Chapter 9
Harry had managed to eat in the kitchen every meal for a week, with successfully participating in no conversation what-so-ever, and considerably regained his appetite which pleased Poppy immensely. Lessons with Snape had not become more bearable in the least, and Snape still could easily enter Harrys mind. It was just before another one of Snapes lessons that found Harry sitting at his desk by the window. A new hobby had found Harry and Harry had found the beginning to some answers. In the main building Harry had stumbled onto the library, in it he found such a collection of books that it almost rivaled the Hogwarts library itself, and one section in particular had captured Harrys attention. Curses, Hexes, and the Dark Arts.
It was from this section that Harry found a book called, 'Old Magic', held within its pages were very old, and very powerful incantations, that were only used to overcome the very most malignant purposes. And the strangest part about all of the spells contained within the books, was that there was no use of a wand at any point during the spell. The spells had to come directly from the inner magic of a person for them to properly work. Harry had only just gotten into the first couple pages of the book before his door was thrown open.
Looking over his shoulder to give Snape a dirty look for not knocking Harry was surprised to see Charlie practically flying towards Harry. "Quickly Harry, write down our location!"
Charlie was throwing open the drawers on Harrys desk searching for a quill and parchment.
Harry was taken aback by Charlies behavior, "Why? What's going on?"
Finally Charlie found what he was looking for and shoved the quill into Harrys hand. "We just got word that something happened at the Ministry and Mackle is bringing someone in. But you have to write down our location on a piece of paper so they can enter."
Harry only nodded and hastily wrote do 'Godricks Hollow' on the paper and was hauled out of his room by Charlie. They ran at full tilt towards the main gates to their hideout and were met by a small crowed, Harry was hurried to the front to wait until the man had apperated just out of bounds and to Harrys own surprise his stomach was in knots hoping that nobody had seriously been hurt.
The tell tale CRACK of apperation drew Harrys attention to the left of him, hands ushered him forward and the gates were thrown open. Mackle, as Charlie had named him, was a heavy set man who now had a slightly burning cloak on and a much slighter man supported in his arms.
"Quickly Harry, give him the parchment!" McGonagall urged. Harry stepped forward just as the supported mans head lolled to the side making Harry take a few retreating steps back.
"No." Harry breathed shaking his head disbelievingly, "NO!"
The man in Mackle's arms was unshaven, with stringy black hair, his skin was very pale and waxy. Around his eyes were sunken in and off color. But Still Harry recognized him, Sirius Black, barely alive and in the arms of this giant man.
"Give him the paper Harry!" McGonagall said again her voice cracking slightly.
"That's not Sirius! He's dead! That's a Death Eater! Don't you see..... NO... no." Harrys voice tapered off as Sirius' unfocused eyes swivelled over to Harrys voice.
"H-Ha—Har"
Harry stood with his mouth open for a couple moments too shocked to do anything at all. Finally with numb hands he dropped the paper letting it fall gracefully to the ground. "You're not Sirius, YOU"RE NOT SIRIUS!" Harry took unsteady steps backwards, "YOU"RE DEAD, SIRIUS IS DEAD, AND HE IS NEVER COMING BACK!" Harry turned around wildly only to meet the chest of Remus, "That's not Sirius, he's dead, you told me he was dead!!!"
Harry pushed a stunned Remus out of his way and ran on shaky legs towards his house, but the distance seemed too much for Harry and his legs too weak. His knees buckled and Harry went crashing to the ground. He tried to get up but his limbs were useless. "Sirius, not Sirius, not Sirius, dead, dead, dead, dead, DEAD, DEAD SIRIUS DEAD!" Harry started screaming his mantra, but it was soon mingled with his sobs and heavy intake of breath.
Harrys hand grabbed and the dirt in clenching fists over and over, behind him Harry knew they had giving them the paper and let the imposter Sirius in. But Harrys head was clogged and weightless at the same time, somewhere in the back of his mind he knew that he should control his emotions but he couldn't rationalize that into action. Harrys voice soon died out and was just raspy gasps of air until someone gently and swiftly lifted Harry off of the ground and brought him into the house.
People were swarming around them, shouting preparations and yelling orders to each other. Harry was put down on a couching in the lounge, but he couldn't bring himself to move away or look away from the transfigured cot with a shallowed breath Sirius laying upon it. Unconsciously Harry started shaking and tears welled up in his eyes, Sirius was dead, Remus told him that he was dead, Remus wouldn't lie to him. All of Harrys rules were about to be broken.
"Remus." Harry whispered, "Remus you said–" Harrys voice was shaking and tears streamed heavily down his cheeks. Unashamed Harry didn't wipe them away. "Remus!" Harry said a bit louder, and frantically searched the room for him, but the familiar figure was no where to be seen.
"REMUS!" Harry shouted, but it went unheard over the noise everyone else was making. Poppy was hovering over Sirius's prone figure administering potions and casting spells over him. Harrys body began to shake almost violently and his throat was swelling making it hard for Harry to breath.
All of the commotion seemed to settle slightly as Poppy wiped her brow and said that was all she could do for now. Sirius' body suddenly lurched violently forward and he coughed up something similar looking to tar, and fell back limp onto the cot. His breath was steadier and eyes half open. For a few hanging moments everyone was silent staring at their previously dead companion, expect breaking into the silence was a lough horrible sounding noise, a mix between a rasp and a sob. Harry wanted to tell whoever it was to be quiet, but then realized that it was himself making the horrible noise.
Heads turned to look at him, taking in the sight of a hysterical Harry Potter, bawling his eyes out and rocking back and forth on the couch, but Harry didn't notice them, all he could see was Sirius laying there, and all he could think about was Remus and why he wasn't there.
"Will someone get him out of here!" Someone shouted, "he doesn't need to see this!"
And just like that people went into motion again. Surprisingly it was Molly Weasley who came to Harrys side, she whom hadn't spoken a word to harry in over two weeks, "Harry dear," she said speaking softly in a warm voice, "lets go to your room."
"Remus." was all Harry could say in reply.
Molly wiped Harrys tears off his cheeks and with shaking hands held the sides of his face blocking the view of Sirius laying there. "Remus is busy Harry, you need a rest darling." With some careful maneuvering that Harry was completely sure came from raising six boys Mrs Weasley had gotten Harry to his own very unsteady feet and wrapped a firm supporting arm around him. "Sirius is going to be okay Harry."
"Not Sirius." Harry replied in a choking sob, "Remus said, Remus said..."
She didn't say anything to this but continued to manipulate Harry so that he was almost out of the room. Behind them Sirius shouted out something incomprehensible and that was all it took for Harry to fall to his knees. Molly wasn't strong enough to hold all of Harrys body weight and now we was a completely limp on the floor.
"Sirius!" Harry shouted.
"Arthur! Help me!" Molly yelled to her husband.
"Remus, REMUS, SIRIUS!" Harry yelled again and continued to yell. Taking deep breaths and regaining some strength Harry forced himself off the floor. Molly tried to hold onto him but Harry had set is course. He turned around and groped for something to hold onto. " REMUS!" Harry shouted again and this time he answered.
"Harry!" And somewhere out of the line of Harrys vison came Remus Lupin. He was at Harrys side in a flash and Harry latched onto him, holding on for dear life. "You said." Harry cried into Remus' chest. "Sirius!"
Remus held the crying Harry , "I know, Harry calm down its going to be okay."
"Sirius," Harry said weakly, "Sirius..."
"Here Harry, drink this," Remus pulled back from Harry and pressed something to his mouth. Harry was in no condition to refuse and swallowed the contents. Promptly he passed out, and thankfully Molly was ready to help Remus take their young charge up to his room.
Harry awoke the next morning with the sun shining in through his window and directly onto his face. Groaning and rolling to his side Harry checked the time. Ten in the morning....ten in the morning! Harry sat up in bed and quickly put on some different clothes. Poppy was going to have his head because of this, breakfast was nearly over.
The wrath of the medi-witch was a force to be reckoned with and Harry practically flew down the stairs and into the main kitchen. A strange noise filled the hall when he opened the door, people were actually laughing, it was a sound that Harry hadn't heard in a long time, and it was slightly unsettling. Cautiously Harry pushed open the door to the kitchen and froze in his tracks.
Sitting at the table was Sirius Black, looking like hell but weakly smiling as the people around him laughed. He, Harry, stood in the doorway with his eyes locked on his godfathers as the events of yesterday came flooding back to him. Harrys skin paled a few shades and his mouth dropped open. He was at a loss for words and actions, so he simply stood there in complete shock.
"Harry" Sirius said in a ghastly voice.
Harrys mouth moved but nothing came out. Slowly Sirius stood up shaky at first but stood tall, he took a couple tentative steps towards his godson but that was as far as he got. Harry had launched himself at Sirius and clung desperately to him. Sirius' arms fastened themselves around Harry and he rested his cheek on top of Harrys unruly mane.
"Sirius." Harry said weakly, his voice muffled by Sirius chest.
They stood like that for a couple of minuets, before Sirius let out a very dry raspy chuckle, "if we stay like this any longer, I'm going to have to propose."
Harrys laughed his first real laugh in a long time, but still didn't release Sirius. "I thought you were dead." Harry said in a more sober voice, "everyone said so..."
"You can't get rid of me that easily Harry, you're stuck with me." Sirius laughed but tightened his grip on Harry.
"Where were you Sirius, I've needed you so much."
"I know Harry, I'm sorry I wasn't there." Sirius forced Harry to sit down in a now conveniently unoccupied kitchen and Sirius sat down himself.
Hastily Harry wiped away his tears, and looked at Sirius, "you went through the veil. Everyone said that you'd died cause–" Harry had to stop cause his voice started to crack and his throat close.
Sirius gently smiled and took Harrys hands into his own, "I'm not sure where I went, in fact I wasn't aware I'd gone anywhere at all, the last thing I remember is dueling with that witch and then being pulled out of the fountain in the ministry hall." Sirius shrugged and squeezed Harrys hands, "you've been out a couple days and I've been filled in on what's been going on."
"A couple days?" Harry asked in disbelief.
"Yes, it seems our dear old friend Moony over dosed you with a strong sleeping potion, they tell me you were quite hysterical." Harry scowled and looked down, but Sirius tugged on his hands, "If I were you I would have done the exact same thing." Sirius cringed and rolled his shoulders, "Lets go somewhere more comfortable, all these potions Poppy has been feeding me make my muscles quite sore." Sirius smirked with a hint of his usual glint in his eye, "sometimes I think she could probably defeat Voldemort on her own if we just put them in a room together."
Harry smiled and stood up, following Sirius around to the sitting room with some more comfortable seating. Harry looked around the room a bit before looking at Sirius, "did they tell you what happened at the Ministry?" Sirius didn't reply, frowning Harry looked over at Sirius, but he wasn't sitting there anymore. In his place was Luna Lovegood.
"I was with you at the Ministry Harry, I heard the voices too, the voiced behind the veil." Shocked Harry stood up.
"Wha-"
"What's wrong Harry?" Luna stood up and walked towards him, "Is wittle baby Harry scared of the wittle veil." Harry backed up against the coffee table as Luna morphed into Bellatrix Lestrange.
She reached into her robe but instead of pulling out her wand she pulled out a snake, It hissed at Harry, "Sirius isn't dead."
"Where is he then!" Harry shouted back, Bellatrix disappeared and the snake grew in size about 10 times.
"Don't worry about it Harry, this wont hurt much." The snakes head darted forward as if to strike but instead of fangs closing in around his neck it was a hand, Harry followed the arm up to the face of Professor Snape. He had tears streaming down his cheeks.
"Sometimes you have to do what you have to do." Snapes hand tightened around harrys throat cutting off his oxygen supply, "Wake up Potter!" Snape said wiping his tears away with his free hand, "Its time to, wake-wack-" Snape shoved him against the wall and hit his head, "up-wack-Potter-wack-"
Harry shot straight up out of his chair and fell onto the floor.
"How very graceful Mr. Potter, but I believe that its time for Occulamency not beauty sleep."
Harry rubbed his face, "but you— Sirius, Where is Sirius?"
Snape narrowed his eyes and sneered at Harry. "Black?" Snape spat the name out, "Potter, Black is dead, you know that you were there." Snape cocked his head to one side thoughtfully and stared into Harrys eyes.
Quickly Harry looked away and shook his head, a dream? Sirius is dead, Harry, it had to be a dream. Shaking himself Harry stood up, "Sorry Professor, weird dream."
"Well as we know your skills for Occulamency, does anything need to be reported to the Headmaster just in case?"
"No." Harry said scowling at the ground.
"Good. Legilimens!" And once again Harrys mind was assaulted by Snape and there was absolutely no progress made that day. Snape of course told Harry this repeatedly throughout the lesson and finally relented. "That enough for today."
Harry was leaning heavily against the back of his chair sweating lightly, and Snape swept towards the door. Hovering in the doorway Snape turned around with a smirk and an evil glint in his eye, "Oh and Potter," Harry looked up, "I'd wash your face unless you want everyone to see you tear stains at dinner." Snape slammed the door shut leaving a shocked Harry behind him.
The next couple of days Harry tried not to think about his dream and concentrate on the Old Magic book, but all of his attempts seemed futile and he had even thought about talking to Remus about his dream, but decided against it. Sighing in frustration Harry marked the page he was on and closed the book. It was dinner time to Harry headed to the kitchen.
When Harry was entering the main building Dumbledore was exiting it and stopped Harry, "Harry," Dumbledore said softly, "once you've finished you dinner would you please come to the lounge in our house." When Dumbledore said 'our' house he meant the house that Harry slept in, and Dumbledore spent all of his time in but he didn't sleep there.
Harry nodded and walked past him, looking back over his should Dumbledore stared after him and didn't look away, only met Harrys eyes with a peculiar expression on his face. Harry turned back to the house and pushed thoughts of the Headmaster to the back of his mind. Inside the kitchen was its usual hustle and bustle with people coming and going every few minuets and Harry easily found himself a seat. Picking up a piece of roast beef and a scoop of mashed potatoes he listened to the conversations around him, trying to pick up on any tid bit if information he could. The weasleys all sat down at the other end of the table and were whispering to each other and looking in Harrys direction. Harry however did not look at them and continued to eat his dinner.
Suddenly something smacked into the side of Harrys head, shocked Harry lifted his hand and wiped off the offending substance and found it to be a spoonful of mashed potatoes. Knowing where the projectile had come from Harry chose to ignore them and simply eat the potatoes off his fingers. The twins burst out laughing, and Harry fought the urge to even sneak a look at them. He knew that they were only trying to rile him up, get him to at least talk to them but their plans wouldn't work. Even if they reverted to childish ways, Harry was firm with this rules.
"Oy! Harry, would you pass the peas down here!" Fred or George shouted out. Harry obliged them and picked up the bowl of peas sitting in front of him and passed it to the person next to himself.
"Thanks!"
Harry didn't respond and quickly finished his dinner, leaving the crowded kitchen behind him, Harry headed towards his house to meet with Dumbledore. Surprisingly enough, as Harry should have guessed, Dumbledore was not alone for this meeting.Harry sat down across from Dumbledore and Snape with McGonagall and Lupin flanking his sides. Dumbledore looked at Harry for a couple moments before speaking very softly.
"You're not progressing with Occulamency Harry."
"I know." Harry said in a neutral tone.
"Have you been practicing clearing you're mind?" Dumbledore asked, again using his soft voice.
"I have." Snape narrowed his eyes at Harry, obviously not believing what he said.
Dumbledore steepled in fingers in front of his mouth and surveyed Harry silently. "Why do you think that you're not progressing?"
Harry hadn't expected that question, Harry looked at his hands then at Lupin, then back to Dumbledores clear blue eyes, "I don't know."
"Is there something holding you back, maybe because of what happened with last year you have reservations." Lupin offered in a voice just as kind as Dumbledores.
"That's not it." Harry said, "I really have been practicing, all the time." Harry put in, in his defense. "I don't want Him in my head anymore than the rest of you." Harry rationalized with himself that this conversation wasn't really making them care for or un-care for himself so it was a neutral position, for now.
"We know that Harry," Dumbledore said, his voice becoming a bit firmer, " however," Harry looked at him.
"However?"
"We can't continue with these lessons that are not progressing, but we can't leave your mind unprotected to outside attacks."
Harry looked at the Headmaster silently the unspoken 'so....' floating between them.
"Necessary actions must be taken to accommodate for both of these problems, and we only have one solution."
"This is our last resort Harry, if there was any other way, any other way, we'd do it." Lupin said reassuringly.
"What are you talking about."
"Because you cannot master Occulamency, and because it has become crucial that you are protected, we must preform a bonding spell on you."
"A bonding spell?" Harry asked worried about how this was going.
"This spell will bind you to another person, allowing certain strengths to be passed from one person to the other. Strengths such as Occulamency." Dumbledore was studying Harry over his half moon glasses. Harry however was looking quite confused and jumping from person to person. McGonagalls lips were pressed lightly together in a thing line and her brows were furrowed as she stared at the Headmaster. Lupin looked very tired and somewhat sad and Snape was glaring a hole into the wall just above Harrys head.
Harry opened his mouth, but he really didn't have anything to say so he shut it again.
"This spell, for it to work completely, requires certain physical contact to remain stable."
Harry blanched, did the Headmaster really just say that to him? 'Certain physical contact' if he were in any other situation Harry would laugh and the sheer weirdness of that phrase coming out of the Headmasters mouth. After all he was human, but Harry liked to think that all the adults he knew had no kind of social life. However Dumbledore continued to speak.
"This is difficult to ask of you Harry, but there is no other way, we've already discussed this topic into the ground."
"Who would I have to—bind with?" Harry asked finally, his mouth dry and his tongue feeling swollen.
"The only other master of Occulamency that would have enough power to protect you at the same time as shielding himself."
Harry gasped and his eyes bulged out of his head, "No." came the breathless reply. "Not Snape. I couldn't— with Snape— I just— Snape!" Harry turned to Lupin, "You can't agree with them can you?!"
Lupin's eyes were sad, "there is no other way to protect you against Voldemort."
Harry turned to Dumbledore, "You can't be serious!"
"Very much so Harry."
"I wont do it!" Harry said, "you can't expect me to— Snape would never agree to that, would you Professor!?" Harry looked to Snape who hadn't torn his eyes away from the wall.
"I have." He said with a growl.
"Professor McGonagall!" Harry said turning to his last resort, "You can't let them!"
"Harry, we've discussed it and decided."
"Well what if I say no!?" Harry asked suddenly getting to his feet, "you can't make me bind to him" Harry pointed his finger at Snape, "We hate each other! You can't ask this of me, especially with what happened last year! He just stood there and didn't even do anything to help!!" Harry looked wildly at them.
"Harry, Professor Snape did as much as he could–"
"Why can't it be someone else?"
"No one else has the power that Severus does to protect himself and you at the same time."
"But– I can't do– that– with another man–especially THAT man!" Finally Harry recollected himself and silently berated himself for being so foolish. "Well." Harry said in a much forced calm voice, "I have not had any visions in over two weeks, and I do not want to be bound to Professor Snape, so we'll have to find another way, or live with how it is."
McGonagall huffed loudly and Harry saw tears starting to well up in her eyes. Harry assumed the worst.
"Professor McGonagall?" Harry said in a quiet voice. Her lips thinned even more and she looked up at Harry through her square glasses. Tears were brimming at the edge and about to spill over. Slowly Harry shook his head "No. What's going on? Remus?"
"I'm sorry Harry."
"Sorry about what! Remus tell me! Professor McGonagall! Someone tell me whats going on now!"
Dumbledore looked up at Harry and there was no sparkle in his eyes, "We already preformed the spell, it just has to be finalized."
Harry stood there looking at Dumbledore, just looking at him completely still, Harry didn't even take in a breath. Then slowly he looked at Snape and his cold black eyes seemed to stare right through Harry and it made him flinch back. Taking a deep breath Harry turned on his heel and headed for the staircase leading up to his bedroom. "Harry." Dumbledore called out, but Harry continued to go on. He called out twice more with no reaction. Finally he spoke in a very firm voice, "Harry turn around right now."
Harry did and clenched his jaw as he looked at the four people staring back at him. "Harry, it was the only way. You have to complete the spell within 24 hours or else you'll start to deteriorate."
Harry shook his head in a negative and moved across the balcony to in front of his door.
"Harry you must finish the spell or–"
"Or what Headmaster!" Harry burst out, all of his anger flowing through his veins, "you can't just make fucking decisions for me anymore! I can't believe you just went ahead and did the spell, you should've FUCKING TOLD ME!" Harry was yelling and the items around the house were starting to shake. Harry seethed and watched as the banister to the stairs shook so much tiny splinters of wood were starting to fall off. Harry gave the Headmaster one last withering glare before slamming the door to his room.
Not three stomps later did Harry find himself falling to the floor screaming in pain. Unaware that they were coming up the stairs to help Harry pressed his forehead to the ground trying to squash the pain away. Snape burst through the door, closely followed by the others, and grabbed Harrys head. Snape tried to pull Harry free before the vision took him over, but it was too late. Once again images flashed before harrys mind and then he was forced into Voldemort.
The extra presence was there again trying to free them of Voldemorts mind, but they were too weak. Pleasure filled Harrys body as he approached three kneeling figures, a deadly smile crossed his face as he examined them. An eerie laugh escaped Harrys lips before he spoke to the three traitors. Instead of the mangled sound harry had heard before his voice was more understandable and he could almost make out what he had said. "......."
A/N I really hope everyone likes this kinda strange chapter! And those of you who are worried about it being slash, don't be, for now it will be very mild, very very mild, until much later chapters, and those of you who wanted it to be slash, just wait. Thanks a lot to all those who reviewed! And I hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday! Happy new year almost!