32 - The Wand

Morning came too early on Saturday for Harry. He wasn't ready to get out of bed after the long sleepless night he had. He wished he could just stay under the warm blankets and rest. A sharp knock on his half open door forced him to sit up quickly.

Severus stood at the open doorway, scrutinizing the teenager sitting on the bed. He could tell the boy had little to no sleep the previous night. Potter didn't look well to him, with his pasty complexion and dark circles under his eyes. Severus walked further into the room, all the way up to the bed before he felt the magical sound barrier.

"You have placed a wandless sound barrier charm?" Severus stated as Potter raised his hand to cancel the charm.

The teen nodded.

Severus was quite taken aback that the teen could perform such a complicated charm without using a wand. He wondered just how bad these nightmares were to force the boy to go through so much trouble to hide them. "Why?" he asked.

"Nightmares," was all the boy said as he grabbed for his glasses.

"What are the nightmares of?"

Potter dropped his chin and just stared at the ground. Severus presumed the boy had many different incidents in which might plague him. "How do you calm yourself after you have had one of these nightmares?"

Harry shrugged his shoulders, "I usually can't go back to sleep. I'm used to them though … it's no big deal."

It looked as if it was becoming a "big deal" to Severus' eyes. The teen looked sickly to him, he knew it was due to lack of sleep, along with little to no food. "I would like you to use the dreamless sleeping potion for the next few days. You must begin to eat. You look unhealthy."

Harry looked at his father. To him, Severus looked just as bad but he kept himself from saying so. "Yes, sir."

"Your godfather has been here already this morning," Severus said, his voice becoming increasingly bitter. "He felt I was not capable of protecting you adequately whilst we are at Diagon Alley this morning. You should know, I refused his offer to join us and sent him away."

Oh Merlin, Harry could only imagine what a incident that must have been. He was rather surprised that the Professor was still in a reasonable mood after a scene like that. He felt bad for Sirius. He hadn't been a very good godson lately and felt he should try harder. "I'll write to Sirius when we get back, just to let him know that I'm okay."

"That is entirely up to you," Severus remarked as he headed for the door. "Get dressed, we shall be leaving within the hour. I expect you to eat before we leave."

"Yes, sir," Harry said, standing up and stretching his back

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Diagon Alley shined bright after the heavy snow of the previous night. The sidewalks were slick with melted snow, causing everyone to use a sticking charm on their boots and shoes. Harry wished he had his wand so he could use that same charm on his own boots. He picked up his pace to keep up with the professor's long strides.

The streets were filled with busy shoppers, causing him to pull his cloak up over his head to avoid anymore added attention. Harry thought about Severus' reaction just a few moments ago, when they had stepped through the floo and into the Leaky Cauldron. Tom had yelled out a hearty congratulations to them, causing every head in the bar to turn and look. Once people recognized who they were they immediately came over to thank them and offer their congratulations.

Snape seemed to be quite put out by all the added attention. He had given Harry a sharp look, letting Harry know just how annoying he found this whole business to be.

Harry had shrugged back, trying to convey that he didn't have any control over what other people thought of him. After that, it seemed as if the professor was back to treating him austerely. Harry tried not to let it bother him too much, thinking instead of the way the professor had cared for him last night. It had felt good to have his old dad back, even if it was for just a few moments.

They were just passing Gringott's Bank when Harry thought to ask, "Excuse me, sir?"

Severus stopped to see what the delay was. "What is it? I've a busy schedule to maintain, Potter."

"Gringott's, sir," Harry said indicating the bank, "I should get some money for the wand."

Snape walked up the steps leading into the bank, huffing out in annoyance. He felt an odd desire to pay for Potter's wand but he disregarded those thoughts, considering them as irrational.

As soon as they stepped into the bank there was a moments pause before bedlam broke out. Cheers and shouts of welcome were heard causing Harry to hesitate walking in any further. He stood at the door quite shocked that the Goblins would actually be thanking him, since Goblins were always so reserved.

"Welcome Mr. Potter. Welcome Professor Snape," greeted the Goblin in charge with a deep bow. "How may we serve you most esteemed gentlemen today?"

Severus had never had such service before from the Goblins. Even with the large fortune his family held, he had never experienced such special treatment. He turned back around to see Potter hesitating at the entrance. He snapped his fingers, indicating that Potter should come forward. The boy seemed quite embarrassed by the attention.

It took Harry twice as long as it should have to obtain his sack full of galleons. He kept expecting sharp words from Severus at the added attention but oddly enough, the professor didn't say anything to him. Once they left the bank, amongst more shouts of gratitude, Harry pulled his cloak hood up once more to hide his face.

"Sorry about all that, sir," Harry said, as soon as they were out on the sidewalk. "I didn't know the Goblins were going to act that way."

"Of course you did not," Snape said, his tone slightly bewildered, "I have never seen the Goblins behave with such adoration … not even to Albus."

Harry didn't reply to that. He concentrated on walking without slipping since his head was still spinning from that awful cart ride to get to his vault. Why did those carts have to go so fast around those turns? He slipped on a patch of snow but caught himself before he fell.

Severus stopped walking to study the teen more carefully, noticing for the first time how every step seemed to be an effort for the boy. "Potter, come here."

He waited for the boy to catch up to him before pulling his wand out. He pointed it at Potter's boots and called out a sticking charm.

"Thanks," Harry said. He was surprised when Severus placed a hand on his shoulder and left it there.

Severus left his hand on the boy's shoulder for security reasons, or at least that is what he told himself. There was a crowd gathering behind them as they walked down the street, causing Severus to become uneasy regarding the safety of his charge. By the time they made it to Ollivanders Wand Shop, the group of admirers had swelled considerably.

Severus pushed the teen into the shop before locking the door behind them.

Ollivander looked up from his work bench. "Ahh, Mr. Potter, welcome. Professor Snape."

"Potter requires another wand," Snape snapped out, annoyed by all the admirers lurking just outside the door.

"I do not have another quite like the one you had before, Mr. Potter. Did you lose the old one?" Ollivander's eyes looked even larger behind the bottle lens glasses.

"No sir, someone took it," Harry said, eyeing the chair in the corner. He just needed to sit for a minute, his head still spun with dizziness.

"Ahh," Ollivander said, "The history of that wand alone gives it power. It may find it's own way back to you."

"Power?" Harry asked.

"Of course," Ollivander replied, grabbing a ladder to reach a box on the top shelf. "That wand took down He-who-must-not-be-named. Some of his power may have been transferred into your wand upon his death.

"Then I don't want that wand anyway. I don't want a wand that has any part of Voldemort in it," Harry stridently declared.

Ollivander brought down three long thin boxes. "These are the wands that most closely match the one you had before." He opened the box on the top and took out a brown holly wand with fancy scroll work at the handle. He handed it to Harry, handle first.

"The core has the feather of a very magical white owl. Quite rare," Ollivander declared.

Right before Harry took hold of the wand, there was a loud explosion coming from the street, followed by yelling and screaming. Harry grabbed the wand and faced the door. He was angered when his cloak collar was grabbed by Snape and he was flung back behind the counter. He lost his footing and fell back on his bum.

Snape leaned down to face him. "Apparate now!" The professor immediately turned towards the door, with his wand in the ready.

No way would Harry leave his dad behind! He knew Severus wasn't supposed to apparate and didn't want to leave him alone to fight whoever was trying to get at them.

"But I can fight too!" Harry yelled.

Before Snape had a chance to answer back, a bolt of lightening exploded through the door, splintering the wood right down the middle. The door fell open, one half still on it's hinges, the other half lay on the floor. Another curse raced through the door, blasting apart the chair that Harry had been thinking of sitting in earlier and knocking Snape's wand from his hand. Smoke filled the room, making it hard to see properly.

Harry scrambled to his feet, new wand in hand. Ollivander disappeared with a pop as he disapparated.

"Potter, apparate now!" came Snape's sharp command as he scanned the room for his wand.

Harry was just about to apparate when the smoke cleared a little and he saw it. He saw Bellatrix holding his wand before her like a trophy! She was casting anit-apparition spells that would prevent Harry from leaving. Now that Harry saw his own wand in that bitch's hand, he knew he wanted it back!

"Hello," Bellatrix said, a wicked smile spread across her face. Four death eaters stepped in behind her with masks on. "Do you like my new wand, Harry? I'm keeping it safe until our Master returns."

Severus growled out in frustration over Potter's hesitation to leave. Didn't Potter know what dire circumstances they happened to be in at the moment?. To hell with the wand! He tried to step closer to the boy but was hit by a burning hex from one of the death eaters wearing a mask. His arm flared in pain as he staggered back to the wall.

Rage went through Harry, over seeing his dad hurt. He channeled his emotions into a powerful binding spell.

Severus was shocked when Potter threw out two forceful hexes, breaking through the death eater's blocks and effectively wrapping chains around two of them. The other two death eaters tried to break their comrades free but Harry's chain hex was too strong.

For once, Harry silently thanked Moody for all that harsh training.

Severus had no idea the boy was so powerful! "Cover me!" he commanded as he dove across the shop, pointing at his wand, "Accio wand!" All the hundreds of wands on the shelves shook in their boxes but only his wand flew to his hand.

Harry had a block up just as the other two death eaters spelled several hexes at them. Bella was concentrating on breaking through Harry's block with a blasting curse.

Harry's block held strong against the barrage of hexes thrown at both of them. He wanted to get his dad out of there quick, since Severus wasn't supposed to be casting hexes in his fragile condition. The only thing holding him back from leaving was the sight of his wand in Bella's hand. He couldn't stomach the thought of Voldemort getting a hold of it one day nor the thought of Bellatrix casting spells against him with his own wand.

The hexes and dark spells were beginning to weaken Harry's block. Harry was getting concerned for Severus now that the man was sending back his own wicked hexes. They just had to hold out until Aurors showed up or even Order members.

Harry could feel his block beginning to buckle. If he could just take down Bella then he could make a grab for his wand. She shot out a curse that was shaped like an arrow. It pierced his block and was heading right for Severus! Severus was so caught up in his own fight with the other two death eaters that he didn't even notice the hex coming right for him.

Harry didn't think twice about throwing himself in front of his dad to take the hit. The arrow broke through the block and grazed the side of his head.

Severus turned just in time to see what the teen had done.

Harry pointed his wand at Bellatrix and cast his own stinging hex. The hex caught her on the side of the leg, momentarily forcing her down to her knees.

"You're a naughty boy, Harry," Bellatrix said, standing up and stepping over the two death eaters in chains. "Do I need to punish you again?"

Something inside Harry just snapped. He filled with rage and hatred at her words. The culmination of all that she had done to ruin his life came to a head. He was on the verge of casting a Crucio when he felt a hand on his shoulder.

Severus had edged his way closer to Harry, wanting to stop him before the young man did something he would later regret. He knew Bellatrix was responsible for those bite marks on Potter's neck and suspected she was also responsible for the other injuries the boy had covering his back, as well.

Harry changed his curse to a Bellatora filled with all the pain and rage he could muster. The curse had so much power behind it that he felt his hand burn as he cast it!

The curse flew at the wicked woman in a fiery red arrow, knocking her back into the wall.

Bellatrix fell to the ground, curling up in agony. She couldn't keep her grip on Harry's wand and it dropped to the floor as she screamed out in pain. Even through her haze of pain she reached out, trying to grab for the coveted wand.

"Accio wand," Severus called out, grabbing Potter's wand as it flew through the air.

Bella yelled out, "Retreat!"

One of the death eaters set off a port key and all five death eaters disappeared.

Harry looked around as the dust began to settle in the smoky room.

"Your wand," Severus said, handing Harry's wand to him with shaky hands.

As soon as the wand touched Harry's hand he felt as if a part of himself was restored. He placed the other wand he had been using back in the box in which it came.

"Where did you learn to fight like that," Severus asked, his tone conveying respect.

Harry smiled, his head spinning like mad, "That's a long story, sir. I think Dumbledore wants you to remember that on your own."

"You are hurt," Severus stated, raising his hand to Harry's hair. He could see the gash was still oozing blood.

It was at that moment that Severus realized how much the teen valued him. He knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that Harry would have fought till the end to protect him.

Harry's own hand went to the cut but Severus grasped it, stopping him from touching the wound. The professor held his hand for a moment.

"You would make any man proud to have a son like you," Severus didn't know why he said that but knew it was heartfelt.

Harry felt himself swelling with emotion. Was his dad back!?! Was this nightmare finally over?

Just then several pops could be heard outside the door and the place suddenly filled with Order members.

The first person through the door was Albus. He rushed to the two men looking them over for injury. "We were blocked from apparating in. The block just let up."

A black dog came bounding through the door, knocking Harry back against the counter when it jumped against his chest. In a flash the dog became a man and Sirius caught his godson in his arms.

"Harry! Your safe," Sirius said with so much worry it caught Harry off guard. "We couldn't get to you."

Harry was barely able to remain standing now that his adrenaline was no longer pumping through his veins. He leaned against the counter and let his godfather help to hold him up.

"Harry, are you hurt?" Sirius asked as he felt the weight of the teen slump against him.

"M'okay," Harry mumbled. That was the last thing he remembered before his world turned to black.

XXXXXXXXXX

The next time he woke up he was in the infirmary. He was too tired to think about what had happened. Sleep called for him again but he looked to the side and saw Severus sleeping in the chair next to his bed. The man looked worse than he had ever seen him. With a slight hesitation he reached out and placed his own hand on top of his father's.

Severus opened his eyes. He sat up straighter, then looked down at the hand atop his own. Several long moments passed before he turned his hand over and grasped onto his son's hand. He squeezed it gently, trying to convey the bond he felt deep inside.

Harry felt his eyes drooping shut, he fought against it, wanting instead to talk with his dad.

"Sleep," Severus said in a quiet voice, "I will be here when you awake."

Harry let his eyes shut and he drifted off into a peaceful sleep.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXTBC

Hello Friends,

Sorry for the delay. I fully intended on getting this out by Friday but the website wouldn't take the chapter. It kept saying "high traffic". Oh well, here it is.

I have a question for you: has this story ever made you cry?

As an author, I am really curious if you feel the same emotions as I do when I'm writing the story.

Thanks, I love ya all,

Rachel