Touched by Death – Chapter 33 (Darker Days Are Yet to Come)
Harry felt strangely disoriented when he finally came to. And the first thing he noticed once he thought he could think straight, was that he was no longer in the graveyard. That itself would always be good news for Harry. He gave a slight shudder at the thought if he hadn't tried to portkey. He wasn't sure what to think though, was Voldemort truly back? He wasn't sure because he technically did see someone come out of that cauldron, but it wasn't like he was able to study who it was. But Barty Crouch Jr had made it pretty obvious who it was. Harry wanted to groan, this was starting to give him a headache. As if a reminder, he looked down at his arm to where Crouch had sliced it open days before. He wasn't surprised to see the skin healed and if he looked hard enough, he could make out a scar.
"You are one lucky wizard, Mr. Potter," came a familiar voice.
"Poppy," Harry greeted with a smile.
The mediwitch gave a small, but stern smile. "You are lucky that you still have Phoenix tears in your blood stream. Especially with a snake wound that venomous."
Harry had a grim look on his face, "it was that bad?" He didn't even bother chipping in that he also had basilisk venom in his blood as well. He didn't want to get cursed just yet, no matter how fond Madam Pomfrey was of him.
"Was. I managed to get most of the venom out of your blood. Though the wound did want to keep bleeding. I wasn't too worried about the acromantula wound, that's easy enough to cure and treat."
Harry winced, he already knew that acromantula wounds weren't too hard to treat. And it wasn't like it would be hard to find the creature that injected him with its venom. The Gryffindor glanced down at his leg to see it tightly wrapped in bandages. His other leg showed a thin white scar where the spider pinched him. "That's why you haven't removed the bandages?"
Madam Pomfrey nodded, "it'll stop bleeding given enough time. But the most I can do is make sure the wound doesn't get infected and keep having the bandages changed."
Harry didn't like the sound of that, but he knew there wasn't much he could do. And he didn't know what type of snake bit him anyways. And the way it vanished in black smoke, it wasn't very likely he could go back and get the corpse. It was easier to find a cure to snake bites when you had a sample of it to be studied. But it wasn't impossible to cure the wound without it. It just took a much longer process to do so.
"Where's Marcus?" Harry asked, just noticing his absence.
"I sent him back to his dorm to sleep, he hasn't bothered to leave your side in days. I've never seen a more dedicated wizard towards their beloved. Don't let him go," Madam Pomfrey had a soft smile.
Harry felt his cheeks start to go warm, "I don't plan on it."
"Now if you feel up to it, your godfather had stopped by to see how you were doing."
"But you sent him away while I was still out of it," Harry guessed.
Pomfrey snorted, "that man wouldn't stop getting in the way of my work."
Harry laughed, "sounds like Sirius alright. How worried is he?"
"That man has been frantic with worry as has a certain young man. And I can't say I blame them. You may also be a healer in training, Mr. Potter. But even this will be considered a close call for you," Pomfrey lectured.
Harry nodded, "I get the picture. It's not like I was trying to die this time."
Poppy's lips twitched, "that remains to be seen."
Harry didn't even jump when the doors to the Hospital Wing slammed opened. He was slightly disappointed that Marcus wasn't there with his godfather. But he knew that Marcus must have gone days without sleep. It could be hours or another day before Harry would see him. Though he knew that Marcus would want to be woken up the moment that he was awake.
"Harry!" Sirius yelled, though it did sound more like a scream. He quickly ran over to his godson and did a quick check over him. As if saying that Madam Pomfrey would intentionally not heal his godson.
Harry brushed off Sirius as calmly as he could. He appreciated that Sirius was deeply worried about him, but he was still aching from the past few days. "Sirius, I'm fine. Madam Pomfrey is one of the best healers. Stop your worrying."
"What if she missing something…"
"I can still hear you, Black," Poppy threatened, her wand firmly in hand.
Sirius gave a nervous gulp, his face slightly going pale.
"Sirius, I wouldn't insult Madam Pomfrey. She has a Mastery in Healing for a reason. Not to mention her Healer's Oath," Harry lectured, not finding this funny.
"Sorry, Harry. I'm just worried."
"I can understand that, but not to the point of offending her. She'd bind me to the bed if that made sure I was healed one-hundred percent. Stop worrying, I feel just fine," Harry's voice was firm, though leaked a slight annoyance to it.
"Noted," Sirius mumbled. "What happened to the snake?"
Harry noted the curious tone in his godfather's voice. He sighed quietly, "dead."
"Dead?" Sirius said with surprise.
Harry nodded, "I wasn't fast enough to avoid getting bitten. But used a cutting curse and cut off the head."
"Wouldn't it be easier to find it, so that she can find an antidote faster?" Sirius asked.
Harry shrugged, "that's only if you can find the corpse, which I have no idea where that is."
Sirius' shoulders dropped in defeat.
"I wouldn't worry about it too much, Siri. Madam Pomfrey has already drafted an antidote. So, finding it would be pointless."
"Then why is your leg still wrapped?" Sirius asked.
"If you must know Black, because it keeps bleeding. And I rather not have my trainee and charge die of blood loss. And if you have any more stupid questions, you can see yourself out," Madam Pomfrey cut in while glaring at Sirius.
Sirius grinned at her sheepish. "Sorry Poppy."
Madam Pomfrey made a noise of annoyance and turned back to her work. She didn't have to worry about healing the other champions of that stupid tournament. They only gained a few scrapes and cuts, nothing too serious. And within a few hours they had been released. So, she was focused on gathering some supplies to change Harry Potter's bandages. Which meant that she needed to have Blood Replenishers on hand.
"Black," Madam Pomfrey called out.
Sirius turned around to see what she was going to lecture him about now.
"If you want to be productive, go and summon Marcus Black," she ordered.
Sirius pouted, not wanting to leave his godson's side now that he was awake.
Harry rolled his eyes, "Sirius, please. I want to see him, and you know its either that or she'll kick you out for getting in her way… again. And it's not like I can go and find him."
Sirius sighed dramatically but gave a nod. He ruffled his godson's hair and gave a smile. "I'll be back in a bit."
Harry fell back onto his bed once Sirius left. His godfather could be exhausting sometimes.
Madam Pomfrey snorted as she muttered, "peace and quiet once more…"
Harry let out a small laugh, though she wasn't wrong.
It wouldn't be a surprise to Marcus that since he found out that his boyfriend was injured during the 3rd task, that he would be frantic with worry. He didn't think Harry ever left that maze, but that was a question to ask Harry later. He felt his heart almost stop when Harry appeared at the front of the maze so suddenly before passing out. Marcus didn't hesitate to jump into action and gently carry him to Madam Pomfrey's tent. That was when Harry would eventually be transported to the Hospital Wing.
Marcus didn't want to budge from Harry's side at all, but Pomfrey practically chased him out of the Hospital Wing and demanded for him to get rest. She wasn't wrong when she lectured him that he wouldn't be any help towards Harry if he was sleep deprived and couldn't focus. Even with Pomfrey's orders to rest, he knew he should also be looking for the next horcrux in the Room of Requirement. He knew he was very close to finding it, but he couldn't find the motivation to find it while Harry was hurt. He didn't even want to think on where the last one would be, it was like it was always changing locations or the presence was magically masked.
Even when Harry was finally out of the Hospital Wing, he remained by his side, as if he never wanted to leave.
"Marcus, I will be fine," Harry huffed as he looked at his boyfriend.
Marcus gave a guilty smile. "I can't help it."
Harry gave a heavy sigh, "I swear you're just as bad as Sirius. Obviously, I'm healed and if you keep hovering, you're going to get cursed."
Marcus winced at the threat. He knew that Harry wasn't joking either.
"I get you're worried, that's fine and all. But I can take care of myself. With you constantly hovering is getting on my nerves. I love you, Marcus. But it does get annoying after a while. I'll tell you now, it'll take more than a spider and snake to bring me down," Harry's voice was soft with love.
Marcus carded his fingers through Harry's hair, "I know you can. But its hard to get the image of you unconscious after you used the necklace."
Harry brushed his fingers across Marcus' cheek. "I can't fault you for that. I know I'd feel the same if I saw that happen to you. Now are going to let me least have some breathing room?"
Marcus gave a small laugh, "yeah. Sorry…"
Harry waved off the apology as he leaned up connected their lips. And may have let a moan slip through when Marcus laid a firm grasp on his buttocks. His half-attempted glare didn't seem to cease Marcus smirk.
"I hate you," Harry muttered under his breath.
"No, you don't," Marcus commented.
Harry rolled his eyes at that, though he had a smile tugging at his lips.
"Don't think I haven't noticed the bandages on your leg, though," Marcus noted.
Harry groaned, "as if Poppy and Sirius would let me forget… now you."
Marcus lips twitched, "that's not answering the question. And I didn't ask them, I asked you."
Harry huffed, "something about there being a little bit left of snake venom in my system a few weeks ago that kept the wounds to keep bleeding. Madam Pomfrey says its all cleaned out, but it'll take a bit before I can actually take the bandages off."
Marcus raised an eyebrow at that, "and that's not a reason for me to worry… why?"
"It'll stop eventually. Its not like it hurts me," Harry commented.
"Providing you don't bleed out," Marcus snapped back.
Harry looked slightly unsure at that moment.
Marcus felt bad for snapping back at Harry. "You know I didn't mean it like that. It already felt like I almost lost you once. I don't want to lose you for good."
"And I don't want to lose you, either," Harry mumbled back.
"Just promise me, you won't try changing them yourself. That you'll always have Pomfrey do that," Marcus asked him softly.
Harry clutched Marcus' hand tightly, "I will, I promise."
Marcus still didn't stop from keeping a close eye on Harry. Though it wasn't hovering that Harry had accused him of several weeks ago. Though he was very thankful for the day that Harry's bandages came off. There was a small scar from the bite wound, but you had to be looking to spot it.
And apparently Marcus wasn't the only one. Harry was also relieved when the bandages came out. Ever since Marcus brought it up, he had feared what would happen if he did bleed out. Somehow it didn't dawn on him when Madam Pomfrey had talked about it. But the scary realization hit him when they had argued weeks ago.
Marcus also knew that Terence and Harry's friends had to be just as worried. The secret glances to his leg, told him enough. Marcus wondered if Harry actually told them what would happen if the bandages came off early. Since Marcus hadn't breathed a word to them why Harry had been wearing them.
Though the Slytherin had been waiting for the bandages to come off to do a surprise for Harry. He would have done it straight after the task if Harry hadn't been unconscious. He was just glad he didn't yet, he didn't want this to be a spur of the moment.
It was during while Marcus was chatting to his boyfriend that he sensed something. That was when he phrased his next question, "okay, spill… Something's bothering you."
That apparently made the dam break. Harry had started to recount everything that he saw at the graveyard, the place the cup had transported him during the final task.
Marcus was quiet for what seemed like forever. Fully aware that Harry must have been holding this in since the last task. Though he was immensely proud when Harry mentioned that he used a cutting curse that he had taught him. "You said that the snake burst into black smoke?"
Harry nodded, "I had least expected that the head would be chopped off and lay there dead."
"That's why nobody would be able to get another sample of the venom," Marcus guessed.
Harry nodded, "you look like you figured something out. What is it?"
"I have an idea why that snake may have vanished in smoke. Most likely something involved with dark magic," Marcus replied.
Harry looked taken back at the answer, that was something he wasn't expecting. Though now that he thought about it, it made perfect sense.
"And you said, he's back?" Marcus questioned.
Harry nodded.
Marcus looked deeply troubled by that. "You will leave him for me to deal with."
"Marcus," Harry looked shocked. "I'm no—"
"Leave him for me to deal with," Marcus repeated with force.
"But why?" Harry asked, confused. "And who's going to tell everyone he's back?"
"Harry, you've had this madman plague your entire life. I'm not going to let him make you throw away your life. But, just leave it for me to deal with, I'll take care of it. But I wouldn't breathe a word that he's back just yet."
"Marcus—" Harry tried to protest.
"No! No buts, Harry. I'm not going to run the risk of losing you to that monster! You mean way too much to me for that. I'm going to deal with it! And as far as I'm aware, he may be back for now, but he won't be for long. I know what the Ministry will try to do to you, they'll make you look like the bad guy and a liar. Even if the new Minister is Bones, the Daily Prophet can be vicious," Marcus voice was firm and unrelenting.
Harry's eyes shined with unshed tears. Never had he imagined a day that he may not have to worry about Voldemort. But there was a certain fear that Voldemort may try to kill him. But did that mean that Marcus was going to get rid of Voldemort? He had a lot of questions, but he figured he ask Marcus them later. But he could see why Marcus would want him to hold off on telling the truth that Voldemort was back. Even so, it made him love Marcus all the more.
That's when Marcus suddenly got nervous. He couldn't think of a better time than now to do this. Or worse time really… He knew it was still in his robe pocket, he had started the nervous habit of having it on him. Which all started since Harry had came back from the 3rd task. Marcus didn't think there was a better time and he didn't want to wait too much longer. Especially with what he may have to do soon. Not to count, he didn't want to lose his nerve about it either.
Marcus let himself lower to one knee. Though he did admit that he found Harry's emerald eyes adorable when they shone with confusion.
"Marcus?"
"Harrison James Potter," Marcus started to say.
Harry's eyes shined wide, he never thought that Marcus would actually know his full name. Though he imagined that Sirius may have told Marcus. Even though he didn't find out until he had those blocks out of his mind.
"I never would imagined that almost three years ago that I would have fallen as hard as I have for you. I have always thought that Gryffindors were brash idiots. Never have I been proven so wrong since the day I met you. You took my breath away since the day we met. Never have I ever met someone that didn't hold to the illusion of Slytherin being heartless and evil. Never have I regretted helping you those years ago and growing closer day by day. Never would I have imagined that a year later that you would agree to be mine and I, yours. And I fell even harder for you as each day passed. You have turned my life around and are the light to the darkness of my life. I never want to spend a moment apart from you and want to treasure every moment we have together. Will you, Harrison James Potter, do the honor of becoming my bonded until the day we part?"
Harry's hands started to cover his mouth when he caught on what Marcus was doing. He could feel tears streaming down his face. He had always dreamed of the day that Marcus finally ask him to officially be his betrothed. Which made him aware on much closer it would be to the day they would finally bond.
Harry honestly couldn't remember the amount of times he practically shouted yes before slamming their lips together. He didn't realize that Marcus was presenting him their bonding ring. And he fell in love with it immediately. He knew exactly why Marcus probably had chosen it too. The ring was practically radiating an aura of the color of emerald.
When they finally separated, Marcus had a full grin on his lips. He gently took Harry hand into his own. He slid the ring onto Harry's left ring finger. Even in the wizarding world, it was a tradition that it meant closer and fonder to the heart.
Harry brought it up to study it closer. There were a lot of black swirls within the ring, maybe eternal symbols. Though he caught the image of a dragon as well. And then there was an emerald jewel resting on top. He found the ring gorgeous and knew that Marcus probably got it because it matched his eyes.
"I love you," Harry whispered as he connected their lips once more.
Remove the spaces to see what the ring looks like. It won't let me put the slash after . com.
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