The Death of a Soul

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Chapter Eighteen

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It had been nearly an hour since Healer Alexander Graham arrived from St Mungo’s. He was a specialist in complex spells and unknown physical and psychological behaviours of wizards and witches. Madam Pomfrey had called him in when she was unable to diagnose Harry properly. Or at least get another opinion of her findings. Either reason mattered not to Harry’s two best friends or to his husband. The three of them waited impatiently outside of the infirmary.

Severus paced back and forth whilst Ron and Hermione sat nearby holding each other tightly. The young witch buried her face into the redhead's robes and Ron glared at Snape with an I-know-it's-your-fault expression. The three jumped when Professor Albus Dumbledore walked through the infirmary doors.

“Well?” they said together.

“Harry is stable now; however he did give us quite a scare.” Directing his attention to Severus, “You may go in now.”

“Professor Dumbledore, please tell us what’s happening,” Hermione pleaded quietly.

Albus didn’t bother looking at Snape for approval. “Yes, of course, Miss Granger. Shall we?” he said, pointing in the direction of his office.

The two nodded and followed him, keeping up with the older wizard’s long strides. Severus watched them briefly, then took a deep breath before entering the room where his young husband was kept. He nervously looked around and noticed that for once the infirmary was vacant, save a drawn curtain around a single bed. Madam Pomfrey and Healer Graham were whispering amongst themselves, but stopped short when they spotted him. They motioned him forward.

There, lying still on the bed, was Harry Potter. He looked frail and his skin was almost white. Severus gasped softly and forced the tears back.

“Is he…?”

“He is alive, Professor Potter. However, he has slipped into what is called, in muggle terms, a coma.” Snape had heard of that before. “His mind has shut down because of his physical condition,” Healer Graham explained further.

“Physical condition?” Severus asked curiously.

Poppy and Alexander exchanged worried looks.

“Yes, Severus. Perhaps it would be best if you were to see for yourself,” she said.

As she reached for the sheet, Healer Graham stopped her and shook his head. He turned to Severus.

“Professor, may I have a word with you first?”

Severus nodded and Healer Graham gestured to the other side of the room. Looking over his shoulder, Snape watched as Harry’s chest barely moved.

“I need to ask you a few personal questions…may I call you Severus?”

“Yes, of course,” he replied, still focused on his unconscious husband.

“Thank you, Severus. And you may call me Alexander.” He sighed deeply before continuing. “Has Harry ever ejaculated since you’ve been married?”

“What?” Snape cried, shocked that this man could ask such a question.

“I assure you that it is a relevant question.”

Severus gritted his teeth. “To my knowledge, no.”

“Ever? Alone perhaps?”

“Again, not to my knowledge,” he growled.

Alexander nodded. “I thought not.” He paused. “Do you know if he has ever done so?”

“He is a young man. I would assume so.”

“Professor Potter, your husband’s body is responding to his resistance. If that’s what it is.”

“I don’t understand.”

“As you are aware, a human must eliminate certain bodily functions to produce new ones in its place.”

“I know that,” Severus snapped.

Healer Graham nodded. “Harry’s body is suffering because, for whatever reason, he has not been able to do so.”

“I have not prevented him in any way, shape, or…”

The older wizard waved his hand dismissively. “I am not suggesting that at all. I am merely stating my diagnosis.”

Severus looked back at Harry. “Do you know why this is happening to him?”

“Well, there is no indication that this was induced by a spell nor a potion.”

“What about...”

“No, He is not involved. I would have sensed a dark power illuminating from him if that were the case.” Alexander paused as he thought a moment. “Do you have any theories, Severus?”

The Potions master shook his head numbly. “No,” he whispered. In fact, Snape didn’t just have a theory; he knew what was going on.

“Perhaps it will help if you examined him yourself.”

Severus nodded.


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Professor Dumbledore calmly explained Harry’s condition to Hermione and Ron. Ron looked absolutely appalled, but the young witch was completely enthralled by this new information. That did not surprise Albus at all. When he had finished, the young redheaded wizard looked as if he just sucked on a lemon, and Hermione’s mind was reeling with questions.

“Does anyone know why this is happening?” she asked finally.

“No, Miss Granger. We can only second-guess, and what we have thought of seems highly unlikely.”

Hermione nodded, pursing her lips, thinking hard. “It’s not You-Know-Who,” she said, talking out loud to herself. “It’s not a potion or a dark spell.”

“Hermione! Do you understand what he just said?” Ron exclaimed. “Harry can't... I mean he’s unable to…”

Hermione didn’t look at her friend. “Yes, yes, Ron. I heard. Now shush. I’m thinking.”

Albus tried not to smile. The young witch stood and began pacing, whispering and looking at nothing except space.

“Well, it can't be that. And it isn’t this…”

“Hermione!”

She spun around. “Ron! Quiet! I said I’m thinking,” she hissed. She walked aimlessly around Dumbledore’s office again before spinning around, eyes wide. “The Life-Debt!” she cried. “What about the Life-Debt?”

Albus furrowed his brows. “It is possible, but doubtful.”

“Hmm.” Hermione rubbed her chin. “The marriage contract?” she asked hopefully.

“I don’t think either one would have such a specific personal detail as that.”

“Humph,” she said, fists on her hips. She stormed away. Suddenly, Hermione flung her arms in the air. “Of course!” she cried out. She wheeled back around. “Harry’s vows!”

Albus sat back in his chair and smiled. Leave it to Hermione Granger to solve the puzzle.


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Severus stood over Harry, looking down with a sudden dread. He didn’t want to look, but he had to. He had to.

“I warn you, Severus,” Madam Pomfrey began softly, but Snape had already reached for the sheet.

He closed his eyes as he pulled it back and heard Poppy and Alexander walk away as he did so. He slowly opened his eyes. The first thing Severus noticed was that Harry's wrists and ankles were secured to the bed frame. He looked up at the two of them in horror.

“He was subconsciously hurting himself,” Healer Graham stated simply.

Eyes still open in shock, Severus looked back down. The next thing he noticed was a large lump under Harry’s nightgown, directly between his legs. He swallowed hard and closed his eyes again as he lifted the thin material, pulling it up to the boy’s stomach. Severus willed himself to look. Lying in the middle of his husband’s legs was a large, swollen piece of flesh that had once been Harry’s normal-sized testicles.

“No,” Severus whispered disbelievingly. “No!” he shouted at the two of them. “It can't be!”

Madam Pomfrey and Healer Graham sighed loudly. They could only nod their confirmation.


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“I have to go to the library! To the Restricted Section!” Hermione yelled, walking to the door but suddenly stopped short. She turned back to Albus, looking hopeful.

“I will have a permission note waiting for you, Miss Granger,” he smiled, nodding.

“Thank you, Professor. Oh wait. I need to know exactly what he said, sir.”

“I’m afraid only Professor Snape…Professor Potter …can make that decision as to whether or not you are allowed to know that information.”

“But, Professor, Harry’s life…”

“It is a very private vow, Miss Granger, surely you are aware of that.”

Hermione folded her arms in frustration and looked down.

“However, I don’t think it would hurt to find a solution for a generalised vow made on a wedding day.”

She looked up at him and beamed.

“Professor Dumbledore?” Ron finally spoke. “Are you in league with Snape?”

“Ron!”

“What?” the redhead snapped. “You want to know as much as I do!”

Hermione bit her lower lip and looked away. Ron’s eyes narrowed at Albus, waiting for an answer.

“Mr Weasley, I do not understand your question,” Albus said calmly.

“Did you and Snape plan this farce of a wedding just for the purpose of using Harry against You-Know-Who?”

Dumbledore gave a thoughtful nod. “I can understand why the two of you might think that,” he said. “But no. The Life-Debt and the marriage contract were devised by Severus alone.” He glanced back and forth between the pair of skeptical eyes. “I admit that once I found out the conditions, the circumstances and the dangers involved by of not sealing the agreement, I did intervene.”

“How?” Hermione whispered.

Albus sighed. “You must understand. The closure of the bond had to take place before a certain time lest serious consequences would occur. Both of their lives would have been in danger.”

“What kind of closure?” Ron demanded.

Dumbledore raised a knowing eyebrow.

“Damn it!” Ron spat, jumping up. “And just how did you intervene? Did you force them?”

“Ron!”

Albus remained calm, but fully annoyed. “Certainly not, Mr Weasley. I simply made it very clear to Severus that he must fulfill the requirement or I would step in. It was his responsibility. Not mine.”

Ron and Hermione walked over and hugged each other tightly.

“Severus brought this upon himself. However…as you know, he had no choice in the matter. He couldn’t change it, like he wanted to. Remember, that’s why there was a trial,” he added.

“Then he shouldn’t have asked for it to begin with,” Ron murmured over Hermione’s shoulder. “Besides, he did have a choice. It was Harry who didn’t.”

Albus sat back and sighed. “I know.”


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“Hermione!” Ron yelled after her as she walked as fast as she could to the Restricted Section. “Hermione!” he tried again, this time loud enough to echo in the corridors.

The young witch spun around on the balls of her feet and met him head on.

“Ronald Weasley,” she hissed softly. “From the very beginning, I have felt completely powerless and unable to do anything to help Harry.” She paused to catch her breath. “Our friend is lying unconscious in a hospital bed and now I have a chance to do something about it! So what, Ronald, is so bloody important that it cannot wait?”

The redhead blinked several times. It was the first time he had heard her curse. “I…”

Hermione made an exasperating scoff and turned. Ron caught her arm.

“Wait wait wait,” he said, panicking. She jerked her arm away and glared. “Look, I want to help Harry too, but it just doesn’t make sense.”

She folded her arms tightly across her chest. “And just what is it that you're confused about, Ron? The fact that he is unconscious or the fact that he is unable to get an erection?” she retorted sharply. Ron’s nose wrinkled in disgust. Hermione rolled her eyes. “Oh grow up, Ronald.”

The young wizard’s face flushed red with anger. “I meant,” he started slowly. “that it doesn’t make sense that there is a way to change Harry’s vow,” he bit out.

Hermione’s brows furrowed in confusion. “Of course there's a way. You heard Dumbledore. He said…”

“Hermione, you weren’t able to change the Life-Debt to a bonding,” he pointed out. She started to shake. “Oh, Hermione. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to insult you.” She squeezed her arms together and looked away. “Hermione, please. I’m so sorry.”

He cupped her face and turned her head to look at him. Tears were welling up in her eyes.

“Remember, Hermione. Snape couldn’t change it either,” he softly reminded her. “And it was his Life-Debt.”

“I know,” she whispered, barely nodding. “But, Ron. If there's a chance…”

The redhead’s face softened and smiled. “And you're smart enough to find it.”

Hermione flung her arms around him and he pulled her in for a reassuring hug.

“Thank you, Ron,” she whispered into his neck.


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“Severus?” Dumbledore said, startling the seated man in the process.

“Albus,” he acknowledged briskly.

“I spoke with Mr Weasley and Miss Granger just now and…”

“What did you tell them?” Snape asked, standing abruptly.

Albus peered over his moon-shaped glasses. “I informed them of Harry’s condition, of course.”

“And? What else?”

Dumbledore raised an eyebrow and looked at him suspiciously. “Is there something you’re not telling me, Severus?”

“No,” Snape quickly said. A little too quickly.

Albus continued to watch him, but Severus kept his head held high in defiance.

“Very well. It seems that Miss Granger believes that Harry’s condition is the result of his marriage vows.” Severus’s face turned somber. “But you knew that already, didn’t you?” Albus stated.

“As did you,” Snape retorted.

“I presumed that a skillful wizard, such as yourself, would have been able to take care of that matter on your own.”

Snape folded his arms and turned away. “I thought I could.” He looked over his shoulder. “Obviously, I was wrong,” he said flatly.

Albus softly sighed. He knew that it was hard to admit defeat. “I have given Miss Granger access to the Restricted Section, unless, of course, you already know what needs to be done.”

“I thought I made that part very clear, Albus,” Severus said bitterly.

Dumbledore nodded. “Should we inform Healer Graham and Poppy what we suspect?”

Severus slowly shook his head. “No. Not just yet. I have confidence that Miss Granger will come up with some sort of a solution.”

“Perhaps you’d like to research…”

“No. My place is with my husband,” Severus whispered, sitting back down next to Harry’s bed and taking his cold hand in his.

“Of course. I will keep you updated.”

“Thank you, Albus.”


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Four hours passed before Hermione Granger ran into Dumbledore's office, beaming with pride. She quickly rattled on about what she had learned, and continued speaking all the way down to the infirmary. Albus finally silenced her with a wave of his hand when they entered the quiet area.

“Severus?” he whispered, but loud enough to wake Snape who had fallen asleep at Harry’s side. “Miss Granger is here with a possible solution.”

Snape stood and followed the two of them to the far wall, rubbing his cricked neck. “Hermione?”

Hermione smiled. “Well,” she began. “The vows made at the time of the wedding ceremony are unbreakable unless the marriage terminates by divorce or death.”

“Yes, we know that already,” Severus said flatly.

The young witch frowned and looked away, disappointed.

“I apologise, Hermione. Please continue,” Severus said with complete sincerity.

She sheepishly looked at him and nodded her thanks. “Um, anyway, the only way to reverse what was said is to reinstate the vows and thereby retract the original.”

Severus raised a curious eyebrow. “You mean,” he started.

“Yes. Harry must change his vow. It’s the only way to undo the binding.”

“There is, however, a small matter to consider,” Healer Graham said, appearing suddenly.

Hermione, Albus and Severus turned to look at him.

“The person needs to be conscious.”


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