Okay, I'm done, gone on and read!
Last chapter: Well since none of you killed me and instead demanded more I'll tell you. It picks up with Seleyna after they have hauled Severus, Albus, Seri and Kit from the hall and put them to bed. It is decided that they should call an Order of the Phoenix meeting that night in order to let everyone know what has happened and have them help find Harry. That is when Ron, Hermione, Neville, Ginny, the Weasley twins, Evelyn, and Ginny are admitted to the Order. Mind you they don't do much that you hear about.
Mrs. Weasley checks up on the remaining members of the Star and discover that they are fine, if a bit stressed (nah, really?) and should feel better with rest.
It then switches to Harry in the coffin where he has his (ignore this, Monica, I'll have to finish it later as I can't remember how that chap was ordered.) Disclaimer: Never have I owned Harry Potter an never shall I. Nuff said. Don't own "My Sacrifice or "Bring Me To Life" either. Don't sue, just needed them. :p
Chapter 33- The Fall of the Phoenix or My Sacrifice
Severus sat silently contemplating the fire before him. This simple act always, especially of late, seemed to calm him as it reminded him not only of the love he had for his family but also for his lost son. The pain of his absent presence was no more tolerable and as sharp as the bite of a lion. But Severus had grown used to its presence as a part of him; a dark black hole in his heart that always seemed to be there, only growing in size, never decreasing. He knew without a doubt that eventually it would consume him and he would revert to the creature he had once been before he allowed the Headmaster to temper his anger, or the phoenix song to enter his body and free his mind. He would again be a soulless killing machine, an iceberg cut off from the world, as he had been between the times he'd learned of his parents' true intentions and when he'd returned, heartsick, to Albus. It may have only been one week, but that was enough.
Only days before he had felt himself close, within inches of touching his child, but it had come to nothing.
The indistinct rumble of voices in the tavern muted the door's click. The group of non-descript tavern-goer's almost immediately separated once they were inside, heading to all corners of the establishment. The first managed to find a seat at a table alone, situated between two larger, noisier groups. The second went directly to the bar and proceeded to order a drink. The third heartily answered the call of another larger gathering and insinuated himself among them. All of them looked and seemed rather normal.
They were not.
Severus's pear green eyes quickly took in everything, gauging the situation.
Don't be so stiff, Severus, relax. Order yourself a drink even if you don't drink but for goodness sake try and look more natural! A bull frog would look better in your place at the moment. Seri chastised from her place at the bar. Her hair, now sporting shots of gray thanks to an Aging Potion, was twisted up into a simple bun on top of her head though there were wisps of it escaping, denoting she had been work afield all day. This community was mainly a farming one, everyone was involved in some sort of agriculture. Severus responded by slouching in the hard wooden chair and ordering some mulled mead from a passing tavern maid. While he waited he tapped his pocket twice.
Ready, Su Lin?
The cat within his pocket shifted. Ready as I'll ever be, ice master. Scanning the room once more to ensure everyone was sufficiently occupied, he tapped his pocket once. The black Veras cat leapt effortlessly out and vanished into the shadows, out to do her own reconnaissance. Just as his mead arrived another patron slid in the chair across from him with his own mug in hand.
"Rough day in the field, mate?" the man asked.
Severus studied him for a moment before answering, "Aye," and taking a swift gulp of his drink. The other was your average farmer, tall and hulking, light brown hair bleached by the sun and chocolate eyes. His clothes were dirty and even patched in a few places; the Potions Master found no reason to be threatened.
"New 'round 'ere?" Lewis, as the man told him his name, asked.
Severus bobbed his head. "Aye, jus' passin' through with me wife." He nodded to the chatting Seri at the bar. "We be goin' where the work be." Lewis hummed in understanding just as a voice pierced over the crowd.
"I be tellin' yeh I saw witches, a whole group of 'em!" The man slammed his hand on the table.
"Sure yeh did, Basil, sure yeh did," another man at the table said consolingly, "Now why dontcha sit and ge's so more mead, eh?"
Basil scowled and threw his mug on the table. "I'll not drink with blokes who think I be a lyin'!" he growled and started to stomp towards the exit. Severus, his heart pounding in his chest, let off a whistle that attracted Basil's attention and waved him to his table. He came grudgingly and growled out, "Wanta laugh at me too? Laugh at poor ol' Basil an' how he's lost his mind."
But the Potions Master shook his head and gestured to the extra chair. "I believe yeh. I wanta hear yer story."
Basil's whole countenance changed in an instant and he blinked in confusion and none to little disbelief. "Yeh do?" Severus nodded enthusiastically and glanced at Lewis who seemed caught between his own disbelief and curiosity, but it seemed he would stay.
Seeing that he would not be laughed at but listened to, Basil pulled up the chair and sat, leaning forward. "Two nights afore this I be walkin' home and that takes me past the town cemetery see? I pass it in the mornin' and evenin' ever day. Well while I was a walkin' I sees dirt flyin' through the air in the cemetery! Nows I think tha's awful strange as I knows no one has died lately. So I keep a walkin', my eyes glued to the cemetary and outa nowhere, up comes a coffin! It wasna being lifted by nothin' not one of the people around it even touched it. I was shocked, I stood there watchin' an' the whole lot of 'em disappeared in ta thin air, right before my eyes!" He stopped his tale and watched his companions to gauge their reactions. Lewis still seemed disbelieving but undeniably interested.
Severus's pear eyes flickered with hope, knowing that this was what he had been waiting for. Swallowing hard the Potions Master leaned forward. "Can yeh take us there?" he asked a bit hoarsely. Lewis shot him a startled look and Basil frowned.
"Us?"
"My wife and friend, would yeh be willin'?" Basil nodded glad that someone finally believed him. He did not worry about entering the cemetery.
Before they could rise, Lewis burst out, "Can I join yeh?" Severus blinked in surprise before nodding. The brown-haired farmer rose and followed them to the bar.
Severus tapped his wife on the shoulder. "Come on, Bessy, we be goin'." 'Bessy' glanced once at her husband and excused herself. After they collected Kingsley Shaklebolt, Severus let out a shrill whistle, startling Lewis and Basil. Almost immediately Su Lin appeared and leapt on the Potions Master's shoulder.
"That be yer beastie?" Basil asked.
The ice mage stroked the cat's dark fur and her eyes dropped closed a deep purr of pleasure rising from her throat. "Aye, she was. . . a gift, from me son." The tone in which he spoke clearly stated that the subject was closed. Both of the other farmers instinctively knew, though they knew nothing else about this man, he was not to be crossed, at all. His wife touched his arm, shaking him from his daze. He offered a brief smile to her before gesturing to Basil to lead them.
Out of the tavern and down the dirt road. Time seemed not to have passed here, as modern conveniences were practically non-existent. On either side of the road was pastureland that stretched for miles. Some had rows of wheat or some other grown products while others sported livestock. As they walked Basil continued to chatter, telling them everything he knew and more. By the time they arrived at their destination there was little doubt in either Sev or Seri's minds that they were onto something.
"This be it," Basil exclaimed as he opened the rickety wooden gate. The other four hurried through and allowed Basil to lead them to the spot. As they drew near it was obvious someone had been here none too recently. Dark black dirt lay in mountainous heaps around a deep hole.
"Looks like they were diggin' for sommat," Lewis commented.
"Seri," The hoarse whisper drew all of their attention, "come look." The Healer ignored the strange looks she was receiving from the two natives and moved to kneel beside her husband. Forest green eyes widened as she ran her fingers of the fine black granite. H P-S-D. Forgotten and Forsaken by family and drawn into the arms of the enemy.
"We were too late. So close but too late." She nodded at his words and hugged his arm, laying her head on his shoulder.
"Eh, was he a friend o' yer's?" Basil asked.
Severus turned his eyes back on the man, blazing with intense fury. To the man's astonishment they changed from light green to black in an instant. "He was my son!" he hissed. Turning on his heel he dragged Seri deeper into the cemetery, leaving Shaklebolt to deal with the two muggles. The healer allowed herself to be pulled, knowing they eventually would come to a halt. They did, next to an ancient mausoleum. Severus released her wrist and pressed his forehead against the cool granite, enjoying the feeling. Seri leaned next to him, also soaking in the coolness.
"We were so close." She nodded. After a moment he sighed and turned to look at her. The Aging Potion had worn off at some point; no disguise stayed on a mage for long; they had discovered their magic ate it away, leaving only truth behind.
She placed her hand on his cheek. "We will find him, loverling, never fear. For now let us go home, our turn is over."
He sighed. "Yes it is." Grabbing her hand they apparated together.
Albus turned over with a great sigh, drawing Severus's attention back to the present. The Headmaster was sleeping better these days, only because Severus had taken up sleeping with him again. Seri had gone to stay with her sister; Seleyna had bunked with her bond brother in Hagrid's stable. It was a strange arrangement but Seleyna and Seri seemed to instinctively understand that he desperately needed to be with his father, needed the reassurance that only he could provide. The Potions Master desperately wished for a day where the constant reassurance was not needed but he knew it would probably not be until after Voldemort was no more than a pile of ashes.
Shifting a bit he touched his forehead to the other's temple, reminding him that there was a meeting later that night.
Albus heaved another heavy sigh and sat up, pulling Severus with him. "Have we heard anything new?" The Headmaster asked as he rubbed at his eyes, dislodging the sleep there.
Severus shook his head, taking the opportunity to stoke the fire. "If there is anything new we'll hear it tonight." The Order meeting would be small, not even all of the council members would be present, only those in the castle. Albus grunted in reply, moving to his bedroom to don more decent apparel and his son followed, needing to do the same. As they changed, the Potions master tried not to eye the Headmaster too conspicuously. The man was getting dreadfully thin. Of course, he did not realise that Albus had turned that same concerned, examining eye on him. The white/auburn-haired man could tell Severus was losing weight that only lended to a skeletal look to his already thin appearance. !Something needs to be done about this sentence, and I cant quite figure it out!.
But neither said anything, knowing it would do nothing in the way of help and, if anything, stretch their worries and tempers even thinner, if that was possible. Deciding they would pass inspection they left the bedroom and Tower behind and headed to the staff room for what seemed like the thousandth meeting.
And there would be a thousand more after that.
Aries glided down the hall, his green robe billowing out behind him. Any Death Eater traveling the same hall pressed against the wall to allow him plenty of room. It was not merely that he was the son of Voldemort that garnered this response; no, he had earned this reputation all on his own.
"This is your first test, Aries; you must learn that killing is a part of the path to dominance." Voldemort circled the teenager as he spoke, attempting to gauge his reaction. The white face was totally impassive, he noted with satisfaction. "We need to test your skills in this art." He nodded to the only Death Eater present and the man tapped on the door. It immediately opened and ten other Death Eaters filed in to the room. Voldemort moved and spoke briefly to them, pitching his voice so his heir would not hear him. Apparently satisfied he finally nodded to the Death Eaters then to Aries and left the room, locking the door behind him. It took only seconds but the sound within that time was horrible. Screams of pain and pure, undiluted fear mingled with roars of fury filtered out. Then, silence. The dark lord watched as the door knob turned, a smile finding its way to his reptilian face when Aries stepped out, blood covering his black robes, making them, if that was possible, seem darker than before. Catching his father's eye, he grinned and licked his blade clean. It was longer than a dagger but shorter than a short sword and extremely deadly.
"Anything else I need to dispose of?" He asked casually, tapping his chin with the blade.
Voldemort let out a merry laugh and clapped his son on the shoulder. "Not yet, but if you feel the urge, let me know, I'll find something for you."
News of what he had done had spread like wild fire through the manor, added by the accounts of those that had removed the bodies. It brought the teenager a great deal of satisfaction to see men and woman who took pleasure in intimidating others cowed by the mere swish of his robe. They all knew without a doubt that if anyone wanted to challenge him they would meet a worst fate than those in the workout chamber.
His reputation had only blackened when he joined his father in his thrice-daily ritual of muggle/wizard torture. Aries had invented many new and quite unique ways of torture that pleased the dark lord to no end. But when it was information that was wanted he allowed his son to extract it. Extract was exactly what he did. While many of Harry's former powers were unavailable to Aries, some still remained. One was mind-magic, something healers usually found themselves using very often. The dark-haired teenager would tear into the victim's mind, find what he needed and wrench it free before retreating. This act normally damaged a person permanently so his father would dispatch them when he was done. The first time he had done this it had sent off a whole other flurry of rumors, this time about the "fact" that he heard their thoughts so they had to be careful what they thought around him. It was not true all though he allowed them to think it. Harry might have been able to pick up their stray thoughts but with the limited power Aries had he could not. No need to, really, their body language nearly shouted their feelings anyway. All accept a few and he watched those more closely than the rest.
With a sigh he entered his bedroom and lay on the over-sized bed. It had been a busy day after all and he found himself fatigued. They had captured five Order members snooping close by and hauled them in for questioning. Not before a little fun first of course, just to soften them. Aries's jaw clenched. If only Harry's memories weren't closed off to him, five would not be the most they had brought in at one time!
Like hell I'm going to let you any farther in my memories than I already have, snake, A tenor voice growled.
Aries's black eyes narrowed and he glanced at the mirror. "I will be able to get into them eventually; I will have all of your powers and I will destroy you once and for all."
Emerald eyes burned, as did the phoenix on his cheek. You will never destroy me, snake, I will get out and destroy you.
Aries snorted in contempt but scratched the offending mark. "And just how do you propose to do that? You are a bit trapped."
The reflection in the mirror above him narrowed his eyes and brushed a black lock of hair behind his ear. I will get out, don't think I won't. You won't hurt my family, I won't let you.
The young heir raised an eyebrow. "Well you certainly haven't stopped me from hurting others before this, have you?" The reflection had no answer for that and glared murderously when Aries chuckled. "What's the matter, can't seem to stop me?" The glare grew and the teenager laughed even louder. "You don't have the power, give up hope," he pressed and was rewarded when the surety faltered in the green eyes for a moment before it returned with another full blown glare.
I will get out.
Aries waved his hand in dismissal. "If you say so, you certainly haven't proved it to me."
Two sets of sharp eyes held the young heir in their sights until he disappeared into his room.
"He's too dangerous to allow to live," the male rumbled.
The woman murmured her agreement. "But we cannot be the ones to kill him, that would be foolish. We will have to set another on him." Salazar Snape nodded and turned back to the room they shared. "How is Lance progressing?"
Jasmine flipped a loose lock of blood red hair over her shoulder before taking a seat by the fireplace. "Faster than what we expected and hoped. He seems most eager and wishes to learn, unlike that Potter brat, and is not fighting it. Even if his 'education' is a bit more thorough it will only be a day or two more before he is ready."
Salazar joined her by the fire. "That leaves getting rid Potter."
Jasmine smiled. "We should allow Lucius that honor."
Severus stood at the window, gazing with a frosty expression over the land outside.
"There's a storm raging," he commented to no one in particular, or he could have been speaking to Fawkes as he was the only other living creature in the room. Or so he thought. "It's been raging for days. Ever since..." he trailed off, unable to continue. A strange rustle of cloth behind him was all the warning he had that he wasn't alone.
"Ever since Harry left," Merlin finished for him.
The Potions Master whipped around to face the ethereal mage. "You!" It came out an accusation.
Long bleached white eyes turned to him for a moment before venturing to gaze outside. "The balance of elements is out of order, Severus." He continued in a somewhat conversational tone that infuriated the ice mage to no end. The white eyes turned back to the other to punctuate his next sentence. "It's because you lost Harry."
Severus's temper snapped. "What about you! Why didn't you help! Why didn't you help to save him! Why didn't you help protect him!"
Merlin drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly before he answered. "Because it is not my duty."
The Potions Master snorted in contempt. "Why do you say that?" His voice dripped with disdain, "you created us in the first place."
Merlin sighed. "Protecting Harry," he explained slowly, "is your duty, he is your son. If not in body then in spirit, it has been so from the beginning."
"Don't you think I know that?" Severus hissed, "Don't you think I hate myself for what I've let happen?"
In the first show of sympathy towards the other he whispered, "Yes I do." Then he became stern. "But hating yourself will not bring back Harry."
Severus rolled his eyes and snapped back, "I know that," dripping in acid. "I don't need you patronizing me."
The ethereal mage, who had been calm throughout this conversation so far, glared. "Well no one else seems to be doing it. You're not working hard enough."
Severus whirled away from the man, possibly to keep from striking him and threw himself in the nearest chair. "I'm trying which is more than I can say for you."
Merlin's expression grew thoughtful. "Yes, that's true, I'm not helping."
A glass on the table beside the Potions Master exploded. "Why? Why aren't you helping?"
Merlin sighed and touched the window as though it could lend him strength. "As I said before, Severus, it is not my duty," he offered in explanation.
Severus snorted. "Not your duty. Why is it not your duty?"
Now the mage turned fully to him, the white eyes showing an unusual amount of sadness. "Severus, child, know this: I want help you, really I do but I can't. I do answer to a higher authority." He looked at the ceiling and closed his eyes as if pleading with someone else but it seemed to fail. "All I can do," he continued heavily, "is make sure you fulfill your destiny."
But Severus showed no mercy. "My destiny?" he spat.
The white eyes bore into him. "Everyone's destinies. The only way to save Harry is to get him to trust you with his life."
The dark-haired mage was confused. "But Harry does trust me," he insisted.
Merlin raised one snow-white eyebrow. "He doesn't trust you as much as you think, Severus, otherwise he would have come to you with his troubles. His time at the Dursleys has caused him to trust no one, no even you, not even Albus; no one. You have to change that. You must get within his head and remind him of whom you are and that you will not let anything hurt him. Are you prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice?"
The Potions Master, who had sat in a sort of daze through this talk, started. "What do you mean?"
"Are you willing to kill to bring back your son?"
Severus did not hesitate. "Yes." Although it was spoken softly the firm belief within it could not be shaken but Merlin needed to be sure in order to do what little bit he could do.
"Are you truly willing, Severus?" 'Don't you realize what I'm asking!' his mind screamed at the other.
"Who must I kill?" The Potions Master asked earnestly.
"I'm afraid I can't tell you."
Anger swirled in the obsidian orbs. "Why?"
"Because that part of the puzzle you must figure out on your own. I am only here to provide the clues."
Severus grabbed at his inky hair, pulling at it as though to tear it from his scalp. "Why are you only giving me pieces…fragments? It's like I'm trying to put together a giant jigsaw puzzle and I'm missing pieces!"
Those sad eyes rested on the other again. "I'm very well aware of that." Another glass shattered.
"Then why won't you help me?"
Merlin sighed. "As I said before, Severus, all of us have higher authorities to answer to; even you, even me. And mine," He looked at the ceiling again, sighing, "mine won't let me. Severus I would help you, believe me I would, but the only help and all the help you need is your family. You must pull together stronger now than you ever have. If you don't, Harry will perish. And the Star of Hope will be gone, along with you, all of Hogwarts and everything you have ever loved. The future will disappear." The man laid his hand on the Potions Master's shoulder. "Are you willing to let that happen, Severus Snape-Dumbledore?"
Severus looked into those forbidding orbs. "No, I will not let that happen."
The white eyes turned to steel. "Then put the puzzle together. Figure it out. It's in your past, your past with Harry, its there, look for it."
"All right, I'll do what you say."
A sigh of relief fell from his lips. "Good, now go."
It was many hours later that Seri found her husband sitting at a chair pulled up to the window. She walked up to him, placing a hand on his head and kissing his hair.
He captured her hand and graced it with a kiss, tugging her down into his lap. "It's in the past," He stated quietly.
She blinked and turned confused forest green eyes on his pensive expression. "What is?"
He blinked and looked up at her. "The solution to this mess is in the past, that's what Merlin was trying to drive through my thick skull. But I can't think of anything that goes with this, nothing!" He ended explosively.
She rubbed his temples, trying to smooth away the frown between his eyebrows. "Perhaps you should talk to Hagrid, he was the last one Harry spoke to before he was kidnapped," she offered in suggestion, "He's been so busy up to this point no one has been able to ask him what happened between them." Had not the healer been in his lap the Potions Master would have sprung to his feet and flown out the window. Instead he grinned and briefly kissed her on the lips.
"Yet another brilliant suggestion, loverling. Shall we go now?"
With her agreement, Sureves was out the window with a white tiger clinging to his back. Hagrid was in front of his hut teaching his seventh year Care of Magical Creatures class. Sureves let out a trumpeting call to alert the half-giant. Hagrid barely glanced up to see the silver creature flying above his head in circles before ordering one of the seventh years to watch his class. When they were a reasonable distance from the ground Tigress jumped down and the massive phoenix, even too big for Hagrid to have sit on his shoulder, landed and walked behind them into the hut. Fred and George whispered to one another and pointed to the trail made by the creature's tail. What ever his tail touched froze, leaving ice behind. When they entered and the professor closed the door, Severus and Seri popped back into existence and took the offered seats and tea.
"Now wha' can I do fer yeh?"
Severus set his cup aside and steepled his fingers. "Harry came to you just before he was kidnapped, correct?"
The half-giant nodded his bushy-head and discreetly wiped a tear away. "Aye, had I had any inklin' of wha' woulda happened I wouldna have let him go alone." The tears did flow freely this time, apparently having been pent up over time. Seri perched on the arm of his chair and took his hand, murmuring under her breath, a frown of concentration creasing her brow. Severus immediately understood what she was doing. While it was not healthy, a healer could bleed off strong emotions from a person, allowing them to be coherent. While it allowed the person temporary relief it played pure havoc on the healer. But Seri would endure for her son. Hagrid's expression cleared and the tears disappeared.
"Can you tell me what happened, Hagrid?" Severus asked, voice straining.
"The child was hurtin', Severus," He began.
The Potions Master cocked an eyebrow. "From what and why didn't he tell me?"
"It was visions," he explained, "The ones he had in Divination." Dark eyes widened as he remembered Albus and he arguing on which one them should go retrieve Harry from that class. His child had been positively drained when his granddad had gone to retrieve him. And, wait a moment, what about what Draco had said to him? He'd said Harry had seen something in the fire in Divination but that it had so spooked the fire mage he wouldn't speak a word on the subject. Wasn't that when Seri and he had sensed something wrong? It had been agitation, the sort that made his skin itch. That was when Harry had sought his grandfather's bedroom, knowing instinctively he would be safe there.
"But why?" He asked pleadingly, not understanding why he had been left out of this. A small pang of hurt grew to a very large one as it spread through his chest. Why had Harry not told him?
"Because he was afraid, Severus, he was mortally terrified of what he had seen and what it meant, 'specially since all his others had come true."
"Others?"
The half-giant nodded. "Aye. The first was of Draco. One had him kneeling before Voldemort and the other had him walkin' 'round the lake with yer sister, Seri. He explained that the reason for the two was because the boy's future had been so uncertain at the time. The next was of the twins being kidnapped by Voldemort." Seri's eyes snapped open and for a moment her concentration faltered but at the first hint of a sob from the gamekeeper she forced herself to reassert control. When she did, Severus continued.
"Are you sure?"
The other male nodded. "Aye, and he feels terrible 'cause he figgers he could have prevented it. Only thing is he didn't realise they was real, see? Well he also saw your wedding, though he didn't know it at the time. The last was..." Now Hagrid hesitated.
"What!" Severus roared in frustration, losing all pretenses of patience, unable to take any more.
The professor gazed at him with sad beetle eyes. "The other had him kneeling before Voldemort." Severus, having risen to his feet, fell back and landed on the floor, completely missing the chair. His mind swirled in a hurricane of thoughts. He kept screaming at himself that he should know this that it was like something in the past, but what? As though struck by lightening, it hit him.
"Hagrid, please, I must know. When he was kneeling did he have anything on his cheek?"
The gamekeeper seemed surprised. "Yes, how did yeh know?"
The Potions Master waved his hand in dismissal and climbed back into the chair. "Never mind that, can you tell me what it was?"
"A snake and phoenix," Hagrid stated firmly, "They were locked in battle." Had Severus not been sitting he would have fallen again. It was the same! All he needed to do was confirm it...
Seconds later the class looked up when the door of the professor's hut opened and the silver phoenix burst out, piping an urgent song. A minute later the white tiger followed her companion out.
Severus could only let his feet carry him for his mind was of no use. He just had to get to that journal, it was his only hope.
Harry's room in the Tower was just as he remembered it; it still possessed a bit of his fire child's presence that calmed him somewhat. Before he could take another step into the room, the drawer of the bedside table opened and a black, leather bound volume floated out and came to him. At first he was afraid to touch it, wondering how it knew he needed to see it. It hovered patiently, waiting for him to overcome his fear. Taking a deep breath he pulled it from the air and walked to the bed, sitting down. After brushing his fingers over the silver lettering on the outside he opened it to the first page. There in detail was what Hagrid had told him, each checked off but the last. The quill from the drawer now floated beside him and he took it out, dipping it in the ink well and checking off the only remaining vision. Flipping ahead through the nightmares (while promising himself that he would read through them thoroughly later) he found what he was looking for on the second to last page. There it was the serpent and phoenix, drawn in ink. There was no mistaking the features that Harry talked about and drew. He knew what was going to happen.
Seri found him like that, sitting on the bed holding the journal. She sat beside him and touched his head. "Severus?" He silently handed over the journal and lay against the pillows, allowing his eyes to close. It was just too much, too much to take all at once. He needed to rest so he could sort his thoughts, yes, that's what he needed to do. Sleep overpowered him.
Seri looked up from reading the journal to see her husband sleeping in true peace. She placed the leather book in his hands and lifted the scarlet quilt up over him, the same she had made for Harry for Christmas. She then left to find the rest of the family.
As she left Merlin appeared at the head of the bed and placed two fingers on the Potions Master's forehead. "Find him, Severus."
Severus looked around in awe. It was a wondrous place; the air around him was fresh but dark, as though at night after a summer rain. Beneath his feet the stars created a rainbow path. His was not the only path, there were hundreds, perhaps thousands of them everywhere but his was the only one that seemed solid. Without knowing why he began to walk down the path, having really no choice but to follow it. Eventually he reached its end and a great solid oak door stood before him. He reached but hesitated short of actually opening it.
"Go, Severus, find your son!" A voice urged and Severus's indecision vanished. He turned the knob and pushed the door open, stepping over the threshold. He drew his cloak around him tightly, teeth chattering. It was freezing in this place. And there was another question: what was this place? As if to answer his question vast pools appeared in great numbers around him. He gazed at the pools in wonder; they were filled clear though somewhat silver liquid that reminded him of what was in a pensieve. Curiously he reached out (A/N: Curiosity killed the cat, Severus! Sorry.) and touched the surface of the one nearest him. It swirled and parted showing a memory. He gasped; it was Harry and he on the Astronomy Tower the night before the wedding. This was Harry's mind!
Looking up desperately, he withdrew from the pool and began to run, searching for his son. If this was his mind then he had to be here somewhere. But the farther he went, the sparser the pools became until finally he came across a dark crevice that seemed to separate the mind into two unites. While it was light and full of life on his side, the other was dark and forbidding. He could tell that the pools from here where thick black goop, tainted with the tangible smell of evil and malice.
"But, where is my Harry?" He asked aloud. A light was thrown on a huddled figure off to his right, illuminating him to the Potions Master. Severus rushed to it; he knew that huddled form anywhere. Wrapping his arms around the cold body he stroked the raven hair, calling Harry's name and tugging him out of the ball. Eventually he succeeded and dull emerald eyes stared up at him in patented disbelief.
"Father?"
Severus only smiled and kissed his child's forehead. "Yes, my fire child, your father is here." For a time all they did was enjoy being together before Harry asked the monumental question.
"How did you get here and why?"
"I'm not certain how I got here, but what's important is that I am. As for why," He hugged the boy fiercely, "I love you, fireling, and I only want to help you."
A sad green eye looked at him with what he thought was suspicion. "Are you so sure you want to help me?" It was spat out bitterly. Severus was taken aback.
"Harry, look at me." He lifted the boy's chin so their eyes met. "I love you, childing, more than life itself. You are my world; I cannot live without you. Harry, you must trust me and know that I speak the truth. I intend to bring you back home to your family, to me, one way or another. Understand?" To prove this he opened his mind to its fullest and allowed Harry in. The child found himself wrapped in his father's love just as he was in his arms. This man was true, he would not leave him. The fire he thought had extinguished sparked in the emerald orbs and the Gryffindor nodded happily, squeezing his father in a tight hug.
"I won't doubt you again, I promise. I do trust you, Papa, I do." He kissed his father's cheek and laid his head in the hollow of his neck.
Severus stroked the pale forehead. "Harry, do you remember the dream you had?"
"The one with me coming to the school and killing everyone, yes." He looked up. "That's it, isn't it? That's how it's all going to end."
Severus shook his head. "Not if we can help it. Getting you there is part of it, we'll work out the rest later." He bit his tongue to keep the rest in, though he had a feeling Harry already knew what Severus had to do. Wiggling out of his father's arms he crawled over to the nearest pool. He plunged his hand into the surface and drew out a golden thread. Pulling it with him he went back to his father and handed it to him.
"This is what Voldemort tried so hard to destroy," he explained as the man stared at it in confusion. "It's our connection. Take it back with you as you leave."
"Was it broken before?"
Harry shook his head. "I hid the connection, stretched it till it was not noticeable. I didn't want Aries," He pointed over to the other side of the crevice, "to notice it. If he did, I was afraid that he would use it to kill you. And he can. You must be wary of him, Papa, for he is dangerous as any snake, if not more so."
The Potions Master nodded and drew his child into one last hug. It would be some time before he got to do this again. "Remember I'm coming for you, fire child, trust in that."
"I trust in that, Papa." Severus did not comment on the change in name but instead retreated back the way he had come, holding the golden thread tightly in his fist. Time passed quickly as left Harry's mind and hurried along the starpaths and to the realm of consciousness. Before he did he grabbed the silver thread in his mind and reattached it to the gold one.
Severus started and blinked, slowly sitting up. He didn't remember falling asleep but he was glad that he had. The leather journal was in his hand, the scarlet quilt pulled up over him.
"So you have figured it out," A voice commented with some relief.
Severus jerked and glanced up to see Merlin sitting at the end of the bed. "You did that, you let me see him." There was no doubt in his mind.
Merlin nodded. "I told you I would do what I could. That's what I did. Now, what are you going to do with this new information? You now know what you have to do, don't you?"
Reluctantly the ice mage nodded and jumped out of the bed, pacing in front of it. "But will I have the strength to do it is the real question. He is my child, how could I do that to him?" The last ended in an anguished cry as he fell to the floor, dejectedly staring at the journal in his hands.
Merlin snarled and marched over to him, hauling him to his feet by the front of his robes. "How can you not?" The man bellowed back. "He has sacrificed everything, Severus, is barely holding on to hope and you have offered him more. He trusts you, Severus, are you going to betray that trust?" He dropped the man in disgust. "Maybe I chose the wrong person to be his father; you obviously cannot handle the job." That's when he went too far.
Severus slowly stood, eyes burning with uncommon rage. "What did you say?" he whispered.
Merlin raised an eyebrow. "I do believe you heard me, Severus. I don't think I should have chosen you as Harry's father. I can change all of that, if I wish."
Now the Potions Master was shaking. "You self-righteous bastard! You were the one to bring us together in the first place! You can't separate us! He means everything to me!" White-eyes burned unforgiving. "Then prove it. Save him the only way you know how."
'I have to.' Severus thought, letting out a mental sigh. He straightened, staring deep into the other's eyes. "I will. Do not doubt this."
Merlin smiled, pleased. "I don't now, Severus."
Albus, Seleyna, Kit, Seri, Artemis and Draco were discussing quietly what Seri knew when Severus came down the stairs. Words died on lips as they looked up to see him standing at the bottom of the stairs, the quilt around his shoulders and the journal in his hands. Seeing they were waiting for him to speak, Severus drew in a breath and spilled what he knew. He couldn't tell them everything, they would never agree to what he had to do and try everything to either talk him out of it or prevent him, so he kept that to himself. Harry had promised to give him a signal when Aries was coming and then they would scatter all the students all over Hogwarts in small groups, giving them portkeys that could only be activated by a word said by the Headmaster. If all went wrong, he would activate them and they would take their young charges to the Ministry were they would have at least marginal safety. Hopefully, however, this would not be necessary. None of the other professors were supposed to be anywhere near or between the Headmaster's office during this time, but with their students as a last line of defense. Not that they would be able to do much, but they would do what they could.
That was it the plan was set. All they could do now was wait.
Lucius glided stealthily down the hall in a way that just screamed that he didn't want to be seen. Which was true, but who would see him in this part of the manor at three in the morning? Perhaps some inane house-elf that would squeak and bolt away, but no others. It was an ungodly hour to be up but there was no other time that he could do this. What was he going to do? Why kill Potter of course, hadn't he meant to do that from the beginning? What do you mean you don't know? Of course it was! Gods, the voices were talking again, he thought grumpily. This was not the time for them to be doing that. This was also not a time for assassination. SHUT UP! He mentally roared and silence greeted him. He checked a sigh of relief; they had really been giving him a headache. Pausing before Potter's door, he began to wonder how he had been talked into this in the first place.
Lucius stared at the note in his hand then at the door in front of him. Was he certain he wanted to do this? The Snapes were notorious people; to be on their bad side surely meant death. But to be in their good graces...He wasn't even sure they had good graces. If so then Voldemort was the only one in them. The rest of them were somewhere in the middle with only a few on the bad side, and then there was Severus himself who would be dead twenty times over if he were any farther on their bad side.
So that's why he couldn't figure out why they would want to invite him, Lucius Malfoy, for a chat, let alone dinner! There had to be more than that to this, but he couldn't think of anything and he wouldn't know more until he went inside. With a sigh he knocked hesitantly on the door.
"Come in, Lucius." Floated out from the inside. Steeling his nerves, Lucius grabbed the knob and turned, pushing the door open. Inside was an enormous table set up for dinner for three near the fireplace for maximum warmth. In one chair, the one farthest from the fire sat Master Snape himself. The one next to that held his devious mistress, Jasmine Snape. Both smiled at him as he entered and he felt shivers creep down his spine. Those were not the smiles he wanted to see!
"Do come in, Lucius, the food will be getting cold if you keep us waiting in longer," Salazar vaguely gestured to the chair closest to the fire without any hint of a command. But then again, one listened to a Snape, whether it is a command or not. The blond Malfoy knew very well not to cross them; they were far more dangerous than he.
He sat gingerly in the offered chair and nodded to each. "Salazar, Jasmine," he greeted. "I do wonder what the occasion is if you should call me to your rooms and to dinner." He raised an eyebrow. "If I didn't know any better I would say you were about to butter me up for something you want me to do."
Jasmine clapped once with a ringing, cold laugh. "Goodness, Salazar, he has found us out. I told you he was smart." Malfoy bristled visibly but Salazar ignored that.
"Since you wish to get down to business, Lucius, then we will. I am right in assuming that neither of us likes the current heir to our Lord's throne, yes?" Malfoy nodded. "As I thought. Well I believe we can remedy this fact. Really, Lucius, you shouldn't have given up without more fight!" the tall man chastised.
Malfoy raised an eyebrow. "What do you speak of?"
Salazar waved his hand. "Your son Draco; he is the true heir to our lord, we both know this."
There, Salazar had pushed the right button. Malfoy tensed again, his chin lifting. "Yes, he should be. But what would be the point of debating it now? Obviously Potter has our Lord under his charms; it would be very difficult to break those. He is very powerful, even in this state."
Jasmine smiled. "Then it would be obvious that we should eliminate those charms, wouldn't you say?" She delicately bit into a biscuit.
Lucius raised an eyebrow. "The only way to do that would be to kill him." Both Snapes smiled and Malfoy knew he had been roped in. "Now I see what you want from me. What do I get out of this, if I even agree?"
Salazar swirled his wine, appearing to consider what was said. "I believe you already know what you want, make the offer. Or rather, let me state it for you. You want your son back so you may give him to Voldemort." The man smiled. "Am I correct?"
Lucius had to admit they were right. "Yes," he said slowly. "And you would do this?"
Jasmine carefully pushed an errant lock of blood red hair from her face. "We will provide the means. You know we entered with relative ease before."
Lucius knew. "You may have but they have upgraded greatly since then; you may find entrance more difficult." Both smiled.
"No need to worry, Lucius, we will hold to end of the bargain if you do yours. Do you accept?"
This was going to bite him in the ass he could just feel it. But what other choice did he have? He wanted to be rid of that Potter brat for he hated taking orders from him, hated it with a passion. To do this would be killing two birds with one stone, so to speak. "Very well, I accept. When would be the best time for me to do this?"
"Tonight," Salazar answered immediately, "We can place a drug in his food to put him under. It should make your task even simpler." His eyes suddenly narrowed. "Do not torture him, Lucius."
Damn! He'd been caught! "And why shouldn't I after all the misery that boy has caused me?" He sniffed.
Jasmine snarled. "Because, you idiot, his screams would wake up the entire manor, not to mention his 'father'!"
The blond ground his teeth. The demon woman had a point; their whole operation would be ruined then. "Very well, I will not torture him."
"See that you don't," Salazar spat. "If you do the deal is off."
"When should I go?"
"Anytime after midnight but before five, the potion will begin to wear off by then."
Lucius nodded and stood. "Then I take my leave of you. Salazar, Jasmine." He headed to the door.
"Good luck, Lucius," the said in unison. He nodded again and slipped out.
So that's how he had ended up where he was now, which was not the best place to be. Was he insane! He was about to try and assassinate the most powerful wizard, next to Voldemort himself. Well, he had never been known for his intelligence. There was no backing out now, he would hold to his end of the bargain. Drawing in a calming breath he whispered "Alohomora," and slipped through the slit that opened.
There he was as they promised, sleeping as innocently as a baby. Who would think that he wasn't? Well, there was no point in delaying any longer so Malfoy drew out his wand and pointed it at the teenager, preparing to whisper the Killing Curse.
"Avada Ked---" He was cut off abruptly when a force equal to a battering ram struck him in the mid-section, propelling him in the wall. "Oph!" he wheezed then sucked in a breath as a dagger point pressed into his jugular.
"Well, well, what do we have here? Trying to kill me, Malfoy, I should have suspected as much from you." The point pressed harder, drawing blood. Lucius sputtered as it dribbled down the blade. "Uncomfortable? Believe me, I will kill you, Malfoy." Aries licked the blood, his eyeteeth lengthening. "Do not tempt me." His weight was suddenly gone and Lucius found himself able to move. When he realised this he did the stupidest thing he had ever done in his life and the worst possible thing in this situation. He whipped up his wand and pointed it at the back of the teenager.
"Cruc---" The words died as the small hand dagger buried itself deep into the pale throat. Lucius's eyes widened in momentary surprise as he reached for tried to try and pull it out.
The emerald eyes burned into the slate gray ones as the eldest Malfoy fell back into the wall. "I warned you not to tempt me."
They were the last words Lucius Arcadius Malfoy ever heard.
Aries stared disdainfully down at the corpse as blood splattered on his carpet. Damn, now he would have to get the house-elf to clean this mess. What didn't make sense to him was why Malfoy would choose to do this now. It would have been better in the heat of battle when it would have been harder to trace. All Voldemort would have had to do was perform the Priori Incantatem spell on everyone's wand in the manor, had Lucius succeeded, and he would have been discovered. So why risk it?
Deciding he wanted to know more, he pointed his staff at the body. "Accio." Not much flew out, only a money pouch, his wand, and a waded piece of paper. Disregarding the first two items he turned to the note. Upon unfolding it and viewing its contents, he could feel his lips curling into a smile. Oh, so this was how it was arranged. Well, then he would just have to fix that.
After calling a house-elf he stalked down the hall, his sleeping robe billowing out behind him. Had anyone seen him they would have scurried for cover for he exuded uncommon amounts of anger that fairly painted the air red. Anyone to encounter him now would surely been killed.
Someone was.
As he rounded the last corner to his father's rooms, Peter Pettigrew knocked him to the floor. For some reason this particularly sniveling excuse for a human had always ticked Aries off by just being in his presence. So it came to no surprise when Aries lifted his snake cane and pointed it down to the huddled form.
"Avada Kedavra." And with that another life was dispatched at the hands of Aries. He stepped over the lifeless creature and proceeded onto his destination: his father's chambers.
Voldemort did what every other evil overlord did at three o'clock in the morning: played tic-tac-toe! No, seriously, he was writing his journal of what he would do to Dumbledore, Snape and the other students and professors at that accursed school. Oh it would be destroyed and then rebuilt in the image that he wished. Whatever secrets the founders had left buried there that had yet to be discovered would be destroyed but he did not care. He wanted to see that place burn to the ground.
He adjusted the glasses on his nose and moved the candle closer. Beside him on his bed slept Narcissa Malfoy. He had singled her out among the other wives of the Death Eaters and taken her into his bedchamber. He had to admit, she provided a nice distraction. If she happened to become pregnant he would just kill the baby; he already had an heir.
Speaking of which, someone was knocking at his door. At three o'clock in the morning only one person would dare do that.
"Enter, Aries." He waved his hand and the doors swung open to reveal his son in his sleeping wear. The boy glided in, sneering at his father's choice of bed-partners. Aries had never liked Narcissa. "To what do I owe this late night meeting?"
The dark-haired teenager crossed his arms over his chest. "Lucius Malfoy tried to kill me tonight." Ah, well that could be another reason the boy glared at Narcissa.
"Did you kill him?"
The boy flicked a lock of hair over his shoulder. "Of course, but I have discovered that he was put up to it by others. Would it satisfy my father if I were to seek vengeance on them?"
Voldemort raised an eyebrow, such formality, very unusual. Why had the boy not already done so and why in Slytherin's name would he need his permission? It must be someone important or dangerous indeed if he needed to ask.
Or both.
"Might I ask who would wish to kill my only son?" As he expected he did not get the answer he wished.
Aries lowered his eyes. "It would be better, my father, if you knew after I had dealt with them."
Voldemort pressed his lips together for a moment then nodded. "Very well, please tell me when you are done."
Aries bowed. "Thank you, father." Turning on his heel he glided stately out of the room. Voldemort returned to his journal, wondering who could possibly have cornered the late Lucius into killing Aries.
Aries could not suppress a malicious smile that crawled over his face. What a wonderful opportunity he had been presented! The Snapes had been a thorn in his side for far too long and he was practically panting for any chance to get rid of them. Now he not only had a reason but also permission from his father, albeit given unknowingly. It did not matter he would get his way. Detouring to his room to change into more formal wear, he noticed that the house-elves had down their jobs as he fastened his robe into place. In next to no time he was standing before the Snapes' chamber.
What, nothing to say before I dispose of the people who have caused you pain? Aries mentally questioned Harry. The mage remained disturbingly silent. No matter, he could not be pulled from his happy pursuit. He reached up and knocked.
"Come in, Lucius." Oh, now that had been incredibly stupid. Talk about admitting guilt. He stepped back and blasted the door open. Salazar and Jasmine leapt to their feet, wands drawn as Aries strolled in, a smirk firmly planted on his face.
"Well, well, it seems I wasn't the one expected. I must admit though, if you wanted to kill me so bad, you could have just done personally and not sent an incompetent agent in your place," he spat angrily, "I'm rather disappointed in the two of you."
Jasmine's mouth flopped open in shock. The look was not becoming of the demon woman. "Why didn't the sleeping draught work?"
Aries could not help but smile and lifted a small bottle from his pocket. "Advanced neutralizer, I take it before each meal. I certainly don't trust any of you well enough not poison my food." He lifted an eyebrow. "And it seems I had reason to. Now, how shall I deal out your punishments?"
Salazar was not going down that easily. "Not this time, boy!" He tossed a vial at the dark wizard's feet. The explosion from the impact sent stone fragments hurtling in the heir's direction, which he easily dodged and threw himself at the elder Snape. The man was not prepared for such an attack and was quickly dispatched with a snap of his neck. The body jerked once before going limp.
"Salazar!" Jasmine screamed. She backed away, her eyes widening as Aries stood, wiping the blood on his robes. Even he wouldn't taste the blood of these creatures.
He smiled and lifted his cane. "Now, Madame Snape, I do believe it is your turn."
Her screams echoed through the manor for the rest of the night.
Voldemort raised his eyebrow in surprise to find his son already seated before the onyx fireplace when he arrived the next morning. He had assumed the boy would still be torturing who ever had planned his assassination. Instead his heir was sitting before the fire, using one of his daggers to clean his nails. It always amazed the dark lord how many weapons the boy carried on his person, physical weapons at that. He had never placed much faith in them and therefore did not use them often, preferring the use of magic. But his son was of the attitude that if it could be used as a way to kill someone, then it would be; hence, the weapons.
"I take it you already dispatched your victims?" He remarked casually as he sat in the other chair.
Aries did not look up from his work. "Yes, the Snapes have been disposed of."
Voldemort stiffened. "Salazar and Jasmine? It was they who perpetrated such a crime against you?"
His son lifted an eyebrow. "You sound surprised. Don't be, they hated me and have been searching for some time for a way to be rid of me. It was their mistake, however, in not doing it themselves and using Malfoy; also in using a potion, I can easily counter those. No, not very wise at all."
The dark lord slumped in his chair, his red eyes narrowed in thought. He had never considered their dissent but there was the evidence from his own child's mouth. Hmmm, he would have to root out others.
"Peter is also dead, he had the misfortune of running into me last night but I perceive no great loss."
Voldemort nodded. "You perceive correctly." For some time they sat in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. Was it time?-Voldemort wondered. Should now be when they decided to make their move? Perhaps the boy would be a better judge.
"My son."
The bleached-bone white face had been turned away from him until that moment now turned back to him. "Yes, my father?"
Voldemort smiled. "Do you believe you are ready for our conquest of Hogwarts?"
Aries answered with a feral grin and supreme confidence. "I am and have been for some time. I was beginning to wonder when you would send me there."
The dark lord could not have been happier with his answer. "You may leave now if you wish. In fact, I would prefer it if this business of that bloody school and its inhabitants be out of the way. Don't you agree?"
"Entirely." He rose and gathered his cloak and power around him. He was absolutely beautiful to the dark lord's eyes when he exuded that power so strongly one could practically taste it one the air. He truly resembled a god of war then. "I will precede with your leave, my lord father." He bowed and the other nodded, dismissing him. The heir left his mind a whirlwind of thoughts on preparations.
Harry, seeing the other sufficiently distracted, grabbed the golden thread and pulled hard.
Severus, who had been in the middle of teaching his third year Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws, stumbled to a halt mid-lecture and doubled over in pain. Suppressing the urge to groan aloud he fell to his knees and searched for the source. He found it along the tender lines of the golden and silver thread. It seemed as though someone had tried to uproot it, but had failed.
Or as if they had been trying to get his attention.
Jumping to his feet he left the startled students behind and literally flew up to his father's office. There he found the others gathered. They looked up as he tumbled through the door, disheveled and clutching his head.
"He's coming." Was all they could get out of him before he collapsed.
When they finally roused him, the preparations they had conceived earlier were put into effect and they stood waiting, ready for anything.
Or so they hoped.
Aries apparated at the edge of the enormous iron gates of Hogwarts. Beyond that he could see the rolling green hills dotted with melting patches of snow and the lake glittered with a thin cover of ice. Such peace and serenity, too bad he had to ruin it, he thought cheerfully.
Only you would find causing chaos and death cheerful, Harry snapped.
Aries chuckled. "Yes, I am the only one." He glided across the lawn, noting that no one was present, not even animals. When not even an owl stirred overhead he began to become suspicious.
Didn't it ever occur to you that you might have scheduled this little excursion on a day of a Hogsmeade trip? Harry pointed out bitterly, secretly hoping but not truly believing.
"You don't seem to think so and besides, if that's true, the first and second years will still be here." Aries licked his bloodless lips, his eyeteeth lengthening in anticipation. "Fresh young blood. I was getting tired of adults."
If Harry could have he would have spat in disgust. You are a vile creature, do you know that?
Aries raised an elegant eyebrow. "Technically I am you, so you are as vile as I."
That could be argued. Harry grumbled then fell silent. He was waiting, just waiting for the right moment.
When Aries tapped the doors with his snake-head cane they literally flew off their hinges, soaring across the hall, damaging many of the tables in the Great Hall. When the dust cleared Aries found himself alone but not for long. Before he could take more than five steps a red fox came running into the room, sliding on the debris and skittering to a stop at his feet. Before Aries could question why, Evelyn popped back into existence before him.
"Harry!" She grabbed his shoulders, joy written in every line of her face.
'Evelyn,' Aries thought with a quick look up and down.
"You're all right! You've come back." The dark wizard did not answer her but allowed a small malicious smile to cross his face.
No…!
But it was already too late. With a quick twist and twirl he was out of her grip and whipping his snake cane around. "Avada Kedavra!" The deadly green light left the emerald eyes of the snake and struck the red-haired Ravenclaw full in the chest.
Evelyn! The force of the spell lifted her up and tossed her across the hall, slamming her into the Headmaster's chair, causing it to fall over. Lowering the staff he walked casually over to the body. Yes, she was quite dead, an expression of shock forever frozen on her pale face.
Evelyn…
Aries chuckled and rolled the body over with is foot. "Yes, and now she's dead. Perhaps now you'll realize you cannot stop me."
You fucking bastard!
The teenager let out a high cold laugh. "That I am. Now, on to our goal!"
But again he did not get very far. This time it was not a girl that he ran into but a man.
Sirius.
The man ran into the hall, doubling over, panting. "H-Harry," he wheezed.
Harry had to do something; he could not let his godfather share the same fate as the Ravenclaw. Before Aries could react as he had before, Harry delivered a "knock" (hoping it would work, as he had never tried before) to him and took control. He shook his head, green eyes widening in panic as he felt his control already slipping. "Sirius, run! I can't hold on forever, he'll kill you!" The man's blue eyes swirled in confusion but he turned and ran back the way he had come.
Aries forced Harry away and the eyes faded to black. "What do you think saving your godfather will prove, Potter? You can't protect them all forever."
That doesn't mean I can't try, The mental voice was only a faint whisper but still firm in its resolution. Aries growled and whipped his snake cane, pointing it at the nearest statue and blowing it up. That felt better, he thought.
That was how it went. As he traveled up the many stairs and halls, fits of anger would seize him and he would take it out on the nearest statue or painting. Eventually he made it to the Headmaster's office.
Only to find himself surrounded by Dumbledore, Snape and the two Healers.
"You will go no further, Harry," The Headmaster stated quietly but firmly. Aries let out a high cold laugh that sounded strange coming from what they knew was Harry, or his body rather. What did they think he was going to do? Give up just because they were here? Hell no! How incredibly stupid.
Severus's chest tightened as he viewed his son for the first time in almost three weeks. He was as tall as ever and thinner. The black robes he wore seemed instinctively out of place for the child he knew but this one wore them with dignity becoming of royalty. They did, however, make him look positively cadaverous. The skin was sheet white and paper thin, almost translucent. As he moved, his black hair, now waist-length, shifted. The eyes, black as night, glared back at all of them, holding none of the warmth he'd hoped would be there. What was most telling, however, was the tattoo of the phoenix and serpent on his cheek. They had been right! This was like the dream! Now to give it a different ending.
"Are you, and the incompetent bunch of misfits you call family, going to stop me, old man?" The teenager crossed his arms over his chest and cocked an arrogant eyebrow. Too arrogant, that would be his downfall.
Severus drew in a breath and stepped forward, extending his arms. "Harry, fireling, I know you're in there. Please, please come out," He pleaded. He had to; he could not do what he had to do unless he saw his child one last time.
Aries sneered. "I'm not your little boy, Snape, I'm afraid he's taken an 'extended vacation' and won't be coming back anytime soon." He threw his arms open. "Come on, why don't you just try something." And they did, though it was not from the ones in front of him. From their hidden alcoves in the walls Artemis and Draco shot two stunning spells simultaneously. Instantly a black cloud rose up around the teenager, deflecting the spells into the wall.
Aries laughed again as the cloud solidified into enormous black bat winks that spanned the width of the hall. "There is no escaping your fate, I will prevail." The malicious smile returned with a vengeance as he lifted the snake cane. "And I believe I'll start with you, Snape. Avada Ked---"
Harry, having been suspiciously silent through the entire affair, charged in with the force of a battering ram and succeeded in taking control.
Severus watched with hope as the teenager stumbled to a stop, mid-curse. The wings wavered and began to change. Gold feathers covered the tough leather and smoothed out. The phoenix in the tattoo suddenly had the snake by the neck. The cane fell from numb fingers as he tumbled forward, into the Potions Master's arms. Their eyes met as black returned to emerald.
"Papa!" he whispered. "You have to help me!" They fell to the floor, Severus cradling his child to his chest. For the last time he feared. His resolve faltered.
"I don't know if I can, Harry."
The green eyes grew sad. "Kill me. It's the only way."
Severus started violently; the child knew. "Never! I can't!" He cried.
Harry grabbed the other's hand and pressed it to his cheek, wetting it with his tears. "Please, Papa, if you love me. It's the only way to destroy Aries and break the connection with Voldemort."
He was right, Severus could see no other way. It was obvious the control Harry had was slipping as feathers began disappearing rapidly. In order to set Harry free he had to kill him. His eyes filled with tears as he pressed a kiss to the lightening bolt; he owed his child that much. With trembling hands he raised his cane and pointed it at his son's heart. "Avada Kedavra." The light found its victim.
Harry's emerald eyes filled with gratitude and he whispered, "I love you," before the light faded and his eyes closed, exhaling his last breath. All time seemed to stop.
Severus shuddered, choking back a sob as he pulled the body closer as though to breathe life back into it. But it wouldn't work.
Harry was dead.
BEFORE YOU KILL ME HEAR ME OUT! I'm not done yet, there is still some story left to tell so don't think this is the end. That's all I'm going to say. Have fun with your shock! Bye bye, and please review!
PS: Sorry for the long wait! Real life can stink when you want to write!
Review Responses: Mara: Very good, Mara, guessed it right off. But wasn't this an even worse cliff-hanger?
athenakitty: I do believe this chapter answered some of your questions.
Riley: bows Thank you, m'dear! I'm pleased to hear it.
killerkougar: chuckles Thank you, I send him your regards.
mecurygirl: You're welcome and I hope you enjoyed this chapter as well.
Kate Potter: Yes Harry should have told but then we wouldn't have had this little bump in the road and I've been planning it to long to take it out now!
Prd2bAmerican18: A, dear, twas magic that sustained him!
Mara: Second comments. Sharpen your knives all you wish, m'dear, but I do say I should get credit for killing Lucius, Pettigrew (that one was for Rose), BOTH Snapes and Umbridge doesn't appear till the sequel so don't worry about her right now. The wedding is not postponed as you will learn in the next chapter.
Darak: Laughs Sorry, dear, but I can't help it, cliffhangers are fun!
stayblue: I did.
Phoenix Flight: Can think of a gruesome enough death threat, huh? I'm sure you will be able to after this chapter.
Winstin Jerimiah Ashcroft III: How can I hurt Sev like that? It makes wonderful Angst! But I did bring Harry back, sort of.
padfoot1979: I wasn't planning on being stalked and killed by my readers, but I have long ago planned for it! Thank you, I thought that last chapter was creepy as well, or at least that was what I was going for.
Lady Cinnibar: Rule of thumb, you always have a way out a of a situation before you even have a situation! Besides, I've been planning this for a long time. By the way, is your name from "The Black Gryphon" by Mercedes Lackey?
Rosaleen: If you think back on the fifth book, dear Rosie, I think Umbridge would probably approve of what I have done to Harry! Which just proves just how much of a (w)itch she is.
aurors: There is always a happy ending!
Ashley: Sorry I had you waiting so long but life stinks sometimes! It won't let me write when I want to, and I can be awfully busy with school and whatnot.
sris: I won't make you pull out various weapons and join the angry mob that I KNOW is forming, this chapter will! Of course I was trying to give you all a heartattack, that's my job. I'm glad you have never been bored, that means a lot.
me: No wild self-sacrificing mission though it is only Seri and Albus's presences that keep him from doing that. Poor Sev.
Charley4: I hope you didn't die while waiting. Er...Harry did die, sorry.
Alexandria Wood: I want to name one of my kids Alexandria! Sorry, had to say that. Good thing I'm young, heck I ain't even been out on my first date yet! Okay, back on track. Thank you for the compliment!
Madame Lily: I lot of stuff just happened. First Harry was kidnapped, forced to live in a coffin for two weeks where his mind was overrun with horrible thoughts that in turn created Aries which is who emerged from the coffin. Got that?
Charma1219: Thank you!
Rilaisseth: I am evil, I thought that was established WAAAAY before now. He did get his fire child back, just not the way he wanted. Darn it all I can't explain just wait until next chapter.
sirius28: Sorry, dear, I don't send emails, not enough time. This behemouth takes up most of my spare time!
Kat191: Nothing is ever fixed right away! Yes, it was a sort of double personality.
Rain Warrior: You can't catch me! tries to run away but is caught very quickly Okay, so maybe you can. If you want me to write more, talk to my muses and teachers!
slycat-blaze1: I know it was cruel!
Wink At JOO: Hey, girl, haven't seen you in some time, glad to see you back! I know, lots of twisted irony in that last chapter. There was some really strange humor in this one for some reason. Blame temporary insanity. I like that "My name is Harry James Potter-Snape-Dumbledore!" Thing too but I don't know how I came up with it at the time! Oh well, at least it made it in there.
Cresha Potter: What will this chapter have you hanging by? A coat hanger? Just a suggestion. I'm glad you think it was "totally wicked" that ranks high in my books, thanks!
hn: You'll have to wait a bit longer for the happier chapters and yes, that is the dream.
bulldogchik05: I hope that it started showing up for you! Thank you, I actually think my style changed but I guess that depends on the reader reading it. I can be my worse critic. All of my reviews make me feel special.
Smiley: Glad you liked it!
sweets: I am not adding a two to your name, you know who you are. I like the "wizdom" thing, lol. Rose got the message, don't worry but she's not happy because the website ate her webpage. (Does that make sense? Probably not but it is true.)
KochanMikono: Did you ever find it? If not, you should have been able to guess from this chapter.
SSSRoaB: Yeah, you did, ain't I just hateful? chuckles
Tropic: Now you know what happens, bet you don't any more!
K.H.T.: Glad you liked it!
Kay Sullivan: Thanks for the note. See, I had to make up something as my knowledge of languages doesn't go very far. Though, didn't they write in Latin in what was, by legend, King Arthur's time? I think I've seen that on a documentry, hosted by none other than Richard Harris before he died.
Nooka: I'm glad you think so.
Katmint-formerly Moonlight: Oh I can do that, but the story wouldn't end. You are right about the dream, that is the one. When I first thought it up and was explaining it to my friend's mother, I had a sudden thought that I could use it later and here it is!
star: Now, actually I haven't read much ancient mythology but when you point that out, it does make a lot of sense. I have read about the maiden, the mother and the crone through Tamora Pierce though, so I do have some idea of what you are talking about.
Lyla Snape: That was horrible but you loved it? Interesting response.
Filodea: I hope you found my other stories just as agreeable as this one. 2 am? winces I've done that before, it's not good for you, but sometimes you just can't help it.
Ivy: Dear, you got me all wrong. Voldemort gave him that name in honor of the God of War, understand? He wasn't really a god of war, it was just my attempt at trying to offer a parallel since Harry/Aries offers so much trouble.
Vivian Marie: Yes, THAT dream.
Cat15: I'm glad you like it.
Shannon Snape: YES!
read-a-holic: Artemis is Crystal, by the way.
ice mage1014: Like your name! winks Of course Harry wasn't meant to stay that way. I would really like to know when you post your story and I encourage you to because I would love to read it. Let me know, please.
Corie: I'm working on it.
EriErka127: Er...because I could? Yeah, that's it!
emma20: Of course I'm that evil and you are the only one to mention the "broken by death" thing, I'm glad you did.
Serpent of Light: Yeah, that had to happen. Everything I do is for a reason.
misty43: I'm glad you found it here, that's great!
annabel: Thank you.
Tigerlily: I'm glad.
Baby Sphinx: blushes Thank you for the comment. I'm glad you like it. I do intend to continue.
A Concerned Sister: I have yet to look into your brother's story but please tell him that I intend to. I'm glad you like it so much and bouncing ideas off other people is what author's do, to get people's reactions. I must say though, I did have more reviews than this at one time, but they took my story down so i lost them.
Honor: Nice name. Thank you.
Case of the Axe: Er...your name scares me. But thank you.
Lucius Silimituile: What a long review, I haven't got one that long in a while. I'm sorry, but no, I don't speak German, wouldn't mind learning though. Funny, we just got a German exchange student in our school. Any way, I do the same thing with my friends, telling them about fanfics I read, drives them nuts.
Shadow-Shamblin: Thank you.
CJ: Glad you like it.
Arizosa: Welcome back and ickle school can be bad, it doesn't like me none. I'm glad you liked that scene, I thought it was rushed. Thank you for the compliment, it was well received, with a blush mind you.
kangaroo: I'm glad you think it fits in with JK's style, that's a high compliment indeed.
Xyverz: Glad you liked the way I handled the brainwashing. You are probably the first person to tell me to take my time! Everyone else tells me to hurry, thank you!
Andromeda's kitty: Wait's over!