Broken Hearted

Part 3…. Word Around Here


“With the Dark Lord gone what good is he to the Death Eaters?” snarkiness dripping from every word Snape’ spoke.

Looking the Potions Master dead in the eye Harry whispered. “They think Rayne has the ability to bring Voldemort back.”

Alarmed Severus Snape lost his cool edge. “HE WHAT? He can’t do that!”

“It isn’t a matter of can or can’t, Severus. More along the lines of does he have that ability?” Albus Dumbledore reminded him.

“Yes.” The simple reply was uttered from the shadows.

Stepping away from the wall and into the light a hooded figure emerged. It was like watching the starry sky acquiring form and taking a stroll. “But since I don’t intend to be caught, the point is moot.”

The headmaster fought the corners of his lips from twitching. “So nice of you to join us, Mr. Rayne.”

“It’s just Rayne, no mister.” The figure corrected gently.

Nodding respectfully to Rayne, the elder wizard smiled warmly. “Might I inquire, Rayne just how you arrived at my school?”

“You could, but I still wouldn’t tell you.” Chuckling the other man as he drew his hood down a bit more. “I will tell you that no one else will be coming in the same way.”

“Ah. Well then I suppose that will have to do For Now.” Dumbledore stressed the last two words slightly making it clear that he wasn’t going to drop the subject for long.

Rayne was impressed. For an old guy the Headmaster was ‘cool,’ as Ron had put it. It was the professor sulking in the corner that had him worried. There was something odd about him, something important Rayne just couldn’t put his finger on. Filing it away for later, Rayne laid a hand on Harry’s shoulder. It was a sign of strength and friendship. In reality it was a signal for them to get the hell out of there while they still could. Harry looked up at him and smiled a little. They were two of a kind really, but the boy had the burden of being everyone’s hero. Shaking his head to clear his head Rayn decided it was time to go.

“We should get you something to eat my friend. You look like I’m feeling a little peckish.” Joked the hooded man.

Laughing at the bad joke Harry added. “Yeah and you look like I need a butterbeer.”

“Then we’re off.” Clapping the boy’s shoulder fondly, Rayne joined in the laughter. “Too the kitchen with us before we waste away to nothingness.”

“Been there. Done that,” teased Harry.

“Ditto.” Slinging his arm around the young man, Rayne exited the room with Harry in tow.

Neither noticed the other wizards staring dumbfounded after them. Somehow, Rayne had just escaped the questions the two were sure to ask. Just waltzed into the room, made a few off handed comments, cracked a few jokes, and then whoosh, he was out the door before either man had a chance to stop him.

“Is it just me or do you feel like you’ve just been hoodwinked?” the bearded wizard asked, slightly amused.

“Only ever so slightly.” Snape said sarcastically. “That is one bloke I intend to keep my eye on. And what is with Potter? Did you see what he was wearing?”

“I’d have had to be blind not too. I almost didn’t recognize him for a moment. Looked like another young man I use to know that dressed like that.” he winked at the teacher.

Blushing a bit, Snape cleared his throat. “That was long time ago.”

“Not so long.” Whistling Dumbledore swept out of the room and headed in the general direction of the kitchen. Snape jogged after him.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Lowering the invisibility cloak the two teens stood quietly for a moment.

Looking at Hermione, Ron stated with a shutter. “I so didn’t want to know that.”

The witch laughed at her friend, “I know, but can you picture Snape dressed like Harry is.” She giggled.

“Oh great. Just great. Snape in bondage pants. Now I’m going to have that stuck in my head for the rest of the night. Ta ducks.” Ron held up two fingers in an ‘up yours’ sign.

“Oh don’t tell me you don’t just think Snape is ever so shaggable. So dark. So sexy. Probably hung like a horse and able to do it for hours at a time.” She teased, “Bet you’ve even been having wet dreams about him giving you special detention,” and laughed at the horrified look on his face.

“I’d rather gouge my eyes out and stay a virgin.” Ron hissed.

Ron watched as Hermione stuffed her fist in her mouth to keep from laughing too loudly at his statement. Oh yeah, it hadn’t taken her long to get use to the idea of him being gay. She was already poking fun at him. For once he’d love to be the one to get one over on her. Bother it. Now he probably would be having a wet dream about his professor just because she had planted the soddin’ idea in his head. Bloody Hell! If they weren’t friends he’d turn her into something. He didn’t have a clue what, but it would be something undeniably nasty.

“’Sides I’m not the one practically swooning and drooling at how big he is. You’re the one staring all moony eyed at him. Must have a crush on him.” He shot back. “I can see it now, you pretending to be taking notes and all the while your doodling big flowers and hearts with Mrs. Hermione Snape on the inside. Or Mrs. Hermione Granger Snape. Sometimes with a hyphen, sometimes without.”

Ron ducked his head down and made a break for the door but she still managed to whap him upside the back of his head.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Harry Potter was dying. Word had spread like wildfire through the school by lunch. Everyone was talking about it. Potter had missed classes for several weeks, but everyone just assumed it was another Longbottom mishap. Now every student was whispering about Harry’s condition and making guesses about what he was dying from. And who was this mysterious, hooded man who’s only name was Rayne?

All day long people questioned the Gryffindors, but most of them didn’t know what was going on and the ones who did weren’t talking. Finally, around supper time, SOMEONE had an answers. Seamus Finnigan told his boyfriend, Justin Finch-Flitchley, who was the second biggest gossip of the school, the full story. Shortly after, the facts made there way into Draco’s lap when Blaise pulled him, Goyle and Crabbe to the side and filled them in on what the Hufflepuff had confided in her.

It seems Seamus had explained to Justin how he’d been heading back to the tower to get some books for his next class when he’d overhead the portrait of the Fat Lady giving the portrait of Lady Evelyn the scoop.

Some how Hermione and Ron had discovered an old friend of James Potter’s who called himself Rayne and owled him. The Fat Lady hadn’t been sure if he was a doctor or not but he had strong magic, that much was for certain. Rayne, the hooded form everyone was whispering about all bloody day, had agreed to help Harry under one condition. His presence was to remain a secret from the Headmaster and the professors. According to Justin, Blaise explained, Dumbledore hated Rayne for not taking sides when war with You-Know-Who had broken out 18 years ago. And one of the Professors blamed the hooded man for the death of a loved one when Rayne refused to help heal them.

Seamus had also told Justin that the Fat Lady said that Rayne had Apparated directly into the hospital wing and had stole Harry from his sick bed last night. Rayn had then transported the boy directly in front of the portrait herself and Hermione, who had been sitting at Harry’s bedside, had appeared with them. That’s how she knew the man was a strong wizard. Any man who could get past all the spells to prevent someone from Apparating inside Hogwarts had to be powerful indeed.

The Fat Lady spoke to Rayne himself and he had been very polite to her. She said he was quite charming and he’d revealed to her that he was about to start treatments for Harry. She had asked if Potter would survive but Rayne hadn’t wanted to comment. He’d been to afraid to give everyone false hope.

Then the Lady Evelyn had asked if the Fat Lady knew what the treatments where, but the Fat Lady had replied no. She did say, however, that around five this morning Harry was awake and walking around. He was still very ill but he looked a lot better than he had.

“Is it just me or does something not add up here?” Draco put in rhetorically.

“What do you mean?” Crabbe questioned.

Taking on a thoughtful look, Draco spoke as if his mind were far away. “Blaise and I were in the library yesterday morning. They didn’t know this friend of Potter’s father existed then, I’m almost sure of it. So how did they find out? Furthermore, they owl him and he Apparates here? I mean, okay granted there may be a way to get around the spells Dumbledore has up. He may actually be that powerful but I doubt very seriously that our Headmaster hates this guy for not taking sides. Even if he did, the old goat isn’t stupid. He’d have known the minute Potter was discovered missing.”

Blaise chimed in. “So all this talk about him not knowing is nothing but a rumor.”

Snapping out of his daze, Draco focused on the Slytherin girl. “Exactly! What we need is facts. If anyone could tell us what happened last night other than the Gryffindors it would be…”

All four of the Slytherin exclaimed at the same time, “Professor Snape!”

Knowing the Potions Master would be preparing for his first years class they took off at a run so they would have time before morning classes started. They rounded the corner, streamed down two flights of stairs to the dungeons and skidded to a halt in front of the door to Potions. Busting through like Fluffy, Hagrid’s monstrous three headed dog, were chasing after them, they slid to a stop in front of Snape’s desk and bombarded the poor man with rumors, stories, and questions.

Snape held up a hand, “ENOUGH! This is none of your affair.” Sending them his best stern look only to add, “However, if you were to volunteer to keep an eye on our guest then of course I’d have to inform you what to look for.”

Draco was quick on the uptake. “See we were just getting to that part. We feel that this man might not be who he says he is, so we are here to volunteer to watch him. For Potter’s safety, of course.”

“But of course. Have a seat so we can cover this quickly. Classes will be beginning soon and I wouldn’t want to cause you to be tardy.”

The four Slytherins repressed their glee at being in the loop and listened to the strange activities of last night. No one commented until the Potions Master rounded out the happenings with one last comment.

“I’m not saying he can’t help, mind. However, I haven’t a clue where this man came from or who he really is. I find that most disturbing.”

“Like not all the facts add up.” Blaise put in. “Draco said the same thing just moments before we came to find you, sir.”

“Indeed. How very astute of you Mr. Malfoy.” What passed for an amused look passed over the older wizard’s features. “I believe it is nearly time for your classes. Off with you four and let me know as soon as you discover something substantial.”

....tbc....