Disclaimer – Nothing is mine.

Chapter 6 – Never Wrong

Harry reached up and tugged gently on the long black hair until he could place his mouth over the other's again. The kiss was more languid this time. A chance to explore each other that ended only as air became vital and they both pulled away.

'Severus...'

'Slowly, Harry. Very, very slowly.' Snape said gently.

Harry nodded and gave him a grateful smile. 'Thank you.' His eyes widened as he remembered Dumbledore and he turned to see an empty portrait.

'Funny, I would have taken him for a voyeur.' Snape quipped idly.

Harry snorted. 'Oh, he might well be, but his little disappearing act has nothing to do with us and everything to do with his reluctance in explaining the presence of a certain ferret in the castle.' Harry drawled.

Snape laughed, a rich deep chuckle that startled Harry. 'I'm sure you'll pry the story out of him eventually, Harry.'

Harry pouted. 'Come on, Severus. I know you know the full story. Tell me.'

Snape shook his head slowly. 'Oh no. I have no wish to be in the same room as you when you find out the truth.' He said dryly. 'It was Albus' doing and he can tell you and cope with the aftermath.'

'That sounds ominous.' Harry said raising an eyebrow.

Snape laughed again. 'You have no idea. Now come on. It's dinner time and the rest of the school will be wondering where you are.'

Harry groaned softly stopping Snape by grasping his arm. 'Severus, thank you for today and for the other days. I'd hate to think of the state I would be in now if it wasn't for you.'

Snape smiled, a true smile. 'You're welcome, Harry.' He said sincerely.

Harry swept back into his sitting room after dinner, flinging a hand out and throwing a sticking charm at the portrait the minute he stepped through the door.

'Now, Harry, that's not very fair.' Dumbledore scolded as he tried pressing against the edge of the frame.

Harry stopped in front of the portrait, arms folded over his chest and raised an eyebrow. 'You didn't teach me to be fair, Albus. You taught me to use any means to get what I want and right now, I want answers. Just be thankful it was only a sticking charm.' He added dryly.

Dumbledore frowned as if to admonish him but Harry just snorted. 'Get on with it or you'll remain that way.'

Dumbledore's face broke out into a smile and his eyes twinkled brightly. 'It was so lovely to see you and Severus getting along so well together.' He said cheerfully.

Harry let out a growl. 'Stop changing the subject and tell me why I shouldn't have the bastard Kissed right now.'

'Now, now, Harry. There's no need for that. You have to understand.'

'I don't have to understand anything, Albus. You let a murdering rapist into a castle full of children and I want to know why.'

Dumbledore looked slightly taken aback at Harry's tone but his face softened as he realised the young man was right. 'Perhaps you may wish to sit down, dear boy.' he suggested and Harry complied, albeit grudgingly. 'That day when young Draco was found in the dungeons of Malfoy Manor I was sent for. He'd been quite badly beaten and was suffering the after effects of the Cruciatus. He said his father had found him out to be a spy.'

'And you believed him?' Harry burst out.

Albus frowned. 'Well, yes, at the time, I did. The evidence was overwhelming. He had numerous broken bones and cuts and bruising. He'd been starved of food and Poppy said he had Crucio cast on him at least half a dozen times over the week.'

'Didn't you ask Severus what happened?'

'Yes.' Dumbledore sighed. 'But by the time he found out the truth it was too late. The agreement had been signed and Draco was already in the castle.'

'Why did the Ministry restrict him to Hogwarts? Why not Malfoy Manor? And where did Hermione come into all of this?'

'Hogwarts' wards against malicious injury should have prevented Draco from doing anything.'

'Should?' Harry questioned.

Dumbledore's face fell. 'They have failed once.'

Harry's eyes practically fell out of his head. 'WHAT?'

'A third year was found wandering the dungeons having no idea of how she got there. Several scans revealed that she'd been attacked and Obliviated.'

'What about Veritaserum? Surely the Ministry would have authorised it.'

Albus nodded. 'Of course they did, but the Malfoy line by birth is immune. Has been for centuries. Something about Veela blood.'

Harry snorted. 'Purebloods, my arse.' He muttered. 'So what about Priory Incantatum? You must have been able to do something. He should have been in Azkaban.'

'I tried everything, dear boy. Draco had covered every base and there was nothing I could do.' Albus insisted. 'I hadn't felt so inadequate since That Day.' He didn't need to elaborate on which day. The emphasis on the words alone were enough.

Harry was quiet for a minute, although he did resume pacing. 'And Hermione?' he asked eventually.

Albus actually frowned. 'Yes, that was unexpected. Young Draco is a very smooth talker, just like his father was. He could talk Victor Krum out of his broomstick if he wanted to. My intuition tells me he thought it would look good to have Hermione by his side, politically I mean, and so he employed everyone one of his talents into getting what he wanted.'

Harry shook his head. 'I can't believe Hermione fell for that. She was the smartest witch of the age.'

Dumbledore smiled. 'Yes, but when she started something it was done to the fullest extent. Remember her devotion to the house elves.'

Harry sighed. 'Yeah, but I can't believe that would have continued to actually marrying the pointy faced git. And she lets him call her mudblood. What on earth is with that?'

'I think she finds it easier than arguing with him about it.' Dumbledore said truthfully. 'Besides, it is said with the utmost affection if you listen closely.'

Harry raised an eyebrow and threw himself back on the sofa, folding his arms over his chest. 'And that makes it all the more disturbing.' He commented.

Albus chuckled. 'You do get used to it.'

'I don't want to get used to it.' Harry replied harshly. 'The man is a malicious, evil, excuse for a wizard who is just biding his time until he can strike again. He's done it once in the castle and he will do it again.'

Dumbledore's face became grave. 'I don't know what to tell you, dear boy. I've tried so many things. The Ministry has tracking charms on his wand but they are very easy to circumvent and any I put on he manages to break after a few days.'

Harry's eyes narrowed and he smiled. 'Let's see how long it takes him to break one of mine then, shall we?' He said softly.

Harry swept into the great hall at breakfast the next morning, a look of focus on his face that Snape hadn't seen in many years. The noise abated for several moments before returning albeit at a softer volume as Harry stalked up the centre aisle; but instead of turning left and sweeping around the end of the head table he veered right to stop directly in front of Draco Malfoy. He held the other man's gaze with a stony one of his own and held out his hand.

'Your wand, Malfoy.' He said tonelessly. The other staff members at the table shifted and only McGonagall's hand on Hermione's arm stopped her from speaking out.

Malfoy folded his arms and smirked cockily at Harry. 'I don't have to give you anything, Potter.' He sneered.

Harry's expression became icy. 'That's Dumbledore thank you very much.' He said curtly, making a sideways movement with his hand that caused Malfoy's wand to fly from his pocket. Harry caught it deftly and gave the Slytherin a dark look. 'Under section 13 of your "Agreement" the Headmaster has the right to inspect your wand at any time.'

'Give me back my wand, Potter.' Malfoy snarled.

Harry pulled the slender piece of wood slightly closer to him and placed both hands over it. Malfoy let out an outraged cry when it looked as if Harry was going to snap it but instead it suddenly it glowed brightly. He dropped one hand and held it out to the other man with a smirk.

Malfoy snatched it from his hands and inspected it frantically as Harry leant slightly closer to him.

'Good luck.' He drawled softly, much to the confusion of all but Snape.

Draco just stared at him for several moments, Harry's eyes never leaving the other man until the blond looked away. Harry then moved back around the table to his seat.

'I see you've spoken with Albus regarding what happened.' Snape murmured softly as he buttered a piece of toast and surreptitiously placed it on Harry's plate. Harry smiled in thanks and nodded.

'Yes. Surprisingly, for Albus anyway, he was very forthcoming. I know everything and I will be keeping more than just a concerned eye on Draco Malfoy.'

'That is very good to hear. I assume that wasn't just a tracking spell you placed on his wand?'

Harry glanced at the older man, a wry smirk crossing his features. 'No, it wasn't.' he said simply.

Snape remained silent for several minutes but Harry wouldn't elaborate. 'You'll see.' Was all he would say.

Harry sat in the sitting room, staring between the gently glowing embers and the softly snoozing Dumbledore. He felt tired, drained, as if he'd dueled for hours without the rush of winning in the end. The day had been excruciatingly long and Harry was loathe to ask the potions master to stay with him until he slept as Albus used to do.

He looked up again at the sleeping figure in the portrait. 'God, I miss you, Albus.' He whispered. His eyes became distant and he remembered the twinkling blue eyes, gentle knarled hands, and strong comforting embrace so full of devotion that had been there every time Harry had needed them. Albus had taught him everything he knew. He had stood by him through everything and at the one time when Harry had needed him more than any other, he had been there. Albus had never failed him. Not once. Until now.

Harry hated the evenings. It was now so cold and alone. Before he'd had memories of Albus' visits in the days before, or the ones to come to look forward too. Now, there was nothing.

His eyes filled with tears but he wiped them away harshly before they could fall and stood abruptly. He couldn't stay here. Not in this room. Not in this office. Not right now.

He swept out of the room, the door slamming behind him, through the office and down the stairs letting his feet lead him wherever they would. For once his mind was mercilessly blank save for the darkness that crept in from the edges threatening to swamp him. The darkness was loss, one he wasn't sure could ever be relieved, and it caused his feet to lead him to the edge of the abyss.

He stood at the top of the Astronomy Tower and cursed his existence, staring down into the inky blackness to where he knew the ground would be waiting for him. Any one else would just go, one small step and then it would be over. For Harry it would mean two rather painful weeks under Poppy's care and another failed attempt to be marked down on his list; a list that was long, if not distinguished.

'Why me?' he whispered looking skywards. 'What the hell did I ever do? I never meant to kill them all.' He cried, his voice getting louder. 'I had no choice. Why can't you understand that?' A strong wind whipped around him as if to answer him back. 'No. I don't want it.' Harry screamed. 'I don't want this life. Please let me go. LET ME GO.'

The wind whipped so strongly it almost lifted Harry from his position by the edge and pulled him forwards into the darkness, but instead it flung him back against the wall behind him where he lay gasping to replace the air that had been forced from his lungs.

He lay there only for moments though as images of Albus assaulted him everywhere he looked; even when he closed his eyes. And then all he could see was his adopted father's body bursting into flames. He let out a cry and rubbed at his eyes in an effort to rid himself of the image but it wouldn't leave. He clenched his teeth hard against the pain of the memory but it was in vain and moment later another scream rent the air around him, a raw pain filled cry; and then with out a second thought launched himself up off the floor across the ten feet of uneven wood and over the edge.

'Poppy?'

'Severus, he's alright. I don't know how, but he is.' The medi-witch said calmly as Snape swept into Harry's room. 'He's got a concussion, a broken leg, which I've just finished setting, and there is some swelling in his left shoulder that is being stubborn and won't respond to any spells.'

'How on earth could this have happened?' Snape asked pinching the bridge of his nose.

'Apparently he fell from the Astronomy Tower. The ward went off about twenty minutes ago. Or maybe he was pushed.' She added curiously.

Snape's head whipped around and he stared at the pale, bloody form lying prone on the bed as his own face drained of blood. 'Oh dear Merlin, Albus is going to kill me.' He breathed.

'Severus, don't be ridiculous.' Poppy snapped as she put her wand away.

Snape glared at the older witch. 'He did not fall, nor was he pushed.' He said bluntly.

Poppy opened her mouth to speak before shutting it once again as her hand came up to cover her mouth. 'No.' she breathed. 'I thought he was over that. That he'd been able to move on.'

Snape shook his head. 'Not a word, Poppy. Not to anyone.'

'Minerva should be told.' Poppy protested.

Snape glanced at Harry once again before nodding slowly. 'No one else.' He agreed. Poppy sighed and cast a final look at Harry before quickly hurrying from the room as Snape crossed the few steps until he could stare down at the figure in the bed.

For once he was speechless, unable to come up with a single word to say to the young man who in a short time had all but turned his world on its end. He stared at the pale face, a mottled bruise staining the left temple, his mind's eye instantly creating an image of what could possibly have been going through Harry's head to have made him do what he did in spite of the knowledge that it wouldn't have had any lasting effect. Luckily he didn't have to worry about speaking. Harry was in a coma and would be likely to remain that way for a least a day or two. With that in mind he walked back out into the sitting room for the conversation he knew would require answers on his part.

'Severus?'

Snape winced at the concern and disappointment contained in that single word.

'Severus, what happened? I asked you to watch him. I trusted you to watch him.'

'Albus please.' Snape murmured. 'I'm sorry. I tried. I know that isn't good enough but it is all that I can give you.'

Dumbledore stared at him for a moment. 'I need to see him.' he said quietly.

Snape raised his wand but Dumbledore shook his head. 'Harry placed a sticking charm on me yesterday and forgot to remove it. You won't be able to get it off.'

Snape raised an eyebrow and stared thoughtfully between the portrait and the door before quickly putting his wand away and stalking back through to the bedroom. He pulled the blankets around the young man and gently lifted him in his arms, letting Harry's head rest against his shoulder as he carried him carefully back into the sitting room and over to the fireplace.

'Oh dear boy.' Albus breathed as he caught sight of his adopted son. Snape held him as close as he could without jostling him as Albus actually knelt down in his frame and reached out as if to touch the boy. Snape could see the despair at not being able to complete the action clearly written on the elderly wizard's face. 'Oh my boy. I'm sorry. I wish I could fix it for you.'

'Albus, you couldn't have done anything. You have to realise that.' Snape murmured softly. 'I'm sorry I let you down but it will never happen again. I promise I will stay with him. I will make him realise he can come to me at any time. I swear.' Snape vowed.

Albus had tears streaming down his cheeks and had yet to lower his arm from where he knelt. He was saved from answering however when at that moment Poppy bustled back into the room with Minerva in tow.

'Severus Snape, what on earth do you think you're doing?' she hissed, mindful of the unconscious figure in Snape's arms even if he couldn't hear. It was then that she glanced behind the potions master to the portrait containing the kneeling figure of Albus Dumbledore. 'Albus?'

Dumbledore hung his head and sighed heavily. 'Do not blame Severus, Poppy. I asked to see my boy.' He said softly as he reached back and grasped the chair behind him, using it to lever himself to his feet.

'Albus?' Minerva said tentatively, looking slightly surprised to see the portrait in the sitting room. She would have thought he would have been in the office with the others.

Dumbledore looked up, his normally twinkling blue eyes dull and grey. 'If I ask nothing else of the three of you, please, please, look after him.' He beseeched them softly. 'He is the strongest person I have ever met in so many ways, but he cannot do this on his own.'

'We will.' Snape murmured, his eyes returning to Harry's bruised face, not even seeing as Poppy and Minerva nodded in agreement.

'Thank you.' Dumbledore breathed, sitting down in the armchair with a sigh. Poppy and Minerva exchanged raised eyebrows at the sight of the powerful wizard, even in portrait form, looking far older than they had ever seen him in real life.

'Back to bed with him, Severus please.' Poppy said briskly. Snape looked back up at Albus, clearly reading the expression on the man's face.

'I swear.' He said softly.

'Thank you.' Dumbledore gifted the potions master with a grateful smile before closing his eyes. Snape took it for the dismissal it was and carefully carried Harry back through to the bedroom and laid him gently down on the bed.

He barely noticed as Poppy and Minerva followed him in, his attention focused on the prone figure in the bed. 'Never again, Harry.' He whispered, leaning down to brush the hair back off the bruised face. 'Do you hear me? Never again.' He backed away from the bed and moved to sit in the chair in the corner, his actions making it clear to the two women he would be staying to watch over the young man as he had sworn to do.

Harry's head was pounding, even with the potions that had been forced down his throat over the last twenty four hours and there was an ache in his shoulder that left him gasping as he tried to turn over.

'Relax.' A silky voice murmured and Harry felt a cool vial touch his lower lip. He opened his mouth, trying not to grimace too much at the taste and consistency of the potion as it slid down his throat.

Harry let out a soft moan as the potion went to work, dulling the pain in his shoulder and all but killing the herd of dancing hippogriffs in his head.

'Severus.' Harry gasped out hoarsely as he cracked open his eyes to see the potions master staring down at him in concern.

'Don't say anything. Just relax. I have a few more potions for you.' Snape murmured.

'Of course you do.' Harry gasped wryly.

Snape raised an eyebrow at the comment even as his lips twitched. It seemed as if the young man hadn't lost his sense of humour anyway. 'Silence brat.' Snape scolded. 'Or I'll leave you lying there in pain.'

Harry smiled slightly but didn't speak as the potions master poured several more revolting looking and tasting concoctions down his throat. He opened his eyes when he felt the man's hand come to rest on his cheek.

'Better?' Snape asked softly and Harry nodded.

'Thank you.' He whispered.

Snape stared intently at him for several moments, and with a certainty Harry knew what was coming and looked away.

'I don't know why.' He whispered in answer to the unasked question. He waited for the older man to draw his hand away in anger but instead felt a gentle nudge on his chin, turning his head back to face the glittering black eyes.

Snape ran his fingers lightly over Harry's cheek before leaning down and placing the smallest of kisses on Harry's lips. 'It matters not why.' He murmured. 'It only matters that you never think yourself alone in such a circumstance again. Promise me, Harry.' Snape said quietly. 'Promise me that no matter the day or night, if you need me, you will find me. I will be there for you. You don't need to do this.'

Tears filled Harry's eyes. 'I'm sorry.' He whispered brokenly. 'I tried. Really I did. But the memories. There were so many and they wouldn't stop and then all I could see was Albus and he was dead and burning and I couldn't save him and then he was gone.'

Snape halted Harry's now hysterical rambling by placing an arm around his shoulders and lifting him gently before pulling him close. 'Shh Harry. It's alright.' He murmured softly as Harry sobbed.

Snape had no idea of how long they sat there but eventually Harry fell back into an exhausted sleep and after lowering him to the bed, Snape moved back to his position in the corner, thanking Merlin inwardly that it was Saturday and there were no classes to teach the next day.

Harry and Snape walked slowly down to the dungeons nodding in response to the students who waved or smiled. Lunch had just finished and Harry was to the point of screaming as both Minerva and Poppy had fussed over him incessantly throughout both the morning since he had awoken and the meal. No one knew what had happened on the Friday night and the rest of the staff looked on in confusion as both witches almost force fed Harry, refusing to let him leave until he had at least eaten what they had placed on his plate.

Snape, for his part, had sat at Harry's right hand, a smirk hidden under his usual glare that none but Harry could see. The Boy-Who-Lived was to the point of smacking it off the potions master's face when the older man waved off the Deputy Headmistress's latest attempts at forcing Harry to finish his pumpkin juice and grasping Harry's good arm, hauled him to his feet.

'You've had enough.' He said bluntly. 'Come on, I've something to show you.' He added, keeping a hand on Harry's back as he guided the young man from the hall.

Harry walked slowly, his leg still protesting slightly from where it had been broken. Snape swept into his empty classroom and through a further two doors before stopping. Harry stopped and looked around him, his eyes widening at the sight of so many cauldrons and ingredients.

His eyes turned to Snape quizzically. 'Severus?'

'I thought it might help. You don't just have to brew when you're angry. I thought it might help you to relax as well.'

Harry glanced around the room once more, seeing the marks of the other man everywhere. This was obviously his private lab, his domain. And he was willing to share it with Harry. The Boy-Who-Lived needed no further proof of the older man's feelings for him. 'Thank you, Severus.' He whispered, his eyes shining brightly. Snape gave Harry that half smile he gave to no other before crossing the room and plucking a cauldron off the shelf and placing it on the bench beside him.

'The door will always open for you, Harry. Whenever you feel the need to come here, know that you are always welcome.' Snape said solemnly as he reached for a jar of Mandrake roots.

Harry hadn't answered so Snape looked up to see him watching the older man intently, his green eyes more vibrant then Snape could remember. He watched as Harry opened his mouth to speak but then closed it again, shaking his head and crossing the room towards him.

Harry raised an arm as if to reach for a cauldron but instead placed his palm against Snape's cheek, tilting his head up and kissing the older man gently before leaning his forehead against the pale skin.

No words were needed as Snape placed the jar down and took Harry in his arms, hugging him tightly before pulling away. Harry gave him a gentle smile before reaching around him to pluck another cauldron off the shelf.

They worked in silence for several hours, Snape finishing his potion quickly and calling for some tea, which his sipped in silence as he watched Harry methodically work his way through a complicated potion from memory. Snape watched as several more cauldrons were called into action around the first all seeming to work in tandem as Harry dice and chopped ingredients in front of them. The potions master found it almost impossible to look away from the lithe fingers as they fairly flew over the different ingredients with barely a pause.

Harry added the final ingredient before waving his hand and returning the jars to their correct places. With a second wave the extra cauldrons upended themselves over the main one, mixing the extra potions all at once before the single one let out an almighty belch and turned clear.

Snape's eyebrows rose as Harry banished the extra cauldrons as Harry lifted a ladle full of the potion and let it pour back down in order to check the consistency.

'Is that...'

Harry turned and smirked even as he set about bottling the potion. 'Yes.'

'Will it work?'

Harry shrugged but the smirk never left. 'I haven't had anyone to try it on but I'm pretty sure it will. It has to sit now for three days.'

Snape placed his cup down and pushed off the wall, coming to stand beside the young man as he reached up to cup his cheeks with both hands. 'Clever, Harry. Very clever.' He whispered before his lips descended on the younger man's and Harry lost all sense of time.

Harry banished the empty vial in his hands and reached up to gently twine his fingers in the long black hair as Snape strong hands ran lightly down his back. He opened his mouth, allowing Snape's tongue to probe inside and slowly map out every corner of his mouth, an action that Harry quickly reciprocated moments later causing Snape to let out a groan from deep in his chest.

'Severus.' Harry hissed, his eyes closed in pleasure, as the older man began trailing kisses across his cheek and down his neck. Snape's mouth returned to his and after several more minutes they both pulled away, breathing heavily as they stared at each other; neither man having seen the figure that had been watching them with narrowed eyes from the doorway.

It was late and Harry walked slowly outside and across the grounds, stopping about twenty yards from the castle where he could feel he was at the exact centre of the wards. Dinner had gone quietly and after the hours spent brewing Harry was as relaxed and calm as he had felt in as many days.

He took off his cloak and placed it on the ground and sat down, his legs crossed and palms raised as they rested on his knees, before he closed his eyes.

He reached out as Moody had taught him, feeling for the multitudes of wards he knew surrounded the school. When he finally tapped into them the total number had him screaming inwardly. Dismantling these would take months, not weeks; particularly as he had to go slowly enough to make sure that when he dropped something it didn't take anything else with it.

Shaking his head he quickly focused before the images dancing in his head slipped away. He began sifting through the wards, separating the massive amount of defensive ones from the everyday ones such as the ceiling in the great hall and the ones protecting the house elves. The sheer magnitude of power still contained within the wards was incredible and Harry wondered just how many had been added over the years to have gotten them to this level.

With a sigh he began slowly peeling away layer by layer. If he found one he was sure had to stay, he quickly pushed it aside, as he did with the ones he was unsure of. Until he knew exactly what was contained within he didn't want to lose too many at once. He knew that putting one back up after he realised it would have been needed would be a painful and exhausting process. It had taken him almost two years to fully ward the home in Lexington he had shared with Albus. With this in mind he carefully continued with the task at hand and by the time the sun finally peaked over the horizon he had managed to dismantle only a tiny portion of what was needed; but it was a start. Something that bought a smile to his face as he stood and head back into the castle.

The next week passed quickly and there was only another couple before the students left for the summer. Harry was looking forward to that. He could spend most days then out on the grounds working on the wards without worrying about who might be watching.

The budding relationship between the potions master and himself had grown stronger with the two men spending much of their free time in each other's company, a fact that had not failed to be noticed by a certain medi-witch who had put it down to Snape keeping his promise and nothing else. They kept a proper distance from each other in public and were only ever tactile when alone.

Hermione continued trying to talk with Harry but her words at their first meeting had been so hurtful that Harry had found it almost impossible to even look at her. Draco Malfoy continued swaggering around the castle as if he owned it and Harry was counting down the days until the blond tried to act.

He didn't have to wait much longer.

Three days later, as they were all sitting down to dinner, Harry felt one of the wards, a particular ward in fact, go off in his head and quickly stood just as a stunned Draco Malfoy landed in front of the head table, wand in hand, a vivid red curse still on the writhing second year that had been Portkeyed directly to Harry as well.

Harry, his face like thunder, quickly tossed a shield over the twelve year old as he wandlessly summoned Malfoy's wand and drew his own.

Malfoy had frozen at the fire burning in Harry's eyes and looked wildly around at the students and teachers, all of whom were looking at him in a combination of shock and disgust. Hermione was almost hyperventilating at the head table.

Harry's eyes narrowed as he moved around the table and stood protectively in front of the young girl, his eyes never leaving Draco who looked as if he would flee given half the chance. 'Poppy, if you would.' Harry said quietly and the medi-witch hurried around the table and quickly levitated the crying child and hurried towards the hospital wing.

'Prefects, if you would please return you houses to their dormitories. There will be no wandering the halls tonight.' Harry added and the students quickly rose, all hurrying to obey before Harry turned his molten glare and ice like voice on them. Minutes later the hall was clear of all but the staff.

'Harry.' Hermione began but was silenced by Minerva's death grip on his arm.

'Severus, could you please call Madame Bones and Minister Weasley.' Harry ordered and the potions master hurried to obey.

Suddenly Draco folded his arms over his chest and sneered at Harry. 'I don't know what you think you saw, Potter, but you won't be able to prove anything.'

Harry just raised an eyebrow and waited. Draco, hating to be ignored continued baiting the Boy-Who-Lived until Harry had had enough and conjured a chair, binding the blonde to it and casting a silencing charm. Minutes later as Malfoy continued to struggle against his bonds Snape returned with Amelia Bones, Percy Weasley and four Aurors in tow.

'Well, Headmaster Dumbledore.' Amelia began, quickly adhering to the correct traditions. 'What is the problem? What has Draco Malfoy done now?'

Harry could hear the sarcastic tone in her voice and knew it was not because of something he'd done but rather because she thought this would be another wild goose chase and Draco would get off.

'Madame Bones, I believe you are proficient in the spell needed to reveal any Mage casting that has been placed on a wand?' Harry asked politely.

Amelia Bones nodded after a glance at Percy, who was watching Harry impatiently. Harry just ignored him and handed Malfoy's wand to the head of the MLE and waited. Bones laid the wand down on the table and began murmured softly in Latin. This continued for several moments before a streak of blue shot out of her wand encasing the other before rising and forming almost a dozen runes that stayed for a minute before dissipating. Harry watched her brows dart up and groaned inwardly, catching Snape's eye and promising retaliation for the smirk that covered the man's face.

'These...these are two of the most intricate spells I have ever seen.' Amelia Bones breathed.

'Amelia!' Percy snapped. 'Just tell us what it is.'

'Sorry.' The witch blushed under the angry glare from the wizard who was essentially her boss. 'This first spell is a detection spell but it doesn't just detect dark magic. It detects any magic done with the intent to harm another. The second spell is even more incredible.' Amelia was shaking her head in disbelief. 'It ties the recipient to the person casting the spell and turns the wand into a Portkey that will transport both parties to the Mage's side immediately on sensing the spell.'

'But that didn't transport them to any Mage.' Hermione insisted. 'It brought them here. The spell must have been incorrect.' She added, grasping at straws.

Amelia frowned and looked at Harry who had turned to Snape. 'It's your choice, Harry.' Snape said quietly.

Harry sighed and raised his arm, wrist bared. 'The spell was not wrong. My spells are never wrong.' He said firmly, allowing the Mark to flare and be visible to all in the room.