"No, no, stop." Harry called out and the third year Gryffindor stopped the spell. "You have the hand movement all wrong."
Harry gently took the boy's hand in his and flicked it to the right then down then to the left.
"Now try again," Harry said calmly.
They were working on defence charms but the boy before him, Callum Genger, was struggling. Normally he was quick to pick up any spell or charm that Harry wanted to teach him but not today. Everyone else in the class had picked it up easily but not Callum. The boy tried again.
"No, stop." Harry called. "The Rest of the class is dismissed. Please practise your spell work, thank you."
Everyone else filed out until it was just Harry and a very nervous Callum left behind. Harry moved to the classroom door and closed it before he turned back to the young student.
"Have a seat on the table, Mr Genger." Harry offered as he moved back to the boy.
The small third year looked at him with wide eyes as he sat on the tabletop. Harry didn't keep chairs in his classroom so the bench at the back of the room was the only place to sit. He looked the boy over; he was small for his age, shy and an average student. Harry knew that was a front. Callum had talent and a very dark magical core that had caught Harry's attention and the attention of the crows. One day Callum would be a very powerful wizard. Today, he just looked like he wanted to hide away and it raised Harry's concern.
"Is there something wrong?" Harry asked softly, giving the boy space as he leaned on his cane.
Callum opened and closed his mouth a couple of times and Harry sighed, there was fear in the boy as well.
"You're smart and talented," Harry continued. "You have never had trouble with these kinds of spells before?"
"Sorry, sir." Callum whispered.
"Is it the spell or something else?" Harry prodded gently.
The boy jerked and wouldn't meet his eye and Harry silently swore. He knew those signs.
"Callum," Harry said slowly, drawing the boy's name out. "If there is anything wrong, you can tell me or your Head of House."
The boy looked up at him with wide blue eyes before he focused on the scaring on Harry's arm and his stomach dropped. Yes, he knew what he was dealing with.
"Who?" Harry asked, not moving.
Callum looked at the floor and played with his hands. Harry waited him out.
"My father," The boy whispered, his voice breaking.
"Do you give me consent to call a Doctor?" Harry questioned.
Callum looked up at him with big blue eyes as Harry made the offer. Harry looked back at him as the teenager slowly nodded. Harry gave him a soft smile as he pulled his phone from his pocket. Callum suddenly lunged forward and grabbed his arm in a steel grip.
"Please," Callum cried. "He said he would kill me if anyone knew, please."
"Sh," Harry whispered as the boy cried and held his arm tightly. "Don't worry, we'll take care of it."
Harry shifted him slightly as the boy cried into his shoulder, his own eyes hollow. Harry gently steered him back to the table and Callum retook his seat. Harry gave him a soft smile as he called a tissue box from across the room to his hand and held it out. There was fear in the boy's expression but also steel. Harry stepped back and called Doctor Greenburg as he kept Callum in his sights.
"Blake!" Albert's booming voice came down the phone in German. "How are you?"
"I'm well," Harry replied also in German, watching Callum carefully. "Are you able to spare a couple of hours?"
"Ja, are you injured?"
"Nein, I have a child abuse victim here."
The man was silent for a second. "I will be there as quickly as I can."
"Thank you, Albert."
Harry hung up the phone and called Albus.
"Headmaster Albus Dumbledore," The man answered cheerfully.
"Albus," Harry said softly and Callum stiffen. "Could you come down to my classroom please?"
"Of course, Blake." The Headmaster replied. "Is everything okay?"
"I have Callum Genger here," Harry said carefully and laid a hand on the boy's shoulder. "I have called Doctor Greenburg to meet me."
"Ah," Albus stuttered. "I'll be down soon."
Harry slipped his phone into his pocket as he looked down at the small boy. He kneeled down so he was looking up at the child. Callum watched him carefully and Harry's gut clenched. This would not be a simple case.
"We can do this one of two ways," Harry offered and Callum nodded. "You can tell me what has happened or I can look into your memories. If I look into your memories I can use those in any court case against your father or anyone else that has hurt you. The choice is up to you?"
Callum sat there with silent tears, dripping down his face as Harry waited him out.
"Would I have to face him?" Callum sobbed.
"If I look at your memories, no." Harry replied with a soft smile. "I will stand in for you."
Callum nodded and Harry stood back up. He held a hand out to the boy and he took it in a hard grip. A knock sounded at the door and they both looked over. Harry could feel Callum shaking slightly and he tightened his hold on his hand.
"Come in," Harry called and the Headmaster came into the room with a soft smile.
"Mr Genger," Harry stated stiffly. "Has decided to share his memories with me of any abuse that he has suffered to be used in court."
Albus froze as he stared at Harry. His blue eyes wide and face pale before steel came into his expression.
"Doctor Albert Greenburg will be conducting an examination when he arrives," Harry continued. "And will compile a report."
"Thank you, Mr Sun," Albus stated formally.
"After I look into his memories. We'll decide what needs to be done," Harry commented as he looked down at the small boy. "Did you want me to file the paperwork, Albus?"
Albus nodded as a knock sounded at the door and Albert poked his head around the door. The big man gave a grin and Callum shifted slightly behind Harry.
"Callum," Harry said softly. "This is Doctor Albert Greenburg, he's a very good friend of mine and is part bear."
Albert rumbled a laugh as he came into the room.
"But is as gentle as a kitten," Harry added with a smile. "I'm just going to step out with the Headmaster while he looks you over, okay?"
The boy looked around with wide eyes before he focused on Harry and slowly nodded his head. Harry knew that it was too much but this needed to be done. He could trust Albert to help calm him down.
"I'll be right outside the door," Harry encouraged. "Just call out if you need me, okay?"
"Yes, sir." Callum whispered and released his hand.
"We will be okay, Blake!" Albert said loudly with a big grin. "We will become great friends! I have many tales to tell the boy about how many times I've had to patch you up!"
Harry groaned and ran a hand over his head as Callum gave him a small smile.
"He came to me with arrow in his side, one time!" Albert announced as he turned to the boy. "An Arrow with feathers and all!"
Harry clapped a hand to the big man's shoulder as he walked the Headmaster to the door. He shut it behind him, cutting off Albert's booming voice. Albert had a talent when it came to children.
"This is not going to be a good afternoon," Harry muttered as he pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Child abuse case?" Albus asked.
"Yes," Harry confirmed. "His father. He was looking at my scars, so I would think physical abuse. I'll know more once I look at his memories.
Albus paled. "That was generous of you to offer him that."
"Nothing I haven't seen before," Harry replied softly.
Albus frowned and laid a hand on Harry's shoulder. Harry looked up at the man beside him.
"Were you a child of abuse?" Albus asked.
"Yes," Harry confirmed and Albus paled even more.
"That would mean I…" Albus trailed off and Harry looked him over and nodded.
"Would have left Harry Potter with child abuses?" Harry finished the question, without any sugar-coating. "Yes."
Albus paled even more as Severus made his way towards them.
"Did I hear Albert?" Severus asked with a frown.
"Yes," Harry confirmed and nodded at the Headmaster before turning to Severus. "He is here to see a student. He is telling him stories of when I was injured by an arrow."
"An arrow?" Severus deadpanned.
"In my defence," Harry remarked. "I didn't know it was hunting season."
"Right," Severus drawled with a smirk.
"I'll have to go to the Ministry," Harry muttered, changing the subject. "We have a child abuse case."
Severus paled and his eyes hardened.
"I could cancel my classes," Severus offered.
"No need," Harry replied.
"I'll be going with, Blake." Albus said at the same time.
"Thank you, Albus," Harry said, with a smile. "I'll probably be a couple of hours looking over his memories anyway. Severus, do you have a calming potion?"
Severus sighed loudly as he took his potions pouch out and passed a couple over.
"Anything else?" Severus purred.
"Nope," Harry replied with a grin and held up his pill bottle. "All good."
The Headmaster coughed and looked away just as Severus smacked Harry's bum. The man yelped and stepped back.
"Hey!" Harry cried.
"Blake, sie Dummkopf!"
Severus snorted as Albert's voice floated through the door. Harry was sure that his voice would be able to get through a silencing spell.
"I'll see you tonight, Severus." Harry said softly. "Albus, I'll call you when I'm ready."
"Alright, my boy." Albus smiled and clapped a hand to his shoulder. "I'll be in my office."
Harry slipped through the door to see Albert sitting next to Callum on the table. The boy was pale but smiling as Albert spoke to him.
"Blake!" Albert cried loudly. "I was just telling Callum here about the time you made mistake on potion and had red hair for a month!"
Callum giggled which covered up Harry's groan.
"Hey!" Harry yelped. "I'll have you know that I passed that potion along to the Weasley twins!"
Callum held a hand to his mouth to stop the laughter.
"One of their best sellers that one!" Harry continued with a wink to the boy.
Albert laughed, his whole frame moving with the belly laugh.
"See, Callum!" Albert said. "He is well worth the laughter. Good man."
"Will you have the report done today?" Harry asked in German. "I'll be going to the Ministry after looking at Callum's memories."
"Ja," The big man agreed in German. "I'll sit down and write it out now."
"Danke," Harry replied softly as Callum looked between them.
"Is that German?" Callum asked, shyly.
"It is," Harry replied with a smile. "Albert is from Germany. They grow them big over there."
"Dummkopf," The man barked and slapped Harry on the back, making him stagger forward. "Auf Wiedersehen!"
Harry got his feet back under him as Callum giggled and the big man left the classroom.
"I swear he's going to break my back doing that one day," Harry muttered as he took a seat next to the boy.
"What did he call you?" Callum asked with a small smile.
"Dummkopf?" Harry asked.
"Yes."
"Roughly means, idiot." Harry replied and rubbed his head. "I get that a lot."
"You're not like the other teachers," Callum stated as he looked up at him.
"God, I hope not." Harry moaned with a shiver.
He stood and held a hand out to Callum.
"Come on," Harry said quietly. "We'll do this in my office. I have seats in there at least."
The boy grew pale but took his hand as Harry led him out of the classroom. It took an hour, a calming potion, and a couple of painkillers to view the memories. Harry felt sick and had a pounding headache by the time he was done. He sent a note to Professor McGonagall and handed Callum over to her with a smile and a pat on the shoulder as he finished his report for the Ministry.
Once he was done he called Albus and the two men walked side by side down to the gates of Hogwarts. Harry went to apparate when Albus grabbed his arm, stopping him. Harry turned to the man in question and stilled at the look in his eyes.
"I want to apologise," Albus said softly.
"For what?" Harry asked in confusion.
"For leaving you on the doorstep of your Aunt and Uncle's house," Albus cleared up.
"That was a very, very long time ago," Harry replied in amusement. "A few lifetimes you could say."
"Did anything get done about it?" Albus questioned, his blue eyes intense.
"No," Harry said shortly. "Nothing, but this boy we can do something about."
Harry held up the file in his hand and Albus released him. Harry smiled and apparated to the Ministry of Magic. It was going to be a long day.
xXx
Harry had a smashing headache by the time they made it back to the school later that night. Albus now had the lovely job of contacting the boy's mother and informing her that her husband would be arrested soon. Albus clapped a hand to Harry's shoulder as he moved off and Harry stood on the front steps of the school for a while.
He sat down on one of the seats and looked up at the crescent moon and stars above him. Just enjoying the chill on the air and the quiet of the night. He felt Severus's magic brush against him and smiled at the feel of it. The man was getting a lot better with that. He was sure that with time, he would be able to teach him how to reach out with his magic without using the link in the ring.
He looked out into the night and frowned when he noticed a man walking across the lawn of the school from the front gates. Harry watched the man in interest as he leaned his elbows on his knees. The man's blonde hair clear to see in the moonlight flittering down and his figure lit up by his wand as he came closer. Harry stood and stepped down the stone steps when he recognised him.
"Blake!" The blonde-haired man cried when he saw him.
"Conner," Harry replied, shaking the man's hand with a smile. "How are you?"
"Good, good." Conner answered.
"What are you doing here?" Harry asked in concern. "Did something happen?"
"No, nothing has happened." Conner Fritz replied with a smile. "I have that file you were after. I was in the country and the Ministry said you were here."
Conner took a small file from his pocket and held it out and Harry slipped it away.
"Thank you for bringing it," Harry replied. "Did you want to come in for something to eat? I'm sure Albus could find you a room for the night."
"Yes," The man answered with a big grin. "Thank you."
xXx
Severus watched as Albus walked into the Great Hall without Blake and frowned. He brushed across the link and the man brushed back and he relaxed. Dracka took a seat next to him.
"Did something happen?" Dracka asked, leaning close.
"Blake had to go to the Ministry," Severus replied. "I'll tell you the details later."
The two men focused back on their meals until Dracka elbowed Severus. The other man looked up to see Blake, with another man, walk through the doors and he frowned. Blake moved to the Ravenclaw table and swatted one of the students on the shoulder and they shifted down the seat at the table so that Blake and the man could sit down. The two men sat close together and by the looks the students were giving them, Severus was sure they weren't talking in English.
"Who's that?" Dracka asked.
"He looks familiar," Severus answered. "German Ministry, I think."
"Oh," Dracka exclaimed as the man turned slightly. "It's Conner Fritz."
Dracka grinned and a glint came into his eyes. Severus groaned and sat back in his seat.
"Oh, god," Severus cursed. "That's a Blake look!"
Minerva snorted on the other side of Dracka as the vampire smirked. He slipped out of his chair and moved towards Blake and the blonde man.
"He's going to get cursed," McGonagall whispered.
"I'm not taking that bet," Severus drawled.
The woman laughed as Dracka silently made his way down the Ravenclaw table towards the two men. They had their heads close together over something on the table. As he got close he threw his arms around Blake's shoulders and looked over at the other man. Severus smirked when the blonde-haired man yelped and fell from his seat in surprise. Dracka no doubt showing his red eyes and fangs.
Blake just elbowed the vampire and whacked him with a report from the table. Dracka stood back and took the file from Blake's hand. Conner pulled himself to his feet to the giggling of the students around them.
"You should have taken that bet," Minerva remarked in amusement.
Severus snorted as the vampire took a seat next to Blake, so close they were touching. Conner climbed back into his seat and they spread out the file again. It looked like there was no hard feeling and Severus was sure that Conner had had to deal with Dracka before.
"You let him get away with a lot Severus," Minerva commented as she moved to sit next to him.
"What do you mean?' Severus asked, then frowned when the woman placed a silencing charm around them.
"With Blake," Minerva added.
"What do you mean with Blake?" Severus drawled.
"The way they are together," Minerva hinted as she pointed out the two men sitting so close.
"Where are you going with this?" Severus demanded, sitting back in his seat.
The woman sighed.
"I taught you, Severus," She said stiffly. "I saw the way you were with Lily Evans and James Potter."
"What?" Severus remarked with a smirk. "You think I should be concerned about Blake and Dracka?"
Minerva blushed as she looked down her nose at Severus.
"No," The woman snapped. "I meant the way that you allow the vampire to sit close to Blake and the way they are so close in general and the nights out…"
"Minerva," Severus purred. "You think I should be locking Blake up?"
The woman blushed an even deeper shade of red.
"No!" Minerva squeaked. "I just meant, I know how jealous you were of Lily and James and you are in a relationship with Blake and…"
Severus barked a laugh and grinned at the woman.
"What, you think I should be cursing the vampire?" Severus laughed. "Because he is close to Blake?"
"Well…" Minerva muttered, looking embarrassed.
"Wow," Dracka cried suddenly from beside the pair as he broke the silencing charm. "And I thought I was the only one to make a woman blush that much!"
Severus smirked in amusement as Minerva looked even more flustered.
"We were talking about your love affair with Blake," Severus purred, with a glint in his eyes.
Dracka stilled.
"What's that?" Dracka asked with his head titled to the side.
Minerva went a new shade of red and buried her head in her hands.
"Minerva thinks I should be locking Blake up," Severus said sweetly. "To keep him away from you and your love affair with him."
Dracka barked a laugh and threw his arms around Severus's neck.
"That sounds like fun," Dracka purred with a leer at the woman.
"That's it!" Minerva cried as she jumped to her feet. "You two are hopeless!"
She turned on her heels and stomped off. Dracka laughed and kissed Severus on the cheek before walking off still chuckling. Severus barked a laugh and turned and for just a moment, he looked over at Blake and saw an odd look on the man's face before Blake turned back to the man beside him.
"What did you two do?" Albus asked, diverting his attention.
Severus smiled over at the old man.
"I don't think Minerva will be talking about my love life with me again," Severus stated calmly.
Albus's laughter rolled over him as he grinned and went back to his dinner.
xXx
Harry leaned his head back against the lounge, later that night with a sigh, his head pounding. He had happily palmed Conner's file off to Dracka to read through as he relaxed back on the lounge. He turned his body until he was spread out on his stomach. He had already taken some painkillers but it wasn't doing much good and he was sure he was going to have a migraine by tomorrow. Seeing Dracka kiss Severus didn't help his mind either, the words of Bella were still ringing in his mind.
He pulled a cushion under his head and tried to relax with his eyes closed. He had ducked down to the Department while Albus was making his report and caught up with a few people down there before meeting Albus in the foyer. He sometimes missed working on projects in the Department but facing his office was always a trial by fire, not to mention Dylan. Luckily the man hadn't been there or else he would have been forced to work on the piles of stuff that had gathered in his office.
He woke some time later with someone sitting beside him on the lounge and a hand on his shoulder. He opened an eye and peered up at Severus.
"What are you doing out here?" Severus asked softly.
"Must have fallen asleep," Harry muttered, not moving.
"Are you coming to bed?" Severus asked.
Harry's head pounded and he felt a little sick.
"I'm good here," Harry replied. "Have a headache."
Severus frowned and nodded.
"Okay," Severus said softly. "Do you need anything?"
"All good," Harry said softly.
Severus rubbed his shoulder and moved off towards the bathroom. Harry closed his eyes and was soon asleep again.
xXx
"Where's Blake?" Dracka asked as he came into the Great Hall the next morning.
Severus frowned.
"I don't know. He was gone when I got up." Severus replied then whispered. "He slept on the lounge last night."
"What, why?" Dracka asked as he pulled his seat close to him.
"He was asleep on the lounge when I came in," Severus whispered. "He said he had a headache and that he was going to sleep there. Then he was gone when I got up."
"Is that odd?" Dracka asked.
"Sometimes he sleeps on the lounge," Severus replied in concern. "But this was different."
"I'll keep an eye on him," Dracka offered then looked around the hall. "Well, if I see him."
Severus smirked and they finished their breakfast before classes would start.
xXx
Harry sat in an unused classroom on the second floor with a copy of Callum's file in front of him. He'd already spoken with him that morning and was working on taking snaps of the boy's memories to use in the case against his father. Luckily, his mother had never known what was going on and had sole custody of him until his father could be brought to trial.
Harry rubbed his head, still feeling the headache as he finished off the report. It had taken him a while to get everything in order. He placed everything back into the file to give to Albus before pulling out the one on Simpson and looked down at the photo. He sighed, this was not going to be pleasant. He placed his wand against his temple and pulled the memory that he was after into the stone bowl in front of him and just stared at it.
He tapped his cherry wand against the bowl in thought and with sigh touched the silver strand. Tumbling into the memory of the time he was tortured. He looked at the brown-haired man in front of him and shivered feeling his headache peak. He quickly took an image of the man before pulling out of the memory, the sound of his own screams in his ears. His hands were shaking slightly as pulled back from the bowl and he grabbed up the crystal on the floor. He transferred the image from the crystal to a piece of photo paper and set it aside.
He sprawled back on the stone floor of the classroom for a few minutes, head pounding. He looked up when the classroom door opened and Severus walked in.
"Hey," Harry said softly as he laid his head back on the floor.
Severus calmly walked over to him and folded his arms over his chest as he looked down at him.
"What are you doing?" Severus asked.
"Taking photos," Harry replied with a smirk.
Severus looked around the classroom before crouching down beside him.
"Nice place for it I suppose," Severus replied dryly.
Harry snorted, not moving as Severus picked up the photo that he'd taken of the man that tortured him. Severus picked up the photo they had of Simpson and compared them. They were different enough but essentially the same person.
"It's the same person," Harry confirmed. "There's a large age difference but they are the same person."
Dracka suddenly opened the door and stepped inside, looking around. He gave him a smirk as he looked at him on the floor.
"Do you two have Blood Hound blood or something?" Harry asked as he placed his arms under his head.
"Just plain old vampire blood," Dracka replied mildly. "We are better than Blood Hounds!"
"Don't let the muggle customs department hear you say that," Harry quipped with a grin. "Unless you are looking for a new job?"
Severus passed the two photos to Dracka as he moved over. He took them in his hand as he looked down at Harry on the floor, his eyes dark as he looked at him.
"Conner Fritz," Harry continued, ignoring the look. "Has reported that a few people have 'resigned' lately from the Ministry as his men work through and are weeding out anyone working for Simpson. The man isn't marking his followers. So, it's been a little harder to sniff them out. They could use your help with that Dracka. Being part Blood Hound and all that."
Harry smirked as the vampire growled at him.
"We have reports of Simpson moving towards Hamburg," Dracka reported as he picked up Simpson's file. "He has been quiet since that attack after we left the country."
"Feels a little like a cold war," Harry muttered, with a frown.
"Have you had any luck with the older files?" Dracka asked.
"Nope," Harry replied. "Nothing so far."
Dracka grabbed up two chairs and moved them over to Harry and placed them down. The two men took their seats as Harry stayed sprawled out on the floor on his back.
"I'm more concerned about his support in France," Harry replied. "He's been working in Germany for a while so I can understand his support there, but not France. It also raises questions about his support here?"
"Do you think he might have support in England?' Severus asked.
"I haven't found anything yet," Harry remarked. "Most of the wizards here are still picking up the pieces from Dark Lord Voldemort but Simpson has shown he doesn't mind using muggles to get what he wants. I'm not really sure what the man's end game is, in all of this."
Harry sat up and took a notebook from his pocket he flicked through it before tossing it across the room. Dracka and Severus shared a look as Harry took his wand out.
"Okay," Harry announced, looking over at the notebook.
He focused on the notebook and connected it to the spell he was forming at the end of his cherry wand. With a whispered spell a map of the world appeared in front of them. The two men beside him started.
"Let's have a look at this," Harry said as he pulled himself to his feet.
He focused as he whispered the spells under his breath and the map zoomed in on Germany.
"These were my movements when I was in Germany," Harry stated and a green line appeared on the map.
Dracka moved to his feet and stepped closer to the map in interest.
"Um, I wouldn't touch it," Harry warned. "Light magic."
"I can see that," Dracka snapped and Harry gave him a grin.
The green line curved around the map and would break off and reappear in other places as he'd made his way through the country.
"These are the villages I have warded," Harry added and gold dots appeared on the map.
The green line didn't go near any of the gold dots on the map.
"I was here when I noticed the tail," Harry explained and a red dot appeared on the map. "Ben was staying in a muggle neighbourhood. He said he couldn't sleep if he could hear the buzzing of magic."
"The village Simpson attacked would have been the closest to this mark," Dracka commented.
"Correct," Harry agreed. "He looked at this from a wizard's point of view and went to the first place that had wards and magic."
"The men that were after you…" Severus said then trailed off.
"I managed to shake the tail at Ben's apartment," Harry answered. "I then headed towards the Border. I apparated closer, that's when they picked up on me again. My use of magic alerted them."
Two more dots appeared on the map getting closer to the Border. Harry added a blue light for Severus and Dracka.
"The blue dot is where you found me," Harry explained as he stepped back to look at the map as a whole. "Simpson came to the battle at the German village himself. That in itself is odd and concerning."
Simpson didn't go to the battles. He stayed behind and gave orders to his men from the sidelines. It was frustrating to men like Dracka and Harry who believed that Commanders had to be at the battles to understand them. Harry would not be able to sit back and order his men from the different location. He liked to look his men in the eyes before sending them out. He had to know they were going to follow through with his order and for them to know that he had their backs. That he was willing to fight beside them if it came to that.
Severus got up from his seat and just stared at the map. The green lines that showed how far his lover had moved in the country and was amazed. He focused on a collection of lines near Hamburg.
"What happened here?" Severus questioned and pointed to the spot on the map.
Harry moved over to the spot and focused the map in, blowing it up so he could see it better.
"They mentioned a compound, I was trying to find evidence of one," Harry replied as he looked at the green lines as they crossed back and forth around the large city. "I couldn't find anything that stuck out. I came across a few magical signals and other things but nothing that looked like what I had been told."
"Simpson's last location has been recorded here," Dracka said and pointed to an area outside the city.
None of the green lines came close as Harry added the mark to the map, knowing it would appear in the notebook on the ground for him.
"I only spent two days looking, before moving on." Harry told them. "Nothing pointed me in this direction or any direction really, but there were a lot of magical signals in the city. I didn't want to stick around too long and draw attention to myself."
Harry zoomed the map back out and focused on France. The map came into clear focus and gold lights flicked on around the image. A lot more spots than on the German map.
"Again, the places I've warded." Harry muttered as he looked them over, one of the gold marks had a red circle around it. "That one is your Coven, Dracka."
A blue light appeared next to the gold mark with the red circle around it and a few others on the map.
"These are the villages that Simpson attacked," Harry explained.
"Why are they so spread out?" Severus asked.
Harry cocked his head to the side and frowned. He focused in on the first village then the next before waving his wand. The map reached from ceiling to the floor, showing the map of France in more detail. His eyes moved from one to the next before he felt a chill.
"He used the lay lines, the sneaky bastard." Harry cursed. "That's why we couldn't work out where all his forces came from. Severus, you're brilliant!"
Harry stepped forward and with a wave of his wand, silver lines sprung up on the map. Like a spider web in silver, spreading out over the image.
"Fuck," Harry swore. "This man knows his stuff! Or he has someone that does!"
"Lay lines, Mr Sun?" Severus drawled. "For the rest of the class."
Harry spun back around and looked at the two men, his eyes wide as his head reminded him about his headache.
"Lay lines," Harry explained as he tapped his wand on his leg. "Are natural lines of magic running under the earth. It's possible to tap into them. You have seen me do it before, there is a lay line that runs under Hogwarts."
"Let's just say, yes we did and move on," Dracka drawled.
"Um…yeah, right." Harry stumbled on his words. "If you are skilled enough you can tap into them and move people to places quickly. Portkeys work off similar magic and apparation as well. That's why it's easier to get to some places and not others."
"So, Simpson." Dracka said slowly. "Tapped into these lines to get his men into France?"
"It's possible," Harry replied in thought. "And we would not have noticed! He probably did it in the weeks leading up to the battle. It would have involved a lot of skill, time and magic to do this though. To grab a lay line, you have to know what you are doing or you would drown in the magic."
Harry turned back to the map and looked at the glowing silver lines for a few minutes. Before he waved his wand and a map of England appeared, his head pounded as he changed the map over but he ignored it. He quickly brought up any building or village he had placed wards at with a gold dot and marked in Hogwarts then brought up the lay lines. Thin silver lines sprung up, there weren't as many in England as there were in the rest of Europe. They also weren't as thick, except under Hogwarts, where it seemed to pool.
He tapped his wand against his leg for a second before adding over twenty blue lights to the map of the properties he had and a red dot for the Black house, where the Order met. None of his properties sat on or near lay lines. He didn't trust them. He frowned as he looked at the map. With a flick he added green lights for the wizarding areas and the Ministry.
"Nice light show," Dracka commented from behind him. "You could have a career in firework displays."
"Ha, ha." Harry said dryly as he looked the map over.
"These lay lines," Severus stated softly. "They run under the oceans?"
Harry frowned at the question before replying, "Yes."
"Then could Simpson transport his people straight into the country?" Severus asked. "Or would the Border spell stop him?"
Harry's hand froze and his eyes widened as Dracka cursed. Harry felt coldness in his stomach at the thought.
"I don't know," Harry replied softly. "I would have to look at the Border spell and where a lay line passes over it, to know for sure."
"That's a sobering thought," Dracka added.
"And is it possible that Simpson moved his men under the Border spell from Germany to France," Harry agreed and then frowned. "Don't you two have classes?"
Harry turned back to the other two men who cursed when they looked at the time. Harry barked a laugh as the two men rushed out of the classroom, leaving Harry alone with the map. He focused back on the map of England and his eyes roamed over the coloured lights.
He looked at the silver lines and felt fear for the first time. Using lay lines was not an easy task and if what they thought was true than either Simpson or one of his people was a very powerful witch or wizard. Harry shivered at the thought. They had only just killed one Dark Lord and were now facing another. What scared him the most was if Simpson used the lay lines, or someone else did, he did it before he got the extra power from the Dark Ritual.
Harry sighed and rubbed his head. This could turn into a world war if he couldn't stop it in time. He flicked his wand and cancelled his spell and the classroom fell back into darkness. The soft light coming through the curtains the only light in the room.
xXx
Severus frowned when he looked around the Great Hall and couldn't see Blake. He looked over at Albus.
"Have you seen Blake?" Severus asked.
"He went to the Ministry," Albus replied as he cast a silencing charm around them. "He had the rest of the file for Mr Genger case and had to make a statement. He also said something about the Department of Mysteries."
"Alone?" Dracka asked as he took a seat.
"No," Albus replied. "He rang Kingsley to have an Auror with him."
Severus sat back in his seat, he didn't like it but at least Blake was taking his own advice but he would normally tell them if he was leaving. Blake hadn't said a word and that alone concerned him.
"How's he doing, Severus?" Albus asked softly as if reading his thoughts.
Severus sighed and ran a hand down his face.
"It's Blake," Severus replied. "It's hard to tell sometimes. He's still having nightmares but…"
"What is it, my boy?" Albus asked.
Severus frowned and even Dracka looked at him in concern.
"I'm not sure," Severus remarked. "I'm not sure if it's what happened to him or something else. Or just what's going on with Simpson. He's been a bit distant lately."
"Did he talk to you about what happened?" Albus asked softly.
"Yes," Dracka answered. "He told us."
"I don't think this abuse case with Mr Genger is helping him either," Albus added softly.
"What do you mean?" Dracka demanded and looked between the men.
"Ah," Albus muttered, embarrassed. "He hasn't told you?"
"Blake was a child abuse victim," Severus stated softly.
Dracka started and his eyes flashed red. At that moment the man in questioned walked into the Great Hall with a gold ball in his hands.
"Oh, god." Severus groaned. "The Department gave him a new toy."
Albus laughed as he broke the silencing ward around them. Blake moved through the tables until he stood next to Callum Genger. He placed the gold ball, about the size of a soccer ball, onto the table in front of him. The boy took it into his hands and Blake made the students shuffle around until he could sit down so he could have something to eat.
"He should be barred from going down there," Severus muttered as he eyed the man.
Albus laughed.
"Just remember that this is your school he could destroy!" Severus remined him with a smirk.
Dracka and Minerva snorted as Albus grew pale, his eyes locked on the other man. Blake suddenly stood up on the bench seat.
"Okay everyone," Blake called and the hall went silent. "I have a little surprise for you from the Department. Mr Genger, when you are ready?"
The boy got up from his seat nervously with the ball in his hands. The students started whispering as Callum gave himself some room. He smiled up at Blake and the man nodded. The boy threw the gold ball into the air and as it touched the ceiling it exploded into coloured lights. The students gasped as the coloured lights started to rain down towards the tables but before they could touch anything. The lights went streaming off around the room. Slowly each light started to change shape as they zipped around.
Severus watched in amazement as the lights morphed into coloured birds, reptiles and animals. Even magical animals; dragons, phoenixes, hippogriffs and kits ran around the room. They settled amongst the students and noise erupted as they students passed their hands through the lights. The animals danced along the tables and the birds winged around the hall.
A blue bird landed near Severus, everything perfect about it as he reached out and touched it. It fell to mist as his hand passed through it and he pulled back. It reformed its shape and hopped down the table. He looked up to see Blake grinning widely and looking down at the amazed face of Callum Genger. He patted the boy on the shoulder as he hoped down from the bench and walked out of the Hall.
Albus laughed and clapped Severus on the shoulder as a dragon tried to attack Dracka. The vampire dodging to the side as he cursed about light magic as Severus smirked at him.
"He is something," Albus whispered to him as a golden phoenix landed on his shoulder and tried to peck at his beard as an orange cat stalked along the table in front of Minerva.
"And how are you going to get rid of all of these?" Severus remarked with a smirk.
Severus sat back in his chair as a snake slithered over his plate.
"Ah," The Headmaster paused as he looked around. "Damn that man."
Severus barked a laugh, his black eyes shining. Trust Blake to make a mess and walk away.
xXx
Harry had his arm over his eyes as he lay sprawled out over the lounge on his back, when Severus came into his rooms. He peeked out from under his arm at the man as he came to stand over him.
"Very nice display," Severus purred. "There's a little dragon still following Dracka around. You might want to avoid the vampire for a little while."
Harry grinned up at him, his headache had turned into a migraine on the way back to the castle. He was silently cursing that he couldn't apparate to a chemist to get some painkillers. He could have made a pain potion but couldn't be bothered.
"They should fade soon," Harry replied.
"Your work?" Severus asked, sitting in the armchair across from him.
"Ah, no." Harry replied and pulled himself into a sitting position. "One of the witches down in the Department made it. I was sure to give her the Weasley twin's number. It's right up their alley."
Severus shivered at the thought.
"You look tired," Severus pointed out softly.
"Um, yeah." Harry replied. "Bit of a headache."
Severus pulled out a pain potion and passed it over to him. Harry took it in his hand but didn't take it.
"Are you making these in bulk now?" Harry asked with a small smile.
"Someone always seems to be in need of them," Severus countered.
"I might need to make a trip to London if you're up for it?" Harry said carefully. "Maybe make it a lunch trip?"
Severus frowned.
"Also, we'll have to have a look at the Border spell sometime soon." Harry went on without waiting for an answer. "The trial for Callum's father is next Monday, so I'll be out most of the day. I've already spoken to Kingsley and he will have an Auror keep me company. Can't be any worse than the man I had today. I swear he only knew two words and the rest were just in grunts, one of the languages I don't speak."
Severus reached out and grabbed Harry's hand, stopping it from tapping his leg.
"You are rambling," Severus pointed out.
Harry stilled and looked at their joined hands. Severus's long and elegant fingers covering his short stubby ones.
"I do that," Harry replied and fiddled with the ring on his finger.
"I'm working with Dracka on a potion for the next two days but Friday is free," Severus replied to the man's earlier question.
Harry's hands stilled.
"I don't have any afternoon classes that day, so we can make an afternoon of it." Severus continued, his sharp eyes picking up the other man's body language.
"Sounds good," Harry remarked with a grin, but it didn't reach his eyes.
He stood up and slipped the potion into his pocket.
"I'm beat," He announced as he looked down at Severus. "I'm going to have a shower and head to bed."
Harry moved towards the bathroom, leaving a confused and concerned man behind.
xXx
Harry woke with a start for the fourth time that night and quickly looked over his shoulder but Severus slept on. He gently wiggled out of the bed and pulled on his shirt and pants in the dark and stepped into the other room. He flicked on a light and looked at the clock, it was only two in the morning. He ran a hand over his head and picked up his coat and slipped it on.
He patted his pockets down. He'd forgotten his wands on his bedside table. He frowned but couldn't be bothered as he slipped out of his rooms. His cane making light taps as he made his way along the hallways of the silent school until he walked out of the main doors.
It was a full moon that night and Harry tilted his head back to look up at it as it shone down on him. He always felt that little bit calmer with the moonlight on his skin as he headed out onto the grounds of the school. His steps silent as he walked and let his mind drift.
He cast his mind out and gently touched on Dracka somewhere out in the forbidden forest, probably hunting. The man was staying within the boundaries of the wards so Harry wasn't that concerned. The vampire could take care of himself. Thoughts of the man, had the image of him kissing Severus on the cheek flashing back to him and the grip on his cane tightened. The veela's words floating back to him again and he felt frustrated at himself at the thoughts.
He didn't know why this was bothering him so much and that just annoyed him even more. Severus and Dracka were just as close as Dracka and himself so he didn't know why his mind kept throwing up that image. He seemed to just chalk it up to the veela planting the idea in his head and he sighed.
What Bella had done to him was hitting him harder than he thought it should. Not that Bella would lose sleep over it. What she had done was just the way veelas worked. They found a power they wanted, then would tie themselves to it to increase their own magic. Harry had worked with them a lot over the years and he'd never had any trouble. The thought of her nails digging into his skin had a shiver running down his back as the Hallows burned in the back of his mind. He stopped walking.
"What are you doing out here, Blake?"
Harry turned and looked at the vampire, Dracka must have picked up on his scent. The man was frowning at him as he moved closer. His dark curse flowing around him in the silver moonlight and Harry pulled back on his magic sight so he could look at the man and not his magic.
"Couldn't sleep," Harry admitted.
Dracka moved close, his eyes dark in concern.
"Nightmares?" Dracka asked softly.
Harry ran a hand over his head.
"If they are," Harry admitted softly. "I don't remember them."
"Severus could give you something to help you sleep," Dracka said quietly, sniffing the air.
Harry stilled.
"I don't like taking them," He said simply in reply.
Dracka frowned but didn't push. Harry moved off and into the forest with the vampire falling into step with him. A silent and dark presence beside him as they moved deeper into the forest.
"Where are we going?" Dracka asked, after a few more minutes.
"Just walking," Harry replied.
None of the inhabitants of the forest bothered them as they walked. Harry stopped when they reached the edge of the wards and he looked out at the forest before him. One more step and he would be over the wards. He didn't take it.
"Albus told us about your childhood," Dracka said suddenly.
Harry turned to him and raised an eyebrow.
"Are they still alive?" Dracka questioned.
"As far as I know they are," Harry said carefully. "Are you feeling a little peckish?"
Dracka barked a laugh and flashed his fangs.
"I could do with something a little richer," Dracka replied with a smirk.
Harry turned and swung an arm over the other man's shoulders and steered him back towards the castle.
"Their blood would probably poison you," Harry purred in the other man's ear. "Too many fatty meals and hatred in their veins."
Dracka settled against his side for a second before shaking him loose and they made their way back to the school.
"I'm sure I could make some time for us to head out to a pub," Harry offered with a smirk. "For something a little better on the menu, perhaps?"
Dracka gave him a leer and leaned close and gave him a sniff. Harry gave him a look of amusement, before giving the vampire a push in the shoulder.
"Why go out," Dracka suggested. "When I can eat in?"
Harry felt a chill at those words but didn't let it show.
"Yes," Harry drawled. "You need a trip away from the school. Before Minerva starts to look like a meal on legs."
Harry barked a laugh at the look on Dracka's face.
"You know how to hurt a man, Sun." Dracka muttered.