"Hello Remus," Harry said smiling.
"I don't understand, you're both supposed to be dead." Remus said amazed, reaching over and embracing both Harry and Sirius.
"It's a long story, Mooney, we'll talk over dinner." Sirius said, hugging his friend back.
Remus sad down to Harry's left with Sirius on Remus' other side, Arthur sat at Harry's right. The entire group began the insurmountable task of explaining everything that had happened since Remus left.
"Whoa, that's too much to take in, I need a drink." Remus declared drinking from the flask he was carrying.
"What're drinking?" Sirius asked.
"The South American version of wolfsbane potion," Remus began. "If taken daily, it will keep me from becoming a werewolf." He explained.
"Is that a fact?" Snape asked with interest.
"Absolutely Severus, I haven't changed in six months." Remus stated.
"Do you know what's in it?" Snape pressed.
"No, but they gave me enough to last the entire year." Remus said smiling.
"That's excellent," Dumbledore said. "How often do you have to take it?" Dumbledore added.
"One sip every hour, ten times per day, but to keep me from becoming a monster, its well worth it." Remus continued.
"I would say so," Arthur said.
The evening was filled with pleasant conversation and good friends. Harry felt happier than he ever remembered being. Remus was constantly checking his watch, so much so that everybody was starting to notice.
"Are you that concerned about the potion?" Snape asked.
"Oh no Severus, I'm just very tired from all the traveling and as much as I want this night to continue, I feel I really should be getting home." Remus answered politely.
"Stay here Remus, we have plenty of room." Harry said, not wanting Remus to leave yet.
"Oh no, not tonight, tomorrow would be better for me." Remus argued.
"What's your rush Remus?" Snape asked, sounding suspicious.
"Like I said, just tired," Remus said again, opening up his flask.
"Hold on there Remus," Hermione said, stopping his hand. "Can I take a look at that?" She asked, sounding as suspicious as Snape.
"Sure, just let me take my sip; I don't like being a werewolf." He said, going to take his sip.
"Remus, put the flask down," Harry commanded, picking up on what the other two were doing.
"Harry, I have to," Remus said anxiously.
"No Remus," Sirius piped in. "You attempt to drink from that flask, and I'll put you down." Sirius said, pointing his wand at his old friend.
"What is the matter with all of you; it's just me, Remus." Remus said nervously.
Harry walked over to Remus, and took his flask and smelled it. He then, in turn, handed it to Hermione who also smelled it.
"Polyjuice potion," she said, looking at Harry.
"Who are you?" Harry asked angrily.
"Your downfall Potter," the imposter said with a growl.
"Where's Remus," Harry exclaimed.
"The werewolf, we've had him in custody for almost eight months." He said laughing.
"You seem to be in good spirits considering you've been caught." Dumbledore observed.
"That's because I've already accomplished my mission." He said, still laughing.
"And what might that be?" Arthur asked, now joining the conversation.
"Poison, I managed to poison you; Minister, you; Potter, and you; Black, within the next forty-eight hours, neither one of you will be able to move from your beds. Within two weeks, you will never regain consciousness, and in a month, you'll all be dead." He said with satisfaction.
"What did you give them?" Severus asked, running over and picking the man up by his throat.
"It's too late, I'll be dead in a moment, and you'll never find out." He said starting to laugh again.
"Oh no you don't," Severus said, pointing his wand at the imposter, but it was too late; the imposter fell to the floor dead.
"He has killed himself." Dumbledore said standing over the man.
"Why a slow working potion," Hermione asked.
"To give him time to escape," Harry answered. "And it's a good strategy." He added.
"How are you feeling," Ginny asked concernedly.
"I feel fine, but I get the strange sensation he wasn't bluffing, though." Harry said. "How about you two," Harry asked, turning to Sirius and Arthur.
They did not answer; they just swayed in place, and then fell to the floor.
Severus immediately levitated Arthur and Sirius, and directed them to one of the bedrooms. When they entered, Harry altered the room to accommodate the would be patients.
"Ginny, go to the fireplace in the other room and call my healer at St. Mungo's." Harry instructed her.
"Harry, your eyes are yellow," she said nervously.
"I know, it's a defense mechanism, please call my healer." He pressed and she left the room.
"Will your animagus form protect you from the poison?" Hermione asked Harry in a whisper.
"No, it'll just delay the process, I'll collapse like Arthur and Sirius in about three to six hours and if the imposter's information is correct, I won't wake up for six to eight weeks and in about three to four months, I'll be dead." Harry said flatly.
Hermione had tears in her eyes. "You're not serious, are you?" She asked nervously.
"Deadly serious, no pun intended." Harry answered. "Where's Cindy," Harry asked.
"Molly put her to bed about two hours ago." Hermione said in a hoarse voice.
"Hermione, I'm going to settle my affairs, please have someone watch over Arthur and Sirius twenty-four hours a day, if I'm correct, they will be waking up intermittently and will want food and drink." Harry said to a stunned Hermione.
"Oh Harry, you didn't mean that like I think you mean it, your not really settling your affairs?" She asked crying freely.
Harry just looked at her, and left the room. Hermione immediately reverted to her head girl persona and set up a schedule so that the two patients would always have someone watching over them, and instructed the house elves to be ready at a moments notice.
"Professor, did you manage to get the identity of the imposter?" Ron asked when Dumbledore entered the room.
"No Mr. Weasley, he died while still on the Polyjuice potion, his form will not revert back." Dumbledore answered. "Any change in our two patients?" He asked Hermione who was sitting between Arthur's and Sirius' beds.
"No, but they did stir a little while ago." Hermione answered without looking up.
Ginny came in with a witch none of them had ever seen.
"The healer is here." Ginny announced, leading the healer to Arthur and Sirius.
The healer wasted no time; she immediately pulled out her wand and ran it over the two patients. The wand glowed yellow. She said some incantation no one heard, and a beam shot out of the wand, first to Sirius then to Arthur.
"The poison is powerful, one I have never seen or heard of, I'm not sure there is anything I can do." She said sadly.
"Try your best madam; these are two very important people." Dumbledore said, turning to leave.
"Wait, I think Harry knew what the poison was, I'll go find him." Hermione said, rushing out of the room.
She ran down to the library where Harry was sitting behind his desk.
"Harry, the healer is here?" Hermione said walking up to the desk, but Harry did not make a sound. "Harry, are you all right?" She asked.
When she touched Harry's arm, he fell face first into his desk.
"Oh my God, Harry!" She exclaimed. When he didn't respond she levitated his body and a piece of parchment fell on the floor. She read the parchment and proceeded to guide Harry up to the makeshift infirmary.
"Ron, Harry is unconscious," Hermione exclaimed.
Ron helped Hermione guide his body to a bed Dumbledore conjured and the healer went right to work. She passed the wand over Harry's body as she had done with Arthur and Sirius but this time it glowed a light blue.
"He's not as bad as the other two, but he is just as poisoned." She said emotionlessly.
"Harry was reading this parchment." Hermione said, handing the healer the parchment.
She read it quickly, nodded, and handed it back to Hermione.
"Just as I feared, no known cure, the Dark Lord knew exactly what he was doing. This poison is slow acting, but most effective." She said still displaying no emotion.
Ginny, who was standing by her father simply collapsed on the floor. The healer levitated her, conjured another bed and laid her down. She reached into her bag, pulled out a vial, and poured its contents into Ginny's mouth.
"She'll be fine, she just fainted." The healer said.
"You have to do something," Ron exclaimed.
"There is nothing I can do, just keep them comfortable and well fed, I'll return tomorrow to check up on them." The healer said, leaving the room.
"What are we going to do?" Hermione asked.
"We; Miss Granger, are going to spend the next few days researching a cure." Severus said entering the room.
"Professor, this is the poison they used." Hermione said handing Snape the parchment.
"Miss Granger, I hope you've slept well over the last year, because I don't think we'll be sleeping for quite a while." Snape declared.
"I'll work 'til I drop." Hermione responded resolutely.
"Then we must go to Hogwarts. Mr. Weasley, please ensure both Miss Granger's and my classes are covered, we will not be attending them." Snape told Ron.
"Consider it done Professor." Ron said.
Snape and Hermione left the room leaving Ron alone with the now four patients. Ron sat down between Harry and Ginny.
"Don't worry Harry, everything will be all right." Ron said softly.
"I'm not worried mate, just sleepy." Harry said.
"You're awake, that's great." Ron exclaimed.
"Not that great Ron, I'm not getting better, just fighting it more. Could you have Winky get me something to eat, I'm hungry." Harry asked Ron.
"Of course mate, anything." Ron said, before calling for Winky and instructing her to get some food.
The next week Arthur and Sirius would wake for six hours and sleep for eighteen, but as the week was winding down, they were awake less and less. Snape and Hermione were spending every waking hour on finding a cure, to no avail.
During one of his cognitive times, Sirius called for Ron.
"Ron, I need a favor." Sirius said
"Anything Sirius," Ron responded.
"I need you to find Remus, the real Remus." Sirius explained.
"How, I heard he was all over South America, he could be anywhere." Ron said.
"Do what you can, but please do it quickly." Sirius begged.
Ron, with Dumbledore's help, sent out a dozen Dark Aurors in search of the real Remus Lupin. He ordered them in six groups of two, to travel the entire continent of South America for any clue as to where Remus might have been taken.
With the absence of Snape and Hermione, Ron was finding school to be more difficult than he ever thought possible. The impending N.E.W.T.'s made matters worse, since most of the Dark Aurors didn't have any time to study.
"Ron," Dean began. "We can't keep going like this, we're up past midnight every night, and up again at six in the morning, even our weekends are busy." Dean said pleadingly.
"We can't stop now; my dad is counting on us, without Snape and Hermione he may die." Ron argued.
"But mate, can't McGonagall give us a break, cancel the N.E.W.T.'s or something." Semus added.
"I tried talking to her, but she won't even consider it." Ron said sadly.
"I don't care what you guys are saying, if the Minister needs us to suffer, then suffer we will, because of him, we're all fully qualified Dark Aurors." Parvati interjected.
"Hi guys," Hermione said, plopping down on the sofa.
"Hermione, it's almost one in the morning." Ron pointed out to his girlfriend.
"Yeah, and I've got to get up in five hours." Hermione said with a yawn.
"This is killing you 'Mione, you have to let up." Ron said, massaging her shoulders.
"If you think I'm bad, you should see Severus, he's a machine." She said with a smile.
"Severus, Hermione," Parvati asked with a sly tone.
"Oh stop, he just asked me to call him that since we were no longer in a student teacher relationship, but more of a colleague relationship." Hermione said blushing.
"Colleagues, you're colleagues now?" Ron asked jealously.
"Oh Ron, stop being jealous, Severus is your brother in law for crying out loud." Hermione said, kissing Ron on the cheek.
"Brother in law? When did this happen?" Parvati asked.
"Yeah and why didn't you tell us?" Dean added.
"It slipped my mind." Ron lied.
"Which one of your sisters did Snape marry?" Parvati asked, knowing the story of his long lost sisters.
"He married Peggy, the middle sister." Hermione answered.
"Were you there?" Parvati pressed.
"Yeah, it was beautiful, it was held on a huge sailing yacht, and Harry presided…" Hermione realized what she had said and froze.
"Harry," Parvati, Dean and Semus all exclaimed together.
Hermione didn't know what to say, she had inadvertently let the proverbial cat out of the bag.
"And you used to think I would slip up." Ron said smugly.
"Leave her alone Ron, she's tired." Neville said in Hermione's defense.
"Are you saying Harry's alive?" Parvati whispered needlessly, considering it was one in the morning and the Gryffindor common room was empty.
"Yes Parvati, Harry's alive." Neville answered.
"How long have you known?" Dean asked.
"Since I married Ginny," Harry answered from behind them.
"Harry," the three friends exclaimed again, and ran to hug him, knocking him flat on his back.
"Are you all right?" Hermione almost yelled as she ran to pick him up.
"What's wrong with him?" Semus asked.
"He was poisoned, like my dad." Ron said, helping Hermione get Harry to the chair.
"If Harry was poisoned like your dad, and your dad can't wake up, then why is Harry still apparating around?" Parvati asked.
"Look at his eyes," Hermione said simply.
"Oh my God, they're yellow." Parvati stated the obvious.
"I'm a griffin animagus, I'm much harder to kill when I'm partially transfigured, and so, as long as I stay semi-transfigured, the poison won't attack my body as much." Harry said breathlessly.
"But it's still affecting you, isn't it?" Dean asked.
"I'm dying Dean; at best I have a couple of months, but not much longer than that. Arthur and my godfather Sirius have less than a month. If Severus and Hermione don't find a cure, there's not much hope for us." Harry explained.
"That's a lot of pressure Hermione." Parvati said sympathetically.
"Yeah it is, but I'll do what I can for my best friend." Hermione said putting her hand on Harry's shoulder.
"No, no pressure, if I die, if Arthur and Sirius die, it will be Riddle's fault, not Severus and Hermione's. I will not accept any guilt from either of you two." Harry said emphatically.
"What are you doing out of bed?" Hermione asked him in a motherly tone.
"I was waiting to talk to Ron, but now that they all know, I don't have to wait." Harry answered.
"What do you need?" Ron asked.
"Nothing, I just wanted someone to talk to, to play chess with, I needed to clear my mind, and I knew you'd be up." Harry answered sheepishly.
"So you presided over Snape's wedding, was that his idea or hers?" Parvati asked, breaking a momentary uncomfortable silence.
"Actually it was Severus' idea. I kind of played matchmaker for those two and they picked up on it." Harry said smiling.
"You're so romantic, Ginny is so lucky." Parvati said with a hint of jealousy.
"Yes I am," Ginny answered, appearing out of nowhere.
"Hello my love." Harry said, kissing his wife.
"Hello lover, what are you doing here?" Ginny asked confused.
"I just needed to get out of my own mind, so I came looking for Ron, but I got lucky enough to run into the whole group." Harry said, warmly referring to the seventh year Gryffindors assembled in the room.
"You're not well Harry; you shouldn't go wandering around alone." Ginny said over protectively.
"Thank you my love for caring, but make no mistake, I can still take care of myself." Harry said with only a slight hint of impatience.
"So when did you guys get married?" Parvati finally had the opportunity to ask.
"Um, just after I came out of my coma, it was my parents' idea." She answered, rubbing Harry's hand.
"And did you really design the wedding dress?" Parvati asked.
"Yeah she did, and it was beautiful." Hermione said.
"You got to go?" Parvati pressed again.
"Of course, Ron was best man and I was maid of honor." Hermione explained.
"I wish I could have been there." Parvati said smiling.
"We filmed it using muggle technology, you can watch it whenever you like, but you'll have to come back with us to the castle." Harry said.
"Castle, what castle?" Semus asked.
"Potter Castle," Ron answered. "Its wicked man, you have to see it." He added.
"And they will, I'll get permission from McGonagall to take you all to the Castle this weekend." Harry said.
"I don't think she'll allow it, she's been really hard on everybody lately." Dean said.
"That's because Harry's dying you prat, she's scared Riddle might actually win, then we'd all lose." Ron said sounding angry.
"Oh yeah, sorry Harry," Dean apologized.
"No reason to apologize my friend, I know why Minerva's acting that way." Harry said. "I think talking with you guys has really helped me, and I expect to see you all this weekend." Harry continued while slowly standing. "Oh, and if you like, you can tell Padma and Lavender to come along too, just don't tell them where, it'll be a surprise." Harry added smiling.
"Can we tell them about you?" Parvati asked.
Harry thought for a moment. "Don't, I like to make a grand entrance." Harry said mocking the old Snape.
"Good night Harry," the group said together.
"Good night all," Harry responded happily.
Back at the castle, Ginny was helping Harry change for bed.
"You know you really shouldn't walk around alone in your condition." Ginny said more than asked.
"I'm sorry Ginny; I just needed to see Ron." Harry apologized.
"It's ok, but next time, take me along." Ginny commanded.
"Yes Ginny dear," Harry said smiling.
Ginny had become extremely overprotective of Harry, but even more so of Cindy and now Gabrielle; she refused to let either one of them out of her sight. She would take Cindy and Gabrielle to Hogwarts in the morning, escort Gabrielle to all her classes, and ensured Cindy was allowed in all her classes. Her fellow sixth years were starting to think she was loosing her mind, and would continually mention it to the various faculty members.
Cindy on the other hand was taking everything calmly, she would attend Ginny's classes with her, learn all she could, and go home Happy.
By the end of February, Harry was still holing on with minimal effort while Arthur and Sirius had fallen into a sleep they were not waking up from. The Ministry had released a statement claiming that the Minister had fallen gravely ill, and would return when and if he recovered. At the request of the Minister, Albus Dumbledore was acting in his stead, and Minerva McGonagall was the temporary Headmistress.
The press, at Dumbledore's request, made little mention of the Minister's illness and rarely had any articles on the matter. The Quibbler however, had several articles discussing how Harry, Arthur and Sirius were poisoned by someone pretending to be one of their friends.
Harry remained true to his word and got the Gryffindor seventh years a weekend reprieve from the now hectic Hogwarts. At Harry's request, Severus and Hermione took that weekend off as well.
Harry, knowing how grave things were looking, decided to hold a dinner party on Friday night to welcome his guests. He knew Molly would never leave her husband's side, so Harry went out of his way to tell her it was all right.
That afternoon, Harry was sitting with Ron and Hermione in the library; they were discussing Snape and Hermione's progress.
"Well, we think we're close, we need to do more tests, but we may have found a way to slow the process, maybe even stop it completely." Hermione said hopefully.
"But not reverse it." Harry added.
"No, not reverse it, but we are going in the right direction." Hermione said surely.
"Do you have the formula with you?" Harry asked sounding more tired then they had ever heard him.
"Yeah," she said handing him the formula.
Harry stared at the formula, his eyes were drooping.
"Cartilage," he said to himself.
"What's that Harry?" Hermione asked.
"I remember reading something, somewhere, about the cartilage of an animal; I just can't seem to remember." Harry was saying as he fell asleep.
"He's losing his memory." Hermione said to Ron.
"And finding it harder to concentrate and stay awake." Ron added.
"This can't be good, he doesn't have that much time, and we need to help him." Hermione said through tears in her eyes.
"Shark," Harry exclaimed waking suddenly.
"What Harry, what did you say?" Hermione asked.
"Shark cartilage, add shark cartilage to the formula, it will prevent the spread of the poison by preventing the formulation of new blood vessels, starving the poison." Harry said sounding more like his old self than before.
"You read this somewhere?" Hermione asked.
"Yes, in one of the other timelines, or was it this one, I don't remember, but it was in a dark magic book, it talked about ways of fighting the spread of poisons." Harry explained.
"You don't remember the title, do you?" Hermione asked intrigued.
"No, my memory is slipping, and I'm finding it harder to concentrate." Harry said.
"I'll apparate to Hogwarts and talk to Severus, maybe this could work." Hermione said standing, and vanished.
"Harry," Ron began. "Are you sure you're going to make it?" Ron asked nervously.
"Ron, I cannot promise I'll be alive this time next year, but I can promise you Riddle will not." Harry answered with all his heart.
"I don't want to lose you Harry; you've been a good friend and a good brother." Ron said with one lone tear falling down his cheek.
"Ron, listen to me, I may not get another chance to say this. You saved my life; your friendship saved my life more than once. You have meant more to me than all the magic and all the money in the world. I love you; I want you to remember that. I have made arrangements so that neither you nor Hermione will ever want for anything. Ginny will get the bulk of my fortune, but make no mistake; you'll be well cared for." Harry said crying.
"Harry, you're going to make it." Ron said emphatically.
"No Ron, I'm not sure I am, but either way, I wanted you to know I love you." Harry said.
"I love you too mate." Ron answered back; Harry fell asleep not hearing him.
Harry awoke to the sound of Hermione's voice as she called for Ginny.
"Ginny, guests," she called.
Ginny apparated to the entry of the castle, "Hello all," she greeted them.
"Ginny, is this your castle?" Padma asked, not knowing the full details.
"Yeah, do you like it?" Ginny asked back.
"I love it," Padma answered.
"So do I," her twin agreed.
"Come in, let's sit in the library." She beckoned them.
They walked in to find the room empty, Harry had apparently awoken and left.
"Sit," Ginny said motioning to the furniture.
"Do you live here alone?" Lavender asked.
"No, my parents, sister, Fred and George, Lee Jordan, my daughter Cindy, our new care; Gabrielle, Sirius Black; the convicted murderer," Lavender and Padma gasped at the name. "And someone else, who is that again?" She teasingly asked Hermione.
"Oh, I know who you mean, it's um, oh yeah, your husband." Hermione said as if she had just remembered.
"Oh yeah, that's him, and my husband Harry." Ginny said smiling.
"You live with the ghost of your dead husband?" Padma asked astounded.
"Hey, be nice, I'm not dead yet." Harry said, walking into the room.
The look on the faces of Padma and Lavender was exactly what Harry enjoyed, utter shock.
"Oh don't be so surprised girls." Parvati said, standing to greet Harry with a kiss. "It's good to see you again Harry, thanks for inviting us." She said smiling smugly.
"You know you're all welcome in my home anytime." Harry answered, kissing her back.
"Harry, I have some good news and some bad news, let's go talk in the other room." Hermione said standing.
"That's not necessary; we're all family, what's the news?" Harry asked either unwilling or unable to get up.
"That ingredient you gave us did the trick, that's the good news. The bad news is in two parts; the first is that it only stops the spread of the poison completely, it does not reverse it." Hermione said.
"What's the other bad news?" Ron asked expectantly.
"It doesn't work on magical creatures, and I'm a griffin animagus." Harry said as if he had known all along.
"That's right Harry, how did you know?" Hermione asked amazed.
"Two reasons, the first is that you wanted to talk to me alone, and the only true physical difference between me, Arthur and Sirius is that I'm a magical creature. The second reason is that I remember reading it." Harry said smiling.
"Oh no Harry, does this mean you're going to die?" Parvati asked, and then looked at Ginny. "Oh, I'm sorry Gin, I wasn't thinking." She apologized.
"Don't apologize Parvati, I knew and I know I'm going to die, I have already settled all my affairs. Ginny knows how much I love her, as does Hermione and Ron, but I wanted the opportunity to tell you all as well. The years I spent at Hogwarts, the years I spent with you all, are the happiest years of my life, and I love you all for it. But this is not a funeral yet, it's a party, so turn up the wizarding wireless, and let's dance." Harry said, taking Ginny's hand and standing.
Harry had the house elves lay out a buffet in the library, and they danced and partied well into the night. Halfway through the evening, Fred, George, Lee, Neville, Luna and Draco made an appearance and they partied like they would never party together again, mainly because, they might not.
Harry snuck out late that evening to seek out Snape. Harry found Snape holding a vigil over Arthur and Sirius.
"Hello Severus," Harry greeted him, walking into the makeshift infirmary.
"Hello Harry, did Hermione tell you?" He asked.
"She didn't need to, I already knew." Harry said calmly.
"I'm sorry Harry." Snape said sadly.
"Why would you be sorry, you have saved the lives of the Minister of Magic and my godfather, I would be proud." Harry corrected him.
"I didn't save anybody's life Harry; all I did was prolong the inevitable." Snape argued.
"That's all any medication does, Severus, we're all going to die, and eating right, exercise, seeing a healer regularly, all that does is prolong the inevitable. You may not have reversed the damage of the poison, but it's no longer spreading, they will remain alive until someone finds a cure, you saved the lives of these two men, whether you believe it or not." Harry explained.
"But I haven't done anything for you; you're still going to die." Snape continued.
"Severus, listen to me; I have gained so much power, I can do almost anything with magic, I have evolved further than any wizard before me, which makes me dangerous. No one man should have that much power; let me quote a muggle movie I once saw; 'All power corrupts, but absolute power corrupts absolutely.' I can't go on like this, and I'd rather die as the most powerful wizard in history, than to live as the most powerful wizard in history." Harry stated.
"You never cease to amaze me Potter; you would rather die than have all that power, amazing." Snape said disbelievingly.
"Did you hear what happened in the Minister's office a few weeks ago?" Harry asked.
"Yes, Hermione told me." Snape answered.
"Did she mention the part about the earthquake, about the building shaking?" Harry asked.
"She did," Snape said, wondering where Harry was going with this.
"I did that, a small quake yes, but I wasn't controlling it, I could have really hurt someone, I don't want that on my conscience. No, I'd rather die than hurt an innocent person." Harry said resolutely.
"Always the martyr Harry," Snape asked, not sounding as rude as the question was.
"Always the martyr Severus," Harry said smiling back.
Snape actually returned the smile, perhaps finally Severus Snape understood Harry Potter. Harry's smile began to fade, his face turned as hard as stone.
"What's wrong Harry?" Snape asked urgently.
Harry never answered; he just collapsed.