A/N: Here we are again, my loves. Long time between drinks but I don't think anyone is going to be too worried. Life is psychotic like that at the moment, isn't it? I hope you're all continuing to be safe. We had a scare close to home but we shall weather the storm and deal with it as best we can. All is well. I appreciate the few of you that are still following along. We'll get there eventually!
-0-
The weekend had been passable, their first Quidditch training had been awful, but it had been good to fly for a while. Umbridge had been appointed High Inquisitor through Educational Decree #23, something that scared Hermione the most. With that much power, there really was nothing any of them could do to oppose her. Something that rankled Hermione no end.
Harry had picked up another week's worth of detentions by Monday afternoon, something Angelina had been furious about, but even worse, something Minerva had found out about the next day when she received that little piece of pink parchment on her desk while they were in Transfiguration.
"Are you telling me that even after I told you to keep your head down, you still got another detention?" she hissed.
"It's not my fault. She -"
She suddenly seemed to realise where they were and she shoved herself back from her desk and pointed to her office.
"Follow me, Potter."
He swallowed. She hadn't spoken to him like that for a long time, and the disappointment coming through their bond was breaking his heart.
She slammed the door and rounded on him.
"HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND?"
"Máthair -" he gulped at the anger rolling off her.
"Harry, I cannae protect you if you continue to misbehave."
"Máthair, that's not fair. It's not my fault!"
"HARRY!"
He really looked at her, and he saw that she was shaking. He couldn't tell, even with the bond, whether it was from rage or fear. She looked at him tiredly and his gut churned at the disappointment.
"Come to my rooms after you are through," she winced. "Tomorrow night," Minerva whispered. "I have a duty tonight. Tell the others to come after dinner so that you are not all together. I cannae protect you, Harry. Though Merlin knows I want to."
"I can take care of myself," he sneered. "You know. I've done ok so far," he spat, turning and leaving to go back to his desk before she could speak again.
As tough a game as he played, he felt sick at the thought of another 5 nights of the Blood Quill. It had just started healing as well. He glanced down at his hand and clenched his fist. Tonight would be bad but he knew Hermione had some Murtlap essence left. Tomorrow though, that would be worse. And if Minerva expected him to go straight to her rooms after?
There would be no hiding after that.
-0-
Monday's detention was bad and he'd spent the majority of the night with his hand shoved in the bowl. But, Tuesday's detention had been the worst yet. All the healing that his hand had done over the weekend was undone and it was so angry when he went back the second day. After so many shaky lines, she'd released him with that horrible titter and Harry had barely made it around the corner and out of view before he dropped to his knees and threw up. The pain was unbearable, and the evil that rolled off that woman was overwhelming. He wiped his mouth with his good hand, still cradling his bleeding hand to his chest. The scarf he'd wrapped around it as he walked out of the room was doing nothing to stop the flow of blood and he knew definitively now.
His máthair was definitely going to find out.
Getting to his feet on shaky legs, he made his way straight there, falling to his knees in front of Godric, who disappeared even as the portrait swung open. He shuffled forward, making sure he was within the bounds of his mother's room and revelling in the darkness as the portrait swung closed behind him. All he knew was that he had to make it into the living room. He'd be safe there.
"HARRY!"
He collapsed into his máthair's arms as she raced through the door. Evidently, Godric had warned her of his condition and she dragged him in and closed and locked the inner door, looking stricken at the blood covering his robes.
"What the hell is going on?" she shrieked.
He could feel the horror and the confusion now they were touching. Harry tried shaking his head but all he managed to do was groan and fall back to his knees
"Harry! Harry, talk to me!"
"She's -" Hermione paused as Harry tried to stop her.
"No -"
"Hermione. Speak!"
"She's using a Blood Quill," Hermione whispered, glancing at him. "And I don't have any Murtlap Essence left."
The silence in the room was punctuated only by the crackling fire and his pathetic whines. Minerva's grip tightened on his arms.
"She's using a-"
"A blood quill," Hermione repeated from the doorway. "It's a -"
"I know what it is, Hermione," Minerva snapped, looking apologetic as soon as she did. She looked up at the portraits. "Someone get Severus. I need to see him right now. I don't care what he's doing. Have him use the Floo."
"I will go," said one of them, disappearing from the frame.
Minerva lifted him back to his feet brushed his hair back and kissed his forehead gently.
"It's going to be alright mo mhac [my son]. Severus will bring us what we need."
She tried to get him to move, but he couldn't manage a step, without falling. The pain was radiating down his left side. She whispered a spell and picked him up, carrying him into her room.
"Ron, Hermione in here please," she muttered.
Ron collapsed into a chair beside the bed, chewing on his thumbnail, but he felt Hermione's hands on him, helping Minerva move him into a better position on the bed.
Harry closed his eyes and willed the tears that were squeezing out of the edges to stop, but they didn't. If anything they came more frequently as Minerva rested her head against his and whispered how much she loved him.
"I'm so sorry," she whispered. "I'm so so sorry."
"It's not your fault," Hermione said, kneeling beside her and wrapping her arms around them both. "I almost insisted that he come to you last when we found out, but well," her voice wobbled. "We all know, you can't do anything about it and he didn't want to give you more to worry about. That's what makes this so evil. We're completely helpless."
"For once," Severus said from the doorway. "I would have to agree with Miss Granger," he sneered. "No matter how uncomfortable that makes me feel."
"Severus, shut up and help him," Minerva snapped, making him falter a little.
"What is wrong with him?"
"She has a Blood Quill," Minerva muttered, stalling Snape's hands and he opened a black leather bag.
"Come again?"
"You heard me," she said shakily. "And Hermione is correct," she sobbed, her hand covering her mouth. "We can do nothing about it at all."
He looked down at the bag and then back at Minerva. Harry watched as a flurry of emotion passed over the usually stoic man's face, before wincing again as Minerva moved his hand.
"Máthair," he couldn't stop the tears. The mixture of his pain and fear and hers as well was overwhelming.
"Easy mhac [son], I just want to look."
"I've been using Murtlap Essence," Hermione said quietly. "It helped, but didn't heal it."
"I," Severus stalled as Minerva glared at him. "Yes, a Blood Quill wound is not like a simple cut Miss Granger. It will not 'heal' as it were, but you are correct in your assumption that it would help. I may have something stronger, but if I do not, it will have to do. The alternative takes six weeks to brew." He stood and nodded to Minerva. "I will send an elf with a supply. I suggest passing them out to the prefects," he glanced down at Harry. "And I will get some more immediately."
"Thank you, Severus," Minerva whispered, her eyes closing as another round of tears leaked out of Harry's eyes.
"You," he grimaced as all four looked up at him. "Are welcome, Minerva. I bid you goodnight," he paused at the door. "Have a care," he winced. "All of you."
He left in a flash of green flame, and even Ron remained silent as they waited for an elf to appear.
When it happened the poor thing squeaked in fright at suddenly being the centre of attention, but quickly composed itself.
"Mistress," it said, bowing slightly. "Master Snape bade me give you this and explain that warmer water will hurt more, but will help faster Mistress. He had none of the stronger solution and has set about brewing some immediately. Good evening."
Minerva brushed the tears away from first Harry's face, and then her own as Hermione retrieved a bowl from the kitchenette.
"Hold on sweetheart," Minerva said, looking around at Hermione. "Darling, will you hand me my wand?"
Hermione blanched and went to get it, hesitating as she looked at it.
"It's quite alright sweetheart," Minerva assured her. "You know me, and I know you. Just pass it to me," she held out her hand. "Right here."
Hermione did as she was told and even with one arm around him, Harry watched as she transfigured a pillow into a small table and Hermione placed the bowl on it.
"Harry, my love, this is going to hurt," she muttered, kneeling beside him and inspecting his hand. "Merlin, it's bleeding so much."
"S'ok," he muttered. "Usually stops by midnight."
-0-
She knew he was trying to be funny, but as she unwrapped the scarf that was now soaked through, he cried out as it caught on the sensitive skin. The blood flowing quickly down his arm made her stomach turn.
"Easy child," she whispered, tears falling unchecked. "Mama has you."
"Máthair, it hurts," he whimpered. "It hurts so much."
"I know, I've got you."
"Ron, darling, help me."
They stripped Harry's shirt off, tearing the sleeve two and Minerva desperately tried not to panic as she saw just how much blood there was already on the bed and his clothes. They sat him up and she gasped for Hermione to help her with her robes.
"Hang onto him Ron," she gasped, offering Hermione her sleeve. "Help me, sweetheart."
De-robed, and wearing nothing but trousers and a camisole she knelt on the bed and slid in behind him, wrapping one arm around his torso and holding one on his forehead.
"I have you, and I'm not letting go," she whispered, kissing his temple. "This is going to hurt, but I'm right here." She looked up at the desolate faces of her other children and tried to smile. "Courage my darlings," she smiled, motioning Ron to bring the table closer. "Carefully," she cautioned as he nearly knocked it over. "Steady."
"Minerva, what do you want me to do?" Hermione asked, looking between them.
"I need you to do something for me, Hermione. You're not going to like it, but I need you," she looked into Hermione's eyes. "I need you to ward the Floo -"
"The Floo -" Hermione's eyes bugged. "I can't -"
"You can, you know the incantation. Show me the motion."
"Máthair," Harry whimpered.
"Wait darling, I'm coming."
She watched Hermione's motion and offered a correction or two before nodding for her to go for it.
"Take this darling," she said, offering her wand to Hermione, who blanched as she looked at it. "Hermione?" She looked up sharply at the change of tone. "Take it. I want you to make sure nobody comes through that door, or the Floo."
"Okay," she whispered, looking between them. "Okay."
"You're the only one who can do that for me," Minerva said apologetically, cupping her cheek. "I trust you."
"No pressure," Hermione grunted, sliding off the bed and going to do her duty.
"Ready?" Minerva asked Ron, glancing down at Harry, who only nodded and gritted his teeth. "Ron, get ready to help me hold his hand in the bowl okay?" Ron swallowed but nodded, looking sick. "Here we go baby," she said, kissing Harry's head and letting the floodgates of their bond open so he would be full of love as she gently lowered his hand into the water.
"No," he whispered, trying to pull it away. "Too hot."
"I know," Minerva whispered, holding him tightly. "It's okay."
"Please Máthair, please don't," he cried. "Please. I won't be bad anymore, I promise," he flailed. "I promise."
"Ron, hold him," Minerva ordered, tightening her grip even more and wrapping her legs around his thighs to hold him steady.
-0-
It was as if his brain turned off everything but the pain and the memories. The burning, searing pain coursing through his hand caused him to yell and plead for barely a moment before his mind supplied a memory of Vernon punishing him for crying. He bit his tongue so hard he felt his mouth fill with blood as he tried to keep himself from making any noise at all. It felt like he was paralysed. He tried, over and over, to pull his hand away, but her grip was stronger.
"It's going to be okay Harry," Minerva whispered in his ear, making their bond pulse. "Feel how much I love you. It will be okay."
"It hurts," he whimpered, assaulted by the memories with darkness creeping into his periphery. "It hurts so much." He felt the burning and the percussion of memories gone by. "He's hurting me!"
"There's nobody here but you and me, baby," she whispered. "Tha mi an seo." [I am here]
He jerked as a particularly violent memory flashed before his eyes and he vaguely heard her swear.
"Harry," she whispered, her tone strong in his ear. He paused as it cleared the visions. "Harry?"
"Máthair."
"I have you, Harry. Me. I'm right here with you. Nobody else. Just me and you. Tha mi agus mo bhalach." [Me and my boy]
"He -"
"He is not here. It's a dream, mo mhac. Just a dream. Feel." [my son]
Their bond pulsed again and he screwed up his face in agony.
"Please. No more."
"This is love, sweetheart. All of my love for you. Tha gaol agam ort." [I love you]
He cried as waves and waves of gentle heat seemed to overtake him. It was so comfortable and so lovely and so stark in the face of the pain shooting through his hand and up his arm into his head. There wasn't any way to split the two until a little clarity came to his head. He didn't doubt that she could feel the pain rolling through her and as more clarity came, he realised that the pain seemed less somehow. A soft groan in his ear made him realise what she'd done.
"No," he whined, fighting against their bond. "Don't."
"Let me take it," she whimpered, holding him tighter and taking more of his pain. "I've got you."
"Máthair."
"Tha mi an seo, mo ghaol. Chan eil mi a 'falbh." [I'm here my love, I'm not leaving]
She whispered in his ear, her native tongue wrapping around him like a warm blanket. There was a banging on the door that disturbed them and he jumped.
Part of the essence splashed, making Ron swear but Hermione stood ready at the door to the bedroom.
"It's Dumbledore," she said quietly. "Outside. What should I do?"
"Chan eil duine a 'tighinn tron doras sin," she hissed. He tried to take some of it back while she was preoccupied, but she doubled down, struggling with his pain through the bond. "No one through the door Hermione."
"I'll tell him."
"No," Minerva groaned, her head pushing against Harry's. "He'll work it out," she shuddered. "If it isn't him, if it is a trick..."
Hermione nodded and stood ready, her wand in her right hand and Minerva's in her left. Even through the pain, he felt a bloom of pride through the bond.
-0-
After what felt like forever, Harry stopped moaning and went still. The acute pain seemed to have subsided into a dull but painful throb. His body collapsed into hers and she sighed as well. Her grip lessened and they sat breathing heavily. His hand, which had been clutching her trousers, let go and stretched a little, before grabbing them again.
"I'm here, mo mhac," she whispered. [my son]
She rocked him back and forth, the minutes ticked by in silence until Ron yawned.
"I should send you back," Minerva whispered, trying not to disturb the quiet. She wasn't sure she had the strength to speak any louder.
"I'm staying here," Hermione said from the door.
"Me too," Ron said, blinking a lot.
"Darlings," Minerva said, around a shudder as a spike of pain went through Harry's body. "You need to -"
"It's okay Máthair," Hermione whispered, the salutation making Minerva smile as the young woman turned to look at her. "We're fine."
"I love you mo chiall. And you too, sweetheart," she said as Ron leaned over to kiss her cheek, surprising her a little with the free effection. "Thank you my darlings. Both of you, for your help." [my darling]
The silence fell over them again and eventually, Minerva felt Harry take a deep breath.
"I'm sorry," Harry whispered. "I'm sorry I messed up. I'm sorry I said mean things to you."
"You did not mess up," she said gently, running her free hand through his sweaty hair. "I did, by not trying to help you more."
"There is nothing you can do. Nothing," he groaned, "Can I move?"
"Sure baby," she soothed. "What do you need?"
"Just you," he whispered, tears running down his face without recourse.
"I have you. Here," she ran her hand over his head. "I'm right here."
She shifted a little to give herself more room to work and motioned for Ron to come closer.
"Ron, hold this for me for a moment," she nodded to the bowl and waited until he held it steadily before she helped Harry turn across her legs. She cradled him as best she could while he was all arms and legs and nodded for Ron to put the bowl in his lap, sliding his hand back in and making him moan against her shoulder.
"It's getting a bit better," he groaned against her neck. "But, if you interfere, she'll fire you. If you take it to the Ministry, they'll fire you. If you tell -"
"He will fix it."
"No he won't," Harry sighed, blinking away the tears. "He can't."
"Harry -"
"Máthair, it's okay. I just," he shrugged. "Three more nights and then it's over, and I won't be losing my temper again."
"That's not funny," she said, her voice wobbling. The pain was still so big even now and she wasn't sure how he could even speak. "I, he -"
"He can't do anything more than you can Máthair. She's here to get rid of as many of you as she can, him especially."
"Harry, I swear to you, we'll get through this. I love you mo mhac [my son]."
"Can we stay?"
"I- Harry." She groaned and looked at the other two, considering all the options and already worrying about getting caught. "It will be difficult, but yes, if you wish. But we cannot be caught, I cannot overstate what will happen, I mean," she glanced down at her boy. "You must be so careful, my darlings and come here separately. Singularly. If someone sees us," she trailed off.
"We won't," Hermione said, glancing at Ron. "It'll be alright. No one will see us."
"I want you both to make your way to a different classroom, Filius', Professor Vector's rooms. Do you know where that is Ron?"
"I know where Flitwick and Binn's are," Ron said, with another muffled yawn. "I can go there tomorrow."
"Go to Professor Flitwick's. I will have him bring you to me after. We'll pretend you are serving detention, alright?"
"Sure," he said, yawning widely. She couldn't help but match him as she felt Harry drop off to sleep, safe in his Máthair's arms. The future was looking increasingly dark and she had no idea what they were going to do now that all their avenues of hope were being systematically snuffed out.
