Sorry this is late, so were both my other active stories because I for some reason, cannot upload any new chapters. I think my internets playing up, it's frustrating to miss the one week deadline you set yourself when you have the chapters written! Hopefully, this isn't too late.
However,since I had extra time to review this while I waited for my internet to work again, I did have a go at separating out the dialogue for something to do! Let me know if this is better and I will *try* (no guarantees) to keep it that way.
Nothing exciting to write in this authors note other than thank you to all the new followers and favouriters who have joined Chosen Two recently! Welcome to my version (borrowed from the Queen JK with every intent to return at the end of Chosen Two) of Hogwarts!
-YDHP-
There was a general buzz of gossip as every student in the school was shifted to the Great Hall, and Dumbledore waved his wand and suddenly the floor was covered in squishy sleeping bags, naturally, in bright purple. The headmaster really had strange taste in colours. Harry, Vlad and Hermione grabbed three and located a corner, watching as prefects and the Head Boy and Girl paced around the students, Percy puffed up with pride and barking orders for lights out in ten minutes.
Vlad rolled his eyes, wand clutched next to him and eyes on Harry as everyone climbed into their new beds for the night. The whispers about Black still vibrated through the air, no matter how many times Percy and the Slytherin prefects told them to be quiet, but eventually everyone started falling asleep. Harry was asleep, but Vlad couldn't settle, needing to see his mate was safe with that lunatic in the school. If Black was already here, was there any point to those dementors?
Eyes closed, face serene and relaxed, Harry shifted slightly in his sleep and Hermione turned over on his other side.
"The towers have been searched" that was Snape's voice "and the dungeons."
"I checked the grounds, the empty classrooms" that was Bertrand "and even the greenhouses have been checked. No sign he's still here, but the scent of wizard and canine was evident outside Gryffindor tower when it was cleared. Black was here."
The adults spoke in hushed whispers, but they were stood very near to where Harry, Vlad and Hermione were sleeping and he could hear them clearly.
"I didn't really expect Black to linger. And no, Severus, I do not think anyone helped him gain entry to the school. Especially tonight, of all nights." The headmaster spoke softly, but his voice carried the command of no arguments. Tonight was a full moon, and Vlad was certain that comment was aimed at Lupin. Did Snape suspect the werewolf of working with Black? Was the wolf putting Harry in danger? Bertrand said canine, not wolf though, which confused Vlad slightly.
Barely clamping down on the urge to hunt out Lupin, full moon or not, Vlad was certain Bertrand knew he was still awake at least and tried not to let his magic act in defence. Harry was right next to him, safe and unharmed. He could stay and keep watch all night right here, everything was fine. The night dragged on, occasional whispers in the otherwise thick silence but eventually the ceiling started to lighten as the day began.
The students were sent back to their houses with the prefects and their individual heads of house escorting them, to change and clear the hall before breakfast began. There was a hiccup in the proceedings when the fat lady refused to come back to her portrait, and Gryffindor tower had no guardian. Until they found a volunteer, in the form of a completely bonkers knight in armour, with a sword too big and a horse too small.
"That's Sir Cadagon. He's insane, runs after us on the way to Divination challenging everyone to a duel like we can sword fight a painting."
"Blaggard! Duel me you scurvy cur!"
Dean's description was already proving accurate, the portrait brandishing his sword at the slightest provocation, or no provocation at all as everyone entered the common room gossiping. Separating to individual dormitories, Vlad disappeared briefly to change in the bathroom and came back out to his dorm mates in various states of undress, debating the concerns about Black as they rooted through trunks.
"Let's talk about this later, after breakfast when Hermione and the twins and half of Gryffindor all end up in here raving about it."
At the mention of food Seamus was a force to be reckoned with, changing quickly and urging everyone else to hurry. Vlad hung back to wait for Harry, who was hissing to Lily. His own familiar was nowhere to be seen, but Vlad wasn't concerned - she had slowed down Quirrell possessed by Voldemort, and the dementor on the train, she could escape Black with ease.
"Ready to go?"
Harry nodded, guiding Lily into the 'travel pouch' Vlad had made for them and slipping her into his pocket. The two headed down after the others, the Great Hall abuzz with rumours. The Hogwarts gossip machine had Vlad already overhearing from an excited Hufflepuff first year that Black had actually held several students at wand point and demanded they turn over to 'the dark side'.
"Funny, I think we might have noticed that."
Harry said, sarcasm laced through the words as they slotted in to the two seats between Hermione and Neville. Vlad started on breakfast, as he had actually been awake all night and his body cried out for energy. There were already issues of the Sunday Prophet being waved around, the Hogwarts break in front page news all of ten hours after the fact.
"How did they even find out? Every student was in the Great Hall while the teachers searched. Who sent them an owl, Phantom?"
Vlad shrugged, having no answer to satisfy the question - he wondered the same thing. Harry turned towards him, and Vlad found himself handing over the blueberry jam before his mate even asked. Realising people were staring at him, Vlad shrugged.
"What? Harry's the only person I know who likes that stuff, I don't know why the elves don't just put tracing charms on it so it all floats to him every morning."
Harry held the jar for a second in surprise, then smiled good-naturedly as the others laughed and joked about Vlad being 'psychic jam boy'. Relieved the moment had passed with nobody thinking he paid too much attention to Harry's habits, Vlad continued with his eggs and let the rampant stories about Black surround him, smiling internally when he saw Harry dumping copious amounts of the blueberry goop on his toast and pancakes.
Thanks to the Hogsmeade visit that felt so much longer than only a day ago, their dorm was practically bursting with sweets and candy, plus an (in Vlad's unpopular opinion) unhealthy amount of butterbeer. Both Georges, Fred, Bella and Jason ended up in the dorm alongside Hermione, the Weasley twins conjuring squishy bean bag chairs for everyone before they all got stuck in to the 'stash' on the table and the gossip.
"We would have brought Gin along, but she was talking to Percy and if I hear that he's head boy one more time I'm going to create his own personal thunderstorm to follow him around!"
Fred bit off the head of his chocolate frog, then nudged his twin and they both grinned in a way that told Vlad they would probably have detention very soon. Again. Sucking on a jellied eel (purely because it wasn't made of real invertebrate like it would be back home), Vlad leant against his trunk and chuckled as Bella and George dared Jason to try various strange sweets.
"Anyway, what do you reckon about Black? Why's he here? And how did he get past the dementors?"
The younger students couldn't not know what was going on with Sirius Black - some had been raised in the magical world and would know anyway, the others would have heard or read about it. Though Vlad doubted just how much of Black's involvement in the specific circumstances leading to the death of Harry's parents was such common knowledge, more that he had killed Pettigrew and twelve muggles.
"He's after Harry, obviously. Trying to finish what you-know-who started. Sorry mate, don't worry, we'll protect you."
Whether he had been told or had guessed, the news didn't seem to affect Harry anywhere near as much as it did Vlad, and everyone else looked a bit shaken or surprised by what Fred and George came out with.
"After Harry? Really?"
"Yeah, dad was talking to mum about it. Our dad works at the Ministry. Speaking of which, what do your parents do?"
They were clearly changing the subject, trying to draw attention off Harry and Vlad was grateful, even if he couldn't answer with "hunting peasants and draining their blood" about his own father, and Vlad had no idea what his mother did other than shopping. He, Harry, Neville and Draco sat quietly, having no answer for the question because of a multitude of reasons.
He knew Hermione had muggle parents who were dentists, and that Jason's father was dead. He learnt that George's mother was an artist and sculptor, her father a mechanic who fixed cars and machines. Jason's mother was a healer, she worked on long term patients in their homes, and Bella said her parents both worked in psychology of some kind. Seamus was a half blood, his muggle father ran a restaurant, which explained his love of food Vlad guessed, and met Seamus' mother when she was having a business meeting at that very place in Ireland - she worked in supplying apothecaries all over the UK.
Even after over two years, there was still so much to learn about each other. Dean's father taught children sports - again, explaining the football obsession Vlad expected, and his mother taught maths to oldet students, both muggles.
"You younger kids, take these."
Fred and George gave the three first years small black boxes, and Fred gave Jason an extra one 'for his snake brother' with a wink. The three held them up in confusion, especially when the twins said not to open them.
"What are they?"
"A little thing we uh... picked up. If you ever run into Black, toss them on the ground and it will make a big black cloud appear, gives you time to run and hide. Peruvian instant darkness powder, but it's kind of volatile, so don't open the box unless you have to. We're gonna get them to all the first and second years, third and up learn to defend themselves better. Don't tell anyone you have them though, kind of against school rules."
Hermione glared at them for rule breaking with the new kids, but didn't complain out loud - they were protecting them. The three pocketed the boxes with thanks, then remembered they had homework to do and disappeared off after stealing a few more sweets with giggles. Fred and George went off presumably to harass their brother or rescue their sister, and Hermione glared after them but wilted under Draco's questioning look.
"Come on, it's not like those boxes are dangerous. It's to protect them against this nutter that apparently broke into Hogwarts. Don't worry, we know not to let Fred and George actually get them in trouble. Though they do plenty of that themselves. George lives up to her namesake, that's for sure."
The two exchanged soft smiles, then hexes when Seamus and Dean wolf whistled, as though every one didn't know the two were crushing like mad on each other. Both studious, tied for first or second in class with either each other or Vlad in every subject except Defence - Harry was top of that class, his mate innately skilled at defensive magic - and strong-willed but fiercely loyal, caring friends. They were pretty well matched... assuming they actually went ahead and admitted it to each other.
Harry had already guessed Black was after him, since he had been the one to turn the Potters over to Voldemort, Harry was unfinished business. So to have it confirmed didn't change much, just added motivation to them all learning defensive and offensive charms. A week after the Halloween 'break in', the whole of Gryffindor was going absolutely spare with their new tower guardian. Sir Cadagon changed the password at least ten times a day, and usually to utterly ridiculous things.
"Pox ridden gnome!"
"Nope. That password expired this morning, you might be an imposter!"
Wondering if it was against the rules to hex guardian portraits, Harry knew no other portrait would volunteer for the job, and the guardian portrait had every right to change the password. So did McGonogall, but Sir Cadagon would change it again within hours. Even Dumbledore couldn't order him to stop it.
"The new password is Mighty Steed, now open up Cadagon!"
Thw sixth year prefect girl let them in, and Harry went straight to the dormitory rather than listen to everyone in the common room still going on about Sirius Black. Vlad was already there, charming Neville's fluffy slippers to dance around the dorm by themselves much to the dismay of their friend.
"Hi Harry. Sorry, Vlad is being really immature!"
Vlad protested, smacked Neville on the cheek gently with one of the slippers and then let them land neatly atop the boys trunk before turning full attention to Harry with a smile.
"How was Quidditch practice?"
Harry shrugged, dropping onto his bed with a groan as his muscles protested. He loved flying, but Oliver Wood was determined to win the cup, fully exhaust every player and in fairness to the captain, Harry lost them the last match by falling off his broom because of the dementors. Which reminded him, he had tea with Remus tomorrow morning after breakfast, he could ask about the dementor fighting classes - the man had looked a little pale and ill in the week, so Harry hadn't asked.
"Oliver is insane, and the twins mucking about didn't help. Oh well, I think we had a good practice, and I am so happy it's not long until dinner. Crazy keeper made us practice through lunch, I think Katie and Alicia wanted to eat him."
Vlad chuckled, tossed Harry a cauldron cake and a wrapped chocolate frog before going back to the parchment he was reading - it was library issue, Harry could see the stamp on the back. Vlad gave his questioning eyes a "I'll tell you later" look, and Harry nodded shortly, then set about inhaling the cake in his hand.
Dinner on a Saturday was always loud, everyone full of energy with no lessons and still a whole day of weekend to look forward to, which inevitably led to most putting off their homework. This meant Vlad and Harry could commandeer a quiet corner of the library, which was only populated by seventh years and Ravenclaws at this time on a Saturday.
"So what were you looking at earlier?"
"Bloodlines, check this out. I found the name Peverell a few times, that's one of the names in your dreams right?"
Vlad pointed out the names of interest, and Harry was surprised - his friend hadn't actually brought up the dreams again, and Harry hadn't had another yet. Still, he shouldn't be too surprised, since Vlad had promised and the vampire teen had yet to break his word to Harry ever. He had another couple of references in books - Madam Pince must think Vlad had a bizarre fascination with magical history, the amount of time he spent researching founders era stuff.
"This is great and all, but all these records tell us is that the name is 'extinct in the male line'. So even though Solace kept the surname, somewhere along the lines she had a solitary female descendant who didn't. Still, it's a start right?"
His blue eyes were lit up, he seemed to get a real rush out of learning all these obscure things and Harry envied that sometimes, he was more brawn than brains in some regards - his magical powers were certainly better than his academics. Maybe he should start working out and eating more, actually look a little bulkier. Vlad was slender, but then so was Ingrid, and she ate plenty of junk food. Maybe it was a vampire thing. Realising he was going completely off track in his own head, Harry smiled at Vlad.
"Yeah, it's a start. If we can narrow down the time frame the name went out, we might be able to find out who was the last and go from there. This is brilliant Vlad, thank you."
They didn't have time to get stuck in to that research then before the library closed, and between unfinished homework and tea with Remus Harry had no time sunday either. Vlad said he would make a start in the morning, though not before the two got up extra early sunday morning, snuck in to the kitchens as the elves were making breakfast and doped the pumpkin juice with levitating lemon-candies, crushed into powder. Vlad cast a weird charm on all the jugs, leaving Harry confused.
"What's that?"
"Allergy charm. They taught us it for when we turn sixteen for garlic, but anyone who's allergic to lemon won't get sick from the juice. For us it will serve more like a warning than immunity, but it could still come in useful."
That was impressive forethought, allergies weren't common in the magical world according to Draco, but with at least half the students half-blood or muggle-born, that may not cover them too. Harry was sniggering into his bacon sandwich twenty minutes into breakfast, various students cringing and then floating out of their seats, half asleep and still clutching their pumpkin juice cups. To cover them, Harry and Vlad both drank the tainted juice and lifted from the benches, hopefully pulling off surprised or indignant.
The teachers had eyes on the Gryffindor table, but nobody was obviously aware of the prank - even Fred and George looked surprised as they levitated. Most people thought it hilarious, actively drinking more of the juice when they worked it out and laughter rang through the hall. Vlad left for the library again soon after, and Harry waited to see Remus leave before he took off himself.
"Sorry we missed this last weekend Harry, I was very unwell."
He shrugged it off, smiling at the teacher as they sat in their usual seats and the tea tray appeared. Remus looked fine now, like he had never been ill only days before and it piqued his interest, but Harry had more pressing thoughts on his mind.
"Are you still going to teach me to fight dementors? Only, I had Quidditch practice yesterday and remembered... I don't want to let Oliver down, nor do I want to lose again. And I definitely don't want to hear the screams in my head."
The words left him in a rush once he got started, but they were only some of the reasons he wanted to not be weak against those foul things. He hated that he had to be the one who was so affected, and with those dreams, these memories of awful times in other peoples lives clear as day in his mind, Harry was terrified of what else he might see or hear or feel under their power.
"I don't proclaim to be an expert, but I agree they are too interested to leave you unprotected. Given how much time you spend with Vlad, I'll suggest you come and see me when he sees his private tutor? Is that agreeable?"
Harry agreed instantly, and hoped he had no continuing issues with his magic that required him going to the sessions with Vlad.
"Yeah, that works for now."
Time seemed to blur by in anticipation, and Harry was looking at Remus stood in front of a trunk that rattled ominously, waiting for instructions.
"The charm I'm going to try and teach you is a difficult spell, beyond Ordinary Wizarding Level. It's called the Patronus charm."
"How does it work?"
Harry clutched his wand readily, anxious to get started.
"It creates a patronus, a sort of shield that the dementor feeds on instead of you. But the patronus can't feel pain or sadness, so the dementor can't hurt it."
Harry had an image of him hiding behind a Hagrid-shaped shield wielding a club, beating off the dementor.
"Without wand first, if you please Harry. Thank you. Repeat after me. Expecto Patronum."
Harry repeated it, then reached for his wand but Remus stopped him again, shaking his head.
"The incantation is only half the job. You need to think of a happy memory, a powerful one. Happiest you can think of. Allow it to fill you up, and focus on that as you speak the incantation. Are you ready for a try?"
Now the chance was there, Harry suddenly felt he was being pitched in at the deep end, but he raised his wand and searched his brain. A happy memory... flying. He loved flying. Picturing the first time he rode a broom, soaring through the air with a natural talent, Harry nodded. Remus waved his wand a little, charming open the lock of the trunk. The lid opened slowly, but then a scabby, rotting hand appeared in the space and the room grew cold.
Harry couldn't remember the spell, couldn't remember what he was thinking as the candles flickered out one by one around him, as the sounds of his mothers screams filled his head. Then another memory sprung up, Sorrow kissing her husband and daughter goodbye as she awaited hee death at the hands of her rapist, her brother. That was the worst moment of her entire life, and she had faced it with strength and compassion beyond anything expected of Salazar Slytherin's sister.
"Expecto Patronum!"
He wasn't sure where he found the will, the words but Solace's smiling face filled his mind and a huge, white cloud exploded from his wand right before everything finally went black.
"Harry? Harry!"
His eyes flew open, his elbows and back sore from where he had apparently hit the floor hard. The dementor was gone, the candles alight but Harry felt sick, shaken. Remus helped him sit, then pushed a chocolate frog in his hand.
"Eat it, or Madam Pomfrey will be after both our blood."
Harry chewed obediently, swallowing thickly as the warmth edged through his system from the chocolate.
"That was one nasty dementor."
"Oh no, that was a boggart. The real thing will be much, much worse. But you managed something on your first try, that is astonishing magic Harry. What were you thinking about?"
He shook his head, unable to explain that he had used someone else's memories to tackle his own demons, struggling to his feet and wiping his mouth.
"Again."
This time he tried to use his own memories, but once the screaming started Harry couldn't help digging for any strength he could and spitting out the spell, producing a puff of white smoke that slowed the dementor like an irritating cobweb, then it was advancing again. When Harry scrambled for any sort of happy memory himself, the only times he could think involved Vlad and/or Hermione. Holding their faces at the forefront of his mind, Harry gripped his wand tighter.
"Expecto Patronum!"
Something more than smoke burst from his wand, brilliant white and glowing as the dementor was stopped completely in its tracks.
-YDHP-
If you want to post reviews guessing what Harry's patronus will be, you'll get an inbox message of confirmation if you get it right! (and are logged in to an account, obviously).
Again, I'm terribly sorry this went up late, I'm hoping my internet is fixed properly by the time I get this up.