Broken Hearted

Part 5…. The Gathering

"Professor… *pant* … Your… *pant*… Never… *pant*…" Draco held his side as he tried to catch his breath and talk at the same time.

"Take a moment, Draco." Snape ordered. He was silently worried the teen was going to pass out. The boy looked like he just had a serious fright.

Gathering his wits about him Draco blurted out, "Your never going to guess who's back."

"Who?" Snape asked as he directed the young man to a near by stool.

"You remember a few years back, around the time we had that idiot of a Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Lockhart?" Draco felt like he was going to loose his lunch.

"I remember."

"You remember when we FOUND Professor McGonagall in the office that year?" Draco stressed the word found instead of mentioning the truth of it being the other way around.

"Vaguely." The man said as he was starting to loose patience with his pupil.

"So you might remember the other person we FOUND that night as well." Draco watched the man and waited for what he was saying to sink in.

Sighing Snape thought for a minute coming up with nothing. Then it slammed into his mind and sent shivers through his body. *NO! He's a muggle. It couldn't possible be he.* "The demon?"

"The man."

*Bloody Hell!* "I remember."

"He's back. It's him, he is James Potter's friend Rayne." Draco spit out as he shook. The man had major black mail material on him and it really bothered Draco.

"Are you sure it is he? It was some years ago." Snape's tone almost hopeful.

"There isn't one doubt in my mind, Professor. It is the same man. I've seen him with my own eyes." Draco confirmed. "He caught me tailing Granger. We talked and he took me to see Potter. He took off his cloak and I thought he looked familiar. After my visit with Potter was over he walked me out." Taking a deep breath he added. "Just as I was about to leave he asked me if… if I ever found that file I was looking for that night. That's when I placed where I'd seen him before."

Outwardly Severus Snape was the embodiment of calm, inwardly he was being torn apart. Trying to get some semblance of order he asked. "How is Potter?"

Focusing on the new subject Draco replied. "He was resting, sir. Rayne said he hasn't been sleeping much. Weasley was there too and he filled me in on what he knew of Harry's condition. It isn't good and quit frankly seeing him like this scares the living Hell out of me."

"Understandable, however, I doubt you'll be able to continue to check up on Harry and his friends now that you've been found out." Snape reasoned.

"Actually, sir, that won't be a problem. Blaise, Greg, Vincent, and myself are now part of the watch crew over Harry. Rayne said he'd owl me in the morning with the schedule and map. He said he had enough to worry about without tripping over the four of us all the time." Draco reluctantly admitted.

"Let me see if I've got this correct. You four were assigned to keep an eye on Potter and friends and you were caught. Instead of getting locked out, your now part of the staff assigned to look after Potter?" chuckling Snape looked at his student "Why am I not surprised, Mr. Malfoy, that you've somehow managed to turn the situation to your advantage."

Smiling shakily Draco steeled himself for the rest. "Sir, there's more."

"Oh?"

Draco nodded. "Yes, sir…" Not being able to stand it any longer he blurted out his jumbled thoughts in one breath. "Rayne is keeping Harry in the Chamber of Secrets. Rayne made several new passageways to it and he totally redid the Chamber. I know he undid Slytherin's magic there and the whole place looks like an Egyptian tomb or something. Granger must be in Heaven there cause I've never seen so many books in one place before and I know people who'd kill for the kind of lab that man has down there. I think I'm going out of my ever loving mind cause I think I made a pass at Potter in his sleep, Rayn scares me and I know I'm not suppose to admit that. BOTHER IT! Harry looked so vulnerable and all I wanted to do was crawl in bed with him. Weasley said You-Know-Who is the cause of Harry's illness and Harry's got this wristband that tells everyone when he needs his next treatment. I'd love nothing more than to shag him, Harry, not Ron, and then there's the colors to remember. Why is it even now I just want to grab Harry and hide from the soddin' world? I sound like effin' Blaise! Gods what is wrong with me?" then promptly began to whimper and bang his head against the table he was sitting at.

"Please stop doing that, you'll give yourself a headache, not to mention a bruise." Snape tried to digest the blur of comments Draco had just made. "There is nothing wrong with you. What you need is to just get yourself together and go relax for a bit. Have a shower, drink some soothing tea, and perhaps a nap is in order for now. You'll feel better and hopefully things will be a bit more clear to you by then."

Draco sighed and left to do as the dark haired man suggested. Snape closed the door after his prize student and leaned his head against the wood. Memories flooded his mind, caressing his body as they had so many times after Ethan had been sent away.

//Flashback

"I once knew a man," Ethan said, "a strong man, angry, and so gifted with magic that he threw off sparks. He had eyes just like yours."

Snape closed his eyes, then opened them again and walked back to his workbench.

"He was a schoolteacher as well, for a while."


"Was he?" said Snape, and shuffled his potions about. "It's a rewarding field."

"A lonely field?"

Snape snorted, looked Ethan up and down, and turned away. *Bollix it. Why the bloody hell not?* Snape turned back, took two long steps across the room and pressed his lips against Ethan's.

Exquisite pleasure from Ethan's hands as he stripped him of his robes and stroked the newly bared skin. Mouth and tongue followed the path down his body that Ethan's hands had already mapped out. Snape moaned as he felt the other man's lips graze his aching cock.

He'd never let anyone take control over him like this. It was strange, but pleasant just to let go for a change. Allowing someone else to take charge while he just felt. Ethan's mouth worked its way back up to his and devoured it. He was walking backwards until the back of his knees hit the edge of his own bed. They tumbled down onto it in a tangle of arms and legs.

Moans and pleasured cries floated in the air, Ethan filled his body, and the man he'd known for only hours touched his soul.


^^//memory of the next day//^^


"I won't go away," said Ethan. "If you send me away, I'll spend the rest of my life trying to find this place again, to find you again."

"I know," Snape said holding his arms open. "Come here."

Ethan took a breath and stepped forward into his arms.

"I love you," he whispered in Snape's ear.

He placed a kiss against his lovers neck, and said a word the one word that would destroy his heart. * Obviamus.*"

// End Flashback //

"Ethan…" the Potions Master whispered broken heartedly.

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

"Okay lets go over what we've found out so far." Rayne paced as he talked to the four Gryffindor teens. "According to the books in your library as well as the ones I've acquired, in order to fix Harry we must summon the seven elements of the world."

"Hold it. Even I know there are only four elements." Neville chimed in.

Ron looked at Hermione and said to her. "I thought if you counted magic their were only five."

"That is was my impression as well." The witch looked at Harry to see if he agreed.

Harry just gave a secret smile and said nothing for a moment. "Perhaps you should continue Rayne." His voice echoing softly off the walls of the Chamber.

"Thank you." Rayne bowed his head in Harry's direction.

Harry returned the bow and winked at his friends.

"As I was saying, we must gather together the seven elements. They are as follows; Earth, Wind, Water, Fire, Heart, Soul, and Magic. Each has it's own properties however, as you have already learned from your lessons here one can not exist without the others. " Rayn looked each teen in the eye in turn to make sure they fully understood what he was saying. "There is a balance in everything in life. This balance is kept by ‘THE POWERS THAT BE' or PTB for short. I've been talking to my father and he tells me that the PTB asked him to help out, but they say it is for us to figure out how to fix it."

Returning to his pacing, Rayne continued, "So with all of this in mind, this is how it stands. Harry is out of balance. We must use the elements to realign Harry with the world because right now he is throwing the balance of nature, as well as the balance within himself, out of order."

"So how do we gather the elements?" Ron asked.

Chuckling humorlessly Rayne explained. "Oh gathering them is easy. All we have to do is summon them. The problem however is once we gather them, will they help us or not?" At his young friends' confused looks he added. "You see each of the elements are represented by individuals."

"So we will be dealing with people?" Hermione asked.

"Exactly!" Rayn exclaimed.

"How do we know who to summon?" Neville wanted to know.

Being evasive Rayne just commented, "I have my ways." He looked dead at Harry when he said it.

"I'll bet." Harry smirked. "So you already have a list of names I take it."

"I have." Rayne confirmed.

Looking into the eyes of one of the statues for a second the Gryffindor seeker asked, "When do we start?"

"The sooner the better, actually. Tonight would be best." Rayn looked at the band glowing yellow on Harry's wrist.

Harry looked down at his wristband and watched it turn red. "What do I have to do?"

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

That afternoon after Draco and, later, Neville had left, Rayne and the remaining three teens discussed the dream the older man had had. Rayne had paced some more as he spoke of the memories and with them taking it apart and rearranging some parts as well as Harry and Hermione adding what they remembered they managed to work out most of it. They still had a few question left unanswered though. How had Rayne gotten into the school that first time? Had Draco summoned Rayne only to have it backfire? Is that why the demon had been after the halfling, because he'd failed to return for some reason? What was Professors Snape and McGonagall's roll in all of this? Why was Draco looking for this Whedon person's file?

One thing was clear, Draco remembered Rayne from before. If they could find out what he knew most of what happened that night five years ago would certainly to fall into place. Ron and Harry were selected to pump the Slytherin blonde for information. Hermione would continue coping her notes from class and help Rayne prepare for that night. Hopefully, if everything went as planned, they wouldn't have to sneak around much longer.

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

The summons was simple to perform, it was the special ink and paper for the list of names that took so long to prepare. It was the reason for the all of the Egyptian artifacts and books they'd collected for the Chamber. The ink was created from the Egyptian Waters of NU, the blood of a unicorn, and the dye from the pedals of a crystallized lotus flower. The scroll was made by combining blood papyrus strips, and the hide of a Norwegian ridgeback dragon which they got from Ron's brother, Charlie.

"Someone hand me the list." Rayne requested of his friends.

They were in the great hall after curfew, but they weren't worried since Filch and Mrs. Norris had helped them find the things they needed for the spell. Filch felt like he owed them something. Since the night he'd received all that energy the man had the power of a real wizard, as was his birthright. Filch told Harry, that for the first time in his life he truly felt like he belonged at Hogwarts.

"Here, Harry. Remember, just like I showed you." Rayne laid a calming hand on the young man's shoulder as he passed him the scroll.

Nodding Harry took the pocket knife out of his leather trousers and cut his thumb. Chanting briefly, he sealed the list closed with his bloody thumbprint. Picking up the length of cord Filch had brought them, Harry wrapped it around the list of names. He handed it to Rayn and took his place standing to the side of the blue-eyed man. Placing his hands on Rayn's back where no one could see them, he allowed the energy that threatened to consume him to flow down his arms and out his hands. Rayn absorbed the energy through the contact and began to make a loop with the other end of the cord. As soon as Harry's wrist band turned silver he released his hold on the halfling. Shakily he joined his friends. He leaned against the wall feeling drained and light-headed.

Harry watched out of the corner of his eye as someone moved within the shadows just outside the main doors. Without a doubt it was probably Draco and his band of troublemakers, just as Rayne had predicted. If he knew Malfoy though, he'd have alerted Snape. It was just as well they witness the Gathering. After dumping all that energy into Rayne in the past few weeks on top of Rayne's own kind of magic, he'd come off looking like one of the most powerful wizards known.

Ron had pointed out that this would be an excellent maneuver on their part for dealing with the Slytherin as well as anyone else who'd try to interfere with their plans. Hermione had added that they really needed to be careful how they played this, due to the fact some of the elements weren't even human they could alienate themselves from the Headmaster, as well as most of the school for bringing them to Hogwarts.

Ron looked over at his friend. "Tell me again, Harry, why are we doing this here?"

"Honestly, don't you ever pay attention?" Hermione chimed in before Harry could answer. "This is the heart of the school, it is the gate way for all travelers."

"Oh yeah, well answer me this, oh wise one. How come we didn't use it before when we called for Rayne?" Ron shot back over his shoulder as he helped Harry into a cloak to keep him warm.

"Secrecy."

*Point and match goes to Hermione.* Harry tried not to laugh as the same thought registered on Ron's freckled face. If Hermione ever learned how to play wizard's chess, Ron was screwed. Rayn turned to the three and told them it was time. Harry started for the circle Rayne had made on the floor with the cord. Once there his legs gave out.

"HARRY!" several voices shouted at the same time.

Harry never hit the ground. His head spinning, his body weak, Harry clung to the person who's strong arms where wrapped around his middle. He buried his face in the person's shoulder as he tried to regain his balance once more.

"I'll be fine. I just … Just need a moment." To whom he was speaking no one was sure.

"Take your time, honey." The person said kindly.

Breathing deep to gather his strength within Harry stood. A hand stroked his hair out of his eyes and he looked up to see his rescuer was a green skinned, red horned demon. He recognized him from Rayne's description.

Harry smiled. "Thanks Loren."

The demon smiled not showing his surprise at the young man knowing his name. "Not a problem, sugar. So, looks like a party. Mind telling me why I was invited?"

"I'd like to know that myself, pet." Quipped the blond British man standing among the group of people that had appeared out of nowhere.

Pointing to his cloaked friend, Harry addressed the group. "I had Rayne bring you all here because I need your help. I didn't know how to reach any of you another way. If I had, I promise you, I would have called first."

"Who are you?" a light brown haired young man Harry's age questioned.

"Well I'm…" Harry started.

"Where are we?" a lovely young woman Hermione's age interrupted.

"You …"

"What do you want from us?" a redheaded woman cut him off.

Draco surprised everyone by stepping out of the shadows and saying. "If you'd just give him a moment he'll tell you everything, but if you keep interrupting him we'll be here all bleedin night."

"Yeah. Let the kid talk." Said the tanned man sanding next to the red haired woman.

Smiling Harry turned first to the tanned man. "Thank you, Xander." Sighing he turned to Draco. "Why am I not surprised your here, Malfoy. I should be pissed off, but some how I find myself grateful, as odd as that is, that you are here." Turning back to the group he added. "I promise all of you answers to your questions, if I have the answer that is."

"Harry, I must insist that you sit down. Your strength is waning and you must rest." Rayne guided the pale young wizard as he talked to a near by table. When he was sure his young charge was comfortable he offered to others. "Please, be seated. I'll bring refreshments."

The group watched as the man called Rayne left for said refreshments. Opting for the offered seats the men and women sat down and waited.

"For heavens sake Draco, you make me nervous standing like that behind me. Sit down!" Harry griped at the Slytherin.

"Nag. Nag. Nag." Draco said as he smirked and all but sat in the Gryffindor's lap. He even chuckled when Harry growled at him.

Ron and Hermione stood watch at the doors and nodded to him that they knew they had Peeping Toms. Harry unconsciously moved closer to Draco as he faced the crowed.

"First let me introduce myself and my friends. My name is…" Harry was cut off again.

"I know who you are Harry Potter. I just want to know why you called me and the nibblet here, " said the blond Brit.

"For a vampire over a hundred years old, patience doesn't seem to be your best subject I see, Spike." Harry shot back, feeling Draco stiffen at the word vampire. "If you'd have let me finish, I'd have gotten to that next."

Receiving a nod from the vampire, Harry continued. "As I was saying. My name is Harry Potter. This annoying blonde is Draco Malfoy. Ouch." Harry met Draco's glare and smiled innocently back at him. "At the doors are Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley. Rayne who just left is my healer. Everyone I'd like you to meet Spike, Dawn, Conner, Wesley, Loran, Willow, and Xander."

" I've had you brought here to my school, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, because I need your help." He took a deep breath. "I'm dying, due to an injury that was inflicted on me a while back. Each of you has a gift that could aid me in getting rid of what is causing my problems." Harry told them while unconsciously seeking out Draco's warmth.

It took a long time for most of the questions of the group to be answered. Finally Rayn stepped in and ended their little get together.

"Draco, if you please, assist Harry to his cambers. I will make the necessary sleeping arrangements for our guest." Rayn instructed the blond.


**********

"Bet you just loved that, didn't you Potter." Draco teased as he walked beside Harry to the Chamber of Secrets.

"Shut it, Malfoy. I'm not in the bloody mood for your shit right now." Harry growled back.

"Oh, are we not the BIG BAD. Really your all over reacting anyway. Your the GREAT Harry Potter." Draco said snidely as they stepped though the portal. "That band of what have you will do what's needed and this will be another great triumph that you've overcome and you'll end up in the papers, as usual."

"NEWS flash, Malfoy! I hate having my name in the papers. All it does is hype up something that happened long ago and that is better left where it is, in the past. So I'll tell you again...." Stumbling tiredly to the bed Harry panted, "SHUT IT, MALFOY!"

Grabbing Harry around the waist just as his knees buckled, Draco pulled Harry almost completely flush against his body. "No. I won't shut it." he whispered in Harry's ear. "You will live, Potter. To laugh, live, and to love is your destiny now." Smiling against the raven haired wizard's skin. "That and to irritate the sodding hell out of me until we are both old and grey."

"Old and grey? That sounds good." Harry whispered back.

Turning Harry in his arms, Draco smiled wider at Harry. "To bed with you, Potter. I've got orders you know."

"Do you now?" Harry asked tugging the collar of the blond's cloak.

"Mmm hmm. Now you be a good little Gryffindor hero and get ready for bed." Draco replied softly as he rest his forehead against the man he had in his arms.

"Don't wanna be good." Harry's lips brushing Draco's with every word.

Draco shivered as Harry's arms wrapped around the back of his neck, pulling them closer to one another. Draco no longer knew who was seducing whom anymore. Then again, it wasn't like he really cared anymore anyway, right at that moment.

*I will have to think of some way to get control over the situation again. Later... much later.* he thought as he began to strip Harry naked.

~~~~~~~~~~tbc~~~~~~~~~~~