AN: Sorry. College really sucks the life out of you. Good news: this is a very long chapter and one more chapter and it's over. Huzzah!

Harry Potter and the Snake's Veil

Chapter 15 Returning to Civilization

Sirius stared at the wizard behind the desk. He opened his mouth to speak but words failed to form. He closed it, not wanting to look like a fish out of water. He certainly felt like one though. He opened his mouth again, this time only uttering one syllable, "What?"

A chuckle behind him made him jump. "Are you telling me Black that you in all your idiocy you still cannot even understand the simplest version of what happened to your godson?"

"Where did you come from Snivellus?" Sirius growled.

Snape's eyebrow twitched but said nothing. Instead, he walked forward and directed his next comment at Dumbledore, "I have returned the boy to his bed, Headmaster. Madam Pomfrey has already given him a magical sedative but I believe more is needed to control Potter."

Sirius stood up. "That's my godson you're talking about. Next time, you can direct concerns to me, his guardian."

Snape's lip curled. "Forgive me Black; I had forgotten you still weren't hanging on a rod, blowing in the breeze."

Sirius moved toward Snape, but Dumbledore deterred, "Sirius, why don't you go down to see Harry. He's always happy to see you. We will continue our conversation later."

Casting one more glare at Snape, Sirius nodded and left the office.

Once the door closed, Snape sat down in the chair previously occupied by Sirius. "Headmaster, I believe the sedative won't last for long. We need to find another option to restrain Potter before he does something drastic."

"Do not worry Severus, once the antidote works I will block his magic until we can control him again."

Sirius entered the quiet Hospital Wing. Lucky for him, there was only one person in the room, so he didn't have to explain his sudden resurrection.

He stepped past the curtains that were already pulled back and fell into the chair. His hand reached for the one lying on the bed. A smile graced his lips as the hand squeezed back.

"Hey kid."

Two eyes opened and focused on the person beside the bed. Sirius looked into the unfamiliar eyes, finding it hard to see his godson. But he was still there.

"You're okay." The voice sounded exhausted and defeated. Harry shifted in his bed, the bands around his arms and feet making the feat difficult.

Sirius frowned at the objects and went to remove them. "What are…?"

"Please, leave them there. I am a danger to you and everyone else in this castle." Sirius opened his mouth but Harry interjected, "Please Sirius, drop it. I don't want to talk about it." He paused, looking away from his godfather. "So you're doing okay then?"

Sirius analyzed Harry; he noticed the thin lines of wrinkles in the corner of Harry's eyes, which carried dark circles underneath them, standing stark against his pale skin. His cheekbones lay dominate on his face, showing how thin he had gotten since the last time Sirius had saw him. Harry looked like a prisoner of Azkaban. He also noted that Harry needed some normality right now. "I'm doing alright for missing about six months of my life. But I do have to say, it flew by much quicker than my thirteen years in Azkaban."

Harry chuckled, which turned into a deep cough. It subsided, leaving Harry shivering. "It felt like a few years to me."

Sirius frowned. He gripped Harry's hand harder, the hairs on his arm rose at the coldness of Harry's hand. "I'm going to ask Dumbledore if you can live with me once you get a clean bill of health. Perhaps we can find a flat away from Grimmauld Place."

"He won't let me." Sirius tried to interrupt but at the sight of what appeared to be a snake trying to push its way out of Harry's skin stopped him in mid-breath. He dropped Harry's hand. Tears grew in the corners of the yellow eyes. The snake retreated, leaving Harry visibly wearier. "I don't think I'll be myself for much longer."

"Don't say that Harry! You're a fighter, like your parents…"

"No I'm not!" The straps holding him down snapped, "I'm nothing like my parents. I'm weak!" he screamed, brandishing his Dark Mark. "I'm a bloody Death Eater. I've done bad things, things my parents would never have done."

Sirius sat stunned; he didn't know he could tell Harry, how to put it into words how he felt. Harry pulled up his knees in close and wrapped his arms around them. Sirius stood and placed his hand on his godson's shoulder, "Harry, I love you and I know your parents still do."

Harry stiffened. "Love: an emotion so trivial, only fools fall into is snare." The door opened and Dumbledore and Snape entered. "Oh, why it isn't the King of Fools and the Half-Blood Traitor? I feel so honored both of you decided to visit me again today."

Dumbledore and Snape approached the bed. "Sirius I thought I told you not to…"

"Those potions are beginning to no longer have any affect on me Dumbledore. It won't be long before I am reunited with my Master."

"Oh, I highly doubt that. And I believe like Lord Voldemort," Harry hissed and flinched, "you like to bluff about your position of power. Your removal of the straps was merely a result of emotional magic. I also think you can hardly levitate a quill than return to the Death Eaters."

Harry glared at the headmaster who was smiling kindly at him. He tried to summon up his magic but to avail. The aftereffect left him shaking and sweating.

Dumbledore stepped closer, "But in case you do build up an immunity to Severus' potion, I shall remedy that immediately." He pulled out his wand, closed his eyes in concentration, and uttered, "Consenesco Enervis!"

Harry seized up as if a hand had reached inside him and was absorbing his entire magical aura. He felt empty as that grip left him and he started coughing uncontrollably as the little magic he had been able to use to hold together his health, was gone. He bent double gasping for breath. The snake inside him was squirming around.

"What the bloody hell did you do to my godson?"

Harry's head was pounding from the oxygen deprivation. He scratched at his arm when a tingling sensation began creeping down it. He turned to look and saw the snake crawling down the arm and pushing its way out at the crook of his arm. He screamed out in pain as it broke through the skin and pushed its way out. It slid out quickly, through Harry's panting breath, and at last the tail of the four foot snake was in sight. It feebly lifted its head and hissed, "Massster…" before drying out and crumbling to ash on the white sheets.

"No – no…' Harry murmured, gripping the gash in his left arm with his right hand.

"Harry…" Sirius turned to Dumbledore, "What did you do to him?"

"I only blocked his magic which seemed to be the catalyst for finishing off that snake. I think I can surmise Harry'll be able to return to Gryffindor Tower next week."

"No, Professor, I want to take Harry back home with me. He needs rest and he certainly doesn't need to be bombarded by the entire school about where he's been."

"I am sorry Sirius but Harry is still a student here and will be required to finish this year out. I do think you are right about one thing; I'll keep him in Gryffindor Tower to allow the students time to readjust to his return."

"Readjust? You talk as if he's some tool of yours! He's coming home with me."

"Sirius, I know you want to spend time with your godson but Harry will be safer here from Lord Voldemort."

Harry hissed and continued trying in vain to keep his blood from staining the whole sheet red. Sirius tried to argue back, but Harry responded, "It's no use; Dumbledore wins, he always wins. Whether it's asking to be allowed posted or being able to shop at Diagon Alley, he wins." Sirius shot Dumbledore a nasty look when Harry slumped forward on the bed.

At once, Sirius was beside him, shaking him gently, "Harry?"

Snape returned with Madam Pomfrey. The nurse batted Sirius away and took Harry's gouged arm. "It's trying to heal itself with magic but there's no magic to be had in this boy." She glanced at Dumbledore, who merely inclined his head. She tutted and pulled the wand from her apron. Performing a switchback movement, a thin thread stitched together the skin before melting into Harry's arm. "Now, he'll need just a blood replenishing potion and he should be better." She flicked her wand as she disappeared into her supply room, instantly cleaning the blood soaked sheet. She returned with a potion and handed it to Sirius, who gently prodded Harry awake and gave him the potion. Harry willingly drank it; too tired to fight.

Harry leaned back on the pillow, and fell fast asleep.

Sirius stood up and turned to Dumbledore, "I'd like a word with you professor about the treatment of my godson while I was gone, in private."

A week later, Dumbledore once again was in the hospital wing. "Now Harry, I want you to remember what we've been going over together this past week. Care to remind me?"

Sighing deeply, a worn-down Harry responded, "I am not to tell anyone where I've been for the past five month. I am not to show my Dark Mark. I am not to show any anger toward my classmates. If anyone asks were I've been, I am to tell them I've been secretly training. If they ask about my eyes, I am to tell them it was a potion experiment gone wrong. I am not to do any magic nor am I allowed to hold a wand." He paused layering another sweater on. "And finally, I am not allowed to leave Gryffindor Tower."

"Excellent Harry, you've really come around. I was afraid it would take longer to reign in your personalities." He surveyed the teen, who still looked different than his last attendance to Hogwarts. "Well, come along."

Harry obediently followed the headmaster out of the hospital and on to the path to the common room. As they approached the last staircase, Harry asked, "When can I see Sirius?"

"He's very busy at the moment settling his return to this plane with the Ministry. And I don't want owls flying to and from Headquarters either." Dumbledore paused. "I also had a rather – lengthy – chat with Sirius and we have arranged Floo Powder meetings to be set up in the common room's fireplace. I will notify you when they will occur." They stopped at the Fat Lady's portrait.

"Good afternoon Headmaster," she greeted and swung open.

Dumbledore pushed Harry inside. "Your friends are waiting for you," he said, winking as the portrait shut.

Harry's stomach dropped. He couldn't see his friends like this, as a Death Eater, not after what he did…

He entered the lounge area. They were sitting in two chairs by the fireplace. They were conversing in low tones; Harry wasn't able to hear them. He stepped closer; the floorboard creaked.

Both heads turned and stood up. Hermione was the first to speak, "Harry Oh, we're so excited to have you back. You don't know how worried we've been."

Ron continued, "I reckon Fred and George spent a lot of time improving the Extendable Ears so we could if the Order had any new information on you."

Harry looked at his two friends smiling at him, acting as if nothing had transpired. They were afraid of him though; he could see it, just hiding behind their eyes. 'Course they're scared of you, you allowed the Dark Lord to torture them and she almost died.' Harry opened his mouth to speak, but faltered as a tear slid down his cheek.

Hermione took a step forward, releasing Ron's hand. "Harry, it's al…"

"Don't tell me it's alright." Hermione stopped as Harry continued, "I'm sorry – for being so weak, for not saving you myself…" Harry tried to keep himself composed. He was so tired and so cold. "I'm sorry…"

Ron and Hermione exchanged confused glances. Ron responded first, "Hey mate, You-Know-Who captured you, there's nothing to apologize to us for. If anything…"

Harry cut in, "Did Dumbledore put you up to this? Don't mention any of my faults?" Harry choked back a sob. "The Dark Lord captured you both because you were my friends…"

"Harry, we've only left the castle to go home for Christmas…" Hermione filled in.

Harry, meanwhile, had starting pacing like a caged animal. He ran his fingers through his hair. "He killed you – you were at my feet dead… I, I bargained with him to revive you."

Hermione shook her bushy head, tears now forming in her eyes. "Harry, I've been in school since September. Voldemort…"

"How dare you say his name, you filthy Mudblood?" Harry roared, his yellow eyes flashing.

Ron went to move toward Harry, his wand already in his hand, when Hermione place her hand on his chest, "Ron it's okay, he's had it rough…"

Shaking, Harry collapsed in the arm chair closest to the fire. "Oh Merlin, Hermione I'm sorry."

'No you're not. You want to ravage the Mudblood's body and watch her slowly die.'

"Shut up!" Harry growled, kneading his forehead. His scar tingled in response.

Hermione and Ron sat cautiously on the love seat across from him. Her eyes still red, Hermione mustered up her wits, "Harry, it's going to take a while, but we'll all work together to piece this friendship back together. Vol – You-Know-Who is not going to destroy this family."

With the fire highlighting his features, Harry looked up into the eyes of his two best friends. Slowly, he nodded.

It had been almost two weeks. Two long, miserable weeks. Harry sat, curled up in the chair closest to the crackling fire. It was always so cold.

Harry slowly lifted his eyes as his former classmates shuffled through the common room, on their way to breakfast. A few still snuck a few glances his way before speeding up their step; conversing in whispers and furtive glances. Harry sighed.

The first few days had been awkward. The Gryffindors seem relieved that he was back and were all quick to ask questions. Harry went through Dumbledore's story. They all bought it. Then as the week went by, then began to grow suspicious of his confinement to the tower and started to fear him when his yellow eyes would flash or he'd begin yelling at seemingly no one. This was not the Harry Potter they remembered; not the Boy-Who-Lived or the Qudditch star. This was someone different. Hermione and Ron tried to make small talk; they always sat with him at night when they pulled out their homework. Ginny managed to sit with every once in a while, but she was often bogged down with Qudditch practices, studying for the upcoming OWLs, and, as she confided in him, going steady with Dean Thomas. The only person who whole-heartedly was trying his best at helping Harry back into Hogwarts was Neville.

Harry's gaze was broken as Neville sat down next to Harry. "Morning Harry. Still haven't found your way back to the dormitory yet?"

"No, it's too cold up there."

"Right, I keep forgetting you've formed some resistance against heat. I read about some plant in the Himalayans that makes you resistant to the cold. Neat, huh?"

Harry nodded, watching Hermione and Ron leave, hand-in-hand. They didn't even glance his way.

"No chance you'll be coming to the Great Hall for breakfast today?" Neville questioned.

Harry turned to Neville. 'This squib should be cast among the Muggles to be killed, the worthless whelp. He stains the history of wizards…' "Shut up!" Harry opened his eyes. He was aware of the few stragglers gawking at him before sprinting out of the room. Neville had his mouth agape.

"Sorry Neville, not you." He paused, feeling exhausted. Harry rubbed his forehead. Sighing once more, he answered Neville's question, "I don't think I'll be attending breakfast anytime soon."

Neville nodded before getting up. He cast one look of sadness toward Harry before following out the path his housemates made.

When Harry was sure the common room was empty, he burrowed his face in his hands. He couldn't handle this anymore. "What was Dumbledore thinking?" he murmured, picking his head up.

'He's trying to show you what a failure you are. Your 'friends' won't even look at you. They're scared of what you've become. You know who remains faithful to you, to us.'

"Leave me alone."

A cruel laugh echoed through his head, making him feel emptier. He scooted closer to the fire to starve off the coldness that was settling inside.

Later that evening, Harry idly watched Hermione and Ron work through their homework. Hermione dotted her last period and looked up at Harry. "You're awfully quiet tonight Harry." Harry just shrugged his shoulders. "Are you feeling alright? You look exhausted…"

"I'm fine," Harry snapped. He noticed Hermione caught his stare momentarily before looking back down. He, however, felt Ron's piercing stare. "I'm sorry Hermione, I…" Harry couldn't think of how to put 'every time I try to sleep I see the people I've killed' into easy terms. He cleared his throat, "What are you working on?"

"It's actually interesting this year in Defense. An Auror is…"

"Ron!" Ron immediately closed his mouth, his ears turning red. Hermione looked apologetic, "Harry you know we can't tell you what we're doing, Dumbledore's rule."

"Bloody fool, I should have killed him when I had the chance." Both Ron and Hermione looked at Harry in shock. His eyes softened, "I'm sorry – I – it's just I want to talk to Sirius."

"Didn't Hermione tell you…?"

"Ron I thought you said…"

"What?" Harry growled, growing frustrated.

A sheepish Ron mumbled, "Sirius is going to fire call you in about ten minutes."

"That's why the common room is so empty. We scooted everyone out," Hermione finished. "Sorry we forgot to tell you."

Harry glanced into the fire, waiting to see his godfather's face. Then a searing pain torn at his right arm and into his scar. He cried out and clenched his arm as another wave of pain sent spasms down the arm. "Harry…"

"Harry!"

Harry's eyes snapped open. He had fallen to the floor. "Get your dirty hands off me Mudblood!" he growled swinging his arm, connecting with something. Hermione squealed in pain and stumbled backward into the chair. Harry got up and brushed passed them.

Ron dove for his wand. "Expelliarmus!"

Harry lunged out of the way, rolling on the ground. He stood up and grinning, he responded, "I'd expect nothing more from you Weasley. I should have let Lucius kill your pathetic father." He swung the portrait open. "I return to my Master," he said, swiping into a bow before stepping out.

Harry stepped out of the lit room in to sheer darkness. The light faded as Harry walked into the black room. He could see nothing, hear nothing, and feel nothing.

"Oh very funny Dumbledore. You little gimmicks won't stop me." He continued to walk along nothing.

Then an icy fist clenched his insides. A dementor glided toward him. Harry backed up, "Expecto Patronus," he tried. He fell to the floor as the Dementor loomed overhead, inhaling a rattling breath. "Stay away," Harry mumbled, feeling weak. The Dementor got closer. The coldness froze him. He could hardly move. The images were flashing through his mind. So many deaths.

Losing reason, Harry began rambling, "I only have half my soul – not too good either… no happy memories here… stay away…" Slowly he succumbed to the blackness.

Harry's eyes fluttered open as he tried to gain what had happened. He glanced around noticing he was back in the common room. His eyes rested on Sirius who was half dosing next to him. He shivered, causing Sirius to turn toward him, "How you feeling?"

"I hurt Hermione didn't I?"

Sirius shifted in his seat, looking into Harry's eyes. "She's fine, nothing the nurse couldn't fix." He paused, seeing Harry's discomfort. "That wasn't you Harry. You would never hurt your friends."

Harry shook his head, his eyes watering, "We are the same person. I can't fight it off anymore. I am so tired Sirius; I can't sleep anymore, I can't have my life back. I just don't want to fight anymore."

Wrapping his arm around his godson, Sirius pulled the teen close. "Harry, I know you probably don't want to hear this anymore, but you are a fighter. If you weren't you'd be at the hideout now with the Death Eaters. You fought so hard against him for so long; you can't give up now." He paused, pulling the blanket back over Harry. "I talked with Dumbledore. You are allowed to leave Gryffindor Tower but he asks if 'you would please do so when the other students are in class so not to create an inquiry session.' He also mentioned not to leave the physical castle walls nor attend meals." Harry sighed. "Sorry kid, I shouted myself hoarse getting you out of this tower. He's adamant that by being at Hogwarts, you'll become the boy who left here in June. The only problem with that is, once you've become a man, it's hard to return to that time of innocence." The two sat in silence, staring at the fire.

Harry spoke first. "I love you Sirius."

"Love you too kid."

A week or so later, Harry leaned up against the stone wall atop the Astronomy Tower. A cool breeze blew past, ruffling Harry's dark hair. He shivered, pulling the thick winter cloak closer around him.

Since Sirius' talk, Harry had managed to suppress his dark thoughts. It did nothing though for his fractured friendship. Hermione was terrified of him and Ron was ready to curse him into a speck of dust. His Dark Mark, however, was constantly flaring up, and it took Harry all the self-restraint he had not to seize a wand and blast his way back to his real family.

"To Death Eaters," he reaffirmed aloud. "Murderers."

"Now Potter, what would the Dark Lord say if he heard you badmouthing us."

Harry turned around. Wormtail was standing behind him, his wand pointed at him. "You!"

"I haven't missed you at all Potter but the Dark Lord mourns the lost of his heir." The look of disgust was evident on his face. He stepped closer, reaching into his cloak. "It's not too late Potter to come back; come home Potter." He pulled out a metallic ball. "It's a Portkey and if you touch it, we will return to his presence."

Harry gazed at the ball, seeing his reflection staring back. He reached out to touch it, his arm wavering slightly.

The trap door flopped open. "Harry are you up here?" Neville appeared and his boyish grin was wiped off his face at the scene before his eyes.

Wormtail turned his wand on Neville. "Avada…"

"No!" Harry cried, struggling through the magic block. Using a technique he had learned from the Masters, Harry instead concentrated on Neville's magic and gathered it together and sent it slamming into Wormtail.

The second half of the spell never left Wormtail's mouth as he was sent flying. He hit the edge of the battlement, the top half pushed further than the bottom, sending a resounding crack through the air. The bottom toppled over and Wormtail's bloodcurdling scream echoed on the grounds before a dull thud was heard. Then silence.

Harry stared at the spot where Wormtail was in numb disbelief. He fell to his knees before sliding back. Circling his arms around his legs, Harry began rocking back and forth. The metal ball rolled toward him, glinting in the sunlight.

Thirty minutes later, the professors were finally able to burst open the door that Harry had sealed. Dumbledore emerged first, sweeping the scene before heading to the limp Neville, McGonagall followed him, and finally Snape, who walked over to Harry.

"Potter are you with me?" he asked kneeling beside the zoned out Harry.

Harry continued rocking, only murmuring, "I killed him… I killed him…"

Snape looked over Harry. "Come now Potter, no huge lost to humanity there." He reached out to lift Harry up.

Harry snapped out of it and grabbed the front of Snape's cloak. "I don't want to go back there! Don't let him find me. I can't go back to him Snape."

Snape pulled him up but Harry still remained attached to his cloak. "Don't worry Potter, he won't get you."

-Anaticulapreacantrix