Forsaken
folder
Harry Potter › Het - Male/Female
Rating:
Adult +
Chapters:
50
Views:
2,149
Reviews:
4
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Category:
Harry Potter › Het - Male/Female
Rating:
Adult +
Chapters:
50
Views:
2,149
Reviews:
4
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Disclaimer:
I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
The New Gameplan
Chapter 17 - The New Gameplan
Harry jumped awake. The sun shone directly through his bedroom window, illuminating a strip of the room. He sat up slightly, blinking to adjust his eyes to the light. The sight of Remus bleeding on the gates flashed through his mind. He swung his legs over the side of his bed and stood up, shaking the legs of his pajama pants back down from where they had scrunched up.
He felt so numb. He knew he should feel something - anything - but he didn’t. He just felt - cold. He frowned slightly and walked over to his door. He pulled on the knob and was met with an icy puff of air from the hallway. He ran back into his room and grabbed his wand. He slowly edged out of the doorway again and made his way downstairs.
Severus sat rigidly on the sofa, his eyes completely black as he murmured the incantation. The locket he had found in Harry’s satchel glowed, the light pulsing from the casing as it lay on the coffee table. Suddenly, the light consumed the locket, fading from a white color to the deepest blood red. The locket absorbed the light and began vibrating hard against the table. A beam of red light shot back through Severus’s wand and shattered the bone in his arm.
“Shit!” hissed Severus, dropping his wand. Just like that, the darkness dissipated, allowing the sunlight to shine back into the room.
“What in the bloody hell are you doing?”
Severus started, gritting his teeth at the pain that shot up his arm. He looked over his shoulder at Harry’s furious face.
“I was trying to see if we were hosting a bit of the Dark Lord’s mutilated soul,” he said snidely. He rose up from the sofa, cradling his arm against his stomach. Breathing through the pain, he found the Healer’s manual and pulled it off the shelf. He quickly opened the book and scanned a passage on bone mending. He picked up his wand in his left hand and touched the tip to his arm. He spoke the incantation and grimaced as the bone painfully healed. He gently tested his arm, bending his elbow back and forth.
“I didn’t detect anything, although I will admit that I couldn’t finish the spell,” said Severus evenly. “Did you want to keep it?”
“No,” said Harry firmly, his discussion with Albus coming back to him. “I don’t want that damn thing. He probably knew it wasn’t dangerous.”
“What are you talking about?” asked Severus quietly.
“Dumbledore knew Regulus’s locket was a fake,” said Harry bitterly. “He knew before we left the castle that night.”
“What?” hissed Severus, his face paling in fury. “What do you mean, he knew beforehand?”
“When I went in to talk to the portrait,” began Harry, “he said that the cave was just a test for me, so that I would know what I was up against. He took care of the cup too. Said it was in his vault at Gringott’s if we wanted to go get it.” Severus growled and kicked over the table. He began pacing the room angrily.
“I cannot believe he did that!” shouted Severus, shocking Harry with his vehemence. “You had no business being in that cave with him! God, you haven’t slept well in weeks! I could kill him!”
“You already did that,” said Harry easily. Severus halted, glancing over at Harry’s smirking face.
“Yes, well,” muttered Severus, “now I have real motive.” He ran both hands through his hair. “And here I was, trying to figure out who might have that bloody chalice.”
“Oh, but there is good news,” said Harry sarcastically. “He did have information about the other object.” He dug around in his knapsack on the sofa and pulled out a scrap of parchment. He handed it to Severus. “Ravenclaw’s scepter. Last person who had it was Ava Callahan.”
“Callahan,” repeated Severus under his breath. He sighed heavily and touched his wand to the parchment, vanishing it. “I will see what I can find out. We may have to get Kingsley to locate some files for us in the Ministry.” Severus carefully avoided Harry’s gaze, pushing back thoughts that the surname brought forth. “In the meantime, we have work to do, if you’re up for it. I have a feeling that Miss Weasley will not benefit from being in the Dark Lord’s company for an extended period of time, in which case I will need you in top form. Come with me.”
Harry followed him upstairs and into his office. Severus shut the door and drew his wand. He stared into the boy’s haunted eyes, wondering if this was a good idea. Distraction would offer a little comfort for him now, but later - later, it might do more harm than good. Severus sighed softly.
“Shall we attempt a bit of Occlumency?” asked Severus, not caring that he didn’t have a pensieve. “Today will probably be a bit harder for you, so let me know if you’d rather do something else.” Harry immediately tensed up, his palms beginning to sweat as he drew his wand.
“No,” said Harry firmly. “I can do this.” Severus nodded once, ignoring the warning voice in his mind.
“I want you to clear your mind of everything,” said Severus. “Find some way of tucking your thoughts away in the very, very back of your mind. Occlumency is the formation of shields around those thoughts. Eventually, you will be able to shield your entire mind from penetration.”
“So,” said Harry hesitantly, “how exactly do you clear your mind? I don’t understand what you mean by that.” Severus tapped his wand against his cheek in thought.
“Close your eyes,” said Severus. Harry frowned at him, but shut his eyes. “Now, I want you to think of an empty room. Nothing on the walls, no furniture. And make sure the room is generic. Do not, for example, think of any room in this house or in your relative’s house. A classroom at Hogwarts would be ideal. I don’t think I’ll have to teach you how to bring forth fake memories, so we won’t worry about that for now.” He gave Harry a few moments of quiet.
“Have you got your room fixed clearly in your mind?” asked Severus. Harry nodded. “I want you to concentrate on keeping that room in your thoughts. If I break through, I want you to think back to that room as soon as possible. Now, open your eyes and look at me.” Harry slowly opened his eyes, staring straight into Severus’s black orbs. Severus lifted his wand.
“Watch your spell strength,” muttered Severus. “We don’t have much space in here. On three. One - two - three. Legilimens!”
Harry felt the spell hit him, but he forced himself to think of only the empty room. His vision stayed clear, blurring only slightly at the edges. A rush of accomplishment raced through him like an electric current. Severus cancelled the spell, frowning slightly. He quickly raised his wand again.
“Legilimens!”
He hit Harry with a full powered spell. He could see a sheen of sweat break out across Harry’s forehead as Harry tried to repel him. The room disappeared, allowing Severus access to flashes of memories - a large woman making snide comments about blood, Vernon hitting the boy for not cutting the grass, himself throwing the boy from his office, Lupin hanging dead from the gates. Harry groaned with the effort of reshielding his thoughts. After a few minutes, the room returned, but Severus had seen many recent memories of himself, enough to give his true loyalties away. Severus lifted the spell, panting heavily as Harry fell to his hands and knees, his shoulders shaking.
“Harry?” asked Severus gently. “We can stop -“
“No,” growled Harry, his hands fisting on the floor.
“Then get up, Harry,” said Severus. “Again.”
The next few hours were taken up with Occlumency lessons, the beginning of the most intense month of training Harry had ever experienced. For twelve hours every weekday, Severus worked with Harry on everything from Occlumency and Advanced Defense to distraction Charms for use in duels to Transfiguration for disguise and concealment to healing Potions. By the end of July, Harry could hold his own in a duel with Severus, one or twice beating the man soundly at his own game.
Severus went faithfully every Saturday to the Dark Lord to give Ginny her potion. The ecstasy that Voldemort displayed at hearing of Lupin’s death faded after a week or two, creating a very tense and caustic atmosphere in the receiving chamber.
The weekend before Harry’s birthday, Severus apparated to the chamber as usual.
“Ah, Severus,” said Voldemort as soon as Severus arrived. “I need to speak with you before you drop in to see our guest.” Severus swallowed thickly and rose from the floor.
“Of course, my lord,” said Severus softly. Voldemort stood from his throne and began walking around the room, Nagini slithering at his heels.
“As you well know,” began Voldemort casually, “next Wednesday is Potter’s seventeenth birthday. I would like to throw him a bit of a party, if you will. Of course, Miss Weasley will be in attendance. I would also like you to be here. However, you can see we have a small problem.”
“What is your plan, my lord?” asked Severus evenly. Voldemort smiled strangely at Severus, gazing intensely into the man’s eyes. He took a few steps towards Severus, maintaining the eye contact.
“I want you to bring Potter to me,” hissed Voldemort softly, his eyes alight with malice. “I know you have greatly desired to bring me this mighty gift for quite some time now. With the old man’s oppression gone, you are now free to serve me in a manner which best fits your position and desire.”
“My lord,” gasped Severus, deftly covering his absolute terror with feigned joyous shock, “thank you for this great honor.” He knelt quickly and pressed the filthy edge of Voldemort’s robes to his lips, praying that he wouldn’t throw up all over the floor. Oh God, this was a nightmare - a nightmare he had avoided for the past two years. He took a deep, steadying breath as he felt a hand on his head, its chill seeping through his hood.
“I know you will not fail me, Severus,” said Voldemort proudly. “You never have. You may take whomever you would like to get Potter. I’m sure Wormtail would thoroughly enjoy going with you, although I know how you like working alone.”
“I will keep him in mind,” said Severus evenly. “Do you have a preferable time you would like our guest of honor to arrive?” Voldemort threw back his head in laughter.
“Oh, Severus,” said Voldemort jovially, “I have missed your wonderful sense of humor. No, I do not have a specific time in mind. Anytime on Wednesday would be just fine.” Severus nodded regally.
“It will be done, my lord,” said Severus. “Is there anything else I can do for you?”
“No, child,” said Voldemort, turning away from him. Severus visibly shuddered in disgust at the endearment. “You may go inform Miss Weasley that she will have company in a few days.”
“Yes, my lord,” said Severus softly, his heart pounding in his chest. He walked calmly through the door to the dungeon hallway, closing the door behind him. Once the door was shut he walked quickly down to Ginny’s cell, bursting through the small door and pushing it shut. Ginny sat bolt upright, her eyes widening as she saw Severus’s hands shaking slightly as he uncorked the vial. She took the potion from him and grabbed his hand tightly.
“It’s alright,” she whispered. “It’ll be okay.” Severus took a few deep breaths while Ginny hurriedly drank her potion.
“The Dark Lord is throwing your beloved Potter a birthday party,” said Severus in a mocking tone of voice, not hiding the fear in his eyes from her. “I have the honor of bringing him here myself.”
“Damn,” whispered Ginny. “Okay. Okay, we just have to think up a plan.” She paused for a few seconds. “Alright, I got nothing. But you’re the brains of this outfit. I’m sure you’ll think of something.” He scoffed softly, putting a hand to her very thin and bony cheek.
“I’m glad Harry will have you if I don’t make it out of this one,” whispered Severus.
“I don’t want to hear that,” hissed Ginny, poking Severus firmly in the chest. “You had better come up with a way to get us all out alive, or you might as well not even try. Harry cannot win this war alone. He needs you.”
“He needs you more,” said Severus. He nodded curtly at her silence and disapparated from the cell. Ginny pulled her knees to her chest and waited.
Severus ran back to the house, his panic threatening to overwhelm him. In all his years as a spy, he had only once felt this kind of tremendous pressure. However, this time he did not have his mentor’s calming influence to soothe his rattled nerves. He burst into the house and froze in shock at the sight of Harry twirling a wand in his fingers, staring at a bound and gagged man strapped to a wooden chair in front of him. He slammed the door shut and schooled his face into one of mere curiosity.
“Oh good,” said Harry blithely. “You’re home. I was doing a little pest control while you were out and I caught a rat. Wondered if you would like me to exterminate it for you.” Severus crossed his arms and leaned against the wall. Harry shrugged carelessly.
“I don’t think he believes my story that you talked me into joining the Dark side,” said Harry. He pointed Wormtail’s wand at the trembling man. “Can I show him a few things that you’ve taught me? Maybe we can try that Eye-Gouging charm you wanted me to learn? I might mess it up, but at least I’d get some practice in.” Severus grinned evilly at Harry’s act. It was almost worth it to see Wormtail’s eyes try and leap from their sockets.
“No,” said Severus casually. “I don’t want to clean up any more blood.” He and Harry both laughed at Wormtail’s muffled screaming for help. Harry drew his wand and tapped the man’s face, canceling the binding over his mouth.
“Please,” pleaded Wormtail pathetically. “Please don’t kill me! I promise I won’t say anything!”
“That’s not going to be good enough,” said Harry hatefully. “Your word isn’t worth shit, so why don’t you just shut the hell up. I’m sick of listening to you. Muffliato!” Severus pushed himself off the wall as Harry walked behind Wormtail.
“He showed up right after you left,” said Harry quietly. “He saw me through the front window and nearly blasted me to pieces, so I stunned him and brought him inside. I don’t know what you want to do with him.” Severus moaned softly, rubbing his face hard with his hands.
“Of all the times to have to deal with this,” he muttered. Harry looked at him questioningly.
“What’s wrong?” asked Harry. “Is it bad?”
“I have been given the honor of bringing you before the Dark Lord next Wednesday,” said Severus. Harry smirked at him.
“For being the most feared man in this country, he’s very unoriginal,” said Harry. “Lemme guess - a birthday party? Will he pop out of a cake when I arrive?” Severus glared at him.
“I’m glad to see you understand just how fucked we are,” growled Severus. “If I do not bring you before the Dark Lord, I die and Miss Weasley dies. If I do bring you before the Dark Lord, you, Miss Weasley and myself could die. Do you have a preference as to which option you would like to have happen?” Harry rolled his eyes.
“You Slytherins are so dramatic,” said Harry. “There is a very simple way out of this. You will make Ginny and I portkeys to Grimmauld Place. Either you or I will slip Ginny hers, which will solve the problem of getting her out. I will then portkey out of the room and you will get the hell out of there quick. See? No problem.”
“Ah, but there is a slight hitch in your oh-so-wonderful plan, Mr. Potter,” said Severus tersely. “The Dark Lord had me ward his headquarters so that no one may portkey in or out unless he allows it. Also, the apparition wards only allow those bearing the Dark Mark to pass through. Once you are in, there is no way out unless a Death Eater apparates you out.” Harry frowned slightly.
“Hm,” mused Harry. “I see your point.” He glanced over at the back of Wormtail’s’ balding head. “Too bad we can’t use him. He’d be a perfect decoy.” Severus quickly grabbed Harry’s shoulder.
“You are a genius!” he whispered. Harry stared at him in shock.
“I am?” he asked hesitantly. Severus cuffed him gently on the back of the head.
“Yes!” said Severus quickly. “We get Wormtail to be the one to apparate you and Miss Weasley out of the Dark Lord’s fortress. Once the two of you are out, you can portkey him to Kingsley, who can then take him to where he cannot escape. I remain within the Circle as a trusted confidant and things are - well, at least I won’t be killed next week.”
“I see,” said Harry slowly, completely convinced Severus had finally gone mental under the stress of spying. “And if Wormtail decides to double-cross us or, better yet, just flat out refuses to do it?” Severus grinned at him.
“Then he will die,” said Severus softly, “because you are going to bind him to you with an Unbreakable Vow.” Harry’s jaw dropped.
“You’re joking,” said Harry sharply. Severus raised an eyebrow at him.
“Harry,” said Severus intensely. “He can’t return to the Dark Lord and remain in the general circle for very long. He is too closely watched and will give me away. It is time he paid for his betrayal. Wait here and keep an eye on him.” Severus quickly went upstairs, leaving Harry to wonder about his sanity. Harry walked around and canceled the Muffling spell on Wormtail.
“Wh-wh-what are you going to do to me?” whimpered Wormtail. Harry ignored him, thinking about Severus’s plan. He had to admit, it did give them a way to keep Severus in the Inner Circle and get Ginny out safely. By the time Severus returned with a sheet of parchment, Harry had accepted the idea, but was still a bit revolted at the thought of having Pettigrew bound to him in any way.
“Read over it first,” instructed Severus, handing the parchment to Harry. Harry read carefully it. There were no easily visible loopholes in any of the three promises that he could see. He looked back at Severus, who was untying Wormtail’s right hand.
“How do we do this?” asked Harry intensely.
“Do what?” asked Wormtail fearfully. “What are you doing?” Severus stabbed his wand into Wormtail’s neck.
“You are going to be bound to Harry by an Unbreakable Vow,” said Severus harshly. “You are going to agree to everything he asks of you. If you refuse to take the Vow, I will kill you right here and be done with you. If you would like to do something to make up for your lack of courage and your murderous betrayal of a man and woman you claimed to be friends with, then I suggest you agree to take the Vow.” Wormtail trembled violently, looking between Harry and Severus’s stern expressions.
“Al-alright,” gasped Wormtail. “I’ll do it.” Severus smirked cruelly at his suffering.
“Take his hand, Harry,” said Severus, pointing his wand at Wormtail’s hand. “Read each part separately and pause after each one.” Harry cleared his throat and looked down at the parchment as he took Wormtail’s clammy hand.
“Do you promise to help Ginny Weasley and I escape the Dark Lord’s fortress with as little injury as possible, doing exactly as I tell you?” Wormtail glanced at Severus, who narrowed his eyes.
“I do,” said Wormtail shakily. A red thread of light burst from Severus’s wand, surrounding their hands.
“And do you promise not to say anything about Severus Snape’s true loyalties to any person unless Severus or I give you express permission?”
“I-I do,” Wormtail answered. Another thread wrapped itself around their hands.
“And do you promise,” said Harry, the light from their hands reflecting strangely in his eyes, “to obey my every instruction for the rest of your life, beginning after you finish taking this Vow?” Wormtail sobbed softly, knowing there was no escape.
“I - I -- I do,” he whispered. A third and final strand of light joined the other two. The threads squeezed their hands together tightly before splitting in two and rushing up their shoulders. It traveled down to their chests and shot through them, the light absorbing into their skin. Severus untied Wormtail from his chair, sneering at the man’s weeping.
“Shut up, Wormtail,” said Harry irately. Wormtail immediately clamped his mouth shut, shuddering with his suppressed sobs. “Next Wednesday, Severus is going to bring me to your Dark Lord’s headquarters. When I tell you to, you are going to apparate Ginny and me to the Atrium of the Ministry of Magic. After that, I will be turning you over to the Aurors. You will not cast any spell after we leave Voldemort’s headquarters and you will not change into your Animagus form at any time after we arrive at the Ministry. Do you understand?”
“Yes,” whispered Wormtail.
“Are you sure?” asked Harry forcefully. “I don’t want you to forget anything and die before you can make yourself useful.”
“Yes, yes,” said Wormtail, sniffling. “I understand.”
“Good,” said Harry. “Now get out of here and do not cast any spell at either Severus or myself. I will see you on Wednesday.” Harry handed him back his wand and watched as Wormtail ran out of the house.