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Chapter 9 – Turning Back Time
And a good night's sleep he got. No one disturbed him until Ron finally shook his shoulder just in time for him to get up for breakfast. He hardly saw any of his teachers all day other than in class. Severus had snapped that his detentions had been postponed and he would be advised at when they would be rescheduled at a later date. Harry didn't know whether to be ecstatic or disappointed. He would later find out that Tom had arranged for the Order to be very busy over those few days to try and take some of the pressure off of Harry.
This pattern of neglect to Harry's training continued for three full days before Harry was finally hauled from Quidditch practice and dropped unceremoniously from his broom, which suddenly vanished under him, deep in the middle of the Forbidden Forest and told to find his way back.
His wand had also been taken.
He tried a wandless point me spell but that didn't work. Sighing heavily he began trudging in what he thought was the correct direction. By the time he saw the same knarled old tree for the fourth time in as many hours he knew he was going in circles. He hauled himself up the nearest tree as high as he could go but he still couldn't see over the top of the canopy.
'Bloody hell.' Harry growled. The sun had well and truly gone down and it would be pitch black very soon. 'Why can't they just leave me alone?'
He felt the necklace Tom had given him warm against his chest and it took all of his self control not to use it. The only thing stopping him, aside from the wards he knew he was still inside of, was the knowledge that that would be it. There would be no going back.
Sadly he shook his head, climbing back down the tree. There was no choice. He had to go back. With this in mind he began searching around him for a particular type of tree. It took another half hour by which time it was dark but Harry finally found an oak tree and climbed high enough to find a thinner branch and broke it off before climbing back down. He remembered that oak was a very forgiving wood in wand making. He felt around the base of the tree until he found a rock sharp enough to help him strip it back.
He swore several times as the rock struck his left hand as he struggled to see what he was doing in the gloom. He could feel the blood trickling down his hand but ignored it until he could tell the small thin piece of oak was a similar shape to a wand; if crudely done.
He laid it flat on his palm and concentrated. 'Point me, Hogwarts.' he said firmly and the stick spun once before pointing continuously in one direction. 'Thank Merlin.' He whispered. He had finally remembered that while a wand only focused a wizard's power, to perform a point me spell he needed something that would actually spin and point. Feeling much happier now he had some idea of the direction he should be going he set off. 'Lumos.' He murmured and the end of the piece of oak lit up brightly.
'Brilliant.'
With that Harry set off in the direction he'd been shown.
He only made it a short distance when he heard a rustle in the bushes nearby. He stopped and held up the wand. 'Who's there?' Harry called out.
The rustle got louder and suddenly Firenze stepped through the foliage.
'Good evening, Harry Potter.' The centaur said regally. 'I'm surprised to find you this far into the forest this late at night.'
Harry opened his mouth to explain but was cut off by the centaur's next statement.
'The headmaster assured me you would be closer to the school by now.'
'You know?' Harry asked incredulously.
Firenze gave him a funny look. 'Of course, Harry Potter.' It was then the centaur noticed the stick Harry was holding up. 'What happened to your wand?' he asked curiously.
Harry also glanced up at the still lit piece of oak. 'Oh, that's not my wand. They took it before the dropped me off.' He shrugged.
Firenze reeled back. 'They took your wand? They left you in the forest on your own, unarmed?'
Harry shrugged again. 'I'm not really unarmed. I can probably summon my sword if I wanted too.'
'I'd recommend do that this instant, Harry Potter. Mars is bright tonight and this does not bode well for you.'
'Um, okay.' Harry said uncertainly, holding up his left hand and closing his eyes. 'Accio sword.' He cried. Nothing happened at first but then the tell tale whistling sound signaled the imminent arrival of the sword from the training room. Thankfully it arrived hilt first; otherwise Harry would probably have had trouble explaining how he came to be impaled on his own sword in the middle of the night in the middle of the forbidden forest.
'Well caught young Potter. You'd best be on your way then.'
'I suppose it would be too much to ask if you could give me a lift.' Harry questioned remembering his first year when the centaur had let Harry ride him out of the forest.
The centaur gave Harry a sorrowful look. 'I am sorry, Harry Potter, but the headmaster has forbidden any creature of the forest from...helping...you.'
Harry raised an eyebrow; quickly understanding the significance of that statement. Helping was not allowed, but hindering was certainly not discouraged.
'I'd best be going then.' Harry sighed. Firenze stopped him with a hand on his shoulder.
'Just remember that while Mars is bright tonight, the Dog Star is brighter, Harry Potter. There are many more watching over you than you think. Good luck.'
Harry watched as the centaur wheeled on his haunches and disappeared back into the darkness blinking back tears at the animal's final statement.
'Keep watching Sirius.' Harry whispered. 'Please keep watching.' With another sigh he quickly headed in the direction of the castle.
He made it a lot further this time before another creature confronted him. Harry wasn't exactly sure what it was but he certainly didn't like the look of the razor sharp claws or the eerie glint in the thing's eye.
Harry froze making sure to keep the sword raised slightly in front of him. The animal growled and the hair on the back of Harry's neck stood up.
Without warning the creature attacked, launching itself at the Boy-Who-Lived. Harry ducked and rolled but wasn't quick enough, screaming as the creature's claws raked down his side. He felt the warmth of blood as it washed over his hip.
'Shit.' Harry swore, ducking another swipe that was followed by a flash of glistening teeth. Harry rolled further and as the beast sailed over him he brought the sword up, slicing the edge of it against the animal much in the same manner the creature's claws had done to Harry. The beast, not expecting the blow stumbled on landing and rolled over before righting itself, turning around until its vivid gold eyes pierced him.
The growl sounded again and Harry knew the animal was really hacked off. There was barely any warning again but Harry was ready and as the animal practically threw itself at him Harry plunged the sword forwards straight through the beast's chest.
The animal gave a bone chilling cry and slumped to the ground, twitching every few moments, although not before landing one final blow to Harry's shoulder. Harry's matching cry echoed through the forest around them, drowning out the final grunt of pain from the creature before it died.
Harry clasped his bleeding shoulder as he held out his injured arm, summoning the sword back to him. The minute the sword was removed the creature disappeared leaving a simple piece of parchment. Harry stared open mouthed at the now almost vacant spot. He pulled the crudely made wand from his pocket and held it up, lighting it once again before crossing to stand and stare at the elegantly flourished writing.
Well done, dear boy!
'He conjured it.' Harry breathed. 'He bloody conjured it.'
'And he will conjure much more if you don't get out of this forest as quickly as possible, Harry Potter.' Firenze's voice sounded from nearby. Harry held up the light but was unable to see where the centaur was hiding.
'Move, Harry Potter, for there is much worse to come.'
Harry didn't take the spoken words lightly, hefting his sword and sucking in a sharp breath as the gash in his side made itself further known. Pushing the pain to one side he tucked his injured arm and shoulder against his side in a vain attempt to stem the blood he could feel trickling down and took off in the direction he had been going.
He could hear Firenze galloping through the undergrowth in an almost parallel path to his own. Obviously the centaur had felt Harry needed closer watching in spite of the warning from the headmaster.
By the time he could just see the lights peeking through the trees his breath was coming in rasping gasps and his vision was beginning to cloud. Moments later something reared in front of him and a burst of flame shot past his head burning his ear and the left side of his face. Harry screamed almost falling in shock as he smelt burning flesh.
A blast-ended skrewt leapt towards him and Harry automatically brought the sword up and slashed back, instantly beheading the creature and watching as it fell to the ground.
Harry didn't wait for another command from the centaur, instead taking off at a fast jog once more. He had to get out of this forest. The pain from his wounds was almost indescribable but he couldn't stop. He had almost made it to the edge when he heard the familiar click of several hundred acromantula. It seemed the headmaster had alerted all of the inhabitants of the forest to his visit.
Harry spun around and darted sideways barely missing the large pincers aimed at his throat. The skin around his left eye already swelling from the burn and making it almost impossible to see, leaving him with a large blind spot and a distinct disadvantage. The sword came up and around again knocking those back he could. He battled for several minutes before realising there was no way he could kill them all by hand.
He closed his eyes and plunged the sword into the ground, tip first. 'STUPEFY.' He roared pushing everything he had through the silver implement in his hands. The shockwave of power that poured out across the forest for hundreds of yards around Harry stunned anyone and anything within that range; centaur and spider alike, although it may not have downed any wizards that were watching.
'Sorry Firenze.' Harry murmured as he yanked the sword back out of the ground and began the painful final trek towards the castle. It was still very dark and Harry could tell it was well after curfew; there was enough light to see from the moon however now that he was out of the forest. He plodded on, no need to run anymore; just one foot in front of the other as he crossed the neatly trimmed grass towards the huge oak doors, trailing blood both from the tip of his sword and the gashes down his left side.
He heard a noise as he reached the bottom of the stairs and looked up to find them all waiting. He wondered how long they had been there. Did they wait the whole time or did they have some sort of signal? He knew Firenze couldn't have told them. The centaur was probably still stunned. The power behind the spell would have put the animal, even one of that size, out for several hours. He glanced at them impassively. His face showing no sign of the exhaustion or the pain he was in; however each of their expressions showed something different. Harry could tell that both Kingsley and Lupin were in awe although Lupin's expression did contain a trace of concern. Flitwick just seemed troubled. Moody was looking at him with pride, Dumbledore with disappointment and Snape looked as if he wanted to murder someone, although it was very well hidden. To anyone else he just looked pissed off; most would have thought it because he had been standing around for nothing.
Harry walked slowly and carefully up the steps, stopping at the top to give Dumbledore a nod before continuing on his path inside without a word.
He knew they would follow him he only hoped they wouldn't try to talk to him, he wasn't sure he could stand it.
'Harry?'
Nope, no luck. Harry stopped where he was, turning to face the headmaster but without raising his head. He felt Dumbledore raise his hand. 'Finite Incantatem.' Dumbledore intoned and several gasps sounded through the entrance hall as Harry turned his head away. His standard wandless glamour had just been removed. The glamour was a spell he kept up at all time, automatically and had done since the beginning of his sixth year after the Dursleys sent him to Hogwarts with a small going away present.
Tears burned at his eyes, he knew he had to look a mess. The damage from the blast ended skrewt alone would have been fairly hideous without all the rest as well.
'May I go, Sir?' Harry whispered hoarsely, automatically replacing the glamour with a wave of the crudely made wand but without raising his head.
'Severus.' Dumbledore said sharply, dismissing Harry's request.
Snape gave a long suffering sigh and stepped forwards reaching into a large pouch that was strapped around his waist pulling out a handful of vials and passing them to Harry. 'I trust you would remember which is for what, Potter.' He sneered.
Harry just nodded. 'Yes, Professor Snape.' He whispered.
'You may go now, Harry.' Dumbledore said kindly.
'Thank you, Professor.' Harry murmured turning on his heel and beginning the long slow journey up to Gryffindor Tower.
'Potter.' Snape's voice stopped him in his tracks but he didn't turn around. 'Your detention has been rescheduled for tomorrow. Do not be late.' The potions master snapped.
Harry nodded before continuing on his way.
The mirror didn't lie and Harry himself had been horrified as he stood in front of it, the glamour once again missing. He reached up with tentative fingers but couldn't bring himself to touch the red raw skin that used to be his left cheek and ear before the blast ended skrewt got him. He was missing most of the hair from that side of his head and the bits remaining were badly singed. Choking back tears he poured the last of the vials Severus had given him into his hand and closed his eyes before reaching up and smearing it over the burnt skin. He covered as much as he could before washing his hands under the tap and without looking up casting the glamour again before quickly leaving the bathroom.
The rest of his dorm was soundly asleep when he walked in and he quickly pulled on some pyjamas and crawled into bed hugging the pillow to him tightly. He cried silently as he wished it was Severus he was holding. He needed the older man quite desperately at that moment and it took every ounce of both self control and self preservation not to go running through the halls to the dungeons no matter what the consequences.
Harry knocked softly on the wooden door and waited. It had been a long morning, Harry barely holding it together through Transfiguration and Charms before lunch. Flitwick had cast several worried glances in his direction but the double strength glamour charm had held up to all scrutiny.
He was now standing outside the door to the potions classroom waiting for his assigned detention to begin. Moments later the door was yanked open.
'You're late, Potter. Get in here.' The potions master snapped waiting as Harry dutifully crossed the threshold before slamming the door behind him.
'Sorry Professor.' Harry whispered but the apology was quickly muffled as Snape threw a locking and silencing charm at the door before pulling Harry tightly to him.
'Dear Merlin, Harry.' Snape breathed as he placed a kiss on Harry's temple.
'Sev.' Harry breathed as tears sprung to his eyes once again.
'Drop the glamour, Harry. We have to fix it properly.' The older man told him as he felt the rough skin underneath his lips.
Harry shook his head. 'It looks awful still. I can't even bring myself to look.'
'Well then how can you know it's bad.' Severus scolded. Suddenly a quiet alarm sounded and Severus leapt back towards his desk quickly taking the locking charm down and pushing Harry towards a sink full of dirty cauldrons.
'I'm dreadfully sorry if you think menials tasks are below your exalted status, Potter, but you will clean every one of those, without magic.' He added with a sneer. 'Oh, hello Albus.' Snape's demeanor changed as he turned slightly and Harry spun around to see the headmaster standing in the doorway.
'Severus, Harry, how are you feeling, dear boy? Filius expressed some concern.' Dumbledore asked politely.
Harry gave the man a wan smile. 'I'm fine, Sir.' He said softly.
'I have spoken to Firenze, my boy. It took over eight hours for that stunning spell to wear off.'
Harry blushed and glanced down. 'I'm sorry. I didn't mean to catch him in it. I didn't realise it was go so far. I was stronger than I thought it would be. I was only trying to stun the acromantula.'
Dumbledore chuckled. 'Are you under the impression I am displeased with you, Harry?'
'I...um...I...' Harry trailed off, chancing a look at Snape who was watching them both impassively.
Dumbledore chuckled again. 'I'll admit that I was disappointed at first with how long it took you to return but after speaking with Firenze I have to say I'm quite impressed. The forethought to make a wand, however crude, out of oak to enable you to use a point me spell shows that you have indeed been reading; and the stunning spell with the sword, my boy, I have checked out the radius of it myself and I have never seen anything quite like it. Well done, dear boy, well done.'
Harry flushed with warmth, the praise going straight to his head. 'Thank you, Professor.' He said sheepishly.
Dumbledore smiled genially at him. 'Well, that is all, Harry. Keep up the good work.'
'I will, Professor.' Harry said proudly, unable to comprehend the change in the elderly wizard overnight.
Dumbledore twinkled at him and nodded at Severus before turning and heading back through the door.
'Oh, and Harry.' The headmaster called out just as he was about to close the door behind him.
'Yes, Professor?' Harry couldn't mask the curiosity in his voice.
'We will be trying the Adores Draught again tomorrow. Report to the training room immediately after dinner.'
Harry stiffened, his eyes widening marginally. 'Yes, Sir.' He whispered.
Dumbledore gifted him with another smile before closing the door behind him. Severus waited, watching the Boy-Who-Lived for several minutes. He could see Harry's mind racing as he remembered what he felt when taking the draught a week ago.
'Harry?' Severus murmured, flicking a locking charm at the door. Harry didn't move. 'Harry!' Severus said loudly.
Harry flinched, his eyes meeting his lover's for just a moment before he turned and crossed to the sink, grabbing a scrubbing brush and began cleaning the cauldron in front of him.
'Put that down.' Snape commanded and Harry dropped the pot but didn't turn around. 'Harry, look at me.'
Harry just shook his head. Severus crossed the eight steps and clasped Harry's shoulders, spinning the young man to face him. He could see the fear in the green eyes and couldn't stop himself from leaning down and capturing his lover's lips as he pulled him tight to his chest. Harry clung to him desperately, the fear, pain and loss clearly present in every movement.
Eventually Severus pulled away, tucking Harry's head into his neck as he gently stroked the young man's back. 'I love you, Leo.' He murmured.
`He could feel Harry trembling and quickly herded him over to a nearby desk and pushed him into a seat, kneeling before him. 'Drop the glamour please.' He pleaded softly.
Harry didn't move a muscle but moments later the damage to his face and head was revealed. Severus couldn't help but suck in a breath and Harry turned away. Severus captured his chin and turned it so Harry could see the sincerity shining in his eyes.
'You're beautiful, Leo.' He whispered.
Harry didn't speak just waiting as Severus summoned several vials and began gently smoothing the potions on the scars. Almost ten minutes later the potion master laid down the last vial and cupped Harry's cheek. 'The hair will take a few hours to re-grow and the pink tinge to your skin will fade over the next twenty four hours but that's much better than it was.'
Harry reached up and gingerly felt the now smooth skin before giving his lover a wan smile. 'Thank you.' He whispered.
Severus studied the still pained face, gently running his fingers over Harry's lips before leaning forward and replacing them with own; reaching out and grasping Harry's waist and pulling the young man from the chair and into his arms. Harry sank into the embrace, wrapping his arms around Severus' neck.
'Oh God, Sev.' Harry moaned as Severus' lips trailed down Harry's throat.
'I love you, Leo. Nothing will ever change that.' Severus murmured, pulling away and staring intently at the young Gryffindor.
Harry frowned. 'I need you, Severus. More than you can ever know. Please, don't let me go.' Harry's pleading voice clutched at Snape's heart.
'Never.' He hissed vehemently, hugging Harry tightly to him once again.
Harry stood at attention as his six instructors filed into the room. He waited until they were lined up in front of him before nodding in recognition. Severus noted that his eyes looked almost empty.
'Are you ready, Harry?' Dumbledore held up a small vial.
'Yes, Professor.' Harry said without hesitation reaching out to pluck the vial from the headmaster's hand.
'Now, try to concentrate a little harder this time.'
'Yes Sir.' Harry nodded sharply, ignoring the uneasy expressions on the faces of those around him and uncorking it. 'Still half, Sir?' he questioned and Dumbledore glanced at Snape before nodding. Harry lifted the vial and swallowed the required half before holding it out towards his lover. Snape took it with a raised eyebrow as Harry closed his eyes and tried to picture his magic going to work.
Several minutes he broke out into a sweat. He could hear his teachers moving around him but he pushed it aside as pain bloomed once again in his stomach. He grunted softly as he struggled to remain standing. He could feel it; actually feel the poison traveling throughout his intestines. He wove stands of magic around it, trying to separate it from everything else. His stomach heaved and grunted in pain again. He continued working to isolate it. He had no idea of how much time had passed but it seemed like forever. He swallowed heavily as his stomach heaved yet again.
'Harry?' Dumbledore said softly. Harry held up his hand but didn't open his eyes. He willed his magic to move faster. His hands began shaking so badly he had to clasp them tightly to his chest. He whimpered as a sharp pain cut through him.
'Harry, concentrate.' Dumbledore said sharply.
Harry staggered sideways, Lupin jumping back to avoid him. Harry's eyes were squeezed shut as another whimper escaped his tightly pressed lips.
Dumbledore crossed the few steps and grasped Harry's shoulders firmly, shaking him. 'Come on, Harry. Stop playing. You're not trying hard enough.'
In what Harry would later call a form of cosmic retribution it was at that moment that Harry's magic finally managed to encapsulate the potion and expel it.
Through his mouth.
All down the front of the headmaster's robes.
Flitwick, Lupin and Shacklebolt traded expressions between horror and mirth as Moody just began clapping. 'Well done, Potter. Well done.' He said gruffly but cheerfully.
Harry opened his eyes, still gasping for breath to see the expressions on the faces of those around him. It was the amusement shining in Snape's eyes that almost undid him and quickly looked away. His gaze landed on the headmaster who after having the black remnants of the poison spewed down his front, had taken several steps backwards and was eyeing Harry contemplatively, his eyes narrowed.
Harry schooled his expression to something suitably contrite. 'I'm sorry Professor.' He said sheepishly.
Dumbledore's eyes narrowed further and Harry knew that nothing he could say would help.
'The centre of the room, Harry. Cast your strongest shield. Let's see just how long it can stay up for.' The headmaster said firmly, cleaning his robes with a flick of his wand and gesturing to the adults around him to spread out.
Harry just sighed and realising it would be fruitless to argue moved into the centre of the room and waited for that night's round of cursing him until he could barely move finally began.
Harry was doing some cursing of his own the next morning when he struggled to pull himself out of bed. He knew he'd missed breakfast and most of the first class but had found himself unable to summon the will to get up having not gotten to bed until three o'clock and then being plagued by nightmares until well after six.
He was surprised at the headmaster, he would have thought Shacklebolt at least, would have been sent to roust him out of bed. Sighing he realised that he couldn't lay there all day and finally dragged himself from his bed and casting a quick cleaning charm, dressed, grabbed his books and hurried from his dorm.
'Tell me, Potter. Tell us all, in fact.' Snape sneered when Harry walked in. 'Why it is you think your fame allows you to traipse in and out of class whenever you feel like it. What incredible drama went on this morning that makes you think you can keep me and the rest of your classmates waiting?'
'Sod off.' Harry said bluntly, throwing his things down on the desk beside Hermione and sitting down without even looking up.
Several in the class snorted at the shocked look on Snape's face. It only lasted an instant however before Snape's face morphed into a death glare of epic proportions as he stalked across the room and grabbing the scruff of Harry's robes, yanking him off the chair and through the doorway to his office and slamming the door behind them.
'What in the nine levels of hell has gotten into you?' Severus snapped.
'Nothing.' Harry said sullenly.
'Well then you'd better snap out of that nothing very quickly. I won't have you disrespecting me in front of your classmates, no matter what my feelings for you. And for Merlin's sake, look at me when I'm talking to you.'
Harry looked up and Severus almost flinched away at the dead green eyes staring back at him.
'Harry?' Severus whispered reaching towards him.
Harry stepped back. 'Please don't.' he breathed.
'Harry, what is it? What happened?'
'Please, just don't'
Severus watched the Boy-Who-Lived for several moments, unsure of how to comfort him. He could see the dark circles under Harry's eyes that spoke of more than just a late night's training and he wondered just what the young man had seen in his nightmares to have caused a reaction such as this.
Realising there wasn't much he could do at the moment particularly with a room full of students just outside and he quickly stalked to the door and flung it open. 'You can stay after class, Potter. You already owe me two detentions and after that display you can add a further two to the total. Fifty points from Gryffindor. Now, get the hell out of my office and sit down.' He spat, waiting as Harry slipped silently past him and into his seat before closing the door and stalking back to the front of the room.
Harry was silent for the rest of the day, speaking only when his teachers asked him an outright question. He offered no explanation to either his friends or those staff members that questioned his demeanor as to what might be wrong.
At the end of the day he showered and changed, crawling into bed and spelling his hangings closed. As he lay down he felt something under his pillow and gingerly reached underneath and pulled it out. A familiar blue filled vial brought a small smile to his face.
'Thank you, Severus.' He whispered, uncorking it and downing it swiftly before placing it back under his pillow as if by having it there it made the older man close to him as well. As his eyes drooped he only hoped that the potion was strong enough to stop the nightmares. He didn't think he could stand the sight of his lover struck down by the headmaster's wand even one more time. As it was the image continued replaying itself over and over although not in as much detail as the original and Harry knew the picture is something that would stay with him for a long time to come.
The next few weeks passed very quickly for Harry. Nightmares continued to plague him and between classes and his training he barely had time to even eat and tonight looked as if it wasn't going to be any different.
As he sat opposite Ron and Hermione he knew something was up. Dumbledore, Snape, Flitwick and Moody were all missing from the head table and McGonagall was presiding over the hundreds of eating students. Harry ate quickly, trying to make sure he managed to get at least some sustenance into him before they came for him. And he knew they would be coming. They always did.
Sure enough only minutes later he heard the doors opened and looked up to see Lupin and Shacklebolt standing either side of the open door and looking directly at him.
Most of the students had looked up at the intrusion but by now were getting used to Harry being dragged out of class or meals for no apparent reason and they quickly went back to their dinner.
Harry saw Kingsley shift impatiently and quickly dropped his knife and fork, taking a last swig of his pumpkin juice as he stood up.
'Harry?' Hermione said uncertainly.
'Gotta go.' Harry said bluntly, climbing over the seat. 'I'll see you in the morning.' He told his friends, knowing he would not be back to Gryffindor Tower until many hours later.
He quickly walked out of the hall without a backward glance at either of his escorts and headed towards the training room. Lupin and Shacklebolt exchanged glances and hurried after him.
'Harry, how are you this evening?' Dumbledore asked idly as Harry walked in.
'Good evening, Professor.' Harry replied politely coming to attention in the middle of the room.
Dumbledore waited until Lupin and Kingsley entered before closing the door and turning back to Harry. 'I have a question for you Harry.' The headmaster began and Harry stiffened at the tone of voice the elderly wizard used.
'Yes, Professor?'
'I would like to know what you were doing talking to Draco Malfoy?'
Harry's heart almost stopped and he struggled not to turn and look at Severus. He thought he had been so careful; hiding in a quiet corner of the library as he almost fell apart; the nightmares finally taking their toll. But Draco had found him and tried to help him. Harry hadn't thought about it at the time. They were deep in the stacks where he thought no one could see. But obviously someone had seen. He could feel the concerned eyes of his lover boring into the back of his head.
'He stopped me in the Library.' Harry offered. 'I didn't ask to speak with him.' he insisted.
'He was touching your arm.' Dumbledore's voice became graver as he spoke.
'I...I didn't notice.' Harry stammered, knowing what was coming next.
'You didn't notice your arch rival touching your arm?' Dumbledore said incredulously. 'Did this "not noticing" happen before or after he tried to hug you?'
Harry's mouth opened and closed several times and he struggled to think of something to say. 'I don't know, Professor.' Harry whispered. 'I know he tried to hug me. He said he liked me.' Harry hung his head, unable to look the elderly wizard in the eye. 'I didn't want him to. I don't even like him as a person. I don't know why he would think I would like him like that.' Harry insisted, inwardly berating himself for his stupidity.
Dumbledore's blue eyes narrowed and he stared at Harry's bowed head. 'I think it's too much for you Harry.' He said finally. 'I think classes and training is too much for you.' Harry head shot up.
'What?' he breathed hoping against hope things were about to get better.
'I believe school is a distraction we can ill afford at the moment. I think your focus should be solely on the task to come. Which is why I've asked Remus and Kingsley to escort you to Grimmauld Place where you will remain until you have defeated Lord Voldemort. You can finish your schooling once that task has been completed.' Dumbledore said firmly.
Harry felt as if he had been punched. 'No. Please. Professor.' He begged. 'Don't send me there. I'm trying so hard. Really. I don't know what more I can do.'
'Which is why you're going. There are far too many distractions here at Hogwarts. You will see I'm right in the end.'
'Please Professor, don't do this.' Harry tried again.
'This is not up for discussion, Harry.' The headmaster folded his arms over his chest and eyed Harry darkly.
'I don't want to go. Don't make me leave my friends, please.' Harry tried again.
'HARRY, STOP IT.' Dumbledore roared startling Harry so much he actually flinched away, almost subconsciously shielding his head. The others in the room exchanged concerned glances at the action. 'You are going tonight and I will not hear another word on the matter.'
Harry nodded stiffly knowing there was no reprieve and wondering if he would be able to get a message to Draco in time.
'I have a Portkey ready for you.' Dumbledore insisted, holding out a copy of the Prophet. Harry's eyes widened.
'Now?' he whispered.
'Kingsley and Remus will follow later with your belongings.' Dumbledore said firmly misreading Harry's expression.
'Professor, I...'
'Good evening, Harry. Make sure you get some rest. I will see you in the morning.' The headmaster told him thrusting the parchment into his hand before Harry could say another word. Moody reached forward and touched the Portkey just as Harry felt the familiar hook behind his navel and everything disappeared.
Harry staggered as he landed, tears burning at his eyes as he took in the old dark and dusty sitting room around him. It was like a tomb and Harry wanted nothing more than to run.
As if knowing what he was thinking Moody spoke. 'I believe you will be safe here, Potter.' He said gruffly. 'The entire house is warded; nothing in or out without a Portkey from the headmaster.'
Harry didn't respond, just shaking his head as tears begun streaming down his cheeks. It was over Dumbledore had finally done it. Locked him away from everyone and everything he cared about. He dearly wished for a time turner at that moment. What he wouldn't give to be back at breakfast that morning. Before the library, before Draco, who had found him having an almost panic attack down the far corner of one of the rows of shelves, before he'd let the Slytherin comfort him without thought to whom might be watching.
'Potter.' Moody tried again.
'Don't. Just leave me alone.' Harry snapped practically running for the door and out into the hallway. He took the stairs three at a time and burst into the room he had spent the last summer in; Sirius' old room, throwing himself down onto the bed he grabbed the pillow and hugged it to him tightly as the realisation of what his life would now become finally hit him and heart wrenching sobs wracked his trembling frame.