The Leader

Chapter 3

Tipping Balance

Harry Apparated to the warehouse, to be confronted with Alan and the newcomer engaged in a duel. For a man who had been tortured and nearly died, he was a pretty impressive sight to behold. At the age of eleven, Harry had known Severus Snape wasn't a man he wanted to antagonise; he had been able to sense his power. Or thought he could, since the man fighting was showing his true powers, which were much greater than he thought. He was still recovering, like Lupin had stated; there were still scars present on his face and you could tell he was in pain. His body was stiff and un-cooperative; he was riding through it though, giving it the best he had. This was the kind of person he would normally allow to join his group, too bad he was firmly in Dumbledore's camp. To top it off, he could feel a sense of belonging at the touch of his magic.

"ENOUGH!" roared Harry, when more fatal curses began to fly around; his voice could have cut through steel.

Both men froze, as the intensity of Harry's magic held them in place, preventing them from casting another spell. Alan did so out of instinct, but Snape, however, was weakening, a dizzy spell overcoming him; he was pretty sure one of the cuts on his chest had opened up again.

Two large vampires came forward, grabbing the intruder, pushing him down onto his knees and holding him in place and removing his wand. Snape did not put up much of a fight, but those around him could see he wasn't capable of it. Alan stepped back, standing beside the chair Harry frequently used when dealing with intruders contritely. He was also slightly confused, he'd never been stopped from defending their territory before.

Severus grunted, preventing a groan of agony from escaping him; one of the vampires was pressing down harshly on his previously broken shoulder. The magic he'd felt pouring of the leader left him frozen, which he was thankful for, for otherwise he would have been panting. Such pure yet dark magic, he'd never felt anything like it. It called to him on a primal level that he couldn't ignore.

Harry stood there staring at the kneeling wizard, wondering what to do with him. Did he send him back to Dumbledore dead as a warning? Truthfully though, he'd never hurt an innocent; he'd spared those in opposing covens who hadn't fought him and had no plans on getting revenge. Each life was precious, but as he said to Lupin, if he went back on his word he would look weak, and if he looked weak, there were those who wouldn't be opposed to fighting him for territory. He'd created a ruthless reputation so no other dared even think about trying to usurp his position.

"Who would have thought I'd have Severus Snape of all people kneeling before me?" said Harry, his green eyes gleaming; he could get used to it. A person kneeling was an ordinary thing for him, but usually in the bedroom if he was in the mood to play.

Severus' head snapped up, how the hell did this stranger know who he was? Admittedly he had made enemies of nearly everyone around him. He had hoped this coven wouldn't know who he was, that he would die quickly; if he knew him…he knew he'd die in agony. He had known the second Dumbledore propose his new duty; he hadn't even been released from the hospital wing. He was a spy; he knew everything about Dumbledore and Voldemort. He hadn't expected Dumbledore to decide he didn't need him quite so soon after he woke up. In truth, he should have had plans in place, he just hadn't expected to be caught. Man, if he'd had the chance he wished he could kill Pettigrew with his bare hands.

"You knew," said Harry realizing Severus' actions, he'd come here prepared to die. He knew Dumbledore's game; he didn't know what infuriated him more. The weakness in the action or the fact the man believed he had no other option. "You knew you would be caught; one has to wonder why you didn't run instead." Stepping forward Harry touched his face, feeling the magic again. Curious, he'd never experienced anything like it before. Feeling aroused he snatched his fingers back, staring down at the man who defiantly stared up him. There was a glimmer in those black eyes, and Harry knew he was right.

Dear Merlin, he must be losing his mind, either that or he'd lost too much blood. There was no way he had enjoyed those hands on his face. He would probably be killed by him; to be honest he preferred a stranger over Dumbledore or Voldemort casting the fatal blow that would end his life. He was still curious about whom this vampire was; stunning as he may be, there was no way he'd been a student at Hogwarts. Dumbledore didn't allow creatures into the school, other than Lupin of course. The disgusting wolf trusted Dumbledore, and looked at him with such trust and devotion it sickened him to the core.

Harry cocked his head to the side, since when was Severus Snape quiet? The entire year he'd known him he'd had a scathing retort on his tongue ready to rip you to shreds. "No sardonic barb ready?" asked Harry standing back and sitting down on the seat, staring at him still.

Severus just stared blankly, not rising to the bait, his mind still drifting, trying to figure out who this vampire was. It seemed to him that he did know him from somewhere, if he knew how sarcastic he was. Either that or he had heard about him from someone else, perhaps he knew someone from Hogwarts? Dear Merlin he was so tired, he just wanted to close his eyes and sleep.

"You do not recognize me, do you?" questioned Harry, smirking viciously; he was supposed to be the most well-known person in the magical world ― yet nobody had ever recognized him.

Rick Apparated into the scene, surprised, staring between everyone there, before staring more closely at the prisoner. There was a magical strand woven between them; interesting, the yellow indicated an oath had been cast by this wizard, one of loyalty to their Leader. Harry's pulse was gold, indicating it wasn't just an oath but a Vow. Walking over, he bent down and whispered his findings to him. The others all heard, needless to say it caused some more curiosity to ignite in the close group. They had a feeling that this man wouldn't die tonight; no way, their leader would try and find out everything before dealing with him. They knew him well.

Harry raised an eyebrow, curious now; why on earth would Severus Snape swear a vow of loyalty to him?

"Should I?" sneered Severus, his black eyes boring into Harry's.

"Indeed," said Harry parroting Severus' favourite word back to him. Watching him intently, Harry thought he looked ready to pass out. "You accused me of being very much like my father…what do you think now?" he said coldly.

Whether Severus Snape heard or not, was anyone's guess, as he chose that very moment to fall unconscious. His body hadn't finished healing yet, it shouldn't have surprised anyone. Only the hands holding him prevented him from smashing his already injured head against the concrete floor.

"Sir? What should we do with him?" asked Howard, his long brown hair tied up. He was extremely large, and as a human he'd been a body builder. His companion looked pretty similar in build, and could have been his brother if not for the glaring differences in origin. Howard was English, but Takumi was Japanese.

Harry stared at the unconscious wizard, his face impassive, giving none of his thoughts away. What to do? What to do? That was the question, and truthfully he didn't know. He really should just kill him and be done with it, he had warned Dumbledore. On the other hand, Snape was a Potions Master and he knew more about Voldemort and Dumbledore, two wizard he was going to have to deal with. He would be extremely useful to have around... Then there was the vow and the feeling it evoked when Severus did magic or when he touched him. He didn't normally arouse so easily either. He had been betrayed by both Dumbledore and Voldemort; Snape was a Slytherin, so it shouldn't take much to ignite the fire he knew the wizard possessed. There was also the chance of betrayal, and that thought didn't sit well with him.

"I'm taking him with me," stated Harry frostily.

"Yes, sir," said Howard, slowly lowering the wizard before going back into the warehouse where they had been before the commotion drew their attention outside.

Rubbing at his chin, Harry remained there staring at Snape, having a feeling things were about to change.

"If Brecon returns here, let him know where I am," stated Harry firmly.

"Yes, sir," said Alan still standing behind him.

"Did you come for a reason, Rick?" asked Harry, realizing he had forgotten someone.

"There has been curious activity all around London, the wizards aren't even being subtle in searching for you, sir," said Rick, his ginger hair pulled back. In fact when Harry first met him, he'd reminded him of Ronald Weasley, a boy he'd known at Hogwarts before he left. Rick was one of the few who knew him before he'd become the leader.

"Let them," said Harry wryly, "You know what to do if they try and get in here."

Alan twitched, that's exactly what he had been doing when he was stopped. Although it might have been a good thing, the wizard had sworn an oath of loyalty to their leader. They could always use someone of Snape's power within their ranks; he was powerful, even injured he'd been giving him a run for his money.

"And Alan?" said Harry as he stood up.

"Yes sir?" he asked.

"Impressive spell work," said Harry smirking in amusement as he knelt down beside the unconscious wizard. Apparating the two of them away he could see the look of prideful shock on the Incubus' face. He didn't reward with praise unless it was well deserved; both of them had been impressive. None more than Snape admittedly, he had been the one injured after all.

"Wingardium Leviosa," said Harry, using only his hand as he levitated the wizard, moving him to the bed and placing him on top of the covers. Removing the clothes, letting magic fold them at the bottom of the bed, he saw the raw extent of how injured the wizard was. He winced, he truly was bad off, and for the first time in a long while he actually felt sorry for someone.

"Dobby?" ordered Harry curtly.

"Yes, sir?" asked Dobby appearing, his eyes widening at the state of the wizard in his Master's bedroom.

"I want you to go to Hogwarts, and retrieve five blood rejuvenators, five level ten pain relievers, seven calming draughts, ten dreamless sleeping potions and a vial of dittany…" stated Harry.

"Master Harry has dittany in the potions lab, sir, the plant grows in the green house and Dobby harvests it," said the House Elf.

"Nix that, four tubs of salve to heal and remove scars, six if they are small. Add a few Pepper-up Potions and a bottle of Veritaserum; you will not find this in the hospital wing, it will most likely be in either the store cupboard of Severus Snape's personal potions lab or private chambers," replied Harry, wondering for a few seconds if there was anything else he could use. He could think of nothing, so he nodded and added an additional order.

"Go, do not be seen, and under no circumstances is anyone to be aware of your presence there. If the cupboards are warded, return without the potions," stated Harry. Not that Dobby could betrayal him, which he didn't want to for some reason―the bond would prevent it.

"Yes, sir!" said Dobby, his green eyes gleaming; he wouldn't let his Master down. He popped out of his Master's bedroom, to do as he'd been bid.

Knowing that Dobby would take at least ten minutes, he headed down the stairs to where he knew Lupin was still waiting. Opening the door to his living room, he caused Remus to jump, fear clear in his amber eyes, along with a good dose of betrayal. Harry narrowed his eyes and curled his lip; if anyone should feel betrayed it should be him.

"You said you'd never hurt an innocent," said Remus his voice slightly croaked.

"That man is hardly an innocent," sneered Harry coldly.

"Is?" whispered Remus, his amber eyes brightening considerably.

He was smart, despite the fact he was sickeningly loyal to the fool Dumbledore. "Indeed, he's up the stairs," replied Harry bluntly.

"Will you please take the spell off me that stops me talking about you? Every day Sirius dies a little inside…" begged Remus.

"Do you take me for a fool?" snapped Harry, his green eyes flashing in anger.

"Can I bring him here then?" asked Remus in defeat. "Please, he's your godfather!"

"And?" commented Harry coolly.

"What?" said Remus, taken aback; clearly it wasn't the response he'd been hoping for.

"Both of you are light wizards I am not; you believed me to be a liar, it took you a year to see the real man behind the masks he's concocted…and you still believe me worse than Dumbledore even now," replied Harry frostily.

"I don't think you worse than him," said Remus sadly. "I just don't understand you; how you became this young man you are…"

"Hardly surprising is it? You were never around," sneered Harry.

"No, no I wasn't," admitted Remus sighing in misery. "Can't you at least give him a chance to choose? You did it with me!"

Harry cocked his head to the side. He was a Black, and innately dark, he had just decided to follow the light. If it stopped Lupin from annoying him, and perhaps gained another for his coven, why not? It had its advantages and disadvantages…he just didn't know which course to go. It certainly couldn't hurt; he would be using the same spell he'd used on Lupin at the end of the day. He wasn't about to let Dumbledore find out about him, not until his hold was complete.

"Will it get you to stop whining?" asked Harry as if he'd not yet made up his mind.

"Yes," said Remus sheepishly, feeling like a child all of a sudden.

"Fine, but I say when he comes," stated Harry impassively. "Now leave, I do not want Dumbledore becoming suspicious." Who knows how he tracked the Order members; although his house was Unplottable, he wouldn't put it past Dumbledore to have created something that made the Unplottable Plottable.

"May I come back?" asked Remus.

Harry sighed in exasperation, there was suddenly no getting rid of the wizard now ― how he was regretting trying to recruit the werewolf. He felt the wards alert him to the fact Dobby was back; he had to get back to his no doubt rather unwilling house guest.

"Please," begged Remus, it seemed begging was the only way to get through to him.

"Fine," snapped Harry, "Just bloody leave before I make you." Grumbling under his breath he went back up the stairs, hoping that Dobby had succeeded, otherwise he would have to pay for Potions and he had no doubt they'd be wholly inadequate. Stepping into the room, he saw to his pride that Dobby had succeeded.

"Well done, Dobby, you may go," said Harry impassively. Praising two people in one day? Well that was new. Giving in to Lupin…was he losing his touch? No, he wasn't and damned if he let anyone think otherwise.

"YES, SIR!" squeaked Dobby beaming at him, positively smitten. His Master didn't say words like that often, but when he did it made Dobby feel over the moon. With that he popped away; it was nearly lunch time and they had a house guest, he had two meals to make.

Thanks for all your hard work on editing this Jordre :)