Chapter Six

Severus was working in the lab with the door open so he would hear when Harry woke up. He had slept a few hours, then spent the rest of the night in his lab trying to keep his mind occupied.

Desperately needing coffee, he ventured out of his lab to the kitchen and put on a pot to boil. He glanced at the mail basket, unsurprised to see a pile of post waiting to be opened. Two more letters dropped in as he stood there.

He decided to sort through it himself to save Harry from dealing both with the well-wishers and the crackpots.

The letter was in the middle of the pile and looked as plain as the rest, save for one difference: it contained not only a folded piece of parchment, but also a lock of familiar black hair.

Snape rubbed the fine black hair between his fingers, reading the note over and over.

The kid is fine. I won't hurt him, but you can't have him back, not until Harry can come and get him himself. Better get busy on that potion, Snape. If Harry can't leave the lake to come and get him, you won't be seeing him again. Clock's ticking.

"What is that?" Harry asked, coming into the kitchen.

Severus had the urge to put the hair and the paper behind his back, not wanting Harry to read the note. Harry would know that this was truly all his fault. Someone had taken their son because of him.

Feeling as though his stomach was going to drop out through his feet, Severus handed the note and the lock of hair to Harry.

Harry took the letter without emotion, but he seemed unable to prevent the hiss that escaped his lips when he was forced to take the lock of hair. He rubbed it between his fingers for a few moments, barely holding back tears. His vision was so blurred he could barely make out what the letter had to say, except that Douglas was still alive. He sank down onto one of the stools and placed the letter on the work bench beside him.

"Who else knows about it?"

"About the note? Or about the fact that I...that you can't leave the lake?"

"Either." Harry shook his head. "Both." He picked up the note once more. Nothing had changed on it, nothing. But why him? Why did he have to go and get Douglas? Harry bowed his head, clutching the lock of raven hair in his fist.

"Nobody knows about the note, it was in the middle of the mail. As to the other-" Severus sighed. "There's really no way to tell. Your friends, the Weasleys, the Malfoys, the school faculty and staff, and whomever any of those people might have told." He rubbed his face with his hands. "Not to mention the Merfolk. I'm sure word of it has leaked to the Prophet by now."

"Bloody Hell."

"I'm sorry," Severus whispered.

Harry sighed and rubbed his eyes. "It could be hundreds of different people."

"We've got to start making a list. I'll eliminate them one by one if I have to." Severus summoned a quill and paper. "We'll begin with the ones of which we're certain and go from there."

Harry waited until Severus summoned a quill and ink.

"Start with the ones who obviously didn't?"

"Anyone, whether you think they did it or not, because we'll have to track down anyone they've told."

"All right. Molly and Arthur know, as do the twins, Ron and Hermione, obviously, their children, Luc and Mellie, and Ginny. I don't know if Percy, Charlie or Bill know, or Fleur. But then there's Minerva, Albus, Filius, Hagrid, Rolanda… The Merfolk wouldn't have means of doing this...would they?"

"I don't know, but I plan on talking to Cadmus to find out. Narcissa, Lucius and Draco." He scratched the names down. "I spoke with Lucius yesterday, he was going to talk to his contacts and get back to me today. I'll deal with the Malfoys; I know you'd rather not be in their company."

"I don't mind Draco's, but Lucius and Narcissa's – at least not now." Harry propped his head on his hand, his elbow digging into the wood of the table. "Who else? I can't think of anyone else who knows, at least not about the potion."

"Nor can I." Severus studied the list. "I think we can trust Albus to handle the Hogwarts staff. If he finds that someone has said something to anyone else, I will deal with them myself. If I contact the Weasleys, would you be up to talking with them on the shoreline? Then I can go to the Malfoys'."

"Yeah, but not now." Harry yawned, his head almost slipping off his palm in the process. "It's still early."

"Then drink some coffee," Severus snapped. "I'm going to the Malfoys' home. If I have to drag them out of bed, so be it."

"I know you're worried, and so am I, but you need sleep."

"I got sleep," Severus snarled.

Harry glared. "Not enough."

"I'm fine." Severus pushed back from the table. "I'm going to talk to Lucius. I'll owl the Weasleys and ask Molly to gather that lot together. They can meet you here later this morning."

"Severus." Harry reached out and grabbed his arm. "Please."

"I've got to get this done so I can come back and work on the potion," Severus said, trying to remain calm. He wanted to yell, to tear someone limb from limb. "I've got to do something, this is my fault. I need to fix it. I'll be back soon, I promise." He gently removed Harry's hand from his arm and kissed him on the cheek.

"But--"

Severus disappeared out the door. Harry groaned, slumping forward. His cheek stuck to the note on the table. Growling, he ripped it to shreds and dropped the pieces onto the floor.

Lucius came to the door in his dressing gown. "Tea, Knobby," he ordered the waiting House Elf. He ushered Severus inside. "Any news?"

"We received a note this morning. Lucius, I need a list of anyone you, Narcissa or Draco may have talked to about not only Harry's situation, but my attempts to find a potion to counteract it."

"Of course, though it's not a subject we bandy about," Lucius answered. The House Elf reappeared with a pop and set the tea tray on the table.

"Will there be anything else, Master Malfoy, sir?"

"Yes, wake Draco and ask him to join us."

The House Elf looked distressed at the prospect but disappeared again in an instant.

"Did you learn anything?" Severus asked.

Lucius shook his head and sipped his tea. "No, no one has heard a thing, which is odd in itself. There are usually whispers of this type of thing, but there's nothing. You said there was a note?"

"They said Douglas was unhurt, but they won't return him. They insist that Harry be the one to retrieve him."

Lucius scowled. "But that's impossible. Unless you've made progress on the potion."

Severus ran both hands through his hair in frustration. "No, nothing beyond allowing Harry onto the shoreline, and even that is more temporary than I would like." He slammed a fist onto the arm of the chair. "Whoever these people are, they knew I was working on a potion that would allow Harry to leave the lake. How could they know unless someone close to us told them?"

"Told who what?" Draco asked, walking into the room. His hair was mussed and he looked tired.

Severus recounted the events of the morning to Draco. "I haven't told anyone. Frankly, I don't trust any of my friends with anything remotely personal anymore."

"Unfortunately, I don't believe your mother is capable of such discretion when there is a juicy bit of gossip to share."

"You'll talk to her?" Severus asked.

"Of course."

"Draco, have you thought of anyone from your year or anyone who was at school with you who could have done this?" Severus asked.

"I talked to the few who were remotely capable of pulling it off, but they were clueless. Nobody is foolish enough to mess with you, Severus."

"Well, obviously someone is," Severus growled. "Can I borrow an owl? I need to send a message to the Weasleys."

"You're welcome to use the Floo."

Severus snorted. "Your Floo calls are probably still monitored by the Ministry. No, an owl will do."

"Knobby!"

The House Elf appeared. "Yes, sir?"

"Fetch Perseus, and be quick about it!"

Harry sat on the couch in the living room, polishing his tarnished violin. It had been too long since he had been able to give it a good once over. That he was doing it now had nothing to do with the fact that it was mindless work, and that it gave him a chance to not think about anything.

He looked up at the family clock once again and noticed that Douglas' spoon had gone from spinning aimlessly to 'Lost'. Not much of an improvement, but it gave him the smallest satisfaction knowing that his son was alive at least.

Harry plucked at the strings on his instrument as he watched Severus' spoon move to 'Traveling' once more. He couldn't be sure if he was coming home yet, but either way, there was a cup of tea waiting for him when he did.

Severus returned to find Harry on the couch, his violin looking shinier than Severus had seen it in ages.

"Harry?"

Harry looked up. "Find out anything?"

"No. The Weasleys should be arriving within the hour. Are you up to talking with them, or would you like me to do it?"

"I'll do it." He scooted over, clearly hinting that he wanted Severus to sit beside him.

Severus looked toward his lab and then back to Harry. "I need to get back to work on the potion."

Harry had to hold back his flinch. He knew the potion was important and would get them back their son, but that didn't lessen the sting of the unintentional spurn. "All right."

Severus sighed and rubbed his eyes, then sat on the couch next to Harry. Harry's hand slid beneath his and turned over, gripping his hand tightly.

"Are you okay?" Severus asked, returning the squeeze.

"Yes."

"Liar," Severus said, releasing Harry's hand to put an arm around his shoulders. He pulled Harry close. "Did you eat?"

"Toast." Harry leaned heavily against Severus' side. "Did you?"

Severus considered lying. "No, I haven't been hungry."

"If you aren't going to sleep, you've got to eat."

"I will." Severus closed his eyes and rested his head against the back of the couch. His mind had been working overtime to overcome the limitations on the potion. Ideas he would have dismissed before, he would try now. Anything it took to get their son back.

He opened his eyes to find Harry looking at him. He smiled wanly. "Would you like to see if Granger or Weasley would like to stay for a few days? I don't like the idea of you alone while I work. You'll think too much, and we both know how dangerous that can be." His smiled was half-hearted at best.

"Yes," Harry answered, wondering if he'd be seeing Severus again until that potion worked. "I'd like them to come."

Severus nodded. "I asked Molly to get hold of Granger to see if she could come by today. You can speak with her then, unless you'd like me to get her now?"

"Are you going to disappear on me soon?"

Severus frowned. "Disappear? I'll just be in the laboratory. You can join me there if you'd like, but I thought you'd rather have the distraction of your friends."

"You'll get all engrossed," Harry said, tracing the linear pattern on the sofa, "and I wouldn't have any clue what you were muttering about if I were there with you."

"I have no choice; it's the only way to get our son home."

Harry sighed, shifting until he was lying across Severus' lap. "I know."

Still frowning, Severus ran his fingers through Harry's ruffled hair, feeling as though he was failing not only his son, but his mate as well. He was itching to get into the lab to start work, but was afraid to leave Harry alone again.

Luckily, the choice was made for him by a knocking on the door.

Harry twisted, pulling his wand out of pocket. He pointed it at the door to open it, before returning to his previous position.

A young merman named Cassius was waiting outside the door. "Hey," he said, waving nervously. "I was sent to tell you that you've got visitors, on the surface."

"Thank you, Cassius," Severus said, spelling the door closed as the merman swam away. "Can you handle this on your own?"

"They're my family," Harry answered, pushing himself up into a sitting position with reluctance. "Will you be in the lab when I get back?"

"Yes, I won't be going anywhere else if I can help it. I'll find a way; we will get our son back," Severus told him, hoping that time wouldn't prove him a liar.

"Do one thing for me then?" At Severus' curious look, he plowed ahead, "Eat something for me. Soup, a sandwich, a bowl of porridge? Anything, please?"

Severus couldn't help the small smile. If Harry didn't have Douglas to mother, he would mother Severus. "I can do that," he said, cupping Harry's cheek. He leaned forward and kissed him softly. "I'll be in the lab if you need me."

Harry nodded, getting to his feet. "I'll know if you haven't eaten anything," he warned as he made his way to the door. Severus snorted and went to the kitchen, where he grabbed a banana before heading into the lab.

Harry shook his head as he passed out of the front door. Kicking his feet against the pressing water, he propelled himself to the surface.

When Harry returned an hour later, it was with Ron in tow, looking a bit wide-eyed inside his Bubble-Head Charm. Once they were inside the house and Harry had closed the door, he faced Ron. "You can remove the charm now. It's all right; you'll be able to breathe."

Ron was a nervous wreck about the whole idea of being so far under water, but he knew his best friend needed him. Steeling himself with a deep breath, Ron removed the charm.

Harry offered him a reassuring grin and tugged him into the kitchen. Turning the knob on one of the oil lamps, he flooded the room with light.

"You okay?" he asked, directing Ron into one of the chairs at the table. "You've gone pale."

"Yeah, I'm alright," Ron replied, rubbing the back of his neck. "I just keep thinking of all that water pressing down on top of us. Don't know how you got used to that, mate."

Harry shrugged. "It's my home."

"And you're sure Snape's all right with this? With me being here?"

"It was his idea, actually."

"It was?"

Harry chuckled, "Yeah."

Ron grinned. "Man's getting mellow in his old age."

"He just doesn't want me to be alone, and since I can't go out there," Harry said motioning upwards, his sentence trailing off.

"Snape'll work it out, Harry."

"I know he will. He has to, and won't let himself do anything else." Harry sat down and buried his hands in his hair. He glared at the tabletop and exhaled angrily. "I just wish he'd take care of himself for once. I mean...he didn't sleep at all last night, and I know he won't tonight, and if he doesn't tomorrow… I'll drug him, I swear."

Ron chuckled. "Man's too paranoid to let you drug him." He sat down on the couch next to Harry and slung an arm around his friend's shoulder. "He'll solve the potion, you'll get Douglas back, and we'll hex the son of a bitch that took him within an inch of his life. Snape can heal him up, and we'll do it again before we drag his sorry arse to Azkaban."

Harry grinned weakly. "You sound so positive about that."

"You should hear what the twins have planned for him," Ron said, doing his best to cheer Harry up. "Even makes me a bit queasy."

"So long as they don't do it in front of Douglas. They could turn the bastard inside out, and I wouldn't bat an eyelash."

"How'd you know?" Ron asked, grinning. "Don't worry. Doug'll be home, and nobody will be around to hear the scream."

Harry laughed, rubbing at his eye with the heel of his palm. "Why does it have to be me though? Why does it have to be me who retrieves Doug?"

"I dunno, mate. Someone is playing a twisted game with you. Snape's sure it's not some of You-Know-...Voldemort's former followers?"

"No, none of them know about the potion. Everyone's been so careful about who they told."

"I haven't even got anyone to add to the list," Ron said apologetically. "The only people I ever talk about it with are Mum and Dad and Hermione. I doubt Hermione has talked to anyone about it, but I guess you can ask her yourself when you see her. She said she was going to try and get away from work early. I think she's afraid that if she doesn't, Snape'll go and get her and drag her here."

"Who's taking care of Mellie and Luc?"

"Celeste. She's one of Hermione's Muggle friends. The kids adore her, and she's going to keep 'em until Mum can pick them up. And Mum will keep them until we demand them back." Ron's eyes widened a bit. "Sorry Harry, that came out wrong. I just meant Mum would keep them all the time if we let her."

"I know what you meant, Ron." Harry leaned back in the chair. "Gods, I need a drink. Want anything?"

Ron considered getting Harry drunk enough that he wouldn't feel anything, but thought Snape would kill him if he did. "Juice, if you have it." If Harry did want to get smashed, Ron realised he'd better stay sober enough to keep Harry out of trouble.

"Not strong enough," Harry muttered, pushing the chair back from the table and standing. He went over to the fridge, rifling through to the back where they kept the alcohol out of Douglas' sight. He pulled out a bottle of beer and the carton of orange juice. He went to the cabinets and pulled out a glass and set it on the counter. Harry poured the orange juice in the glass, and then set it before Ron, before fighting a battle with the top of his beer bottle. Once it was open, he took a long pull from it and flopped back down into the chair he had just abandoned.

"I feel so damned helpless," he gritted out, taking another large gulp.

Ron knew that anything he said would be meaningless, because for all intents and purposes Harry was helpless to do anything. Everything revolved around Snape working out the blasted potion, one that he'd been working on for ages and on which he had only made a slight improvement.

Of course, the stakes had never been as high before. Ron had no doubt the man would work himself to death or until he brought his boy home.

"I know," Ron finally answered lamely. Hermione had told him that Harry would probably need to vent, and Ron was supposed to let him.

"I mean, bloody hell, Ron. This just isn't fair! What the hell did my son do? Nothing, am I right? Of course I'm right." Another sip of beer. "It's just...this is horrible-sounding, but why couldn't it have been someone else's kid? Why ours? Merlin, I feel horrible just saying that out loud."

Ron shook his head. "I can't even imagine it, mate."

"I hope you never have to."