Life Debt Chapter 49, a harry potter fanfic

It had kind of been the eye-opener and confirmation that everyone who knew Harry and Severus were married had needed to see that the two really were. No one had ever seen them kiss since the truth came out. Sure, Severus had kissed Harry's forehead a few times that night in the infirmary. Lucius, Narcissa, and Draco had seen them share some kisses at the wedding, and during Christmas.

But the kiss these two shared tonight after the cross necklace exchange showed the meaning that they liked one another, as it had been admitted in the hospital. Not much had time passed since the little heartfelt moment of Severus gifting Harry his mother's cross that he had believed was destroyed by his uncle five years ago, but the one he had as a child was just a copy, so Harry turned around and reduplicated what Severus gifted and gave him that.

There was no reason they couldn't share the piece of Lily, the piece that made them believers because of her. Lily made Severus believe, and Harry receiving that cross at six made him look into everything and believe all on his own. It had been easy to see that Harry was upset talking about his uncle burning it, telling him freaks didn't get gifts and God didn't accept freaks.

It was enough that Sirius and Remus wanted to go after Vernon, but Harry stopped them. Turned out Harry was incredibly wise, saying his belief didn't waver without the cross and that punishing violence with violence was beneath him. That just spoke volumes to Harry's overall character.

"So Severus, I have a question about that cross…I get eternal love and faithfulness to God, but why the footprints again?" Narcissa asked her friend.

"Lily only ever said that it meant you never walk alone. Never more than that explanation." Severus admitted.

"It's some kind of prayer, but I can't remember it," Hermione said.

"Not a prayer, but a poem called Footprints In The Sand." Harry stated from his seat, but never looked up from whatever it was he was working on in his notebook. "It coincides with what I said earlier about the fact God would never abandon you during the hard times, rather, he's the one who gives you what you need to keep going." He added.

"Do you know the poem, Harry?" Draco asked.

"One night, I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord. Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky. In each scene, I noticed footprints in the sand. One belonged to me, the other, the Lord. When the last scene of my life flashed, I looked back to find that there were only one set of footprints. I noticed that all the times this happened were the saddest and lowest of my life."

"This bothered me, so I questioned the Lord about it; Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you, you would walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times of my life, there is only one set of footprints. I don't understand why, in the times I needed you the most, you should leave me. The Lord replied, my precious child and I would never leave you during your times of trial or suffering. When you saw only one set of footsteps, it was then that I carried you." Harry recited.

"It makes sense why the song earlier means so much to you. It was one of your favorite prayers…" Sirius said. "Didn't you have another one? That was some kind of prayer variation, pup?"

"One set around the Apostle's Creed, yes." Harry replied.

"I don't believe I'm familiar with that one…" Hermione admitted.

"Us either…" Dean shook his head as did some of the others.

"I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, Our Lord. Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary…" Harry started.

"He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to Hell. The third day, he rose again from the dead and ascended to Heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead." Severus spoke with Harry. "I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic church, the Communion of Saints, the Forgiveness of Sins, the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting. Amen."

"Is this that song, Harry? It was labeled as This I Believe," Ron wondered as a song started playing.

"That's the one!" Remus and Sirius said together.

"Okay, this one sounds more familiar." Angelina nodded.

"Can we sing it, Harry?" Luna asked. "It sounded quite good earlier."

"No doubt about that." Molly smiled.

"I suppose, if you really want to." Harry agreed. "Our Father everlasting. The all creating one. God Almighty. Through your Holy Spirit, conceiving Christ the Son…Jesus our Savior…"

"Our judge and our defender, suffered and crucified. Forgiveness is in you. Descended into darkness, you rose in glorious light. Forever seated high!" The group continued. "I believe in God our Father. I believe in Christ the Son. I believe in the Holy Spirit. Our God is three in one. I believe in the resurrection, that we will rise again. For I believe in the name of Jesus." There was a pause. "I believe in you. I believe you rose again. I believe that Jesus Christ is Lord. And I believe in you. I believe you rose again. I believe that Jesus Christ is Lord."

"I believe in God our Father. I believe in Christ the Son. I believe in the Holy Spirit. Our God is three in one. I believe in the resurrection, that we will rise again. For I believe in the name of Jesus. I believe in God our Father. I believe in Christ the Son. I believe in the Holy Spirit. Our God is three in one. I believe in the resurrection, that we will rise again. For I believe in the name of Jesus. For I believe in the name of Jesus. For I believe in the name of Jesus…" The group stopped as the music had lightened.

Severus had taken notice that Harry had moved his hand over his cross now, holding it as his eyes were closed. Harry raised the cross to his lips and kissed it. "I believe in life eternal. I believe in the Virgin birth. I believe in the Saints Communion and in your Holy Church. I believe in the resurrection, when Jesus comes again. For I believe in the name of Jesus…"

"I believe in God our Father. I believe in Christ the Son. I believe in a Holy Spirit. Our God is three in one. I believe in the resurrection, that he will rise again. For I believe in the name of Jesus. I believe in God our Father. I believe in Christ the Son. I believe in a Holy Spirit. Our God is three in one. I believe in the resurrection, that he will rise again. For I believe in the name of Jesus. For I believe in the name of Jesus…"

"I have to admit, it is quite uplifting." Lydia, Blaise's mom, said.

"Oh, yes…Definitely." Althea Parkinson nodded.

"It sounds amazing when all of you sing it together, kids," Narcissa complimented.

"That's the entire point of the songs, Mrs. Malfoy," Hermione stated gently. "They were purposely built for the sake of worshiping God. Created for people who believe to come together, sing together. It's said that God sees us as his children, and there is no judgment or hate among us. People from all over that live different lives can come together and worship the same God. United front. It's meant to be happy, healing, uplifting to worship and surrender yourself to God's love and mercy, to know he'll be there for us as long as we remain true to him."

"Some find something to pray about every day, some just do it to thank the Lord for the life they have been given…Others only pray when they need guidance because life has gotten so bad that they've started to lose their faith…So they pray to call out to God for help." Harry added to the explanation. "Prayer isn't required to affirm yourself to God, but like I said, most do it to get that reminder he is with them."

"Harry, you've had that notebook out all night and curiosity is killing me…What are you working on?" Remus asked.

"Even if I told you, Uncle Remy, you wouldn't believe me." Harry stated.

"Try us," Sirius invited.

"A spell to remove the Dark Mark from Severus." Harry revealed.

"What?" The two stared, so did the other Death Eater's in the room.

"I said it in plain english for you," Harry rolled his eyes. "Told you that you wouldn't believe me."

"He's been working on it since last summer, after we got married." Severus informed. "It was part of the agreement of us marrying. What do I get out of marrying him so he could get out of needing a guardian while still underage."

"Part of the original agreement." Harry reminded.

"Harry promised me on his magic that he'd make sure nothing happened to me when it came out we married, as he did a couple months ago, and that he'd sever the connection I have to Voldemort through the mark. Harry said he'd find a way to get rid of it." He explained.

"Well, that's…Lovely…But Harry, this is extremely advanced magic and it's dark! You shouldn't be messing with it." Remus mentioned.

"Then there's the fact no one has ever figured out how to remove it," Francis Crabbe remarked.

"Only the dark lord knows." Theodore Sr. informed.

"You're working at something that has no answer, Harry…Believe me, we've all tried to get rid of it. No one knows how, and no amount of-," Gregory Sr. began.

"Light and dark spells, potions, salves, or magical tattoo artists can do it." Harry finished for him. "Yeah, yeah. Got that. Doesn't mean I'm not gonna try."

"Then you know the only way it's coming off is if Voldemort is killed and from rumor…That's supposed to be something you're able to do," Lorena Crabbe stated gently.

"Prophesied. The stupid prophecy says I have the power to vanquish the dark lord. Can't very well do that when the coward keeps running from battle and hiding…" Harry stated. "However, where others have failed…I have not because I have something none of them do…"

"And that would be?" Viola Goyle wondered curiously.

"Sev, tell them…" Harry asked.

"Because of that prophecy, Harry is marked as Voldemort's equal. It was announced at the end of the Tri-Wizard by Voldemort himself. That he marked Harry his equal because Harry has a power the dark lord knows not." Severus enlightened. "I believe…If anyone has the power to remove this mark, it's Harry."

"It's not practical," Sorrel said.

"But Harry has already gotten farther in figuring it out than anyone else." Narcissa informed.

"What has he worked out that we didn't already know?" Remus inquired.

"Harry figured out that the dark mark doesn't exist in any spell book and that Voldemort created it himself, which is why no one can remove it without him." Draco chuckled with a grin.

"That doesn't change what we said, it proves only the dark lord can take it off and the only way that happens is if he dies or he removes it from a traitor. Which right now, all of us are, I remind you." Gregory Sr. commented.

"It proves that Harry figured out it's a created spell over one that exists and has a known counter to it. And Harry's already found part of the spell used, how Voldemort uses it to summon us, communicate…" Lucius told them. "Harry's gotten farther in working out the mechanics than anyone else, and I have faith he can do it."

"And I think I've just about figured it out." Harry set his pencil down and looked over his work. Everyone kind of leaned closer to see the diagram on the paper.

"Well…Can't say if you have or haven't. It doesn't make sense to us down on paper like that." Severus shrugged. "How are you going to test it?"

"On myself, obviously."

"No! Absolutely not, Harry." Remus, Sirius, and Severus protested.

"You are not testing it out on yourself, Harry. No. If you manage to do it, and don't have a reverse built to undo it. I don't want you linked-," Severus saw Harry glare. "Okay, anymore linked than you already are to him. If you can't get it off you because you're wrong, it will be stuck there and you'll feel everything we do when he tortures someone. The marks are linked, not just in communication. It will burn when he summons…"

"You think I don't already feel it when he calls you, Sev?" Harry asked. Severus stared at him. "We're bonded, Severus. I feel everything you do, including the summons. And I wasn't going to tell you this, but for the sake of you understanding I already feel it…I know when he's using Crucio on you because I feel that too."

"B-But I block it so you don't have to." Severus said.

"No, it doesn't block on your end subconsciously. I feel it when he tortures you, it just doesn't bother me because I know how to throw it off." Harry mentioned.

"Wait, you can throw the Cruciatus curse?" Theodore Sr. blinked in surprise.

"Um…Yeah? I can throw Imperious and block the Killing curse too. Well, I can block it if Voldemort tries it on me…" Harry shrugged. "Something about my mother's protection against him. Because she sacrificed herself for me, Voldemort can't hurt me. That and our wands won't let us kill one another."

"Why exactly is that?" Lucius wondered.

"Because our wands are brothers. We can wound, but never kill when using them against one another." Harry told him. "We both have a Phoenix Feather core, from the same bird. Ollivander told me it was curious I was destined to possess this wand," He lifted it up. "When it's brother gave me this scar." He lifted his bangs a bit. "It's why when he throws the Killing curse at me, I can hold it off."

"Okay, as interesting as all that is. Harry…I do not want you trying this theory out on yourself. If it works and links up to him and he figures it out, he can use it to come right here and Lord knows we don't need that kind of a fight right now. He'll kill Lucius, Narcissa, Crabbe, Goyle, Nott and me if he sees everyone all together." Severus said.

"Wait…You didn't tell me that." Harry remarked.

"What?" Severus asked.

"That the mark acts as a portkey or apparition point." Harry repeated.

"When he summons us, it's not just a burning sensation." Francis informed. "It can bring us right to wherever he is as soon as we touch the mark. Likewise, if we call him to us for something…He just apparates himself to where we are."

"So it's not just an interactive magical tattoo…" Harry considered before he grabbed his pencil and added a few more things. "Okay…The only thing I don't have is whatever incantation he uses to place it. Theory would suggest it's Morsmordre because that summons the mark to the sky…But if it were that easy anyone could place this mark." He closed his eyes. "Unless…"

"Unless…What?" Severus questioned.

"Unless he used snake speak, Master…" Ivy hissed.

Harry nodded. "Unless he used Parseltongue." He paused. "Oh, God, was it really that easy the entire time?" Harry looked down at the diagram and filled in something else. "That was the last piece…" He added before grinning.

"You figured it out, how the mark was created?" Narcissa asked quickly and Harry nodded. "C-Can you reverse it? Remove it?"

"Only one way to find out." Harry grabbed his wand. "Let me see your arm, Severus."

"Harry, are you sure? If you mess with the mark, it could summon him…" Severus said.

"If he shows up, I'll kick his ass and protect you…Like I promised you I would, Sev. But he won't feel a thing unless I purposely attack him through it, which is mighty tempting, but it will also hurt anyone else with one and I don't want to torture Lucius or the others. I've got this. I'm sure of it. Trust me." Harry assured.

Severus drew back his sleeve on the left arm and brought it up on the table as Harry put the tip of his wand to the mark. "Besides, I'm not removing it yet. I'm just checking the spell matrix first." Harry informed.

"Spell matrix?" Hermione asked.

"You'll see, 'Mione." Harry told her. "Magicae Revelare." He drew the tip of his wand along the length of the mark as it outlined with white light and then the outline rose from Severus's arm and stayed levitating in front of Harry as he was studying it, eyes tracking the strands that remained connected to Severus, and those going to the other Death Eaters in the room, then strands that ventured out farther than the house itself.

"Woah…" Draco gasped. "What is this?"

"A physical manifestation of the dark mark's magic. In short summary, it's the spell itself…The matrix of its build. And it matches up with what I drew out here," Harry lifted the notebook. "That means I can do this…" He tapped the mark with his wand.

The mark on Severus's arm pulsed and Harry was able to pull up a duplicate of it, another strand forming from the magical manifestation floated as Harry raised his own sleeve and set the mark down in place. "Morsssmordre Epoximisse." The mark darkened when set.

"Harry! I told you not to test anything on yourself!" Severus said quickly.

"How else was I gonna know if I got the incantation right if I didn't try it, Sev?" Harry stated. "Calm down. I can get it off now that I know it works."

"So wait…That's what you were doing? Seeing if you could duplicate the mark and place it like Voldemort?" Sirius inquired.

"No...What he did was just rebuild the spell Voldemort used." Hermione beamed. "You were able to recreate the dark mark, Harry!"

"Complicated little puzzle of spells he used for the spell's build. There's all kinds of things in here to make it work the way it does. Portkeys latched to the master, Voldemort, and user, any of the Death Eaters. The Protean Charm, like I called months ago. Sticking charm, or the one that glues two objects together? Yeah, I think that's what Epoximise does. No matter…It's a cluster of combined things. However…The bottom line is I know how it was made, I know how he places it…" Harry chuckled.

"And that means I now have the power to get rid of it…" Harry looked at his arm. The teenager put his wand back to the mark. "Ssseparatum Magia Filium." The strand of magic Harry's wand touch turned golden, then he moved his wand to touch Severus's. "I know you're a spy for the Order, Sev. If I remove this, you give it up. I can free you, just say the word."

"Set me free, Harry, please…?" Severus asked.

Harry's wand touched the stand as it lit up golden. "You want out, this is your chance…" He directed towards Francis, Gregory Sr, Theodore Sr, and Lucius.

"Do you even have to ask?" Lucius questioned.

"Yes!" The four males said together.

Harry waved his wand over their strands to turn them to golden and their marks lit up white like Severus's had. "Nice try, Tom, but you're not the only Parselmouth. Good effort, just not good enough." Harry remarked.

"Diffindo Filium," The strands turned from glowing gold to gray. "Morsssmordre Evanesssco." The strands snapped in half. Then Harry drew his wand down his arm and the mark vanished as the wand went over it. Just like Harry's, the marks vanished from those who had bore it.

"Finite Incantatem!" The last to disappear was the dark mark Harry had brought up to reveal the spell matrix.

"It's gone…" Severus admired his bare arm, the others were too.

"He did it…" Lucius touched his arm.

"I'll admit when I'm wrong." Theodore Sr. remarked.

"Voldemort's gonna be pissed when he calls the next meeting and he's down five Death Eaters…Well, six if you included Narcissa, but she was never marked, was she, Lucius?" Lydia commented.

"No, never marked." Narcissa confirmed. "I just did it to support my husband."

"Who cares what he's lost…" Draco smiled.

"We're free…" The five males who were no longer marked said together.

"Harry…This is amazing," Severus put his left hand on Harry's. "I don't have the words to thank you…"

"You're…Welcome…" Harry replied tiredly.