The story's main theme is manipulation. Don't like, don't read! And if you do? Then don't complain.

Harry Potter and Co. belong to Rowling.

Chapter 34. " The Second Reign of Lord Potter"
It took almost half a day to get the casket from the darkest corner of the castle to the Grand Library. Half of the guard watched over it as one would a priceless relic while Sirius, Bill and the Prince discussed their next step.

"Well, we can't open it. This thing is so warded that it would kill all of us if we even tried to budge the lid." Sirius murmured circling the casket. It was a large black coffin with the Potter coat of arms on the top and every single warding symbol he knew of around it.

Draco and Ron were being quiet. It seemed that Ron had realized the importance of the situation and was unwilling to do anything that might get him sent from the room.

"Is he in there Cousin?" the Prince asked looking over to the ghost.

"Yes." Came the whispered reply from the corner of the Library. Myrtle was still frightened and refused to get any closer than she already was.

"Is he alive?"

"Yes but he's dying …very slowly."

"Dying. Are you sure?" Bill asked stepping closer…the carvings on the casket where extraordinary. It was old magic…ancient! Someone had gone through a lot of trouble to trap but not kill the old Lord.

"Careful Bill you don't know what magic was used." Sirius warned. "We need Remus and Severus back. They might be able to decipher some of the writing." He murmured tapping his fingers on his chin.

"It's the full moon tonight…so don't count on Remus till tomorrow as for Severus…"

The Prince was debating on what to do when a panicked Dobby apparated in the room.

"Dobby! What are you doing here?" Ron was the first to get to the elf.

"It's Master Harry! He won't wake up!" The elf said tearfully.

"What?" the Guard immediately moved to attention as the Prince moved to question the elf.

"Master Snape is with him. Can't wake him up. He needs help!"

………………………….

Severus touched his husband's cheek again. He was cold. Merlin if it weren't for the bond that told him Harry was alive he would have thought him dead already. He had tried a great many things some of them bordering on dark magic but nothing had helped. A magic stronger than theirs was pulling Harry away and he was helpless to do anything. He had never felt so useless. He eased himself from the chair next to the bed and thought things out. He wanted to try legilumus but he had the child to think about. If he tried anything he needed to make sure their son would not be harmed. He had sent Dobby back to the Castle for help and waited impatiently for the elf to return.

He extended his mind trying to grasp the slivers of consciousness that still connected him to his husband but stopped when he felt a sea of darkness. He was unafraid of the void and would have gladly entered it if it weren't for the fact that he was pregnant. Opening his eyes he couldn't help but feel a sadness wash over him. Harry was trapped somewhere alone and he couldn't do a thing about it. Unwilling to allow himself to despair he sat back and waited.

………………………….

Harry found himself in a dark land unable to go back.

"Harry?"

Harry turned around swiftly and saw a tall man in dark robes looking at him.

"Sir?"

"Call me Lord Potter."

Harry opened his mouth and shut it again. His grandfather! "Am I dead?"

"No."

"Are you?" Harry asked swallowing nervously.

"Not yet."

"Did you bring me here?"

"Yes."

"Why? What happened? Where are we?" Harry asked shifting in his shoes.

"Three questions I'll address the where are we first. We are in your mind and mine. In our combined subconscious you can say. Second….What happened? Your father cast a spell on me to keep me trapped long enough for him to marry your mother. Unfortunately your father placed his trust in a demented Wizard who anxious to prove certain theories on soul and body binding decided to use some very unnatural spells on me. I'm a very strong and intelligent Wizard Harry, not much gets past me…well your father did. We argued one night and I forbade him to marry your mother. He was furious and hexed me; while unconscious he had the Wizard work his spells on me. Sixteen years later here I am."

"Very to the point."

"I thought you might appreciate."

"Yeah. Are you a ghost?"

"No ghosts are dead. Your father did not kill me. I was placed under a sort of charm, hogged tied by only Merlin knows how many spells and left at the Wizard's mercy. The spell was only supposed to last a couple of months, long enough for your mother and father to conceive then I was supposed to be brought out. Unfortunately for me the Wizard died but not before he tried a number of dark spells that locked and sealed my coffin. The bastard then managed to lose the amulets that could help break the spell. When your father found out he didn't know whether I was alive or dead then the Voldemort business started so your father took me to a safe place in hopes of getting back to me when things got settled. They never did."

"Did my father hate you?"

"No, he disliked me…a lot. That is all."

"I can hardly believe my father did all that?"

"Oh he did!"

"I think I believe you… but I don't know."

"Believe it or not. He loved your mother more than I thought possible. When I told him he couldn't marry her. I saw his mean streak and it wasn't pretty. I should have seen it coming he was always too emotional and my son after all."

"I'M SORRY."

"Don't apologize for something you didn't do."

"That explains what happened. Now why am I here?

"I've been watching you and everyone else for a while. Let's just say that it would not be in some of you allies best interests for me to come back!"

"The Prince you mean."

"Foremost the Prince and his whole lot of blood suckers."

"Severus is not like him." Harry murmured slightly distressed.

"Never said a thing about him."

"You're not pleased with the marriage."

"No but what's done is done."

"I'm so-…no never mind. It's not that bad. I think we understand each other now."

"You're a smart boy. I have faith in you."

"Thanks."

"So you brought me here as insurance."

"The Prince is not a fool. He knows of me. Knows who I am and what I did when I was alive."

"I've seen your paintings. The ones that aren't animated. You seem very much in charge."

"I was brought up to be in charge. I was an only son, my mother died when I was young my father was a hard man but I understood what was expected of me from a very young age. I had it in me to give my family what it needed to survive."

"My father disowned the Potters."

"I loved my son still do but he tore the family apart and all over a woman. Mind you she was your mother but you can't be happy at the expense of other people. He ruined a lot of Potters."

"He wouldn't have done it if you had let him marry her."

"Two wrongs don't make a right." Lord Potter smiled bitterly.

"So you admit you did wrong."

"Yes. Surprised?

"Very……you actually think the Prince might let you die?"

"I know of the Prince. He's a manipulative bastard…and he's very good at it. Loves his son but is sold on the idea that only the blood of the once and noble vampires will save the Wizarding World. He and his sovereigns will make use of anything and anyone till they get their way."

"I know……so you think they'll wake you up now."

"They'll have to if they ever want to see those green eyes of your again."

"Sir how did you manage to walk around like a ghost."

"A lot of magic and concentrating. Once I managed to get out of the coffin I had enough magic to move around the castle but the wards used made it impossible for me to leave the grounds for very long. I was a sort of bodiless entity. When I found the painting of me I was able to focus on who I had been and project my body to those around me. When Myrtle came to the castle she helped me with the mechanics of movement. She's a very special ghost."

"So now what happens?"

"Well we wait till they get us back you in your body and me back in mine. Once I'm back on my feet I'll have to ask the Vampires to leave."

"I wonder what the Prince will say."

"Oh I'm sure he'll be smart enough not to want to stay."

"And me?"

"You are my Grandson but you are married to a Snape. You're in an awkward position. The Potter fortune makes you a tempting prize."

"Can't you disown me or something?" Harry sighed exasperatedly.

"Are you serious?'

"Yes. If it's the Potter money they want. Take it away. You're back. It's your money not mine anyway." Harry was hopeful his Grandfather would just take over the Potter Fortune he didn't want it, he didn't need it!

"You don't mind?" Lord Potter asked skeptically.

"No Sir. I'd be kind of relieved actually. I wouldn't know what to do with so much wealth anyway."

"I'd have to get another heir." The Wizard murmured thoughtfully.

"Great! So does that mean I'll be having Uncles soon?"

"Cheeky aren't you boy? Hadn't thought about that until now. I suppose I'll have to find myself a good witch. You're sure you don't mind." Lord Potter asked looking into his Grandson's emerald eyes.

"No sir. Severus is pretty well off. The way I see it …there's enough for everyone."

"You're a good hearted person Harry. You'll make a good Father better than me. I'll always be there for you."

"Thank you. It means a lot to me Sir."

………………………………………..

Severus felt the wards shake and heard hurried footsteps coming from the hall. When he looked up it was to see his father, Bill and Sirius walking hurriedly into the room.

"Severus are you alright?" The Prince asked taking his son's overly pale face.

"I'm fine"

"Has there been any change?" Bill touched Harry's hand. It was cold!

"None that I can detect. He seems completely gone but I can still feel his presence."

"Any ideas?" Sirius asked biting his lip worriedly.

"No. at first I thought it my have to do with the Dark Lord but Harry's barriers have not been breached." Severus explained touching his husband's face.

"Do you think it may have to do with Lord Potter?" Sirius had a funny feeling that it was but had no proof.

"What are you talking about?" Severus asked looking at his father.

"Myrtle found a coffin belonging to James' father. It seems the man is still alive."

"Alive?"

"Yes."

"Then I know what to do." Severus whispered getting up slowly.

…………………………………………….

Hours later Harri lay on a sofa next to the old Lord's coffin while Severus walked around it murmuring to himself trying to decipher the symbols carved on it.

Cecilia lay curled up inside the large chimney her Master was back she couldn't wait to talk to him. She had been so lonely these past few weeks. Myrtle was floating next her back and forth frowning worriedly at the scene before them.

Biting his lower lip Severus stopped. "The items Hagrid found are in the potions lab. I need them."

"I'll get them Professor." Bill said running from the room. Draco and Ron sat quietly in the corner while Bill left and minutes later ran back with the pouch.

"Lay them on the table Mr. Weasley." Bill nodded and carefully emptied the contents of the pouch onto a side table.

"Do you know the spell Severus?" The Prince asked watching the whole scene carefully. He knew of the old Lord and knew that his hold on his son n law was about to become null. He would have arranged to finish off the Wizard if it hadn't been for the fact that Severus had explained that the old Lord was anchoring his soul to his body by relying on his Grandson's magical strength. If he tried to get rid of the Wizard, Harry would most likely get hurt in the process. It was a risk he could not take!

…………………………………………

Severus concentrated on the symbols and items in his head…there had to be something to connect the items to the symbols…something….he looked to his husband….think, think, think! It was obvious…it had to be obvious!

Wait a minute Dark Magic was based on blood! Could it be so easy? He bit his lip…

He took the first item…and placed it on the coffin, nothing happened…he moved to the second and laid it next to the first…a soft glow erupted from within the coffin. Magic? The old Lord's? Maybe.

Bill sighed and met Draco's eyes. The blonde grimaced tightly but did not look away. Bill smiled inside, Draco was not a nice kid but he was not the bastard his brother had made him out to be. He was glad he hadn't been wrong about him.

Ronald was beyond himself with worry…he still didn't like his ex-Professor but if the Wizard got his friend out of this one he'd try his damn sure to as his older brother had said, "to Fucking grow up!"

Severus laid the last piece down on the coffin and stepped back…he drew his wand and transfigured his wand into a small knife. The glow from the coffin was getting stronger…Lord Potter would be needing air soon…time to get the last item to unlock the wards.

Sirius saw the knife and took a step forward in alarm but the Prince stopped him. "No. He knows what he's doing."

"He's gonna cut him."

"I'm sure it's necessary Sirius he wouldn't be doing it otherwise." Sirius nodded reluctantly and remained still.

Severus took Harry's hand and made a small cut. He took a small drop with the tip of the knife and quickly healed the cut. He walked quickly over to the casket and let the small drop of blood fall on the Potter crest.

"BLOOD CALLS BLOOD

AWAKE FROM DEATH'S SLEEP ………Severus touched the bloody blade to the crest a second time.

BLOOD CALLS BLOOD

BREATHE THE BREATH OF LIFE……..Severus touched the bloody blade to the crest again.

BLOOD CALLS BLOOD

RISE FROM DEATH'S GRIP" Severus touched the crest one last time.

The room was deathly quiet at first and then a distant rumble was heard…it got louder with every passing second until it was a roar and the casket erupted in ashes and light. When the explosion passed Harry shot up on the sofa trying to breathe and a tall dark haired Wizard stood guardedly where the coffin had been seconds earlier.

Draco had always known his Godfather was highly skilled but until now he hadn't really thought about it. He couldn't help but be impressed.

Ron hollered in celebration and made to run to his friend but Bill stopped him. "Not now Ron. Give them some room."

"HE'S MY FRIEND!"

"Merlin! Be quiet for once!" Bill hissed warningly. Ron glared at him but did not go near his friend. His eyes met Harry's across the room and his friend smiled warmly at him Ron smiled right back.

"Sirius rushed to Harry's side and would have hugged him if it hadn't been for the much taller Lord Potter.

"Black."

"What do you want?" Sirius folded his arms across his chest.

"Some privacy." The Older Wizard looked Sirius Black and found him lacking.

Prince Alessander tried to mask his anger and walked up to the old Lord and bowed slightly. "Lord Potter."

"Prince."

"As the grandfather of my son n law I offer you my friendship."

"I accept your friendship Prince but ask that you depart from the Castle…My Grandson is welcome to stay as is your son…but I am a very private man and wish some solitude."

The Prince clenched his jaws but kept his calm "Of course…"

"I thank you. Harry you're welcome to stay." Lord Potter invited.

"Thank you. What do you think Severus?"

"I don't have any objection but Draco…" Severus murmured as he pulled Harry against him.

"Draco…ah yes the Malfoy heir. The invitation is of course open to your Godson as well as your friends Ronald and Bill Weasley." Lord Potter looked to the three young men and nodded. He couldn't help but notice Black's murderous stare. Black….you haven't changed you spoiled fucking brat! He thought angrily before he turned to his Grandson. Everything was going according to their plan.

"Thank you Grandfather." Harry turned from the old Lord and smiled into Severus worried eyes. Things had finally tipped in their favor.

"Did you see that Professor? Harry's back! He's so tall!" a soft mist from a corner whispered excitedly.

"Yes. Ms. Granger I certainly do!" Professor McGonagall answered feeling hopeful for the first time in a long while.

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Here's another chapter! Yey me!

I admit that the story is a dark little piece of manipulation. Don't like! Don't read!