A/N: So, I actually managed to update twice in the same month! You all are benefitting from my lack of life, so enjoy it! I am happy that you all are still enjoying the story :)
Lady La-sara: I will write more about pack life since Harry is going to become more involved as he grows up. Everything was fine, just living life instead of writing a fantasy one, thanks.
YinKeket: His interaction with the pups is drawn from some things that happened while I was working with kids. I will not be writing about any spell like that, but if you want to read one like that there is one with Harry and the twins called Pretty Kitty.
Disclaimer: Anything you recognize from the Harry Potter books belongs to J.K. Rowling.
THE MISSING SAVIOR
By: Rita Skeeter
Harry Potter, the boy-who-lived, remains absent from our world several weeks after other children his age received their Hogwart's letters and rushed through Diagon Alley, shopping for their first year at the esteemed institution. Our readers waited for the first view of our famed savior being sorted into one of the great houses, but found only a disappointing speech from the headmaster. We have been left wondering why one of the première schools in our world is not considered good enough to train the boy-who-lived. As no answers have been forthcoming and no comments made on who was chosen to teach Harry Potter our questions continue to grow and we are left reviewing the few facts we have.
It would be remiss if I did not also remind the readers that Albus Dumbledore, Hogwart's eccentric headmaster, also chose to place the savior in the care of muggles after that sad day at Godric's Hollow, where the boy lost both his parents. This fact leads the writer to wonder if the two occasions are connected. This concerned writer can only ask one important question; how long does Albus Dumbledore intend to keep our savior separate from the wizarding world and his own peers?
Dumbledore crumpled the newspaper in his hand before tossing it into the fire in frustration. Damn woman can't just stay out of my business. This needs to be handled soon.
"Trouble? I can't imagine why." He turned to glare at the ratty hat that had spoken from the shelf behind him.
"Quiet, before I decide to toss you on top of that paper."
"We have already learned that I cannot be destroyed and as a hat I feel no pain." If the hat had shoulders Dumbledore was sure it would have followed the dismissive words with a shrug and his anger grew from just the thought. "Oh, how the world is constantly working against you."
"Only those who have not learned better. Soon my plan will come together and there will be no need to allow those who do not work with me to even exist." Dumbledore walked over to the window to look out at the night sky. "It would be best for you to remember that you will also become disposable."
"You are becoming senile, old man." The hat scoffed. "I am Hogwart's sorting hat, without me the children can not stay on school grounds. Not only do I reflect the wishes of the founders, but of the very school, and there is none more iconic or wielding more power than I do here."
The old man turned with a sinister smile and mocking chuckle. "I think you have lower expectations of my power than you even know. I have grand plans and a far reach that I have cultivated almost my entire life. There is just one piece missing to my chess set before the game can even truly begin! I will easily make it so that there is no..."
A knock on his office door interrupted the rant that had grown heated and fanatic with each word. Dumbledore's features slowly smoothed from his wrinkled scowl to a benevolent smile as he closed his eyes until a twinkle replaced the malevolent gleam.
"Come in."
Severus Snape walked into the tension filled room without showing any of the trepidation he felt every time he was in the other man's presence.
"Severus, my boy! Please, take a seat, we have much to discuss." Though his senses flared he shut the door and moved to sit down in a seat in front of the desk. He knew the best decision was to leave before he was pulled further into the old man's plots, just as he knew there was no longer an escape for him. He would play his part out until death or his mate regained complete strength and could offer his protection once again. If only I had known he wasn't dead, I could have avoided tying myself to this man.
"You have completed you're task with the potions?"
"Of course."
"With no trouble, I hope?"
"No, although setting it up myself would have allowed me to write the riddle with more ease." Snape hoped the comment would get Dumbledore to talk more about what he was hiding without inciting his anger.
"Oh, there is no need, I told you to just give me the order to set them up in." Dumbledore moved to stand over Snape, enjoying the fact that the other man had to look up at him from his seated position. "I do hope that is not what took you so long? You missed the original deadline I set for everyone... of those potions to be handed over to me."
Everyone... so the other teachers' projects do go with mine somehow, I thought it was odd that they were so focused on tasks during the summer. And now we have a forbidden corridor, this is becoming much too easy.
"Yes, well, I did tell you that one had to be brewed over a month's time. You insisted that it had to be the potions on the list you gave me."
"Of course, of course. I suppose it has all worked out." There was a moment of silence as Dumbledore stared at him.
"I had no trouble, sir, and while it was an odd request, I had some of the summer holiday to work on it without interruption."
"Yes, would not want to distract you from terrorizing the students." Dumbledore chuckled, but the twinkle in his eye was beginning to fade. "You can give me the things now; I don't want to keep you up too long."
Severus pulled a pouch out from his robes. "It's all in there; the order of the bottles is also listed. I do hope that missing the deadline did not cause any great trouble for you."
Dumbledore took the bag and placed it on his desk as his eyes regained their twinkle. "No worries, my boy, it's all fine now that you have finished you're project."
Dumbledore stared at him for another moment before pulling a sucker out of the pocket of his robe. "Blood pop?"
Snape had to stop from reacting to the question. Is this some subtle way of letting me know he is beginning to suspect what I am? He studied the wrinkled face that showed no signs of suspicion, but still managed to keep him on edge.
"No, thank you. I do not care much for the candy."
His answer received a slight smile and nod. Was it a test? Did he really suspect? I cannot be found out so soon. He knew the mind games were never ending with the other man. Dumbledore could kill him tonight or spend the next few years dropping subtle comments, slowly driving him insane with paranoia, until the other man decided it was no longer fun and killed him at some unexpected time.
"Neither do I, but they were a gift." The man sucked the dark red treat for a moment before pulling it out of his mouth to continue their discussion. "Well, I suppose that is all for tonight; go get some rest."
Snape stood and reminded himself to remain casual. "Yes, need to rest now before students start turning in all of those horribly written papers. One month into the school year and I know I have earned my vacation after reading the sad excuses for research."
"You choose to assign so many of those papers." Dumbledore laughed as he walked Snape to the door.
"Yes, well, they would never open a book if I didn't." Snape was relieved that he did not have the type of personality that would demand a smile at this moment, because he knew it would have appeared oddly forced.
"That is sadly true." Dumbledore opened the door and patted the other man's back. "Have a goodnight."
"Goodnight, sir." He made a quick exit; his robes billowing behind him as he descended the steps to the hallway.
Severus made his way to his rooms in the dungeon and entered them with some relief. Just as the door shut behind him he realized that the room was not empty; an armchair in front of the fire was occupied by a silent man. Severus had his wand pointed at the man who had watched him enter the room before he realized it was just the host of his mate.
"Merlin's sake, how often do I have to tell you to announce yourself?"
"S...S... Sorry." Quirrell said as he stood and turned so that the Severus was facing what was left of his mate.
"I have you're drink ready." Voldemort said and the head tilted toward a goblet on a table next to the chair. Severus sat down in the seat that had previously been occupied.
"Thank you."
"What have you learned?"
"We were right. The tasks the other teachers were trying to complete are connected."
"So, we know that you're potions and the dog more than likely guard something in the forbidden corridor."
Severus picked up the goblet and looked into the dark liquid as he contemplated the almost-facts they had collected. "It's either a very well set trap or he is much more distracted that he usually is."
"Or he is so sure of his power that he no longer fears defeat."
"That may be part of it, but I also think that this has something to do with the boy."
"Maybe his lessons are not going as well as he expected."
"Possibly," He took a drink of his mate's blood from the goblet. "We need to find out what is being held in this school that is so important."
"We will, but now you need to relax." The statement was said in a stronger, commanding tone that reminded Severus of when his mate was whole.
"Did you gather some unicorn blood? You sound much stronger."
"Yes, I enjoy the strength I gain right after drinking it; I don't have to struggle to stay connected to this body." Voldemort smirked, "I stored some in your cabinet."
Severus looked at his more relaxed mate and decided that tonight was not the time to tell him that Dumbledore may suspect he was a vampire. I can handle it myself, just for one night.