Chapter Five

Silence filled the school as the late hour reign. Patrols finished as everyone slowly crawled into bed. Everyone but a small family intruding upon the school's infirmary. Hours earlier had found them sobbing in fear as Pomfrey and several St. Mungo's medi-wizards and witches rushed to save the twins.

Now they sat at the bedside of a pale but hopefully sleeping Harry Potter. Ember had already been released with demands of not using magic for awhile as she had exhausted almost her entire reserve well trying to save herself, Cedric, and her brother. She was already doused with sleeping potions to rest up and allow her magic to slowly knit itself back to gether.

For now they were waiting. No one could tell if Harry was simply sleeping or deeply entranced in a coma. His vitals were too weak. He had suffered a partial Dementor's Kiss. St. Mungo's had not been prepared for anything like this. One was either Kissed or not. Not even the Ministry had any documentation on such an event. They were all playing by ear. Lily had already stormed the Minister, an unhappy lioness determined to rend her cub's possible murderer to pieces. Fudge had not been particularly happy about her storming in but had no choice when the entire Ministry learned he had endangered, not only the school children, some of whose parents were his financial backers and in the Ministry themselves, but the savior, Ember Potter, herself. He had been forced to withdraw the Dementors from the school. They could only patrol the forest and nothing more. Several Aurors, on rotation, would patrol the school and its grounds, while keeping an eye on the forest.

All they could do was wait. Harry's soul had been pulled from his physical body and suffered great damage. A specialist had said, after hearing all the testimony of the events, that young Harry had practically drained himself, pushing his magical essence to his sister, long before the Dementor took what was left of his soul or tried to take. Because he had drained himself so far, no one, not even him, was sure if Harry could overcome such odds. It was likely Harry would never be as powerful as he once was if he and his soul managed to keep what magic he gained back. Even Ember admitted, although unwillingly and hesitant, that their bond was still crumbling in parts and barely strong in others.

But it gave hope when they learned their bond was slowly repairing itself.

Silence grew into the night as the adults could only allow the patient to hopefully sleep. They left him at the school, believing, just maybe, the ambient magic from decades of magical children may aid his recovering if he drew upon that. St. Mungo's was known to try to keep magic to a minimal in curing their patients.

At least it seemed silent and safe when a lone creature scuttled into the Hospital Wing, searching for something or someone. peering about to make sure everyone was asleep, its tiny form grew until a unhealthy thin male was staring down at Harry. Beady eyes gleamed as thoughts raced in his head.

He remember how his Master seemed excited about the birth of this unknown boy twin. How the boy made Dumbledore uneasy. He was the key to it all, at least that's what his Master kept mumbling about. He never understood just that the boy was off-limits until his Master could properly be introduced to Harry. At the moment he just wanted to look before chasing down his Masters most offensive adversary. He wondered greedily what his reward would be if he brought the girl to his Master.

Or he was when a hand suddenly shot out and tightened around his throat, effectively gagging and choking him without a sound.

Darkened emerald eyes stared up at him, he could see a faint glimmer of reddish flames dancing in their clear distant. An ugly sneer crossed the boyish features, "So, you are freed."

"L-let go!" Fearful, he jerked as the adults shifted in contrast to his tiny cry. He didn't want to be here when they woke.

But Harry, or he thought it was Harry, waved a hand and the adults fell deeper into sleep. Then pulled his struggling form closer. He was scared! He couldn't transform! Who was this boy that intrigued his Master so much? What was he! "I wouldn't, not to gain." The thing, that's what this boy had to be, smirked, "Flee, little rat, flee. He will need you. But be prepared. Even the greatest gain equals the greatest pain." He sobbed as it tightened its grip.

For a moment.

Peter Pettigrew practically cried in relief as he was freed. At once he shifted forms, racing away. He didn't like the monster that wore a boy's face. As he ran the eerie monster murmured, "See how the silver gleams in the moonlight? Greater then ever shall be my rise. When one is great so shall be all."

He didn't care what that meant, just prayed it had nothing to do with him. That wasn't his Master, he knew that much. That was something that shouldn't be allowed to live or prosper but even his feeble mind knew it was also something that his Master had to know.

The flames in green eyes continued to flicker. It knew how the little girl fought to keep it back but freedom came with a price. Forever stuck in the boy's mind. Turning the boy's gaze to the slumbering adults, it realized something. "Life for a life."

It retreated but not before staring down at the ghostly form of the young boy deep within his mind. They stared at one another. Harry's head tilted to one side, smiling for the first time, agreeing to something only they knew, "Weaker the pallor as the choice has been made. Life for a life."

Its laughter echoed behind tight shields as its power flared brightly, consuming the boy's weakened magic and soul. Once more fire breathed the dying soul to life. One the outside, a slumbering boy shifted positions, curling up more comfortably as alarms blared. Adults fumbled about as a medi-witch and her companion raced to his side.

Stunned, they could only watch as the boy's pale features grew in color and his still lingering coldness melted to warmth. "He sleeps naturally!"

**Later with Ember**

Ember Potter smiled brightly and with ease. She had stopped by to see her brother, to find him whole and well. Their bond was as strong as ever. No one, not even her, knew what happened. She suspected his guardians knew as they warily eyed his slumbering form but still held to their agreement.

So excited she was, she knew now nothing would distract her from her lessons, which will please and calm Hermione. And it had. Everyone seemed to sigh in collective relief as she bubbly bounced around as usual.

Nothing broke her amusing high, not even this new incident.

Gryffindors were pushing and shoving each other when the trio turned a corner to enter their Common Room. Frowning, they went to ask what happened when one of their two Prefects called out, "Quiet!" They did, "Someone needs to find our Head of House and the Headmaster. Quickly!"

Two Seventh Years bustled off to do the job while the others waited. "What's going on here?"

McGonagall couldn't understand why her entire House was crowding a hallway. She had been shocked when one of her lions stormed her class, demanding that she come immediately, that something happened to their dorm. She was met by a second lion and an amused Dumbledore. Together they found the strangest sight.

Percy Weasley immediately took control, "We cannot get inside. The Fat Lady is missing although her portrait lies in shredded ruins."

Shocked, they pushed forward to find exactly as he described. The tower's guardian was gone. "Minerva, ask the House elves to prepare the Great Hall for your House. For all the Houses. I'll have the children housed there until we discover the culprit and what became of our dear Fat Lady. I'll lock down the castle until then."

"You don't think?"

"I'm afraid so. He has entered and must be in hiding."

The Gryffindors could only muse in curiosity of who it was they believed was the culprit and why attack their portrait. All they could do was watch helplessly as they were lead to the Great Hall for the night. All four Houses found themselves placed in one room, closed and locked in while the ghosts and most Professors did a thorough search of the castle.

Only one knew who exactly they searched for. He has but one chance now.

**Abandoned Shack**

Peter threw a fit as he tore about already ruined furniture. He had bee so close to gaining his goal. So very close. Stupid picture! Stupid animal! The Fat Lady refused him entrance, even the school refused to allow his animal form to slip inside. Then after attacking her, some orange colored creature lashed out at him. He raced away with it hot on his heels, escaping out the school just before it locked down. The creature had been stuck behind, captured by a worried student, who cuddled it close as it meowed pitifully.

He had to prove he was just as good as his fellow companions, if not better.

As he nursed the few deep scratches left upon his body from his harrowing escape, reddish green eyes flickered through his memory. He shuddered. He wanted to be the one who did what no one else could, bring his Master what he truly desired. No one was helping the greatest wizard alive, no one but him. And he was determined to aide his Master in any way possible.

But he was torn. Should he move on? Should he listen to whatever or whoever it was that wore that boy's face? Or could he hold out and gain his absolute reward by aiding his Master?