Chapter 24
Severus packed away the empty potions vials, preparing to leave the room. "Severus." He paused. "When can I leave this room?" Severus turned to the boy in the bed. "As soon as you can move without collapsing from weakness." "I'm not weak." "Your body says otherwise. Look," he sighed in exasperation. The whole week he was bedridden Harry had been complaining about it. "Your body took a large toll and you need to rest. Don't fight us on it." Harry turned his head to him. His eyes were blood-shot and tired. "I haven't seen my childes since the battle." "The room is under quarantine due to your body's weakness. The purifying magic in this room can easily be dispersed by exposure to impure magic and emotions. As one of those who enacted the wards here I would not negatively affect it. But you already know that don't you?" Harry didn't even blink. Severus stooped towards him. "You don't sleep much." It was a statement.
Harry turned away. "The empty void within me is uncomfortable. I can only sleep two or three hours a night." "Did you consider sleeping droughts?" "They don't work. I'd like to be left alone." Severus straightened up and without another word he left. 'Lily, your son is suffering. I swore to protect him but what can I do?"
~Scene Change~
It was soon time to return to Hogwarts. Draco was prepared to leave but he had to leave Harry, Naruto and Sasuke behind. The three of them didn't need to stay at Hogwarts anymore and Harry would take his OWLS and NEWTS at the ministry. As Snape would be going back to Hogwarts too Nagato was left with the sole duty of seeing to their leader's needs.
"Headmaster, I don't understand." The potions master started, "The scar is not there." "And yet it doesn't mean the darkness that lays within it is gone too." Dumbledore countered. His face was grave as he said this. "I don't believe you've kept this to yourself for so long. What did you hope to achieve? Were you aiming to let that monster's soul overtake Harry's?" The headmaster shook his head, standing from his seat behind his desk. He went to the window overlooking the school grounds. "You must understand Severus; Harry is but a child and as such he deserves to live like a child for as long as possible. I was merely hoping to protect him from this truth a while longer. Alas, now that it has been revealed he is a dark creature I fear what the fragment of the Dark Lord's soul would do. With multiple of these fragments scattered all over Britain I'm not sure which action to take. I'm hoping you would be of help on that front."
Severus stared at him in disbelief. Of all the things the headmaster could have wanted to talk about this was the worst case scenario. Horcruxes; not just one but many, and Hadrian is one of them. How could such a thing even be possible? He collected his wits and started to think. No one is really sure how to destroy horcruxes, but the worst option in this situation would be to destroy its container. But surely there are rituals for this sort of thing. "I'm afraid I'm out of my depth, headmaster. My knowledge of horcruxes is limited to the bare minimum. Of course I'd need to research but I'm not sure it would bare much fruit. Either way we must inform Potter of this." There was silence for a minute before Dumbledore spoke. "I must concede. I will leave that job to you; you seem to have grown on the boy. Speaking of him,"
Dumbledore turned to him. "Do you mind informing me why he dropped out of Hogwarts?" "He claims to know the course material and is determined to self-study and take both his OWLS and NEWTS soon." "I see. Harry is beyond my reach now." He sounded sad about it and Severus understood. To Dumbledore, Harry was their best shot at Voldemort and not being able to influence him was tantamount to a total loss in his eyes. "Thank you Severus, you may return to your duties."
~Scene Change~
As soon as the magic purifying wards were torn down and he could walk on his own for an extended period of time Hari took to exploring the gardens. Both to stretch his limbs and to think. In the long run the ritual done to find his childes had devastating effects on his health, on his soul. Just doing the ritual meant he would be unable to do some light magics, the loss of a fraction of his soul had much more varying effects. For one he could vividly feel that he was missing part of his soul. There existed a barrier between the living and the dead that grew thinner on all hallows eve. The ritual gauged a hole in that barrier which meant the dead had easier access to Harry, who would fortunately be the only one to feel the effects. Now, two month after the ritual was done, it wasn't too odd to see the dead wandering beyond the veil. He had to wear a spelled pendant to prevent them from physically interacting with him. A ward was placed around his room at night to prevent the dead from dragging him away in his dreams. The first time he was almost taken away was rather taxing for his men; he wouldn't wake up for a whole week and Severus had to go find him in the spiritual realm and bring him back, all while he was growing cold in his bed.
It scared him to know such a thing could happen should he grow careless. Lelita was the only reason he survived long enough for Snape to find him that day, and was the reason he wasn't losing himself in despair at his situation. He would survive this, survive everyday this way for the rest of his life. As the days went he became used to it. He managed to drag himself out of his depression and started to appreciate his life again.
He heard someone walk closer to him. "Someone is here to see you, Harry-sama." "Thank you, Yahiko-kun." The man bowed and left. "Good evening, Lucius." Lucius bowed at his lord. After debating with himself for a long time the blonde decided to let it be known to the goblins that Harry was his dominant and thus the rightful Malfoy patriarch. Harry rose from his crouch at the shore and turned to face him. "None of that, Lucius." The man straightened but did not meet his eyes. "I'm glad you're better. We were all worried." "I'm sorry for making you worry." Harry said. Lucius came closer, close enough to touch him. "I've been a horrible dominant, haven't I?" The blonde shook his head. "No. You did all you could to protect us, Draco and I. Your childes as well. We could not expect more from you." He finally looked at Harry's face. The sadness there tore at him. He hugged the boy silently. Harry hesitated but wrapped his arms around Lucius' waist and let himself cry a moment. "I'm sorry." "Shh. It's okay." Moments later they pulled away and sat on the sand staring at the small lake that sat behind the manor house.
"How is Draco doing?" Lucius smiled at thoughts of his son. "He's doing very well. His friends are very supportive." "Good. I hope you are well, as well." Harry fished. The man nodded. "Yes." "Are the other Lords and Ladies giving you trouble?" Lucius frowned minutely at that. "Some of them are, now they know I'm a submissive and only a stand-in Lord. They cannot do anything without you present however, which makes them angrier." "The next Wizengamot meeting is in a fortnight, true?" Harry asked, to which his companion nodded. "I will make an appearance then." Lucius frowned. "Are you well enough for it?" "Yes, don't worry about it."
Lucius nodded. They sat in silence for a while more but Lucius didn't come just to see his dominant. "I have been speaking with Itachi lately and, well…" Harry gave him all his attention. "Well?" With a determined air the blonde continued. "The potions to sate their bloodlust is starting to have a negative impact on their health. They need real blood." "And some strangers in the streets won't cut it, huh? Maybe it's about time I give my childes the attention they need." "No!" Harry startled at the shouted response. Lucius blushed but soldiered on. "You're not well enough to feed them. Nagato says so. I'll do it." Harry raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure." "I'm your submissive. For all it's worth I'm more suited to take care of them in your stead for the time being." "Your blood might not sate them." Harry cautioned. "Draco managed to feed Sasuke while they were captured. Who's to say I can't. Let me try at the very least." The blonde pleaded.
Harry sighed but took the time to think about it. It'd be more dangerous for Lucius to take on this task simply because he is not their sire. Because he is his submissive however, it might count for something like it did for Draco. "I'll be in the room at all times, and they'll feed on you only once a month, not on the same day." Lucius smiled at his permission. He kissed Harry's cheek. "Thank you, dominant." He laid his head on Harry's shoulder and they sat there in silence, just enjoying each other's company.
Soon, Nagato came to call them in so Harry would rest some more. Knowing how futile it was to resist Harry followed the two back into the house. Lucius stayed a bit longer until after an early dinner when he drifted off to sleep. The blonde had supper with the Akatsuki members who were present. They were all…unique individuals. Itachi, Naruto and Sasuke were his favorite simply because they were Harry's childes and thus somewhat his too. He was happy to get to know them at length from the moment he met them before the capture of Naruto and Sasuke. They treated him like they would a parent sometimes when they let their guard down. He interacted with Nagato more than he did with the rest. His personality meshed well with his.
After dinner he went back home to turn in for the night. It was sadly void of human life other than himself, as usual. He had gotten used to his son's and Severus' presence over the holidays. To his joy Severus visited every other weekend, which softened the sting of loneliness.
~Scene Change~
"Orochimaru-sama, what are you doing?" Kabuto questioned his teacher, puzzled by the corpse he found the snake-like man digging through. "Nothing you need to concern yourself over." was the curt reply. Orochimaru was distracted, feeling through the woman's guts. He clucked his tongue to show his annoyance. "The fetus must have dissolved." He shook some of the blood off his hands and turned to Kabuto. "Is there something you need, Kabuto-kun?" The silver-haired man shook himself back to the situation at hand. "Hai." Stepping forward he offered a letter to his mentor. "I finally got a reply from Bathilda Bagshot. Harry-sama is unwell today; I don't think he can deal with it himself." "Oh?" Orochimaru received the letter and quickly skimmed over it. He handed it back to Kabuto. "Set up a meeting as soon as possible. We are fortunate she agreed to meet us, even more so the time frame is only within the week."
They both left the room to discuss the matter further without the corpse distracting them. "I hear little Draco is coming over tomorrow." Orochimaru commented after they concluded their talk concerning Bagshot. Kabuto nodded. "We would have to postpone, however. I doubt Harry-sama would like to meet Draco when he can't even have a proper conversation with him." "Good, good." Orochimaru downed the mug of coffee Kabuto had handed him sometime within the past hour and left the man in the room, mind already preoccupied. Kabuto wasn't bothered, already used to this behavior. Instead he went to complete the next agenda on his long list. It made his shoulders sag. He really didn't want to talk to Kisame right now, or ever.
~Scene Change~
"Surprise!" the explosion of voices made Hidan shriek with a jump, a sound he would deny until he was six feet under, that is to say forever. The room he had just entered was filled with balloons and all sorts of streamers. A big bold 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY!' was floating around the room along with girly-looking bright unicorns and other creatures he couldn't identify. The whole of Akatsuki was present to scare…celebrate his day of birth, which probably wasn't the day he was born because who the hell remembers their birthday after a couple of centuries on some uncharted island?
"What the fuck?!" Hidan exclaimed. Naruto bound over to sling an arm over a now calm but angry Hidan's shoulders. "It's your birthday, don't you remember?" "No, I don't exactly count the days since I was born." The silverette replied. Sasuke was right next to the blonde. "I imagine it'd be a long and pointless exercise." Music started up in the background, starting to drown out other sounds so they had to raise their voices. "Who the hell roped everyone into this?" Hidan asked, hiding his anticipation for the answer with nonchalance. Naruto grinned as if he already knew what he hoped the answer would be. "Yahiko did. Well, he brought up how ancient you are at some point, the guys put in their two cents, someone suggested we should celebrate just because, and everyone ran with it." Hidan didn't pout, really it was beneath him.
His eyes darted about to get a glimpse of his master. "Harry's at the bar." Sasuke helpfully suggested. Hidan paid no heed to the knowing looks the boys were giving him. On his way to Harry he was intercepted by Yahiko and Nagato. The red-head had his usual deadpan expression, as if his face was frozen in it. Yahiko was the total opposite, grinning like it was his birthday instead of Hidan's. "Congratulations man, you advanced another year in age." Hidan's expression almost matched Nagato's at this comment. "Is that sarcasm, deuchebag?" Yahiko only laughed boisterously, obviously touched by the alcohol. "I'm only joking man, relax." Hidan only sniffed. Nagato grabbed his companion's shoulder, hoping to prevent one of Hidan's tentrums. "We are glad you're still with us, Hidan-kun. Hopefully you live another year." Hidan had the feeling that was meant to be a joke at his expense. Ignoring this he continued making his way to the makeshift bar, luckily not being stopped again on the way.
"Harry-sama." Hidan greeted, inclining his head in a bow. Orochimaru sat to their leader's other side, contentedly sipping some expensive looking wine and Kabuto nagging him to have Ogdin's finest instead. Harry looked up from his water, having been trying to turn it into alcohol with his eyes. "Ah, Hidan. Happy birthday." The boy said with a smile. Hidan swelled with joy, ignoring Kisame's greeting from behind the counter. "I'm glad you came, Harry-sama. I'm not complaining but are you well enough to be out of your chambers." Harry waved him off. "Don't worry about it. It's only been an hour since I was dragged out of my rooms to attend the party. The music is headache-inducing but everyone is having fun." Hidan's eyes narrowed. "Dragged?" he turned to Kisame, who only quirked an eyebrow. "Hey, bastard! Didn't you hear Harry-sama? Turn down the fucking music!" Knowing Harry wasn't really bothered by the loud music Kisame handed Yahiko his fifth tall glass of alcohol since the night began. The silverette growled but almost bit his tongue at Harry's next words. "Don't worry about it, Hidan-kun. Go on, celebrate and have fun." Bowing a bit deeper, Hidan dragged himself away from his master to 'have fun'.
He did indeed have fun, moving to the beat of the music, drinking copious amounts of alcohol, even more than Deidara or the liquor-hardened Kisame once he got to it. Yahiko had passed out half-way into the celebrations. To Nagato's mounting horror Harry had a drinking match with half the men and was now unconscious on Naruto's lap. The immortal was exhausted, splayed at the bar stools with Kakuzu next to him with a hard look in his eyes. Hidan half-expected him to be drunk out of his mind by now, but the man was completely sober and coherent enough to complain about the money that went to waste arranging this useless event, and threatening to reduce Hidan's pay next month. "Shut up, you old miser." Hidan slurred. Kakuzu sneered at him. "Look who's talking. You're lucky Harry-sama even consented to this, you must pay for it." "Who pays for their own birthday?" The immortal muttered petulantly under his breath. Before long he was asleep, drooling on the conjured bar table.
~Scene Change~
Sasuke woke up with a gasp, a scream trapped in his throat. His pajamas were soaked with sweat. Once he realized that no, he wasn't in a damp cell with magic bars barring his escape and about to kill his brother, he coaxed himself to calm down. "Sasuke?" his head snapped to the next bed where Draco had stirred awake. "Yes, Draco?" The Malfoy rubbed at his eyes tiredly, squinting to see him better in the dark. "Are you alright? Did you have a nightmare?" Sasuke spoke softly as not to awaken Naruto. "It's nothing to worry about. Go back to sleep." Casting a concerned eye at him Draco followed his instruction. Sasuke ran a hand over his face. Usually he got comfort from Naruto for these kinds of things but the blonde needed his sleep after a week of sleep-deprived nights due to the same predicament Sasuke faced. He opted to try and go back to sleep but the images kept flashing through his mind, making it difficult. The door creaked open, making him open his eyes to face the intruder. Itachi's scent hit him first before his mind registered the frame. The man sat on the edge of the bed. He didn't say anything, just stroked his hair. Feeling warmth pool in his chest he let himself relax. What could have been an hour later he finally drifted off.