This is a fic that I started writing after the release of HBP, but because of other commitments only just completed. It is set one year after the end of the War, but as I wrote most of it before the relase of DH, it is off-Cannon.
I wanted to finish the whole thing before I posted any, because I want to be able to post really regularly- at least once a week.
I was debating whether or not to put this in the Harry Potter section, or Other Adults section, but seen as Severus is my favourite and he does play a huge part in the story it's going here
Feedback is much appreciated, even if it's just a few lines- it's nice to know that people are reading!

Disclaimer: Credit for the creating of the HP-verse and its wonderful characters goes to Ms. Jk Rowling. I do not intend to make money from her creations.. just to enjoy them!

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CHAPTER 1- Harry

Harry sat with his eyes closed, letting the soft breeze caress his skin. His hair tangled in his eyelashes and he let out a deep sigh. He leant against the rough bark of a tree, savouring its coarseness beneath his skin, longing to feel real. It had been too long since he had felt this free. He lifted his hand to his scar. Yet at the same time, so trapped. The scar that had marked him for nineteen years. It was faded and dull. The bond was broken. It was just a scar. He let out another sigh. The battle had ended two years ago, the war had ended today. The mess that had been left behind, the mess that he had to clear up, he’d done it.

The last death eater had been captured. He wasn’t even a powerful wizard, but he knew how to hide, and after months of searching they had discovered him in the early hours of this morning. He was killed instantly. The ministry couldn’t afford to give death eaters the luxury of a trial anymore, the death eaters abused it, shout obscenities at the wizengamot until the dementors grew tireless and the trial had to be moved along. Dementors. They were gone too. Not dead, vanished. Into the north, across the ocean. Azkaban was closed for refurbishment, one might say. New guards, new charms, new policies.

Harry opened his eyes and stared out across the lake. It was hard to believe that only a few years ago he had been here, laughing, with them… he closed his eyes again, the lines in his brow deepening, pain etched into his face. Gone, Everybody. His Mother, Father, Sirius, Dumbledore, Ron, Hermione. Lupin was still missing; as was Snape… he forced himself to breath more slowly, as he thought of Snape. He’d tricked them, he must of. He changed sides in the last few minutes, once it became evident that Voldemort’s power was fading. He couldn’t have been as ‘noble’ as he pretended. He was a liar. They were on the same side now, but Harry would never forgive, certainly never forget.
Once his breathing was regulated, Harry opened his eyes, it was soon. The water of the lake was beginning to lap at his bare feet, as it did at this time of day, and the soft twittering of young birds began in chorus. He looked at the horizon, the opening between the two mountains, and a valley in the distance. So peaceful, he longed to join it, he longed to let all of the pain go.

It was starting. The light peaked over the valley, only a fraction, at first, but it grew, quickly becoming a disk of light, spilling out onto the lake, the colours swimming with each other, sparkling and glittering. The shades where soft and warm, melting into each other. The light reached the shore, turning the dull green vivid and vibrant, emerald blades. It reached his feet and crawled up his legs, warming them. He let out an involuntary shiver, as the stiffness of his limbs dissipated, and the tension of a cold lonely night thawed. The light was level with his eyes, he closed them, and the lake disappeared, the mountains, the castle behind him. He left them behind. The pink underside of his eyelids turned white, blinding white light. It allowed him to see. See the people that had forsaken him. Had given him the greatest love in the world then snatched it away. He could be with them. He could forgive them, in those few seconds, those seconds of the rising sun.

No more than a few minutes later, he got up and brushed himself down. Quickly glancing across the lake, a small smile at his lips, directed into its depths. He looked at the school. The frost of a January night coated its walls, giving it an icy coat. The sun glinted over it, a bright light reflecting off of the utmost tower, the astronomy tower. Students would be waking soon. Most of the younger ones had no idea what had been happening over the past few years. They knew that people were dying, and who was killing, but they didn’t understand. They couldn’t.
Harry yearned for that ignorance. That blissful ignorance.
He walked across the grounds, marvelling at the early blooming flowers their crystalline surfaces lustrous in the sunlight. The greenhouses were filled with wails of young mandrakes. Harry smiled; mandrakes. Flowers were everywhere. It was strange, it was too early. He chuckled, coldly, no humour in his laugh. So many things had happened too early. He found the path and followed it, his eyes tracking every small movement, ants amid cracks and crevices of the flagstones. The moss spilled over the sides, grass was overgrown and tousled. Soon he was at the gates. The large ornate gates that had offered him peace and protection. The gates that had welcomed him home.
Hogwarts. The place that had introduced him to a world that he loved, yet despised. For all of its beauty and magic, it stood on the same earth as the world he had grown up in. It was created on the same foundations. Behind splendour and wonder there lay corruption and death. Yet he had come to realise that it was the same. Everywhere. Where there was more than one person there was conflict. And he was trapped in the middle of it. He had only one release.

He had come here every morning, to sit by the tree and watch the sunrise. But, it would be a long time until he came here again. He had other things to do. He sighed to himself. Reached inside his mind and pushed the pain away. Temporarily. To keep it from interfering, if he pushed it aside it could not interfere. He knew, in his heart that one day, he would have to release it. He could make the world better, save lives. Maybe then he could forgive them. Forgive himself. If only he could do that. It would solve so many problems. The strain was starting to show, he became ever more detached, and acceptance and forgiveness became increasingly difficult. If only he could understand, if only he could feel again.


Hundreds of miles away, in a cold dark house in London, a man roared in agony as the form of a wolf began to protrude from his skin, ripping robes and mutating limbs. Another man recoiled, wand outstretched as he frantically tried to stop the beast from emerging. It was bursting free of its prison, howling deafeningly. The wolf was fully formed; it let out a howl and swung, once, twice, three times. Twenty-five stone of pure muscle clawed and beat the side of the man’s face, struggling to get at the door which the other was guarding. A beast and a man waging a battle. They howled in pain, in unison, the screeches echoing through the hallways and the corridors, resounding in the rooms, spilling into the world.


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That's chapter 1! There's a lot of variation in the way each chapter is written, so if you didn't like that, stick with me for a bit. . . and if you did, hopefully you'll like the rest!

If you can, take the time to leave me some Feedback, we writers need and love it!!

Ok, as promised I'm updating relatively quickly. Here's chapter two, I know they're all quite short but I decided to finish the chapters where I felt appropriate, instead of dragging on. Once again, I appreciate all feedback!

CHAPTER 2-Night Time Escapades
He opened his eyes, blinked, the room remained vague. He lifted his arm to his face, felt the bruising, on his shoulder, groaned as joints creaked and stiffened. His hand touched his face, felt the blood. Checked the damage. He searched for the memory of what had happened. It rushed back to him, piercing his skull, an unwelcome sight penetrating deeply, into his mind, twisting and contorting.

“Lupin!”
The wolf move towards him, roaring in anger, howling. Its great teeth dripping and eyes bulging. It stood on its hind legs and advanced, swing its claws at him. The side of a huge claw hit him on the temple, cutting through skin and bringing stars to Severus’ eyes. The pain was intense but not unbearable, he had to stop Lupin from escaping, he wouldn’t only endanger other people, they were in hiding; undercover! If Lupin was spotted, everything would be ruined… the werewolf struck again, Severus Snape fell to the floor and the wolf disappeared into darkness.

He groaned again, more loudly this time. What had he done? Of all the times. Oh Remus, you stupid man. He stretched, tried to stand. Brilliant. He had a werewolf to catch, most probably the deaths of several domestic animals to cover up, and he couldn’t even stand. What’s more, the portrait of Mrs Black had started her early morning wailing, though he had to admit, more half-heartedly than usual.
He tried to rise once more, stumbled and hit the back of his head on the overhead cabinets. He bit his lip as pain shot through him and stars dotted his sight. Why was he so weak? The age was beginning to show on his body, fending off an angry werewolf was not as easy as it had been in the past. He smiled grimly.
Remus!
Where the hell was he?
Severus staggered out of the kitchen, and up the stairs.

“Mrs Black, I would appreciate it if you would quieten down.” The portrait seemed astonished at his politeness. She even ceased her wailing for moment.

“Are you pure, or are you more filth that dares to litter the home of my once great family?” She sniffed in true remorse. She narrowed her eyes at him. “You don’t look pure.”

He grunted to himself.
“Far from it Black, far from it.” He swept past, torn cloak billowing behind him, his thin lips twisted into a rough smile.

The portrait sniffed again as he passed, as though catching the waft of a foul smelling object, and her eyes darted around the room, looking at everything but the dirt that dared to contaminate her home, yet surprisingly, she remained silent, bar the occasional sniff.
As Severus searched the house, he saw around him the evidence of the previous night’s struggle.
Drapery hung from poles, several windows were smashed and furniture lay upended and in tatters. Tables were broken and the giant cabinet that had once held a multitude of ornaments lay in splinters. Severus grimaced as he spotted a ragged pile in the corner, splattered with blood. Remus stirred and the pile of rags fell from him.
Severus glanced at the front door. It was wholly intact. A fully transformed Remus could not open that door, without breaking it down, and there was no hole in the windows big enough for him to escape from.
Severus let out a silent sigh of relief. At least the only people that could be hurt were Remus and himself.
The pile stirred again, and the arm of a human protruded from its depths. Though Severus could see only half of it, he could see that scratches and cuts marked it, and the man it belonged to murmured in pain as he tried to free himself.
“Remus?”
Severus stayed back, wary of the man.
“Ah, Severus, you are not hurt, I cannot tell you how relieved I am.”
“Some help, Remus?”
“No, no no I’m fine. Just...Have…to. Ah there. I...just. There.
Remus stood up, his hand on the wall, supporting his body.
Severus stepped forward and hesitated, glancing at the torso of the man. It was scarred, an old scar. His skin twisted about it, gnarled and scorched. As Remus began to fall, Severus stepped forward and lent his arm for support. He and Remus hobbled to an armchair, the least demolished one. It was however, tattered and ripped, and springs projected from its side. Remus collapsed into it, and Severus stepped immediately back.
He stood in the middle of the room and stared at the man in the chair, his patience wearing, as he burned to ask questions.
“Ah Severus, you want to know why.”
“Remus, it is not the full moon. You transformed. Completely. How has this happened? If anything, your, condition has been improving recently, your wolfs-bane requirements have been ever decreasing. Something must have triggered such a violent and unprecedented transformation.”
The words tumbled out; he was not used to dealing with people.
“You need to control it. I am fed up with being forced to face your, other, self.”
Remus closed his eyes and breathed deeply.
Severus cringed as guilt washed over him. It wasn’t much, but enough to allow him to begin to apologise. It wasn’t Remus’ fault; it hurt him as much as it had hurt Severus.
“Yes Severus, I fear you are right. I should not be putting others in this sort of danger. I have asked Dumbledore to let me resign, but he seems to believe that the order still needs me.
Voldemort is gone; we have only to clear up his mess, that doesn’t require me.”
“Remus…” the words would not come to him. He was a good man. And it infuriated him. He had friends, family, a woman that loved him; Even the form of Dumbledore visited Remus more than him. And still he sat in his own pool of misery and self-pity.
It reminded Severus of the years that he himself had wasted.
“Remus” he spoke with more force now “If Dumbledore believes you to be of use then you must be. However difficult it is for you to see it.” He added.
“And you spoke of Voldemort’s mess.” Severus no longer stumbled over the name. It was just a name, the evil was dead. “It is done. The last active death eater was caught last night. By potter, and some aurors, I believe Nymphadora Tonks was among them.
Remus smiled at the name. Then, creases covered his forehead.
“Last night, did I . . . escape?”
“No, I believe not.”
Remus visibly relaxed.
“I need to understand what is making me transform at these times. Full moon is not for another two weeks. And this time, I had no control.”
Severus winced.
“Oh, I just thought you really didn’t like me.” He replied. Remus Chuckled. “Can you walk? I for one am hungry and since you didn’t manage to wolf anything down last night…”
Remus chortled once more.
“Severus, that was poor. I fear you are losing your touch.” He stood, and began to hobble out of the room. He muttered with a small smile- “And what a shame that would be…”

****

Thats's Severus and Remus introduced! Please leave feedback if you can

Here's chapter three, a few original characters being introduced here. Just a word of warning- don't read too much into certain aspects of this chapter, it really is more of a link. . . Anyway, I hope you enjoy it!

CHAPTER 3- A Message and an Old Friend

It took five minutes for the pair to get down the stairs and into the kitchen. But, after much stumbling and faltering, they prevailed. Funny how after the demise of Him – just because he was now able to say the name, it didn’t mean he had to get sloppy about it- and the relative peace that had ensued, A mere task such as the one they had just completed felt like a huge victory. Peace was making him soft. He snorted.
They sat themselves down at the table, or what was left of it; Remus had managed to destroy nearly everything in sight.
“I am not much of a cook, I apologise. I will have to see what Molly left here before she and Ginny left for Bulgaria.”
A brief search through the cupboard unveiled some hardened bread, a potato, a gurnack root, and an unopened bottle of fire-whiskey. As he opened the last cupboard, several blue shapes darted past him and through a small hole in the far wall, covering Severus in dust. He frowned, Kreacher was at Hogwarts, and this house needed a new servant.
“Ah” said Remus, looking at the pile. “I think Fire-whiskey will have to do.” He smiled as he began to open the bottle, pausing only to test tender muscles.
Severus’ brows rose. “At eleven o’clock in the morning? Or at any time for that matter.”
“Eleven o’clock! I need to make up for lost time.” At Severus’ sustained look of mild disbelief, he continued- “Don’t tell me you’ve never had Fire-whiskey. Do sit, it’s never too late to try something.” Severus folded his arms and narrowed his eyes.
“I cannot afford to allow myself to become careless.”
Remus sighed.
“Wrong. You couldn’t, now you can. Severus, it’s called the hair of the dog, or the wolf, depending on your view.” He smiled to himself as Severus warily sat down again.
As he did, a bang sounded above and an indistinct figure bounded into the room.
Remus immediately stood up, and almost as immediately regretted it, as his muscles refused to work, and he stumbled pathetically to the floor.
Severus held out his wand at the thing that had entered.
It was cloaked in a dark brown, and smelled of mould and damp. Hair covered its face, and its hands were claw like and twisted. Its eyes were almost invisible, pin pricks in its skull. A cold air hung about it, chilling Severus to the bone.
It raised its wand at Remus
“Stupefy”
The whisper rendered Remus unconscious, but still Severus did not move.
His face was set into a deep frown, but his lips were slowly twisting to form a small tragic smile.
“I told you never to come here,” he spat the last two words, left them dripping in sarcasm- “old friend”

****

“Sooo, Ssseverusss, it hass been too long.”
Its hissing voice sent chills up Severus’s spine, but he did not falter, this was not the time to hesitate. He lowered his wand, but not completely.
The thing looked at him, smiling grimly as he- and it was a he- noticed Severus’ wand.
“I am nott here ttoo hurt you, though I am not sssure if I could. You have ad yearsss of practicsse, haven’t you? Old friend”
It too placed emphasis on the last words. Severus could feel the air about him turning cold. His breath caught in his chest.
When Severus did not answer, it continued-
“I am heeere under a new employer.” Severus had to force himself to keep his eyes open; there were many people that would hire this thing to kill him.
“My, missstresss, wantssss to meet you. Here.”
He handed Severus a piece of paper. It was bright white, and clean, a stark contrast to the thing that held it. Even the smudges of dirt that he left on Severus’ hand did not mark the paper.
As soon as his fingers touched it, the paper began to turn black. It began to decay and break apart in his hands. The purple tinge even extended to his hands, and left a dull stain on his fingers as the last fragments of paper dropped to the floor in a fine powder. He had barely enough time to read the address.
He looked up at the thing, and it smiled its gruesome smile in return.
“I trussst that you hasss understood. The Lady hasss alsso said muggle dresss and a clossssed mind will do.”
Severus nodded. He had no idea what was going on, but neither did he want this thing near him anymore.
“Welll, iff you hasss finissshed, I will be going. I will not ssssee you again. I will make sssure of that.”
Severus knew he wouldn’t. It left. Without a backward glance, it left as though nothing had happened.
Severus let out a breath that he hadn’t even known he was holding.
He had met this thing in the past, several times. None of the encounters had been a pleasant one. He had never found out what the creature was- it certainly wasn’t human- let alone find out its name. If it had one.
He sighed, he couldn’t tell Remus, not yet. This felt private, and he didn’t want Remus questioning him about it. He was confused himself.
“Enervate”
He muttered the word, his mind elsewhere.
“Severus? What happened? How…how did I get here?”
“You don’t remember? Anything?”
“Well. I started opening the bottle, and now…now I’m here.”
“You fainted. It’s not really surprising really; you are not as young as you once were.”
Remus frowned. Severus felt guilty, this was the one person that he had around, and he was lying already. Again. He should be used to it, he thought with a grim smile.
“So, do you feel like getting up, or shall I serve you your breakfast down there.”
“Yes I’m…”
A loud knock sounded at the door. Severus froze. It was back. Then he realised how paranoid he was being. That thing had never knocked before, why should it start now.
Severus climbed the stairs warily; they were in hiding, on Dumbledore’s orders; who would knock? He got to the door and raised his wand. Slowly the door creaked open, revealing a lean man in elaborate robes.
Severus stared in shock.
The man stared back, his unwavering gaze would have unsettled many men, but Severus held his stare. However, his mind was not as certain as his poise;
his voice was barely audible. “Minister?”

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Do I have to say it. . . ? Feedback would be lovely!!!!!

And here's. . . what chapter are we on? Oh yes, Chapter Four. I find this chapter slightly amusing, but it may just be my strange sense of humour let me know what you think with feedback

CHAPTER 4 – A Man of Jurisdiction

“Severus Snape.” The man spoke the words in something near disgust.
Severus studied him. He had only seen picture of their new minister of magic. He was tall and strong, he had a strong jaw, with prominent features. His skin was darkened and worn with age –Severus would guess that he was about fifty, relatively young, but the years that had passed showed.
The minister hesitated under Severus’ stare.
“Yes,”
“I am the Minister of magic, Sigurd Fitzroy.” He moved towards the doorway, but carefully avoided looking directly at Severus.
“Oh?” Severus replied with obvious disinterest.
“Um. Hm. Yes, well, I am here to talk to you. About, well, Dumbledore said that you would be here, and we have made some, observations, if you will. I think that you would be interested, or well, Dumbledore said maybe.”
Fitzroy trailed off, and Severus smile slightly.
“Ah. Dumbledore spoke to you, did he?”
“Yes” The minister spoke defiantly, defending himself.
“The man is dead, minister, surely you know that, it occurred years ago.”
Fitzroy leaned closer, and hissed in Severus’ ear- “Let’s not be difficult now, Snape. You know what I am talking about, his ghost or whatever the hell it is.”
Severus’ face became serious.
He walked inside, motioning for the minister to follow.
Whilst he led the minister down to the kitchen, he spoke over his shoulder.
“What you saw was not a ghost. It was similar; an imprint on the world, not the entire man, but It is here for a purpose. Dumbledore, or the imprint of him, is here in spectral form, and has been from the moment he died.”
“You mean from the moment you killed him.”
Severus stopped. His voice was deadly low, icy and dangerous.
“We had our reasons, Dumbledore and I. I do not have to explain them, to you. Minister,” adding the title through gritted teeth. “Come.”
He led the minister through to the kitchen, where Remus was beginning to repair various items of furniture. He looked up as Severus entered, and stared in amazement at the Minister.
Severus did not bother introducing the pair, Remus stare turned to a distinct frown as he continued to stare at the minister.
Fitzroy did not see the looks, and if he did, he chose to ignore them.
“Ah, My name is Sigurd Fitzroy, and I am the Minister of Magic.” He smiled at Remus and spoke as if explaining a difficult task to a child.
Remus folded his arms and narrowed his eyes at the minister.
“Legislation four-hundred and twenty-nine. Whilst Death eaters are active, and the threat to the ministry is high, all potential allies of Voldemort including Giants, Werewolves and…” He scoffed in indignation that the third should even be suggested- “centaurs, are to be rounded up and kept in custody of the ministry for questioning and to ensure the safety of the wizarding public.” Remus smiled grimly as beads of sweat formed on the Ministers forehead. “Yes, the name rings a bell.”
He turned away and began to mend his robes with his wand.
Severus smiled to himself. Remus Lupin was coming unto his own.
“Yes well…” The minister took a moment to compose himself, and both Severus ad Remus turned toward him, Severus standing a little in front, and both looking, whether purposely or not, intimidating.
Fitzroy continued-
“I am here for a reason. Dumbledore visited me to inform me of some discoveries that he had made. He is under the impression that things are wrong.”
His voice gained in strength and he went straight to the point.
“Namely, magic. Things are not working properly. Students at Hogwarts are having the utmost difficulty in performing the simplest of spells, and instead producing spells that would not normally be expected until O.W.L level or higher. There are other things of course, to do with balance- nature, time and Dumbledore placed special emphasis on the fact that even the production of sherbet lemons is suffering…” He frowned to himself in confusion; “... assume... means something... you... hm.”
Severus smiled inwardly.
“Anyway, we at the ministry have also made some rather, disturbing discoveries. It would appear that magical families, expecting magical children, are having muggle children, and older muggles, as old as thirty are suddenly producing magical ability out of nowhere. It is most disturbing. I understand that Dumbledore has spoken to you on the matter?”
Severus frowned; this was the first that he had heard of it. Then he realised that the Minister was looking directly at Remus, and Remus’ head was nodding in agreement. Severus felt a faint jealousy burning in the pit of his stomach. He cursed to himself. He had done too much work to let petty emotions get in the way of what had to be done. However, he gave no inclination that he had not been involved before now.
“Dumbledore has asked that you would work alongside the ministry to investigate, if you will. I told him that we at the ministry could handle these ourselves,” he puffed out his chest and Severus was reminded of a certain irritating student . . . “But, he seemed to want you involved. He said that you had some experience in dealing with mysteries. It may also involve a certain degree of, hmm, spying… and he said that you could cope?”
Remus smiled. Severus huffed silently. What a surprise that Remus would be getting all of the credit… again. Remus shook his head,
“That is Severus’ field; I am not all that good under pressure.” A faint smile curled at his lips as he watched Severus’ expression change from cloudy to surprise.
Severus had a nagging guilt at the back of his mind. Remus was too understanding… Damn emotions, things really were wrong, they had never bothered him much before, maybe it was the freedom that was making him soft…
Remus seemed fairly content to go along with things now, but Severus didn’t want to give Fitzroy the impression that they were too willing to work alongside Ministry members, not after last time.
“And what gives you the impression that we will be willing to help?” Severus enquired sceptically.
The Minister became uncomfortable again,
“Well, Dumbledore, he said, he asked, I assumed.”
Severus’ lips curled into a cruel smile.
“Ah, you assumed, did you?”
For a minister of magic, he looked surprisingly uncomfortable.
“You see, we are not the ministry’s to control”
He hated the way that people used him, and then discarded him.
“And we never will be.”
Discarding him as though he had never been of any use.
“If you think we are going to waste our time”
Beads of perspiration were forming on the Minister’s head.
“Humouring you in your pathetic attempt at recognition,”
Ah, that was what he feared, to fail.
“Then you are much mistaken, and you have already failed.”
The Minister let out a breath, and his face creased up, only for a second, and then it was gone.
He regained his composure and started.
“I understand. The ministry will take this task on ourselves. Your help would have of course made it easier, but you have done much for us already.
A look of annoyance fleeted over Remus’ face.
“NO. Minister, I think what Severus means is that we will think about it. We will certainly get back, to you, it is a strain, you understand?”
“Oh, oh of course…”
Fitzroy looked significantly happier at that.
“Of course, yes I will see myself out... Yes, that would be good, yes, an improvement that would certainly be…”
The minister was now muttering himself as he walked up the stairs, and the sound of his voice ceased as the door closed behind him.
Remus turned towards Severus.
Severus sighed. He didn’t know what had come over him. He was usually so, composed, he rarely let himself go like that, let alone in front of the Minister of magic.
He looked towards Remus.
His expression made him feel guilty, and he sighed to himself.
“Yes, I know, save your lecture Remus…”
Remus sighed and smirked slightly.
“You know we’re going to have to work with him don’t you?”
“Yes, of course.”
Severus shrugged innocently and sat down as Remus shook his head.
“Now what about some breakfast…?”


***


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Here's chapter 5; we're back with Harry for this one, and I think this is the beginning of the materialisation of the plot. . . but who knows, I wrote it about a year ago so. . .
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CHAPTER 5 – Meeting With a Dead Man

Harry rolled forward as a narrow beam of red shot past his head.
Darting behind a low wall he took the chance to catch his breath and get a better look at his surroundings.
He was in a narrow alley, the walls on either side of him were blackened and crumbling, and no windows or doorways were visible, no escapes. Litter and debris threatened to trip him, and barbed wire and glass cut his skin, and snagged at his clothes. His top was torn, and his robes fluttered pathetically around him as he struggled to maintain his footing.
His glasses were fogging up again, and as he poked his head around the corner, the five shapes in the distance were indistinctive and blurred.
They fired more bursts of light at him and his head quickly disappeared again. They lacked the haunting masks of the death eaters- he was thankful for that- and they didn’t even have robes. From a distance they would appear to be muggles, even the way they held their wands seemed uncomfortable and unusual. They were bad shots, even as they fired their wands; Harry could now easily dodge the beams.
He ran forwards, towards the only exit of the alley, towards the wizards firing at him.
He stretched out his arm and stunned the first wizard, he fell to the floor without a struggle, and Harry darted behind a rubbish bin, cursing his unfortunate shelter.
He crouched with his back flat against the wall, droplets of sweat forming on his brow. His heart beat loudly in his chest and the blood pounded in his ears.
It had been a long time since he had run like this. He had been more on the investigating side of things, he helped to capture when he could, but he hated them: It brought back too many horrific memories for him.
He span sideways, moving forwards and across, to the other side of the alley.
He sent out several stuns as he did, two more fell to the floor.
They were easy to defeat, it was just the fact that there were five of them and one of him, and he was cornered.
There were only two left.
He bounded forwards, and raised his wand.
The words had formed in his mind, when his foot caught in wreckage and rubble, and he fell to the ground with a sickening crunch.
He felt the pain flow through him, his nose bled and stars danced before his eyes, taunting him.
The two remaining assailants drew closer. Their wands were lifted and for the first time he could see the expressions on their faces.
They were in pain. Not physical, but mental, the worst kind. They were trapped, incapable of controlling their own actions, held in by a force neither of them could begin to comprehend.
Like the Imperious curse, but worse. They were aware of what was going on, they didn’t want to do it, but the force driving them was in control.
It could make them destroy themselves and they would not be able to stop it, but they would know. They could think. They could fear.
Harry took a breath and tried to quieten his mind.
His wand had flown from his hand when he had fallen, and it was out of reach.
In his mind, that was where it had to start.
Dumbledore, he had tried to teach him.
He felt the magic, the wand was just a tool, the magic was in him.
It burst from him, a torrent of magic and anger, the force that he had used before, only this time less directed, more free.
Free.
His eyes snapped open.
The two wizards were on the ground, he didn’t know how, but he had done it.
He scrambled to his feet, brushing his hair from his face, reaching for his wand.
In the corner of his eye, he sensed movement, fast and purposeful.
His body flew backwards and rope-like bindings fastened him to the side wall of the alley.
His head smack back and for the second time his eyes swam. The force that had thrown him had knocked the air out of his lungs and he struggled for breath, the bindings becoming increasingly tighter.

“Harry Potter”
The voice came from the other side of the alley. Less than ten foot across, but it echoed into eternity, so near, it penetrated his skull.
Chills crawled over his spine.
The voice was hauntingly and terrifyingly familiar.
“You! No . . .” Harry squeezed his eyes shut for an instant, trying desperately to escape from the fears that had terrorised his dreams.
“You’re him. You’re Voldemort!”
His voice was still prickling at the back of Harry’s head, a splinter in his mind, making his skin crawl.
“Ahhh, no. Not quite, I think it would be more accurate to say that he was me.”
One of the bodies that Harry had stunned strolled around the corner, a smile on his petrified face. The eyes were pleading with him.
“What…what are…what”
“Me? What am I? I am a wizard, the greatest wizard that ever lived. They denied it; of course they never would agree with me, they couldn’t see that I was better than all three of them.” His eyes resumed a hungry far-away look, only for a second, and then the cold stare came back.
“What are they…the bodies?”
“Yes… they are the Nekoda. They are my, vessels. They are my slaves.”
“You…you’re inside that body, your mind…in that body…”
“Yes…you are a quick one, aren’t you…they are bodies new to magic, muggles that have
developed power, my own magnificent doing, of course…and I use them. Of course, they are weak, and few live to tell the tale…but they serve their purpose.”
Harry’s face was frozen in shock. What could he do about a man that could use the bodies of the living? A man that discarded them after use, as if they had never existed?
“You can’t do that! Those are people! Real people, with lives and families! You can’t just-”
“Stop.” The man narrowed his eyes at Harry. He spat the words and stared in disgust.
“You are weak. I assumed that you would be strong, you were strong enough to defeat him, but alas, you are another traitor to the magic.
I take it you have discovered who I am by now?”
Harry’s face was blank. Anger and hate lined his brow, but he didn’t know.
“No? Again, I have overestimated you.”
He sighed with the effort of explaining, casually drawing his wand and holding it before him.
“Well, I will leave you to ponder on that…”
He raised the wand, turned it on himself.
Harry stared; he must be an Animagus…
“Avada Kedavra!”
The body of the man fell to the ground in a crumpled heap as the green light blazed and blinded Harry for an instant. The bindings that had held him to the wall were released as the castor plunged into the darkness below him. Harry fell.
His legs collapsed beneath him and tears streamed down his face.
The icy fear still clutched at his heart as he stared into the face of a dead man. A body, an empty body, a vessel. The icy grip that held him suspended in its midst, chilling his spine.
What could he do, against a man that killed without thought, took life without hesitation? He had faced a man like that before. He had ceased to be a man, and made himself into a god.
That god had taken the lives of everybody he loved.
And as he drowned in his fear, wallowed in his grief, he felt it: the fear that once more had him in its cruel grasp.

****

Wooo, we have a baddie. Feedback? Anyone?

Back with Severus, and a new character. Its a wierd chapter, but thats how it was in my head, so thats how you get it

CHAPTER 6 – What Sight Lies in the Dome

Severus stepped inside the room. His heart was beating in an abnormal fashion and he could feel the blood pounding in his ears. He swayed, closed his eyes and blinked repeatedly to regain some sense of normality. His astounding memory had once again been essential; the address that had been on the scrap of unnaturally white paper was now forever imprinted in the depths of his mind.

He seemed to be alone, and took the time to study his surroundings, should he need to make a hasty escape. It was indeed a curious room that he was standing –or trying to stand- in. Although from the outside it was a normal room, inside it was dome shaped, and at least three times bigger. You couldn’t see the walls; every space of it was covered with material, white silks and satins, velvets and furs, embroideries and lace. All were white, pure unblemished white.
Opposite him, on the other side of the room, was an arch, covered partially by a plain
White veil. It stood almost, but not quite against the wall. When he had finished studying the room which was plainly too white for him, his eyes flickered back to the centre of the room. A small round glass table had appeared out of nowhere, with two chairs either side, both covered with comfortable looking throws. He frowned. Suspicion crept up his spine; this recommendation had not come from the most reliable source.

Before he had a chance to turn and leave, a figure appeared, exactly where he had been staring. It was a women, not young, nor old, and not in between. She was timeless.

“Please, sit down”
Her voice was clear and strong. Her hood was hiding her face.
He didn’t want to, but he sat, it just felt the right thing to do. He frowned; Severus Snape was not used to not being in control of his own body.
She sat opposite him and lowered her hood. Her white hair spilled down her back, trailing on the floor and resting on the table between them. She was wearing white, of course, and she smelt of something strange, she smelt like feelings, emotions, she smelt like knowledge and wisdom, it was like waiting to open an old book, to discover things unknown to anybody for years. A sense of excitement nestled in the pit of his stomach.

He shook his head, since when had he started to notice how people smelt?
He tried to resume a look of slight disapproval- just in case she started to think he actually needed her help, then realised how haughty he must look, and tried to revert to more –but not too much- of a welcoming pose.
This meant of course, that by the time she had settled herself, he was staring with his eyes fixed on her, and his mouth hanging open. She smiled, slightly.
She spoke again, this time her voice was strained.

“Please, close your mind, I am not used to being in the presence of such powerful wizards. It tends to overwhelm me somewhat.”

“Of course, whatever you require.
They sat in silence for several minutes. It was a comfortable silence, and Severus became aware of his noisy breathing and the rustle of his clothes, whilst all that came from her direction was. . . silence. After some minutes he penetrated her silence with a question; “May I ask, however, what exactly it is that you are? Or do?”
She smiled as though all she had been waiting for was for him to ask that question. She had such an interesting face; in some respects, it looked so young and fresh, but on the other hand it had such an age to it.
“I don’t know what I am, there is not enough of my kind to even merit us a name.
I see. Or rather I feel. Seeing is such a shallow issue. I feel everything that they feel, those around me. I can feel right into their minds. Muggles’ minds are quieter, but easier to access; they do not have the capability to use as much of their minds as magical folk do. Wizards and witches – that have not learnt to control their minds- are loud. It is very hard to avoid hearing what they say. That is why I keep myself in seclusion, I only have the occasional visitor, and they are usually in control of their minds, they know how to close them.”
“So... what do you do…?”
“Some call me a fortune teller, a prophecy-maker, even a palm reader. In reality, all I do is to tell people of their futures.”
”Their futures. You see into the future.” He snorted to himself. He didn’t believe in this sort of thing, he believed in logic and calculation, thinking things through. He had very little faith in his life. The only person he had trusted was Dumbledore and look how that turned out…
“No, not really. I calculate.”

Severus cringed. Now he would have to listen.

“99% of the time. I look at the person; I feel their past and present experiences and their character. I look at the situation. I take all of the possible courses of action, and pick the most likely ones that they would take. Then, I take every possible outcome of all of these most possible courses of action and, using the other people involved, the time, the other circumstances, sometimes even the weather, and I pick the most possible of these. Then, and this is the interesting part, I know, I just know.”

He looked at her, a blank expression on his face. He was sure she hadn’t breathed once in that explanation, speaking almost like a child describing their favourite new hobby, though she spoke slowly and with care. She was so... unreal. She looked at him. He looked back.
Her eyes were black. No iris, just pupil. The most extreme contrast to her skin and hair.

“You know.”
“Yes.”
“You guess their futures”
She smiled.
“No. I know. It’s more than guess, more than a belief. It is a sense of knowing, every fibre of your body and mind knows. Its shocking, at first, but it is complete, fulfilling, it is truly a gift.”
She closed her eyes. He could feel the passion with which she spoke. He knew how it felt. His body was tingling. She was a new kind. New to him. She could feel the future without becoming obsessed with it. She could become impassioned without becoming illogical and irrational. She was him.
She was secluded, seeking solitude, befriending knowledge and wisdom. Knowing the truth whilst others were content with lies to keep them safe.
Sitting opposite him she mirrored him. Even her apparent habit of dressing in one colour.

He sighed, looking at her he could understand so much more about himself. Studying her he could see the things that he kept hidden from even himself.

When he looked, she was so different. She smiled, she helped. He could not imagine her resorting to sarcastic remarks, though he was sure that she was capable of it. She was beautiful, graceful, kind.
He was the opposite- and he knew it.
But, if he felt, things were different.
Already there was a bond between them, growing stronger every fraction of a second that they sat together, even and especially when in silence. It was Stronger than casual friends or lovers. It was so much deeper and within him he knew. He didn’t believe that he felt any sort of romantic inclination towards her, but he was not sure, it was definitely there. It was a sort of love, having always been cautious of love, or situations where one might accidentally slip, he was wary. But it was different. It was like love between a complete, between two that knew each other, it was that wholeness that she spoke of, that knowing. She was part of him as he was part of her. If she left he would feel it, wrenching at his heart.
He was the other side of her. The same true characteristics, but they showed differently. She was the happy he was the sad, she was the right he was the wrong, she was the white, he was the black.

He looked down, stared at the back of his pallid hand, trying to make sense of the mess that was his mind. He had been there for so little time, so much information had been piled upon his mind, and already he was thinking that she was the answers that he had been searching for. He took a sharp breath as that thought from his subconscious forced its way into his conscious. He forced his mind back into the present, a task that was getting harder every day.
“Are you going to tell me my future?”
He looked up at her as he spoke. He knew the answer before she said it.
“No. you have learnt what you came to discover. It was you. Not your past or present or future, it was the timeless you, the you that has existed forever. You need to rediscover yourself. You cannot win this war unless you do.”
It was the first time she had spoken of the outside world. It didn’t seem right; the outside world didn’t seem fit to enter this place, to contaminate her.

Then it dawned on him. She knew. Of course she knew.
There was another war in his life. Another war he had to win.
“Your services have been very much appreciated”
She smiled, not at all shocked at his sudden return to formality. She understood, she knew.
He stood up, turned his back and left. No glance behind and no goodbye. He was a part of her and he knew, she knew. He finally knew.
Severus left the building. It had felt like he had been in there for minutes, at the most, but the sun was beginning to get lower in the sky. After the fresh white of the dome, the outside world seemed so exceedingly grimy and overwhelming. No wonder she kept herself there. He walked along, the black muggle shirt frustrating him. Counting the footsteps, the regular pattern calming.
He looked around. Hundreds of muggles in the centre of London; all going about their lives aimlessly and ignorantly. They had some idea; he had even heard that they wrote books of sorcerers and magic.

The new structures of glass and metal were astounding, their burnished surfaces reflecting the sun more than a thousand light charms. They had magic, in their own abnormal way. He still couldn’t stand them. His thoughts were wandering… he didn’t want to go back to the truth. The truth that he had fought for, for so long. Was this his remuneration? Acceptance was hard, but to him, inevitable.
As was death.
He smiled a grim smile to himself. He needed to rediscover himself… in order to save his own life. He was dying, and the only ones that new were he,
And the woman in the dome.

* * *

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Here are chapters 7 and 8, they're pretty short so I thought I'd post them both at once. Here we have a meeting of characters. Leave me some Feedback- just a few lines to let me know that somebody is reading . . .


CHAPTER 7- Trauma
“He attacked me! I was there for hours; that is how dangerous he is!”
“Nonsense, are you sure you aren’t just suffering, well, you know…”
Harry’s face was a picture of utter disbelief as he stared at the minister of magic.
“Can we not have one conversation without THAT being drawn into it?!”

The minister stood up behind his desk, then at the anger on Harry’s face promptly sat down again. He was not one to begin fights, certainly not. Anyway, this was Harry Potter, they were all in debt to him, and the poor boy was still suffering from shock. So young, so damaged, the trauma would haunt him for the rest of his life. Sigurd Fitzroy really pitied the boy.

Harry stared, having to make a conscious effort to keep himself from walking out. How could Fitzroy pity him? He was fine. Better than fine, he was great. He didn’t need the pity of this man. He was exasperated. Hadn’t he proved himself already? He was so weary of it all. Everybody protecting him, helping him, worrying for him. He could do that himself.

“Minister, I am being serious, deadly serious. I can do this with your help, or without it, it does not really bother me. It will however, take longer, and more people may die.”

Sigurd sighed gently. With a temperament like this one had, he would not be surprised if the boy did go it alone.

“I have…several groups working on different, how can I put it, mysterious situations. These are the names.”

The minister handed Harry a sheet of parchment that a quick quill had been writing on while he spoke.

“I trust you will not…lose that sheet?”
Harry moved his eyes from the parchment to the minister. He sighed in frustration, the bloody conversations that he had with this man, it was astonishing that he could muster up any respect for him at all.
His eyes skirted over the list,
Barlon and Minnings from the department of magical law enforcement, something about improper use of magic by large groups of wizards, maybe.
MleKuc from the Department for the regulation and control of magical creatures, no…
Alfero from the Department of Magical Transportation, monitering muggle networks again, no…no, but may be usefull.
Snape and Lupin, private. Harry sighed. Then it hit him. Snape and Lupin. SNAPE AND LUPIN!

“Where are they!?” The minister jumped in his seet.
“Who…who? Oh,…I..I cannot speak the location.”
“Tell me, it’s me, somehow I doubt they’ll mind!”
“NO, I mean, I am physically unable to speak the location, I am not the secret keeper.”
It dawned on harry.
“But I do believe it is the same place that they were based from before the fall of the dark lord.”

That was all Harry needed. He grabbed his cloak and set off at a sprint. Skidding across the polished floors, he fought his way out of the evening crowds and out of the ministry of magic headquarters.
The place had been destroyed! Number twelve Grimauld Place, he had seen it with his own eyes! Destroyed to little more than piles of rubble… he had not even thought of them hiding there.
He could hardly contain his excitement, he was going to see Remus again. Snape. That almost stopped him in his tracks. Snape would be there. That lying traitor, under the same roof as Remus, working on the same project, Harry could not avoid him. He groaned, but nevertheless regained up his fast pace.
It seemed to take hours before he arrived, but he was there. Standing in front of number eleven and number thirteen Grimauld place. He thought the address, and the building appeared.
Harry stared. There was no trace of scorching, no brick out of place, a few windows were smashed, but it had windows. The door was in tact. He couldn’t believe his eyes. He had seen it, no more than a year ago, when a group of death eaters had burned it to the ground, an unprovoked attack on muggles- or so they had reported.
He took a breath, tried to calm his nerves and enter the place that had haunted his dreams for so long. The last reminders of Sirius, mercilessly burned to the ground, the place that had killed Sirius, pulled down at long last.
But he drove all thought of that from his mind. He was going to see Remus, the only family he had left, and he was going to see Snape. His final and foremost enemy.
The only person left that he hated. The only person left that he would kill, if only he had the chance.

***

CHAPTER 8- Enemy and Friend

Harry breethed in deeply, and prepared to enter. His hand was trembling with anticipation. Remus. Snape. Remus… Snape. He raised the knocker, studdying the dogs that chased eachother beneath his fingertips. Chasing eachother’s tails, as he leant closer one let out a small barely audible bark. He stared at it. Sirius. All those memories. This place, the place that you hated, it’s the only thing we have left. One of the dog s looked at him. Turned it’s head out of the pattern of chasing and running,, staring straigt at him. The silver turned black, staring into him, chilling him for the second time that day. The figures bacame still, still and lifeless. Harry let the knocker fall from his grasp, and sucked in air to stop the faintness that was enveloping him, Footsteps were heard behind the door. A slow sighing, a billowing of cloaks. A wand rasied on the other side of the door, inches from his head.
He waited, so did the person behind the door.
“Hello? Remus?” Harry could hear the hope in his voice, it’s light clear tone echoing on the other side.
The door opened and harry was pulled in.
Severus snape stood there. His wand was raised and his face set into a deep frown, and his lips twisted into a small smile, the type that had always made Harry want to dissappear.
“How, Did, You, Find Me?”
Harry lifted his chin and stared severus in the eye. He could feel severus trying to get into his mind, but he blocked it, and nearly laughed ot loud at the dissappointment etched into Severus’s face.
“Not you, Remus.”
The pair stood, staring at eachother from opposite sides of the corridor. Snape in his black robes, big and domineering, Harry in his brown robes, tall and defiant. Only the hate was the same.
“Severus, what is it?”
Harry nearly choked at the sound of that voice. Remus. Thank god he was alive.
The form of remus poked his head around the corner. Harry stared in shock. Not just the fact that Remus was there..but the condition that he was in. His hair was matted with blood and scratches and cuts covered his face. Harry tried to keep calm. It would not do to show how much he had missed having Remus there, not in front of snape.
Luckily, he didn’t have to pretend to be calm for that long. Before he had a chance to say anything Remus had enveloped him in a hug, and Snape was standing there clicking his tongue impatiently.
“Harry! How are you?! Good, good… How did you find us?! I’m so glad you did!” Snape frowned and Remus smiled- “although…that was very irresposnsible of you, you know?...”
Harry smiled.
“Actually, the minister told me.”
Snaped grunted from the corner.
“That man has known where we are fo rone day, and already he is spilling the secret to any old child that happens to wander across his path…”
“now now Severus. Harry is not ‘any old child, is he.”
“oh yes, how could I forget..he is the chosen one.” Snape turned his back on the pair and strided down the stairs to the kitchen.
Harry could feel his nails digging into his palms as his hands clenched into fists. His eyes were fixed on Snape’s back, as though the glare could stop the murderer’s cold heart.
Remus sighed weakly.
“Harry, he means well… he just, finds it difficult., nobody believes him.. he was fighting for us the whole time Harry…”
“How can you defend him?!” Harry asked incredulously, his voiced rising to a shout. “How can you be so niave? He is a murderer! And you’re cooped up in here with him, comfortable and trusting, just waiting for him to kill you.”
Remus blinked. Harry calmed himself.
“I am not here to talk about..that. I have a problem. It is literally a life and death situation. I believe you are investigating the same…problem.
Remus’ face switched from resigned to domineering.
“No Harry. You will not get involved in this, you have done enough already.”
Harry sighed. It was as bad as he thought. But he didn’t let on, just replied-
“And you haven’t?” he brushed past Remus and began to descended down the stairs. Towards danger- towards Snape.

***

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Chapter 9, I think it should pick up a bit from now. Let me know what you think! Feedback

CHAPTER 9- A Deceptive Adversery
“Harry, are you sure? Are you sure that was what he said?”
“Yes!”
“The exact words?”
Harry cast his mind back to that meeting in the alley. Even the mere thought of it made his skin crawl and sent icy convulsions through his body.
“he asked me if I had discovered who he was, and I didn’t know. He said he overestimated me again”
A low humourless chuckle came from Snape’s direction, and It was all Harry could do to keep himself from cursing the man.
“Again?”
Harry looked at remus, his face was creased in concerntration.
“What do you mean?”
“You said that when he spoke to you, he said again, as if he had overestimated you once before, or more than once.”
“well…I’ve never seen that man before, I’ve told you that.”
Remus sighed in defeat.
“No.” It was snape’s voice that sounded now. “You have never seen that body before. These people, these bodies that he uses, they were just the means of transportation, he wouldn’t have killed himself. You have not seen the body, but you have had many meetings with the occupant.”
“what do you mean”
Snape sighed.
“I mean, Potter, that something was controlling that body, from the inside.”
Harry rested his elbows on his knees and looked at he floor. He had to tell them, he had to. But he didn’t want to, and every bone in his body told him it would cause more trouble. And If he didn’t tell them it will cause even more trouble. And pain.
He closed his eyes.
“There was something else. He sounded like Voldemort. No, he was Voldemort, in everything but appearance. When I asked him- if he was Voldemort- he said, he said it would be more accurate to say that Voldemort was him.”
He said it in a rush, to get it over with. But there was more.
“He said, he said that he was the greatest wizard that there ever was. He said that they denied it, that they never agreed. All three of them”
Remus’ strangled gasp and severus sharp inhallation was enough confromation for him. His eyes prickled. They were scared, and if they were scared…he was terrified.

Severus forced himself to keep calm. This is what Dumbledore had been speaking of to Remus, it had existed in rumours and whispers, but now it was real. It was staring him in the face.
He looked at Remus, he was thoroughly paled and looked as though he was about to faint. Potter was no better, and he didn’t even know who it really was.
“It’s Salazar Slytherin, isn’t it”
Severus clenched his jaw. So he did know. He looked at Remus, and a quick assessment told him that it was time for Severus to take the lead.
“Yes.”
Harry looked at him, every moment accusation and hatred filled his eyes, but even that couldn’t hide the fear. He continued-
“Yes..it would seem so, but we cannot be sure, there is no need to panic yet.”
“There is.” Remus spoke now. His voice was wavering and weak, Severus had to strain to hear it. “And we can be sure. There was a prophecy…”
“There is always a prophecy!” Severus could not help but raise his voice. He could not believe that once again, they would throw everything away, give up, because of a prophecy. Last time…Dumbledore had believed it so much, that he had effectively given up his life to save harry. But you took it, you took his life.
“This time was different. They all said it. All of them. People that had never met before, never prophecised before, they had said the same thing, the exact same words.”
Severus frowned. This complicated things. One claim to glory was easy to dismiss, but several…
“What was the prophecy? What did it say?”
“I don’t know. Dumbledore never told me the words, and there is no record. Our only chance of hearing it would be to hear another prophecy…I know it speaks of an evil, a dark wizard that has touched our world before, in many different structures, the last the most perilous, something about generating a space, a space with a cross.”
Severus frown grew deeper. That didn’t make sense.
“It means nothing. We will not hear another ‘prophecy’ unless by chance. We will focus our attentions on another area.” If the worst came to the worst he could always visit her again. She would know.
Harry looked at him suddenly. “What were you investigating? What were you doing?”
Remus was gain incapable of speaking, and Severus didn’t know.
“Remus pull yourself together, I need to think, you can fill potter in on our investigations.”
He placed emphasis on the ‘our’- no need to tell the boy that Severus had been excluded since the beginning.
Remus had collected himself, and the resigned look had vanished from his face. He pulled himself upright and moved his eyes to Harry.
His eyes flickered to the floor again.
He told Harry- and Snape- in a hushed voice. Light as a whisper, it could be blown away in the slightest breeze. It wasn’t fact; it wasn’t sure enough to be fact. It was barely more than a rumor; it was an idea, an idea that could be taken away with the wind.
Lupin finished with a stutter; “They’re going to die, all of them, it’s what all this has been for, it’s what he wants. The time for talking is over. I have a lead. It could kill us.”
Severus sighed;
“And not going could kill everybody else.”

***

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Here's chapter 10, I rather like this chapter so I hope you do too! I've almost given up asking for feedback, since I doubt anybody is actually reading/has the time, but just in case!- Feedback

CHAPTER 10 – Revealing Expedition

Severus felt the comforting sensation of being squeezed through a tube and he stepped swiftly out onto the charred black ground. Before him was a house, an expanse of brick and wood, the windows were bare of glass and weeds crept up the side of the building, engulfing it in a silvery green coat, creepers strangling the house like snakes. Severus’ eyes watered as the odour of rotting and dust reached his nostrils. He barely flicked his head as the forms of Remus and Potter staggered beside him, barely able to apperate…
“This is it?” Remus asked him. Severus slid his eyes towards the pair. Remus stood with his eyes fixed warily on the house, and Potter was choking on the dust that made the air thick and musty.
Severus stepped forwards. As he made his way forwards the other two seemed to gain confidence, and began to keep only two steps behind Severus.
He looked around as he walked, holding the hem of his robes out of the mud and grime that swamped the ground. As the building grew closer, Severus felt a tickle at the back of his mind. It was not strong, which made what it warned of even more deadly. He hesitated for a second, but the pair had not seen his hesitation, and apparently not the warning either. He sped his pace until he reached the border of the defenses. They were strong, more offensive than defensive. He stopped and drew his wand, pressing its tip against the edge of the wall of magic. The boundaries had worn down with age, but it was still not something to be ignored, it must have been there for fifty years at the most, but it was strong, and had an ancient feel to it. He struggled to maintain his hold on the magic that tied him to the defenses, but he did not waver. Remus and Potter, however, continued on past the spot the Severus had stopped; only Remus stopped as he saw Severus with his wand drawn concentrating on the invisible boundary. The boy, however, gained confidence as nothing seemed to stop him, and his strides grew longer and quicker.
Before he had reached halfway to the house a force blew him backwards, expelling the intruder from its midst and searing heat reached Harry as his body flew backwards. The force knocked Remus off his feet too, but Severus, with his wand still tied to the wall didn’t move an inch, his robes never stirring and hair unruffled, while all about him the trees and ground shuddered and fell.
Harry hit the ground, his flight in slow-motion over with a shock and jolt.
Severus turned to him, as his link to the defenses broke and the invisible wall of magic crumbled.
“You are lucky, Potter, that once again I am here to help. If I had not been, you would be dead, and Remus would be able to take you back in a matchbox.”
He frowned at the pair that lay sprawled on the ground, though Remus was getting up. He was strange, Remus. He could be so powerful, if only he stopped worrying about Harry, and so useful, if he stopped denying what he was.
Potter was not injured, just shocked, and as he staggered up he scowled at Severus.
“If you weren’t here Snivellus, the world would be-”
“Enough! Now is not the time!” Remus shouted.
He-called-me-Snivellus…Severus struggled to control his anger. The brat was exactly like his father! Dumbledore had always spoken of giving Potter a chance to be himself, but he couldn’t see the boy now!
And whose fault is that?
“Let’s move- we have little time.”
Severus strode up to the house and to the front door. He hovered his hands above the door and let the form of Dumbledore float into his mind. He opened his eyes and the figure was before him. Severus heard Harry start in the background, but Remus restrained him.
“Albus”
“Severus” the form smiled down at him.
“Why didn’t you tell me? Why did Remus know yet I was excluded? Can you not trust me, even now?”
“Now, now, Severus, don’t try an old man’s patience.” His smile did not falter. “Remus knew, because of reasons that I cannot disclose to you now.” Severus began to protest.
Dumbledore’s spectral form held up a hand.
“Severus, you will understand, as you always do, in the end. You will have to trust me, and Remus, as I asked many to trust you when roles were reversed. Knowledge is hard to accept when it is not in our own hands, but sometimes, it is safer that way.”
Severus nodded. He had a task. Jealousy would not get in the way of that.
“Now, my boy, you have my permission to enter, be careful” Dumbledore raised his hand and the door swung inwards. Then the form disappeared.
Severus turned his head to Remus and Potter.
“Come, we need to be quick!”
He hurried into the building and cast a protective spell around himself. Severus looked around the building, it was smaller on the inside, and in such a state of disrepair that it was a wonder it was still standing.

“It’s here? Why would it be in his own house, surely that’s the first place that Slytherin would look for it?” Harry asked, and stared in disbelief at his surroundings.
“Firstly, Potter, it is not his house, just the house that he died in. Secondly, the only reason we could enter was because Dumbledore allowed us to, and thirdly,” Snape looked in disgust at Harry and his ignorance, “who do you think put those defenses around the perimeter? They stank of dark magic, He knows that it is here, but that doesn’t mean he can get at it, surely even you could tell that. I will go this way” Severus pointed through the only other door in the room, before Harry could retort, “and you two, shall go upstairs. Don’t get lost, don’t get killed, if you find it, do NOT touch it.”
He strode off, his black cloaks billowing in his wake, leaving Harry and Remus to investigate the upper floor.
Carefully climbing up the stairs which were crumbling more than they were whole, the pair stumbled out onto a small landing. Three doors led off of it, and further down, another.
“Shall we split up?” Remus looked at Harry and replied;
“I don’t think… I don’t think Severus would be too pleased if we did.”
“To hell with what Snape thinks!” Harry looked around at his dark and dingy surroundings. There were no decorations, no barbaric trophies such as the ones in the black household, and no screeching portraits. But the house still seemed to give Harry chills which traveled the whole length of his spine, and left his eyes wide and his hairs on end. He spoke again “still, you are good company- lets go this way”
Harry walked up to the first door and touched his wand to it. He could feel cold coming from behind the door, it swung inwards. A stench of death stung Harry’s nostrils. In the corner, a ghostly figure was huddled in the corner, and as the pair entered, it rounded on them, its face pure fury.
“How dare you! You taunt me, you and your bodies… walking around, never appreciating what you have… I’m stuck here forever”
“Um, I’m sure it’s not that bad?” Harry ventured, unsure as to whether the ghost wanted comforting.
“OH IT IS! I will never torture another muggle again” The ghost wailed in despair and smashed the window, which swiftly repaired itself. “I had killed so many; I had broken the Society for Torture and Torment of Muggle Beings’ record! Thirty three in one night! Then some stupid wizard shot a curse at me! Left me bleeding to death! Obviously, I had heard about this place, thought it was just a myth! Promptly apperated here- apparently people have been searching for it for centuries! Not a soul has found it, and if they have, they never came back! Searched around, found the damned thing then died! Few minutes later I came back again! Of course- not with a body, but not a ghost… I felt free.” A glazed look clouded over the ghost’s eyes... “Felt like I could go anywhere… do anything. Before I knew it, I changed again, went all gooey… all stuck, couldn’t leave the place!
Hang on... You’re not muggles, are you?!”
“No, no… where was it- The thing that you came here for?” Remus asked.
“What? Oh... Down the hallway- last door. NO good to you though.” He looked down at them. “You’re still alive” he wailed again, turned over all of the furniture in the room and quickly sank through the floor.
“He was… spirited…” Remus chuckled to himself.
Harry left the room, glad to be free of the stench of the ghost- if that was what it was, and reverted his mind back to the task in hand.
“It said the door down there.” Harry pointed towards the furthest door. As they got closer Harry could see a black mist creeping out from under the door. The stench was overwhelming... not for his nostrils but for his mind. It stank of age, of blackness and left a hollow feeling deep in Harry’s chest.
He opened the door- and an explosion sounded throwing Harry and Remus backwards. The rest of the staircase crumbled somewhere behind them, the ghost started its wailing again, Severus’ voice shouted;
“DON’T TOUCH IT! KEEP AWAY FROM IT!” and his footsteps could be heard running towards the pair.
Harry couldn’t see, all there was, was blackness. Then there were spots of colour as his eyesight returned to him.
“DON’T TOUCH IT POTTER!”
“How the hell does he think I’m going to touch it?! Remus?”
“Yes... yes I’m here... oh dear.”
“What? Remus!”
“I seem to be slightly... changed”
Severus bounded towards them and came to an abrupt halt as he laid eyes on Remus.
“Potter, move back, slowly. Remus? Can you hear me? It’s me, Its Severus. Can you hear me Remus?”
“Yes... Severus. It’s just my appearance… I can still think” Harry turned towards his friend and jumped as the wolf form of Remus stared back at him. “Can we just move on...? I can still help- is it in there?”
Severus looked towards the door, but kept a wary eye on Remus. Yes, it should be okay to enter... That was just the residue of dark magic built up over time; it must be at least a hundred years since it had its last visitor.
“Yes... We met him, charming guy” Harry mumbled.
“In any case, cast a protective charm, just to be on the safe side” Severus stepped through first, and when nothing happened, the other two followed. Remus fumbled with his wand, but eventually managed to cast a shield.
The room they had entered was large- huge. So much larger than was impossible. Could even magic stretch this far, Harry wondered? In the centre, on a raised platform, much like a throne stood an arch. From it hung a black tattered veil, in its surface ran the blood of a thousand victims, and the manic laughter of countless murderers, the screeching and wailing of the dead, and the face Salazar Slytherin.

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Ooooo Feedback?

Here's chapter 11. It's fairly 'talky' but it should start to explain a few things!Feedback

CHAPTER 11- A Chilling Explanation
“This is it. This is what he’s using.” Severus walked to the platform and circled the veil. Along its edges ran thousands of runes in hundreds of ancient languages. It held power- and death. It was wondrous yet an abomination at the same time. “Does it make sense Remus? I think I understand now…this one… the one in the ministry… the one in- would you explain what you know Remus? We need to gather all of our information.” Severus could barely take his eyes off the arch, but he managed to and looked at his companions.
Remus took a breath, and then began.
“Salazar Slytherin died around nine hundred years ago; he was about two hundred... The exact dates are hazy... but he died, and there are many records of his death, however hidden they may be. According to Dumbledore, there are many different kinds of spirit. The main ones being a poltergeist or a ghost. There is also what we see as an imprint, like a memory but with more substance. It is not restrained by the boundaries that a ghost or poltergeist is- it can venture outside of the place that it died, or was created in, but it also has no corporeal form, and therefore cannot directly affect the ‘real’ world. This is what Dumbledore has become, in order to help us.
Dumbledore tells me that before he died, he discovered these imprints, and the method with which they travel from the spirit world to ours- these arches.”
“Hang on,” Harry interrupted, “that thing in the other room, it can’t have been a ghost, it moved the bed, smashed the window. It wasn’t a poltergeist either... it was a person that was alive, once!”
“That is more to do with the state of the house, than the spirit itself.” Snape answered. “If I am correct, the house can only be found by those who know of its exact location and of the arch and what it is used for, or by those that the arch lures to it; those that are evil, and on the brink of death.” Harry swallowed
“The arch lures them here… that’s… scary” Severus ignored him, and continued.
“Therefore, it is not entirely here. The prescence of the arch forces it further into relative non-existence. The ghost can move things because the house itself is part ghost.”
“Yes, well, Dumbledore discovered these arches. He also discovered that the imprint of Salazar Slytherin had forced its way out of one of these arches. Slytherin is so strong that not only can he force his way into people’s minds, he can also control bodies. For the past eight hundred years he has been controlling wizards that have extreme amounts of power and using them to help him gain strength.”
“How?”
”When a wizard dies, his magic is dispersed, it never dies, but the magic is dispersed in the world, just into the atmosphere. If enough magical folk die within a short space of time, and if very powerful wizards also die, so much magic is dispersed that it can literally throw magic off its hinges. Salazar could have any body he wants but the magic will always be extremely limited. He needs his own body. If enough people die the borders between life and death crack, and he is free to enter the living world. With his body and with his power.”
“So... all we need to do is stop that from happening.
“Do you think, Potter, that it is that easy?” Snape interjected
“I’m afraid, Harry, that it is too late. The last battle was enough when so many people- aurors, death eaters- all powerful, died and then Voldemort... It was enough.”
“So why isn’t he back in full? If it’s already happened why are we still here?!”
Remus didn’t respond, Severus answered in his place.
“Because he needs all of the arches. The arches need to be united, and his body will come out of that.”
“Why hasn’t he already got this one?”
“Didn’t you hear the ghost Harry? He said he was here, I suppose as an imprint, and then he turned into a ghost.
There are supposedly three arches. A white one, a grey one- in the ministry and a black one-here. When people die but their spirits have the power to come back, they can go through one of two. The white is if they are coming back to do well for the world and the black if they are going to do evil. The grey is different... it takes bodies, not spirits. Only bodies can pass through that arch, either way. If the three were united, a huge arch would be formed, and Slytherin’s body would come out of here. It would also send out a blast of magic so powerful that it would kill every wizard with less than a certain amount of power; if the body can’t handle more than a certain amount, the blast would kill them- like an overload.
So, the imprint can come out of the arch wherever its body died. However, if an imprint enters the place of its death, it becomes a ghost and can never leave until its past troubles have been sorted, and it has no regrets. Dumbledore found out that this house is the place of Slytherin’s death, so he moved the arch here. If Slytherin enters he will become a ghost, he will never move on for obvious reasons. He can’t enter even if he is in another’s body and the limitations placed on his imprint don’t allow him to cast an Imperius curse. The only way would be to manipulate a wizard’s mind and persuade him to use magic to move the arch outside of the boundaries.
Dumbledore, therefore, placed a spell upon the house that allows only those with his permission to enter.”
“What about the other spell, the old one”
“Oh, yes, whilst Slytherin was in possession of Tom Riddle's body, he invoked the power of his bloodline, and used Riddle’s own extensive power to add another defense- to ensure that the arch couldn’t be destroyed.”
“Then how did he get rid of it” Harry motioned towards Severus, who listened, but was deep in thought.
“Because, Potter, when Voldemort was killed, the Slytherin bloodline ended, and the magic of it failed. Only Voldemort’s own spell remained.”
“And you are stronger than him?” Harry taunted but received no anger.
“I am the one standing here.”
You’ve never actually admitted it before Severus, how you were stronger than Him.
“How do we get rid of his imprint?” Harry looked from Snape to Remus. Severus answered.
“There is a way”
“Well, how? What is the way?!”
Severus ignored him and stood up to leave, glancing once more at the arch.
“Come, we must leave, the veil is getting stronger by the minute.”

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Once again I beg without dignity for Feedback

Here's chapter 12.. Just to remind you, I wrote this pre-DH. That may be relevant when you're reading... if not, ignore me As always, feedback would be nice

CHAPTER 12 – Preparing for the Best“What is the way Severus?”
Remus and Severus sat by the fire in number twelve, Grimauld place. Harry was sleeping in Sirius’ old room, and peace and quiet had descended. As soon as they had left the room with the veil Remus began to revert back to normal, out of his wolf form. By the time they had left the house and replaced any necessary defenses, he was himself again… his human self.
They had deduced that it was all due to the way that magic had been thrown off course: the change in weather patterns, the early flowers, the mysterious behavior of animals, Lupin’s untimely transformations.
“Severus?”
“Yes, it would be risky; one of us would most likely be killed”
“We face that every day…”
Severus took a breath, this would take some careful persuading, and once he started, there was no turning back.
“We unite the arches”
“That would bring him back.” Remus’ chuckly held no mirth “-and kill every muggle within a thousand miles, and half the witches and wizards on the planet.”
“I know… but we can’t kill his imprint without having a body with it… if we unite the arches, instead of him, we can use them to pull his imprint to his body, instead of his body to his imprint. He would be sucked in. after that, we would destroy the arches.”
“And what about the blast”
“I think I can contain it.”
“You would die. Nobody can contain that amount of power.”
“I don’t need to store it, just direct it, into the ground, into the Earth”
“Even so, channeling that through you could be fatal.”
“Remus, it is the only way. Dumbledore said I would understand, in time. He sacrificed himself and asked me to let him do it. Now I ask you.” Severus took a breath, he had to start opening up to Remus; he was asking the man to risk too much to not let him know.
“He didn’t tell me what was happening, because he knew that I would act to soon. I would keep you out, keep everybody out and end up killing myself- and being of no use! I wish I had learnt the restraint that he had, maybe he could have trusted me from the beginning. As it is, you need my help, and I need yours.”
Remus closed his eyes and sighed. His brow furrowed and face covered in creases. He looked at Severus again; darkness ringed his eyes, his face was pale and age was beginning to show all too soon.
“What would you need me to do?”
If I contain the blast, you and the boy would have to make sure he goes the right way- into death, not out of it. When we unite the arches we will gain some control- you will have to handle that control, keep your mind focused on pulling his imprint back into death. Potter would have to help, he would have to create a shield around the imprint, keep it from entering anybody else’s body. I know of a spell, it would be dangerous, but he has enough magic to do it. That is all... the plan is relatively simple but it requires control”
“Yes, though Severus, I’m surprised at you, actually praising the boy?”
“It does not do to deny the facts, Remus”
Remus laughed under his breath, and then his expression became unreadable.
“Tonks is pregnant”
Severus spluttered into his butterbeer and then chuckled at the abrupt change of subject and the startling news it presented.
“We had better survive this then!”
“Mmmm…”
“What?”
“What if one of us fails?”
“We all die”
Remus Gulped.
“What if I fail?”
“You won’t. All you need is the power of your mind. Fuel your mind with power, those you love- all of the reasons that he can’t be allowed to exist. You can do it.”
Remus smiled “Oh, you have changed Severus.”
“A little… Just don’t tell anyone.”
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The next few weeks were spent planning the course of events that they should take. Whilst Harry practiced the spells that Severus had perfected, Remus spent his days conversing with the imprint of Dumbledore, and researching anything that they may have overlooked.
Severus had revealed to them that he knew of the third arch’s location.
He didn’t tell them of the woman in the Dome, or anything that had occurred there, just that he had visited a place, and the arch was there, it was safe.

They had to choose a site, somewhere that the fabric of life was particularly weak, the location of the last battle, of Voldemort’s death. Hogwarts. By the lake, the exact spot that Harry had sat every morning until he had found out Remus’ whereabouts. By the tree; where Severus had been tormented by his father, where his mother had protected him, where he Ron and Hermione had sat so many times. Ron and Hermione. This was for them. To think that everything that they had fought against was just another wizard’s game. The war that had claimed their lives and so many others, the war that had stolen the last shreds of childhood that they possessed. The man that had killed Harry’s parents, Ron's father and so many friends, the most powerful man that Harry had ever fought, was just a puppet in another evil plan.
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Severus was to go to see her the next day. A site hadn’t been decided on, but they had to bring the arch to them, to study it, to see how the three joined. When they understood exactly what was to be done, Potter would get the arch out of the department of Mysteries. When everything was in place, the last arch would be brought, by Severus, to the lake.
The idea was to keep the arches separate for as long as possible, to lower the chance of Slytherin uniting them.
Severus’ dreams were flooded with images of her. She was always smiling, but he was worried- a feeling of dread and anxiety nestled in the pit of his stomach,
The rain lashed against his body so hard that it cut him and he bled thick black blood. It crept around her, even her radiance couldn’t keep off the blood. The rain turned to his blood. The rivers and streams became his blood, the ground oozed his blood and the trees cried his blood. She was there, the whole time, never moving never speaking, just smiling and waiting for the rain to stop.
He blinked, the blood was gone. They stood atop a tower whilst lightning struck the ground below them. She spoke to him, a light soft voice weighted down by words of lead.
An evil that has touched our world before
In many different forms
The last the most perilous
Breaching the walls of magic
They will generate a space
So that he may cross
And the world will be changed forever
He didn’t know what it meant. It was all wrong, the sound of the thunder deafened him... the lightening blinded him and her light flooded into him. The thunder was louder and louder a cascade of vociferous noise tumbling down from the heavens that he had evaded, death was coming in the noise, in the sound searching him out in a-

Severus sat up in bed, the rain splattered against the window and lightning lit up the sky. Grimauld place was silent; layers of magical defenses blocked the noise. He held his head, images of the dream clouded his mind, and he needed to remember the words. They hadn’t meant anything in the dream… the words eluded him, all he could see was the blood, the tower and her face… always smiling. The feeling in his stomach wouldn’t disappear, the smothering smog of images threatened to suffocate him, he was standing perilously on the edge of life and death.
He was getting closer to death. He had been dying for years now, but it was getting worse. He could feel the ache in his bones, his body asking him to give up, pleading with him to stop putting it through so much.
He knew sleep would never come to him now. It was under an hour to dawn, soon, he would see her again.

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