Chapter 19
Severus Snape watched the significantly darker mark on his forearm with a blank face, yet his mind was running around in circles. He knew what this meant, knew what the consequences would be. The dark lord was back, just like Dumbledore wished. Now that his plans were in motion, Severus was not certain about the series of events that would follow, if he could keep his vow to keep Potter safe. Coupled with Draco's placement with Narcissa he was not sure he could keep his sanity. 'What am I going to tell the headmaster?' he wondered, but moments later resolved to keep the information to himself, at least until he has worked this out in his head.
The floo network chimed, signaling a call. He went over only to see Lucius' face. What startled him the most was the happiness that brightened his being. "Lucius, what a surprise." He greeted with little inflection in his voice. The blonde only smiled. "I'm free Severus. Narcissa has finally been eliminated from our lives." Confusion settled on the greasy-haired man's features but before he could say anything, Lucius continued without pause. "She left the house this morning and never looked back. Apparently she has been removed from the Black family tapestry and her marriage contract with me has been nullified. The look on her face was haunted, it's like she never wants anything to do with u anymore. I don't know what Potter did but it worked. I'm…" "Wait! Slow down Lucius." Severus said. The blonde grinned bashfully. "My apologies." The potions master nodded. "What does Potter have anything to do with all this?" From what Severus knew, Potter did not have any business with the Malfoys, save for his less than healthy relationship with Draco, at least in his opinion. The Malfoy patriarch had once mention Potter coming to the Yule ball but at the time Severus was busy battling his own demons, mainly the headmaster.
Lucius began his tale on how he was 'rescued' and by the end of it Snape was truly wondering what he had missed about the Potter boy. If Lucius' story could be trusted then Potter was much more powerful and knowledgeable than he let on. Could this be a consequence of his involvement with the Akatsuki? Who let the boy into Malfoy manor? What was this mysterious travelling method Lucius spoke of? How did the boy find a way to break Narcissa's ties to the Malfoy lord and heir? It seemed the questions were piling up higher the more he thought about the Potter spawn.
"Isn't it amazing Severus. I can go back to my usual life, I can live again. Draco is safe again." Lucius' unsuasual bubbly nature was setting him off, but he nodded nonetheless. "I am glad Lucius. But don't you find it strange that Potter has been the catalyst for all of this?" The blonde frowned. "It is strange, but he freed us. It doesn't matter, I owe him my life. He is the reason my Draco is safe. He makes me feel safe too." The last part was mumbled but Snape heard it. He was filled with surprise. "Do you realize what you just claimed Lucius?" The blonde's frown deepened further, frustration leaking through. "I can't help but feel this way. I've thought about it really hard Severus, but it feels right. I'm scared though. What if he is, you know…" Severus let his eyes drift upwards, asking the gods what he had done wrong in this life. He looked back at his good friend. "I don't know. As you know, I have no right to interfere either if your suspicions are true." "He's a child. It can't be." Severus sighed. "Magic works in mysterious ways Lucius." The oldest Malfoy nodded but his face was still conflicted. He then smiled again. "Please inform Draco that he can come home this weekend. I'll explain it all to him then." Snape nodded. "Will do." The floo call ended, allowing him to lean back. He neglected to mention the mark, but surely Lucius would notice.
~Scene change~
Harry was getting restless. Something wasn't right. His inner beast was clawing at his barriers but this time it was not due to a tenuous control over it. No, it was more along the lines of it wanting to protect than destroy. Something was brewing and his childes would be in the way of the crossfire. He had to do something, he had to find out why his instincts were so raw all of a sudden. Voldemort was dead, so the threat wasn't him, and Harry doubted Dumbledore would make any drastic decisions with such limited information. Yet the thought made him even more anxious. 'Maybe a meeting with Orochimaru must be in order.' Lelita suggested. Harry found himself agreeing. His first choice would normally have been Itachi, but he was also threatened. Orochimaru was equally as capable, and dare he say it more level-headed than the Uchiha could be at times. Yes, Orochimaru would be the best person to approach.
So with strict instructions to Naruto and Sasuke to not look for him, he disappeared for the next few hours. The two transfer students from Japan Institute of Magic shared a confused look. Their boss had never been one to show this much emotion; obviously something was bothering him but they did not know why. As they both sat down to contemplate the situation Hermione sat across from them, in her hand a long piece of parchment. Both their eyes twitched violently as the infernal girl began a long list of questions about the magical community in Japan, which apparently she had spent a good deal of time formulating. She had done this before, barely a day after the two arrived, and they made it a point to avoid the witch. By the twelfth question they, in their opinion, patiently answered they up and left. Hermione was stumped but made no attempt to follow them other than the initial surprised 'Wait!', realizing that her tactic probably wasn't the best.
The blonde glared at the smoking stump, which was what was left of a training dummy. Sasuke stood behind him with a bored expression on his face. "I hate her." Naruto mumbled, twirling his wand and placing it in its holster on his arm. "I'm quite sure half the school does at least." "Why does she have to be so nosy? How can Harry keep up with that know-it-all?" "If he can keep up with you he can master anything." It took a second for the insult to register. "Teme! Take that back!" "You know it's true, dobe." "Well, you're even more unbearable than I could ever be. Your brooding alone keeps even Itachi away half the time!" "Who needs Itachi anyway?" "He's your brother, you bastard," was Naruto's mumbled response. Sasuke turned his face away, eying the charred dummy. This conversation was getting nowhere. They came to the room of requirement to let out Naruto's hot temper, but they needed to get back to work. Harry had given them an important task here at Hogwarts and Sasuke would be damned if they failed.
It was simple really. Their mission was to scout out the students from Durmstrung and Beuxbatons who were at Hogwarts for the Tri-Wizards Tournament. They arrived yesterday, in all their brawny and sparkly glory, but from what Sasuke had seen most did not hold the potential to work under Harry or the Akatsuki. Maybe that Fleur girl could take espionage missions, but she seemed too testy, impatient. With enough grooming… Then came the girl's sister, Gabrielle. Though young she had a certain talent for seduction; something he had noticed when she was trying to imitate her sister on one occasion about a week ago. The boys lapped up her words like honey. With a skill like that, obtaining information from naïve men would be easy.
Spotting the talent was all fine and dandy, but cultivating it may be problematic. For one they would have to convince the individuals involved to actually join, then the training would begin. Sasuke groaned inwardly. He had no desire to babysit some pampered girls for anything. Maybe he can coerce Deidara into the task. The man owed him anyway.
"Maybe we should draft her into the research subgroup." Sasuke looked up. "Who?" Naruto sighed in annoyance. "You weren't listening bastard? Granger. Her intellect would do wonders in research and development." Sasuke nodded. "Yes. As soon as she grows out of her habit to spout whatever self-righteous tirade she has in mind. Your task by the way." "Me? Why don't you do it." "I'll be working on the Delacour sisters." "I can handle them." Naruto said petulantly. "I don't reckon you can teach them the fine art of seduction and espionage." The blonde pouted, knowing Sasuke was right. He kicked at the burnt dummy. "Fine, I'll take Hermione and Draco. Those two could work well together; a muggle specialist and a pureblood supremist. If they can get along they could bring both worlds closer together, and Harry goal that much closer to fruition."
Sasuke nodded in agreement, then sighed. He was already tired. And thirsty. He licked his lip anxiously. After Harry brought up the topic of their growing dependency he had done some research, dragging his blonde friend along. Apparently, Harry was not only their willing donor but a surrogate sire. That title could only be earned by a person with superior magic to the vampires, whether they were vampires themselves or not, who harbored feelings of parental nature towards them. It still confused Sasuke how Harry could have such feelings; he was fourteen for Kami's sake!, but had reasoned that it was a matter of mind over matter. It didn't matter how old Harry was, he was still acting like a sire to them. The raven could not forget the first few years Harry found them and drafted them into Akatsuki some five years ago, as new vampires that were abandoned and left sire less. Harry took care of them then and continues to do so. Sasuke sure as hell couldn't deny his own feelings.
"Teme, are you coming?" Naruto questioned, already by the door. Sasuke smiled slightly at his brother. "Sure."
~Scene change~
Orochimaru stared at his leader in barely veiled fascination. "This sure is a predicament." He mumbled, eyes not wavering. Hadrian waved noncommittally. "Just do as I told you." The snake-like man nodded. "Of course." The plan was a rather complicated one, needed the childes involved to be none the wiser of it for a while. Orochimaru would have to make arrangements for a potion that could curb the three vampires' urge to feed. This would allow their leader to keep his strength at optimal level for what he intended to do. That first part would require Orochimaru to approach Hogwart's potions master. To be able to share information with someone equally as skilled as or more so than he made him giddy with excitement. As to how that would be done, Orochimaru wasn't very concerned. The Akatsuki had been tasked to keep Itachi busy for an indefinite amount of time. No one was permitted to even give a hint that something was amiss. Needless to say, the whole organization was flummoxed, used to Itachi being part of everything but once they realized it was for his protection they were willing. Harry divulged that he planned to isolate Dumbledore this year, chipping at his ties with the order bit by bit. For that, the goblins were instructed to release information they managed to gather on the old man one piece at a time, for a price of course. That would keep Dumbledore busy enough to overlook the true plot. As that happened Nagato would be introduced to the Wizengamot, holding Hadrian's seats. That would sure surprise the Wizengamot long enough for the man to impress his views on them. Once the old man was at his lowest Hadrian would finish him off for good.
After giving his instructions Harry made to leave but Orochimaru stopped him. "I feel you're eager to end the headmaster's life but do not act irrationally. He has been in power for so long for a reason." Hadrian paused, considering his words. He knew he was being hasty, but he was running out of time. The longer he waited the more danger he was exposing his childes to. He knew he needed to tread carefully, that would be kept in mind but he will not be slow to act. "That's what you're here for, isn't it? I am relying on you to make this go as smoothly as possible." Orochimaru pursed his lips. "This is delicate." "And I trust you can advise me well. After all Orochimaru, you helped me create Akatsuki. Your opinion holds much weight."
Yes, it was true. Orochimaru was the first Akatsuki member to join Harry on his journey about six years ago. He would never forget his shock at being approached by a mere eight year old child, but he soon learnt he was dealing with a greater force than he. It did not take much convincing to join the child on his journey, and it took even less to keep him with him as he learnt what the supposed child was capable of. Soon, Orochimaru pointed the raven in the directed of the rest of the soon-to-be members. He was also given the task of grooming the new group into their new positions. In those first few years Hadrian was a scarcity to the other members but once the boy became ten he involved himself more. The initial impression was not there but Hadrian took care of that fairly quickly.
"I understand. I will do everything in my power to help you protect them." He informed resolutely. Harry nodded gratefully, then disappeared into shadow. A few minutes passes and as the new task ahead settled in his mind he groaned. This would be a bitch.
A/N: Sorry for not updating for so long, I've just been busy with school work. I'll try to update again as soon as possible, but you know how exams be like.