Thanks for reading and reviewing. I know I promised to make this chapter the Bonding Time and Remus's Wedding but there were too many loose ends that I needed to take care of first.
Harry Potter and Co. Belong to Rowling.
Chapter 26. INTERLUDE
………. A day after Lucius Funeral.
Narcissa was ready to leave. She had given the elves that would remain strict instructions on the care of the house. There were no last looks; no visiting her favorite rooms, no running her hands over special pieces of furniture, there was none of that, nothing but her late husband had ever mattered to her and he was no longer there. She called her personal elf to her and nodding to the Vampires the four apparated to Grimmauld Place.
"SWEET MERLIN!" Narcissa stood at the entrance of what once had been a set of iron double doors in shock. Grimmauld did not need to be fixed up! It needed to be rebuilt!
The structure was in shambles!
"Mistress this is our new home?" Kessy asked her large ears springing up in excitement.
"Ye…ss" Narcissa whispered looking down at her elf. The little creature had an ecstatic look on its face; there was so much work for her here! She had just entered elf heaven!
8888888888888888888888
Lord Potter wrestled himself away from death's arms like he had done it a long time ago. He gasped for air as he felt a pressure building inside and forced himself to breathe but his lungs would not obey and the pressure grew until he gasped in pain and felt tears welling up in his eyes. The pain was becoming unbearable and that gave him hope. If he could feel pain then he was almost home.
8888888888888888888888
Minerva's death was a hard blow for Lord Gribaldi, she had been a close friend and the biggest if in his life. He attended the funeral and was barely able to keep himself from attacking Albus Dumbledore as the Headmaster began reading the eulogy.
Swearing to avenge his friend's death he walked up to her body said good bye and then offered his condolences to Dumbledore who had been acknowledged as Minerva's closest friend and heir. She had left him everything, she must have been in love with him, he heard one of the other mourners whisper and yes Lord Gribaldi had to agree that at one time his closest friend had been in love with Dumbledore.
He wanted to go and turned to leave when a soft whisper made him hesitate. "It wasn't your fault." The words hung in the air but he shook his head and moved away sadly.
Dumbledore watched the old Lord closely and noticed the hesitation in his step. How he would have loved to have been in the Wizard's mind but alas that would have to wait. Right now he had bigger fish to fry.The spell he had used to induce Harry's magic had disappeared and that meant thatPotter had come into his magic, the little bastard was almost as powerful as him. Almost Dumbledore thought spitefully.
88888888888888
Lord Gribaldi arrived to the Ministry and began the slow process of rewarding his office. Too many of Dumbledore's people had entered it. He was in the middle of it when his magic picked up on a several spying charms throughout the main room. How had someone charmed his office! How and who had done it? He ran several tracking and revealing charms and though the name was not disclosed he knew of only two people that could be behind such an act, Dumbledore and the Dark Lord. He couldn't be more wrong.
88888888888888
Moody was a suspicious Wizard but as he sat before his desk he thanked Merlin for having such a distrustful nature. He had set up several spying charms on random Wizards at the Ministry and after weeks of waiting something had finally come up.
So Lord Gribaldi was Severus Snape's Godfather well that explained a whole lot and then again it could just be an uncanny coincidence. Unfortunately for the Judge, Moody did not believe in coincidences. Even more interesting was the fact that the Judge did not trust Dumbledore in the least. When Potter's bonding case had been made public Moody had seen nothing wrong with the Potions Masters actions since the Ministry of Family affairs had placed forth proof that justified their actions, now Moody was doubtful that the Judge had acted in an unbiased manner. He'd have to look into this further not to end the bond that would be ridiculous but if the Judge had abused his position then charges would have to be brought against the old Judge.
The Headmaster was not a saint that much he knew. The Wizard had more blood under his finger nails than the Dark Lord, unfortunately no one would believe him if he said anything of the sort. The Wizard was a hero a beacon of light to so many and that rubbed Moody the wrong the way. Wizards who were considered saviours often
becameso self rightous that Merlin help those who got in their way. He wondered if that had been the case with Snape and Potter. Something told the Auror that if Snape had choosen to remain at school the Headmaster would not have raised hell like he had.
And what about the Minister? He had shown such an uncanny interest over Lestrange's interrogation, the man had actually stood in the room while the witch screamed as the Wizards around her allowed the Dementor to approach her. Moody as well as the other Aurors in the room had remained unaffected by the woman's painful wails, no one had shown any emotion, no one including the Minister and that did not add up. The Minister was a weakling who had gotten elected for the simple reason that he had promised something to everyone along the way. He was not a tough man willing to do the dirty work necessary to bring security to the Wizarding World or was he? Questions and more questions! He wondered how difficult it would be to set up a spying charm in the Minister's office. It would certainly be interesting to see what the fool was up to? It was risky, if he were caught it could mean Azkaban, still he'd have to be caught first …hmmm…food for thought.
Moody was about to get up when he heard his alarms go off. Someone had taken down some of his Spying wards, taping his wand on the chimney he saw the Judge's face come and go, well speak of the devil well one of them anyway, Moody whispered.
888888888888888
Lord Gribaldi left his office with strict orders that no one was to enter. He needed to see Severus and Harry, he had not contacted them in days and he needed to know what was happening as well as inform them of what he had found in his office. Pushing his grief aside he quickly walked outside of the Ministry and appartated to one of his smaller Manors and then to another and another…he could sense the magic that had warded his office following him but with each apparating the magic got weaker and weaker…after the ninth place he could no longer feel the magic following him but he apparated three more times, just in case.
He had lost him! Moody growled angrily, the Judge knew he was being watched, the element of surprise had been lost! With a wave of his hand the old Auror left the empty street and apparated back to his office, it was time to think!
888888888888888888
Hermione stood next to Professor McGonagall, after talking for what must have been hours. Both of them had come to the conclusion that they had stayed behind for a reason. Revenge, revenge on Albus Dumbledore!
"You're sure you want to do this Ms. Granger?"
"Yes I am Professor. We might not be able to do much cause we're not even real ghosts but I'm sure we can do something to help stop the Headmaster from harming anyone else. The only thing is how do we go about it?"
"We are too real ghosts!" The Professor barked so offendedthat Hermione smiled.
"All right Professor. Where do we start?"
"Why the bastard's office of course! Now say good bye to Hagrid." The Professor laid a reassuring hand on Hermione's knee and got up. Hagrid had come to pay his respects to the Head of Gryffindor and stood before her grave holding a bunch of daisies he had picked along the way. Bill stood next to the half giant in respectful silence. Hermione wished she could talk to Bill and ask about Harry but if she could barely communicate with Hagrid how could she talk to anyone else. She had listened to their conversations though and now knew that Harry was seventeen, had come into his magic, and was under the protection of the Vampire clan. She didn't know how good the last part was but she figured that being under the Clan's proctection was better than having them against you!
"Well Professor I just came to say good bye. You were always good to me, showing me how to teach and everything. You were like blood to me Professor and I'm sorry we parted like we did but I guess that's the way things are sometimes. Anyways I'll always remember you." The half giant hiccupped and touched his cheek absently. "I don't know if I'll be able to come back. So many things are happening but I just want you to know that you were an excellent professor and it was my privilege to work with ye."
Hermoine stood next to the half giant touched by his words and imagined giving him a peck on the cheek and then walked back to the Professor.
Professor McGonagall heard Hagrid's words and felt a terrible sorrow rise up in her soul. She knew the half giant respected her but she would have never guessed how touched he had been to know her, she was sorry she had not seen it.
888888888888888888
Lady Longbottom sat with her pen in her mouth thinking. How to do it? How to do it? Tea, she'd invite them to tea, the whole family. Yes that was a good idea. Get to know them all and see what they were made off. Who knew maybe they were not the right people? Hmmmm, well she had to try. She would invite them and if they…Well if Ms. Weasley proved to be a disappointment then that would be the end of that.
She began writing. When she was done she smiled at herself proudly.
888888888888888888
Harry and Severus sat down for a light lunch with Remus, Sirius, the Prince, Draco and Cecilia who had tied herself around Harry's leg and threatened to never let go unless he promised to take her along. Harry had looked at Severus hopefully and had received a "MOST CERTAINLY NOT!" that needed no translation.
"Severus she'll behave herself, I promise." Harry tried.
"There are only three elves including Dobby at the Manor where we'll be staying. I don't think taking a hungry elf eating basilisk is a smart idea."
"She said she was sorry Severus! Besides she's not hungry anymore, she'll probably sleep the whole time!"
"She said so before and she had one for lunch three days ago! The answer is no. If she's planning on sleeping tell her to get to it."
"Sorry girrrrl…." Harry whispered ducking under the table.
"HHHHE HATESSSS MMMME!" The snake hissed and slithered away but not before she belted Severus with her tail.
"Cecccilia ccccome backkkkkk annnnd apooolooogize nowwwww!" Harry ordered in parseltongue.
The Potions Master winced in pain and drew his wand but the Snake slithered away faster than one would have thought someone her size. The beast was almost ten feet long and two feet around, well four feet around the bulge where she was digesting the poor elf she had caught unawares in the kitchens.
"likkkkkeee Heeelllll." Cecilia hissed from the doorway.
"Bitch!" Severus murmured.
"Bassssstard!" the snake hissed loudly. The snake might only be able to communicate with Harry but that did not mean she didn't pick up on the potions master's disregard towards her.
"What did she say?" Severus asked angrily rubbing the pain out of his leg.
"Nothing." Harry answered guiltily and refused to meet his mate's gaze.
Draco looked on at the domestic display hoping he'd be able to keep his breakfast down, Merlin when had his Godfather grown feelings? It was down right revolting!
Severus was rubbing his aching leg when he picked up on a feeling of strong contempt. Looking up his eyes met those of his Godson. Draco who was still learning his lesson looked away and concentrated on his food. Severus heard someone's feeble attempt to cover up laughter with coughing. Sirius was trying to stifle his laughter but was failing miserably. Alessander smirked lightly and shook his head. The Potion Master withered Sirius with a look and continued with his food. He wondered how many snake boots he could get out of the blasted snake!
Remus was too polite to laugh but he did find the whole thing amusing and smiled.
Severus bit down on some toast and turned to Lupin, "So do you think you can figure out what the items Hagrid brought are?"
"I'd need to look up some information concerning some of the black spells used on the box. They all seemed to be part of some kind of entrapment spell. A strong one, some of the symbology used is really quiet odd…they are fascinating pieces." Remus had been intrigued by the pieces Severus had shown him just before lunch and was more than anxious to see what they were.
"Well I hope you can figure out what they are exactly."
"I'm thinking I can. I'll work on it today."
"Make sure you're done by seven tonight Moony." Sirius said sipping blood from a long crystal glass.
"WHY?" Severus asked curiously.
"We'll be dining at Grimmauld Place tonight."
"I thought it had been destroyed and you're a vampire you don't dine." Severus pointed out.
"Number one it isn't," Sirius clarified, "and number two Moony and Narcissa still do." he finished taking a big gulp of blood.
Draco had the urge to ask Snape for permission to accompany the Vampires to Grimmauld Place but his pride won out and he kept his mouth shut. If his Godfather told him no in front of Potter he would be pissed and he wasn't sure he would be able to control himself.
"I think I should be finished by then." Remus answered no longer hungry. Really did Siri have to gulp his blood like that!
"Good then." Sirius answered finishing the warm blood.
The Prince had been quiet through out most of the meal. He had a lot of thinking to do. That morning he and Severus had had a conversation that had not only shocked him but had made him feel guilty, guilty that his son was willing to sacrifice himself for his family in a way he could never do.
Severus could feel Harry's glare but ignored it. The Basilisk would stay and that was that he had enough things to worry about, he didn't need the gluttonous snake along. He was about to say so when he felt a shifting in the wards, they had visitors.
……………
Lord Gribaldi finally arrived; he had never apparated so many times in a row in the same day! He entered the dining room and was glad to see everyone there.
"Sir, good to see you back." Severus greeted his Godfather formally. The rest of the party made to get up but the Judge would not have it, "please there's no need."
"Join us." Severus invited. "What news do you have?"
"My office was spied on."
"ARE YOU SURE?" Harry asked shocked.
"COMPLETELY."
……………..
half an hour later…
"Severus are you sure we should go?"
"My Godfather is quite capable of managing the situation."
"He probably is but I just don't think we should leave. Maybe we should stick around in case something happens." Harry suggested biting his lip.
"Harry something will always happen. If we don't leave now we never will. We need the time away. I want you to work on your occlumancy before the Dark Lord finds out that you can feel his emotions."
"Severus I just don't think it's right."
"What's not right?"
"Severus, my Godfather may not be here when we come back. He's supposed to get married, remember?... and now Lord Gribaldi. Maybe someone is trying to tell us something, maybe we should stay. Besides what about Draco?"
"Harry it's not that I don't care about their predicaments but understand that this may be the only chance I get to be alone with you and teach you what you need before you begin training. Once we come back you will be learning all kinds of magic, spells that need a control you do not posses, spells that may very well save your life. You will learn occlumancy from me and mind control from the Prince and he is not as patient as I am. Not only that, but the Vampires will be sending others that will help you develop your fighting skills. I want you to be ready for all of them and that will only happen…"
"If I'm ready for them mentally."
"Yes." Severus served himself some tea he had to get ready for the bonding time; a lot of things would be different once they came back.
"And how are you going to make me strong enough?"
"I'm still thinking about it." he sipped his tea, the taste was acrid but there was nothing he could do about it.
"Are you?"
"Yes," he answered looking at the youth before him. He was taller probably five eight now, his magic had given him two extra inches. He was still too thin for Severus's liking but with the vitamins, strengthening potions and the diet the Potions Master had arranged he was ten times healthier. Harry was a looker he'd have to keep a closer eye on Bill when he came around, Bill and anyone else, he thought jelously.
Severus had a far away look that made Harry frown the potions master could read him so well but he couldn't do the same unless Severus let him in and he wasn't doing it.
"Penny for your thoughts." Harry murmured softly.
"Not interested." Severus looked into his cup he still had half a cup to go.
Harry's nostrils flared angrily. First no seconds last night and now this evasiveness, he felt like stomping his foot and demanding an answer but Severus would just ignore him. "So I won't get pregnant."
"No." Severus took one big swallow. AGHHHH!
"Any ideas you'd like to share?"
"Not right now." One more swallow and he was done.
"What if I get pregnant, I mean a whole month alone with nothing but house elves." Harry moved close and touched his shoulder. Severus sighed and shifted away.
"You won't." With one last swallow he finished the brew and looked down at the empty cup, it was done. Merlin help him he had done it!
"You've said that before." Harry said ignoring Severus rejection.
"I have."
"So?" Harry leaned close to Severus trying to catch the Wizard's stare but the taller Wizard easily avoided him.
"You won't get pregnant; a pregnancy would limit your training. If the Dark Lord were to attack you the child would not survive, I've thought this out and I can't allow it."
"You're being so fucking evasive." Harry's temper was rising, Damn Severus wasn't telling him something!
"I've asked you not swear." Severus bit out quietly.
"Fine! I won't swear but you are still being evasive."
"You will not get pregnant! All right?" Severus continued holding the cup; Harry's badgering was starting to get on his nerves.
"Are we going to practice celibacy or something?" Harry asked hoping that wasn't it.
"Impossible the pull is too strong."
"What if I'm already pregnant?"
"You are not. A wizard knows if he's pregnant immediately after the conception of the child."
"REALLY? WOW!" Harry exclaimed in mock amazement. "Severus?"
"Yes?" Severus rubbed his forehead worriedly, the empty cup in his hands.
"How can you be so sure I won't get pregnant?" Harry insisted. After last night he didn't think he could keep his hands of the Potions Master and he was damned sure Severus felt the same way about him. They had only made love once much to his disappointment. Harry had insisted on seconds but Severus had pushed him away and told him to rest, and threatened to hex him if he didn't behave. Harry had angrily turned his back on him. They had woken up in each others arms that morning but Severus had only given him a chaste kiss on the cheek before the Potions Master left the room to bathe. Harry had tried to get into the bathroom but the git had charmed the door locked. Minutes later he walked out fully dressed and left to speak to the Prince.
"I'm asking you again. How can you be so sure that I won't end up pregnant?" Harry was going to get his answer one way or another.
"Stop badgering me. I'm not in the mood."
"Yeah you weren't in the mood last night either."
"We've been playing with fire. Someone had to think." Severus rose angrily and moved to the chimney.
"Merlin! Stop evading my question and tell me how can you be sure I won't get pregnant?"
"BECAUSE I WILL!" Severus thundered throwing his cup into the fire. Harry simply stood gaping in shock.
8888888888888888888888888888
This one is short by my standards but I wanted to set it apart from chapter 28 which will have to do with their Bonding Time and Remus's Wedding.
Read and review…..