Potion Mishaps and Secrets Revealed

“speaky noise” thinky noise ::snakey noise::

Chapter 8: The Singing Test

Harry’s hand shot out in the dark for his glasses, he shivered from the sheen of sweat that covered his body. Victorious in the hunt for his glasses, the surroundings finally came into focus. He was back in Draco’s bedroom on the bed that they now shared with Draco sleeping soundly on top of him. A dream it was only a dream. Draco still loves me and he wouldn’t leave me. Snape’s potion must have worked. He leaned back resting his head on his pillow and letting sleep overtake him again.

“Crucio!” As the spell hit him, Harry was thrown to the floor wracked with agony. He struggled to his feet, before the next volley of the Unforgivable was thrown his direction, when he noticed something important was missing.

“Draco! What in the bleeding hell did you do to him? Answer me Riddle!” Blood had begun to seep in a familiar line from his mouth. Even injured he managed a glare that would have done Molly Weasley proud.

“Oh, your lover boy? Avery, do you know what we did to Draco? No, hm.. that’s odd. How about you Nott? No? Well, shouldn’t he right now be tortured next to you, his lover? What did we do to him Potter? Nothing. He chose this on his own. You were just a pawn in our little game.” Voldemort spat out with his hatred increasing, causing the spell’s impact to also increase.

“He loves me Tom! Loves me! You cannot fathom the concept of love! Draco will come for me.” Harry spat out struggling against all odds to stand up and go look for his beloved.

“Loves you? HA! None of my Death Eaters, future or existing, believes in that vile weakness. Love,” He spat on the ground near Harry, “Love only causes you hurt and is a pitfall for strength. Nothing more, nothing less.”

Harry tried once more to get to his feet, to raise his wand against Voldemort. The small crowd of Death Eaters laughed in delight seeing the Boy Who Lived struggle, only to collapse with his hands to his head, as he shrieked in pain.

“Look boys, our mighty little hero the boy-who-lived, is trying to save the one he loves. Isn’t that so… laughable.” He sneered. With that the Death Eaters all started laughing as if on cue, “Silence! Well as I was saying boys, I think the little golden boy deserves his presents now, don’t you think?” He turned his attention to the Death Eater that was shaking slightly to the left of him, grabbing the arm of this weak ‘comrade’, the Dark Lord dragged the masked visage closer.

“There is no magic to this Harry, no lies, no gimmicks. You throw love in my face thinking that with that, you have the answer to all of your problems. Well, this is the real truth about your lover boy,” with that he threw the hood off of the figure that was now in front of him to reveal Draco standing there shaking, betraying the cool face that he was wearing.

Harry sank to his knees, his body now feeling the aftermath of being hit with the Cruciatus Curse three times. Voldemort walked over to Harry, and grabbed his chin to force him look at him in the face. Harry flinched with pain, as silent tears streamed down his face, “Don’t you dare talk to me about love. Not even you, the almighty boy-who-lived, has known love. Draco sold you out that night I came to him in his dreams, to protect his family. He tricked you into believing that he loved you, so you would have your guard down, which would make it easier to attack you. Face it Harry! You have nothing!”

“Draco?” Harry asked stupefied, as the steady stream of tears caused his vision to blur. Draco stood there for what seemed to be an eternity before collapsing next to his love.

“Harry, oh Harry I am so sorry. I love you now and forever. I promise not to leave you again. Please my love get up, we have to-“ Both boys being so enraptured by their own conversation, neither heard Voldemort’s screams, or his futile attempts to divert the blond’s attention. Nor did they hear it when he cast the Killing Curse, directly at the blond. As Draco’s body crumpled over on top of Harry, the last thing Harry would ever hear out of his love was, “I am sorry.”

“Draco! NO!!! I love you!! Don’t go Dray, don’t go. Please Dray, stay with me like you promised. Please…” He sobbed, as he grasped his lover’s body, and began to rock on his heels, while clenching the body.

“Let this be a warning to you Potter. You will lose all of your loved ones, I will make sure of that. I will start with Draco for his betrayal to his Lord, and move on to what little family you have left. I will not stop, until you have watched every single one of them die by my hands, knowing if only you were as great as they say you are, you could have saved them. When there is nothing left, I will finally kill the boy-who-lived, proving that once and for all, I am the greatest wizard.”

“Wait, this is just a vision? Draco is not dead? There is still time to save him?” Harry rasped out. His voice was dry and scratchy, from crying and screaming as hard as he had. His mind, and body were both fatigued from the shocking revelation.

“Yes, and no. Yes, this is just a vision, and Draco is not dead. No, there is not any time to save him. I will lure him back to the dark side, since you turned your back on him, and then I will kill him, right in front of you. See Potter? You have already given me the advantage. You gave me your lover to use against you, to cause you more pain, and to give me the chance to destroy him. Don’t bother trying to save him, although once you wake you will not remember any of this.” He sneered as he drew his wand and pointed it at Harry, “OBLIVIATE!”

“NO!!” Harry screamed, drenched in sweat, as he shot up in bed. An overwhelming feeling of déjà vu occurred, as he blindly searched out his glasses. Once they were on his face, he looked around the room. He was back in the room that Snape had left him, safe and sound. There was nothing to be afraid of. Then why am I so petrified that something bad is about to happen and soon?

Snape came bursting through the door fully dressed, and hastily made his way toward the bed, only to push the bewildered teen back into it. As the teen opened his mouth to protest, Snape shoved a thermometer in it, and forced his mouth closed.

“Welcome back to the land of the living Harry. Three days ago, you woke up screaming and thrashing about on your bed. Once you settled down, you stopped breathing. I administered a wide variety of healing potions, and had Madam Pomfrey heal you the rest of the way, you stabilized somewhat. However, you slipped straight into a coma, and this recent display is the only movement that you have made in that duration. Your godfather stayed with you for as long as he could, but tonight is the full moon, and he is unable to be here for you, so you are stuck with me.” He rambled on nervously, half expecting the teen to react negatively. After seeing Harry was not about to lash out at him, he removed the thermometer.

“Well, your temperature is normal. How do you feel? Do you remember what you dreamed about that caused such a commotion? Madam Pomfrey said you had the effects of multiple attacks of the Cruciatus Curse as far as your injuries went. Do you recall anything?” Snape asked worriedly looking into Harry’s eyes.

“N..” Harry attempted and realized that his throat was far too damaged from all of the screaming, shook his head in response.

“I should have warned you that you would be unable to talk right now.” Snape responded and ushered Harry some potions. “Here take these, it will make you feel better.” After a brief moment of hesitation, Harry drank the three bottles of potion.

“Thank you, Sir” Harry rasped out, noticing the potions take affect immediately.

“No problem Harry. Please call me Severus or Sev. It seems only fitting since we are going to be spending some time together. By the way, Happy Christmas, Harry” Severus mumbled with a slight blush.

He wished right then that Remus was there with Harry, instead of himself. Severus has never felt comfortable being around kids by himself for long periods of time, except for his godson. Then again, he always saw Draco as more of his son, than Lucius’. Severus had been there more while Draco was growing up, than Lucius had been. Lucius was always busy with politics and building his family’s name back up, dragging Narcissa around with him. They were away from the house for long periods of time often leaving Draco in the care of his godfather.

“Happy Christmas, Sev” Harry spoke softly to the older man. Severus shook himself mentally, and smiled softly at Harry. “Sev?”

“Hm?” Severus asked, trying to remember exactly why the two of them never got along. Sure, Severus hated James Potter for all of the years of torture that he had been subjected to. That was James Potter though, not Harry Potter. The boy was nothing like his father; he was not arrogant or selfish, he was a completely different person.

“Since it’s Christmas… can I have my presents now?” He asked grinning sheepishly.

Then again… “Alright let me go get them for you.” Severus huffed as he whisked out of the room going to retrieve the presents that were buried under the miniature Christmas tree that he and Remus had set up.

Gathering the boxes in his arms, he deposited the small mountain on Harry’s bed.

Grabbing the first present he noticed that it was from Severus and Remus. He opened it gently, and gasped at the beautiful sight before him. Inside there was a picture frame that was silver, and it had two snakes wrapped around the frame with ruby red eyes. The picture was of his mother lying in a hospital bed smiling brilliantly looking at the tiny bundle in her arms and then looking up at the camera, his dad was standing next to her with a loving pride that was clearly evident.

“I was helping Remus with something, and I stumbled across this picture. We thought you might like it.” Severus stated.

“I love it. Thank you so much Sev. You do not know how much this means to me.” With that Harry hugged Sev out of habit. Severus stiffened slightly and then relaxed and patted Harry’s back nervously.

With a laugh Harry said, “You have got to work on your hugging skills Sev. It’s not like I am going to hex you mid hug or anything.”

Rolling his eyes Severus handed another present to ‘Remus’ know-it-all brat’ as he now affectionately thought of him as. This present was from the Weasley’s. Inside there was an individual letter from each member of the family. The twins wished him well and gave their latest invention (Harry gently put that aside afraid of it attacking him). Bill and Charlie both sent little tokens from their work (Charlie gave him a dragon pendant that moved around, and Bill had bought him a book about quidditch.). Percy didn’t get him anything (they hadn’t been on good terms since the whole Crouch incident.). Ron got him cheap riding gloves for his broom. Mr. & Mrs. Weasley sent him home made cookies and a new jumper. Then he got to the present that made him cringe, Ginny’s present. Ginny decided that there was nothing in the world that Harry wanted more than an overly detailed love letter, that depicted what they would do for their first date which involved chains, whips, and a bed. Shuddering he set that one aside hoping to never have to read that again.

Moving on, his next present was from Hagrid, and it was a complete book about Dragons. He had asked about them enough last semester that Hagrid had obviously gotten the hint and gotten him a book to answer all of the other questions he had.

Hermione got him yet another planner after his ‘mysteriously’ fell into the fire last New Year after she had given him the first one. With a note attached that told him this one was fire proof! Oh joy… now I just have to find another way to dispose of this….

After opening all of his presents he looked up to Severus tears in his eyes. “I didn’t get anything from… I should have known though… made it very clear…” He sobbed while pulling his legs up to his chest and rocking himself back and forth. To say that Severus was confused by Harry’s behavior would have been an understatement. He could not figure out what caused the teen so much distress. He pulled Harry into his arms and gently started to rub the teens back. Looking over the gifts he tried to figure out what could have been missing.

Noticing that he had not gotten a gift from his relatives he decided to ask the teen, “Harry, are you upset because you didn’t get a gift from the Dursleys? I am sure that they… just… forgot?” He finished looking at the teen that had shot into a corner after mentioning his family’s name. Severus carefully walked over to the teen that was cowering in a corner. He walked very slowly and talked in a calm, soothing voice trying not to spook the teen any further.

“Harry, it is me, Sev. You are at Hogwarts, in my room. I promise I will protect you from whatever you are scared about. Trust me Harry, you can tell me anything. Please talk to me.” He finished mere inches from the boy. Instead of risking an attempt to touch him, he crouched down to get a better look at Harry. At this point Harry was shaking even more than when he had started out, and had paled considerably. Severus was terrified that what ever had shocked him could send him back into a coma, so he allowed Harry to make the next move.

“Sorry… Uncle Vernon… I will not disgrace your home again… I am sorry. Please… not that… oh Merlin… no…” Harry whispered out as his demons of his past continued to replay that fateful night.

“What did your Uncle do to you, Harry?” Severus said more tightly than what he would have liked but he held his stance fearful the unknown.

“I deserved it… it was my punishment… I ate the table scraps out of the garbage… I was just so hungry though… it was going on four days… I did not think he would be watching me… he… then he…” Harry tried to explain in a frantic tone.

“He what, Harry? I promise I won’t get mad at you. You are safe to tell me anything Harry. Please trust me, I will protect you.” Severus promised as he was trying to soothe the trembling boy.

“Dumbledore knows… he said for me to try harder to please my uncle… he said it was my fault and that I deserved it.” Harry whispered. Just as Severus was about to lose the rest of his patience and lash out at the boy unless he told him what was causing his distress, he heard it.

He heard Harry in the smallest voice he has ever heard anyone use say, “He raped me, and I was tied down unable to move. I was just too weak, he starved me so that my magic could not protect me and then he raped me. He knew… he knew, and I deserved it… I deserved to be punished.”

Severus choked down the bile that came with the tears that were falling down his face. How could this be the golden boy that he had hated? How long had this been happening? How did Dumbledore know that his favorite student was subjected to such cruelty and brainwash the boy, making him believe that he deserved it? Nothing made sense to the Potions Master anymore as he collapsed onto the corner of the bed. He looked confused as her tried to sort out the new information that was just thrown at him.

Harry just tightened his body up and pushed himself further into the corner afraid of what was to come. He had not meant to spill out that piece of information. Now that Sev knows he is going to hate me. He is going to see me for the worthless freak that everyone else sees me as. He too will leave me… just like Draco, Harry thought miserably as sobs wracked his body.

Severus looked up as he heard the sobs grow, and he just watched Harry in a transfixed stare as his thoughts consumed him. After his sobs died out Harry collapsed onto the floor. Severus moved quickly and before his head could hit the floor Severus had caught it. Gently lifting the broken boy he moved back over to the bed and tucked Harry in. Putting all of Harry’s gifts on the dresser next to the bed, Severus had to wonder if any of them knew.

Did any of his friends know what kind of tortures that he went through? Did any of them care? Why had no one done anything? Looking briefly at Harry his face hardened, No, I bet they didn’t. Things would have been different. No child should go through this much pain. I will make him pay dearly. Your uncle will pay dearly for hurting you Harry, I will ensure that he can never cause you harm again. Waking Harry briefly to give him a sleeping drought, Severus put the ward back up on Harry’s room to alert him when he woke up. With that he flooed to Hogsmeade and then apparated to Private Drive, Number Four.

Flash Back:

Lucius awoke the next morning in his luxurious bed and reached for his wife. A wave of panic rippled through him as he shot up eyes wide with fear. A quick glance around the room proved that she was nowhere in their bedroom. He quickly got out of bed and threw on his evening robe as he swept out of the room searching for his wife. Looking in the kitchen, the ballroom, the dining room, the drawing room, and various other rooms in the house Lucius had started to give up hope. Then it dawned on him what room he had over looked in his stage of panic, his son’s room. Lucius slowly opened the door trying to cause the least bit of noise as he could. Seeing his wife sitting in a chair next to Draco’s bed, Lucius let out a breath he had not realized that he was holding. He opened the door more and stepped into the room. He walked over to his wife and smiled gently at the beautiful sight before him. There was Narcissa in her best evening robes sitting in a chair while leaning against Draco’s bed. Her long beautiful blonde hair haloing her, as her pale delicate hands are wrapped tightly around Draco’s right hand. Deciding it was best not to wake her he transfigured her chair into a small bed and adjusted her so she could be lying on a bed with her hands still holding Draco’s as she slept peacefully next to him.

Removing himself from the room, he walked to his study to fire call Severus as he had planned on doing last night.

“Severus Snape, Hogwarts.” He shouted into the fire. Ten minutes later a very exhausted looking Severus appeared. Lucius could tell right away that he had not slept a wink last night by the way his clothes were rumpled and his hair was a mess. Severus also had big bags under his eyes that drooped slightly.

“What is it Lucius? Is Draco okay?” Severus asked his friend while stifling a yawn.

“Severus you look like hell! Have you slept at all or eaten for that matter? What the hell happened to you last night?” Lucius blurted out.

“Thank you for your kind praise, Luce.” Severus snarled at his friend. Sighing he shook his head and continued, “I am sorry Luce, I am just tired. I had a rather large event here last night involving Potter. Now, I am sure you don’t give a bleeding damn about Potter so as I asked before, how is my godson?” He bit out rather impatiently.

“I am sorry old friend and you are right I did call you about Draco,” ignoring the little fact that Severus rolled his eyes and sighed to show his patience was running thin Lucius continued, “I brought Draco home and after talking to Cissy for a bit I tucked him into bed. Just as I was leaving though, he started to scream bloody murder and started shouting out things I couldn’t understand. The only thing that I got out of it was that he was sorry about something. Do you know what this could be about?” Lucius finished and ran a hand through his hair nervously.

Severus grew very quiet before he asked his question, “Is Draco fine now?” He worded very carefully. He did not want to give away that the very same thing is what kept him up all night last night.

Lucius gave his friend a questioning glance before he responded, “Yes, after I calmed him down, he returned to a normal sleep. He is sleeping peacefully upstairs right now. Why? What happened last night Sev?” He more or less finished in a ‘you will tell me right now’ commanding voice. Severus just waved it away ignoring the glare from his friend.

“Look Luce, like I said there was an incident last night. I have things I need to take care of here. I am sorry that Draco gave you a scare last night, but if he is fine right now then relax. That’s not to say if you do not fire call me if he gets worse again I will not murder you. Wish everyone an early Happy Christmas for me. Maybe if things settle down here I will come and visit then.”

“You are always welcome here Severus. I do hope to see you then. Get some rest my friend.” With that, Lucius walked back upstairs to check on his wife and child.

Present:

Ugh… this is the third morning that I have woken up like this, Draco thought miserably as he flushed the toilet yet again this morning.

A soft knock came from his bathroom, “Happy Christmas, Draco! Darling when you are done showering come down to breakfast. Then after that we can open your presents!” his mother squealed in delight. Listening to her footsteps fade down the corridor, Draco called for his house elf.

“Dezi!” with a soft pop, Dezi appeared and bowed deeply to Draco.

“Yes Master Draco? How can I help you?”

“Dezi, I need you to go to Knockturn Alley and pick up a male pregnancy test. Do not say a word of this to anyone! Do you understand me?” Draco commanded trying to hide the fear that was in his words.

“Yes sir!” With that the small elf disappeared and reappeared in mere moments holding out a small brown bag in his tiny hands.

“Thank you, you are excused.” After the house elf had left, Draco tore into the package and then his eyes rested on it; the pregnancy test.

Please Merlin… not pregnant, not pregnant, not pregnant, Draco chanted over and over while awaiting the results. Just then the test came to life and started to sing.

“Congratulations to you! Congratulations to you! The strip turned blue, and it’s a baby for you!" Draco dropped the singing pregnancy test in disgust as it repeated its song this time with back up singers going “hmmm” finishing up with a baby cooing noise.

“Bleeding hell…” Draco spat out while rushing back to praise the porcelain gods.


Love and a Peace,
~*~Kates~*~