A. Life in prison: 17.5
B. The Kiss: 15.5
C. Voldemort deals with them: 56.5
D. Make them relive Harry's torture: 2
E. Put Dumbledore in a mental ward: 3
F. Random person assassinates Dumbledore à la Lee Harvey Oswald (the guy that killed American President John F Kennedy and then was killed by random angry citizen(s) for those who are unfamiliar with American history): 1…very interesting idea…I'm really warming up to this one. Brilliant suggestion
The 1/2 votes come from people saying 'option X for these people and option Y for these.'
As you can see, Voldemort dealing with the Dursleys is by far the most popular choice right now. Thanks so much for your opinions! I'll be closing the poll this Thursday and removing it from the previous chapters to limit confusion as I have done before. Thanks so much for your wonderful and thoughtful answers.
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Chapter 55Tallis stood listlessly next to Draco as they waited to board the train. He felt weak already and he had broken into a cold sweat. Draco looked down at him in concern and took his bag from him, trying to lessen the burden on his friend as much as possible.
Ron and Hermione watched their friend carefully but discretely, just as worried as Draco was. Creating the golem had been worse than they had ever imagined. Remus had never truly attempted anything like it. He had managed to make the life essence of the golem take a human form, not needing to mold it into anything specific. He had only been doing it out of curiosity, not out of a true need. He had read about them and had decided to attempt it. Even with the concession of the simpler form the golem that Remus had created had faded with a few hours.
Tallis' golem was an exact reproduction of Harry Potter down to the DNA—a nearly impossible feat. He had already held it for six hours. He needed to hold it for quite a few more before he could safely release some of the power that he was feeding into the animated life form he had created.
The doors to the train opened for the students to board and Draco grasped his friend's elbow firmly and helped him to step up into the car. He claimed the first empty compartment he found, pushing Tallis into the seat with a glare to make him stay there while he went back outside to claim their bags.
He was stopped in his steps by seeing Ron and Hermione carrying their bags. "You left these outside, Malfoy," Ron said.
The tensions between Gryffindor and Slytherin had been abnormally low this semester but people were still somewhat shocked to see the two talking so amiably. They knew that Ron wouldn't be speaking with Malfoy if it weren't for the fact that he was currently taking care of Apprentice Snape who was nearly Ron's brother in law if the gossip was to be believed.
"It looks like Apprentice Snape isn't feeling well. He told me he thought he was coming down with a cold. I have some Fever Reducer in my bag. Do you want some?" Hermione asked, watching her friend anxiously through the partially opened door.
Draco glanced back into the compartment, seeing Tallis sit bonelessly on the plush cushion, his eyes closed and his face pale. "That would be good. Maybe he can sleep some during the ride."
Hermione rummaged through her bag and offered him the vial. "Take care of him, Malfoy. Too bad he couldn't just take a portkey to his home. I hate these ridiculous rules."
The students who were near the trio nodded. Sympathies were at an all time high for the young Apprentice since Halloween night. They also knew that Dumbledore was responsible for making the young man ride the Express rather than use a portkey or apparate home like the other professors were allowed to do. A low grumble rose among the students, irritated at the Headmaster's lack of sympathy for the obviously sick young man.
Draco thanked Hermione quickly and returned to the compartment and closed the door firmly, frosting the glass so that curious students couldn't peek in. "Tallis, you need to take this," he said softly, not wishing to disturb his friend but knowing that he needed to get his fever down.
Tallis nodded slightly but did not open his eyes. Draco sighed and opened the potion, holding it to his friend's lips for him. Tallis swallowed the potion and the color returned to his cheeks, although he still looked ill.
"I don't know if I can do this," he whispered.
"You'll be fine. It's just a shock right now. In a few hours you'll feel better."
"I can't wait to be back home. I wish that Ron and Mione could stay with us. It'll be great with the four of us though. Like a real family."
Draco smiled, knowing how important that was to his friend. Truth be told, he was looking forward to it too. His holidays at Malfoy Manor had never been a time for family either, apart from a few quick minutes with his Mother when she could steal away. "Will Bill stay with us or is he going back to his family?"
"He's staying with us most of the time. He's going home on Christmas Eve to stay at the Burrow but will come back in time for Christmas dinner. I guess the Weasleys make a bigger fuss over opening presents in the morning and Christmas breakfast than dinner."
"I still haven't done my shopping, have you?"
Tallis shook his head, his energy level already going back down.
"Maybe we can go tomorrow or the day after, even if just for a little bit."
Tallis looked concerned at the mere idea of doing something so active.
"You have to get out Tallis, and soon. You know that."
Tallis nodded reluctantly. "We'll go first thing tomorrow morning. I think I'll feel best when I first wake up. Who's taking first shift tonight?"
They had set up shifts of watchers to keep on eye on Tallis' magical activity and energy levels while he slept to ensure that he didn't unknowingly release the spell while he slept. He usually had no problem keeping even complex spells going at full force even without concentrating on them but they feared his ability to do so with the golem spells. By constantly monitoring his activity they hoped to prevent the spell from spontaneously ending if they could catch it in time.
"Bill's on first shift, then Remus. Tomorrow is Severus first and then me. Is Bill working tomorrow?"
"Yeah. He's had a lot of time off this semester between just asking for extra time and needing it for Halloween." Tallis had a hard time discussing what had happened even still.
"Maybe Sev will come shopping with us tomorrow."
"I'm sure he will. He barely lets me out of his sight," Tallis said, covering a huge yawn.
"Why don't you take a quick nap? I'll keep an eye on you," Draco said.
"Are you sure?" Tallis wasn't up for a long argument and he was quick to convince.
"Absolutely. Go to sleep."
Tallis stretched out on the seat, able to lay down fully without hitting either end of the compartment. Draco smiled. He hadn't been able to do that for years now. Tallis was asleep almost instantly and Draco quickly performed the spell that Poppy had taught them to watch Tallis' vitals during his sleep. Everything appeared as it should, although his energy levels were depleted.
They all believed though that as time drew on, the spell would become easier for him to hold. As with all new spells, it was particularly draining at first before it became a part of a wizard's repertoire of spells. Hopefully this would happen sooner rather than later.
They reached King's Cross all too soon for Draco's taste and he reluctantly roused Tallis. Tallis managed to stumble to an upright position, feeling refreshed after his nap. Draco helped him to bundle up in his cloak and scarf before canceling the spells he had placed on the door to protect their privacy.
"You ready, Tallis?"
Tallis nodded and Draco pushed open the door. A crush of students making their way off the train greeted them. A number of them shouted out their well wishes to Tallis, furthering the rumor that he was in fact, very ill. Hermione's spontaneous idea to give Draco a potion to lower Tallis' fever had worked marvels as everyone immediately assumed that Tallis was, in fact, ill and not simply exhausted from over exerting himself on a spell.
Draco kept a firm hand on his friend's elbow the entire time as he pushed his way through the crowd toward his godfather, catching a glimpse of the tall man as he stood out over the crowd.
By the time they reached Severus Tallis was nearly panting. He leaned heavily against Draco, managing to mask it as though they were simply talking privately. He found himself thankful for the first time that wizards wore cloaks rather than muggle coats, the extra material making it easier to disguise how they were standing and how much he was depending on Draco's arm to keep himself upright.
"Let's go," Severus said shortly, concerned at his son's appearance. He bent down and grabbed his son and godson's bags that some helpful Slytherins had deposited at his feet moments earlier. He put a hand on both boys' arms and activated their portkey. The portkey deposited them in the foyer and Tallis immediately collapsed. Severus quickly incanted the spell to check his son's vitals. They were still in a safe range, albeit low. He scooped his son into his arms and led the way to the library.
"Shouldn't we put him to bed?" Draco asked anxiously, walking after the two.
"You try to convince him to go to bed during the middle of the day," Severus said with some amusement. "If we go to the library he might lay on a sofa and sleep but if we put him in his bedroom he'll pitch a right fit."
Tallis faded in and out of sleep for the rest of the afternoon, each time he awakened feeling more refreshed and closer to his normal self. Finally, around seven p.m. he awoke and was ready to eat. Bill, who had arrived home from work an hour prior, took his arm as they made their way to the dining room for the evening meal.
"I think I'll definitely be up for shopping tomorrow," Tallis said eagerly to Draco as he took his seat, feeling better already. His body was adjusting quickly to the golem's pull on his magic.
"You're certainly looking better," Draco observed. "Are you coming Sev?"
"Do you think I would allow the two of you to go alone?"
Tallis and Draco snorted.
"Maybe we can meet for lunch," Bill suggested.
"What time to you usually eat?" Tallis asked.
"Any time. I tend to go about 1 or so but I can go earlier if you need to."
"No, that sounds good. I'll sleep late tomorrow and we can go shopping at eleven or so. I doubt I'll be able to stand shopping for more than two hours, at most."
The meal ended quietly, all of the wizards wondering silently what was happening at the Dursley residence. As far as Dumbledore was concerned, Severus was meeting his son at the platform and was going to portkey him to the muggles' house and leave him there with a glamour placed on him again to return him to his previous appearance.
What Severus had done instead was take his boys home and then, after safely settling his son into the library, he had portkeyed with the golem to Privet Drive.
A swarm of reporters met them there, their flashes nearly blinding Severus as they rushed to capture a few shots of the Boy Who Lived as he entered the house. A few reporters grabbed onto Severus as soon as "Harry Potter" had entered the house, trying to get an interview with the Professor who had just stood so close to their hero.
He informed them that the Headmaster had instructed him to apparate to a specific location that was not where the Boy Who Lived was training but a secondary holding room. From there, he had collected Potter and returned him to his relatives as he had been ordered. The reporters bought every word of it.
It had been around one when he had dropped off the golem. It was now after seven. They each wondered if the golem was still able to walk, much less still alive. The ease with which his son was now supporting the golem's life force was almost alarming. Part of it came from Tallis simply growing accustomed to the pull on his magic. The rest of it came from a weaker pull on behalf of the golem. Everyone knew it though no one would say the words out loud.
He found himself praying that the golem didn't die today or else all of their careful plans would be destroyed. It was imperative that Tallis be in a public place on the day and preferably at the time that Harry Potter died in Surrey. They could not risk both Tallis and Harry being hidden from the world when the golem died. It would make Dumbledore's claims more credible and it would be more difficult to convince a jury of his insanity.
Tallis slept soundly that night, not stirring for nearly twelve hours. When he awoke he dressed warmly, knowing that this trip to Diagon Alley was necessary but would be exhausting. Draco slipped into his room and silently helped him to get ready, adjusting his cloak once more and helping to tie back his hair.
"Ready to go?"
"As I'll ever be."
The two boys made their way downstairs, finding Severus waiting for them in the hall. "Shall we apparate or would you prefer we use a portkey?" he asked Tallis.
Tallis looked a bit bothered by the idea but he nodded. "We should probably use a portkey. I'm scared I'll splinch myself. I feel very odd right now…I can't quite explain it. The golem isn't pulling on me in the same way that it had been. It is almost as if I have to force my magic into it rather than allow it to be pulled toward it."
Severus eyed his son warily, knowing what his son's words meant but still unwilling to say as much. He offered Tallis a comforting smile and pulled out a portkey he had prepared earlier, assuming that Tallis would need assistance getting to Diagon Alley.
The three were whisked away to Diagon Alley, landing amidst the typical chaos of a pre-Christmas rush in the shops. They immediately went to the potions store, knowing that not only would the shop be nearly empty but that the shop manager would definitely remember their presence and comment on it to others.
"Hi Mr. Jacobs," Tallis said quietly after gathering his courage to directly address the man. He was an old friend of his Fathers so he knew he had nothing to fear from him. It was still a bit overwhelming to speak to men though, particularly in that age range…his uncle's age.
Milton grinned when he saw the young Snape. "Call me Milton, Apprentice Snape."
"Just Tallis, please."
"How has your first semester gone? I hear rumor that you've accessed your healing magic quite quickly. Healed your old man from a coma, if rumors tell truth. Didn't know that was possible."
Tallis shrugged his shoulders, not quite knowing what to say. He had yet to actually address that with anyone as the students at Hogwarts had kept a polite distance from the topic since he had returned and the other Professors had known better than to question him on it, particularly in the presence of his forbidding Father. Severus simply made it habit to stay within eyesight of his son at nearly all times, thereby eliminating any opportunity they may have had to question him on it.
"What can I get for you?" Milton asked jovially, not at all put off by Tallis' reticence. If he was anything like his Father then it was no wonder he was close mouthed on certain topics.
Tallis handed over his list as did Draco and his Father.
"How have the requests for the Wolfsbane been?" Severus inquired.
"Even higher than before. They all seem to appreciate the 'no questions' policy and we respect each other's privacy. So long as they don't ask me who makes it or how I get it I don't ask them for their names."
"We have another brewer now. Would you be able to use more?" Severus asked, indicating Draco.
"Merlin's beard!" Milton said, looking at the young man in shock. "A wonderful accomplishment, my boy. Are you going to apprentice in Potions?"
Draco shrugged. "I might do."
"Well I can definitely use more. I run out each month and I feel bad turning anyone away. A lot of the regulars are starting to look better now that they've been able to use it for a few months. Does you good to see the effects of the potion so quickly and so thoroughly."
Tallis smiled happily. This had been his plan. Each month his Father had made the potion, gave a dose to Remus and then threw the rest away since it could not be preserved. He had begged his Father to give it to Mr. Jacobs to sell at a cut price to needy werewolves or to give away when need be. After the first month had gone so well and word spread among the underground community of werewolves about the kindly shopkeeper and his anonymous brewers Tallis had decided to brew an additional batch each month out of his own money, sending it on to Mr. Jacobs at no charge even for the ingredients. Draco, when he had heard of their campaign, had agreed to assist as well.
"We need to push on," Severus said. "Please owl the ingredients to the Manor. Have a good holiday."
"You too," Milton said as the men left his store. He looked after his old friend in wonder. He had changed a lot over the last year. Three years ago he would never have stayed in the shop and chatted with him, much less wished him a good holiday. More, three years ago he never would have donated such an expensive and time consuming potion to the destitute werewolves. Having his son at school with him had certainly changed him for the better.
The small group walked from store to store, occasionally buying presents and greeting friends and acquaintances as they saw them. Usually all three would have ignored a large portion of the people they spoke with but they needed to make certain that people would remember them being there.
Lunch came around quickly and they settled gratefully into a booth in small café near Gringott's, meeting Bill after only a few moments wait. As the four finished their meal the cry went up.
Harry Potter was dead.
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A/N: moving quick, I know. I'm trying to tie this fic up though. I'm still seeing at least ten more chapters, maybe far more than that, it's hard to say.