The One With The Ritual

"How do we reverse the potion, My Lord?" Harry turned to see a paler than normal Lucius Malfoy looking up at Voldemort. He hoped the man was feeling guilty.

"There are two ways. A potion that uses blood magic, or a ritual that will be painful for all in the room. The potion is one that will take about a week to brew." Harry felt Snape stiffen at that. Not acceptable. "The ritual will be physically and magically draining for you three. It will require 3 more bodies – 1 to balance each of your magic. I will warn you, though. It will be extremely painful for Harry as it will force his Veela out, unlike the potion which simply reverses the suppression. Harry will act like a young Veela for a while, needing both of you around to ground him."

"I don't care how painful it is. We do the ritual." Harry stated, causing Snape's arm to tighten around him again.

Voldemort stared intently at Harry. "Of course. We will use Draco and your two little friends to balance the magic."

Harry noticed Lucius shift. "Are you sure that's a good idea, My Lord. A Mudblood performing Dark Magic?"

Harry saw red. "Don't you dare call her that! She is the smartest witch in the school. She's the reason I am still alive. You throw anything at her, she can handle it."

Malfoy looked at Snape, who nodded reluctantly. Malfoy looked resigned.

Voldemort interrupted. "We will wait until they arrive. Hally should know not to take too long."

Harry nodded, and looked around the room. He felt exhausted and needed to sit down. The room was empty of anything other than the throne however. Harry sighed, resigned to standing for a long period.

"When Voldemort said I'd act like a young Veela, what did he mean?" Harry asked Snape, but knew Lucius and Voldemort had heard. Snape flinched at the Dark Lord's name, answering with a sharp, "Do not say his name."

Harry just stared at the man. He knew how Harry felt about this. "You are far too stubborn. It's going to get you killed."

Behind him, Malfoy scoff and muttered, "Like someone else I know."

Harry smirked at Snape, knowing he'd heard his mate's comment. "Guess it's genetic. Genetic stubbornness."

Lucius and Voldemort actually chuckled. Lightly, but chuckled none-the-less. Snape glared at him, but his mouth curved a little as if to smile. Harry stared at the man, waiting for an answer. When none came, Harry reminded him. "Young Veela?"

Lucius moved closer to them, choosing to answer the question. Made sense since he had a young Veela at one point. "We cannot predict any of your behaviour Harry. There are no recorded cases of Dark/Light Veela parings. Additionally, I'm sure this has never happened before. However, Draco was very clingy when he was younger. He needed almost constant touching and affection for the first couple months of his life. As he grew, and even to the day, he still needed that attention but would usually come to me when necessary instead of the attention being constant. I expect you'll require the same constant attention for at least a couple days, and then whenever you feel upset or vulnerable in the future. As you are a Dark and Light Veela, you'll probably require this from both of us." Lucius looked at Snape then, looking a bit guilty.

"I cannot say what affect this will have on Draco. His Veela will be aware another Veela of his blood has been 'born'. He may be clingy at first." He snorted at that, unable to picture Draco Malfoy willingly anywhere near Harry.

There was a crack of apparition and Harry turned to see Draco looked annoyed, and Ron and Hermione stood looking quite terrified. Hermione looked slightly relieved when she saw him, but then looked behind him to Snape and gasped. She raised a hand over her mouth, and then lowered it to ask, "It's true?"

While Harry nodded, Draco scoffed stating, "Of course it's true, Granger. You cannot trick that potion." Harry watched Draco look around the room before his eyes settled on Lucius. "Father, are you OK." He walked over, and Harry watched wide eyed as Draco rubbed his cheek against Lucius' like a cat.

"You should get used to acts of affection like that, Harry. It is the Veela in him that commands his actions right now. Veela children and parents share feelings. Once your Veela is freed, you will be able to sense my emotions and I yours. Lucius is obviously feeling distressed." Snape said this to Harry but the whole room heard as Hermione and Ron gasped before Ron asked, "You're a Veela?"

Harry went into the story of what had happened so far. Hermione looked fascinated when he mentioned there was not much information on Dark Veela. Both Ron and Hermione looked furious when he explained Dumbledore's part in this. He did not explain why the two Veela had separated, but he did explain the affects this ritual would have.

"As fascinated as this little reunion is..!" Harry looked over to Voldemort at the same time Ron and Hermione gasped. He looked rather angry, and Harry remembered the man was trying to call a Death Eater meeting when they arrived. Harry looked over to Hermione and Ron who suddenly looked terrified.

"Harry, stand in the middle of the room. Lucius and Severus, hold hands with Harry stood in the middle of you." They looked at each other, before moving to Harry. Snape held out his hands and Lucius grasped them, left hand taking right, and vice versa. Harry heard them both gasp, and was surprised to see some colour return to Snape's cheeks, whom he was facing. Harry wondered about that.

Voldemort pointed to the three students. "You three, make a circle around them." They all grimaced, but moved and immediately grasped each other's hands. "Whatever you do, do not let go."

Voldemort started chanting in some strange language Harry didn't recognise. A wind blew around them and Harry felt magic being drawn into him. The feeling was heady, and caused him to close his eyes. The magical high soon turned into pain worse than the Cruciatus and Harry felt every one of his senses increase. The wind whistled louder through his hear, the clothes on his skin irritated him. Harry smelt potions on Snape and some kind of aftershave on Lucius that he had not noticed before. The pain increased; something inside him was clawing for release. Harry felt fear as the pain came to an all-time high and he felt himself give way to unconsciousness.

He woke up almost immediately, slumped into his father's arms. The wind had stopped, as had the chanting. Harry felt terrified and confused. He looked around him. He was on the floor, with his two fathers holding into him. He could feel them now. They both felt fear and surprise. Underneath Harry sensed they were both hurting. Harry looked further and saw 4 people stood around them. The one with red eyes made him frown; he had a black aura with a yellow tinge. Safe. Dark but safe. Then there was a boy and girl he recognised, both with pure yellow auras. Safe, again. The last was a blonde who Harry sensed was blood. He reached out to him, and the boy did not hesitate to come over and grasp Harry's hand.

He was surrounded by people who were trying to protect him, but he still felt terrified. Harry couldn't figure out why until the door opened and a man with a white mask came in. His aura was black but with a red lining and Harry heard himself whimper as he curled into his family.

Harry saw the man with red eyes speak and saw a red light come from his wand. Harry couldn't hear what they were saying. Harry could hear a snake slithering around the room, which made him search the room, but he could not hear the man talking. The snake was moving towards the big chair, Harry noticed.

There was a chair next to them now. He was pulled up, and in doing this one of his fathers let him go. Harry cried out and grabbed onto him. They sat on the sofa with one father on each side and the boy kneeled down in front of him on the floor. He was talking to Harry. Harry didn't know what he was saying so he looked away and curled into the father on his right. The one who had not let him go. The father that was his mother. This made him frown.

Before he realised what was happening, he was asleep.

Harry was shaken awake by Snape. He was sat on the couch in between Snape and Lucius, and Draco was on the floor still holding onto one of his hands. He looked up to make sure Ron and Hermione were OK and was relieved to see they were sat in their own chairs looking at him with worry but kindness. All of the auras around them had gone, which made Harry glad. He wondered who had come in to the room and caused him such fear, but no one else was in the room.

Voldemort, who was sat on his throne, asked, "Are you feeling a little more human now Harry?" Harry frowned, and nodded. What did the man expect? "Good. I am calling a Death Eater meeting. You are your friends will remain." Harry looked over to Ron and Hermione who grinned at him and nodded.

"You need to stand now Harry." Harry looked to Snape, who was looking down at him with a gentleness Harry had only ever seen on Molly Weasley. Was that love?

Draco let go of his hand and Harry immediately started to panic. He looked up at the boy, reaching out a hand to get him back. Draco took his hand and pulled him up. This caused Harry to panic again as he was pulled away from Snape. The man still had a hand on his back; the fear caused by his body being further away. Harry still had hold of Lucius' wrist. Snape stood quickly and put his arm back around Harry, and Lucius followed. Harry stood with his back to Snape, but the man's arm around him. He had hold of Draco's hand and Lucius' wrist. Harry supposed the needed extra contact with Snape was because he was the birth parent.

Harry hoped this sense of panic went away quickly. It was annoying him already. Draco merely took a step back and Harry's breathing became slightly erratic.

Voldemort called, "Lucius, come here."

Harry had gripped his father's wrist tighter before he even realised. Lucius turned to him and ran a hand through his hair, which instantly calmed him down. Voldemort growled, frustrated. Harry watched the man get up and come over to them instead. Lucius lifted is left hand for Voldemort, allowing the man to use his wand to call the Death Eaters. Harry was glad to feel no fear of the man. His Veela knew the man would not hurt him because of the yellow aura.

Voldemort went and sat back down while Ron asked, "How long do you think Harry will be like this?"

Lucius answered again. "His condition improved drastically after a short amount of sleep. I suspect he will allow Draco to move away in a couple of hours, and he will allow us to at least let go for a time after a full night's sleep. He should be talking again tomorrow, as well. He will be clingy for a while, however. You saw how Draco acted when you apparated in – that is normal for Veela children who are unmated."

Hermione and Ron nodded. Hermione questioned, "Are you going to remove the adoption spell?" Harry realised he still looked like James Potter. The thought made him feel sick. He also had the name the Potter's had picked out for him. Harry looked up at Snape, pleading.

Snape seemed to know what he was thinking. "You want to reverse the adoption spell." Harry nodded. "Soon?" Harry nodded again. "Good." He smiled and Harry nodded again. "The potion will take a couple of hours to brew. We can do it tonight if you feel you can stand for that long?" Harry nodded again. He needed all traces of the Potters off him. Harry pointed to his eyes. "Your eyes were charmed green. That will be easy to remove." His father waved his wand over his eyes. A slight tingling and then Snape smiled at him. A true and genuine smile. Harry frowned, however. Everything was blurry. He raised his hand to his eyes and realised his glasses were on his face. He took them off and looked around – his vision was perfect.

"Harry?" He turned to look at Lucius. The man smiled as well. "You have your father's eyes." Lucius suddenly felt a longing, which Harry assumed was for Snape. Harry raised a hand to the man's face, placing it on his cheek and then ran it down the side of his head and hair. The man closed his eyes and then leaned forward to lean his forehead on Harry's. Harry could feel he had calmed the man and smiled at the thought that a simple touch could do such a thing.

Harry had grabbed hold of Lucius' wrist again, he realised.

People started filing in the room then, and Harry tensed. None of them had masks on so Harry assumed this was the inner circle. They all looked surprised or happy to see Harry, Ron and Hermione. Harry wondered if they thought the trio were there to die.

Hermione folded her arms over her chest, and stood tall. This made Harry smile. She would not be intimidated by these people and she could protect herself if necessary.

There was loud chattering and whispering from all in the room. They were all staring at the trio. Harry realised that the looks thrown at him were now confused, once they realised Snape, Lucius and Draco were all protecting him.

"Silence!" Voldemort hissed. His voice was not loud but had the entire room freezing in fear. "Welcome, my most loyal. I'm sure you are all wondering why we have 4 students with us today. That will be explained. First, I will hear reports. Rabastan!"

Harry blanked out, ignoring what they had to say. He didn't care about the war at the moment. Hermione looked as though she was mentally taking notes, which Harry smiled at. Ron looked as bored as him. They made eye contact, and Ron rolled his eyes. He mouthed to Harry, 'You OK?' and Harry smiled and nodded. He really was OK.

Harry was brought back to reality when Voldemort turned to him. "As for the trio, it would seem our most esteemed Albus Dumbledore has done something incredibly stupid." The Death Eaters laughed. Harry glared. This was not funny. "I'm sure you all remember Lucius and Severus are Veela, and were mates?" They all nodded, surprising Harry.

"They produced a child, which Dumbledore swapped with the Potter's stillborn child, stealing him from his mother. Or father in this case." Voldemort frowned, looking at Snape. "Hence the child grew up as a Potter. The truth was revealed today due to a potion Severus was teaching. Severus, being a submissive Veela, was unable to kill Dumbledore. Therefore, we have some revenge to partake in. That man will die at the hands of me, Lucius or Draco for this crime and another that will remain unmentioned. I want plans put in place to take Hogwarts."

Voldemort starting doling out jobs to his faithful followers but Harry's mind drifted again. Harry wondered at the submissive Veela comment, pretty sure the reason Snape had not killed Dumbledore was because Harry had asked him not to.

He felt pain and fear from his father, and his Veela's need to calm him. He turned in the man's arms and lifted a hand to his face in the same way he had with Lucius. Snape immediately leaned down to rub his cheek against Harry's. They stayed like that until the fear abated, and Harry realised he had let go of both Draco and Lucius. He stayed facing Snape, right hand shooting out to grab Lucius. He felt a hand on the back of his neck, stroking his hair. Harry felt the panic stopping at the calming gesture.

He felt like crying; this was horrible. Not only could he not let go of his family, but when he tried he went into panic mode. He felt like a hormonal girl at the frustration which made him want to cry. He could not wait until this was over.

He felt Snape and Lucius chuckle at his emotions and raised his head to glare at both of them.

"One last thing - if anyone dares to touch, harm, intimidate or anyway hurt these three Gryffindors, I will not need to raise my wand because you will be dead by the hands of Lucius and Severus before you can say 'no'. Let that be a warning to you all; I will not stand in front of either of them. The trio are not to be touched."

Harry was glad. He didn't want to have to fight any Death Eaters, or put up with Lucius or Severus going all parental on him.

That thought made him smile. Perhaps he was looking forward to that, actually.