Possession
Chapter XVII - Birth of a Defender
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"Aarrrhh!" Voldemort screamed as he raised his hands to the sky, using his power to whip the storm that was brewing over his stronghold into a seething, lightning filled mess. He was so angry he didn't even think to use his wand which now lay abandoned in his chambers.
His eyes burnt with rage and his skin was mottled, the snake like patterns rippling over his body with frenetic speed. His fangs were long and almost looked like a vampire except no vampire possessed the sheer raw power that emanated from him. He was literally glowing with power and as he stood on the highest tower his blood red robes whipped around him, making him seem like a living flame.
With a sharp gesture he forced the lightning down making the night brighter than day.
Someone had hurt his treasure.
Someone had dared to touch Harry.
He had felt his mate's pain, heard his anguished mental scream and knew the terror.
And he had known that he could not help.
That knowledge had done nothing to calm him.
Harry was at Hogwarts. He was meant to be safe. Dumbledore was supposed to be protecting him. Nothing was meant to happen to him there. Nothing. But if Dumbledore couldn't protect him then he would have to provide Harry with protection that would also warn others away from his treasure.
"Arrr!" He screamed again, his voice drowned by the clash of thunder.
He didn't know who had hurt Harry. Their bond wasn't that developed. Harry could see him at times and he knew when his mate was watching but he couldn't watch over his mate. And Harry's mind hadn't been focused enough to allow him to pull the information from the boy.
But as it was with Heprah, he would find out. He suspected he knew who... Some over zealous Death Eater wanna be directed by the one's he knew were scheming against him.
Well... They would learn...
They would know the consequences of angering a Dark Lord.
Madam Promfrey shook her head sadly. "No... I can't get him to wake up," she said softly, gently stroking one of Harry's hands.
The boy lay still in the bed. He'd been found yesterday and had been brought to the Hospital wing but hadn't moved since. He lay there staring up at the roof, closing his eyes when the room was darkened and opening them when the room was light. Tears leaked from his eyes and ran down the sides of his face, drying to leave white salty flakes on his skin. The fresh crystal tears were the only evidence the boy was alive.
"Do you know what is wrong?" Dumbledore asked gravely, for his own sake and for that of Sirius, who was lying as Snuffles, curled at the foot of Harry's bed.
The man had been wracked with guilt and had resumed his post at his Godson's side with a vengeance, swearing murder on those what had hurt Harry, no matter the cost to himself.
"No... It's almost as if he's not there," she said softly. "Nothing is physically wrong but he's just not waking up."
"Like being stunned by the Basilisk?"
"No," Poppy shook her head at the question from Mundungus Fletcher. The man was a member of the Order and had been called here to act as a guard. "While it looks similar, it's completely different."
"Oh..."
"Thank you, Poppy," Dumbledore said as he rose. He wasn't sure what he was going to tell the school. He really didn't know but he knew he was going to have to say something. How could he have failed Harry again? His eyes were grave and there was an air of exhaustion around him. He truly looked as old as he felt. Fawkes trilled softly from his shoulder, nibbling at his ear. The Phoenix had tried to help Harry but the bird had risen from the bed shaking its head in a very human like manner singing sadly. Dumbledore reached into his pocket as he left, feeling the broken pieces of holly. He didn't know what it meant but it couldn't bode well for the world.
Mundungus stayed with Poppy for a moment, getting his first good look at the Boy Who Lived. At the moment, it looked as if it would have been kinder to let him die. There were bruises all over him and his catatonic state was depressing. No child should be like this. With a soft sigh he realised he should being his job and nodded to Madam Promfrey as he moved to the door. He never even felt the knife stroke that killed him.
Crimson eyes surveyed the room as Voldemort caught the body, laying it silently on the floor. The nurse was still at Harry's side, holding his hand and murmuring quiet soothing words. There was a large black dog resting at the foot of the bed, a dog that to his mage sight did not look right. It's energy wasn't right... It was sentient..?
Ah... He understood now. This was one of Harry's protectors. Or perhaps it was a new one. The scent of death hung over the boy and with a flash the Dark Lord knew what had happened. He spared a small thought for the owl he remembered from Harry's room. It had died but it had died defending its master. Its ghost, spirit really was perched on the bed head, staring at him with questioning eyes.
With a determined motion Voldemort raised his wand stunning both the dog and nurse.
"Harry," he murmured, eyes softening as he looked at his beloved but his ire raised. Whoever had done this was going to pay dearly... Even more so than those Muggles.
Harry lay unmoving, his beautiful emerald eyes staring unseeing at the ceiling and his arms resting beside him. The Dark Lord reached out his hand, long white fingers gently stroking Harry's hair as his other hand put his wand away before drawing forth a small egg. He placed it in Harry's hand before tapping one finger on it and whispering in parcelmouth, "Hatch."
From the head of the bed there came a spiritual scream and Voldemort looked up in time to see a flash of white streaking towards the egg. It shimmered briefly before the Dark Lord had a hazy view of wings merging with a snake. He smiled before the small feeling faded. So Harry's Protector wanted to stay with him? The owl could remain now but it was now one of his servants.
Hairline cracks appeared all over the egg in response to his command. Slowly the cracks widened and from the egg there came a soft hiss before the top of the shell seemed to explode outwards and the rest of the shell shattered. A tiny black serpent was coiled in the remains of the shell. With another hiss, it raised itself up, its tongue flickering as it tasted the air. There was a little plume of red on the crest of it's head and it's eyes were closed.
-Master!- It's voice was surprised but it instinctively recognised it's Master.
-I am here,- Voldemort responded.
It turned towards his voice, dipping it's head slightly in a bow. Its small coils rubbed together drily and the remains of the shell clacked against each other almost so quietly it couldn't be heard but the Dark Lord could hear it. He could hear everything.
-Master?-
Voldemort smiled slightly. The serpent's question was simple but it conveyed everything. The snakes vow of loyalty to him, it's King and it's absolute willingness to obey him. -I wish you to stay here. Guard my mate.-
-Sss!- There was no hiding the little black snake's surprise. This was an enormous request from its Master.
-You will do well,- he reassured it, reaching out one finger to stroke it. The little snake purred at his touch before it tilted it's head to regard him, eyes still closed.
-Bond with him?-
-Yes.-
The snake nodded before it turned back to Harry. With a determined flick of its tiny tail it lowered its head and slithered up Harry's arm, heading towards his face. It paused slightly on the black haired boy's throat, tasting the smooth flesh with its tongue before it slid on to his face and coiled itself over his mouth, rearing up so that it could look into unblinking emerald eyes. With a soft hiss and deliberate slowness it opened it's own eyes, it's lipless mouth parting slightly in concentration.
The serpent's eyes were a brilliant yellow and seemed to glow but as it looked into Harry's eyes the yellow seemed to liquefy and change. Blue swirled around and clouded the yellow and after a moment, emerald eyes stared into emerald eyes. The snake blinked carefully before closing it's eyes again as it turned back towards the Dark Lord. -It is done.-
-You may look upon me,- Voldemort said gently. -You cannot hurt me.-
The little snake bobbed it's head before it opened it's eyes again. A small wave of power rippled out from it but was lost in Voldemort's red orbs. -Master,- it hissed again.
-I wish you to stay with him. I wish you to protect him,- the Dark Lord relayed his orders. -But I would advise you to remain hidden. This is not my Lair.-
The snake nodded. -May I use all my power?-
Voldemort smiled knowing why it was questioning him. -You may. If anyone tries to hurt him, show them the true eyes of a Basilisk.-
-Yes, Master.- For an instant the snakes eyes burned red before they returned to emerald. As it had spoken it had moved to Harry's chest and now lay coiled there.
-Can you sense him?- In bonding the little Basilisk had done more than just ensure that it could never kill Harry with it's eyes.
There was a small shake of the red plume. -There was a barrier. It allowed me to bond but it would allow nothing further. It did indicate that your mate would wake when he was ready.-
The Dark Lord nodded leaning over and gently kissing Harry's forehead. He felt strangely relieved. Harry would wake up and unspoken in his new guardians voice was the fact that the barrier was made from Dark. It appeared the Shadows were doing what they could, even if they could not act without their Master's permission. -Rest now,- Voldemort instructed as he stood, brushing his fingers through Harry's hair once again before he turned and left without looking back. If he'd of seen Harry again he knew he would take the boy to his stronghold but that couldn't happen yet.
Just as he left the Infirmary he sent a pulse of magic towards his mate, supportive and warm.
I will wait for you, Harry.
Forever.
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