Beta'd by: Bombadilo Baby. Thaaaannnk Yooooou!
Woo! I did it! Two in one weekend, I hope you like it. I can't wait to post a Hogwarts chapter! But you guys will probably have to wait 2-3 more posts for that. Apologies! If I had a time turner I promise I would post more frequently. . . ;-)
Thank you for your pairing suggestions! A couple of those I hadn't even thought about :-O
I've got some plans in the works, but there are still a couple I'm sitting on the fence with currently, so if you have an ideas let me know!
Hope you all had a charmed weekend! Sadly mine has come to an end (at least for another 5 days)
-G
Nope. Nope. Nope. I do not own Harry Potter, any of its character's, or ideas - But thumbs up to J. K Rowling for (literally) dreaming up the Harry Potter world! My childhood (and, yes, adulthood) are so very grateful!
Narcissa Malfoy stared forward in alarm towards number four Privet Drive.
The wards had fallen.
With a jolt, she strode forward, feet sharply striking the drive. Behind her, she vaguely heard Severus' sharp intake of breath as Lucius passed without resistance onto the property just after her. Narcissa felt dread thrumming uncomfortably through her chest, knowing that whatever events had occurred here since yesterday afternoon had shattered the (however feeble) protection this house brought Harry.
They all knew there was only one way that could have occurred: if there were no emotional ties linking Harry and his relatives. Or, more accurately, no positive ties strong enough to uphold the foundations such wards were built upon.
Lady Malfoy felt fury towards Dumbledore for placing a young child in such a place. There was no way he could not have known the extent of Harry's abuse here. When one becomes a child's magical guardian, the protector receives a monitoring device lightly connected to their charge, any strong emotions such as pain or fear would easily be broadcast across. Dumbledore knew. He did nothing.
Narcissa struck forward with her hand, wand alight with magic. The door shuddered, swollen with magic, before it burst; disintegrating into dust at their feet as they passed through the entrance.
She could feel the roiling pressure of her husband and Severus' magic behind her, crackling threateningly like a thunderstorm. The hallway darkened as they strode down, the natural magic in the air responding and reflecting their mood. Windows cracked and splintered. There was a bellow from up the stairs, and the three's faces grew vicious as a huge bulbous man trampled towards them, spittle flying as he demanded they remove themselves from his house.
Narcissa's fingers twitched, curling inwards like claws preparing to strike.
Vernon opened his oblivious mouth, curses spat from his lips, when Severus' wand slashed forward.
Dursley's eyes flew wide with fear, and his hands desperately grappled at his mouth, as his lips melted together, sealing his mouth. The man's face grew red, sweat dripping heavily from his chins, as he stumbled back. Behind Vernon, still on the stairs, they heard a piercing shriek as a horse-faced woman ran forward.
"Vernon! Oh, my god!" she cried, hands darting towards her husband's face, before flinching away. "Get rid of it!" she hissed, her voice high pitched and raspy. Her eyes darted to the intruders. "Take it off! Now! How dare you come in here, you freaks!" she spat, her hands clenching desperately onto the side of her skirt. Petunia's hair slipped from the tight bun, shivering around her face. Suddenly her eyes clasped on Severus.
"You!" she screeched, in vitriol. "I know who you are, Snape! You disgusting freak! You were one of my revolting sister's friends. You're all from that aberration of a school!" she realised, gesturing wildly to the group.
The potion masters cloak snapped behind him as he strode forward jerkily, his eyes burning with fury.
"If anyone here deserves the label 'revolting' it is you, Tuney." He seethed, his voice thin as black ice "How you are capable of feeling anything for this nauseating lump you call husband," Severus sneered, gaze flickering to Vernon cowering on the floor with revulsion "and yet revile those of your own blood is beyond my capabilities of comprehension. And if killing you now could somehow bring back Lily" Severus' voice broke at the mention of his only childhood friend, even as he edged forward threateningly to point his wand squarely at Mrs. Dursley's chest "then you would be a corpse on the floor." The sentence slithered dangerous from his lips.
Petunia let out a strangled, choked, noise before collapsing on the floor unconscious.
Narcissa quickly swept up the stairs in search of Harry whilst Lucius strode forward, clapping his hand briefly against the potion masters shoulder "Severus" Lucius said, in a low drawling voice.
Instantly, Severus calmed, shrugging off the hand as he stalked towards the cringing lard of a man on the floor. He reached down, long pale fingers gripping harshly across the fat man's face.
As soon as their gaze met, Severus barked out "Legilimens,"
Lucius waited tensely, with no compassion as Severus plundered the fowl man's mind.
Several minutes later, Narcissa returned from upstairs, her brow creased with distress, steps agitated.
She briefly entwined her fingers with her husband, looking towards Severus "Lucius, he's not upstairs." She said, her normally smooth voice tight. Lucius' gaze flickered in alarm towards his wife moments before Severus shoved Vernon away in disgust.
The Malfoy's turned around in unison, keen eyes noting how Severus' hooded gaze shot across towards a small cupboard under the stairs. Narcissa drew in a sharp breath.
She followed just behind Severus, who had instantly stridden towards the tiny door, watching in trepidation.
Lucius remained in the living room, Vernon held under wand point, and a sneer on his aristocratic face. Dursley blubbered on the floor beneath him, strangled noises unable to fall from his disfigured mouth.
Severus swished his wand sharply and the numerous locks enclosing the cupboard slammed open along with the door.
The tiny room inside was pitch black, dust motes swirling heavily around the freshly disturbed room.
In their haste, they almost missed the tiny form of Harry curled up tightly on the floor, unconscious. When they saw him, they stared in horror. Harry was surrounded by a pool of blood and vomit, small eyes red and swollen shut, with heavy bruising around his neck, and a deep wound on his forehead that continued to oozing blood.
Severus' eyes widened, body shuddering violently with repressed anger, knuckled white by his sides, as he swiftly knelt beside Harry's prone form. His hand reached out, quickly taking the boys pulse. His panic only increasing when he found it alarmingly slow.
Without pause, he scooped the boy up, distantly noting the alarmingly light weight, as he cradled the boy against his upper chest. Originally they all had vague intention to spend more time gathering information, and collecting Harry's possessions, but one look at the frail child and they all instantly changed their minds.
Severus walked back into the living room, Lucius' face briefly showing his shock before a cold veil settle over the aristocrat. Severus and Narcissa apparated away with Harry while Lucius paused for a moment.
Lip curled in disgust, the blonde peered down at the man before him "I look forward to our upcoming discussion Dursley." Lucius hissed lowly, before departing with a crack, leaving the vile creature cowering on the carpeted floor.
When Lucius appeared back in his study, it was to the scene of intense focus and activity. Whatever Andromeda's reaction had been to Harry's initial entrance, he couldn't say. Currently Lucius' sister in law and Harry were surrounded by a pulsing blue light as her hands directed strong healing magic into the wound on the raven's forehead. Narcissa stood behind her, a pale hand placed firmly on the back of the Healers neck, as she reinforced the spell with her own magic. Severus was hunched slightly to the side, and enlarged potions kit open beside him, as he accurately measuring out the correct dose of blood replinisher.
Lucius closed his eyes, calming his core as he focused on the Manor's magic. It was a deeply-rooted magic, built up over centuries of his family living amongst these walls. The Manor responded to Lucius call immediately, as though it had been waiting close at hand, wanting to assist. The air around them shifted, filling with the familiar and comforting old energies of his predecessors. The blue light around Narcissa and Harry strengthened, enhanced two-fold.
Lucius' eyes drew open, watching closely as Harry's wound finally sealed closed. Andromeda and Narcissa breathed deeply, tight shoulders sagging slightly as the strain was momentarily lifted.
Andromeda's hand reached tentatively forward, brushing gently along Harry's still bruised neck. "Cissy?" She asked, glancing back at her sister.
Narcissa straightened, her face set as she nodded in confirmation, replacing her hand.
The bruising took a much shorter time to heal than the open wound, and soon both Andromeda and Narcissa stepped away from the lounge where Harry had been placed. Severus passed them, stepping up beside Harry. Carefully elevating the ravens head, Severus poured the blood replenisher into Harry's mouth, trailing his wand down the unconscious boy's throat to direction the fluid into his stomach.
This was gently followed by a pain relief potion and dreamless sleep, both the modified recipe for minors. Placing the empty bottles to the side, Severus reached forward to softly brush the damp fringe from Harry's forehead, dark eyes unreadable, before retreating. The potions master refused to meet the gaze of anyone else in the room, as he busied himself with packing away his emergency potions kit.
Lucius, after sending out his weary gratitude to the house magic, released the summon. The Manor's magic swept gently over the room's occupants, replenishing their energy reserves, before seeping away.
Andromeda sank down on a chair with shaky legs.
"That's Harry Potter." She stated, staring across at the boy with hazy eyes.
Lucius walked across to join his wife on a nearby settee. "It is, and you have our heartfelt gratitude for your assistance in his wellbeing. I will be contacting the Board shortly, I have no doubt that they will want your report as a Healer, regarding Harry's condition today." He said wearily.
Andromeda nodded with steely resolution "And they shall have it, though I hope you can provide me with an explanation in regards to it." She requested.
Severus bristled, snarling "I'd think it's obvious. The boy's loving family" he spat in fury "saw fit to treat him as you've seen today. And the person labelled as his current magical guardian, the Headmaster, has done nothing to address the abuse in the last ten years the boy has spent there." He snapped, his mind trailing back to all the other times the Headmaster failed to act in the protection of his students.
Narcissa flickered an admonishing look towards her old friend "Direct your sharp tongue to the relevant parties, Severus. My sister, although indirectly an associate of Dumbledore's, is not his confidant." She corrected, mildly.
Severus' anger deflated, and he rubbed his face tiredly. "My apologies Mrs Tonks. I'm afraid this morning's events have taxed me more that I realised." He said, turning to Andromeda.
Mrs. Tonks waved her hand lazily "No need. I had no intentions of holding you in fault for the statement." She turned towards the mantle clock, noting it had almost reached ten "I will need to depart for work soon, if the Board's Child Services need to contact me, I will be available this afternoon at St. Mungo's." She told them before turning to her sister, smiling slightly "Draco has not yet come down; though Dobby informed me he delivered breakfast shortly after nine. Dobby also mentioned that Dotty's health has also improved slightly since the potions were delivered." She informed her.
Narcissa stood and wrapped her arms around her elder sister, forearms brushing a silken dress. "Thank you for coming, Andie. Perhaps you and your family would be able to make it around for supper tonight? I'm sure Harry would like to meet his Healer in person. And Draco should meet his cousin." She suggested softly.
Andromeda embraced her warmly in return. "That would be lovely. The three of us will come across once Ted finishes work." She replied, stepping back. Lucius and Severus also stood, bidding their farewells, before Andromeda disappeared through the floo.
It was quiet for a minute, then Lucius stood and walked over to his wife, encircling her in his arms. "I'm sorry, my love." He murmured into her light blonde hair "I will help you repair the bond that my idiocy severed" he promised her.
Narcissa turned in his arms, embracing in return "It was not only your actions, dear. Bella and I both pushed her away; she was safer with her husband and daughter. I ought to have reached out to her properly years ago, when the whole mess finally-" a small voice interrupted her from the doorway.
"Mum?" Draco's confused voice drifted through the room, followed by a scurry of small feet at Draco hurried across to floor "Harry!" he exclaimed, as he stopped beside the unconscious raven on the lounge.
Narcissa and Lucius turned towards their son, wincing as they noted his surprised expression slowly morph into anxiety when Harry didn't respond to his gentle shake of the ravens shoulder.
Draco turned slowly to his parents "Mum?" Draco asked, hesitantly. Their son could tell from his parent's behaviour, though they tried to contain it, how tense the mood in the room was.
"Harry was injured, but he's fine now, darling." Narcissa reassured her son, walking forwards to comb her fine fingers through Draco's smooth blonde hair. "Just very tired. You'd best let him rest." She told him gently.
Draco turned back to Harry, wishing he could wake his friend now, but also somewhat nervous. He could see the sickly pallor to Harry's skin, and sense the residual tang of strong magic. A sensation he recalled from the time his parents had taken him to visit his Grandfather in St. Mungo's.
Draco turned back again, this time meeting the gaze of his Godfather "What happened?" he asked haltingly, knowing that Severus conceal the truth from him.
Severus raised an eyebrow "You shouldn't ask questions that are not your business, Draco. When Harry wakes, if he chooses, he can inform you himself." The potions master responded, standing from his chair.
Draco scowled slightly, but didn't argue.
Severus turned to Lucius "I will need to return to Hogwarts shortly." He stated "Dumbledore will be wanting my report; and it would be best that he remains unaware of our actions until the Board is ready to place charges." Severus pulled out a small bundle from his cloak and placed it on Lucius' desk. "You send me the complete list from St Mungo's of potions required for Mr. Potter." He instructed gruffly, not meeting the Malfoy's eyes.
Lucius smirked in amusement, and tilted his head in agreement. Both he and Narcissa had seen the items Severus had left behind, and knew what they would be. "I'll owl a copy of the list either this afternoon and early tomorrow morning." He confirmed.
Severus nodded, opening his mouth to reply when a whimper was heard from the side of the room. Severus turned sharply towards the lounge, as Draco bounded over towards Harry.
"Harry?" He called, shaking the raven's arm slightly, causing Harry to stir slightly.
A tired groan came from the dark haired boy's mouth.
"Draco perhaps-" came Narcissa's hesitant voice, as she walked quickly across the room towards the two boys.
Draco had already reached forward to shake him again and suddenly Harry flinched away from the contact, green eyes flying open with unfocused panic.
"No!" came a quiet cry, as Harry curled in upon himself, eyes scrunched tightly shut "No, please . . ." the raven started to tremble.
Draco pulled his hand quickly away, scared by Harry's reaction.
Severus stepped past Narcissa and Draco, casting a calming spell immediately over Harry, waiting a moment as Harry's shuddering breaths calmed slightly. "Harry, you are at the Malfoy's. You are safe."
Harry froze, not recognising the low voice. Gradually he squinted open his eyes, timidly glancing up at the dark haired man before him. "My name is Professor Severus Snape, I am a teacher at Hogwarts. The Malfoy's and I brought you from privet drive this morning." Snape's smooth voice swept over Harry, oddly reassuringly.
Harry unfurled slightly, glancing around the professor as Narcissa walked up beside him. Severus stepped back to made room for Lady Malfoy, who smiled gently down at the raven "Good morning, Harry. Are you feeling alright now?" she asked, slowly leaning forward to comb her fingers soothingly through Harry wild black hair.
Harry froze in shock, and momentary fear, before his relaxed slightly into the touch.
Moving out from under the palm slightly, Harry inched to sit up. A fine tremor still coursing through his limbs and his arms had become clenched in the sides of his shirt.
"I'm. . I'm a-at the Manor?" he whispered fearfully, eyes darting quickly around the room.
"You are." Narcissa confirmed, nodded her head gracefully.
Draco slipped around his mother, looking slightly down at Harry for a moment before he lowered himself down in front of Harry on the lounge. The blonde entwined his finger's with the raven's, and gently nudged one of Harry's knee's.
"Alright?" he asked, his face serious.
Harry nodded shyly, briefly meeting Draco's gaze.
Draco slowly stood back up again, keeping a hold of Harry hand. "Come on." He huffed, smiling down at the raven "I bet you haven't even had breakfast yet, we have some fresh scones and fairy-made raspberry jam from our eastern field." He said.
"Fairies are real?" Harry asked in shock, automatically following Draco off the lounge, walking beside him out the door towards the kitchens as Draco happily explained everything he knew about fairies.
Narcissa smiled slightly, carefully watching Harry, before turning towards Lucius and Severus.
"I'd best go with them." She said, nodding after the two boys. She turned to Severus "And you will stop by for a meal when you drop of Harry's potions later this week. You spend far too much time cooped up in those dungeons of yours." She scolded mildly.
Severus reluctantly nodded, only barely resisting rolling his eyes. "Of course, Lady Malfoy." He complied. "I will, however, depart now." He said, before turning to Lucius "You will keep me informed?" he questioned.
Lucius nodded. "Yes, and I suspect we will need your assistance." He admitted.
Severus nodded in farewell and departed through the floo to Hogwarts.
"I had best get in contact again with the Board." Lucius mused to his wife.
"The sooner the Board's enquiry is complete; the sooner action can be taken against Albus." Narcissa glowered "Luckily the board has transferred Harry's guardianship across to us for the time being. The Headmaster can have very little influence over Harry now without raising red flags from the Board members." She said with satisfaction.
"Indeed." Lucius said "You had best catch up with the boys, it's likely Harry will still feel unwell from the either the blood loss or healing. Particularly considering his already poor health." He said, scowling at the reminder of the Dursley's.
Narcissa knew immediately what individuals had angered her husband, and glowered as well. "We will have to keep an eye on Severus," Narcissa murmured lowly, turning to follow the boys.
Lucius watched her leave, tapping his cane against the ground "Severus is not the only one." He grumbled quietly, before turning towards the floo.
He had a lot of calls to make before the day had ended.
Harry and Draco walked quietly down the hallway, Draco's hand squeezing Harry's reassuringly. They'd just left the adults behind in the Lucius' study.
"Harry?" Draco asked, quietly. His sad grey eyes staring forwards down the hall.
". . . yeah?" the raven replied, softly. Walking closely beside his friend.
Draco glanced at Harry from the corner of his eye "You know if . . . if you're not alright, that I'll help . . . okay?" He checked, his voice serious.
Harry's head swung around to stare at Draco, his startled mouth popping open slightly, before he closed it. The raven bobbed his head slightly in a nod, but didn't reply aloud to the blonde.
Draco stopped, pulling Harry to a halt beside him. He waited until green eyes flickered up to his.
"I mean it Harry." He said earnestly, holding his gaze. "You're . . . you're my friend, alright? And I don't know how you got hurt, but I won't let you get hurt again." He said, mouth tight, body rigid.
Harry's heart shuddered inside his chest, and for the first time since he'd woken up, a small wobbly smile inched upon his face.
"Th-Thank you." He whispered, clasping tightly to Draco's hand.
Draco watched him for a moment more, looking closely at the raven's face, then he nodded in satisfaction. Walking close beside each other, steps synchronised, they trailed quietly off to the kitchens.