Author Note- Hello! This chapter is heavy and was difficult to write but, I always knew this was where the story was headed. I hope you enjoy the new chapter. Leave me a review and let me know what you think.
Song inspirations for this chapter- Under the stars- John Legend (Sirius & Remus), Comfortably Numb- Pink Floyd (Harry)
Songs referenced- Dancing in the Moonlight-King Harvest, Blue Moon- Frank Sinatra, Werewolf of London- Warren Zevon, Bad Moon Rising- Creedence Clearwater Revival
Chapter 56
High Moon and Horcruxes
Remus took long slow breaths as he stood on the porch of the cottage. He only had a few minutes left until he needed to shift for the full moon. His anxiety was high, and he couldn't settle at all. When they had discussed it with Severus, he hypothesized that the worst that could happen was that this transformation would be like he had experienced before wolfsbane. It was not a comforting thought.
Transformations unmedicated, as he thought of it, were painful and dangerous. Sirius would be with him to hopefully keep him safe, but that was not a guarantee. He could do plenty of damage to himself or Sirius and that scared him.
There was also not a zero percent chance that something unexpected could happen. Like the moon could reactivate the curse and undo their work. He could die. Even something worse that none of them had considered. He wasn't regretting his choice, but that didn't mean he wasn't terrified.
He had spent the afternoon locked away in their bedroom, writing letters. He had felt a bit like a dying man saying goodbye. If the worst happened though, he wanted to have it all written down. Sirius had tried to get him out, but he just hadn't felt up to it.
When he had finally emerged from the bedroom, he had felt his heart flutter at the sight that had met him. The lights had been dimmed and Sirius had the table set for a candlelight dinner. He'd even covered the table in flower petals.
Remus smiled at the gesture. Sirius had wrapped him in a tight hug and whispered how much he loved him in his ear. Told him that no matter what happened he would always love him.
They ate dinner in a comfortable silence. Sharing soft touches and loving looks. When they had finished Sirius had pulled him gently to the bedroom and they'd made love. It was slow and gentle. Remus had felt like Sirius had poured every ounce of love he felt into every soft kiss and loving caress.
Remus had showered and headed to the porch, where he now stood waiting for Sirius. They planned to walk to the woods and transform. If he was able to stay in control like Harry had theorized, then they would sleep under the stars. Hopefully, they would be well rested to collect Harry tomorrow.
If something went wrong…
Remus cut himself off.
He couldn't keep thinking of the worst case.
Comforting arms wrapped around his waist. Sirius kissed the back of his neck then nuzzled his ear.
"It'll be okay, Remy." Sirius whispered softly.
Remus took a deep breath and nodded.
"I hope so." Remus said, staring out into the dark woods around the property.
Sirius released him and slid his hand into Remus' hand, lacing their fingers together. Sirius smiled and pulled his hand a little before they set off across the clearing.
"If things go wrong, there are letters in my desk." Remus said quietly.
Sirius sighed noisily.
"Moony, nothing's going to go wrong. Worst case is it doesn't work, and we have a night running wild, like we used to as kids." Sirius said with a grin.
Remus smiled back, though he was still anxious.
When they reached the edge of the woods Sirius stepped in front of Remus and took both of his hands.
He began to twist his hips and move there hands back and forth.
"We get it on most every night," Sirius began to sing.
Remus smiled as Sirius twisted them a little more.
"And when that old moon gets so big and bright. It's a supernatural delight. Everybody was dancing in the moonlight" Sirius sang louder, and Remus chuckled.
"Everybody here is out of sight. They don't bark and they don't bite. They keep things loose; they keep things light. Everybody was dancing in the moonlight." Sirius continued.
Remus raised an eyebrow at the line about barking and biting. Sirius chuckled a little but kept singing.
"Dancing in the moonlight. Everybody's feeling warm and bright. It's such a fine and natural sight. Everybody's dancing in the moonlight." Sirius sang loudly before trailing off.
Remus smiled widely at Sirius. He hadn't heard that song in years. It had been even longer since he had heard Sirius sing it to him. The marauders all had little songs that they used to sing about the moon. It kept the mood light when they were waiting for the moon to rise. Sirius liked Dancing in the moonlight and Blue moon. James had taken to singing Werewolf of London, though he couldn't sing, and they often joked about it. Peter liked Bad Moon Rising and had often sung it as they would walk from the castle to the forbidden forest.
"We've got this Remus. I promise I will be with you every minute, no matter what happens. I love you. Forever." Sirius said with a smile.
Remus felt a lump form in his throat.
"Forever." Remus repeated.
Sirius pulled Remus into a tight hug and just held him for a long moment. Remus felt his body relax into Sirius and he wished he could just stay there in Sirius' comforting arms.
Sirius pulled back a little and kissed him softly. Remus smiled at the loving and gentle way Sirius was treating him. It was slightly out of character for Sirius, who was usually loud and passionate. He felt his heart swell and hoped that more moments would be like this.
Sirius pulled away and leaned his forehead against Remus'.
"Are you ready?" Sirius murmured.
Remus closed his eyes and breathed in deeply, taking in Sirius scent. He smelt like leather and spicy cologne. It was very comforting and familiar. He smiled gently and nodded.
"Yeah." Remus whispered.
Sirius gave him a reassuring nod and stepped away. He then popped into padfoot, and Remus smiled. He reached out and gently pet the top of his head before he also shifted.
Harry sat on the floor next to his bed twirling his pocketknife. It had taken him mere seconds to break the charm Sirius had put on it. He had Regulus journal open on the floor in front of him. His mind was fuzzy with alcohol and his thoughts kept drifting back to the past few days.
He had killed two people.
He truly couldn't justify it to himself. They had been committing unforgiveable crimes. They had been trying to do as much damage as they possibly could. But what lie had they been fed to get them there?
Regulus had not genuinely wanted to be involved. Draco had run away the moment he could. Snape had become a spy.
Was there a chance that those people could have been saved? Were their lives somehow worth less?
The guilt twisted in his chest.
Harry sighed and shook his head, raising the flask to his lips and taking another sip.
His mind drifted to the Boggart he had run across. His recent conversation with Snape and then the uncomfortable one he'd had with Sirius and Remus had left him feeling raw. He'd had so many bad memories for the false Dementor to feed on.
He'd remembered something that he had forgotten, or perhaps something that had been hidden in his mind like the other memories that had come back this summer.
It had made everything feel worse and he just couldn't seem to push it away. He tipped his head back on the bed and blinked back tears.
Seeing his parents' graves had been the final kick. He just wanted to be with them. He wanted to be freed from this constant torment.
His mind played the voices coming out of the locket in the chamber. His friends telling him he was worthless and a burden. That he wasn't good enough.
He thought of the last time he'd looked in the mirror of Erised. He hadn't known then that Sirius and Remus were his parents, he had just so desperately wanted to be cared for by them. He felt selfish for not just being happy about that news. He'd seen the broken look on Sirius face when he had explained how he felt.
He wanted it so bad, but he was so afraid to believe it was anything more than a mirage. Something that would vanish the moment he reached out for it.
A sob bubbled out.
Why was this his life?
He looked down at the knife in his hand and flicked the blade open. He twisted it side to side and looked at the glint of light on the blade. With a sigh he pulled up his sleeve and stared at his arm. He traced the edge of the knife over the long scar, wishing he could just push.
With a frustrated sigh he closed the blade and set the knife next to the flask. Then he picked up Regulus journal. He had to find out what was in his head. Perhaps it would give him an idea of how to take down Voldemort. He wanted this war to end. He wanted to be done. It ached deep in his bones; this need for all of this to be over.
Severus, Minerva, and Albus all pulled out of the Pensive for the fourth time. They seemed to be going on a trail of memories that Albus had collected about the Dark Lord. The first had been the day he met a young Tom Riddle. The next had been from fifty or so years ago when Tom Riddle had pointed the finger at Hagrid for opening the chamber of secrets. Something Albus still had yet to elaborate on.
Severus was thankful Harry had explained his experience. It helped answer some of the questions he certainly would have had. He wished he had been given the chance to update Minerva before this.
Although he supposed he should speak with Harry before doing so. He didn't want Harry to think he had further betrayed his trust.
They had then watched the Dark Lord confront a man named Morfin Gaunt. And finally, they had watched a memory of The Dark Lord discovering two of the founders' objects.
Severus wasn't sure what the connection was, but he was getting an uncomfortable feeling in his stomach.
He knew that Albus had one last memory for them to watch.
"This last one I was only able to collect recently. The former version of it had been modified and it took significant persuasion on my part to get this unaltered version. I had to bargain away one of our safe houses, but I believe it was worth it. You will both recognize the subject of our next memory, and I ask that you do not judge him too harshly." Albus explained.
Severus' brows creased. He would hold his judgement for now. However, he would not allow the old man to decide for him if the subject of the memory should be judged or not.
They all lowered their heads into the pensive and Severus immediately recognized the dungeons. A young Tom Riddle and Professor Slughorn stood in the room. Horace had still looked the same, though Severus knew this was years before he had ever met the man.
"I was in the library the other night, in the restricted section and I read something rather odd. About a bit of rare magic. It's called, as I understand it, a Horcrux." Tom said.
Severus felt like a rock had just dropped into his stomach.
"I beg your pardon?" Horace sputtered. Confusion clear on his face.
"Horcrux, I came across the term while reading. And I didn't fully understand it." Tom said.
"I don't know what you're reading Tom. But this is very dark stuff. Very dark indeed." Horace said.
Severus stomach clenched. He had also come across the term. Though he had never sought much more information. It was the most twisted and vile thing he had ever heard of.
"Which is why I came to you." Tom responded.
"A Horcrux is an object in which a person has concealed part of their soul." Horace said shakily.
Severus fought down the bile in his throat.
"But I don't understand how that works." Tom said, walking closer to Horace.
"One splits one soul and hides part of it in an object. By doing so you are protected, should you be attacked, and your body destroyed." Horus explained.
Severus wanted to reach out and strike the man. If the Dark Lord didn't know, it was for the best. How a teacher had so casually explained something so horrid to a student was reprehensible.
"Protected?" Tom asked.
"The part of your soul lives on. In other words, you cannot die." Horace explained.
Severus closed his eyes for a moment as those words sunk in. The Dark Lord sought immortality. Surely that was why he had lived after the night in Godric's Hollow. How he was able to be resurrected.
"But how does one split his soul, sir?" Tom asked, staring into the fire.
"I think you already know the answer to that, Tom." Horace said, concern growing in his voice.
"Murder." Tom said thoughtfully.
"Yes." Horace answered.
"Killing rips the soul apart. It's a violation against nature." Horace explained.
Severus swallowed thickly. If the Dark lord had made a Horcrux they may never be able to defeat him.
There was a long pause and then Tom spoke again.
"Can you only split the soul once? For instance, into seven?" Tom asked.
Severus felt like his heart was going to pound out of his chest and stop all at the same time.
"Seven! Merlin's beard Tom. Isn't it bad enough to consider killing one person? To rip the soul into seven pieces!" Horace gasped.
Severus had to agree. If the Dark Lord had accomplished this, he was truly immortal. There was no way that they would be able to locate so many objects. Especially unknown objects, hidden in unknown locations.
"This is all hypothetical isn't it, Tom? All academic?" Horace said, fear clear in his voice.
Tom turned and smiled.
Severus felt a chill run down his spine.
"Of course, Sir. It will be our little secret." Tom said.
The memory faded and they once again found themselves in Albus office.
Severus shot an alarmed look at Minerva. When Albus had said he had information about the war, neither of them had expected something like this.
"Albus." Minerva said in a pleading tone.
Her face said enough. She was begging him to tell her he hadn't succeeded. That it hadn't happened.
Albus made his way back to his chair and Severus and Minerva followed. They all sat quietly for a few moments absorbing what they had just heard.
"He succeeded, didn't he? Not just once." Minerva said quietly.
Albus nodded and Severus felt like vomiting.
"I believe he did in fact break his soul multiple times and proceeded with creating several Horcruxes." Albus said solemnly.
Rage flared in Severus, and he stood up pushing the chair back.
"And you're just telling us this now. The man could have used anything. For all we know it's random rocks in the forbidden forest! Grains of sand on the beach! They could literally be anything and anywhere. And we can't defeat him without them!" Severus shouted as he stormed around the office.
"We are doomed Albus! Do you understand that?! He has already won the war!" Severus growled, glaring at Albus.
Minerva looked close to tears and Albus looked resigned.
"I believe I know the location of one such object. I know that one has already been destroyed. I also have suspicions about what the other Horcruxes may be." Albus said firmly.
Severus sighed and looked at Minerva. He needed reassurance and he was thankful to find It in her.
"I plan to collect the object I think I know the location of at the end of summer. I would appreciate one or both of you accompanying me. I foresee heavy defenses." Albus said.
Severus brought both hands to his head and ran his fingers through his hair. He looked at the high ceiling and prayed for patience.
With a sigh he made his way back to the chair he had vacated. He sat heavily and stared at the old man in front of him.
"Very well, Albus. Explain what you know and what you think you know. Do not hold anything back. If you expect us to help you, we will need all the information." Severus said.
Remus followed Padfoot into the trees. They had found a small meadow on one of their walks and hoped to spend the full moon there.
Padfoot exited into the meadow and turned to Remus who was still at the edge. Suddenly, Padfoot lowered his upper body. His ears perked up and his tail wagged. Remus would have rolled his eyes in human form. Padfoot wanted to play.
A bark and a full body shake came next, and Remus slowly walked into the meadow. Padfoot pounced and soon they were rolling around in the wildflowers.
Remus howled and chased Padfoot as they ran through the soft grass.
Abruptly Remus stopped. His whole body felt tingly and itchy. He barked to get Padfoot's attention, then looked up into the sky in time to see the moon rise above them.
Padfoot ran right up to him and started sniffing and nosing at him. Remus growled low. The feeling wasn't painful, but it was highly uncomfortable. Like having sand in your shoe. In fact, it was like he was covered in sand. Like small particles were coming out of his skin next to each hair on his body. He whined and Padfoot backed away a little.
Remus flopped on his side and twisted trying to scratch his back on the ground.
Padfoot whined and walked closer. Remus yipped and rolled back onto his stomach before his back leg came up and began scratching at his side. Padfoot yipped back and started rubbing against him.
Slowly the feeling began to fade, and he lay exhausted from all the itching. Padfoot was curled up with him. If this was as bad as it was going to get, it had all been worth it.
Remus slowly closed his eyes. He was thankful to have his human mind. He knew who he was, where he was, and what was happening. It wasn't any different than being in his Animagus form, other than this unholy itching.
Padfoot licked at his fur in comfort. Remus nuzzled Padfoot's side and huffed as he settled into have a nap.
Horcrux.
Harry read the word over and over hoping it would disappear. Maybe if he closed his eyes it would change. Perhaps he had misunderstood the definition.
His eyes scanned the explanation in the Dark Arts book. Then flicked back to the journal entry to make sure that Horcrux is what Regulus had written.
His chest felt tight, like he was being crushed.
Horcrux. He'd just run across the word in Regulus' journal and had not known what he was talking about. When he looked it up, he thought he was going to be sick. Regulus had explained that Voldemort had taken Kreacher and tested the defenses of his Horcrux. When Kreacher had come back hurt and delusional, Regulus had been livid. His writing was scratchy and hard to read. He'd applied too much pressure to his quill and made several small punctures in the pages.
Regulus had devised a way to steal the Horcrux. He planned to leave at night fall. He was going to switch the locket with a Black family heirloom.
Given the defenses Kreacher has described I do not think I will return. I will gladly die to make sure this abomination is destroyed. I hope that Voldemort knows that it was I who discovered his secret.
Sirius,
I wish I could see you one last time. I love you, my brother. I always have. I will be forever regretful that I did not do more to avoid this path that I have found myself on. Know that you are always on my mind, and I hope that you safely see your way through this war.
I will not see you again, but know that I leave this world with nothing but love for you.
I must leave now. Should I fail to get the locket I have left instructions at the bottom of this page to obtain it.
Should Kreacher be unable to destroy the Horcrux, I have instructed him to hide it with this book in hopes that it will be destroyed one day.
Goodbye
-Regulus Arcturus Black
Harry closed the book and stared blankly across the room.
Regulus had died trying to destroy part of Voldemort. Part that Harry himself had destroyed in the Chamber of Secrets on Saturday. Along with two more parts.
His hand shook as he raised it to his forehead. Part of Voldemort was living in his scar.
His stomach rolled and he sprang to his feet. Darting down the hall he threw open the bathroom door. He fell heavily to his knees in front of the toilet and vomited violently. The taste was horrendous. His stomach was full of nothing but peach vodka.
Tears rolled down his face and a choked sob forced its way out.
"Harry?" Draco said softly from the doorway.
Harry sat back on his heels and looked at Draco. His mind felt lost and blurry from the alcohol. He forced himself to focus as Draco made his way into the bathroom.
Draco kneeled in front of him.
"What happened? Did you have another vision?" Draco asked in concern.
Harry just shook his head. He didn't even have the words to describe what was happening.
"Do you want some water?" Draco asked.
Harry just shook his head and stared blankly over Draco's shoulder. He didn't want water. He didn't want anything. He wanted to destroy Voldemort.
His brain slowly processed that thought and he realized that it was what the prophecy had meant. It didn't need to be Harry that killed Voldemort.
It had meant that Voldemort couldn't be killed while Harry was still alive. Because as long as he was alive, part of Voldemort would continue to live inside his head.
A strange relief washed over him at that realization. He could be free.
He smiled at Draco then laughed. It wasn't happiness that caused the laugh but relief that he would no longer have to face all of this.
Draco gave him a concerned look.
"I'm fine Draco. Just too much to drink." Harry tried to reassure.
"You sure?" Draco asked, his brow creased deeper in continued concern.
Harry smiled again and nodded.
Draco stood and held out his hand. Harry took it and Draco pulled him to his feet. He was unsteady, but slowly regained his balance.
He flushed the toilet and staggered to the sink. He did not look at his reflection. He couldn't. He knew what he would see. Part of Voldemort's soul writhing in his scar. It was disgusting. He washed his hands and shakily walked out of the bathroom.
"Are you sure you're alright?" Draco asked.
"Yup." Harry said as he grabbed the wall and walked back to his door.
He smiled once more over his shoulder at Draco and closed his door.
Harry stumbled to his trunk and locked away Regulus Journal and the dark arts books. Everything was back in the box with the destroyed Horcruxes. He put it away as he had before, locked away inside his old trunk, then hidden in the compartment of his new trunk.
He looked around his room and found nothing else to be out of place.
He smiled again and grabbed his bag. He shrunk his trunk and placed it inside with the cloak and the map.
He retrieved the book that he had bought at the Book Nook today. He had found what he was looking for earlier but flipped to the page to confirm. He closed one eye to focus on what it said as his vision swam.
With a nod he grabbed a pen from the bottom of his bag and wrote in the margins. When he was done he waved his hand and banished the book to Snapes office.
With a sigh he pulled his cigarettes and the vial of Draught of Peace from his bag. He set both on his bed and shrunk his bag before shoving it in his pocket for the last time.
He rolled his shoulders and collected his knife and flask from the floor. Then he made his way to the small window. With some effort he was able to push the window open. He sat on the windowsill and looked out into the night. He smiled up at the full moon and hoped Remus was doing all right.
The thought was gone as fast as it had come. He opened the pack of cigarettes and placed one between his lips. Lighting it he took a long drag.
When he blew out the grey cloud of smoke, he brought the flask to his lips one last time and drank what was left. He tossed the flask back on the bed and popped the cork on the vial of potion. The cork flew off and rolled under his bed. He shrugged his indifference as it disappeared. Raising the vial to his lips, he took a small sip.
Taking a deep breath, he felt calm wash over him. The draught of peace worked quickly. He put the cigarette back between his lips and held it there. Smoking out the side of his mouth, as he flipped open his knife.
The hesitation from earlier was all but gone. He pushed up his sleeve and pressed the blade into the scar running up his left wrist. He vaguely thought about the day he had gotten it, but the draught of peace was forcing those thoughts away. Blood began to run down his arm.
He pushed his other sleeve up and repeated the process. The relief flooded his body knowing that soon this would be over. The blood dripped slowly onto his pants.
He put the cigarette out on the windowsill and climbed down. His head spun as he stumbled to the end of his bed. He sat on the floor and leaned against the bed. Raising the vial of draught of peace to his lips again, he slowly drank the rest of it.
As he leaned his head back on the bed the world around him began to fade in and out. He could feel the warm trickle of blood on his hands. The sensations of his body seemed to be heightened. His long hair tickled his cheek, and he could feel the coolness of the old wood floor under him.
A sound grabbed his focus. A creek of floorboards, he thought. His eyes opened and his brow creased as he looked into the familiar face of Hermione.
She smiled at him softly and he smiled back. His head lolled to the side, and he saw Ron.
Harry let out a hollow chuckle. A part of his brain told him he was hallucinating from the draught of peace, but he didn't care. Having his friends here with him was comforting. He probably should have said goodbye, he thought absently.
There was another noise. But he couldn't be bothered with it. He let his eyes slide close. A new sensation brought his eyes open again.
His body had slid to the floor, and he was now looking up at the ceiling. It was rather boring.
It was becoming harder to keep his eyes open.
He caught glimpses of Fred and George giving him peaceful smiles and he wondered if he would see his parents too. He hoped he would be with them when this was over.
He felt something different. Someone touched him. A voice that sounded too far away.
He opened his eyes and saw Snape. He wasn't smiling. His eyes were wide with fear, and he was saying something.
He looked over Snapes shoulder and saw Malfoy, he looked upset.
Slytherins were too serious, he thought blandly as his vision blurred a little at the edges.
He smiled as he saw his parents standing next to Snape. His mother stepped closer and seemed to be laying her hand on Snapes shoulder.
He blinked and thought it was nice. He wished his mum knew how sad her death had made Snape.
Snape was saying something. It didn't matter what it was. Though he thought maybe he was saying stay. Harry didn't want to stay. He was ready to go.
He closed his eyes and felt weightless.
He was numb to everything around him. He felt no pain and no fear.
Severus sighed as he stepped out of the floo and into the sitting room. He couldn't believe what Albus had told them. The man seemed to think that several of the Horcruxes were in founders lost objects. Which Severus had pointed out was not helpful at all. Such items could still be anywhere.
He was sure that one of the Dark Lords Horcruxes was hidden in the Gaunt house, and he intended to go before term began. Severus had grudgingly agreed to accompany him. He would not let the old man go on such a dangerous mission alone. Despite his mixed feelings this summer about him, Albus was a mentor to him, and he did not want to see him die.
Severus looked up at a sound coming from down the hall. He pulled his wand, though he suspected it was just one of the boys. He'd hoped they'd both be in bed by now.
He looked into the hall and saw nothing. Another sound led him to the kitchen. Severus looked into the kitchen and saw Draco standing by the sink.
"Draco." Severus called.
Draco turned and faced him. He held two glasses of water in his hands.
"What's going on?" Severus asked, walking further into the dark kitchen.
"Harry got sick. I was just going to bring him some water." Draco said softly.
Severus brow creased in concern.
"Did he have another vision?" Severus asked.
Draco shrugged his shoulder.
"He said no, but I don't know. He seemed really upset." Draco answered.
Severus nodded. He knew Harry was having a challenging time. He wondered if taking him to Godric's Hollow had been the right choice.
"You should go to bed. I'll check on Harry." Severus said stepping closer to take one of the waters.
"Okay." Draco said.
Severus nose crinkled at the smell. Draco had alcohol on his breath.
"Have you been drinking?" Severus asked.
Even in the low light he could see the blush on Draco's cheeks.
Severus pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Was Harry drinking?" Severus asked.
Draco looked at the floor and nodded.
Severus groaned.
"How much did you drink?" Severus asked.
Draco shrugged.
"How much did Harry drink?" Severus asked, his voice starting to rise slightly.
"I don't know, Sev. Honestly. We played cards and were sipping on a flask Potter had." Draco explained.
Severus lips pinched tight. He should have confronted Harry about the alcohol when he'd smelt it at the street fair.
"And you said Harry was sick. You realize he could have alcohol poisoning. You're an observant person Draco. Have you not noticed Harry is a head shorter then you and easily sixty pounds lighter?" Severus growled.
Draco looked at him with alarm.
"I'm sorry. I was trying to take his mind off everything that's happened recently. I thought a game and a drink would help us both. You know, just a little bit of normal." Draco said softly.
Severus relaxed his shoulders. It wasn't Draco's fault that Harry was medically fragile. He should have known better then to be drinking but that could be addressed later.
"Take your water and go to bed. Will be discussing your drinking tomorrow." Severus said firmly, though his voice was no longer raised.
Draco nodded and set one glass down on the counter.
Severus walked out of the kitchen behind Draco.
He hoped he would not have to monitor Harry all night for alcohol poisoning. He was allergic to one of the ingredients in a standard sober-up potion.
Severus knocked on the door and waited. There was a soft noise, but Harry didn't answer. He wondered if he had already gone to bed. He didn't think so, as the light was still on in his room.
Severus knocked again and waited. He didn't want to invade Harry space, but he wouldn't risk Harry aspirating on his own vomit if he was too intoxicated.
When there was still no answer he turned the knob and pushed the door open. He noticed the bed was empty and then he felt like the world stopped spinning.
Harry was laying on the floor at the end of his bed. All Severus could see was red.
"No." He gasped, and he rushed to Harry's side.
"No!" He bellowed again as he rolled Harry onto his back.
Severus looked down at Harry's arms and saw blood spilling out everywhere. He was covered in it.
"Sev?" Draco called from the door.
"Shit!" Draco gasped as he raced to Severus' side.
Severus grasped Harry's wrist to apply pressure.
"Go to the lab. Bring me all the blood replenisher you can find." Severus ordered.
Draco was frozen to the spot next to him and he wanted to scream.
Then his eye caught something on the floor next to Harry.
"Draco, what is that?" Severus said nodding to the blood covered object next to Harry.
Draco bent down and picked it up. He turned it and looked at the label.
"Draught of peace." Draco read.
"Fuck!" Severus growled.
"Blood replenisher and a Bezoar. Hurry Draco." Severus ordered.
Draco ran from the room and Severus looked back at the pale child in his hands.
Harry's eyes flickered open a little and he smiled.
"Harry, I need you to stay awake. Please Harry! Stay with me." Severus all but shouted.
His heart was pounding. He should have known. He should have seen it. Harry wasn't doing well. They all knew it and they had just left him alone.
Harry's eyes rolled a little and he mumbled something. Severus lowered his head closer to Harry to hear what he was saying.
"Mum." Harry mumbled softly.
Severus felt hot tears spill down his face. His body shook as he heard Draco running back up the stairs.
Harry's eyes slid closed, and Severus desperately tried to shake him.
"Harry! Harry! Please stay awake!" Severus cried.
The boy felt limp in his arms.
Draco landed hard on his knees next to Severus and uncorked the first vial. He brushed Harry's long hair out of his face and poured the vial into his mouth. Harry gasped and sputtered. His body began to shake and then contract. Severus realized he was going to vomit.
"Move Draco." Severus said as he rolled Harry to his side just in time.
He needed help, he thought in alarm.
He released Harry's arms, and the blood began to flow freely once again. Severus pulled his wand from his robes, getting Harry's blood on everything.
He waved his wand and conjured bandages to wrap around one wrist then the other. Then he scooped Harry into his arms and stood.
"Follow me to the floo." Severus ordered before storming out of the room.
"I need you to floo to the headmaster's office and tell him I need Pomfrey immediately." Severus instructed as they entered the sitting room.
Draco nodded and grabbed a handful of floo powder from the pot on the mantle, spilling some on the carpet. He tossed it into the fireplace and Severus called out.
"Hospital wing, Hogwarts."
Severus rushed from Poppy's office and laid Harry on the nearest bed. He ran to the potion's cupboard.
"Dammit!" Severus yelled as his shaking and blood wet hands dropped a vial of potion that exploded on the floor.
There was a pop behind him, and Severus was relieved to see Poppy, Albus, and Draco.
Severus gathered the potions and ran back across the hospital wing.
"What Happened?" Poppy asked in alarm, as she raised her wand and began waving it over Harry.
"He tried to kill himself. There are long cuts on both arms that I have bandaged but are still bleeding profusely. He has consumed and overdose of Draught of Peace and also possibly has alcohol poisoning." Severus listed off as he waved his wand over the first vial and spelled the blood replenisher into Harry's stomach.
Severus was thankful to see that Albus had pulled Draco away from the bed. He didn't need to see this.
"He's not breathing." Poppy said urgently.
Severus cast a breathing spell over Harry and watched as his chest began to rise and lower. The spell would keep oxygen going to his body.
They worked for hours filling the boy with potions and casting monitoring spells. Each arm took multiple spells to finally get the wounds to close.
Severus finally collapsed in a chair next to the bed when Harry was stable. The shock of the situation left him shaking.
They had failed Harry.
The boy was deathly pale from blood loss and only the spell kept him breathing. They could only hope now that his body and magic would fight to keep him going.
Poppy had gone to the bathroom to clean off and Severus just stared at the blood covering his hands and clothing.
Harry's bed and clothing were also covered in it.
"Severus." Albus called from beside him.
Severus looked up to Albus. He felt at a loss as to what to say.
"How did this happen?" Albus asked. His sad gaze remained fixed on Harry's limp form.
Severus wanted to laugh or scream. 'How had this happened?' It was a ludicrous question. Albus was at fault weather he knew it now or not. Had the boy been placed with proper guardians, perhaps he wouldn't have been in this state. If Albus had protected Harry from a single danger he had faced after coming to the wizarding world, perhaps this wouldn't have happened.
They had all failed him. They were all to blame for this. Harry had been forced to live a life of constant cruelty from the time he was a year old. That was how this had happened. They had finally failed Harry for the last time, and he had given up. That is how this had happened.
Severus glared at Albus and said nothing.
"The moon will be setting soon. Sirius and Remus should be informed." Severus finally said.
Albus' eyes fell on Severus, and he nodded solemnly.
"Send Minerva. She should know what is going on as well." Severus said softly, looking back to Harry.
Severus briefly looked over and saw that Draco was asleep on one of the beds. He was sure he had been given a dreamless sleep. The boy never would have fallen asleep with something so upsetting happening.
He hoped Remus had had a good night. If the potion had failed and he had been forced to have to go through the moon without wolfsbane, it would only complicate the current situation.
Remus laughed as he swung his arm over Sirius shoulders.
"Harry's a genius. I've never felt so good after a moon." Remus said with a smile.
They had slept soundly under the stars all night. The sun had just begun to rise, and he had easily shifted back.
"When we go to Gringotts today we should look for some of Lily's journals. I know we said we'd only be looking for pictures, but I think Harry would appreciate his mother's intellect." Sirius commented.
They had decided to go to Diagon this morning and do some shopping for Harry's birthday. They would be able to get the keys from Gringotts now that Harry was officially back in their custody.
Then they would floo to Severus' and collect Harry. They wouldn't be able to bring Harry's friends for a proper birthday today but, they'd floo'd the Weasley's over the weekend and got Harry's birthday gifts. Which were in his room waiting for him. They'd also brought Hedwig.
Sirius had said Harry was very close to his familiar. They'd joked about her being jealous when they brought Harry's kitten home.
"I think that would be a promising idea. Will let him decide if he wants to remove anything else from the vault later. We'll need to make a trip to Diagon before school starts anyway." Remus said.
They climbed the front steps and smiled at how well the night had gone.
Sirius opened the door for Remus with a cheeky smile. Remus rolled his eyes. Sirius had told him not to worry, and he'd been right.
Remus froze when he entered the cottage and found Minerva sitting at the table. Her eyes shined with tears and her face was pale.
Sirius bumped into his back.
"What…" Sirius started.
Sirius walked around Remus and towards Minerva.
Remus felt his stomach tighten. Something was really wrong.
"Minnie?" Sirius asked quietly.
Minerva's lips pinched as she closed her eyes and shook her head.
"You should sit down." Minerva said softly.
Remus felt his legs move without real thought. He felt numb. Preparing himself for what they would hear.
They sat at the table and Sirius took his hand.
Minerva folded her hands on top of the table and looked at them with the saddest expression. Remus knew then. Something had happened to Harry.
"What happened?" Remus said brokenly, squeezing Sirius hand.
Minerva cleared her throat before she began.
"Albus had Severus and I in his office late last night. Severus returned to the castle shortly after with Harry." Minerva started.
She shook her head again and looked down at the table.
"Did he have another vision?" Sirius asked shakily.
Minerva shook her head and shrugged her shoulder.
"We don't know. He was unconscious when he arrived." Minerva said.
Remus stomach clenched.
"Harry arrived at the school overdosing on potions and alcohol. He was also suffering from blood loss." Minerva said quietly.
Remus closed his eyes as tears ran down his face. Harry had tried to kill himself.
"Is he alive?" Remus whispered, fearing the answer.
"Yes." Minerva said quietly.
A sob broke from beside him. Remus looked to Sirius who had his face buried in his hand. The one still clutched in his own was shaking.
"Albus sent me to collect you. I'm not sure of Harry's status. He was still unconscious I know. I believe Poppy has spells breathing for him." Minerva said softly.
Remus couldn't believe this was happening. How could this be happening now?
Sirius had gotten his freedom. The wards were up. He'd just spent a full moon peacefully. How? Why? They'd had everything planned out.
Remus sucked in a shaky breath.
"It's his birthday." Remus whispered around a sob.
Remus saw a tear run down Minerva's cheek.
Sirius and Remus followed Minerva through the halls of Hogwarts. They had floo'd to her office first and were now nearing the hospital wing.
Sirius' feet froze as they approached the door. His mind played flashes of James laying on the floor of his home in Godric's Hollow. Cold unseeing eyes staring up at him. He'd seen death before then, but to see his best friend lifeless was something he'd never forget.
He thought about finding Lily splayed out on the floor and Harry screaming in his crib.
Would this moment be like that one? An image that would play behind his eyelids for years to come. Would he be looking at the replica of James? Or was Harry in base form, where they would be looking down at their son?
Their son.
His son.
Tears welled in his eyes again.
"Come on Pads." Remus said, grabbing his hand.
Sirius took a deep breath and walked with Remus into the hospital wing.
The room was deathly quiet. One bed was occupied on one side. A shock of blonde hair told him it was Draco.
On the other side Sirius could see another occupied bed. Severus sat next to this one with his head down. Sirius wanted to be angry at him. Wanted to yell and scream about how this was his fault. That he should have been watching him. How he should have known. But a rolling guilt filled his own stomach. They'd told Severus not to tell Harry he was coming home with them today.
He didn't know if it would have made a difference, but they should have told him. They should have been meeting with him more regularly instead of just hoping things were okay.
They'd seen him on Sunday after he'd been attacked by the boggart. He clearly hadn't been okay then and they had just left.
They stood next to Harry's bed and looked down at their son. He wasn't moving and it was obvious that the spell was still doing his breathing for him.
Sirius looked across to Snape who had looked up. His eyes were red, and it was obvious that he'd been crying.
"I'm so sorry." Severus said earnestly.
Sirius swallowed and looked back down at Harry. He was so small and pale.
"Sit Siri." Remus said softly.
Sirius realized Remus had summoned a pair of chairs for them.
He felt like his legs might give out from under him and was thankful for the seat.
"What happened?" Remus finally asked after several minutes passed.
Severus explained. He didn't go into details about his meeting with Albus. That was a matter to be addressed later. They had sat and listened. Sending concerned glances at Harry every now and then.
"He had several things laying around him. A flask I'd not seen before, I suspect he got it from one of the Hufflepuffs. An empty vial of Draught of peace, that I have no idea where he got. It's not my brew and I didn't recognize the handwriting. Though I wasn't paying particular attention to that detail. There was also a pocketknife." Severus said.
Sirius' face paled noticeably.
Severus grit his teeth.
"You gave it back?" Severus asked.
Remus also turned to look at Sirius. He swallowed hard and nodded.
"I put spells on it to keep him from hurting himself. When we saw him on Saturday, he made a comment about it and I just…I felt like I'd taken something important away from him. I didn't…I didn't know." Sirius choked out as tears slipped down his cheeks.
Severus sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. It was hardly the only knife in his house, and he did know what it meant to Harry. Still, it had been foolish to return the knife.
"What is his condition now?" Remus asked.
Severus sighed again.
"He's stable for now. He lost a lot of blood. If he'd been taken to a muggle hospital, I don't think they would have been able to save him." Severus said grimly.
"The potion has been neutralized as much as we can. I'm unsure how much he took. If he took the whole vial, I'm unsure what the long-term damage might be. He was also very drunk. Poppy and I will monitor for damage over the next few days and will assess his mental function when he wakes up." Severus said softly.
"If he wakes up." Severus mumbled sadly.
He swallowed hard at the thought. Harry was not out of the woods yet. If his Magic did not help him heal, he may never walk or talk again. He may have significant brain damage. He may never wake up. It was not a promising situation.
Remus and Sirius both looked broken.
"Was there any sign? Did something happen today, or do you think it was just everything finally becoming too much for him?" Remus asked.
Severus sighed and wondered how they would take learning he'd taken the boy to Godric's Hollow.
"I took him to his parents and grandparents graves yesterday." Severus answered.
Shocked and confused expressions met his answer.
"Harry didn't know where they were buried. Petunia lied and said that his parents, in his words, 'Had been cremated and thrown away by their friends.'" Severus growled.
He still couldn't believe petunia.
"What?" Remus said, in a choked whisper.
Severus nodded.
"I took him to the cemetery in Cokeworth and told him about his grandparents. He didn't even know their names. He went to the book shop for a little and after dinner I took him to Godric's Hollow. We didn't go to the house, just the cemetery. We were there for about an hour and then left." Severus explained.
"Oh pup," Sirius said reaching out and taking Harry's hand.
He cradled it gently.
Severus had helped Poppy get him cleaned up and changed into pajamas. They'd cleaned up the bed and put clean dressings on his arms. Severus knew that Harry likely still felt cold. If he'd lost any more blood, blood replenishers wouldn't have worked.
"You just left him after that? After everything that's happened this weekend?" Sirius growled.
Severus pulled up his occlumency shields and tried not to let Black's words get to him. He knew this was his fault.
Harry had trusted him, and he had broken that trust. Perhaps if he hadn't said anything to Black and Lupin, than maybe Harry would have come to him. Maybe if he'd stayed home Harry would have reached out before doing something so drastic.
The boy had been falling apart before their eyes and they hadn't done anything to stop it. He hadn't done anything.
"Sirius, it's not Severus' fault and it isn't yours. We all played a hand in how this worked out but ultimately it was Harry's choice. We will address it all when he wakes up." Remus said calmly.
Sirius grit his teeth.
"What if he never wakes up?" Sirius said around tears.
Severus closed his eyes. He would not cry again. He'd only just pulled himself together before they'd arrived. He'd cleaned the blood off of himself and sat staring at Harry, thinking of all the ways he'd been hurt. All the ways he had been let down. All the way's they should have been helping him sooner.
"I'll let you be. I'm so sorry." Severus said softly before standing and walking to Draco's bed.
He wouldn't go far, as Harry would need constant monitoring, but he would give them their privacy.
Draco woke to raised voices. It took him a moment to remember what had happened. He sucked in a sharp breath as he thought about the scene he had walked in on.
He kept his eyes closed and listened to the voices. It sounded like Severus and Professor Lupin and Madam Pomfrey.
Draco cracked an eye open and saw that they were in Pomfrey's office with the door open. He couldn't see any of them, but it was certainly where the voices were coming from. He couldn't make out what they were saying but clearly, they weren't agreeing.
He sat up and looked across the wing. He saw Harry laying in a bed and was thankful when he saw the other boy's chest move.
He climbed off his bed and shot glances at the office as he made his way to Harry's bed.
"He still might not make it. Wouldn't it be better…" He heard Pomfrey say loudly.
Draco's brow creased.
Apparently, Harry wasn't better. He just wasn't currently dying. He couldn't believe he'd done this. Maybe he should have known. Maybe he should have gone back to his room with him.
He stared down at Harry. He was nearly as pale as the sheets he was laying on. Draco saw a flash of that last smile Harry had sent him as he closed the door.
He wondered if that was the last time he would ever see it.
Draco sat in the chair next to the bed and just stared.
"Stop! This doesn't matter right now." Severus yelled.
Draco frowned when he saw a slight movement of Harry's hand.
He wondered if he could hear them. He still didn't know what had happened to Harry but he'd learned a long time ago that, raised voices were the precursor for raised hands in an abusive home. Theo often shied away from loud noises.
Draco reached out and took Harry's hand. It felt cold and limp in his. He gently rubbed his thumb along the back.
When more raised voices erupted from the office he felt Harry's hand flinch.
He glared over his shoulder before pulling his wand and casting a silencing charm.
They sat quietly for a long time. Harry didn't make any more movements and Draco wondered if he would ever wake up. He tried to think of playing cards with him the night before. How they had joked and laughed. Things had felt so normal.
Draco wondered what had happened between him leaving and Harry racing to the bathroom.
Severus sighed as he stepped out of Poppy's office. The mutts had floo'd home and Poppy had gone to speak with Albus and Minerva.
They'd been discussing who should know what was going on. Severus had been trying to argue that they should keep it quiet. That telling the others risked the boy's safety. The Dark Lord learning the boy was incapacitated would lead to more threats.
He had also tried to argue on Harry's behalf. That others knowing the situation would only add to the distress the boy would face when he woke up.
The others argued that he needed support. That telling others would extend the support he could get when he woke up.
Severus had been able to get them to agree to limit it to the Weasleys. As far as he had been able to gather, the Weasley's had been just about the only family the boy had ever known.
The mutts would inform Molly and Arthur shortly. He still wasn't sure that was the best idea. It would likely lead to the other children wanting to visit, which wasn't a promising idea right now.
Harry wouldn't want to be on display.
Poppy had argued that he may still die. Also, that any time one had been in the hospital the other two were always here, and that Harry would find comfort in their presence.
Severus wasn't so sure. Harry hadn't made any effort to see them or contact the rest of the golden trio this summer.
Severus brow creased when he saw that Draco was sitting next to Harry's bed. He could see Draco's mouth moving but couldn't hear anything.
Severus stepped closer and realized there was a silencing spell up.
"Sometimes I like to go up to the Astronomy tower at night and just stare at the stars. It's almost dizzying up there. I think about how far way all those little stars are, and wonder if what we are doing down here even makes any difference." Draco said softly, continuing to rub his thumb across Harry's hand.
"You were upsetting him." Draco said, turning and looking at Severus.
Severus raised his eyebrow.
"In what way?" Severus asked.
"You were yelling. His hand kept clenching. I think he could hear it. I think it was frightening him." Draco said softly as he looked back at Harry.
Severus sighed. There was no way to know if Draco was right or not. Harry still needed spells to keep him breathing. If his mind was still intact there was a chance Draco was right. The more logical answer was that they were random muscle movements.
The amount of Draught of Peace the boy had ingested was lethal. It shouldn't even be possible for him to be breathing at all, magic or not.
Severus suspected Harry's high magical level was the only thing keeping him alive. Poppy had assessed it again and confirmed that it was registering at twenty-one. Something that had never been recorded before.
Severus walked to the other side of the bed and took a seat. He stared at Harry for a long time. The guilt was eating him alive. He'd promised to keep the boy safe, and he'd failed.
Albus seemed to think that he'd done something to him. He hadn't come right out and said it, but it had been heavily implied.
"I think I messed up." Draco said softly.
Severus looked up at him.
"He wasn't okay. I…I thought it was just the alcohol. I thought if I got him some water, he'd be okay. I should have stayed with him." Draco whispered.
Severus clenched his jaw and shook his head. This certainly wasn't Draco's fault.
"You couldn't have known Draco." Severus said softly.
"I think I knew something was wrong though. He was so upset when I came into the bathroom. I thought he'd seen something. Like he had before. He got this weird look on his face and smiled at me. Then he just got up and washed his hands and went to his room, like everything was fine." Draco said softly.
Severus sighed and ran a hand through his hair. Draco was probably right. Harry had probably made his decision in that moment. That didn't mean he could have known or could have stopped it.
They planned to go through his room and his things to see if he'd left a note, or could find anything to indicate what had gone wrong. The mutts were angry that Severus had taken Harry to Godric's Hollow. They thought it could have been the final blow that had finally pushed him over the edge.
They also argued that they should have been the ones to take him.
There had been discussions about the Boggart as well as the battle at Madam Bones' house. This summer had a lot of traumatizing moments, but these last few days had certainly been bad ones.
"There's nothing you could have done." Severus said softly.
Draco didn't acknowledge this. He just looked back down at Harry and sat quietly.
Remus and Sirius walked down Diagon Alley. It felt so strange to be there. They hadn't wanted to leave Harry, but Poppy had insisted that Harry would need minders around the clock for a while and they would need to take shifts. Severus was taking the first shift, and they would be returning this evening so that Severus could take Draco home to sleep.
They'd gone to the Burrow and had a quiet conversation under heavy privacy wards with Molly. She'd been distraught but had eventually calmed. They hadn't shared more about what had been discovered this summer, but they'd not dismissed her when she told them that Ron had come to Arthur concerned about Harry.
They'd decided not to tell the kids until they knew more about Harry's situation. If Harry wasn't going to recover, they'd make sure the kids had a chance to say goodbye. If he was going to recover, they would allow Harry to make the decision of who he told.
Molly, always the problem solver, offered to take watch it they needed a break. She had also asked that they keep them updated. Which they promised they would.
She'd also recommended that they spoke with the twins. Despite Molly wanting to shelter them from everything, she acknowledged that they were adults. She also said she thought that Harry was rather close with them and that unlike the younger kids they could handle knowing what was going on.
They'd agreed and silently thought that of the people in Harry's life, the twins were probably the only ones that Harry might feel comfortable with knowing. Harry had obviously confided a lot in them.
When they reached the door of the shop, they both put on neutral masks. It wouldn't do to have this conversation in the front of the store.
When they stepped inside, they were surprised to find the shop nearly empty. There were a few people milling around but it wasn't too busy.
Remus spotted one of the twins near the front of the shop and started walking in that direction.
"Hey, look who's out. Saw your face on the front of the prophet this morning. You're finally a free man. Must be nice." Fred said with a big smile.
Sirius nodded but said nothing.
The whiplash of everything finally working out and then coming home to find Minerva was difficult. Sirius was not handling the situation well and Remus had nearly sent him home.
George walked over a moment later, but the smile slipped from his face quickly when he saw them.
"Hey Angie, can you keep an eye on the shop for a bit?" George asked the girl at the counter.
She looked them over and nodded.
They followed the twins up the back steps to their flat and once they were all inside a heavy silence hung over them.
"Is Harry missing again?" Fred asked.
Remus heart clenched. It would be so much simpler if that was what was wrong. He shook his head and looked down at the floor.
"Harry made a suicide attempt and is currently at the Hospital wing at Hogwarts. It doesn't look good." Remus said in a whisper.
His walls had been up in full force most of the day. He wouldn't be able to function with them at anything less. His heart felt like it was being torn apart.
Sirius took his hand and they just stood there, letting the information sink in.
Remus heard one of them gasp and looked up to find one holding the other. They were too close for him to tell apart, since he primarily could tell them apart by scent.
"Can we see him?" One of the twins asked.
Remus wasn't sure that was a great idea but eventually nodded.
Severus was unsurprised when Lupin and Black returned with the twins in tow. They all looked heartbroken but one of the twins was actively crying.
Severus excused himself and took Draco down to the kitchens for lunch. He was hesitant to let Draco out of his sight. Not that he had the same concerns for Draco as he had for Harry, but something like this could make people act in ways they might not have before.
When they'd finished their meal, Severus had led them to his quarters. Draco hadn't said much since they'd left the hospital wing. Severus hadn't ever been in this particular situation, and he wasn't sure what would help Draco right now.
They sat quietly in the sitting room for a while before Draco began to talk.
"I didn't ever think we'd get along. It just seemed so unlikely. You were right though. He isn't the person we all see at school." Draco said quietly.
Severus sighed deeply and nodded.
"No, he's not." Severus responded.
"I think were becoming friends. Maybe. I had a really enjoyable time playing cards with him. I thought he was too. He seemed lighter and happier. It was nice to see. We talked quite a bit." Draco said, his voice almost wistful.
Severus nodded again. It was nice to hear that they had been getting along. As Draco had pointed out the night before, they both deserved some normalcy.
"What did you talk about?" Severus asked.
Draco shook his head for a moment.
"Aren't we practicing the Slytherin code?" Draco said.
Severus shoulder slumped but he nodded.
"You don't have to tell me." Severus answered.
Draco rolled his shoulders and looked around the room a little.
"We talked about things we like. Classes we enjoy. Our hobbies, our friends. We talked about the expectations for us to go into specific careers but that it's not what we want." Draco said with a heavy sigh.
Severus considered that for a moment. He knew that Lucius had always pushed for Draco to go to work at the ministry. He wasn't aware that it wasn't what Draco wanted, though he wasn't surprised. Draco didn't have the temperament for politics.
Harry on the other hand had certainly been told to become an Auror. The whole wizarding world saw him as a savior. Severus wondered what he dreamed of doing.
"What is it that you want to do Draco?" Severus asked.
Draco gave him a half smile.
"Work with magical animals. I want to be able to travel and learn about them." Draco said.
Severus smiled softly and nodded.
"That could be a messy job. Could you handle that?" Severus asked.
Draco's nose wrinkled, but then a determination came over his face.
"I think I could if it was part of what I wanted to do." Draco finally said.
Severus nodded. He wondered if now that Draco wasn't under his father's thumb, if he could convince him to get to know Hagrid. The man would be happy to teach someone all he knew about magical animals. His knowledge was extensive.
"What did Harry say?" Severus asked.
Draco's face dropped and he shook his head.
"I don't think we should talk about it." Draco said quietly.
Severus swallowed the lump in his throat and nodded. If Draco wanted to keep Harry's secrets he would let him.
"You like him, don't you? I saw the way you were with him when we went to the street fair." Severus said.
Draco glanced at Severus and then away. A blush covering his cheeks. He shrugged a little.
Severus sighed.
"I won't say leave it alone but be careful Draco. Harry has a lot of issues. Obviously." Severus said, trailing off quietly.
They didn't say anything else to one another and eventually Severus took Draco back to Spinner's end. He would need to come back in the morning to relieve Poppy. Despite his anxiety about Harry, there wasn't anything he could do for him right now.
