Broken Hearted

Part 8 ........ Fall From Grace

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Ethan Rayne was having a hard time concentrating on where he was going but luckily years of traveling these hallways got him to his destination. He couldn't get his mind off what had happened last night. Rayne had felt the instant the life bond had been made and the frightening thing is he didn't even KNOW more than the simplest of facts about Severus Snape. To top it all off before he could even sort anything out in his head, hell before he could even wake up for crying out loud, his bloody father was summoning him. Knowing his father, he'd want to know why one of his youngest sons had mated for life without even seeking his approval.


*I am in SOOO much trouble it isn't even funny.* Rayne thought as he entered his father's study.


It would probably be surprising for people to know, but the ruling demon of all chaos, powerful almost beyond imaging and one of the top ten most feared beings in all the nine realms was the biggest neat freak, ever. Yep, you got it, his father was anally neat and organized to the point of being beyond scary.


Three fourths of the walls were covered by bookshelves that were filled to capacity and books placed into order by subject, author, and then title. A row of filling cabinets that held a hell of a lot more than they appeared to be able to hold lined the last wall. On a ancient looking Persian rug sat two comfortable over stuffed wing back chairs along with his father's desk. Everything in its place and a place for everything. Even the files on Chaos's desk sat in an organizer. Rayne was willing to bet even the PTB wouldn't even dare to mess with anything on his father's desk.


*Oh, and the laptop...* Rayne shivered, *You really, really, really did NOT want to touch his father's laptop unless you wanted your deepest fears to come true along with a large amount of suffering.*


"Father?" Rayne stood in front of the mahogany desk.


"Have a seat, Ethan, and I'll be right with you." the chaos demon, Janus, typed away as he finished up what ever he was working on .


Rayne took a good look at his father and smiled. The thing about his father that he loved the most was his appearance for his sons. Chaos had no real form and so chose to appear to his sons as they were, meaning in this case ½ human and ½ demon. It was a way for their father to connect with each of his sons on some level. Also, it was a reminder to be proud of who they where.


Rayne allowed himself to relax completely. His eyes slowly turned into cat like yellow ones, his skin and nails changed to pitch black, and two emerald green horns stood out on each side of his temple. His features otherwise remained as the had been. Anyone looking at him would have to do a double take but he still looked virtually like himself, just different.


Janus leaned back in his chair and smiled at his son, his yellow eyes twinkling. "Lime Drop?"


Rayne shook his head polity. "Trying to cut back Da."


Shrugging, Janus popped a piece in his mouth and eyed his son for a moment.


"Well, I've never been one to beat about the proverbial bush " His father began and pointedly ignored Rayne's snort at his statement. "Why did you bond with that... Wizard?" The word wizard sounded like his son had just announced he'd married an exotic dancer.


"Awww come one Da,. Don't be like that. Severus is a very powerful and strong wizard, both magically and emotionally. More so than most beings I've ever known. He is a good man and stirs up trouble like you wouldn't believe." Rayne grinned winningly at his father.


"Really. Know him that well, do you? What's his favorite color?"


*Uh oh, busted.* Rayne tried not to sweat. "Green"


"Favorite book?"


"Poisoners of the 20th century." A guess that Rayne hoped was correct as it was the only book he could remember seeing the professor with that wasn't school related.


"Favorite food?"


"Steak." This one he knew from watching Severus.


"How does he take it?"


" Rare." again from watching.


Favorite music?"


"Da! What is this the Spanish Inquisition?" Rayne asked in frustration, knowing he was mentally on the run.


Janus just arched a brow.


*smug bastard.* Rayne thought affectionally of his father, even though he was slightly amused but mostly annoyed by all these questions. "What is this all about?"


"Oh, how about we start with you don't really know him, your married to him, and he doesn't even know it. After that we can work our way through the rest of my list? And so help me, Ethan if you say it was just one of those heat of the moment things, I will pretend your five and tan your hide." Janus growled.


Sighing and slouching in his chair, Rayne felt like a teenager getting in trouble after getting caught with his boyfriend on the couch making out. " It wasn't and isn't like that. Da, please understand that I can't help the way I feel. I know I don't know him as well as I should. I understand that this wasn't the way you wanted the bond to be formed for me. Yes, he is a wizard and yes we rushed into it. No, he doesn't' know about it but I was going to tell him this morning. That was before a certain parental figure demanded my presence at an ungodly hour."


"Ethan, 6:00 a.m. isn't an ungodly hour." Janus said amused despite himself.


"It is if you've been up all night." Rayne said as he waggled his eyebrows at his father.


Smirking, the lord of chaos knew he couldn't remain angry at his son for long. He never could, as Ethan had always held a special place in his father's heart. His son had a natural nack for causing chaos now if only he could break Ethan's habit of staying and gloating. It was one of the few reasons his son ever got caught. Sighing, Chaos looked at his son reaffirming his resolve to get his son to see reason.


"Ethan, son, I'm not trying to tell you how to live your life. Your smart enough to figure that out on your own. However, you have yet to fulfill the deal we have made with the mortals, not to mention part of your memory is still missing, and you've gotten yourself bonded to a man you don't truly even know. I might be the god of Chaos, but I'm still your father and I'm worried for you. The Powers aren't playing about with this deal. They will destroy you if you don't complete your task by the end of the school year." Concern was written all over Janus's face.


"I know that, Da. And I'm close to solving half of the contract. Already I've managed to retrieve a few memories that were missing and a lot of them have to do with Severus. I believe that is why I feel about him the way I do, we were together before. What has me puzzled his Harry's condition. I know what is wrong but I haven't a clue how to help him without killing him in the process. That damn wand core is in his heart but good and it doesn't want to be removed. The only way I can think to remove it is using the elements. " Rayne leaned forward as he spoke and rested his elbows on his knees.


"Hmmm. Have you tried draining the core first and then trying to remove it?" the demon god asked.


"Yeah. I almost ripped his heart out in while doing it too." shaking his head the halfling sighed in dejection.


Janus winced at his son's description of the failed attempt. "Keep at it then son. I have faith in you and I know you'll find the solution."


"Thanks, Da." Rayne felt buoyed by his father's words. He'd been doubting himself lately but with a few words from his father, he again had the strength to keep going. His next words to his father were cut off , however, with a burning sensation coming from the bracelet on his wrist.


"Harry's in trouble." Rayne hissed in pain.

"Go." Janus didn't even question how his son knew. He just opened a portal for his son and watched Ethan bolt through it without even a goodbye.

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


If you had told Severus Snape that this morning he would have watched Potter nearly plummet to his death he wouldn't have been surprised in the lest. Potter had the uncanny knack for finding trouble so he wouldn't have doubted it for a second. No, what had shocked the potions master was who saved the idiot boys neck.


From out of thin airt like a wisp of smoke, a demon appeared. Getting only a blurred glimpse of dark skin and horns as the figure in a dark cloak solidified and hovered on a lower level. The creature managed to intercept Potter on the way down with an uncanny ease. Once the Gryffindor was in its arms, it began to ascend steadily to the main floor. It seemed to glide through the air as if it were born to do just that. You could tell simply by the grace in which it landed before the Headmaster that this creature could be lethal if it chose to be. When it brushed past him, that was then Severus got a half way clear look at the thing. Even though it's face was half covered by its hood, the half that could be seen was memorable.


The bottom half that showed skin that looked midnight black. It's hands were the same coloring as it's face, with razor sharp claws that could gut a man with barely any effort and was at least 6 ft. tall give or take. This was a killing machine and it was cradling the hero of the wizarding world in it's arms as if he were a small child.


It never said a word as it just kept walking past everyone as if they didn't exist. Stalking through the castle as if it knew where it was going, the demon didn't hesitate as it walked right up one of the hidden entrances for the Chamber of Secrets. The doorway opened without anyone speaking the password.


Only then did it speak, it's voice sending chills down Severus's back. "Only the chosen may enter." With that it walked into the passageway without another word.


Someone behind him shoved him out of the way and followed at a run. It took a moment for Severus to realize it had been Draco Malfoy. Hermione Granger and Ronald Weasley soon followed after the blond without incident. It was when the Headmaster tried to enter that the demon's words became clear.


Severus watched in shock as Albus Dumbledore was thrown across the hallway like a rag doll. It would have been funny if the situation hadn't been so dire. Going on instinct Severus gathering his courage, though a cunning Slytherin he was still no coward, and stepped through the doorway before him and was stunned. Nothing happened. Looking back at the Headmaster who was now back on his feet with the help of some of the staff, the potions master made eye contact. An unspoken agreement was made through their connection.


*Help Harry Potter*


Severus turned and followed the passageway that would led him to the place until five years ago had only been legend.


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


Rayne carried his burden with great care. How in the name of the Gods Harry was still alive was beyond him. That last surge should have killed him for sure and yet, shallow though it was, the man was still breathing.


His father's word from moments ago rang in his ears still. Time was running out for all of them, but for Harry Potter he was living on borrowed time. Someone upstairs really wanted this boy about for a while longer and if he were a betting man, Rayne would place everything he had that the Powers That Be being behind it. Which meant the time frame his father had indicated was closer than either one of them had thought it would be.


The half demon walked down the hallway and past the added bedrooms to the main chamber where Harry's Bed awaited. Using his powers, Rayne turned down the sheets back. He could sense the others coming out of the bedrooms as one of them collided with the Malfoy boy. Laying the body in his arms down with great care, Rayne stared down at the form now resting on the bed with great worry. Was this what his father felt for him when something bad happened?


*Is this how he feels now?* a guilty part of Rayne's mind whispered.


If so, then the halfling now had a new understanding of his father. It wasn't pleasant, this caring for others besides himself and his own needs. It made him weak. Didn't it? Shoving these thoughts to the back of his mind for now, Rayne turned to face the others hovering in the background.


"RAYNE?" Willow asked in a slightly horrified voice.


To late did Rayne remember his appearance and he was too worried to care about it now. "Who was on duty?"


No one answered. Rage filled Ethan Rayne and let some of his inner demon show. "WHO!?!" his voice boomed through the chamber rattling everything in the room including the people standing in it.


Swallowing hard, Draco answered. "I was."


Growling deeply, Rayne prowled forward and grabbed the blond by the shirt front. "What happened?" he hissed into young man's face.


"We were in the Great Hall and he just stopped dead in his tracks. He ran out before I could find out what was wrong, so I ran after him. He got caught on the stairs when the set he was on started to move. The surge hit him and I used the charm you gave us to contact you." Draco choked out his next words as he fought back a sob of grief. " I couldn't stop it. No one could. Lighting was coming from everywhere. He tipped over the side of the railing and the power surge lifted him into the air. We tried to get him down. We tried to save him" Sorrow over came him at last and he broke down. The hold on Draco's shirt was removed to be replaced by strong arms holding him as he cried for the love he had nearly lost.


"He will be alright, young one." It was all Rayne could think of to say in the way of comfort as his rage drained out of him and his human form returned.


"I felt so helpless." Draco whispered against the chest his cheek rested on.


"We all did, Draco." Ron spoke up softly from where he was standing with the Granger girl in his arms.


Rayne looked about at the rag tag group and sighed. The elements were not ready to help Harry yet, the students didn't understand that their magic was doing more harm than good, and to top it all off Severus Snape had joined the group without Rayne's notice and was now looking at him in a cold angry stare that didn't bowed well for him later.


Some days it just doesn't pay to get out of bed.


~~~~~~~~~TBC~~~~~~~~~