Forsaken
folder
Harry Potter › Het - Male/Female
Rating:
Adult +
Chapters:
50
Views:
2,179
Reviews:
4
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Category:
Harry Potter › Het - Male/Female
Rating:
Adult +
Chapters:
50
Views:
2,179
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.
Rebound
Chapter 45- Rebound
“I don’t know how the hell they got past the wards. I thought Dumbledore said they would hold.”
“They only held until Harry was of age, Tonks,” said Minerva sadly. “And even then, I’m quite certain Severus had to take them down when he rescued Harry last summer.”
“And you don’t think he lowered those wards on purpose?” hissed Tonks, spinning around to face her from where she was pacing the floor. “What if he’s just pretending to have defected? He could be sending You-Know-Who information as we speak!”
“I am not going to sit here and listen to this bullshit,” growled Kingsley furiously, jumping up from his seat. “If I didn’t know any better, Nymphadora, I’d say you’re acting fairly strange yourself these days.”
“Just what are you saying, Shacklebolt?” said Tonks. “You’ll have to forgive me if I seem a bit oblivious as to what you’re implying.”
“I’m not implying anything,” said Kingsley hotly. “I’m flat out saying that you’re doing a damn good job sowing discord among the entire Order!”
“Sit your asses down! Both of you!” ordered Moody. On reflex, both Aurors took a seat, glaring at each other across the table. “Neither of you are helping at all, so just shut up.”
“Where is Severus anyway?” asked Arthur hoarsely. Moody caught Minerva’s gaze, staring at her intensely.
“Thank you for reporting to us, Tonks,” said Minerva quietly. “If you will excuse us, we have some Council business to discuss.” Tonks nodded curtly and left the room. Moody shut the door and charmed it to be soundproof.
“It’s retaliation,” said Kingsley, taking Moody and Minerva’s long faces to be skeptic. “Severus would never give the location of that house away. It would be a betrayal of his friendship with Lily. You know he wouldn’t. They found out some other way.”
“I have no doubts anymore about Snape’s loyalties, Shacklebolt,” said Moody. “I do, however, have doubts about his mental health.”
“What?” said Arthur incredulously. “What are you -“ Moody pulled a handful of vials from his pocket and dumped them on the table.
“These were the ones that were left,” he said gruffly. “No telling how many he started with.”
“Jesus,” muttered Kingsley, picking one of the vials up. “Heaven’s Nectar.”
“You know what this is, Shacklebolt?” snarled Moody.
“I thought this was illegal to brew in any quantity,” said Arthur, gingerly lifting one of the vials off the table.
“It is,” said Kingsley. He looked up at Minerva, shaking his head in disbelief. “He told me he --“ he got up and ran his hand over his face.
“Did you know about this, Shacklebolt?” growled Moody. “He nearly collapsed on me during training a few days ago.”
“Of course not!” shouted Kingsley. “We dabbled with the stuff while we were kids, but -“ he cleared his throat, looking away guiltily from Minerva’s pursed lips.
“Once we were accepted into the Academy,” said Kingsley quietly, “we stopped screwing around. Honest to God, we stopped. Cold turkey. It was awful.”
“And he stopped?” asked Minerva. Kingsley stared at the vial of navy blue liquid in his hand. Roaring in fury, he threw the vial against the wall, splattering the potion all over the brick.
“Not a word to the kids,” said Minerva. “We’ll wait until after Christmas.”
“No,” said Kingsley fiercely. “We will deal with this now. He’ll be dead by Christmas if we wait.”
~+~
Severus frantically dug through the dresser, slinging clothes out of the drawer. He felt all along the edge and pulled the drawer completely out of the dresser, throwing it onto the floor before yanking on the next one. Beads of sweat ran down his face, the front of his shirt drenched. He pulled that drawer out of the dresser and threw it to the floor.
“Shit!” he hissed, raking his fingers through his hair.
“Looking for this?” said a deadly calm voice from the door. Severus spun around, his eyes zeroing in on the vial in Kingsley’s hand. He cleared his throat, cursing his shaking hand as he held it out.
“Give it here,” said Severus tremulously. “Please.” Kingsley shut the door with his foot, slowly pulling the cork out of the vial. His eyes not leaving Severus’s horrified face, he tilted the vial and poured the potion onto the floor. Severus lowered his hand, his eyes filling with tears.
“Why are you doing this to me?” he whispered. “Why can’t you just let me die?”
“Can you hear yourself?” asked Kingsley. “I always said you were the one Slytherin I knew who wasn’t so self-absorbed he couldn’t see straight, but I’m beginning to rethink that opinion.”
“I failed!” cried Severus. “Don’t you people get that? I can’t do this anymore! I just - I’m done!” He grabbed at the bed post and slid down to the floor.
“I’m done,” whispered Severus, shaking his head back and forth. Kingsley jumped a little as the door opened beside him. Minerva stepped into the room and patted Kingsley on the arm.
“Maybe I can help,” she whispered. “Give me a few minutes with him.” Kingsley sighed and left the room.
Her robes whispered quietly over the floor. She stepped carefully over the shirts and socks and knelt down beside Severus, who hadn’t even registered her presence.
“Severus, look at me,” she said, gently pulling his hands away. He turned his face away from her.
“Let me go, please,” he whispered in desperation. “Please.”
“Severus,” said Minerva pleadingly. “What -“
“It’s my fault!” said Severus inconsolably. “Everything - Albus, Draco, those kids -“ he shuddered. “Radha.” He shook his head, feeling the bile creep up in his throat at seeing her face again. Minerva sighed softly and pulled him into her arms.
“No!” said Severus, trying to get away from her. “Don’t - just leave me alone!” Minerva held onto him tightly, not allowing him out of her grasp.
“You can’t do this anymore,” she said. “I can’t lose you too.” Severus raised his head slowly, meeting her glassy eyes. Minerva smiled, wiping the tears from his face.
“And do you know how much lip Albus’s damn portrait will give me if I let you kill yourself with your own potions?” she teased. “I would never hear the end of it.” Severus laughed, which slowly changed to soft sobs. He allowed Minerva to hold him, clinging to her arm.
“I miss him,” he whispered, clenching his eyes shut. “I’m so lost.”
“I know, love,” said Minerva, resting her cheek on his head. “But we’ll figure things out. We’ll figure it out.”
~~+~~+~~+~~
Kingsley took a deep breath and pushed open the drawing room door. Harry stood up sharply at the look on his face.
“What’s happened?” asked Harry. Kingsley flicked his eyes at Arthur, who shook his head slightly.
“The Dursleys have been killed,” said Kingsley bluntly, hating himself for causing the blood to drain from Harry’s face. “The entire street was blown to pieces. Arabella said the whole neighborhood had to be evacuated for the rest of the week.”
Harry sunk into the chair behind him, not knowing what to think. He hadn’t loved the Dursleys by any stretch of the imagination, and he’d be lying if he told himself that he hadn’t wished them dead at times, but - they were family. His only blood family left. Now there was just - him.
“Uh,” said Harry, shaking his head a little. “Thanks, Kingsley. For telling me.” He pulled an almost empty pack of cigarettes from his pocket and tapped one out.
“Best we can tell it was retaliation for --” began Kingsley.
“No, you think?” said Harry angrily. He snapped his fingers at the end of his cigarette and pulled. “And here I thought Voldemort a calm, rational villain.” He snorted in disgust. “I am well aware of the message Voldemort thinks he’s sending. Too bad I’m not an idiot.” He took another drag. “Well, not so much of an idiot.” Kingsley raised his eyebrow slightly at Arthur.
“We’re sorry, Harry,” said Kingsley. Harry looked at him, his green eyes hard as emeralds.
“I’m not,” said Harry. His gaze returned to the filthy window and watched the huge snowflakes fall past the glass.
~~+~~+~~+~~
Variations on a similar expression were heard in five different bedrooms all throughout the house Christmas morning.
“OH MY GOD!”
“HOLY SHIT!”
“Is he serious? He can’t be. There’s - no. No. He’s got to be joking.”
“NO. WAY. No way, no way, no way!!!!!”
A door burst open, banging loudly against the wall behind it. Standing in the doorway was a pack of shocked and pajama-clad teenagers in various states of ecstasy and excitement. They all jumped when Severus sat straight up in bed, drawing his wand on all of them.
“Are we being attacked?” he asked sharply.
“No,” said Ginny, laughing.
“Is the house on fire?” asked Severus, still keeping his wand on Harry’s grinning face.
“I don’t think so,” said Neville, glancing down the hallway.
“Then get the hell out of my room,” growled Severus. He flopped back on the bed and yanked the covers over his head, causing several presents to fall to the floor off the huge pile at his feet.
“And shut the door,” he shouted, his words muffled by the blankets. Pansy raised her eyebrow at Caitlyn, who turned to look at Harry. He stepped quietly to the side, allowing Blaise to get inside the room as well.
“On three,” he mouthed to them. He held up one finger, then two.
“THREE!” he shouted, running full out and jumping right into the middle of the bed. The rest of them piled on top of Severus’s covered form.
“WHAT IN THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?” snarled Severus. “Can I not have one day to sleep in, you little monsters!”
“Ah, ah,” teased Harry. “Be nice or we’ll have to practice some Cheering Charms.” Severus glared at him over the top of the covers.
“You wouldn’t dare,” he said silkily. “Especially if you wish to see your next Christmas.”
“Well, you did always say I was a bit dimwitted,” said Harry, pushing hard on Severus’s stomach. “Get up! It’s Christmas!” Sighing, Severus flipped back the covers.
“I am in hell,” he muttered, rubbing his face with a thin hand. “God is punishing me with your bright, cheery faces at -“ he glanced over and pushed Blaise out of the way to see his clock, “-8:30 in the morning. There is no justice in the world.” Pansy plunked a present on his stomach.
“Open mine first,” she said excitedly.
Kingsley smiled to himself as he passed by the door. He softly whistled a Christmas carol as he went downstairs to eat.
~~+~~+~~+~~
Severus rolled his shoulders and exhaled smoke, feeling a little jittery as he sat at the head of the kitchen table. He checked his pocket watch again, looking at Harry impatiently.
“He’s coming,” said Harry. “Just give him a -“
“Sorry,” said Percy as he burst into the kitchen. He clutched hard at the door, gasping for breath. “You all should really consider just starting without me.”
“I don’t like repeating myself,” said Severus, standing up from the table. He pulled the Greengrass invitation out of his pocket and tossed it onto the table.
“A week, ladies and gents,” said Severus. “That’s all we’ve got. We need surveillance. We need any and all security details, and I do mean all. And a guest list would be lovely.”
“Neville, Cate and I can take care of surveillance,” said Blaise, “though we could use an Auror to make sure we get everything.”
“You’ve got one,” said Kingsley. “We’ll go tonight. When do you need us back?”
“Tuesday, at the latest,” said Severus. “Percy, what can you get us from the Ministry holdings?”
“Not a whole lot, I’m afraid,” said Percy. He pulled a folder from his cloak pocket and passed it down the table. “I’ve already got us apparition coordinates, a layout of the grounds, a list of registered employees, but nothing on any kind of warding or defense mechanisms. I can keep looking, but I can’t promise anything.”
“Taylor wouldn’t register that kind of stuff,” said Severus knowingly. He picked up the folder and skimmed through it briefly. “She hates the Ministry more than I do.”
“And that’s telling, in and of itself,” muttered Moody from the corner of the room. Severus acknowledged him with a graceful wave of his hand.
“We’ll need a security detail once the surveillance team reports back,” said Severus.
“I’m game,” said Doge. “Though I’m better with curses and jinxes rather than wards.”
“Snape’s the best we have for wards,” said Moody. “If there are any, he can take care of them.” Severus ducked his head slightly, swinging his hair into his face to hide his pink cheeks.
“Then the rest of us can work on strategy for the actual raid itself,” said Harry. “Is Wednesday night good for everyone?”
“Depends on the time,” said Percy. “I might be late.” He grinned ruefully at Harry, who returned it.
“Then I’ll see you all again on Wednesday,” said Severus. “Let’s get to work.”
~~+~~+~~+~~
Minerva threw her hands up, pushing her chair back from the table.
“And you were going to mention this when?” asked Moody sharply, pinning Severus’s impassive face with both eyes. Severus arched an eyebrow.
“It’s not that big of a deal, really,” said Severus placidly.
“Learning that this ball - the same ball we’re planning to raid and capture Death Eaters at -- is to be a masquerade ball?” said Doge, leaning over the table towards Severus. “That’s not a big deal?”
“Not enough to be a hindrance,” said Severus, firmly squashing the ill-at-ease feeling that rose in his chest. Harry and Ginny came into the kitchen, levitating several boxes between them. Harry glanced around.
“I take it we’ve hit a snag,” he said, setting the bright purple boxes in the corner of the room.
“We were just discussing the ‘masquerade’ bit of this soiree we’re crashing,” said Severus, crossing his arms and slouching in his seat.
“Oh, that,” said Ginny dismissively. She caught Minerva’s furious gaze. “What? It was on the invitation.”
“Ginny, I don’t think you’re helping here, love,” said Kingsley quietly, eyeing Minerva’s quickly paling face. Harry gave his head a shake and squatted down next to one of the boxes. He reached inside and lifted out a couple of strange-looking headsets. He handed one to Ginny, oblivious to all of the adults watching them warily. He put the other one on and adjusted the arm that pointed towards his mouth. He flicked his wand into his hand.
“Exaudio,” he said, tapping the headset. “Do you read me, Thing 1?” Ginny put hers on as well, doing the same spell to activate it. Harry grinned and chuckled softly.
“It’s not my fault if you haven’t read muggle books,” said Harry, bending down to dig in the box. “I should go buy you a copy of it. You two would like it.”
“Can you hear me okay?” asked Ginny into her headset. She rolled her eyes. “No, Mum’s not here.” She paused, then balled her fists on her hips. “How the bloody hell am I supposed to know where she is, Fred? It’s not like she has a Homing charm on her or anything.”
“Ginny,” said Arthur warningly.
“Ow,” said Harry, loosening his headset a little. “Gin, you don’t have to shout.”
“Well, he’s being an idiot,” she muttered.
“Care to enlighten us old people as to what the hell those things are?” asked Severus casually, his arm draped over the back of the chair.
“Hey, hang on a minute,” said Harry into his headset. He pulled it off and walked over to Severus. Severus gingerly took the headset and put it on.
“This isn’t Moody, is it?” asked a familiar voice. Severus’s face lit up with mischievous grin as he adjusted the mouthpiece.
“No, it most certainly is not,” he said.
“Ah, the good professor,” said another voice. “And how are things at the House of Darkness, oh Dungeon Master?”
“Just peachy,” said Severus sardonically. “We were in the middle of something when your new toys arrived.”
“Glad to have been of service then,” said Fred. “I’m sure it was something really important, seeing as how you’re talking to us instead of anyone else.”
“Everyone else is still in shock, I think,” said Ginny into hers. Severus turned around and grinned at her.
“I normally don’t hand out compliments,” said Severus, “but these things are bloody brilliant, boys.”
“Of course they are,” said the twins in unison.
“Weasleys don’t do anything less than ‘brilliant,’ Professor,” said Fred.
“Then make sure your brilliant hides are here on time for the Order meeting tonight,” said Severus silkily. “I want the two of you here to explain your gadgets so that there aren’t any mishaps.”
“Yes sir,” said George. “Thing 1 and 2, over and out.” There was a soft pop as the twins turned off their headsets. Severus pulled the band from his head and held it up.
“Communication devices for Friday night,” said Severus proudly. “The twins told me they were working on something, but I never dreamed of this.”
“Ron and Hermione were working on it, actually,” said Harry softly, watching Arthur’s hand tremble as he took the headset from Severus. “We found some drawings and lots of notes in Ron’s trunk that Kingsley brought over a few weeks back.”
“Fred and George just had to tweak the spells a little,” said Ginny. “But as you can see, they work flawlessly.”
“Well, be that as it may,” said Minerva sharply, “we still need to discuss just how you’re going to handle not being able to distinguish the Death Eaters from innocent civilians.”
“Not so innocent if they’re attending a party thrown by a Death Eater, are they?” said Harry bitterly. Kingsley sighed, running his face with his hand as he slumped back in his chair.
“I’ve got an idea,” said Arthur slowly. He looked down the table at the rest of the group. “We need people on the inside to be point for this. People who have the ability to disguise themselves sufficiently to avoid detection.”
“Oh bloody hell,” muttered Severus. He flicked his wand out and summoned a bottle of scotch from the cabinet in the corner of the room.