Very calm chapter ahead.
Song: 'Brave Heart' by Megumi Hayashibara (from Shaman King)
Ch. 13: An Auror Knows
The girl was escaping from an immense darkness that kept trying to embrace her body and soul. She felt herself growing weaker and weaker with every quick step she took throughout her race. She felt that she was in the middle of nowhere. The girl kept running, always seeing the same sombre path developing in front of her. It never changed. It was always the same.
A bad taken step made her trip and fall on her knees. She turned back and saw the dark cloud that had been in pursuit about to encompass her. She screamed, but then she saw a strange light inside the cloud. It wasn't completely dark after all. Her hand rose to reach the small light, the light of hope. It was what she had been looking for. Panting as she was, she smiled at the same time her hand closed around the light.
Ginny woke up, writhing on her Hogwarts bed. "It was another dream...," she told herself before rubbing the sleep from her still tired bright brown eyes. The dreams had become common and in each of them she was looking for something, but she didn't know what. The only thing she knew was that it was something she desperately needed. Ginny still also had her Harry nightmare, but every time there was something else. The last time she had the same nightmare she had seen the dark lord saying something to Harry before sending the odd curse against the boy. She kept thinking about Dumbledore's words and now she wasn't sure if Harry was dead. On the first dream she was sure Harry was lifeless, but on the last she wasn't sure anymore. It could have been her imagination, but the wide eyed Harry seemed to be breathing noisily after the curse had hit him.
Cassius and Theseus had been under Hagrid's care. In order to avoid problems Ginny had eventually returned the two strange boys to their original forms, although she knew that the magic performed in Hogwarts was kept from the Ministry. It couldn't be registered by them. Hagrid was extremely happy and had even introduced Cassius to Firenze. The adult centaur had accepted Cassius and provided the young centaur with a bow and arrow, telling the centaur foal that he was going to need them. Firenze had seen it on the stars.
Hagrid had been happy to take care of Theseus. While Theseus was in human form he had taught the boy simple things like eating or even using the loo. When in unicorn form he simply took care of Theseus as he would have done with any other unicorn. So far only Hagrid knew the truth about the two boys. Ginny had tried to hide it from McGonagall, but she suspected that the Headmistress knew and was simply not saying anything about it.
The days passed and one day, by mid September, Ginny received a note. A light gray owl had arrived in Hogwarts with the letter attached plus a tiny package. With an indescribable face the girl read the letter and ran to speak with Dumbledore's portrait. Not even caring about McGonagall being there she asked the portrait: "How did you know? I just received a letter from a stranger who says he has met Harry! He wants to meet with me!"
The Dumbledore in the portrait chuckled and said: "It's alright, Miss Weasley. You're true adventure is just about to start. One of your companions will bring you great luck. He is an adventurer by nature and has great magic. Your other companion will become your guard in many ways."
"Sir... Theseus seems to want to tell me something! He keeps trying to express himself! What does it mean?"
"Some creatures are very wise, Miss Weasley. When the time comes you'll know."
Ginny nodded and left the office. She was going to head to the mansion she had been invited to. The stranger had even sent her a portkey along with the note. She was going to get Cassius and Theseus. She still wondered what she was going to do with them, but for the time being they were definitely going to be her companions, as Dumbledore had called them. With a slight smile on her lips Ginny prepared to continue her journey.
XxXxX
Nymphadora Tonks had complied with Remus' strange request. She was still curious about who the very sick person was. Being very cautious she had asked in St. Mungo's for the proper potions needed for a pneumonia patient. The frontdesk witch had eyed Tonks carefully and asked her why wasn't she bringing the patient in and Tonks had to make up a story about her friend hating hospitals. The witch didn't ask more and quickly pointed Tonks to where to ask for the needed potions.
After paying for the terribly needed medicinal potions, Tonks hurried up. Not only was she anxious about making the delivery, but also desperately wanted to see Remus. She had the image of her sweetheart taking care of another werewolf. It was the only possible explanation she could find to why the person couldn't just be transferred to St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries.
Hurrying as best as she could, Nymphadora found the perfect area to Disapparate and after Apparating on the area she was already fond of she hurried to the already very familiar small house. She had managed to make that house a bit tidier than what it was before. Not that she had much ability in tidying things, but ever since Remus had returned her feelings something had changed in her. She had progressed as an Auror in very little time and some of her clumsiness seemed to have vanished.
Tonks entered the house and even though it was dark, she knew her lover was awake. The man lit a candle and smiled at her as she approached him to give him a quick kiss. "I brought what you needed Remus. Who is the patient?"
Remus looked at her with concern and deep preoccupation. "Nymph... You will have to swear that you won't turn them in. Swear it."
Tonks was taken aback with that sudden request, but she swore and put her right hand on her lover's own right hand making a string of magic envelope both their hands together. After going through this, she made a gesture to Remus of looking at the patient and she nodded. First, entering the other room with candle in hand, Tonks recognized Ron and Hermione. At that moment she was already fearing why Remus had made her swear not to turn them in. She quickly went to the other two figures and almost gasped in horror. Remus had imagined this would happen and had held her tight before she could scream. The Auror stared at her lover with a horrified gaze and whispered: "By Merlin, Remus! Isn't that... Isn't that Severus Snape?" Remus nodded with saddened eyes and Tonks thought she was going to faint then and there, but managed to swallow some saliva and stay in control. She knew that she was in deep crap knowing where the most wanted Death Eater together with the most searched for trio were. As an Auror, it was a very difficult situation to even conceive.
Remus noticed Tonks' breathing out of control and carefully moved her away from the sleeping fugitives. He gave her a much-needed calming potion, which she swallowed in one gulp. "Are you alright, Nymph?"
"How can I be alright, Remus? If it had only been those kids I would have been fine, but that man... That man killed Albus Dumbledore, Remus!" Tonks started to cry and Remus embraced her providing comfort. It was as difficult for her as he had imagined it would be, but he was sure she would be strong and overcome it.
XxXxX
Morning came and yells woke the teens. Remus and Severus were arguing and a woman was involved in the quarrel. Ron rubbed his eyes and paid attention to the suddenly lowering voices, but they were still full of disagreement. Hermione just looked at her boyfriend with an almost aghast expression.
"She is still an Auror, Lupin! You have to understand why she'll have to be Obliviated later on!"
"I will not allow you to Obliviate her, Severus, and that is that! If it wasn't for her, Harry wouldn't have the real potions he needs!"
"Please! Severus! Remus! Stop this! Severus! I can assure you I won't tell anyone about this and I am perfectly capable of blocking my mind against unwanted intrusions to get information. I am an Auror after all, as you said. I will not lead them to you and believe me! It's a tough situation!"
"Exactly the reason why it would be better for you to be Obliviated. That way you won't have any conscience about having seen me!"
A weak voice from the door to the room startled them all. "Please don't fight. Please." Eyes went wide between the bedroom and the living room as they saw the person standing, holding himself to the doorframe and placing a hand on his forehead in irritation.
Severus, Remus and Tonks reacted at the same time: "Harry!"
Nymph was quicker and soon she was escorting the boy to the bedroom. "You shouldn't be up, Harry! Come on!" She made the teen lie down, although he seemed against her care. "I'll bring you some porridge even if I have to spoon feed you. I also want you to drink each of these potions after you eat." Tonks was going to get the porridge, but Remus had already brought it and gave it to her. She gave Remus a smile and sat beside Harry while the werewolf left.
Tonks started to spoon feed Harry and the boy was actually making an effort in eating although with the bad feeling of his body getting rid of the food soon after. Harry looked at Severus, who had also entered the bedroom, and shook his head: "Don't Obliviate Tonks..." The woman was taken aback by Harry's words. She lowered the bowl, allowing the teen to continue speaking. "She would never betray us. With her being with us, they would never suspect, would they? The people from the Ministry?"
Severus felt himself getting angry at James Potter's son, but couldn't believe what he was thinking. He was going to actually comply and please the annoying teenager. Severus knew there was something very wrong with that picture, but he ignored it. He wasn't Harry's father and never would be, but felt responsible for the teen for some reason. It was a repulsive feeling, but he decided not to care. "I won't do it then, but if she betrays us may it fall on your conscience, not mine."
Harry almost laughed as he ate the last of the porridge. "Thank you," he said to Tonks, who was smiling at him. Right after the youth drank each of the vials Tonks had placed by his side and after drinking the last one he frowned: "What is this?"
Severus picked up the flask before Tonks could and answered: "It's Astragalus Extract. Not really a potion, but it's an herb extract. It will relieve your diarrhoea, help with your appetite, and increase your energy levels."
Harry seemed astounded: "Just an herb will do all that?"
Severus rolled his eyes at Harry's question and Tonks chuckled.
Hermione was looking at the scene along with Ron thinking that Snape and Harry were looking almost like father and son, even with Snape being grumpy as usual. It was a very strange sensation, but that was the least of her worries. She suspected that Dumbledore had something to do with Harry's complicated spell outbursts. Hermione couldn't help thinking that it was madness and that it could end up killing Harry, but at the same time she wondered if those outbursts were needed to somehow train Harry. Harry was going to need an awful amount of power to fight Voldemort. An average teenager just couldn't wield the power to fight a Dark Lord, so perhaps the outbursts were a necessity until Harry was able to control them without passing out.
Hermione had another worry, though. Severus and Harry hadn't said a word about it, but she knew very well that on their first night in Renard's house Harry must have made a deal with Renard for the cup. One didn't have to be a genius to figure that one out. The vampire couldn't have just given them the cup. Harry was not a vampire and Hermione knew that, but she had a very bad feeling about Harry having given blood in exchange for the cup and something Harry had said, calling Renard a bastard, almost confirmed her suspicions. Hermione wondered if Ron had thought of the same thing. She longed for a time to speak to Harry about it. The girl had read a lot about vampires and she knew a thing or two. The vampire must have asked for something in return for giving up Hufflepuff's cup and vampires loved collecting 'high value blood'. It was obvious that the payment hadn't been money. They were almost out of money and would probably have to make a stop at Gringotts' at some point. Hermione dreaded the detail about the payment. If that vampire had saved Harry's blood...
"Hermione! Hello there! Earth to Hermione!" Ron was laughing when the girl finally looked at him. Harry was also laughing and Severus gave the girl a curious look. Tonks had already left the room with the empty bowl. "You were completely submerged in la-la land! What are you thinking about?"
Hermione blushed at the way Ron showed concern for her. He seemed to have matured in the last few days. "Too many things... Can't bring them all up. Sorry."
Ron seemed a bit hurt, but smiled at his girlfriend. He knew that he wasn't nearly as smart as her, but he had his worries too. He was worried about how they were going to survive in a fight against the Death Eaters and Voldemort. Ron wasn't too worried about Harry being possessed though, for one simple reason. If it was Dumbledore, there was nothing to worry about, right? Ron had already concluded that it had to be Dumbledore. No one could be so thick as to not figure it out. But... How the headmaster had managed to channel his magic to Harry, well, that was something that Ron had no idea about.
XxXxX
The days passed and Harry was soon better, but Snape decided against continuing their journey until Harry was really completely recovered. Harry was angry because he did feel perfectly fine, but Ron and Hermione had agreed with Snape. As they had all decided to make a conspiracy against him, Harry finally gave up on insisting.
On the first days of October, Lupin disappeared one night, but they all knew why. Tonks came to keep them company that night and be in charge of the house. Hermione was ecstatic to learn Nymphadora was training to become an Animagus. The Aurors couldn't understand Tonks' sudden desire, but they had soon put her in training. The young Auror desperately wanted to accompany Remus during the full moons, but that was her own little secret.
Severus went to a corner when Tonks started to make her hair take different lengths and colours. The teens were laughing and enjoying the show, especially Harry who had always wondered if there was a way for him to change his appearance as easily. He could indeed change the color of his eyebrows and the color of his hair, but not the form. Nymph could go from straight hair to curly, or to wavy.
After a while, Harry decided to join Severus in the corner and Severus stood up and signaled for Harry to follow him into the room. He wondered what the older man wanted to talk about: "Po... Harry" Snape still had difficulty in calling the teens by first names. "I wanted to know if Renard simply drank blood from you or if he collected a sample. This is truly important."
Harry looked confused, but decided to be honest: "Both. He drank and he collected." Harry flinched when all of a sudden Severus swore. The wizard kept swearing and even proceeded to swear in other languages that Harry knew nothing about. "Why?"
"Because if that blood gets into the hands of the Dark Lord everything will be lost, Potter!" Snape snapped. "That blood sucking idiot!"
Harry decided to change the topic, even when he was worried about Voldemort somehow obtaining the flask with his blood. "How did you meet Renard?"
Snape raised an eyebrow and then motioned for Harry to sit down, which the teen did. He took a deep breath and started:
"The first time I met Renard, I was eighteen. I had decided to venture into the world, learn new things, explore... I met a vampire named Yapheth St. Battistienne. Yapheth was a good vampire. I think he is still alive, I don't know. The thing is that Yapheth introduced me to Renard at a Vampire Ball at that same mansion, Renard's mansion. Renard charmed me and was going to make me a vampire that night, but Yapheth stopped him. My friend told me I needed to learn Occlumency and as I looked for information on the matter realized that it could be my ticket to deceive the Dark Lord. I was already a Death Eater, Harry. The problem is I learned that the best Occlumens were dark wizards and I couldn't risk it. I was twenty-one when one day Renard found me in a Wizarding Library. He saw in my mind through Legilimency that I wanted to become proficient in Occlumency. So far, I had tried for myself in vain. Renard then told me that vampires were experts in anything that had to do with the mind, but it is never mentioned, as wizards and witches normally avoid them at all costs. I was desperate and thus, we made a deal. I was going to supply him with preciously and highly valued wizard's blood all the time I spent learning until I was proficient in that art."
Harry was astonished and asked: "How much time was that?"
"Three months, one week, and four days. I had actually almost mastered it in two weeks, but Renard decided that I wouldn't be ready until there was no way he could take me by surprise. I had learned well, but he could take me by surprise every time. When at last I was free from being Renard's blood supplier, there was no way anyone could surprise me. My mind was completely closed and empty of emotions. Renard congratulated me of course and told me I was ready to fool the Dark Lord. He was right. To this day, the Dark Lord has never been able to figure my true loyalties."
"Did you need Blood Replenishing Potions?" Snape gave Harry an infuriated gaze that made Harry forget about having asked. Renard Von Voltaire was definitely a bloodsucking fiend, but that was somewhat funny.
Snape softened his gaze and said: "We still have to go to Hogwarts. We need to speak with the old fool's portrait. It might be able to give us clues on where to look for the other object that might be a Horcrux."
Harry nodded, but suddenly clutched at his chest. "What's wrong?" asked Severus.
"Whenever I destroy a Horcrux I feel a strange sensation inside me, a pain in my chest. I was somehow reminded of that sensation when you spoke about getting clues to find another Horcrux."
Severus was reminded of Dumbledore's dead hand, but went thoughtful. He had no idea what the sensation inside Harry could be. "What do you feel? Just pain?"
Harry shook his head and answered: "Like something breaking." Harry's eyes became a little empty and then he looked at the older wizard. "Sir?"
"Yes?"
"Why didn't you learn Occlumency with Yapheth? You spoke nicely of him..."
Severus frowned, but replied: "I was quite stupid then. I kept looking for wizards and never thought about vampires during that time of investigation. By the time Renard found me, I hadn't seen Yapheth in quite some time. To tell you the truth I had never seen him ever since I was twenty. I went to other Balls invited by Renard, but never saw Yapheth again. He was a very melancholic one... He had a very sad story."
"Can you tell me his story?" Harry asked curiously. He wanted to speak of other things, even if he sounded like a child asking for a bedtime tale.
"We want to listen too!" Hermione was beaming as both Severus and Harry jumped. There in the room were Tonks, Ron, and Hermione.
"How long have you been there?" Harry asked looking amused.
"Enough to know that Renard collected some of your blood," retorted Ron with disgust. Harry simply smiled. It was better if his friends knew everything. Dumbledore did want him to trust them.
The three eavesdroppers sat on the room's floor to listen to the story of the vampire called Yapheth St. Battistienne, under the light of candles on that full moon night.