Two hours later, Harry opened his eyes, and apprehensively got up from his spot on the couch.
He saw that Minerva had dozed off on one of the armchairs.
"Minnie... Wake up..." he whispered to her, shaking her lightly.
" Ugh... Harry? What happened are you alright? Does your scar hurt?" She asked worried, seeing the teen.
"I'm fine... Did you... Did Albus come back with any news?"
"Ah yes... Just a few hours ago. Severus has returned. He is in the hospital wing. He has suffered some injuries but he will be alright. We could visit if you'd like. I'm sure Albus would love the company, if Severus isn't awake yet."
"I... no... I don't think that's a good idea..." Harry who was very worried about the Professor at the beginning, now was hesitant about visiting him and Minerva could tell why.
"You feel guilty don't you Harry?"
"No...no, I don't!" He tried to be as persuasive as he could but he was failing miserably...
"Harry... Severus is alright and he is going to Voldemort on his own accord. You aren't the reason he suffered."
"But...but... if I haven't left the Dursleys, now he would be fine... And what if... what if he blames me?"
"I'm sure Severus won't, Harry."
"I'm still not ready to visit him."
"I understand, but do bare, what I told you, in mind..."
Harry nodded giving her a small smile.
"It's 8 pm, so I think you should eat some dinner, young man... I'll go and rotate with Albus. I'm sure he is in need of a good-nights sleep more than I am. His bones are making cracking sounds every time he gets up from his chair." Minerva jocked and Harry chuckled.
"Alright. I'll be here, don't worry..."
"Good. And please, don't let Albus eat too many sweets or stay up too late. He needs his rest." she instructed.
"Yes Minnie..." Harry roled his eyes.
"And tell him to eat his vegetables and some soup, not red meat."
Harry's eyes were playful and he smiled brightly."Minnie! Albus is like 106 years old! I think he can take care of himself ! Shouldn't you be worried more about me? Or Professor Snape?"
"He may be 106 but he acts like a five year old...And yes, of course I'm more worried about you and Severus, than for the old fool." She leaned and kissed him on the forehead.
"I'll be back before you go to sleep. Don't eat sweets and eat your veggies too, Mr Potter. You are still growing."
Harry continued to smile as she left. Well, he really loved Minnie and the way she was a motherly hen to him. Only Miss Weasley was like that, but even then she had her focus on twenty other different people at the same time. Minerva had her focus only on him... and Albus.
"Albus, Severus... Good to see you are fine. Are you in any pain?" She greeted but looking worried at the young man.
"Just a little sore. Nothing I can't handle." Severus replied. Truth was he felt like being ran over by a carriage ten times, but it certainly wasn't something he couldn't handle.
"Did Harry wake up Minerva?" Albus inquired.
"Yes. He is in the common room. He sends his regards." Minerva said, her tone implying she wouldn't elaborate. Severus sighed.
"Was he alright?" He asked.
"He was in pain, and his scar bleeded some. I think the balm and the calming drought helped him. He was exhausted after, though. Fell asleep at the middle of our chess game." Minerva informed the pair. "Albus, I think you should go and join Harry. Eat some dinner. I'll stay with Severus tonight."
"I don't need anyone to stay with me!"
"Yes, you do Severus!" Poppy Pomfrey, who emerged from her office with a tray of food and potions floating behind her, said. "Good to see you Minerva, dear."
"Hello Poppy. Everything fine at home?"
"Splendid! Now, Severus eat your dinner and drink your potions, if you want to get out of here by tomorrow morning." The mediwitch sat down next to Minerva the pair starting their conversation as Severus growled.
"Goodnight, everyone. Sweet dreams." Albus waved and then, he flooed to the Tower.
Harry was reading the letters Hermione and Ron had sent him, and he was writing his responses back, when Albus arrived.
"Good evening Harry. How are you feeling?"
"Great Al! Better than yesterday. And you?
"Fine m'boy! Just fine!" The headmaster smiled.
"Is... Is Professor Snape ok?"
"He is in some pain but overall he is fine. I was wondering why you didn't go to see him."
"I... I don't feel comfortable yet. We had the fight and... and I'm basically the reason he went to Voldemort and I... I really don't want to be a burden, right now. I'll see him when he is out of the Hospital Wing."
"I'm sure Minerva has already explained to you, that you don't have to blame yourself, Harry. Severus was really concerned about you yesterday. He was asking to see if the meeting affected you. I don't think someone angry or feeling betrayed, would do that." Albus had his twinkle pointed at Harry and all the teen could do, was look down at the floor.
"I'll have the house elves deliver us some dinner in my chambers. I think it is for the best if you came to my private rooms for tonight Harry. I don't think it's wise to be here alone."
"I really don't mind sir. If you are worried about my nightmares, I could take some dreamless sleep. I'll be alright, I assure you."
"I'd rather have you in close proximity Harry. If I'm eleven floors away, I can't protect you and that is my number one priority."
Harry nodded in agreement or rather because the way Albus said his last phrase didn't leave any room for protests. They arrived to his quarters and sat next to each other on the comfortable dark red velvet couch.
"Ehm... Albus, what was the meeting about?" Harry asked unsure of whether Dumbledore would tell him or not. He was surprised when the man gave him an answer.
"Tom wants desperately to find out where you are. And he also wants attacks to happen in Muggle supporting wizards, or rather the ones he calls traitors.
"Severus told him that you are with me in a secure location that I haven't disclosed to him. He believed it but he has made Severus try to find you and deliver you to him, if he does."
"Well...I'm here if he wants me." Harry jocked.
"This isn't funny Harry. There are many people who care about you. And trust me when I say they would be devastated if something were to happen to you."
Albus was dead serious at that, and Harry could tell he was referring to himself.
"I know Al. It's just, that it is going to happen soon enough. And maybe I won't be able to make it. You, yourself, told me that if we don't find a way to get rid of the horcrux inside me, I'd have to die."
"And I also promised that I'd do my best to keep you safe and happy and that I would find a way to get rid of that horcrux." Albus hugged Harry with strength that didn't match his age.
"I promise Harry."
"Usually Severus uses this room, hence the clothes, when he is hurt and doesn't want to stay in the hospital wing. But I think you'll like it too."
Albus showed him around his guest room. It was customized to Snape's taste. Dark grey on the wall, dark wooden bed and furniture, Slytherin colored rug and mahogany desk. The wardrobe had a few white button-down shirts, some black trousers and two black robes. Snape's potion books were scattered around and the room seemed to being used often by the Professor.
"It's great sir. Thank you and sorry for the inconvenience."
"Stop speaking nonsense Harry! You are never an inconvenience."
Just before Albus left Harry alone, the Headmaster turned and faced the young man.
"If you want to talk about anything Harry, I'm here to listen. And I mean anything at all m'boy." He offered a small smile with his usual twinkle.
"I really appreciate it Al. If there is anything, I'd love to speak to you."
Albus nodded and left Harry alone for the night.
He slept with disruptions. Nightmares coming and going, but nothing he couldn't handle. Sometime around the night, Albus must have heard him thrusting and shuffling around in his bed, because Harry saw him sleeping next to him in a recliner, but in the morning when he woke up, he was gone.
Harry found Albus in the office, surrounded by piles of books.
"Good morning sir." He greeted.
"Good morning to you too Harry. Are you ready for breakfast?"
"Yes sir!" Truth was he was starving.
"Well then, let me ask Bucky to bring us something here then. Bucky!"
A small *pop* was sounded and Bucky appeared.
"Albus Dumbledore sir, did you call for me?"
"Yes, indeed. Could you please bring us some breakfast? I'd like a cup of tea, with a little cream in it, black, a toast with some scrambled eggs and a bit of apple pie. And Harry will have pumping juice, waffles, bacon and scrambled eggs."
"Of course Albus Dumbledore sir! Anythings you had asked!" The, always respectful, elf said and disappeared. A moment later he was back with a big tray of food.
"Thank you Bucky" Harry smiled at the small elf.
"The Great Harry Potter thanks Bucky! Bucky is a happy elf! " he jumped up and down for a moment and then, he disappeared into thin air again.
Albus chuckled.
"The elves are quiet fond of you..."
"The only thing I do is treat them with respect. Nothing more."
"That's not a small thing Harry... Did you find your room comfortable?"
"Yes Al, it was great, thanks. I'm sorry if I woke you. I saw you sleeping on the armchair. I had some dreams puzzling me."
"You didn't wake me Harry. I came to make sure you were alright and saw your sleep was troubled, so I stayed a bit longer. I must have dozed off at some point. Do you want to talk about your dreams?"
"Not really Al... They tend to get a bit depressing."
"Maybe if you talk about them, they will improve."
Harry sighed. He remembered Snape's words. Even if they hurt, they were true. He had to manage his nightmares.
"I saw Severus dying in the hands of that nose-free monster. And then you followed and Minnie and Ron and Hermione and I was left here, to take the blame from all the world, and from myself. Then, Cedric appeared blaming me, and then Sirius. After that, the scene changed and I was back at the Dursleys, you had said I was compromising you here and I couldn't stay. Uncle Vernon was not happy about that and..." Harry stopped, if talking made it better why did he feel worse?
"It's alright Harry. It was just that. A dream."
Harry gave him a small smile. "We will go for the horcrux today. I want you to be ready by 5 pm. Meet me at the gate, we will apparate there. In the meantime, Minerva expects you for Animagus practice in two hours. I'll have to go to a Meeting with Alastor, but I expect you can manage here."
"I can Al. I'm a big boy." Harry giggled.
"After Minerva, Severus, will need your help with some potions." Harry opened his mouth to protest, but Albus stopped him.
"You'll have to face him sometime Harry. And Severus, as I told you does not blame you. He will need help. He is not quite recovered yet. Will you promise me, you will be on your best behavior. For me."
Harry sighed and lowered his head.
"Sure Al..."
"That's a good lad. I must get going now. Try not to get your self in too much trouble."
Harry smiled at the older man as he stood to leave.
"And Harry? When you meet Minerva, will you please see if she is alright? She went under a lot of stress with Severus and I want to make sure she is fine."
Nodding his head, Harry returned at his plate smirking inside. Finally he was going to have inside information at the Dumbledore- McGonagall mystery that was going around the school, for students and Professors alike.
An hour almost after Albus left, a knock was sounded on the door's office. Harry was sitting in Albus' big office chair and had gotten comfortable reading on his desk.
"Ehm... Come in." He flustered, at the thought that someone would scold him for sitting in Albus' place, but it made him comfortable and... safe, to be honest.
"Good morning , Mr Potter." Snape's voice was smooth as he got in the office.
"Professor... Ehm... Nice to see you up. How are you?" Harry tried to stay polite and calm but he was failing at the second.
"I'm fine, thank you for asking. May I sit down?"
"Of course sir!" Harry got up from his chair and pointed for Snape to sit opposite him at the desk. The situation was getting a bit weird, for his liking. He was feeling a mixture of anger and worry for the man, now that he saw him up and around. He was angry for the way Snape had treated him, and worried for what was about to come in their conversation.
"If you're looking for Albus, he is not here." His voice changed from his soft tone, to a more serious one.
"I'm not. I was looking for you."
Oh shoot! Here it came... Now Snape would yell at him and they would go back to their old ways. Not that their relationship wasn't already ruined, and not that Snape had ever stopped hating Harry, well, he hated him less now, that was just it.
"Before you say anything sir... I want to apologise... If it wasn't for me, you wouldn't have to get punished and I..."
"Let me stop you right there, Mr Potter." Severus raised an arm and his voice was calm and balanced.
"I am not here to...yawp with you. I'll be frank. I was surprised you didn't come to see me at the Hospital Wing. I thought that you had been mentally or physically injured in some way, due to Voldemort's connection. Minerva, explained to me the situation, and I must confess I do feel, deeply offended... - Harry's heart dropped- ... that you would think I'm mad at you or that I blame you." For the first time in Snape's appearance, Harry looked the man in the eyes, surprised.
"Potter... I want you to know, and coming from me it means something, that I would never, ever, blame anything on you, that has to do with the Dark Lord. I joined his ranks long before you were even born, willingly. Being a Death Eater comes with certain obligations, one of which, is to accept the punishment the Dark Lord wants to inflict, when and how he, sees fitting.. You had nothing to do with that."
Harry's eyes dropped on the floor again, and his eyes started stinging with unshed tears.
"I also want to apologize for what I said the day before. You are no burden, and you certainly aren't here just to win a war, or be used as a weapon. I value your power and strength, and I regret what I said." Severus awaited for any kind of response from Harry and it stung that the boy was still and not moving. Severus thought he wouldn't forgive him, it was a thought he had in the back of his mind postering him. Not that he actually cared of Potter's opinion of him, but then again, he did. He sighed and got up. Harry was barely managing to keep his tears at bay, but he couldn't let Snape leave like that.
Just before the Professor reached the door, Harry spoke.
"I thought you were going to die." Severus stopped dead in his tracks. He turned around slowly, and met Potter's, emerald green, eyes, that shot up, teared, from the floor.
"Since when did you start crying for my fate, Potter?" Severus didn't sneer, or snap. His tone was soft, almost defeated.
"Since the moment you started apologising to me for insulting me. I have enough blood in my hands, sir. I can't afford to lose anyone else. You have seen my memories, you know how grownups treated me until not long ago, yourself included. I believe we have gone past that now, you have helped me more than any adult in my life. And for that, I'll be grateful sir. I'll always be." Harry revealed to the man in front of him.
A few moments passed before any one of them could say anything.
"Will you join me in some potion making?" Severus finally asked. It was the best reconciliation offer he could make.
Harry sniffled a bit and Severus' lips were graced with a part smile part laugh.
"I have to go and meet Minerva, but I'll be there as soon as I'm finished."
"I must get going... Lupin awaits his Wolfsbane and it isn't going to stir itself. I can walk you to Transfiguration though, if you'd like. I have to assure Minerva that I'm up and running."
"I wouldn't mind that sir. Not at all." Harry gave the man a small smile and for a moment, he thought a glimpse of amusement passed through Snape's eyes, but it vanished as quickly as it came.
"Harry,dear, you have to remember your paw and concentrate on that. Once you've done that, try to imagine your lower body being transformed in your spirit animal." Minerva instructed.
Harry closed his eyes in concentration. He cast the spell and both his legs transformed in a white and drank red/brown color. The animal was not something he recognized but it seemed beautiful.
"Good job Harry! Look at the fur! Fluffy and long. Hmm... It may be a dog, or some kind of wolf... We will have to search about it."
"Yes! I love the colors! I wonder what it is... It would be pretty cool if it were a wolf... Wouldn't it Minnie?"
"Yes it would Harry... I think you've done enough for today. Why don't we just enjoy a cup of tea until lunch? I wonder if Albus might finish late tonight..."
"He will be back by 5. He told me."
"Good... He has been stressing himself out a lot lately. It's not good for him..."
"He says you've been stressing a lot too, Minnie. With Severus and everything. He want to, subtly, check that you are good. So, are you?" Harry's tone was a bit cheeky, as he smiled mischievously at the witch.
Minerva's cheeks flushed a light pink color.
"I am, Harry, dear... Because I know that all the people I care about, are around me and safe."
She kissed Harry motherly in the forehead.
"So, ready to go to lunch?" She inquired when she heard Harry's belly rumble.
"Yes ma'am! Hey, Minnie... If I complete my animagus form, will we maybe sometime, transform and fool around?"
"I don't know about fooling around Harry... But I would certainly love to teach you a thing or two about animal behavior."
That was enough for Harry.
After lunch Harry stayed with Severus to finish some potions. When the time came, he prepared a backpack and took some things they might need with them, as Severus told him to do.
"Potter, I trust you to be extremely careful. Horcruxes, as I'm sure Albus has already explained, are devious and devilish objects. Neither of you should let your Gryffindor arrogance get the better of you." Snape sneered, but with all the seriousness his voice could carry.
Harry rolled his eyes.
"We will be careful, sir."
"Good..."
The Headmaster looked more tired than usual.
"Everything alright, sir?"
"Voldemort has been surprisingly quiet and no one seems to know what he's planning anymore. Not even Severus. Let's just hope that we are right about the horcrux... Grab my arm Harry, tightly if you could." Albus' voice sounded almost defeated, old.
The loud *crack* of their apparition could have been heard all around the cottage. Thank Merlin no one was there to see, or hear them. Rumbles of wood and rock stood where a house used to be. Only part of its wooden skeleton was still standing.
"Have your wand ready, Harry." Albus instructed and took out his wand too.
"Something dark is here somewhere, for sure... Maybe we could accio it... Accio Horcrux !" Albus tried.
They waited for some seconds but nothing happened.
Harry could hear parseltongue though. A small whisper at first but as he got closer it was getting louder.
"Harry?"
"I can hear it..." he looked through the rumbles, frantically. And found a small ring with a black stone on it, on the dusty floor.
"Here it is! The ring, sir, we found it!" Harry pointed at the ground. Albus kneeled to inspect the small piece of jewelry.
"Albus...Brother..." a small whisper filled the room. A woman's voice. Albus froze in place and Harry looked around puzzled. He almost missed it when Albus picked the ring up and made a motion to put it on his finger.
"No!" He yelled and pushed Albus away before he did anything that could potentially kill him.
"Let me wear it Harry!" The man's eyes were dangerous.
"It's cursed Al! Don't you see? If you wear it,you might die!"
"I said let me wear it! I have to see her!"
"I'm not letting you near it..." Harry took a piece of clothing and touched the ring but a force threw him on the wall across. His body crumbled to the ground and a scream emerged from him as excruciating pain shot from his scar and made it split open.
Albus shook his head, finally coming to his senses.
"Harry!" He ran to the boy's side and shook him lightly.
"Harry! Hold my hand... It will be fine, I promise!" Albus picked the ring, with the piece of clothing, and put it in his pocket, his initial intentions now forgotten in the face of worry for Harry.
He apparated them in the infirmary-one of the pecks of being a headmaster.
"Poppy come to Hogwarts immediately!" He ordered to his patronus and sent the Phoenix away. He lied Harry carefully on a bed, not once letting go of his hand. Harry was groaning, in pain.
He sent a patronus to Minerva and Severus as well but he didn't have to wait long before Poppy appeared.
"What happened, Albus?" She inquired worried.
"He touched an object that potentially linked him to Voldemort. He was thrown, through an invisible force, in the wall and his scar split open." He explained quickly.
Poppy ran a diagnostic spell on Harry.
"Fractured collarbone and hurt muscles. I see a migraine, but that's from his scar. I'll give him my strongest pain relieving potion for now, and let his magic take care of the collarbone. It is a minor fracture, he doesn't need Skele-Grow. After he wakes up, he should be administered some bruise balm and some more pain relieving if he needs it."
The door of the Wing burst open and Severus got in, his robes bellowing behind him, Minerva following suit.
"What in the hell happened, Albus?" He asked frustrated.
"He got thrown in the wall. He has a fracture that should be taken care of pretty quickly, mild bruising and a migraine. He should be alright in the morning. I'll give him a dreamless sleep to, so that the healing process could be aided. " Poppy answered instead and she spelled into Harry the potions. Immediately the boy relaxed. Snape looked sideways at Albus who was pretty shaken up.
"You have some explaining to do." He growled dangerously as he approached Harry's bed.
"Severus, not right now..." Minerva said cautiously. As much as she loved and respected Poppy, what they wanted to discuss was strictly confidential.
"Thank you, Poppy." Albus dismissed her, kindly.
"Anytime, Albus... I will come by to see how he's doing tomorrow. If you want, it is safe to levitate him to his quarters." the mediwitch disappeared.
Albus conjured a chair and sat heavily on it putting his head in his hands.
"It was my fault..." he said in almost a whisper. Snape's look grew darker.
"What do you mean it was your fault? How did he end up thrown at a wall, with such force he fractured his collarbone?"
"The Horcrux is very powerful. It manipulated me into wanting to wear it. Harry saved me and pushed me away, but when he went to pick it up, the ring threw him at the wall. I think it has to do with the fact, that Voldemort is still very powerful and linked deeply in Harry's mind. I picked him up and brought him here."
"The Horcrux?" Minerva asked before Severus could say something.
Albus reached into his pocket and took out a clothe. He unraveled it to show the Gaunt family ring. And the small black rock on the top of it.
"Is that...?"
"The resurrection stone. I heard my sister calling me. I... I lost control. Thank Merlin Harry was there or I might have actually worn it."
"So, the tale is real?" Minerva was almost gaping at him.
"I'm afraid it is..."
Albus with a whistle conjured Fawkes who brought the Gryffindor Sword.
"You might want to step back for this..." he warned the couple, who took a reluctant step back.
He hit the ring with the sword and a big black cloud shot up from it with a shriek sounding all around the room, it was Harry. The black mist disappeared and the shriek ended. Minerva approached Harry, and brushed a strand of hair form his face. Harry seemed to relax again back in his pillows.
"Maybe you should move him back to your quarters, Severus.," she suggested and Severus was more than happy to oblige, seeing the vulnerable state of the boy.
"I'll meet you in your office." He looked angrily at Albus, and the old man could feel Severus' magic fill the room as a chilly breeze.
"He's very angry with me." The older man commented to Minerva as they walked to his office.
"He is worried about Harry, that is all."
"He is right though, Minnie."
They spent the rest of their walk silent with Albus' arm resting around her waist and Minerva didn't mind that at all.
A/n: Here you go with another chapter! I'm quiet pleased with this story, seeing its my first one. The last chapter didn't have mush a response from you, so I'm guessing you didn't like it a lot. Hope I'll make it up with this one!!! Please review, it helps with our work as authors! If you have any suggestions, please send them to me!!!
Till next time,
Ellie :)