Summary: The war is over for everyone but Harry. He is still fighting just to survive, but he won't make it on his own. Just when he's given up, help comes along.
Disclaimer: I do not own these characters, but I do own my imagination which takes me on wonderful adventures.
PLEASE NOTE: I am in the process of revising and finishing this story. I have removed all the chapters that had been previously uploaded because they have been slightly modified.
Chapter 8: A Menacing Criminal
"Was that apparition?" Poppy asked.
"No, I think that was a gunshot," Severus responded, looking around. "Where's Harry?"
"Oh, no…" they both turned and ran back to where they had last seen him.
Coming around the corner, Poppy nearly collided with Severus. She rushed to Harry's side to check his condition, while Severus stunned the dog and the guard.
"He's losing a lot of blood, Severus. I think the bullet nicked his right axillary artery. And the damned dog nearly bit through his left arm. He's unconscious and going into shock. He may have a concussion, as well. I am hesitant to use magic to heal him since I don't know how it will react with his magic. We've got to get him to my clinic right away."
"I apparated him to my cottage when I found him in the cemetery. Once there, I healed where he had cut himself. He was unconscious then, too. Maybe if he is unaware, his magic doesn't react," Severus pondered. "I think you have to try. Place him in stasis and then we'll go."
Poppy nodded. "What about them?" she indicated the security officer and his dog.
"They'll be out for a while. I'll levitate them out of sight and come back after Harry's out of danger," Severus planned. "Harry was adamant earlier that we couldn't comprehend what happens when he is around muggles. I would like to examine and question the guard – try to understand his reaction."
Poppy nodded and turned to place the charm on Harry while Severus dealt with the guard and his dog.
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"Lay him flat, Severus, and raise his legs. Here, put this pillow underneath them and help me wrap him up in this blanket. His temperature is dropping nearly as fast as his blood pressure," Poppy instructed. "Give me that vial of aconite."
"Aconite? It's poisonous to humans," Severus cautioned.
"It is in its undiluted form, however, believe it or not, a small amount of aconite helps stabilize patients in acute distress," she responded, spelling it into Harry's system. "While I take care of his shoulder, would you clean out the damage from the dog? I don't want an infection to set in. He already has enough problems."
"It appears the bullet passed through cleanly. Only the artery was seriously damaged; the surrounding muscle will heal on its own," she continued, moving her wand over the wound and chanting a healing charm.
Severus cleaned and closed up the dog bite and wrapped it well. "Shall I get some blood replenisher?"
"Yes, I think it's safe to give him that now. The bleeding has stopped. Thank you," she added as Severus handed her the vial. She spelled it into him along with a pain reliever and then set up an oxygen bubble.
"Why don't you go take care of that guard now? Harry is out of danger. Come back when you are done and we'll take him back to your cottage."
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An hour later, Severus returned to Poppy's clinic. "How's he doing?" he asked, as soon he arrived.
"He's doing well. I haven't picked up any trace of infection and his vitals are nearly back to normal. I expect him to return to consciousness by morning. How did your 'investigation' go?"
"It was rather interesting. I learned a few curious details. When Harry awakens, I will tell you both what I discovered. In the meantime, I'd like to do a bit of research. May I use your medical library, Poppy?"
"Of course. Follow me," she responded, leading the way down the hall.
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A few hours later, a low groan from the bed caught the Medi-witch's attention. "Welcome back to the land of the living, Harry. Are you in any pain?"
"Where are we?" he asked, barely audible.
"We are at my clinic. It is located on the outskirts of Devil's Bridge. What's the last thing you remember?" Poppy asked.
Soft boot clicks sounded from the hall. "I heard voices," Severus offered in way of explanation as he entered the room.
"Harry was just about to answer my question regarding what he can remember," Poppy reiterated.
"Well… we were walking and discussing the uses of crystals…," he drifted, "I was looking in the shop windows… umm… there was a guard… and a dog… and… I don't remember anything more." He looked confused. "What happened?"
Severus answered. "I believe we were 'treated' to the effect you have on muggles."
"How do you feel?" Poppy tried again.
"Like I was hit by a train – my arms hurt and I feel sore all over. I also have a whopper of a headache."
"Here," Poppy said, handing him a vial of pain relief potion. "You are hurt and sore because you were attacked. The headache might also be from the loss of blood."
"I was attacked? By what?"
"By the pavement, a German shepherd and a pistol," Severus noted, dryly. "Not in that order."
"No train?"
"No."
"Huh."
Poppy interrupted, "Severus, you spoke with the guard. What did you learn?"
Settling himself into a chair, Severus answered, "He was responding to a silent alarm from the jewellery store when he was confronted by a 'menacing criminal'."
"Me."
"Yes. I believe you must have touched the display window thereby setting off the alarm in the jewellery store with your magic. Evidently, you also set off some sort of 'alarm' in the guard, as well, which is what caused his extreme reaction. I am, as yet, unsure if the dog reacted to you or to his master."
"I've never noticed animals behaving oddly around me before, so I would guess he was taking his cue from the guard." Harry sat up on the bed, wincing slightly at the pain in his shoulder.
"Then, I would venture that as well."
"Did you learn anything else, Severus?"
"I lightly legillimized the guard in order to 'see' the event from his point of view while I questioned him. It led to a rather… unusual reading." He paused. "I have never experienced the like before."
"What do you mean?" Poppy inquired.
"Well, I searched his memories beginning with just prior to the event. At that point, all was well and normal. Once the alarm activated, his adrenaline kicked in – again, nothing unusual about that. It was only as he rounded the corner and came within sight of you, about ten metres away, that something started to go wrong. His mind began to be suffused with a haze as though he was entering a heavy fog. The closer he came to you, the denser the film became and the stronger his reaction to you," Severus described, his brow furrowing. "It was almost as though he was being controlled. A similar phenomenon manifests with the Imperius curse in wizards, but proximity to target does not affect its strength. However, the guard is, without a doubt, a muggle."
"Like he was drugged… or gassed…" Harry added, contemplating.
Severus turned to stare at him. "Explain your comment, please," he requested.
"Okay. Umm…There is a category of literature in the muggle world known as 'science fiction'. There are many common themes such as futuristic scientific and technological developments and contact with life forms from other worlds. Another popular theme is the attempt to control the thought processes of others. Often, this is done through direct manipulation of the brain such as surgery or implants. Occasionally, the body is invaded or possessed by an alien life form. Sometimes, hypnotism, drugs or chemical gasses are used.
"Your description of the guard's behaviour reminded me of a movie I once saw where a gas of some sort was released into the ventilation system of a building causing all the occupants to attack each other. They all had a red haze over their eyes while the chemical was in effect."
"So, Harry, you are saying that it is possible the guard was reacting to something in the air surrounding you?" Poppy reiterated.
"Pheromones…" Severus suddenly stated. Poppy and Harry turned questioning faces at his comment.
After collecting his thoughts, Severus began to explain. "Many studies have proven that fragrances can cross the blood-brain barrier. The chemicals found in them enter the body through inhalation, ingestion or absorption. Once in the body, they find their way into the bloodstream. There is confirmation that they can alter mood, anxiety and stress levels in humans. This is important because it shows that the chemicals found in fragrances contain psychoactive properties and have the potential to affect brain tissue. That's why memories can be triggered by certain scents."
"But I don't use anything that would be classified as a chemical fragrance – no cologne or aftershave."
Severus nodded and continued. "Pheromones are naturally secreted chemical substances that affect the behaviour of others. You can think of them as 'nature's perfume'. They transmit subliminal messages of attraction or aggression which cause an immediate reaction in the perceiver. Animals secrete them to attract a mate or to warn off enemies. It is possible that somehow Harry is emitting something similar which is only perceived by muggles – something that a person with a magical core or aura would disregard or nullify. Additionally, whatever it is, is being both inhaled and absorbed from the surrounding air, leading to a 'double dose' of the chemical."
"So, you're saying that I 'smell bad'?"
"To put it bluntly, yes."
"I don't suppose you have any idea why?"
"Not yet. You are a series of conundrums, Mr. Potter."
"Why, thank you, sir. I do try not to disappoint."
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A/N: I have had no medical training. All my information comes from various internet sites which I have summarized and streamlined for the average reader. I apologize for any mistakes I may have made and would appreciate being notified about anything that needs to be fixed.
Information about shock was found at: . .
Information on pheromones was found at: /what-are-pheromones/9.
Information on fragrances was found at: news/perfume/sweet_ .
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