While dinner with his family had been fun, Harry was currently back in Gryffindor Tower attempting to take a nap before his late night Astronomy class. The other boys had elected to stay awake downstairs playing Exploding Snap. Harry finally gave in and reached into his bag, pulling out the mirror.
"Show me." Harry demanded.
It was nice day out in the neighborhood and Petunia placed the boys in the dual stroller to go out for a walk. As she usually did she turned down an alleyway nearby to cut through to the park. Dudley babbled away the whole time, with Harry making small noises of agreement. Petunia smiled warmly. So far Harry had not shown any signs of being magical, and him and Dudley seemed to be the best of friends.
"Give me all you got." Petunia looked up to see a man step towards her, knife brandished in his hand.
"I-I haven't got a thing on me. I'm taking my sons to the park is all." she confessed, hoping that the man would let her pass. The man stared at her intently, stopping just in front of the two boys. He put away his weapon but this made Petunia only tense even more. "Don't you touch them." she hissed. The man stood suddenly, dragging Petunia towards him and gripping her neck.
"MA!" Harry screamed, kicking his legs against the tray of the stroller. Dudley joined in, though his were screams of joy, unaware of the danger they were in. The man tossed Petunia aside, enraged by the noise the children were making. He went to grab Harry first, his greatest mistake. The moment the man came in contact with Harry, he disappeared. Petunia rushed over to her son, cradling him in her arms, watching Harry dubiously.
"You almost had me fooled." she whispered. "A whole year and now...it's too late to be rid of you."
The scene rippled, but not in the way it usually did. Harry rubbed at his chest, oblivious to the dim black light surrounding the blue gem on the back of the mirror. The scene was one he recognized instantly, as it had happened mere hours before.
Cas cast a concerned look at the trust between Sam and Harry, not beaming as he usually did when Harry used his "special" powers. The man almost looked pained to have witnessed Harry's act.
"Dean..." Cas said quietly. His eyes were still trained on Sam and Harry, confusion and fear written across his face. Dean turned, immediately able to decipher what was wrong.
"It's alright Cas. Backing away from this now will be what would make Harry side with Sam. We need to be there for him, whenever he needs us." Dean pressed. Dean was certain, with the deductive glint in his eye. Cas nodded, but it was obvious that he was still wary.
Harry had prided himself on learning how to use the mirror, and figuring out it's patterns. Now, however, he wished he hadn't. Harry wanted to tell himself that these two memories were connected because it showed him using vast amounts of power. The mirror paused on Cas' look of concern and Harry felt the first sign of tears appear. Did Dean and Cas feel like they were stuck with him now? The black light around the gem flickered out as its energy was exhausted for the time being, the mirror screen going black as well. It was then that Harry remembered that the mirror should not be able to show memories of him as Harry Winchester.
"Show me Harry, Hogwarts Winchester quarters." Harry recited. The mirror glitched but did not show the scene. "Show me Harry, Surrey, alleyway." The first scene bloomed onto the screen right away. "Stop." Harry carefully put the mirror away in his bag and laid on his side, hand gripping the pendant of his necklace.
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Sam slammed the door to his bathroom shut, gripping the edge of the sink tightly. His breathing was labored and he was beginning to shake. He ran a hand down his face. He needed something, anything. It wasn't like he could just ask to be hit by a spell, or get a potion. Sam looked up at the mirror. A potion, that was what he needed. Sam left the bathroom, quickly grabbing his leather coat and firecalled Severus.
"It is late Winchester." Severus said in answer, standing near a cauldron in his lab. He had discarded his robe, and wore only slacks and a buttoned up black shirt, sleeves rolled up to the elbow.
"I know. I'm having trouble sleeping, is there anything to help with that?" Sam asked quickly. He was glad that the fire did not show a definite form of his face, otherwise the Potion Master may have been able to tell he was lying. Severus spent a long time looking at him, causing the larger man to fidget.
"Come through." Sam grinned and stepped through the fire. A book was slapped into his hand, surprising him. Sam looked up in confusion, Severus giving him a sly look in return. "I am certain you won't kill yourself."
"Sev, this potion takes hours." Sam complained, pouting as he did when Dean made him do things he didn't like. As a little brother, he was subconsciously used to getting his way eventually.
"The perhaps you should begin immediately." Severus replied. Sam stared after the man in shock, before eventually muttering to himself and starting the potion. He set up at the cauldron next to Severus, wearily looking at the textbook. Big brown eyes gave one last pleading look at Severus. "Would you care for some music?"
"Hm, yeah. Sure." Sam said, expecting Severus to cast some type of music spell. The professor instead walked to the corner of the room, placing a needle down on a record. For a while Sam just spent time looking at Severus create his potion. It was as if the man was in his own little world, a small smile on his face. He seemed to shed about 10 years as well, moving deftly and smoothly. Sam looked back at his untouched potion ingredients, hesitantly starting his own potion. He figured that Dean would be better at this, the man loved to cook after all.
"This is not like cooking Sam; you need to be more precise." Severus commented. Sam looked down at what he had cut so far. He gave a huff of amusement, casting a glance at Severus.
"Reading my mind, were you?" Sam asked. Severus stirred his potion a few times before placing a static spell over it. He turned to look at Sam.
"I am unable to read your mind." Severus admitted. Sam furrowed his brow in confusion, before a look of enlightenment came across his face. He pulled his shirt down, exposing his anti-possession tattoo. Reflexively Severus covered his own tattoo.
"This prevents me from getting possessed. I guess it works on your Jedi tricks too." Sam explained, he looked down to where Severus was gripping his arm. "I know you gave us the rundown on the past, but I would really like to know about you, and your relationship to Harry's parents. You still haven't told him much more about his parents either."
"I suppose I could provide you with a few memories, granted that it will stop your insentient questioning." Severus grudgingly answered, rolling down the sleeves. He reached for his wand, but was stopped by Sam.
"I mean, like talking dude." Sam said. "We're gonna be here for hours anyway." Severus looked over at his potion.
"Why do you have such an interest in me?" Severus asked in suspicion. He did not like sharing his life, not after losing Lily, not even Lucius knew all of his secrets, and the older man had been his closest friend after he had chosen to join the dark side.
"I'm going to be your apprentice for the next 7 years. I was hoping we would be friends." Sam responded. "Plus, Harry really seems to trust you. He's been pretty good about sensing who to, and who not to trust. I want to know why."
"Lily was the only friend I had when starting Hogwarts- "
"Earlier." Normally Severus would take offense to such a demanding tone, but he had come to learn that it was just the way the taller man spoke.
"I met Lily when I was nine-" Sam cut him off with a shake of his head. Severus clenched his fists in agitation. Another thing he had learned about the younger Winchester is that he knew how to get under his skin, and make him loose his composure. "My father was Muggle scum, an alcoholic, abusive. After I displayed my first bout of accidental magic he became bitter."
"What was that?" Sam asked.
"A protective shield wrapped around me after having been pushed off the second story landing." Severus admitted. "I was nearly nine by that time. My mother had been teaching me potions when my father was away at work, but she had thought that I would never display magical powers."
"This is why you like potions. It reminds you of the time you spent with your mom." Sam guessed. "I never knew my mom you know. She was killed by a demon when I was only 6 months old. Growing up, all I had was Dean. My father was always away, hunting, trying to train us to be soldiers, I just wanted to be normal." Severus chuckled deeply, causing Sam to look up.
"You've certainly failed in that department." He commented. Sam rolled his eyes. "And yet, broken seeks broken hoping to be whole. Your small family seems to have succeeded in that at least." Sam added an ingredient to his potion, smiling to himself.
"You're a part of that family too. Even if you don't want to be. Harry won't let you out, and well…" Sam looked over at the shocked professor. "Neither will I."
"I met Lily that same summer. I had been spending a lot of time out of the house, fearing that my powers would manifest at the most inopportune moment. Lily was someone whom I could talk to freely about the magical world." Severus moved over to Sam's station, helping him prep a few ingredients. "Truly thinking back, I must admit that I was extremely jealous. Lily was Muggle born, and yet both her parents still adored her, were proud of her even, for being a witch. For many years I thought myself to be enamored with her, I know now it was merely a desire to be accepted as she was, I was enamored with the idea of her. My mother," Severus paused, calming his trebling hands. When it looked like he would say no more, Sam decided to speak up.
"I did try the normal stint for a while. I went to college, got myself a girlfriend, great friends, the whole time resenting my brother and father. Dean, well, Dean was made for this type of thing. At least, that is how I saw it." Sam gave a huff. "And yet, the whole time I was there…I was still studying the supernatural. I was trying so hard to fit in, but it was like jamming the right size puzzle piece with the wrong part of the picture into the hole. The day Dean broke into my apartment to get me back in the game, I had never been happier to see him." Sam hastily wiped away tears. "I had missed my big bro, but I was still under the illusion that I belonged with the 'normal' people. I told him, one hunt and that's it. I got home…and my girlfriend was killed right in front of me, by the same demon who had killed my mother. "
"I'm sorry to hear that." Sam shrugged awkwardly. He had been getting over it, but he would always hold a special place in his heart for Jessica. "I returned from my first year at Hogwarts to find my mother dead. I was told that she had become ill while I was away, and had taken a fall when my father was out at work. I knew it was my father, but I had no proof. It was then that I began to practice the art of 'reading people's minds' as you would put it. I spent my summers hidden or with Lily, and it panged me each time she would get to go home to her loving family. Four years I lived with this, pushing down my bitterness, being swayed by the siren call of Tom Riddle. I lost Lily's friendship in my fifth year. I was once again being tormented by James Potter and his friends, and as always Lily came to my rescue. Except I had grown weary of having her stand up for me, always having to be the better person. Lily was my best friend, but her popularity among others did not extend to me. No one was my true friend except her, I was still considered a freak, even though I was surrounded by my own kind. I…" Severus gave a sigh, gazing at his reflection in the knife he was holding. "I called her a filthy Mudblood."
"And then she ended up with your tormentor…but everyone always talks about how great James was." Sam said.
"I must reluctantly admit that he did wizen up in his final years here. But at the time, he was arrogant, foolish, a bully. It was wrong what I did to Lily, and I only found that out for myself after my initiation to the Death Eaters. My fifth year I pledged my allegiance to Tom Riddle, and lived with Lucius. Each initiation was different, Riddle wanted to be assured that my half-blood status would not make me default. I was to kill a Muggle, and I'm sure my choice is obvious."
"Your father…" Sam whispered. Severus jerked his head in answer. "So he did then…he killed your mother."
"No." Severus breathed. "He didn't." Tears glimmered in the light of the dim flame in front of them. "He was absolutely devastated when he came home to find her on the ground, barely breathing. He had wanted to rush and get a doctor, demanded to know how to use the floo to call 'our' people. And then he cried for hours. The abuse had never been about the magic…" There was a small tremor in the man, and Sam realized he was crying. "I was stubborn, and stayed with Riddle because he promised me everything I had never had. Nothing could get through to me, until he marked Lily for death. It was my last chance to make it up to her…"
"You thought it was, Harry exists, why wouldn't – did you dislike James that much?"
"Potter is the reason I was forced to be this way, and I never had any intention of helping his spawn!" Severus shouted, slamming his hands on the counter. There was a small noise from the door, causing the adults to turn towards it in shock. Harry took a step back. "Harry." The bottles nearest them started to rattle, the flame under the potions going out. "Harry…" Severus pleaded. There was a crack of lightening and Cas was suddenly towering over the Potion Master.
"What have you done?" He growled, grabbing Severus by his shirt.
"No!" Harry shouted in alarm, several glasses breaking. Cas was forcibly moved away from Severus by a strong invisible pull. "This is not happening again!" A realization hit Sam like a truck. They had never really talked with Harry about what had happened to the only family he had known. Now the boy was scared, petrified even.
"You're right Harry. It's not. We're all good here." Sam said slowly, spreading his hands out slowly. He was knocked into the table behind him, having felt a small gust of wind push him.
"Don't act like I'm dangerous! I'm not! I'm good! I'm good I promise!" Harry cried, refusing to let Cas free from his bound position, staring down Sam in desperation. "I'm not a freak!" Severus could tell something was wrong, no one had told Harry anything negative in months, and his slip up just now should have the boy attacking him, not protecting him. He should really check what the boy was thinking, except his fear the angelic grace within him. There was a pop, a very confused Draco blinking owlishly at them. "Leave me alone." Harry whimpered. There was another pop, Nymphadora appearing in the room. She wavered on her feet before toppling over. Yet another pop, Dean hastily getting up from the floor he had been dropped on.
"Grab him Dean." Cas shouted. Dean gave a nod and moved into Hunter mode immediately. Harry's eyes widened.
"Don't touch him!" Sam shouted in panic. "Harry! Harry please!" Dean wasn't stopping his advance. Sam knew he could never catch up in time to grab him, Dean was already close enough to grab Harry. He threw out his arm, pulling his brother back with his limited powers. "Harry, we're sorry!" The winds died down, Cas landing on the floor gracefully. Dean looked down at himself, wondering why he was still frozen in place. He looked back at Sam, who still had his hand extended.
"Sammy?"
"If you are sick of me, just go." Harry said lowly. "I have family here." Draco rushed over to his friend, standing in front of him.
"You don't need those Muggles anyway Harry. You can live with me forever." Draco assured. Severus cast a spell over Draco making him temporarily deaf.
"Harry. Why are you defending me? These men are your family." Severus asked, moving closer to the distressed boy.
"You're my family too!" Harry argued.
"Even after what I said?" Severus asked softly. Harry nodded.
"Harry. We are all so very sorry about what happened to your uncle." Sam said. Dean gave a small gasp of realization. He looked over at the room. Severus was a stand in for the uncle, as Dean assumed him upsetting Harry was what brought them there. Draco, the cousin. Nymphadora…she was supposed to be missing.
"Sam, let me down. We have to check Tonks out." Sam let Dean go, and the older Winchester rushed to the young trainee. He pulled out a knife to check her blood, but it was pulled out of his hand and into Harry's.
"What are you doing?" Harry asked. Sam took a knee next to Dean.
"We all need to communicate better. Apologize first." He hissed to his brother. Dean slowly stood.
"Harry." Dean said, trying to look the boy in the eyes. "I'm sorry about what I did. It haunts me every day. But, that does not mean I wouldn't do it again."
"Why did you have to kill him…""hy didyou have to kill him... Harry asked. "He would have let me leave, he didn't want me there anyhow."
"Because Harry." Dean grabbed the boy by the shoulders. "You are a very special kid. And I'm not talking about you being Potter, I'm talking about you being Harry, just Harry. I know they were your family, but what do we say?"
"Family don't end in blood." Harry recited. He threw his arms around Dean. "Dad, I'm so sorry."
"Hey, it's alright kid." Dean said. "But that means you also have to realize when people treat you badly. You can't let anyone make you feel like garbage." Harry looked up at Dean worriedly. "That does not mean you stop loving them. It means you give them a chance to make it right, or you cut them off."
"Harry." Severus intoned. "I never meant for you to hear that. It was said in a moment of distress, but it was still not right of me to say it." There was a small groan from the floor, drawing everyone's attention.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. Harry, Tonks has been missing for some time now, I have to make sure it's her." Dean said urgently, holding out his hand for the knife. Harry quickly handed it over, not protesting when Severus pulled him and Draco further away from the woman on the floor. Draco was complaining loudly about not being able to hear, repeatedly poking his godfather in the face, demanding that the spell be released. Severus sighed, hair falling over his eyes as he lowered his head in annoyance.
"I checked for demon already." Sam said lowly as Dean came next to him.
"Don't think we won't be talking about your little magic trick later Sam." Dean replied, making a small cut on Tonks wrist. The blood seeped red and Dean gave an approving nod. They ran through a few more tests, giving Severus a nod.
"Rennervate!" Severus said, Tonks coming to with a small groan of pain. While she was conscious she did not move from the floor, her body shaking slightly.
"There's something wrong with her." Sam said, feeling the heat from the woman's skin. Cas stepped forward.
"No." Harry looked to Severus.
"Harry, I will not harm her." Cas said. "What happened in the past was necessary."
"It's not that." Harry said. "You should be using your grace as a last resort." Severus nodded in agreement.
"I will transport her to the infirmary." Severus acknowledged.
"I'll come with." Sam added, scooping up the woman. "Uhh, you gonna give the kid his hearing back?" Draco stood glowering in the corner. Severus waved his wand.
"To bed, the both of you." Severus ordered. Draco gave a huff.
"Fine." He sniffed, grabbing Harry by the wrist. "But we will be using your quarters."
"Space Draco." Severus warned. The only answer was the door slamming shut.
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Lilith scowled before punching the mirror, shattering it into several pieces.
"Leslie! You better have not done what I think you have!" A shrill voice shouted from the other side of the bathroom door. "Leslie!" Lilith tore down the shower curtains, and broke the sink to pieces in her rage. She had lost the perfect host. There was a banging at the door. Lilith grabbed the pair of scissors that had clattered against the floor, opening the door and plunging them into what she assumed was her new host's mother. The woman took a staggering step back, revealing several children behind her.
"Dude, Leslie." Another teen said in disbelief before a slow smile came onto his face. A blonde girl stepped forward and pulled the weapon out of the woman.
"So now what?" the girl asked, several of the teens looking towards Lilith. The demon let her eyes go white and smiled at them.
"You want to cause some mayhem?"
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It was early morning when Sam returned to his quarters. Tonks had several illnesses from malnutrition and exposure to the elements, not to mention the normal wear and tear of being used as a meat suit. Severus had said it would be a few days before she was ready to go back to her normal life.
"How's Pinky?" Dean asked, making Sam nearly jump out of his skin. He hadn't noticed his brother sitting on his bed.
"Tonks will be fine." Sam replied. He set down several potions that Severus had given him. Dean picked one up, inspecting it slightly before setting it back on the nightstand.
"These potions how you did that?" Dean asked tersely.
"What? No." Sam denied. He gave a small scoff. "That's ridiculous. These are for sleep."
"dammit then how Sammy?" Dean yelled, getting to his feet. Sam threw his jacket into the closet, ignoring his brother as he walked into the bathroom. "You better tell me what the hell is going on." Dean demanded, slamming his fist against the bathroom door. "Don't make me keep Harry away from you!" The door swung open, a livid Sam on the other side.
"Excuse me?" Dean stood his ground, despite his brother staring down at him.
"You heard me." Sam pushed his brother away from him.
"You can't do that."
"Yes I can."
"Says who?" Sam asked in anger. Dean simply glared at him.
"Fine. I had a demon helping me when you were gone. Enhancing my powers with her blood. I haven't had any since getting here, and I probably just used the rest of it." Sam lied. "I was tired of waiting around. I needed to move on. I couldn't do it alone."
"Waiting around? Waiting around!" Dean shouted. He shoved his brother back in anger. "You fucking son of a bitch! I begged you to save me, and you were out with some demon?"
"I couldn't do anything!" Sam confessed, pulling at his hair. "You don't think I tried?"
"Classes start soon." Cas informed them. The brothers looked over, stress written on their faces. "Harry is in the Great Hall. He is…okay… for the time being." Dean jerkily nodded and breezed past both of them to the floo. Cas gazed at Sam, searching for answers, but the taller human locked himself away in the bathroom. The angel looked skyward, extending his fingers up just enough to appear longing.
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"Try this one Harry." Draco said, handing his friend a tart. Harry stared at it in disinterest. There was a chill from behind him, and he heard Draco make a small noise of fear. Harry turned to find the Bloody Baron floating behind him.
"You are no Slytherin."
"No sir." Harry answered. The ghost seemed to consider him for a moment longer before nodding and moving along. There was a death grip on his arm and he was met with a grinning Draco. Harry cracked a smile. His friend's enthusiasm was always entertaining. The post flew in at that moment, Draco's large eagle owl Nuried bringing a package from Draco's mother. Severus and Dean entered the hall at that time, each spotting the children thanks to this. They gave each other wary nods before walking beside one another.
"She sent us sweets." Draco said, sliding the box to Harry as he continued to read the note. His tone was off however, causing Harry to glance over at the note. The blond quickly tried to get rid of it, but it was too late.
"Mudblood?" Harry asked. Dean tensed up. Severus' dark gaze bore right into Draco, the pale boy's gaining even more pallor.
"Well, you aren't. Most likely…" Draco tried to cover. "My mum is old fashioned."
"Does it matter? If I am?" Harry asked, though he very well knew that he wasn't. Severus watched Draco anxiously, begging him not to falter.
"No. Not at all." Draco said without hesitation, amazing Severus. "Not with you."
"What about the others?" Harry asked. He was just Harry. He did not matter, everyone else did. Harry looked up as Dean laid a hand on his shoulder.
"What Draco means is…he's relying on you to help change his views of Muggleborns." Harry mulled this over for a moment before nodding, and embracing his friend. A few of the older Slytherins scoffed and looked away. The younger ones slowly went back to eating, a few introducing themselves.
"Where's Sammy?" Harry asked through a mouth full of bacon. Dean clenched his fist.
"Sleeping in. Don't worry about it." Dean said even as his brother walked into the hall. He smiled at Harry quickly before pulling Severus away with urgency. Dean watched the two of them before sitting down next to Harry. He forced a smile on his face and pulled his son closer, telling a horrible dad joke.
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Danny yapped excitedly as Harry walked him out to Herbology. He waved to Hagrid who was about to enter the forest. The half giant waved back, a big smile on his face. Ron shielded his eyes from the sun, complaining about the distance from the castle. A swift movement from the forest caught Harry's attention. He knew what it was without seeing.
"Unicorn…" he whispered. Danny went wild, drawing everyone's attention. Harry gripped the leash a bit tighter, looping it once more around his wrist. Another flash of something, and Harry took off after it. The unicorn was in danger.
"Harry! Bloody hell mate! Where you going?" Ron called after him. The gangly boy gave a yelp as Cas ran past him as well, barely catching Harry before the boy entered to forest. He quickly pulled away however when angry glowing blue eyes were turned to him. A few owlish blinks from the boy let him regain his breath.
"Unicorns Papa. In the forest. Someone is after them."
"Someone?" Cas asked in confusion. Harry nodded, then shook his head and stomped his foot. "Its. It." Harry shoved his hand down his shirt and pulled out the necklace. "It feels like this."
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"Wait, wait, wait. Voldemort is here?" Dean asked in disbelief. "How?!" he demanded, turning to Severus. The potions master was looking down at his tattoo, which remained faded. He traced it carefully, as if afraid to much provocation would call the man to them. He nervously rapped his knuckled against his wrist before pulling down the sleeve.
"There is an artifact here in the school that may be able to bring the Dark Lord back." Severus admitted. He was a bit surprised when Sam nodded, while his brother scowled.
"The Apple of Eden." Cas said. "We were told to keep Harry and Neville away from it."
"Longbottom?" Severus said with a sneer. "As if the boy would be of any use."
"Regardless." Sam said, leaning against the armrest of Severus' chair. "I need to make a visit to Bobby soon. This stuff needs serious research and prep." Severus titled his head back against the chair in order to look up at Sam. There was a definite fear in the brown eyes. Not for himself, but of himself, and this confused the potion master. "Tell Harry I went to go find you a rare ingredient or something."
"Of course, because lying to the child thus far has gone so swimmingly." Severus replied sarcastically. "We will simply need to redirect his attention for a few days."
"Here's an idea. Tell him about his family already." Dean retorted, still pacing in worry. Severus looked away from the group in thought.
"Perhaps I could arrange something." The potions Master muttered, thinking of other possible candidates to speak with the boy about his family. A small chime sounded, marking the hour ten. How could he really trust the staff however if the Dark Lord was supposedly among them? He felt Sam shift slightly, drawing him out of his thoughts. "If you desired a chair perhaps you should have used what limited brain power you have to request one."
"Just like how he requests potions from you?" Dean threw out without thinking, sounding bitter. Severus glared, a cutting remark prepared on his tongue when the floo roared to life.
"Severus! Miss Tonks is gone!"
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"Here you are Lily." Markaen said, throwing the weakened Tonks at her feet. Lilith smiled, pleased with her new band of followers. She had never heard of humans willingly wanting to be possessed, but it was truly remarkable. A beam of red shot past her head, missing by mere centimeters. Lilith laughed, stalking towards Tonks. Her pink hair was muddied, clothes torn. The witch winced as nails dug into her face, forcing her to look at Lilith.
"You are nothing compared to me." Tonks laughed.
"That why you were so desperate for me back then?" she quipped.
"I really do hate that accent." Black smoke moved into the witch, her body convulsing violently. "Though I guess I have to deal with it."
"We getting our demons back?" Saleb asked, the others looking up at her in question. Red eyes looked around at the eager teens. Her eyes turned white.
"Last two standing." She said in a sing song voice, prancing out of the room. The door clicked softly behind her as the sounds of fighting insured. "Now let's see what's new in this noggin of yours." The skin bubbled in agitation. "Hush now." Images of the Winchester's flittered across her mind. "You should consider yourself lucky." An angel… "I plan to keep you safe as my host." A boy…Lilith flinched back, Tonks gaining some control over her body to grab at her wand. The white eyed demon quickly recovered, causing black fire to come from the wand. A small giggle escaped her. "Give me a spell little witch. Aguementi." Black water streamed out, puddling beneath her feet. Bare feet caused small ripples.
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"I've told you Severus. They looked like two students. The door is charmed to create a diagnostic test for every student, which is how dangerous afflictions are caught early on. I moved closer to Miss Tonks' bed because these two's reports did not come out correctly." Madame Pomfrey held up the parchments for Severus to see. Sam wandered over, leaving Dean to inspect the area on his own.
"What language is that?" Sam asked, taking the paper from her and turning away. Madame Pomfrey made to berate the man, but a silent warning from Severus stopped her. She raised an eyebrow that Severus had made any move to keep her silent, but a startled noise from the taller Winchester cleared things up. "Eteocypriot. Which means we have no way of deciphering it." Poppy gave a small tut, pulling out her wand.
"Magic deary. It can do amazing things." The ink on the page began top move, rearranging itself slowly.
"We got sulfur Sammy." Dean called out from his position by the head of the bed.
"This is a warning. From Lilith." Sam said. "She knows we're here."
"You will have to make haste in finding a way to stop her." Cas said. "But we still must keep Harry away."
"I would suggest leaving after his potions class this Friday. I will tell him that you were sent for Spindle Werven, while also having the half giant occupy his time." Severus proposed, already sending off a dear to the Hufflepuff head of house. "Pomfrey, you will not speak of anything you saw today."
"But I need to report-"
"The ones who took Miss Tonks were not students. There is nothing to report." Severus said firmly. Poppy set her lips in a stern line.
"Mr. Winchester has not been in for his yearly examination. He is scheduled for tomorrow morning, but considering this extreme upset of my ward," Cas looked around the pristine infirmary in confusion. "I will be moving it to Saturday morning." She gave a small huff and returned to her office, snapping the door shut.
"I think she just might be on our side." Dean said, trying to lighten the mood.
"Yeah, well we're gonna need a lot more if the Headmaster finds out about your son."
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Albus sat in his office, considering his next course of action. It was difficult to find any information on the Winchesters. They had unexpectedly been away from home when the boy's letter came, so he could not investigate their belongings. The elders' rooms were warded even against him, for which he cursed the founders. It still bothered him that he could not enter their minds. Something about Sam screamed Squib, yet not. His theory of Dean being an AnteMaj was proven to be erroneous. Surprisingly by Severus, whom charmed the DADA assistant's hair bright blue for the duration of lunch. The methodic tap of thought on the wooden desk filled the room. Sam and Severus seemed to be…friends. The dark Potions professor did not seem as tense, or bitter when the taller man was around. He had no idea how this would affect his hold over Severus. He would need to enter the boy's mind. He would request the boy's presence halfway through his Potions lesson. That would eliminate at least two of his 'protectors' from coming with him. Dean and Castiel would be teaching as well. It would be simple, and all his questions would be answered.
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Harry looked up in surprise as his snowy white owl landed on the table across from him. She spat out a few letters, snatched a piece of bacon and flew off. Danny took this as an invitation to also steal some bacon, and ended up knocking the whole plate onto the floor. Harry sighed and picked up the mail. One was from Madame Pomfrey, advising him that his checkup was the next morning. He vaguely worried about it, but tossed the letter in his bag, deciding to talk with Cas about it later. The next was from the Headmaster.
"Career Counseling?" he wondered out loud. Hermione popped up beside him, making him jump about a foot in the air.
"It must be a mistake. Career Counseling doesn't begin until third year. You must tell Professor McGonagall right away so that she knows she made a mistake." Hermione rattled off in one breath. Harry scrubbed at his face wearily.
"It's from the Headmaster." He replied, hoping that would deter her.
"Maybe it's because you are technically a foreign exchange student. He probably wishes to speak with you about your family's jobs and if you will transfer to Ilvermorny." At Harry's blank stare she continued. "Ilvermorny is the American school of Witchcraft and Wizardry. "
"I doubt it. Uncle Sam loves it here. Even if Dad and Pa left to America again, I would stay here. I like it here." Harry said. "It's more likely that we all stay though."
"Do you know how to get to the Headmaster's office?" Harry nodded, skimming the last paper. It was an invitation from Hagrid for Danny to play with Fang, and for him to have some tea. He shrugged and mentally agreed to go. The chimes sounded and most of the student body began to move. Harry gathered his things and made his way over to the Slytherin table. He spotted the shock of platinum blond and made his way towards it, only to suddenly pitch forward as an older student shoved him from behind.
"Watch it Mudblood. " The clattering of inkwells on stone was clear in the almost empty Hall. Harry gave a small shout as his wrist connected harshly with the ground and rolled onto his back. "You're stupid Muggle parents aren't around to help you now." Harry gave a low growl, the boy falling to his knees, screaming loudly. The heat from his necklace shocked Harry pout of his trance, his attacker wheezing loudly as he hastily retreated. Harry looked around, seeing the looks of fear and awe on the faces around him.
"My father will be hearing about this!" Draco shouted after the panicked sixth year. Severus placed a hand on Harry's shoulder.
"This may cause complications."
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"Is there any reason for her to be targeted for kidnapping?"; Albus asked. Alastor paced, his leg thumping rhythmically.
"No. I haven't revealed that much to her." Alastor said. "Unless, do you believe in demons Albus?" The Headmaster inclined his head slightly, having heard the tale of the first wizard, and wanting to see what Alastor was thinking. "I have reason to believe that demons are behind the disappearance of Harry Potter. Tonks, she's too good at getting information that she doesn't need to be hearing. She must have heard about Potter being gone, and they wanted to tie up loose ends. Another of our trainees, Taleven, went following a fake note from Tonks, got himself possessed. The boy was coming after me Albus. These demons do not want people knowing about them, or Harry Potter. Do you think they are training the boy up? What if Voldemort has made a deal with them to get the boy."
"Well Alastor- "
"Someone is coming up the stairs. Severus and two boys." Alastor interrupted, his eye whizzing around. Sure enough a few moments later there was a knock at the door.
"Enter." The three entered, Harry Winchester hiding behind Severus as Albus dropped his gaze on him. The other boy was standing as far from Harry as he could manage.
"There was an altercation." Severus said slowly. "It seems Crespin thought it appropriate to harm someone five years beneath him."
"Hey! He hurt me too, the freak!" Harry clutched the back of Severus' robes tightly, tears welling up in his eyes.
"Do you have any visible injuries?" Severus drawled. "Or a report sheet of injuries healed? No? Then I find it difficult to believe."
"That…thing!... is a fucking Mudblood freak." There was a strangled cry from Harry before he disappeared. Severus whirled around in alarm.
"Mr. Winchester's defensive magic is extremely sensitive. The 'harm' that Crespin claims was a reaction on Winchester's magic, causing him to be immobilized."
"He was putting bloody pictures in my head!" Crespin shouted, tugging at his hair. "Horrible. Terrible. Deadly." The sixth year slid down the floor. Severus pulled his wand.
"Point me!" The wand spun rapidly before coming to slowing to point at the Forbidden Forest. When Alastor looked fit to shout Albus held up a hand to pause him.
"Professors Winchester and Novak are currently in the forest with Hagrid, attempting to rid a nasty boggart that is bothering the inhabitants. I am almost certain Harry's protective magic simply transported him to his parents."
"I must apologize. In my anger I must have projected thoughts onto Crespin." Albus looked over at the weeping boy.
"Yes, well we all make mistakes. A few calming draughts and an overnight visit to the Infirmary should do him good." Albus replied. He needed the Winchester boy, now more than ever. He suspected that Severus was not being truthful, but he could not alienate the man at this time. "Alastor, we can all travel down so you may speak to Pomfrey as well."
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Cas and Hagrid made sure to shield their eyes as they each held their spray bottles of what Dean had dubbed Bogger-B-Gone. Dean had chosen to be the one to lure out the boggart, claiming that his fears posed no real threat to anyone. Currently they were listening to Dean's voice to lead them, waiting for the signal to open their eyes and shoot. Dean gave a triumphant grin as he saw something start to take shape in front of him. The boggart would hold form for a few moments before attempting to mimic something else. He vaguely saw a few shapes, his father, Harry, Cas. He wasn't worried about these. His father had died for him. Harry loved him, and would always have others to care for him, Cas…he was not sure why the angel had appeared.
"He can't get a lock on me. What kind of pathetic monster are you?" Dean said with a laugh. Hagrid chuckled slightly at this, his eyes firmly closed. Dean turned back to the monster, ready to gank it himself when Harry appeared in front of him…facing the monster. There was a horrific roar through the forest, several winged creatures scattering. The form just kept growing, beginning to tower even over Hagrid. Like wisps of black shadow held together by blackened bone. "Harry!ned bone. ack shadow held together by , several winged creatures scattering. d no real threat to anyone"
"What's going on? What is it?" Cas asked in concern.
"Someone open your eyes! NOW!"
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The Gryffindor common room had fallen into silence upon hearing the roar, McGonagall flooing into the room and ordering them all to the basement. Ron had at the moment been in the stairwell and upon taking a quick glance outside had nearly fainted on the spot. While rushing to his aid Neville also saw the beast. Four glowing red eyes burned into him.
/ / /
The Ravenclaws were quick to follow the evacuation procedure. Flitwick was worriedly running between paintings, ordering them to alert wandering students. He nearly ran into Miss Lovegood, who was staring off towards the ceiling. Before he could tell her to return to the line she bolted. Flitwick stared after her in shock. The girl was known for her flowing movements, her light stepping, and yet she had just run off as if there was a hippogriff on her tail.
"Miss Lovegood!" He squeaked.
/
A few Hufflepuff students were standing outside the opening to their dorm, quickly ushering the other students inside. The thin ivy that decorated the doorway was becoming thicker and thorned as their Head of House continued to chant. Poppy came around the corner, a neat line of floating patients behind her.
"Gerald, incoming patients." Tony, the Hufflepuff Prefect, shouted down the tunnel. Gerald could be heard giving orders within the dorm.
"Students arriving." Isabella, the Ravenclaw Prefect called out, increasing her step slightly as the foundation of the castle shook. "Hurry inside all of you." She ordered, pulling her wand and standing with Tony and Carmenia outside the tunnel. Her partner, Alan, joined her once the last had gotten in.
"One's missing." He hissed to Isabella. She turned in surprise, seeing that his face was grim. "Professor Flitwick is running around looking for her, but it doesn't look good."
/ / /
"It's here, it's here, it's here." Crespin chanted, standing next to Severus in the hall. Severus cast a glance at the boy, concerned with what Harry had shown him. Draco was having a grand time ordering the Gryffindors into the common room along with the Prefect, until he realized that Harry was not among them.
"You. Weasley. Where is Harry?" Draco demanded, pulling the boy to the side. Ron shook his head, still in shock from what he had seen. Severus pulled his wand, reciting the location spell once more.
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"Why won't he change!" Dean shouted, running through the forest with Harry over his shoulder.
"It's 'cause wer all afraid of it now. 'M terrified meself." Hagrid explained. Dean could agree with that. Dean chanced a glance over his shoulder and realized that they were not being chased. In fact, the monster was now sitting in the clearing.
"I know what it is." Cas said suddenly, seeing the faintest hint of green irises behind the blood red layer. "Harry you do not need to be afraid."
"Castiel is right Harry." A soft voice said, causing Dean to jump. Luna gave Harry an encouraging nod. Harry looked at the beast, at a part of him, a part he feared. "It's alright to talk about it Harry."
"I didn't mean to put all those bad images in Crespin's head. I knew I couldn't use my angel powers on him. I…I don't know what I used, it just felt…dark and…and…"
"I suspected this would happen, and you must realize I do not blame you for your actions." Harry looked to Cas with tear-filled eyes. "It seems the legend of you wizards are true. Spawn of angel and demon, you hold both halves within you, melding them into something new. Harry, you are special. You are able to absorb my lost grace, and thus are able to separate these powers when you wish too, including those of the demon."
"I don't want demon powers." Harry whispered.
"And you needn't ever use them. Imagine it like drawing Harry. You are drawing your world with the prettiest of lilac, and sometimes you use the blue crayon instead, just for a change. The red crayon is sitting in the box. You must not let it get dull Harry. You do not have to draw with it, but you have to sharpen it. You never know when you will need to use that red crayon, and you do not want it to be unusable when that time comes."
"We will not let you lose control of your powers again. I promise." Dean said, hoping the promise would not bite him in the ass later. Harry turned back to the boggart and it quickly shrunk down, to something even more horrifying to Dean. It was Vernon Dursley, face absolutely purple with rage. He didn't think. Harry was his. Shot after shot rang out in the forest. Cas quickly reacted and doused the boggart in their solution, causing it to melt away. Dean pointed his gun downward, chest heaving from the large gasps he was taking. He felt Harry place a hand on his arm and he looked down.
"We need to talk."
ITS DONE ITS FINALLY DONE. Sorry everyone. Classes have started up and I've been in a pinch trying to figure out a good schedule for my daily writing. Not to worry though. Updates will be AT LEAST once a month. If I get a lot of free time, it may be twice, but that will be the max most likely.