Summary: The past will come back, the present will change them, now what will the future hold?
Disclaimer: I do not own them, sad but true
A/N: Yes this is an AU fic. Reviews are welcome, flames are shared with friends for amusement.
Chapter 16
Severus stepped out of the floo in the pub and strode purposely to the door. Once outside, he did not bother to look around, but headed straight for Knockturn Alley. He was almost there when someone stopped him and asked him the time. The scowl on his face and the sight of his wand out and ready made them scamper quickly away.
Severus turned the corner and headed down Knockturn Alley. Nothing would deter him from his mission. When he got to the shop door, he flung it open with a bang, and the occupants inside turned to stare for a second, before resuming their business. These were no ordinary witches and wizards, but instead ones who loved to dabble in the dark arts.
"You would all do well to leave NOW!" Severus shouted. This sent many scurrying for the door, and the remaining few stood to see what exactly the man in black wanted. Severus could see the shop owner at the counter busy trying to make a sell and pointed his wand.
"Expelliramus!" he shouted, and the shop owner went flying behind the counter. This sent the few remaining customers dashing out the door, and Severus over to where he fell. He found the man against a wall trying to get up. Severus leaned down and grabbed him by the throat.
"You gave my son some kind of potion. I want the antidote now!"
The shopkeeper looked bewildered. "You have no son, Severus, therefore I could not have sold anything to him."
"It is not your place to ask about my relatives. Now you sold a potion to my son and his friend a few days ago. I want the antidote now!"
It then dawned on the shopkeeper to whom Severus was referring, and his good sense seemed to leave him for a moment. "Oh yes, I remember those two. How much will you give me for it?"
That was the wrong thing to say. Severus picked him up by his throat. "You piece of vermin! I will kill you where you are if I do not get the antidote now!"
"If you kill me, then you will not get your precious antidote, and the only person who knows how to brew it is Rufella, far away in the mountains."
Severus sneered at him, "You should learn to rein in that tongue of yours. I know Rufella, and he would be more than happy to give me the antidote, but that would take time. I think I will kill you slowly, and then go to him for it." Severus sent a strange purple light from his wand, and suddenly the shopkeeper was gasping for breath.
"Stop... I will give... it to you," he gasped, trying to breathe.
"Funny how not being able to breathe has changed your perspective. Now where is the antidote?"
The shopkeeper pointed to a shelf where a vial sat next to a bunch of books. Severus grabbed it, but did not turn to leave the shop. "Should you ever think of such things again, know that the Aurors will rain down on this place like it were the Dark Lord's lair."
The shopkeeper, now feeling very bold since no one was trying to strangle him, spoke. "I think the Dark Lord will be very pleased when I tell him you have procured an heir."
Severus stopped where he stood. Turning around he pulled his wand again. "That would be an error on your part."
"Did you not want to bring your son into the circle when he comes of age? I'm sure you are loyal to the Dark Lord, but now I will have to tell him of your reluctance."
Severus gave no warning before a red light flew from his wand, nor did he go over to help the man who was now jibbering about monkeys and squirrels attacking him. Instead he walked out the door and headed back to his son.
When Severus stepped out of the fireplace, he came face to face with Remus. "Tell me you did nothing foolish. Tell me the man still lives."
Severus' face broke out in an evil smile. "I did not kill him, if that is what you are asking, but the Dark Lord will have one less minion after today. You may want to floo St. Mungo's later and tell them he is in his shop spouting that monkeys and squirrels are attacking him, and that he is King of the Wee People."
Remus' mouth fell open at this revelation. "Will he ever be the same again?"
"No, I do believe his days will be spent in St. Mungo's beating off the wicked squirrels. Now enough of this talk, let's administer the antidote. How are Harry and Ron?"
Remus shook the vision of the shopkeeper from his head and faced Severus. "Ron is doing much better. His fever is almost back to normal, but Harry is slipping further away. He was calling for you, Severus, during one of his spells."
Hearing these words, Severus opened the door and went first to Ron. "Mr. Weasley, sit up and drink this."
Ron opened his eyes and propped himself up on the pillows. Severus held his head back and poured half the potion down. The taste appeared to be bitter, as Ron acted as if it were going to retch. In the end, though, he simply lay back down, his face a sickly colour.
Severus next walked over to Harry's bed. As he neared it, he could see the sheets were wet with sweat and that Harry lay there silent, but with his face scrunched up in pain. Lifting Harry's head, he poured the remaining antidote into his mouth. As it hit the back of Harry's throat, he began to gag and choke, but Severus rubbed his throat and soon the liquid was swallowed.
Harry's whole body seemed to convulse for a moment and then went limp again. He began to shiver. His whole body broke out in a sweat, and his shaking intensified.
"It seems the antidote is having some effect," Remus said from his position next to the bed.
"It will be a long hard night. I just hope we were not too late." Severus pulled the covers up on Harry and motioned Remus for another pillow. Harry started to whimper, but Severus leaned over him and spoke soothingly, and soon Harry fell back into his fitful sleep. Severus pulled up a chair, for he knew he would not leave his son's side. Remus went to make the coffee both were sure to need.
