Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling. However, I do own any OC, non-canon and fictional magic.
A/N: I know I do not normally do this...but I make an exception: I rewrote Ch. 9 based on everyone's feedback and hope it clears a few things up from the FAQ reviews. So if you have not read the update, please do! Reviews are my motivation and keep me on-track. Enjoy!
Ch. X: In Tandem Part II
Unbeknownst to Dumbledore, Harry had a secret protector.
A very livid, powerful force pulsated on the child's side emanating from the House of Black Heir Quill.
The House of Black's Basilisk had awoken.
The Basilisk is black-and-silver and it seeped into Harry's skin, coating him with matching scales. The virtually inconsolable child remained where he was, panicking over the folio.
Its cold magic unfurled around the thin boy, wrapping around him in scaly comfort just as Harry's frantic emeralds glowed and silver serpentine pupils began to take shape.
Harry blinked, feeling suddenly drained.
A calm corner of his brain registered he needed to put everything away and be ready for class. Mechanically, Harry wiped his eyes and placed the folio inside his trunk. He walked into the restroom to splash water in his eyes. Harry did not see anything out of the ordinary since his eyes returned to their normal state.
Within Harry, the Basilisk used its 'venom' to obliterate the dust inside Harry's lungs and blood stream. Internally, Harry's organs are barely getting by due to the magical strain of fighting real Basilisk venom forever damaging him along with Fawkes' phoenix tears forever healing him. The child had several bindings on him. However, they were tied by Dark and Light magic. It would be a delicate balance as to which side would win and cause the least amount of damage. On the other hand, it would destroy the boy and do a number of unspeakable damages to him. Least of all cost him his life.
This, the House of Black would disallow. For someone deliberately harmed Their Heir.
Oblivious to what was happening to him, Harry managed to make himself look presentable and walked toward Transfiguration in time to meet his friends before lunch.
Séraphine gasped as her eyes glowed platinum. Her expression of utter rage and revenge seeping around the House in every corner and crevice. Impossible to escape as Sirius whirled around, nearly dropping to his knees as his own rage began to instinctively mix with paternal fear.
"Séraphine?! What is it?!" He shouted.
"Someone has deliberately harmed Our Heir," She hissed. "The Basilisk has awoken! He guards the Heir and said the Imperious Curse along with other, ancient magics are in that spell casted upon him." Her sharp, white teeth showed a pair of fangs in a half-smile.
"The Basilisk destroyed the orders and does not know what would have happened. He says Our Heir is safe at present heading to lunch. He will let no harm come to him. What are your orders, Lord Sirius?"
Sirius swore. "Kreacher!" He said suddenly. "Take a message to Lacie discreetly and directly. Tell her what S―Her Ladyship―said. In the meantime," He flashed a Grim-like grin at Séraphine. "I want to see my godson. My Lady, can you take me in my Animagus form but shield me otherwise?" He heard the distinctive POP as Kreacher Apparated.
"With pleasure, Lord Sirius." She said smoothly. Her battle fangs retracting and the platinum glow in her dark eyes receding. "May I kill anyone today?"
Sirius chuckled darkly. "As you said, he is safe at present. So not today, Séraphine." She inclined her head and placed her cold hands on Sirius' tall shoulders.
"I can give you two hours, Lord Sirius." She said gravely. Sirius nodded. He needed to see his child. "Allow his two best friends―Hermione and Ron―to see me...for they know and have helped me." Surprised Séraphine readily agreed.
I'll get you...whoever you are...I won't stop until I destroy you―I don't care what it takes. You. Will. Pay.
Lacie headed to her home below Gringotts and had just enough time to set her valise down as Kreacher popped into existence.
"There's been an attack on the Heir," Kreacher announced.
She picked her valise up and tapped thrice as Kreacher told her everything. She hoped the other members were taking notes because she made a snap decision.
"Time to make a special visit to Poppy...please take me to the Hogwarts Hospital Wing, Kreacher."
Dumbledore frowned as he glanced at his instruments. They were still dimming but no sign of the boy anywhere.
He should have arrived by now. Dumbledore thought scowling. He sighed. He could not send Fawkes out to check on him. That would be too obvious. Besides, he assumed Fawkes was making a trip out to the Forbidden Forest to hunt.
Glancing at the clock, the old wizard's stomach growled. Just in time for lunch. He thought, shrugging. If if the boy isn't here then I'll see if he's eating lunch because of his friends. Satisfied, the wizard made his way lazily to the Great Hall, greeting students and portraits alike.
Hermione caught Ron's eye.
Harry doesn't look right. Hermione thought quickly. Indeed, her best friend looked peaky and...his eyes looked...haunted.
It disturbed the young witch more than she wanted to admit. She had never seen such a look like that before on his face. Like he's seen something he can't un-see.
Ron immediately moved over so Harry could sit between them. "Mate?" He asked quietly. "You alright?"
Harry gave a slight shake of his head. "Later." he muttered to his friends. If only so they would leave him alone for a few minutes. He felt suddenly hungry.
As food arrived on their plates Harry began stuffing himself.
He ignored the astonished looks he received and did not stop until he eat five plates' worth of hot food.
Dumbledore raised his eyebrows at Harry. No, this won't do at all. He thought annoyed. Why is he eating so much? I need him weak with fatigue and hunger so he's more defenseless. The Headmaster could not leave without making a spectacle of himself. Especially since Minerva would hound him about her cubs. Internally sighing at the faculty chatter he politely engaged himself while his mind churned.
Hermione and Ron kept shooting him glances and Harry rose. "Thanks for getting my bag," He muttered to his friends. Both rose with him and followed Harry outside to the Black Lake.
"What's going on, Harry?" Hermione demanded as soon as they were ways from the castle.
Harry rubbed his temples. He did not know what to say. He did not want to lie to his friends; but now he was more confused than ever.
And where's Hedwig? The child wondered absently. She was with me a moment ago, I think?
Shaking his head, he realized he needed to think up something quick. "I feel really sick." It was not a lie per se. He was heartsick more than anything.
"Blimey mate," Ron snorted. "You just ate your weight back there."
Hermione shook her head the same time as Harry. "No, you were sick before, weren't you? And that vial exploded because of accidental magic, didn't it Harry?"
Harry gave a curt nod. "I―Snuffles?!" Harry yelped. His feet taking him to the one person in the world he needed more than anything.
The Grim barked and rushed over to the child and Harry wrapped his arms around bear-sized black dog.
Harry almost did not recognize him.
Padfoot's fur was thicker, healthier and less shaggy. Furthermore, it looked like he had put on muscle. He seemed trimmed and well-groomed. Compared earlier in the year when he saw the Grim who looked gaunt, malnourished, and looked like he had mange or something.
The bear-sized dog wagged his three-foot thick tail and practically buried Harry with attention and excited yips.
Hermione smiled. You came for him...just like you said you would. Oh Sirius, I could hug you right now for being so good to Harry.
Startled, his friends followed where Harry ran and laughed happily.
"We'll cover for you mate," Ron offered after a few minutes. "Best go into the Shrieking Shack for a bit." Ron craned his neck around. "No one else will know but we'll block you as best we can."
"No one can see him." Hermione said.
Sirius barked: I knew you were the smartest witch of your age!
"Wha―? Hermione, come off it." Ron sputtered.
"No, really." She said, smiling warmly at Padfoot. "They can't see Harry either...it's a protection-and-evasion spell. Highly complicated." She said inclining her head to Padfoot. "I hope you'll teach it to us sometime?"
She glanced at Ron before mouthing behind Harry's back. "We don't know what's wrong. Help him, please." Hermione said her dark eyes full of worry and tenderness.
She did not know she was being carefully watched by the 'highly complicated' protection-and-evasion spell.
Ron nodded. "We don't have a way to tap the knot, mate...but I really think you're safer in the Shrieking Shack because...well, I saw Dumbledore watch Harry leave."
Hermione stared at him as Ron rolled his eyes. "I may not notice much, Hermione, but it's obvious Dumbledore is keen on Harry...I mean what with everything that's happened with the Stone and that bloody Basilisk." Ron said pursing his lips.
Sirius perked up at this. What's this?
Ron shook his head at Sirius. He was getting very concerned Harry was withdrawing deeper and...he did not want to see his friend cry. He knew Harry would be humiliated in front of them and also knew Hermione would be such a girl about it and make it worse for the poor bloke.
Sirius herded his child to the Whomping Willow and was momentarily surprised as it froze on its own.
Well Séraphine...you do work wonders. He thought.
He crawled on his belly and went in first and transformed so quickly he was a blur and caught his godson as he tumbled forward.
He saw out of the corner of his eye Séraphine produce wavy shields over the Shack's perimeter. He could not help shivering from his memories with Snivellus or nearly receiving the Dementor's Kiss.
Turning to the most important person in his world...and the only one he loved he said, "Kiddo? Are you hurt? Did something happen?"
Harry choked and burst into tears, clutching Sirius.
"You―it's not safe for you to be here." Harry blubbered. "What if they find you?"
"They won't," Sirius said smiling faintly. "I told you I have lots of help. I only have two hours, kiddo. So why don't you tell me what happened?" Seeing Harry's stricken look he explained gently. "The Quill sent a message you were attacked."
Harry stared at him guilelessly. "Attacked? Well, I suppose you―," Harry face crumpled and his tears tore at Sirius' heart. He swore a bitter vengeance on the bastard who did that as Harry clutched Sirius tightly. The 6' 2" wizard* had to hunch down and hold Harry properly. He honestly did not care if he received bruises from his little waif ward.
Baby, what happened? Sirius wondered. He let Harry cry for a while. He knew Séraphine would keep them safe.
Apparating during lunch was the best move. Lacie thought. She came up from behind the Nurse at her office desk and quickly stunned her as Poppy sneezed.
Convenient. She thought thanking Merlin the stars were in her favor. She added a Silencing Charm* around the room so Poppy would be none the wiser. Although, she thought drily, she'll probably notice she's been stunned if nothing else.
She summoned all of Harry's files as Kreacher used House-Elf magic to produce Notice-Me-Not Charms* to deflect students from entering the Hospital Wing and stood guard.
Lacie used Goblin magic to unseal the runes Poppy Pomfrey had warded and tsked at such intermediary knowledge. Personally, she made her files of the highest grade wards since she worked with children. She thought it significant that Harry's folio is seven inches thick.
Now why in Merlin's name does he have a file that huge?! Lacie thought outraged. He can't be that clumsy! He's only been here not even a full two years! She made several copies and shrunk them in her valise.
Furthermore, she took a Goblin stone out.
The tiger's eye blinked around them noting the different wards around the Hospital Wing and would remember it for the next 72 hours.
Nodding at Kreacher, the House-Elf grabbed her wrist as she held returned Harry's files exactly where it was and Apparated home.
The Silencing and Notice-Me-Not Charms* canceled out just as Poppy sneezed.
She looked around her suspiciously.
Nothing had been taken.
Probably those blasted Weasley Twins. She thought waspishly as she rolled her eyes when the doors opened to reveal new and familiar patients.
Hedwig glared at Fawkes.
The snowy owl hooted impatiently as Fawkes touched his beak to her forehead and flashed his memories of what he knew regarding the Headmaster. He cautioned Hedwig to remain at Harry's side and to know Fawkes would assist her any way he could.
Hedwig could almost forgive the phoenix.
She clamped her beak sharply at him and soared to the Owlery. She knew her young master would be with his friends and would check on him soon.
Besides, she had been up for a solid 18 hours and needed her beauty rest before she pecked out the old wizard's eyes out herself.
References:
In my opinion, Sirius is one tall, debonair, wealthy, handsome, intelligent, loyal, vain, tattoo-less man. No offense to Gary Oldman fans. I just felt he had the voice but was too short and old for the part. Furthermore, I thought it silly that Sirius would have tattoos because he was in a high-security isolation ward and would kick the teeth out of anyone touching him without his express permission. And so, this is how I have written him in my FanFiction.
Canon references to the aforementioned charms along with The Unofficial Harry Potter Spellbook by Duncan Levy.