Follow Me

A/N: Thank you to all that have reviewed the story so far, and a thank you in advance to all those that will continue to do so. I have to admitt it does an ego good to see the number of people that are enjoying this story.



A/N2: Ok folks, I set up a yahoo group for my writing. Primarily it is to give me a place that I can post my stories to, and hopefully get some useful feedback on chapters before they are posted elsewhere on the net. By the way there is a picture of Norische on the group... http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Of_Pens_and_Ponders/?yguid=104171974





[...] or {...} = mindspeak

~...~ = parseltongue

\'...\' = thought





Chapter 28





Harry sat there watching Norische, Chris and Draco sleep, trying to figure out things in his own mind. This was all so strange. Harry thought about everything that had happened since he had met Norische.



When Norische had told him about taking Draco as a mate, Harry had felt protective. He didn’t want his new friend to be hurt or make a mistake that he may regret later. When he had seen how Norische handled Draco and his little panic attack he had been proud of him, knowing that Norische really could take care of himself.



When Norische had told him about their bonding, Harry had felt excited and when Ron had called Norische a freak and had hurled a curse at him he had felt offended, and once again protective.



When he stood witness at Norische and Draco’s ceremony, he had felt honored. When he watched as Norische and Draco had consummated their bonding he had felt incredibly aroused.



When Norische asked him to go with him to the healer to find out what was wrong, Harry was concerned even worried, but he also felt elated that Norische trusted him to go with him when it was something of such importance. Norische wanted him, not one of his mates, not Remus, Severus or Pari, but him.



When he found out that Norische was pregnant he was lost, concerned and overjoyed all at once. When Norische had asked him to stay while he told everyone about being pregnant Harry had felt needed.



When Norische’s grandfather had kidnapped him, Harry was furious. When they barged into that mansion and he heard Norische’s screams his heart had stopped. When he saw Norische over that barrel chained down with his grandfather touching him, Harry wanted to kill. When he saw that cage that Norische’s mother had been kept in, a flood of memories from his own past came rushing back… he felt a unity to Norische at that moment.



When they had asked him to be a witness at their Veela bonding Harry was shocked. Then to sit and watch such a sacred and secretive ceremony, Harry was in awe. When Norische broke down after the consummation of the ceremony he was confused but he also wanted more than anything to be the one holding Norische at that moment taking away what ever fear or pain he was experiencing.



When Norische had been in a coma, he had felt helpless, terrified. When he came out of it Harry had been so happy he wanted to cry, in fact he did.



When Norische had given him a place in his house and a permanent room in Shadowhaven, Harry felt treasured, honored, he felt like he was part of a family.



When everything happened at Hogsmeade, when Norische wrapped his wings around him and Hermione, Harry felt so safe. When Norische had reared back and screamed in pain from the curses being thrown at him but still he didn’t lower his wings and he still protected the two of them, Harry was both terrified and furious. He was furious that someone was hurting his friend, and terrified of what was happening to Norische.



So many emotions, too many…what did it all mean?



Chris had mentioned that Norische acts like he considers Harry to be a prospective mate. What did he mean? When Norische was in season he had made that comment about Harry smelling really good, did he mean that he was attracted to him? Why had Norische picked him over everyone else to go to the hospital with him? What did that mean? Why did Norische risk his life to protect him? He had attacked Padfoot thinking that Harry was in danger… why? Then he had risked his own life at Hogsmeade and had suffered so much…why?



Too many questions. Too many emotions. Too much to think about. Harry tried to concentrate but found himself slowly falling asleep, so he laid down on the medi ward bed and curled up. Trying to will himself not to think anymore for tonight. Soon Harry was fast asleep, amidst the wild dreams and questions still running through his head.





“CRUCIO!”



The masked face screamed in agony as the curse was released in all its fury. The sound of breaking bones and ripping flesh mingled with the insane pleas of the incompetent fool. With a wave of his wand, Voldemort released the man and turned to the rest of the death eaters gathered before him.



“MORE THAN FIFTY OF MY LOYAL SSSERVANTSSS…EITHER DEAD, CAPTURED OR MISSSSING!!!” The Dark Lords voice thundered through the manor, shattering windows in it’s wake.



“Bellatrixss…CAPTURED. Wormtail…DEAD. Rodolphusss…DEAD. Regulusss…DEAD. Nott…CAPTURED. Zabini…. CAPTURED. Goyle…DEAD. Avery…DEAD. Alecto… DEAD. Amycusss…MISSSING. Gibbon…CAPTURED. Jugssson… MISSSING. Macnair… DEAD…. SSSHALL I GO ON!?!” Voldemort’s voice rose with each word until the walls of the manor were practically vibrating with his rage.



Many of the robed figures fell to their knees in terror at their Lord’s temper. Three death eaters had already fallen under the wand of their Master, they laid at his feet, not moving. Only the occasional twitch or moan allowed those near to know whether they were dead or alive, yet no one stepped forward to assist their fallen comrades. Fear was so thick in the room, the air was almost suffocating..



“CRUCIO!!” Again Voldemort cursed another of the death eaters gathered, not truly paying attention to who he had targeted.



“Why wasss thisss allowed to happen!! THISSS WASSS SSSUPPOSSE TO BE A ROUTINE RAID!!!” Voldemort screamed in anger. Taking a deep breath he turned to Lucius, who for all appearances stood firm beside his Master.



“Lussciuss, Tell me… what do you know of thisss new sstrength, thisss new weapon.” Voldemort glared at Lucius as he caressed his wand, leading credence to the silent threat that all knew was present.



“My Lord, I have not been able to speak to those that were captured to find out what exactly happened. I am searching for all of those that are missing and I have spoken to several of the Slytherins that are loyal to you. So far the details are sketchy at best. They all agreed that it was a blood bath. Bellatrix’s group attacked exactly as you directed. Destroying the shop and all of those inside as you instructed. Macnair’s group apparated into Hogsmeade on the opposite end of the city, the two groups moved toward the center of town. Halfway there Bellatrix’s group encountered Harry Potter and his friends outside one of the shops. Potter began firing curses; then Regulus began casting curses at Potter, as did Goyle and Parkinson. At this point the information I have gotten begins to get very questionable. Adrian Pucey, one of the Slytherins stated a demon rose up from where Potter was standing, with huge black wings that were dripping with blood and fire, the demon disappeared in a deadly fog and appeared again beside Goyle and Wormtail, ripping both their heads from their bodies before they had a chance to even see the creature. The boy claimed that a flaming mist encompassed the death eaters and at that point he could not see what was happening, he could only hear the screams. Shortly after the mist appeared, Dumbledore and his people showed up and began fighting as well.” Lucius bowed low to the Dark Lord waiting for his response.



Lucius didn’t have to wait long. “CRUCIO!!!” Voldemort screamed aiming his wand at Malfoy’s chest. Lucius’ body twisted and contorted in agony, but still the Dark Lord held the curse. A bloody froth began to drip from the death eater’s mouth, but still the curse continued. Finally, a breath away from death, Voldemort released Lucius, watching as the body of his finest Lieutenant fell limp to the floor at his feet.



Turning to Parkinson, Voldemort took aim and screamed out “CRUCIO!!”







“Harry!” Madam Pomfrey pressed the gauze against his scar trying to stop the flow of blood. “Severus grab his hands he is going to hurt himself!”



Severus grabbed Harry’s hands and tried to hold them but it was an ongoing struggle, as Harry kept trying to scratch at the scar. “Harry! Wake up!” Severus shouted, he knew that Harry was trapped in one of his visions with the Dark Lord…unfortunately he had seen it too many times.



“Mr. Malfoy hand me another towel.” Poppy called out and was quickly handed a towel to replace the gauze that was now saturated with Harry’s blood. “Remus hold down his legs!” Madam Pomfrey shouted as she struggled to keep her grasp on Harry’s head.



Remus immediately laid his body across Harry’s legs, weighing them down as much as he could. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough and Remus was quickly kicked a time or two before he could get Harry’s legs back under control. Chris helped grab Harry’s legs and added his weight to that of Remus, together they managed to keep Harry from hurting himself or anyone else as his body echoed the curses that his mind was seeing.



“Damn it!” Severus exclaimed as Harry’s hand reached up and scratched his face. “Potter! You have to fight it! Potter!” He wasn’t sure how much more of this Harry could stand; over and over again the boy felt the effects of the cruciatus curse. Even though the Dark Lord’s wand was not pointed directly at Potter, Harry felt each and every bone as it broke, he suffered through each of the muscles as they were torn, each joint screamed as it was pulled from it’s socket.



Pari held Norische close to her chest, hiding his eyes from the torture that was taking place just a few feet away. With each of Harry’s screams, Norische’s voice could be heard echoing the agony that was ripping at his heart. Norische may not be the one laying on that bed, but he was suffering in his own agony, unable to help Harry, unable to make it stop.



Pari didn’t even try to stop her tears. Through the years she had held Norische many times as he cried, comforted him again and again as he was beaten, abused or hurt, protected him from his nightmares and healed him when his nightmares became too real. But never had she felt such pain emanating from her godson as there was right now. The last time she had felt such agony is when he thought that Chris had been killed. Pari had held Norische as he sobbed helplessly waiting for the messenger to return.



“Norische drink this, and stop fighting me… or else I am going to be forced to take you out of here.” Pari pressed the calming draught to Norische’s lips and poured the foul liquid down his throat.



Finally, Harry’s body relaxed and fell to the bed limp. Poppy immediately checked to make sure he was still alive; with a deep sigh and a look to Severus, Poppy released Harry. “You can let him go now.” Poppy sighed. “Severus I need a blood replenishing potion, pain potion, muscle relaxant, and one of your post crucio potions.”



Poppy wiped away the blood that still drizzled down from Harry’s scar. As soon as she could see what she was doing again, she cast a quick healing charm and the blood thankfully stopped.



“Kain, help me get Nori back on his bed. This boy is going to be the death of me yet.” Pari called to her brother, who immediately picked Norische’s limp body up and laid it down on the bed one over from Harry. Thankfully, the effects of the calming draught were already taking effect.



Severus rushed over to Poppy and handed her the requested potions, then helped her raise Harry up so that they could get the potions down him. Severus held Harry as Poppy rubbed Harry’s throat to encourage him to swallow, using soothing words to comfort him as much as possible.



As the last potion was pressed to his lips Harry opened his eyes. “Blaaahh that is sooo nasty….”



Remus laughed and reached over to hug Chris, Harry was going to be fine. Draco moved to take the last vial from Poppy and handed her a glass of pumpkin juice for Harry to help get rid of the vile taste of the potions.



Norische chuckled and smiled sleepily from his bed. “Don’t you ever scare me like that again Potter…”



Harry rolled his eyes at Norische, but kept silent and accepted the juice thankfully.



“Harry, do you remember any of what you saw?” Remus gently asked, taking the glass from Harry as he finished with it.



Harry’s voice was still hoarse from the screaming but he needed to tell them what he had seen. “Voldemort is pissed…” Harry croaked out, and then cleared his throat to continue.



“Mr. Potter…really…” Poppy started to chastise Harry for his language but simply shook her head and continued her work.



“Well he is. He was hitting everyone with unforgivables. He was furious about loosing so many of his people at the last attack. Professor Snape, Adrian Pucey is spying on you and reporting to Lucius.” Harry turned to Severus and continued. “I don’t know what he has told him specifically but he was there at the attack and he told Lucius that you were one of the Professors that came with Dumbledore and that you took out a few of the death eaters.”



Severus grimaced at Harry’s words. He knew if he went back that the Dark Lord would punish him severely for aiding in the fall of his followers, but to hear Harry say it was rather disturbing non-the-less.



“Severus you can’t go back now.” Remus stated. “He must know that you are working for Dumbledore, he will kill you.”



“We will worry about that later. Harry what else do you remember?” Severus tried to ignore Remus but he couldn’t avoid the worry in the werewolf’s eyes. Severus walked over to where Remus and Chris were standing and wrapped his arms around them, and waited for Harry to continue.



“Well Voldemort wanted to know who or what had taken out so many of his followers. Apparently quite a few of them simply disappeared after the attack and have been listed as missing. He said over fifty dead, captured or missing. They think we have control over some sort of demon. Lucius said it had wings of blood and fire.” Norische snorted at that but Harry continued. “They don’t know about Norische yet, but they know there is someone or something very powerful working on our side.”



“Demon…. Hummmffpt. Hormonal vampyre maybe... but demon...humpft.” Norische grumbled from his bed.



Draco chuckled and walked over to his mate. “Demon, hormonal vampyre, either way we love you.”



“Demon…”



“Draco…I’m sorry… but…” Harry looked over to Draco but quickly averted his eyes.



“What?” Draco didn’t like the sound of Harry’s voice.



“Ah… Voldemort cursed Lucius. I…I don’t know…I mean…” Harry tried to say it but he didn’t want to hurt Draco. He knew that Draco and Lucius were not on speaking terms but he was still Draco’s father.



“What is it Harry?” Remus placed his hand on Harry’s arm, trying to encourage Harry to say what ever was on his mind.



“I saw Lucius fall. Blood was coming from his mouth and ears. I don’t know…the vision ended before I could see if ….” Harry’s voice faded.



Draco paled visibly, then turned to Norische and buried his face in his mate’s chest. “Shhhh…luv… we will find out. Shhh… it will be ok.” Norische whispered into Draco’s pale blond hair as he pulled him close.