!"
"Black," Severus began calmly, trying to keep the note of anxiety from his voice. He needed to get to his son, now. "I can bring him back but you must give him to me." Sirius bared his yellow teeth and pulled back farther.
"Never," he hissed. Severus's black eyes became desperate as he could feel Harry's life force fading into his own.
"Black," He locked eyes with the one who had once almost gotten him killed. The one that had taunted and tormented him through school. The one that had wrecked the only relationship he'd ever had. The one he'd tried to hand over to the Dementors not two years before when he didn't know any better. The one who's love for the black-haired boy equaled his own. Harry's godfather. "If you love him as much as you say and I know you do, you will give him to me, you must give him to me. I am his only hope." It was his last plea, he only prayed it was enough. Indecision warred in those light blue eyes but his love for his godson prevailed. Reluctantly he held out the boy's body to the Potions Master who immediately gathered it in his arms. The golden aura began to seep back into its owner and slowly fade from Severus. When all was back where it should be, Harry took a deep shuddering breath and let it out slowly. Gradually the boy came around, opening those wide, innocent eyes.
"Father," he whispered. Severus cracked a half-smile, blinking back his tears. It had been too close they had almost lost him. The green eyes slid from him to the man near by.
"Thank you Sirius for giving me to him." The small Gryffindor smiled at his godfather's slack-jawed expression and snuggled against his father, settling down to sleep. Behind them they could hear the Headmaster moan and sit up.
"Albus you alright?"
"I think so. You, Harry?"
"He was able to perform the spell." He drew back the boy's sleeve to reveal the psuedo-Dark Mark. Sirius gasped at the sight.
"What the hell?" That outburst drew the Headmaster's attention to him.
"What are you….? Never mind. Everyone let's just go to my office." With Kit's assistance he stood up. Severus and Seri followed, the Potions Master still holding the sleeping boy.
"Come on Sirius," Seri commanded. The man pulled himself to his feet and trudged along behind them. As he got to the door he transformed back into a dog.
"Wait." Albus stopped, causing the whole train of people to halt. "What about the Minister?" Remus broke from the group and went to check the man hanging limp on the wall. He checked for his pulse, and didn't find one.
"He's dead," Kit went to him and performed a simple scan.
"Heart burst," she murmured as she drew away. "Apparently he couldn't take the strain. Can one of you…." She trailed off. Albus lifted his hand and the bands disappeared. Remus caught the body as it fell and carried it from the room.
"Oh, and one more thing," Albus raised his staff, "Obliviate!" With a flash of white light the class stared at them, dazed.
"Wh-what happened?" McGonagall demanded once her eyes refocused. The Headmaster smiled at her reassuringly.
"I'm afraid Harry's become ill. Severus and I are taking him to the hospital wing." The woman nodded curtly and turned to her class, picking up her lecture where she had left off. The Headmaster and Potions Master exited the room, the pen-turned-bird hopping along behind them.
"Ms. Elwood what are you doing on the floor? Ms. Elwood," The Transfigurations teacher marched over to find the girl lying prone. She sighed and directed a group of her friends to take the fallen girl to the hospital wing as well.
When the group arrived at the Headmaster's office, Kit drew Remus away from them and together they took the corpse to the infirmary. Severus carefully placed the sleeping boy on the couch and bundled him in blankets, assuring that he stayed warm. When he turned he found himself being swept off his feet and slammed into the wall. He turned his face away, his nose wrinkling at the ex-convict's breath. "I will if you release me Black," The Potions Master shot back. After a moment's thought the ex-convict did so, backing away and pointing his wand at the man's heart.
"Okay, explain." Severus sighed and began the tale, though the other listened with little patience. When he reached the birthday party, Sirius cut in.
"Ron and Hermione said they saw scars from where you had beat him." The Potions Master snorted, rolling his eyes.
"Those two Gryffindors didn't know what they were seeing. Everything they saw was from his O.W.L examines the day before. If you remember, they were rather brutal." Despite himself, Sirius grimaced in sympathy. He did remember, very well.
"Oh, so you're going to convince me that you've never have and never will hit a child," the animagus threw out sarcastically. Severus bristled.
"I would never put a child, most especially Harry, what I went through myself when I was young."
"Are you trying to tell me that your parents beat you? I don't buy that for a second."
"That's exactly what I'm trying to tell you Black, and since you don't believe me, I'll show you." Carefully, so as not to provoke the other, Severus removed his robe. Seeing Sirius had not done anything to stop him, he removed his shirt as well. He smiled grimly at the other's disbelieving expression.
"Do you see now?"
"Wh-what about the scars on Harry?" the animagus persisted. Sighing in resignation, Severus backed to the couch and dug around till he found Harry, who had happily burrowed himself in his blankets. Pulling the boy up, he slid the shirt over his head.
"See?" Sirius stood, gaping at the many lines that cris-crossed one another on the alabaster skin.
"How-how did he get those?" the godfather demanded once he had regained his voice. The Potions Master rubbed his eyes, weary of this discussion.
"Mostly Vernon Dursley."
"Who," Seri cut in, "is tucked away safely in a mental institution. Harry revealed him to be…..quite unbalanced." Albus snorted and rolled his eyes.
"Insane would be a better word for it. Honesty, attacking the poor boy a whip. Luckily we stopped him." Severus nodded but Sirius was beside himself.
"A whip!?!? What was he thinking?!?!"
"That's just it, he wasn't thinking. All he wanted was revenge." He replaced Harry's shirt and his own before once again tucking his little one in. He then turned to Sirius and picked up the tale from the birthday party. The man was surprised to hear Harry had been added to the Order of the Phoenix but proud and worried at the same time. Was the boy ready for the responsibility? He voiced this fear. Severus replied with the same argument that he'd given Moody, which soothed the man's nerves.
"Two weeks before school," Severus began, taking a deep breath. To tell the truth, he'd been dreading this part of the story. The man's reactions to everything else showed he was extremely on edge and would explode at the slightest bit of provocation. If this did provoke him, nothing would. "I asked Harry a question, one that I'd been wanting to ask for the better part of a week yet could not drum up the courage to do so." Albus intruded in on his thoughts, sending a clear message: You're stalling. Quit it!
'So,' Severus sent back, 'Haven't I earned the right?' The Headmaster's mental snort was his answer. 'This is not easy!' The Potions Master cleared his throat before continuing.
"I asked Harry if I could adopt him," he paused, 'Time to drop the bombshell', "and he said yes." Silence reigned supreme. Sirius blinked several times, wondering if he had heard right. By the serious expressions on the room's three other occupants (Harry was still sleeping peacefully) he had. His wand dropped from his nerveless fingers as he fell back into a convenient chair.
"He did?" Sirius croaked. The Potions Master merely nodded. Sirius buried his face in his hands. He felt so….so….betrayed. How could Harry do this to him?
"Why-why didn't he tell me? All of his letters and not one inkling that this ever happened!" Severus sighed.
"Because he cared enough about you to want to tell you face to face. Believe me, I asked the same question. He felt that a letter was too formal and the coward's way out. He wanted to tell you in person and explain all of his reasons and make sure you felt the truth behind all of them." Sirius stared listlessly at the floor, still in shock by what had been revealed. Could it be possible? Could Severus, a person he had despised since his school days, have really changed so much? The way he had spoken and acted certainly suggested as much. The man had not shouted nor even raised his voice through the entire explanation. In fact, he'd been patient and understanding, answering any of the ex-convict's questions. Now the Potions Master stood waiting for him to pass his judgment on the situation. But what could he say? He didn't like it, didn't like it at all that his godson had spent anytime with the ex-Death Eater. But there was nothing that he could do; it was over and done with. At that moment Harry stirred in his cocoon and opened his eyes.
"Father," He called in the sweet, innocent and child-like voice. Sirius was astonished when Severus's stern outer shell softened as he sat down beside the boy. But Harry was not done.
"Mother." He held out his arms to the healer, beckoning her to join them. Startled by the boy's invitation and blushing from the name he had bestowed upon her, she too joined them on the couch.
"Grandpa." Green eyes shined with happiness as the Headmaster sat down on the other side of Severus. He sighed, a smile playing on his lips.
"My family," he whispered. It was just too much for Sirius. The animagus lurched to his feet and headed towards the door.
"I gotta-I gotta," he fumbled for the handle for a moment as he could not see clearly, the tears half-blinding him, "I gotta go. I just have to go." Before the others could stop him he threw the door opened and literally ran from the room. Harry watched him go in concern.
"Padfoot?" Severus sighed and nodded.
"Yes little one, that was Padfoot."
"Oh dear," the boy said with a frown. Pulling himself away from his elders, he walked unsteadily to the window. Clinging to the frame for support, he watched.
Sirius barely had the present of mind to become a dog again before he reached the bottom of the stairs. Once the stairs deposited him at the bottom he began to mop around the castle, unsure of where to go. Someplace where he could be alone and undisturbed; a place where no one would be able to bother him. He froze in mid-step. He knew the perfect place to go. Whirling around, he raced towards the castle entrance.
Harry smiled as he spotted the familiar Grim-like dog loping towards the Whomping Willow. He unlatched the window and pushed it open, climbing up onto the sill.
"No Harry!" Seri dived toward the boy but Severus restrained her.
"Don't worry, he knows what he's doing."
"But he's in no condition to go anywhere, let alone fly," the healer argued. Severus sighed.
"This is something he must do." He locked eyes with his son. "Go to him and good luck." Harry nodded and launched himself out the window. If anyone had been watching at that moment they would have seen the boy transform into a phoenix. Catching an updraft, he soared high above the grounds, greeting a flock of birds as he did so. Spotting his destination, he circled the ancient tree once before landing. He dodged its swinging branches with ease and let out a quick, un-phoenix like croak. The tree froze, allowing him to get to the entrance. Once he was inside the tunnel he became human again, his phoenix bulk too much for the tunnel. He reached the ground level of the Shrieking Shack in no time and, in his phoenix form once again, followed the sound of muffled sobs. He found Sirius curled up on the battered bed, sobs racking his thin form. Harry hopped up beside him and laid a wing over him in an unmistakable hug.
"What?" the ex-convict choked and turned to the glistening creature. "How did you....? oh it doesn't matter, you can't give me away. How, how could Harry do this to me? Doesn't he know I love him? He's the only thing that kept me from going insane while in Azkaban. Then he does this. It's like I don't matter to him anymore. I guess I don't. Why should I? He has a father in Snape, a mother in Seri and a grandfather in Albus; where does that leave me?" He buried his face in his hands once more trying desperately to hide his grief. He was unaware, therefore, of large wings that became thin arms until they hugged him fiercely.
"Uncle."
"Wh-what?" Sirius looked up in astonishment at the smiling boy beside him.
"You my Uncle Paddy." He giggled and once more hugged the startled man.
"Then why did you leave me out of your family?" Green eyes blinked at him innocently.
"Did not see you," he answered matter-of-factly, "Love you Padfoot." There was nothing the animagus could say against this as he pulled the boy to him closely.
"Love you to Harry and I'm sorry I doubted you."
"Its okay Padfoot," the boy yawned. "Going to sleep now, okay?"
"Okay," the man said quietly. The boy arranged himself comfortably and was soon asleep. Sirius himself sat on the bed with the boy in his arms, wondering to himself how he ever could have doubted the boy. Harry was one that if something was not wanted, he'd tell you politely. Though he'd seen the boy trudge through situations where he hadn't had to be and not wanted to be but gone anyway because he knew he was needed. If he hadn't wanted the animagus to be his godfather anymore, Sirius was certain the other would have told him. It was these thoughts that were running through his mind when a large silver phoenix joined them in the room, carrying three plates of food. He offered two to the man, who warily accepted it.
"Thank you, but why three plates?" The third plate sat itself on the floor as the waiter gave a faint 'pop'.
"For me of course. Did you think I was going to eat your leftovers? I'm not a dog you know," Severus replied as he picked up his food. Sirius snorted.
"That depends on who you're asking," he shot back. Severus sighed and sat down his fork.
"Look Black, we've got to come to some sort of agreement here. Us being at one another's throat constantly will only hurt Harry. There are going to be times when he wants to talk to you instead of me and I would like there to be someone whom I can trust enough to leave him with, and know he's safe. I'm not saying we have to like one another, because I doubt that will happen, but at least let's call a truce. Not for Albus and not for the cause against Voldemort but for the boy that we both care about. What do you say?" He held out his hand. Sirius stared at it for a long time before finally clasping it in his own.
"Alright, we'll give it a try." Severus let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding and nodded.
"Why don't you wake him and feed him then we'll head back inside the castle," he suggested. Sirius agreed and gave the boy a gentle shake. He woke almost immediately, making his godfather wonder if he'd been awake the entire time.
"Want something to eat kido?" The boy nodded eagerly but asked this first.
"You and father, get along?" his voice held a faint hope. A small smile creased the man's worn face.
"For you, we will try." A grin spread across Harry's youthful face.
"Thank you Uncle Paddy, thank you father!" he cried, hugging the man fiercely about the neck. Sirius continued to smile but it turned to a frown when he heard snickering. He looked up to see Severus smirking broadly, his eyes dancing evilly.
"What's so funny?" he demanded, annoyance trickling into his tone. Severus's smirk became even broader.
"Uncle Paddy?" he repeated innocently. Sirius groaned and tossed a pillow at the chuckling man who easily ducked.
"Oh shut up."
An hour later they made their way toward the castle, Severus holding Harry and Snuffles padding along beside them. A beady pair of eyes fixed themselves hungrily upon the trio as they entered. A wand-tip emerged from the darkness and with a few soft-spoken a curse shot from it.
Sirius's ears perked as a soft voice reached them. Relying totally on his instincts, he closed his jaws around the tail end of the Potions Master's robes and jerked him back. The spell whizzed by and blasted part of the wall away. Severus turned to shelter Harry from the flying debris and grabbed the growling canine by his furry neck.
"No. Let them go. It wouldn't be smart to give chase now," he commanded. For a moment he thought the dog would go anyway when he finally turned down the hall, grumbling under his breath. Severus hardly blamed him, he wanted to after the person too but he couldn't risk it, not with Harry. They would have to watch their steps more carefully now. They arrived at the Headmaster's abode without further incident for which both men were grateful. As Severus replaced Harry on the couch and Sirius became human, a silky voice called out.
"Oh Sirius." The man gulped. He knew that tone all too well. He was in deep shit. Slowly he turned to face the reclined healer, plastering a I'm-innocent-of-anything-you-say-I've-done expression on his face.
"Yes, Seri?" The woman rose gracefully from her high-backed chair and approached the trembling man like a stalking tigress.
"Let's get one thing straight right off the bat here. If you harm Severus or Harry in any way, physically or emotionally, what I'll do to you will make Azkaban seem like a dream vacation in comparison. Is that clear?" Her hard green eyes glinted dangerously. He swallowed once more and nodded frantically.
"Crystal clear Mistress Hex." He was completely oblivious to the room's other occupants as Kit giggled uncontrollably and Severus smirked.
"She always did know how to invoke the utmost terror in people," he sighed, "That's what I always loved about her." Albus groaned.
"Oh good grief Severus." The tall healer broke the staring contest and smiled broadly.
"Good," she patted the man on the head which only made Kit giggle harder.
"Now how about some dessert while we decide what to do with the late Mr. Fudge." Severus bowed sweepingly to the woman, arm brushing the floor.
"How could we deny such a command from Mistress Hex and not fear for our lives?" he deadpanned. Now Remus and the Headmaster joined Kit in silent laughter as Seri rolled her eyes.
"Let's not forget who was called Master Curse while we were in school," she shot back. Severus's expression was pricelessly innocent.
"Who?" Seri groaned and punched him in the shoulder.
"You feathers for brains or are you forgetting we were the best duelers in school?"
"Besides Albus, we still are my dear, we still are."
"It was quite nice of you to invite me to dinner Minerva," Sprout said as They entered The Three Broomsticks. The Transfiguration teacher smiled as she led the squat witch to the back of the tavern and to the familiar dark corner booth.
"Well Sophia, I just wanted to go someplace different and thought to bring you along, to sort of make it a girl's night out you might say. Why hello Poppy!" She greeted the woman in the booth warmly, "I didn't expect to see you here. Is it alright if we join you?" The ex-nurse smiled genially and nodded, waving to the other side of the booth. The two woman sat down and Rosmerta appeared with menus for them.
"So," Pomfrey began as the other two decided what They would eat. "What brings you here?" McGonagall answered for both of them.
"I just wanted to get away from the castle and thought Sophia might as well. What about you?" The other sighed and stirred her own drink.
"I work in town now at Algie Stone's Apothocary. I thought to get away tonight as well. Trying to eat in a place that smell's like rotting eggs does nothing for one's appetite. McGonagall clucked sympathetically as Rosmerta reappeared. They gave her their orders, and almost immediately the food appeared at the table. As they ate, Sprout finally brought them around tho the topic she really wished to discuss.
"Poppy, why did Albus dismiss you? He said it was because you no longer wished to work with the staff but to my knowledge you've always gotten on well with everyone. I don't understand." The ex-nurse sighed, schooling her expression to one of sadness.
"It was all a misunderstanding really. I'm sure you are aware that Mr. Potter,"
"Snape-Dumbledore," The Herbology teacher added with a grin. She had grown quite used to the idea of the three as family and thought they were good for one another. Pomfrey stuttered to a stop.
"Snape-Dumbledore? What do you mean?" she demanded. Sprout's grin grew wider.
"You haven't heard?" The other woman shook her head. "Well, Severus apparently adopted Harry over the summer and in turn Albus adopted Severus," she giggled, "They make quite an interesting family."
"Yes, I'm sure they do," Pomfrey replied faintly. Adopted! Snape had adopted that rotten whelp and Dumbledore had adopted the Death Eater? This certainly put her plans in a new light. Instead of taking them down separately as she had planned, she would take them down together. Starting with Snape of course.
"Poppy," Sprout drew the nurse's attention from her thoughts, "What were you saying about Harry?" The white-haired woman gave herself a shake.
"Yes him. I'm sure you're aware that he spent the summer at Hogwarts." The Head of Hufflepuff nodded.
"Yes, with his relatives." The nurse shook her head.
"Not with his relatives, because of his relatives."
"What do you mean?"
"They abused him Sophia. Snape saved him from them. I treated him for a broken leg and arm and some rather nasty cuts and bruises." Sprout gasped, covering her mouth with her hand.
"Abused him?! How could they?! He's such a sweet little boy." The nurse frowned.
"That 'sweet little boy' was the one that cost me my job," she replied grimly.
"Harry? How?"
"One night, after Snape had returned to the castle badly injured, I gave him a sleeping potion that caused him to have unsettling dreams, obviously caused by his experiences with his relatives. One of them was of me cursing the Potions Master. Now Sophia, you know I never liked the man but you also know that I would never do something like that to one of my patients. It goes against the very grain of my nature. I'm supposed to heal, not cause further pain. Well, the next morning he informed the Headmaster and he dismissed me just like that," she snapped her fingers. That was McGonagall's cue to act. She shrieked like a banshee and tried to back out of the booth, knocking the Herbology professor to the floor. Pomfrey quickly duped the contents of a vial she had handy into the other's drink as McGonagall hauled the other witch to her feet.
"Oh Sophia I'm sorry, I didn't mean to do that," the Transfiguration teacher rushed as she helped the fallen woman.
"It's alright Minerva, I'm fine, no harm done. What made you scream?"
"A spider," The Transfiguration teacher replied lamely.
"A rather large spider," Pomfrey added, "I caught a glimpse of it." Sprout detected a note of deception in both of them. There was something decidedly fishy about this situation.
"I think it's time I headed back to the castle," she said calmly, rising from her seat.
"At least finish your drink, you barely touched your dinner." Pomfrey offered her the goblet. The Professor stared at it for a moment before accepting it. Against her better judgment she knocked back the rest of her cream soda in one gulp. The world immediately began to swirl before her eyes. She managed a weak, "What?" before darkness claimed her.
McGonagall eased her back into the booth before turning to the nurse.
"It worked faster this time," she stated. Pomfrey merely shrugged as she drew out her wand and performed a quick Imperious.
"I used a higher concentrate. Now Sophia," she directed her attention to the Herbology teacher, "I want you to help Minerva in any way you can. You are to destroy Snape's confidence, is that understood?"
"Yes."
"Good. Minerva why didn't you inform me of these adoptions?" The woman raised an eyebrow.
"I thought you knew, it was in the paper recently."
"I haven't seen a paper for weeks, but I'll worry about that later. How is your work progressing?"
"I tried to curse Severus earlier but he was able to move out of the way. I'll try again later." The nurse nodded approvingly.
"Good, good. Keep him sick. Serves him right. Who are you bringing next?"
"Flitwick then Sinistra. I thought first to bring the other heads of house and Sinistra because she hates the man anyway."
"A toast then," She held up the pewter goblet, "to the downfall of the Hogwarts Three!" The two professors clinked their goblets together.
"To their downfall!"
A/N: I'm done with the chapter! WHOOPIE!!!!!! *dances around in a happy circle* I never thought I'd finish. But I wanted to get this up soon. Die Pomfrey, die Pomfrey, die die DIE!!!!! *looks around sheepishly* Did I just say that aloud? Oops, oh well.
Review replies:
Gil-Celeb: WHY DID YOU HAVE TO GROUND ME????!!!!!!! *shakes her head* I know why. But anyways, I deserved what I got. One another note, don't you like the way I handled Sirius? This way he doesn't get into any trouble. Not that Sev and he like each other, even I don't know if that will happen. And Pomfrey the evil bitch is back! Run and hide! You know something I realized when I finished the last part of the MST? They find out Wormtail is a Death Eater in the next chapter. What are they going to do? Is Siri going to be able to restrain himself from killing Sev? You do know that Seri and Severus have already broken up by the sixth year right? Oh well, you can change it for your purposes.
And Nature cycles! You keep asking me about Nature cycles! I can't tell you, but I can show you. Not right now, but in a later chapter. *chuckles to herself because she already knows what she is going to do.*
You mentioned a couple of chapters back that you were worried about Albus becauase of what I had done to Sev and Harry. Well don't be, I mean, what am I supposed to torture him with? He really has nothing in his past that he should be...ashamed.....of.....*trails off as a certain evil thought occurrs to her.* Hehehe!!!! Don't worry about him! *puts on a totally fake I-am-innocent look* He'll be safe, in my hands. *evil cackling in the back ground*
You do know that I am a Slytherin right? That's what the sorting hat at Harry Potter.com put me. But when I tried it again later, it put me in Gryffindor so I guess you could say I'm the best of both worlds. *Smiles innocently*