Hello everyone! *pops into view along with Snape* he grew tired of the muggle way of entering so… *Snape rolls his eyes and goes for the brandy tumbler again* It's all so winterish again!! *sprawls in front of the fireplace* theright setting for telling stories, isn't it?

Anyhow, let's see what happens this time, shall we?

Chapter 15, *hit play*

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Voldemort paced in his great stone room. It was devoid of Death Eaters. Only Nagini was present, and she was currently napping. There was no reason to keep up a façade now. There was not reason to pretend he didn't worry. And Voldemort was very worried. He had felt the dratted boy, that Harry Potter infringe on his very own mind, just as he was about to learn about the Headquarters. He had dismissed everyone then, to be called later, and had seized the chance at controlling the very reason for his repeated failures.

But had it been at all beneficial?

            Voldemort couldn't, in all truth, say for sure. First off, Dumbledore wouldn't let him get complete control. Second off, the damn boy had far too strong a will. Voldemort was certain that Imperio wouldn't be very effective on the Gryffindor, not for long, anyway. Third off, he didn't remember the last three or four seconds, while he was struggling to either possess the boy completely or kill him otherwise. He wasn't certain if Harry Potter was still alive, or whether he was finally, irrevocably, dead. Still, he would learn soon enough. Zabini would inform him, along with all the details about the Headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix.

Nothing would please Voldemort more than destroying everything Albus Dumbledore had fought to create, and watch the old dotard's expression then. How he hated that abominable twinkle of his eyes! How he hated that he was the one person that was never taken in, that was never fooled even by his best of ploys! Voldemort grit his teeth, his crimson eyes flashing madly. If the blasted boy was not dead, then the next time they connected he would finish the job.

***

"Harry, you are awake! You're better!" Hermione cried happily and virtually flung herself on Harry's bed, stifling the Gryffindor prefect. Not that Harry minded. he felt Ron's weight on the other side of the bed as he sat. Then came the sound of a box opening, and the faint smell of chocolate.

"We figured we'd bring the sweets for when you are awake, as it does little good while you're out cold- that and they tend to get eaten before you wake," Ron's voice was bouncing with relief and joy. Harry chuckled and reached out. The cool, smooth surface of the frog was place in his hand, but Harry grabbed that wrist with his other, free hand quickly and pulled Ron into a group trio hug.

"I am so glad to have you back, to be here with you!" Harry exclaimed with such a great relief that it surprised Ron and Hermione. There was a pause, while Harry ate part of the frog. Ron and Hermione glanced nervously between themselves, and Ron nodded encouragingly.

"Harry…" Hermione started, then paused again. She saw her friend turn his face towards her, as always with his immobile, bright glance slightly off target. He looked so happy and open. Should she ask?

"You are not talking Hermione. Is your face puzzled or embarrassed?" Harry asked. Hermione swallowed and bit her lip. Ron came to her aid.

"It's worried, mate. We both are. Do you know how much you have been down under?"

"How much?" Harry asked, his expression slightly clouding. There was no doubt what his friends were trying to learn and were afraid to ask. Harry wasn't sure if he could answer.

"Two whole days, Harry. And Professor- I mean, Sombre, he has been here, watching over you for the whole while!" Hermione said as if that proved a lot. Harry was impressed, because it did, actually. If Snape had been keeping an eye on him, then he surely had been very ill.

"Harry…" Hermione asked gently. Harry frowned, waiting for it.

"Why was this vision different than the others?" she whispered, and Harry swallowed. He really didn't want to talk about it. What would he say, anyway? That Voldemort had possessed his mind? That he had had no recollection of the last few seconds, except an acute awareness that his body was shutting down? How more freakish am I going to become? he thought as he pursed his lips.

"You don't have to answer if you don't want to, Harry," Hermione said quickly, seeing her friend's face darken.

"But you have to know that nothing will ever keep us from being there for you, Harry," Ron said, putting his hand on Harry's shoulder. Harry flinched and took in his breath shakily. It was so touching a pledge of friendship, that Harry trembled in the fear of losing it.

"If I tell you, you will fear me," he whispered. There was a pause again, that forbade him to know what his friends were thinking, as he couldn't see their faces. Then Ron's voice was heard, quiet, almost threshold, so that Harry would be able to hear, but nobody else.

"We… know that You-Know-Who did something to you… Hermione thinks it was against your mind. We are still here, and we don't fear you."

"He possessed me," Harry blurted out, and he was glad that he couldn't see his friends' expressions. He heard them suck in their breaths in horror, and then more silence. Hermione exhaled first, methodically, slowly. She is trying to regain composure before I hear her voice, he thought. Suddenly, he felt incomplete.

"Where is Sasha?" he asked, breaking the silence.

"I am here, masssster," came the slurring voice of his familiar, from where he calculated the edge of the bed to be. He fingered there, and he felt the cool band that was the snake's body. She slithered around his wrist, over the taut tawn glove and stayed there snugly again.

"I missed you," Harry hissed to her, ignoring Ron and Hermione, escaping from them for the little while he was talking to Sasha. "Where have you been?"

"Rat hunting weekend massster… don't you remember?"

In all accounts, Harry didn't remember much about letting Sasha go over the weekend. But he was glad Sasha was back again, snug around his wrist, and he stroked the triangular head.

"Harry?"

Harry swallowed at the sound of Hermione's voice. It was time to face his friends.

"You can say it. you can say that I am a menace and I am dangerous and I should be Obliviated of everything I know before Voldemort manages to know of it through my mind. You can say that I am a crazy f-"

"That's not what I meant to say at all!" Hermione protested, and Ron said:

"We'd never tell you that, man!"

Harry breathed, and listened at the agitated breathing of his friends. Then, Ron's voice reached his ears, shaky and throaty with emotion that Harry knew couldn't but be true:

"Harry, it has been a long, long time since the Goblet of Fire picked you, and I was stupid enough to accuse you. I have grown… more than you might credit me… and I know that you would die, than let that git of a Dark Lord stay in you."

Ron's voice faltered, and Harry felt his own tears roll down his eyes. Hermione's hands touched his, soothingly, as her voice was heard, soft and heavy with emotion:

"We only asked… because we want to be there for you, like you have been here for us. You are part of us, Harry… I wish… I wish you could believe that…"

Harry bit his lip and raised his hand where he heard her voice to be coming from. He touched a hot cheek, and a warm wetness. He shut his eyes, to relieve them of his own tears.

"Don't cry for me," he whispered. "I'm still here."

***

            Sirius frowned suspiciously at the sweet smelling concoction that Snape was stirring meticulously, in a cauldron in the study of the Headquarters of the Order.

"This smells nice," he told Snape, as if accusing him.

"Your point?" Snape muttered as he dropped the mirkwood powder in the potion.

"You have never brewed anything that didn't smell at least like a sewer."

"There's a first time for everything," muttered Snape dismissively, not taking Sirius' bait like he would have normally.

"And what unfortunate soul is this thing destined to? I do hope it's not a love potion."

"It is not as crude as that, Black; and it's for Bella."

"Bellatrix Lestrange!" Sirius' eyes got that dangerous gleam that usually would make James grin excitedly and Remus shudder in horror.

"You can recall names, good for you. Now stop stooping over my potion, unless you want the fumes to make your already deranged mind even more hazardous to the environment," Snape snapped at him and Sirius pulled back, knowing not to cross a warning of Snape's regarding potions, even if it was in a scathing manner.

"So what can it do?" he said after some pause, watching Snape measure some gooey thing out.

"It could make you shut up," Snape growled, his eyes fixed on the beaker.

"Aw, Sevvie, you are breaking my heart," Sirius smirked. Then after again a little pause, as Snape didn't seem to be putting in anything more, he asked again. "So after you make it, how are you going to plant it under Bella's nose without her realising the danger?"

"I am not. I am giving it to Dumbledore. He said he has that angle covered."

***

            Narcissa walked through the hearth in Dumbledore's fire, and shuddered, looking around the circular office. It reminded her of her childhood so very much.

"How is Draco, Headmaster?" she asked as soon as she was out of the fire.

"Do have a seat, Narcissa. Tea?"

Narcissa nodded and received a cup and saucer. It tinkled incessantly in her hands.

"Draco?"

"Not to worry. He is safe, off Hogwarts grounds. In fact, he is in the safest place he could be. Your husband can't find him there."

"I hope so," Narcissa said and swallowed her tea. It burned her tongue. Dumbledore sat behind his office and gave her some time. Then he cleared his throat to get the blonde woman's attention.

"Narcissa, I have called you because I need your help. I need you to do something. It won't endanger you-"

"I am not interested in the risks. What do you want me to do?" Narcissa interjected. Dumbledore smiled kindly at her and his eyes twinkled.

"I only need you to make sure Bellatrix Lestrange ingests a good amount of this," he said and handed her a bright purple vial with a sweet smelling liquid inside. Narcissa swallowed and nodded quickly. She would do anything to help the side that was protecting her son be able to keep protecting him. Dumbledore smiled.

"It would be beneficial if Bellatrix could have the rest of the potion available for her perusal," he said amiably, as if he was planning surprise gifts with his family.

***

            Harry couldn't understand why he wasn't allowed out of the infirmary. Snape hadn't showed for the whole day, and he was feeling fine. Yet Madam Pomfrey would have none of it. She even threatened to strap him on the bed with sticking charms, if he refused to obey her orders this time.

Yet, Harry was willing to call her bluff, if it meant getting out of there. He petted Sasha and asked her in Parseltongue:

"Anyone around, Sasha?"

"No, Harry," the snake replied after looking around carefully. The infirmary was empty for the time being. Harry called his walking cane to him, and his wand. He felt suddenly dizzy, his breath catching in his chest as if he had ran up a hill. He swallowed and didn't call anything else to him, not wanting to press his luck. He swung his feet over the bed and got up shakily on his feet.

            It was as if he had just had a ton saddled on his shoulders. His legs trembled with the strain, he coughed. On his hand he felt the sticky wetness, he smelt the acrid taste. Perhaps I was not as strong as I thought, was his last thought as he sank onto the floor.

***

            He was painfully aware of someone opening his mouth and pouring something scalding inside. He gagged, but he was not allowed to spit. He swallowed the potion, but he was certain that some of it went the wrong way down. And then, as if someone had turned on a switch, sounds and voices and noise was all painfully crisp and clear to him.

"He's responding!"

"Of course he's responding- he gagged and moaned, use your ears, wolf!"

"There is no need for chides, Severus."

"I think he is listening to us now."

"Potter. Enough eavesdropping. We have things to discuss," Snape's voice commanded and Harry tested his voice:

"Ugh…"

"There, he can speak, almost as well as he does in class. Will you –now- release him?"

Harry felt that he was being held in someone's lap, almost cradled, despite the fact that he was now fifteen and a half, and not nearly as small as earlier in the year. The smell and the feel of the clothes told him it was Remus Lupin that was holding him so gently. And he was about to release him onto the bed that he hated so much.

"Please… don't let go," Harry managed to croak. Instantly he was snugly back in the DADA professor's arms.

"Harry… I know sometimes Poppy can be overprotective, but when she threatens with the stick charms, then it's prudent to heed her," Dumbledore's voice had a bounce, as if all this was a joke, but Harry's body was painfully corroborating Dumbledore's words. How could I have not felt the extent of my body's weakness? he wondered idly as he smiled thinly at the Headmaster's words.

"I will from now on, Professor," he said quietly.

"We don't have much time, Potter, until Pomfrey starts wondering why there is a ward on her infirmary's door. The reason we are all here is because at least someone felt that you should hear what I have to say," was heard Snape's voice in the usual rude tones, but without the bite. Harry was certain that, although the Professor would deny it vehemently, he too had wanted him to hear whatever it was. He heard Dumbledore clear his throat, and everyone was silent.

"Harry, I am certain you recall most of what happened during your last vision," Dumbledore started.

"I thought I was going to hear Professor Snape, not talk," Harry said before he could coat his thoughts with adequate respect.

"You will, Harry. But first I think you will understand the situation better if you understand all the circumstances. Now. If I am not mistaken, there must be some little fraction of time towards the end of the vision that you cannot recall at all. Am I right?"

            Harry's breath caught as his skin crawled. He dreaded those few seconds that he could not account for. He just had no way of knowing what had gone on. Anything could have happened; any spell took fractions of a second to cast. he had had plenty of those. Had Voldemort used him in some way? He felt Remus hold him more securely. 'Don't worry, Harry. It's all safe,' the werewolf whispered in his ear. Harry tried to ease the strain in his chest.

"Potter, for pity's sake don't work yourself up to panic attacks- we have just finished resuscitating you," Snape admonished again. Dumbledore spoke quickly, and his words soothed Harry enough to breathe normally again.

"The reason you do not recall those few seconds is because I casted a rather powerful spell on your mind, while Tom's was closely linked to it. In essence, what I wanted to achieve was to have Tom reveal the way his plans were going. A sneak peek in the enemy field, if you like. Of course, just like your mind is reluctant to subliminals, so is Voldemort's. So while part of his thoughts were forced out, he spoke them in Parseltongue. He is, I believe, aware that I cannot speak it."

"But Professor, I don't remember what I said during those seconds at all. And I didn't have Sasha with me then, even if she did remember everything," Harry said, confused.

"Fortunately we don't have to rely on your mnemonics, Potter. I was there, and I heard everything. And as you recall, while I cannot speak Parseltongue, I can understand it," Snape said.

"Therefore, I asked Severus to wait to tell us what he heard in front of you. I think you contributed far too much to be left out of this knowledge," Albus said, and Harry could imagine the smile. There was a pause again.

"Severus, I think that's your cue," Remus said with a small smile, holding Harry comfortably, offering him the human contact that the boy was needing to remain relaxed and resting.

***

            Narcissa Malfoy returned with the small vial to her house. Her mind was racing for a plausible way to have Bellatrix drink any of it. No matter how she approached the subject, she couldn't imagine Bella willingly drinking out of any suspicious looking vial, even if it was coming from her, Death Eater Malfoy's wife. Especially now that Draco had gone missing. Then, an idea entered her mind. She would do exactly as he husband had done a few years ago regarding Harry Potter. She summoned a house elf.

"Sooty, take this to Bellatrix Lestrange. Make sure she swallows some, and leave the rest of the vial there. Don't be seen."

"Sooty is doing as Mistress is wanting," Sooty said and disappeared with a crack. Narcissa smiled. Sooty wouldn't have trouble entering the Lestrange place- he went there daily, as a messenger of her husband's who was hiding in their large manor. And she knew that Sooty was as loyal to her as any ally could be. He could do the job, and do it effectively.

***

            Bellatrix Lestrange smiled, watching the dark black, semi-viscous liquid slowly drop into the large flask that she was about to cork. It was her latest creation, to deliver at once to her Lord. It was a very new thing, that she was certain Aurors would not see coming. Her Lord would need that when they tore down the Order of the Phoenix. The potion would instantly explode with the force of ten muggle grenades when its vial was thrown to a target. Anyone that was nearby would be killed or maimed. She felt proud, even if she had not been the inventor of the basis for this. Ah, Severus, if only you hadn't turned sour, you would have been great. All the better for me- I'll harvest your rotting  flesh  as a Dark Potion ingredient in a year. I bet you'd love that.

            She didn't notice the small vial floating in behind her, waiting for the best time, as she meticulously corked three more flasks of the black potion, making sure to add her signature to the prototype. She could imagine the looks on the Aurors' faces when a spree of exploding bottles took them down from afar. She threw her head back and laughed, in a typical cackle of a witch hag.

Only for it to be quenched in a gurgle as she involuntarily swallowed something bittersweet. The vial re-corked itself. Bellatrix moaned and dropped on the floor, the room changing colours, her ears booming with voices she knew she can't be really hearing. The vial dropped on her lap, and she grasped it with trembling hands. She peered at it, but it was impossible to even see the right colour of it, with all the dizzying, caleidoscopic vision that the potion's magic influence was giving her.

Delusions, my dear Bella… how do you like mind controlling potions? Let us see get your way out of this one, Bella! a voice from the dead laughed in her ears, and she whimpered, cupping them. Her eyes flashed in anger as she teetered upwards, pulling herself up despite the fact that she perceived the room melting around her.

"I won't be had by a prank potion!" she screamed, but to her ears, she only heard the squeaky sounds of the traditional lab guinea pig.

It was going to be a hard way out of that maze.

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And that's it! Not REALLY a cliffhanger tonight either, is it? *pulls chestnuts out of the fire, Snape turns his nose up at them* Bah. He'll have them when they are cool enough, I'm sure.

As for my reviewers:

Lynda: Here you go, update! And Snape is trying hard, VERY hard, not to allow himself to be mollified. But it's hard, when he's up against the wizarding world's greatest sweetheart. hehe.

JaimynsFire: *unloads millions of Snapes on you, like the Smiths of the Matrix* so that you can plague anyone you want with 'em. They are very vengeful ;) *hug hug*

Trinka: I will check them out asap! It would be easier if you sent them over e-mail, though.

ChibiGyouza: I am sure it is the worst violation one can have… *shudders* Snape is trying NOT to melt his cold innards… we'll see how much he succeeds. *glare from Snape* And Voldie will certainly not forget to try that again, even if he can't. *L* And I am over my flu!

Dark Queen of Roses: because I have to revise my own book, and it's like, 300 pages already, and will probably end up three times as big when I am done. And I haven't touched it yet, because I don't have free time. So when I finish this one, I'm done with Harry. He taught me a lot, but I got my own characters to cater to.

mickeymoose: I guess that if he got a break, readers wouldn't feel like reading about him, would they? *that's the slytherin part of the Gryfferin speaking*

water drifter: awwww. You know you like the rush tho.

Skysong1: hmmm… could it have slipped her tongue? *deadly glare from Snape8 guess not. *L*

Rilaisseth: I am better, thanks! Hope you enjoy this chapter.

LoveChilde: you were not dangling! I deny it that you dangled in chapter 14! *nods fervently*

Maximum Poofy Pissed Off Queen: Bah. He already has a body now. But he might try to run away with other things than that. hehe.

Viskii: Harry always overestimates his strength, doesn't he? And we will see about Draco and HQ… hehe

Shawn Pickett: Snape really wants to do a number on Bella. I hope this shows even from this chapter.

Ms. Padfoot: *g* thanks! Ask and you shall receive… hehe.

Shinigami061: Well, they have their good days and their bad days. And Snape has his rep to upkeep, and he's afraid he might sound far too soft and stuff towards a Potter, mind you. Heh.

Lady Lightning: Well, at the time he was a cat, and cats tend to rub against hands or legs anyway. And as Snape was truly very relieved to see Harry sentient again, I guess that one gesture escaped him. See? he's trying to make up for it today. ;)

WolfMoon: Well you got the start of the whole 'let's torture Bella, yeah yeah yeah' song. *snickers madly*

Marauder3Moony: he's not half done yet. Don't wave flags just yet. hehe.

Kemenran: it was Albus-induced, I assure you. Sirius did, however, appreciate the fact that Draco has Lucky and his buddies after him. As for Bagman being a puppet, I think everyone knew. The thing was how to corner him into accepting it openly and conforming to the Order's wishes. Now, the pawns are set, and the pieces will move. *snickers*