Chapter 20
Over the next few days Harry and Snape continued to test the strength of the bond by spending more and more time apart. Snape would leave Godrics Hollow for various lengths of time; upon returning he would question Harry endlessly about his health until he was satisfied that the bond was finally complete. Ron and Hermione had done as they promised and were researching the Grimorie Mark whenever they had a spare moment. So far they hadn't been able to decipher the marks on Harry's neck or how they might be able to activate them. Harry wasn't surprised or defeated by the lack of development. If Snape and Dumbledore didn't even know what the marks meant, then surely three underage wizards would need more than several days to figure it out.
Harry had taken to spending most of his time outside; sitting under the baking sun on the dead grassy knoll in the middle of the court yard. He was left mostly to himself, reading through the Old Magic book and The Dark Arts: De-Bunked that Hermione had given him. He would sometimes see Draco Malfoy sulking in shady corners and staring out into space. Harry almost felt bad for him, almost, but Draco had been his enemy since he was eleven so he wasn't about to go cheer him up.
Over the next few weeks Snape had to leave Godrics Hollow several times on Lord Voldemort's orders. After such a lengthy separation from the Death Eaters, Voldemort felt comfortable recalling his most valued servant. During these times Harry was watched more closely than ever before. Determined to make sure the bond was strong and not causing any physical illness. Harry hadn't felt any unusual symptoms besides a faint burning behind his eyes, which he attributed to his constant reading. Even Hermione had said she was 'proud of Harry's dedication'.
Which Ron had promptly replied, "oh c'mon Hermione. This is what we do when we have to solve a puzzle. Hit the books. When we get back to Hogwarts I expect we won't have any free time."
"If we get back to Hogwarts." Harry replied solemnly. There had been much discussion about Hogwarts lately, as the Daily Prophet had just run an article dismissing all charges against the captured Order members. Claiming it had been a last ditch attempt by Minister Fudge to keep control of the Ministry of Magic. Scrimgeour had made a public apology to the accused and encouraged the members to come out of hiding. Scrimgeour was using all of his resources, so Ron had over heard Kingsley saying to his father, to reach out to Dumbledore. After the breakout of Azkaban, and the ever growing public acts made by the Death Eaters, the public had firmly come to grips that Voldemort was back. The only thing the Ministry could do now to save some face was to regain Dumbledore's trust.
There had also been a short lived time where the Prophet had tried to lay blame with Harry. Alluding that Harry had helped Voldemort regain a body during the Tri-Wizard Tournament. Reports saying he knew Barty Crouch Jr. was masquerading as Mad-Eye Moody. However, there had been such outrage by the Prophet's readers that they publicly protested in Harry's defense. In the end, the writer of that particular article had been arrested and accused of being a Death Eater himself. Whether this was true or not Harry didn't know, but the swift response from Scrimgeour had gained the Minister a considerable amount of trust.
Another article was published saying that the Ministry had increased security measures at Hogwarts, also alluding that Scrimgeour and Dumbledore had developed these measures together. The article encouraged parents to send their children back to Hogwarts for another year.
"My parents don't want me to go back," Hermione had admitted one afternoon while they worked in the secret room, "They have been pretty ignorant of what's happened the last few years and now that they are here...well they're worried." Hermione had quickly assured them that if Harry and Ron were going back then so would she. Her parents would see the light eventually. Ron said his Mum and Dad were going to let them return only if Dumbledore did. Harry didn't tell his friends that his plans for the foreseeable future, didn't involve going back to school. But Harry played his part whenever the subject came up.
The Order was still trying to find out who had placed Scrimgeour under the Imperius but were no closer to their goal. Snape reported that while it was widely known amongst the Death Eaters that the Minister was under Voldemort's control. The Dark Lord was keeping the key information particularity secret. September was fast approaching and the Order was running out of time before Hogwarts re-opened, with or without Dumbledore.
Snape had also reported that Voldemort was working on another plan that nobody seemed to know about, but had left the Dark Lord in high spirits. Harry, unable to feel Voldemort's emotions anymore, knew that any plan that made Voldemort happy would not be good.
When Harry wasn't working in the secret room, he spent most of his time laying on the grassy knoll in the middle of the courtyard. Soaking up the sun and reading through the book Hermione had given him for his birthday. Today, the aching behind his eyes had come back with a vengeance, forcing Harry to abandon his pursuit and head back up to the cool shade of his room. Snape had been gone for five days already, his longest departure yet, leaving the room entirely Snape-free. During his absences Harry took full liberty of the room, which now looked more like the usual disarray of his bedroom at the Dursleys. Setting his book aside on the crowded desk, Harry took off his glasses and laid down, giving his eyes a rest.
A distant part of Harry's mind registered a vague pain on his face; his arms felt strangely tight like he was flexing every muscle. Harry was suddenly filled with a burning hatred, and at the same time, a kind of euphoria. Forcibly pulled out of his slumber Harry found himself back in his old room, it was dark and something was clawing desperately at his face. Harry was kneeling over somebody, one knee sinking into a mattress and the other was putting all of his weight on a prone figures' chest. As his vision adjusted Harry could see and feel his own hands wrapped around someones neck. Savage shock surged through Harry causing his hands to spasm and release the frail neck of Draco Malfoy. The momentary release caused Draco to gasp for air before Harry's hands resumed their death grip and a high maniacal laughter filled the room.
"Yeees Draco, fight, try and save your pathetic life." Harry hear himself clearly say over Draco's choking sounds, "Try to die an honorable death at the hands of Lord Voldemort."
Draco's face was rapidly darkening, his body thrashed under Harry's weight and his hands scratched, gouged and punched at Harry's face.
"Pathetic." Whispered Harry leaning closer to Draco, completely disregarding Draco's attempts to dislodge him. "You're parents would be so disappointed to see you like this. Seeking protection from the blood-traitors and mud-bloods. Perhaps the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, eh, Draco? Perhaps you're parents are just the same."
Draco could only open and close his mouth silently as Harry laughed again, the sound echoing around the room. "Your father let me down Draco, just as you have. He lost me something that I dearly wanted and your mother... well" Harry felt his face contorted into an evil smile and he squeezed Draco's neck more ferociously, "Should I end their misery?" Harry asked as Draco kicked out his legs feebly and his eyes bulged, "Shall I kill your parents Draco? Due payment for the sins of the son after all?"
Tears were streaming out of the corners of Draco's eyes. Making dark stains appear on the pillowcase on either side of his head. A fresh wave of pleasure coursed through Harry's gut as Draco's struggling began to subside. Harry could feel Draco's pulse start to slow and knew that he was close to death. Draco's bulging eyes rolled back into his head and his mouth hung open like a fish out of water. He was close now, so close to murdering Draco Malfoy right under the Orders nose, and who would suspect him as the killer?
'But why?' Asked a quiet voice in the back of Harry's mind. 'Why do you want to kill Draco, did he deserve death?'
'No.' Answered another voice and instantly Harry released his grip.
Draco sucked in lung fulls of air, his eyes rolling madly as he struggled to breath again. Harry sat back on his heels, now straddling Draco's chest with his hands placed firmly on Draco's shoulders. Harry was breathing heavily as it took all of his strength not to snuff out Malfoy's life right here and now. He leaned forward so they were nose to nose. "Dont make a peep now Draco." he said smiling wickedly, "if you want your parents to survive. I'll give you one more chance to prove yourself; side with this filth and sacrifice your dear Mother and Father, or stay quiet and they will be spared."
Draco stared wide-eyed and frighten at Harry, unmoving except for the rapid rise and fall of his chest.
"I'll be watching Draco, always watching." With that Harry slid easily off of the bed and walked out the door without a single backwards glance.
Harry woke with a start, sitting upright and breathing hard. His room was filled with mid-morning light and he could hear people talking downstairs. Whatever Harry had been dreaming was quickly lost in his subconscious as he became more awake. Just a nightmare Harry chided himself, get a grip. The unsettling feeling wouldn't subside even if his dream had faded away. Harry's arms and hands ached, as if he had exercised some unused muscles and he fumbled for his glasses, shoving them onto his face. Winching as his cheeks stung with the skin to skin contact. Confused Harry moved to the mirror besides Snape's potion cabinet. His reflection stared back at him in shock. Shallow angry cuts cross-crossed his cheeks, around his eyes and neck. It looked like he had clawed his own face during the night. Gingerly touching a particularly swollen cut from his nose to the corner of his eye, Harry winced again. Had he really done this to himself?
Harry examined his reflection for several confused minutes racking his brain trying to remember some of his nightmare. What had caused him to do this, and how was he going to explain himself when he entered the kitchen, looking like he had been attacked by a bird? Well, Harry couldn't let that happen, it would only cause panic. Wishing for the first time that he paid more attention in Potions class, Harry threw open Snape's cabinet. Rows upon rows of many colored potions glinted in the light. Snape's small script neatly labeling many of the vials, while other, innocent looking potions, had non. Assuming these potions were anything but innocent Harry scoured the labels for a healing potion. The vials tinkled together as Harry rooted through the cabinet, but his search came up short. Harry couldn't be sure which potion might cure him, or disfigure him. But he certainly couldn't walk about looking like this. Harry didn't have time to remedy his situation as a swift knock range through the room. "Mr. Potter," called the unmistakable voice of Madame Pomfrey, "are you all right in there?" Harry hesitated standing in front of the open cabinet and starting dumbly at the door. "Mr. Potter, I'm coming in-" The door knob was turing and Harry reacted instinctually.
"No!-Uh, I'm not dressed." The knob turned back quickly to its original position.
"Alright wall dress quickly, the Headmaster wants a word and-" She added as an after though, "I want to see you have a proper breakfast, so meet him in the main house please."
Harry's eyes bulged, "Okay uh—I'm just gonna take a quick shower, then I'll, uh, be right there." Satisfied, Harry heard Pomfrey's footsteps travel away from his door and down the stairs. He could not see the Headmaster like this, couldn't bare the scrutiny of those clear-blue eyes that seemed perpetually saddened when they looked at Harry. He should feel bad, Harry had thought to himself more than once, but right now he didn't feel like dealing with that too.
Grabbing some clean clothes, his invisibility cloak and a few books, Harry crept out into the hall. Carrying his load in a misshapen bundle to hide the cloak and books, Harry kept his eyes on the stairs as he fled down the hall. Preoccupied with looking in the other direction Harry didn't notice that Draco had exited his room at exactly the same time as Harry, and they slammed bodily into each other. Draco, falling down to the ground as Harry clung to the bundle in his arms.
"Oh, sorry Malfoy." Harry said and shifted his burden. In an unexpected gesture Harry reached out his hand to help Draco back up.
Draco however had an even more unexpected reaction, instead of scowling, sulking or insulting Harry, he scrambled away quickly. Doing some sort of backwards crab walk on his hands and feet. His face was bleached of all color and his eyes wide with fear. Without uttering a word Draco had backed into the room and slammed his door shut.
Harry stood there awkwardly holding out his hand towards the spot Malfoy had just been. Frowning Harry shook himself out of it and continued down the hall thinking, "Malfoy's cracking up." to himself.
Showering quickly, putting on his clothes and gathering his pajamas and books under one arm, Harry swung on his invisibility cloak. He was going to have to avoid the Order today, at least until he could figure out how to hide his scratches. Heading off, as silently as possible, towards the second house and to the haven of the secret room.
Ron and Hermione found Harry sometime later. Tilly had already come by with instructions to feed and find Harry, and to report that if Harry didn't want to speak to the Headmaster then the Headmaster could wait. Tilly had been shocked to see the scratches on Harry's face and immediately procured a damp rag, soaked in healing potion, for him. Harry asked Tilly to say he was fine, and not to mention the marks to anyone. So when Ron and Hermione showed up later they found Harry just as fit as ever. The rest of the day passed uneventfully and Harry attended the rest of the meals. Thankfully Dumbledore had to leave Godrics Hollow so he didn't get a chance to speak to Harry.
Sitting alone at the far end of the kitchen table and pretending to read his book, Harry listened while the others discussed Draco. It seemed that Harry wasn't the only one to have a strange encounter with Malfoy that day.
"Skirts around like a twitchy ferret, that one does." Commented Moody.
Ron burst out laughing, accompanied by many of his siblings, "Just what you though two years ago wasn't it?"
"Draco the bouncing ferret." Cried George clutching his sides, "That was the best day of my life."
"Ron! George!" Berated Mrs. Weasley as she passed a plate of corn to Mrs. Granger, who looked uncomfortable sitting so close to Moody. "You very well know that Allastor never did that and the antics of Death Eaters are not amusing." This seemed to dampen the mood a bit and the adults continued to discuss Draco. Nobody seemed entirely worried for Draco's welfare, a few 'poor boy's were uttered, but their deep hatred for Malfoy senior seemed to outweigh the son's sympathy.
Harry didn't care to waste his time trying to figure out how Draco Malfoy was feeling. He had much bigger problems than that. Problems that Harry had yet to even realize.
The familiar tingling sensation that Harry associated with Snape's reappearance, washed over him as he sat at the table. Wanting to delay their reunion as long as possible Harry trudged up to the library to troll for new books. He stayed up reading by candle light late into the evening. When he finally returned to his room, he found Snape fast asleep; laying sprawled across the bed. He was still fully clothed, his black cloak fanned out beneath him and his white Death Eater mask dangled precariously in his hand. Harry had no inclination of waking up the potions master so he quietly backed out of the room and went to lay down on the couch. His eyes ached more intensely as he pressed his palms over them. He laid down and immediately fell into a restless sleep.
"Harry?" Someone called sharply, "Harry!"
Harry turned his head towards the voice, but could only make out a man-sized silhouette.
"Harry" Another voice said loudly next to Harry's ear, "Wake up!" Turning again Harry stumbled as he quickly stepped back. Pale moonlight was reflecting brightly off the gaunt face of Sirius Black. Before his very eyes Sirius disappeared, leaving a black void where he'd been standing.
Someone was griping his shoulder now, "Harry are you okay?" Lupin's voice was distinct, but when Harry looked at him his face was shadowy and obscured by darkness. Unlike the way Sirius had been lit up. "What are you doing out here?" Asked Lupin.
Harry shook his head, he didn't know. He had fallen asleep in the parlor and now found himself outside on the grassy knoll. Harry mumbled something about sleepwalking as Lupin helped Harry to his feet and guided him back to the house. Harry let Lupin make him a cup of tea while he sat silently in the parlor. He had just been feet away from his godfather, he had looked so solid, so real and his voice was so clear. Shivers went down Harry's spine, "what was I doing out there?" asked Harry.
Lupin surveyed Harry while he set their tea to steeping, "Just standing, looking around at the houses." Harry made no reply, so Lupin filled in the silence "I'm glad I caught you Harry. I was on my way out but Albus left me something to tell you."
Harry looked up as Lupin passed him a cup of tea.
"It has to do with Sirius." Harry eyes widened a fraction of an inch, Sirius? Had Lupin seen him too, or the Headmaster maybe? Did Dumbledore find something out about the mark and proven Snape's theory correct? "We've just managed to receive a copy of Sirius's will." Harry slumped his shoulders dejectedly, "and it seems that he left everything to you. The contents of his Gringotts vault have been transferred to yours. You also own Grimmuald place and its contents." Lupin smiled sadly, just as the Headmaster had done many times before, "Which means you now have ownership of Kreature."
Harry sat numbly, the burning behind his eyes returning feverishly. He didn't want Sirius's money or possession. Especially the Black family's wretched house-elf.
"Of course, since the Ministry invaded Grimmuald Place it is not safe for any of us to return there, though I expect you don't want to. Well—" Lupin continued after Harry made no response. "I really must get going." His voice sounded strained, but Harry didn't look up as Lupin left. Harry felt more depressed that he had felt in ages. Having control of Sirius's estate was like hammering the final nail in the coffin. Too depressed to even sleep, Harry stayed up the rest of the night starring into the darkness of the room, and picturing the illuminated face of Sirius Black.
Harry barely saw or spoke to Snape during the few days he remained at Godrics Hollow. Every so often he saw Draco cornering the Potions Master, but Harry didn't think too long about it. Besides Draco's strange behavior, it made sense that he would feel comfortable speaking to Snape than to any other Order member. It wasn't until Snape brought up the subject a few days later that Harry thought about it again.
"Potter," Snape called drawing Harry's attention, "Have you noticed Draco acting strange lately?"
Immediately Harry replied, "I wouldn't know, I haven't seen him."
"No?" Snape asked raising an eyebrow.
Harry's instinctive retort was on the tip of his tongue when their peculiar interaction rose to mind, "Well, he freaked out when we ran into each other the other day." Harry said shrugging.
"How so?"
"We literally ran into each other, and I knocked him over, but when I went to help him up he looked terrified."
"When was this?" Snape's thick black eyebrows drawing together.
"I don't know," Harry said thinking back, "maybe a few days ago."
Snape appraised Harry rubbing his fingers against his chin and leaning back into his chair. "Anything strange happen to you?"
Like clawing my face in my sleep? Harry thought sarcastically, but simply replied, "No, I've already told you everything's been fine."
"I'm not talking about the bond Potter."
"Well the answer is still no, Snape."
"No late night strolls then?" Snape asked smirking.
"How did you—" But of course, Lupin must have reported him, "I was just sleepwalking."
"And that happens often does it?" Condescension filling Snape's voice.
"No." Harry said standing and tossing his cloak onto the ground; ignoring Snape's sound of disproval. "but it was nothing, I was just standing outside. Lupin didn't seem too worried about it." Harry flopped onto the bed giving Snape a withering look.
"And you trust Lupin's judgement on these matters do you?"
Harry didn't respond, because truthfully he didn't trust anyone anymore, besides Ron and Hermione. "I saw Sirius again." Harry suddenly admitted avoiding Snape's gaze, "when I was outside, he was standing right next to me." Snape immediately got up and walked over to Harry.
"May I?" Snape asked reaching his hand out towards Harry's temple.
Harry quickly swatted his hand away, "What exactly are you doing?"
"Seeing what you've seen, a form of Legilimency if you will."
"Why would you want to see that, I was just dreaming-" or so Harry had eventually convinced himself.
"Be that as it may.." Snape reached out again, more quickly this time and the tips of his fingers connected with Harry's temple. His eyes went out of focus for a minute before he returned to himself.
"As you said then," Snape said "probably nothing, but you should let me know if you sleepwalk again."
Yeah, right. Harry thought to himself as Snape strode back to his desk. He shouldn't have even mentioned it, Harry hadn't even told Ron or Hermione.
Snape was called away again during the night; causing Harry to bolt upright out of bed minutes before Snape mimicked his actions. Snape swept quickly out of the room without a by-your-leave to Harry and disappeared out of sight. Snape remained away for several days and despite Harry and Snape both agreeing that the sleepwalking was nothing to worry about, it happened more frequently. Harry would wake up finding himself transported away from his room and ending up in various places around Godrics Hollow. Every time he'd suddenly wake-up standing; in the main kitchen, the parlor, in the second house, the library, a random hallway and even a few times he found himself staring up at sign on the main gate. It happened more than once during the night too which was beginning to worry Harry. He didn't dare mention it though.
His nighttime adventures must have been taxing because he now felt constantly tired. Harry even began napping during the day and going to bed early but nothing seemed to help. It was on the fourth night of Snape's departure that Harry found himself falling asleep at his desk. His eyes were so overworked that they burned from the inside out. Struggling to stand up and make his way towards the bed Harry collapsed in the middle of the room. His mind going black before he hit the ground.
Sweat was covering his body from head to toe and an intense heat licked at the palms of his hands. The all-too familiar high laughter echoed around him, mingling with the sound of many screams. Harry was standing in the middle of the grassy knoll, all around him flames were clinging to the dead grass. In the palms of his hand two balls of fire twisted and flickered like miniature versions of the sun. harry was cackling with extreme pleasure. Pale orange faces were running around him trying to douse the flames that clung to the fronts on the houses.
"BURN!" Harry screamed raising his hands above his head which caused miniature fire balls to shoot towards the houses and running people. One of them struck the back of a large figure and threw him into the column of the main house. Harry spun around on the knoll admiring his handiwork and enjoying the frantic efforts of the Order members.
"BURN!" He screamed again hurtling more balls of fire.
"HARRY!" An ear-splitting scream caught his attention over the commotion. He turned dramatically, sweeping his arms together and joining the two balls into one. Shooting out a large flaming orb in the direction of the scream before he saw who it was.
The fire pelted towards his prey, lighting up the sweaty yellow face of Hermione Granger. Seeing her face illuminated in the darkness, frightened and wide-eyed, touched something in the very core of Harry and he fell to his knees. The flames on the knoll obscured his vision, but Harry was sure in his heart-of-hearts that he had just killed his best friend.
"NOOOOO!" Harry screamed as he was pulled away from the fire and out of his body.
The atmosphere around him changed in an instant. No longer was Harry kneeling in the middle of the burning Godricks Hollow, but instead he was kneeling in a damp and cold room. The fire was still in his hands as Harry raised his head. There must have been more than a hundred masked Death Eaters standing around him. Pure, intense and overwhelming fury burst forth from Harry's chest and he instinctually thrust his arms forward. Just as he had sent the killing blow towards Hermione he let it lose on those around him. Over and over Harry thrust out his arms turning in all directions. The Death Eaters that caught the full force of his blasts were flung into the others around them. Black cloaks were deteriorating under the flames as the Death Eaters scrambled to escape Harry's fury.
Fire balls were zooming in every direction, Harry sending them out blindly, his anger clouding any other thoughts that might have entered his head. Screaming echoed across the hall mingling with the loud 'CRACK's of dissapparation. Then, forcibly, Harry was expelled from the room and was back on the grassy knoll.
The night air was filled with noisy activity, flames still circled around Harry and thick smoke obscured the stars in the sky. Harry fell limply to his side, his thoughts only on one thing. Echoing through his head and yelling until his throat was raw Harry screamed, "Hermione! Hermione! Hermione! HERMIONE!"
Nobody could reach Harry for what seemed like a lifetime. His voice was a mere whisper as he continued his mantra. "Hermione, Hermione, Hermione." There were no tears left inside of Harry, no will, but only the consuming thought that he had killed Hermione.
"Harry! Harry!" Someone was calling, mingling their voice with his own. "Harry!" They called again much closer now. Rolling him over onto his back Harry stared through his cracked glasses into the soot covered face. Their arms, legs and nightgown were black, bushy hair was singed unevenly, but there was no mistaking their face. "Hermione." Harry's insides were clenched tight as he gazed into her tear stained face.
"It's okay Harry." She said sobbing and pulling Harry into her arms.
"GET BACK!" Arthur Weasley called with savage ferocity, but Hermione clung tighter to Harry, rocking him back and forth. "NO, RON!" Mr. Weasley yelled again. "MOLLY, RESTRAIN HIM!" Mr. Weasley yelled an unfamiliar spell and Hermione was sent flying out of his arms. "PETRIFICUS TOTALUS!" He cried and Harry's arms and legs snapped to his sides. Anger flared in Harry when Mr. Weasley's face appeared above him and he was transported to the dark hall once more.
"Yes, My Lord" The distinct voice of Severus Snape range through the hall, "My Lord?"
Harry turned towards him, Snape was hovering behind many prone figures on the ground. Flames still clinging to their bodies and cloaks. "Snape." Harry growled between his teeth and raised his wand. A spell shot out of its tip, before Harry had time to think, and blasted away a deep hole in the wall where Snape had been standing. Harry felt the tiniest bit of relief flow through him when he saw Snape dissapparate away before the spell could hit him.
And like a ball being passed between two people, Harry was forced out of Lord Voldemort's mind and back into the darkness.