-1A/N: Sorry for the long rant last chapter. A short note saying I can't get to the net so no individual replies. Thanks everyone for your feedback and support! (I've tried to write a plan for the next part of the fic and it's another few chapters till Snape finally gets to meet the Dursley's. It's going to be so anticlimactic sigh)
Forwards! (where it feels more like backwards as we get caught in more plot holes and odd twists).
HP
"Lumos"
Harry blinked in the sudden bright light, his eyes adjusting to the comic image of Draco and Hermione both petrified trying to sneak into their room. Snorting, he raised a questioning eyebrow at the potion's master sitting in bed, his wand pointed directly at the two, a nasty scowl on his face.
"Are we playing at role reversal Mr Potter?" He asked with a slow drawl, flicking his own wand in the direction of the two intruders, releasing them from the other's spell. He was relieved when the man in his body turned sheepishly to him, now playing the right role.
"I thought you said constant vigilance." There was a pause "sir."
"Had you been vigilant as you say you were Mr Potter, you would have already assessed these two presented no harm, and you would have been able to detect who they were by the sound of their voices. Attacking strangers in the dark gains you many enemy's Potter. And attacking students gains you a loss of points." Harry turned to give the other two an assessing glare. "As does sneaking out after hours. Ten points from Gryffindor and five from Slytherin."
"We came to see you sir." Draco rebelliously stepped forward. Harry narrowed his onyx eyes at the display, he didn't know what Snape would have done, it was his Godson, but he was also displaying such familiarity before 'The Golden Boy' and his lacky.
"The reason Mr Malfoy?" He placed an extra emphasis on the blondes title. He hoped the boy wouldn't over step any boundaries.
"We've been worried about both of you." Hermione interrupted, obviously trying to draw his attention away from Draco. "You've both been acting out of sorts lately, spending more time in the ward than usual, and you've both been moved from your rooms. And don't think I haven't noticed how you've changed Harry."
Harry cursed, he had been worried about Hermione figuring this out, but now she had teamed up with Draco, they'd be impossible to throw off the trail of a mystery like this.
"Voldemort." The name spoken in the flat, dead tone, sent a shudder through Harry and stopped any rampage or inquisition that the girl was about to put them through. He turned to look at Snape, who had lowered his lashes just so, slumped his shoulders and let his mouth fall into a tired frown. The boy sitting in the bed no longer looked like Harry Potter the boy who lived, but an exhausted boy plagued by sleepless nights and tortured scenes.
"Oh Harry." Harry didn't have time to blink before the girl had thrown herself at the boy in the bed. "Why didn't you say anything? I've been so worried I thought you were progressing backwards the closer the holidays were getting." Harry leant back avoiding the over consoling Hermione and bit his tongue hoping she wouldn't say anything too revealing. She knew of what happened at the Dursleys to some extent, and after having read every book she could find on what she called, domestic violence or child abuse, she had come up with her own assumption of what was happening.
Harry had only just persuaded her not to tell anyone and she had reluctantly kept the knowledge to herself, after extracting a promise that if anything happened over the summers that he would contact her and she would come and get him, or at least inform the right authorities. She had given him a list of numbers to call for help or counselling, and Harry had shoved it into the back of his trunk. He didn't need any help or counselling, he was doing just fine.
What he went through wasn't anyone else's problem and he didn't believe he was a 'victim of abuse'. He was only punished if he did something wrong, sure he thought the beatings were a little harsh, but with his body usually numb from it's nightly activities and the potions he took for the after affects, they weren't as painful as they could have been. It only affected him further if something lasting happened, like his dislocated wrist, or fractured ribs. But then, didn't he deserve it?
Besides, abuse and violence were terms he couldn't relate to his home life, they were too harsh labels to what he went through with the Dursley's, he had seen and dealt with so much more, being linked to the mad man.
Even the previous years before he knew of any such torture, taking comfort that he was being punished for his failure as the saviour, he had still seen his home as a safe place. Sure he had been punished if he did anything wrong, but he had learnt to keep his mouth shut, his head down, and work at a steady pace, it was at least better than living on the streets like he had seen some people, and within those walls Dudley never touched him.
He was used to his life and as it was the only place left for him to go he didn't want anyone taking it away from him on their assumptions and accusations of something they didn't understand, a life they didn't lead.
"Sir?" The voice was questioning and Harry turned to Draco, pushing the thoughts from his mind, the boy looked worried, anxious and searching all at once. He drew up small smile from the best of his acting reservoirs, to comfort and answer the unasked questions, the boy gave a small smile back, before shooting a look at the two on the bed, he sat cautiously on the end sending a careful glance at the emerald eyed 'boy who lived' still struggling with an armful of Hermione.
"I don't bite Malfoy."
"Luckily. I don't what I might catch from you." The jibe was accompanied by a good humoured smirk and Harry couldn't help the small smile slip past the hard exterior he was trying to hold up in front of the other three.
These were the slow, first, tentative steps for developing relationships.
He knew that he and Draco had an unsteady peace, brought about by his defence of the blonde boy when Ron and his Gryffindor groupies had ganged up on the Slytherin. That had been one of the last events which had led to Ron's dismissal of him.
Since then he and Draco had been almost cordial to each other, even starting small conversations, simple teasing or quick tests of wit, more than the painful and hurtful jibes of previous years. Those years couldn't easily be erased, but when he had found out that Hermione liked the boy, he knew he had to try and build a better connection with the touchy Slytherin.
He also recognized a strong ally when he saw one.
SS
Severus could feel the weight of the girl against his side, could feel the weight in the dip of the bed where his Godson sat, but the heaviest weight were the dark eyes that watched them.
He had seen the way his Godson had reacted when he had said the name of the Dark Lord, could see the sympathy, the worry as the blonde sent a glance at the boy who now possessed his body. All apprehension of what the young man thought of him, had died in that look. Potter had been right, Draco did still care for him, even with that stained knowledge hanging above their heads.
"So, how did the study date go?" Severus whispered into the bushy hair, trying to clear away the dark thoughts. He had expected childish giggling when he had asked the question, but the secretive and determined but soft smile that was his only answer sent a slice of jealousy through him. Those two would make a fine pair.
"I think Potter, that that is none of your business." The blonde replied to the question, the haughtiness in his voice mockingly self-indulgent. Severus fought to keep from rolling his eyes, but failed, sharing a look with the girl who grinned and shook her head.
"Any dealings with the Golden Trio is my business." Severus replied with exaggerated Gryffindor Bravado, he received a snort as his answer, and a quiet giggle from the girl at his side.
"I see only two." The boy in the potion masters body interjected and Severus frowned, how was he to reply that? The silence in the room had an awkward tinge to it and the girl beside him shifted.
"With all due respect sir, the 'Golden Trio' doesn't really exist anymore, it's more of an in joke. We try to hold up the front, not only for Harry's privacies sake, but so that Ron won't get painted the unfaithful friend, and I won't get portrayed as Harry's love interest. It's easier for everyone if there is three of us and we fit the mould people have created. Lately though…"
The girl trailed off, and Severus let his hand rest on her shoulder as she leant against him. So he had been right in sensing something there.
"You haven't been seen together." Severus almost jumped when the boy sitting in the chair watching them finished the girl's sentence. The dark eyes looked thoughtful and a little surprised; Severus was again taken aback at how well the boy could act, the boy had known all along yet he managed to play the suddenly enlightened.
"I'm surprised you noticed sir, people tend to see what they want to, which is the reason we still sit together at times in the Great Hall and in large public areas pretend. It seems to be enough to fool people who aren't paying attention, even though we've moved from ignoring each to out right avoidance outside the Great Hall walls." Severus watched the brunette girl pick at the blanket she was sitting on, she was right, he hadn't noticed to what extent they had been avoiding each other, only noticing the smaller details once he was trapped in this body, having to deal with the everyday events.
"I do notice more than students from who I can deduct points from." Was the rye reply, and Severus saw the girl blush sheepishly at the man's interpretation of her words. "However I have also noticed that Mr Weasley has become part of a select troublesome group of Gryffindors. I would appreciate it if the next time you are forced into close contact with him, to warn him to tread more carefully."
Severus heard the catch of the girls breath, and saw the worry in her eyes.
"You've noticed it too?"
"It is hard not to notice when it is my house that is most often targeted." Severus tried to find the meaning behind the words, what was the boy talking about? He had noticed a rise in the number of student pranks pulled on the Slytherins, even a few more cruel and unusual, but he had been unable to find the culprit.
"They're not all Gryffindors, though most of them are. They've called themselves the Crusaders, on a supposed quest for light, to wipe out the 'savages', the Death Eaters."
"I'm surprised they are intelligent enough to draw the comparison between themselves and the European Crusades of the 11th and 13th Centuries, however I'm not surprised that they didn't realise or understand the true nature of these Holy Wars. Taming of the 'savages' an excuse only to gain fame and fortune through bloodshed; the rape and pillage of innocents and their land."
Severus blinked, how on earth did Potter know all this? Since when did the boy have any other interest in learning than during defence against dark arts? A small voice in the back of his mind told him that he should give the boy a little more credit. He scoffed at the voice and concentrated on the topic at hand, why did no one know of this Gryffindor 'Crusade'?
"They might not see it, but they're the same. I know it's just school yard pranks but they've turned more brutal and cruel." The girl continued, and Severus wondered why she was telling her 'hated potions master' all this. Where was the Gryffindor loyalty to their own brood?
"They target mainly Slytherin's because they assume all Slytherin's or their families are followers of the Dark Lord." Severus frowned, since the war the mistakes of the parents hung over the children's heads, Slytherin's had been branded, from the very beginning, by the founder of their house and those who hadn't understood him. The girl seemed almost to reverberate, agitated in his lap as she surge forward to continue again.
"They think that in targeting these students they are getting revenge on all the death eater attacks, that by injuring these students, they are somehow inadvertently wounding the Dark Lord. They need to be stopped, we don't want anyone else hurt because of them."
"And you've come to me?" The seated man asked in a dangerously low voice.
The girl stopped short.
"It…" she stumbled. "It wasn't my intention, but we've talked." She glanced quickly at Severus as he sat in Harry's body and then at Draco before turning back to the piercing onyx eyes, that caught Severus's own, a knowing look skimming across them before they focused back onto the girl. Severus frowned, so the boy had played the girl along, had wanted him to know what was happening, it would have been easier just to out right tell him. Severus scoffed in his mind, but of course he had to go for Gryffindor melodramatics.
"This is difficult," the girl paused. "There's no actual evidence of 'the crusades'. They work from the Room of Requirement, it's given them a base which provides them with basic items that shield magic signature, potions that change the appearance, masks, cloaks." Severus resisted the urge to snort, why did every organisation have to fight behind a veil? Then the first section of what the girl had said occurred to him, if there was no evidence…
"How do you know all of this?" The question that was flung around Severus's mind was echoed by the boy sitting in his body, dark eyes narrowed. Why did the boy wanted him to know all of this? Did he want revenge on his ex-best friend? Severus frowned, he didn't want to be part of these games.
HP
Harry hoped the man was taking notes, this was important, this wasn't just a brainless group of Gryffindors' intent on student rivalry. He knew if he just told the man out right, the matter would have been dismissed.
But with this method, with no way for the potions master to interrupt without looking suspicious he was forced to listen to not only Harry's explanation, but also to thoughts and ideas backed not only by his intelligent Hermi but also by the man's Godson.
"Ron is the supposed second in command of this group, he recruits members."
Harry knew he had to think on his feet if he was to draw the full story with almost every aspect out of the girl, but he also had to pretend that he didn't know where this was heading, that he knew everything. Just another game and another mask, he thought grimly before stating an incorrect assumption, that could have been made by anyone.
"And the first people he asks is his best friends."
SS
Severus watched the exchange between the two, the craftily constructed questions, how the story was drawn from the girl with little prompting. He also noticing the way Draco was also sitting back as if he had heard it all. Severus supposed he had, it sent a sliver of betrayal through him that his Godson hadn't told him about this.
"No. He asks me. I was to be recruited at all costs but he was specifically told not to even mention the organisation to Harry."
Severus watched dark eyes narrow.
"By who?"
"No one knows, his named himself Anon." Severus almost snorted, cute reference to the abbreviated anonymous. "But he's clever, you can't keep secrets in this castle long, but he's managed to fool everyone, kept his identity and his organisation basically off student and teacher radar. Even the victims of his attacks can't say who has attacked them, except most hold the sign of the Crusades, untraceable, with no magic signature, I can't even tell what spell it is that causes it."
A mark.
So instead of the members being marked, their victims were. Severus frowned, kneading his now untarnished forearm.
"A small red cross." Draco spoke up with a frown.
Severus watched Draco shift as he sat forward, rolling the shirt sleeve up. He didn't notice it at first, but found what he was looking for, a small red cross sat just above the crook of the blondes elbow. The boy looked a little ashamed, sending a quick glance at Severus, before turning back to the boy in the older man's body.
Severus frowned. So they dared touch his Godson?
"I haven't told you what little I know of the Crusaders, mainly because of this, and mainly because I needed more information. After Potter," Severus watched as the boy frowned when the brown haired girl elbowed him. "After Harry assisted me when the 'do-gooders' attacked a while back, we've been on talking terms. Only last night did I find out everything."
Severus listened intently. He had wondered at the uneasy truce, and now everything was beginning to fall into place. So Potter and Granger had been assessing his Godson for a while now, only recently deciding to test him. And now they were testing him, Severus Snape, with the knowledge of this student group.
"Yet you haven't explained why you've come to me." Severus, blinked, as onyx eyes watched him intently. How was this question important?
"We don't think it's run by students. We think it's somehow related to the Dark Lord, someone who isn't a member of the death eaters, but owes him allegiance. We need to know if you know anything about this, if you could help us."
Severus blinked in confusion, watching as Harry mirrored his reaction although he had known this was coming.
"I thought you said it was a mainly Gryffindor organisation?"
"It's an organisation with an anonymous leader, whose orders are followed loyally. All members believe they fight for the light, that no matter how badly they hurt others that it is for a just cause. Through this cause they may better themselves and the world, they gain people who understand them, who they can rely on, they gain power over the 'savages', control, even recognition, praise, a sort of fame as they climb the hierarchy of group."
"I see the comparison Ms Granger." Was the sardonic interruption that saved Severus from grinding his teeth to the gum. He had seen many similarities with the death eaters when they had first begun explaining this organisation, but now the girl had seen fit to drive the point even closer to home. The over emphasis on it made his teeth ache, but it still didn't have any evidence backing it as more than a fanatical student organisation.
"So you'll help us?" Came the hopeful reply. Severus frowned, he hope the boy wouldn't accept for him, he could still only see it as a school yard rivalry as well as a hint of revenge on Potter's side. His best friend hadn't offered him membership and their failing relationship would add salt to the wound.
"I'm sorry but you haven't convinced me. There is no found evidence that this is linked in anyway to the Dark Lord." It was almost dismissive, a refusal to help, but Severus noticed the ploy when he saw it. The boy wanted a full explanation.
HP
Harry sat back, waiting for Hermione to begin, but to his surprise Draco sat forward.
"The group may have characteristics similar to the Death Eaters, the drive for fame, power, control, recognition, student rivalries based on the idea they are fighting for the light, bringing many into their fold. But recruitment plays an important role. There have been so many strong friendships and relationships broken apart by this organisation. They attempted it on Potter and Hermione…" the blonde winced at the elbow in his side.
"Harry and Hermione for instance. They'd already gained Weasley to implement their plan. A few veiled suggestions that the-boy-who-lived, if allowed into the group, would somehow usurper the Weasels position and growing recognition, allows them to instruct the boy with little fuss, to only try and recruit Hermione." Draco paused and Hermione continued.
"In recruiting me and not even telling Harry, there would be a divide in our friendship. Harry would be left on his own devices, with no one to turn to, they'd also gain two of the three 'golden trio'. Something that would strengthen their aspect of the 'light'."
Draco ploughed on trying to convince his Godfather. "This characteristic of 'light' plays an even greater part. It's emphasised by the number of major Gryffindor recruits from families who have openly opposed the Dark Lord."
Harry marvelled at the way the two could follow on from what the other was saying, they seemed to fit perfectly. But he would still have to play the unimpressed potions master.
"Aren't you attempting to convince me that this is a dark organisation?" Harry let his voice fall dry off his lips, in the way that made everyone obvious to the fact he was far from impressed. He watched Severus from the corner of his eye, as he took all this in.
"What better ploy to confuse the enemy then to wear their colours?" Hermione asked. "But it isn't just that, members are somehow magically bonded to this group, not so much like the death eaters with a physical mark, but some sort of chant. I couldn't make it out, but it was defiantly an initiation, a sort of oath."
"You've entered the organisation?" Harry asked, fully aware that Snape would want to know this.
"One time under Ron's plan to recruit me, and other times to try and find more information. Once you know what it is and that it's in the Room of Requirement it's easy to slip in, especially if you require for the wards to be manipulated so they don't detect your presence."
"I thought the room was unable to be altered while there were people within it." Harry placed a scowl on his face, but let his eyes catch Snapes'. The man needed to know this next part.
"That's right, you can't alter the room, but you can allow it to alter yourself. Make you invisible, undetectable, you aren't altering anything, but your own consistency, and the wards slip around you. It's a good loophole." The girl seemed almost smug at knowing something about the school that was not written in Hogwarts; A History, or known by many others.
"But you didn't see the leader?"
Hermione shook her head. "He works from outside the organisation. I don't know if it's from within the school or outside, but the wards and other aspects point to someone who is no longer a student. They have too much power, a greater knowledge of spells and curses, even some that I haven't been able to find in the school library."
"So someone, most likely a braindead Gryffindor with a childhood grudge on Slytherins has organised a group of half-wit Gryffindors into attacking other students. This does not point to Death Eater organisations, nor does the chanting; many groups and organisations may have a chanting or initiation ceremony." Harry would not allow Snape to get away without the whole story.
Draco sighed exasperated, and Harry had to force down a smile, he knew how stubborn the potion's master could be. The blonde grumbled as he tried once more to convince the man sitting in the chair. Harry grinned, it was amusing that in fact he was already convinced and it was the boy by their side that they should have been directing all this at.
"They target only students who have 'suspicious' backgrounds, but in actual fact, have foresworn allegiance against the dark. No actual death eater, or student who has pledged allegiance to the Dark Lord has been harmed, and some present themselves as 'more suspicious' than others who have been attacked."
"Don't you see sir?" Hermione pleaded. "What better way to infiltrate the school, have the children of the most important figureheads pledge their allegiance to you, injure and mark the other children who you know will stand in your way, and break apart the infrastructure and loyalty of the students to each other."
There was a small silence after Hermione's spiel and Harry thought she had summed it up well. What better way to attack a person then through their loved ones, a lesson he had learnt well. And what better way to break down resistance than from the inside out, the Dark Lord was no fool.
Harry caught Snape's eye before frowning at the two who waited his reaction.
"You make too many assumptions with the limited amount of evidence you possess, but I will look into it." The two seemed surprised and gladdened at his sudden decision. "However, not until after the holidays. I do not like making an unnecessary drama with only a few days to go." That seemed to deflate them but they accepted his decision.
"Now I believe, Potter needs his rest and you should return to your respective dorms." At which Harry raised an eyebrow and the two blushed. "Before you are caught out after hours." Hermione looked surprised at his leniency, but Draco smiled knowingly.
"Goodnight." The blonde tugged at Hermione as she gave the boy in the bed one last hug and Harry felt a keening sense of loss as she merely threw him a glance before following the blonde out of the room with a backwards wave and soft goodnight.
"Those two have grown closer over these last two days worrying over the both of you." The disembodied voice spoke right beside him and Harry felt himself jump, almost crying out. Fumbling in his robes for his wand he turned to Severus but found only emerald eyes narrowed with silently laughter.
"If you had only seen your face Potter."
"Really Severus, taking pleasure out of another's sufferings." The voice tutted, with laughter in it as the flowing white beard of the headmaster appeared with a small smile. It reminded Harry of the Cheshire Cat from the last book he ever read, Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass. Soon the whole man stood beside him and Harry watched the tassel at the very end of his hat appear.
"Quiet an interesting proposal don't you think." The headmaster sat down on the end of the potion masters bed and Harry readjusted himself in his chair.
"How long were you there for sir?"
"Oh, I came into check on you boys a little before those two came in."
Harry felt himself prickle at the idea of the man sitting in the dark corner watching them. He didn't even want to think where else the headmaster hid himself, how he knew so much of what was going on around the school. But if he always knew what was going on then…
"Did you know about the Crusaders?" The older man looked contemplative for a while before he began fervently searching through his pockets, pulling out a small tray which floated just above the bed spread and on to which after rummaging through more pockets, and Harry watching avidly, wondering if this would explain how the headmaster watched over the school, placed a saucer and a number of tea cups.
"Tea?" Harry blinked at the question.
"Er yes please."
He saw the potions master nod his answer, before a cup was handed to him.
As soon as everyone was served the headmaster resettled himself.
"I have known of something growing in the last few weeks, but nothing to this amount of detail. You two certainly have been busy, it is such a pity that you and Ms Granger could not be. However Mr Malfoy does seem the perfect match for her."
Harry frowned, so the headmaster knew, but hadn't been worried enough to explore in further detail. It seemed the older man had a tendency to have his finger in every pie and spread himself out too much.
Wait. Had he just said what Harry thought he had said?
"And what do you propose to do about it?" Snape snapped before he had had the chance to quiz the headmaster.
"Oh, it's not my problem, you have kindly volunteered to look into this little mishap after the holidays, and I quite trust your skills and expertise."
Harry watched the green eyes narrow.
"Please, you're too kind."
"You should let a little more kindness into your life Severus." The older man smiled softly before turning to Harry. "Now boys, some of us have to get up in the morning, but you two enjoy the rest of the night and don't do anything I wouldn't do."
The man had swept out of the room before Harry had a chance to formulate a reply, mostly his mind was stuck in the rut of enjoying the rest of the night with Snape, and as soon as he had gotten his mind out of that gutter, it had fallen straight into wondering what exactly was meant by the last words of the headmaster. Turning to Snape to ask, he saw the disgruntled look.
"Don't ask."
There was an awkward silence, before Severus broke it, Harry thought he sounded like he wanted to move past the topic..
"Pray tell Mr Potter, why you have gotten me into another of your messes, wasn't this enough?"
"I thought you could help."
"Well it seems now I will be forced to."
Harry went to open his mouth to reply, but the glare sent in his direction and the hand running wearily through the messy locks stopped him. The boy in the bed looked exhausted, and Harry could see the potion masters presence looked a little faded. He had only just woken up from his recovery to be dealt a huge blow of information.
"I'll let you rest in peace. You don't need me here to interrupt your sleep." Harry stood, he'd return to their rooms, although all he wanted to do was sink back into the chair, and watch the man sleep. "Goodnight sir." His tone was almost dismissive as he tried to keep the tired craving out of his voice. He had so much to deal with and his mind wasn't in any disposition to play denial games at the moment, he'd have to try and ignore the presence of the potion's master and get to his rooms as soon as possible so he could sort through his mind in the morning when he woke.
Alone.
Rushing to the door he missed the shocked look at his departure which sunk into desolation, before it was quickly brushed away, as the boy remaining in the bed turned onto his side. Facing away from the door.
Harry looked back over his shoulder at the huddled form under the blankets. He knew the man wouldn't have asked him to stay, but he still felt a little hurt.
That's what came from unfounded hope.