Atrum Viridis

Disclaimer: Do not own, just story and plot. Harry Potter and Co. belong to J.K. Rowling. Thank you.





AN: I am SO sorry this has taken so long to get out. At first I was just a bit stumped on how I wanted this chapter to go but then I got caught up with preparing for finals and I still hold to the truth that College is not good for the sanity. Thank you all for being so patient and so kind, I have yet to get a flame or a mean person yelling at me to post faster which I appreciate so much. It was why I left Fanfiction.net. ^^ You are all so nice it makes me want to keep writing. Thank you again for all your support and this chapter is dedicated to all of you! *huggles* (p.s. ^^” sorry for thinking you were a guy, Dillon!)





Chapter Nine: Breaking Point





Harry’s nose scrunched in displeasure as he once again was forced to side step a small group of wizards and witches that were gathered together, bent over a Daily Prophet. Snippets of “I met him once, such a dear!” and “Oh I do hope he will accept our invitation to tea.” met his ears. Forcing back annoyance he walked briskly down the cobblestone street of Diagon Alley towards the Apothecary that he had passed first coming in. He couldn’t help but notice, however, now that he was under the cloak again and not being hounded by random pedestrians he had never met that the market was brighter now. Well of course it was brighter, it was still only barely after noon, but there was definitely the lack of heavy fear and uncertainty that had plagued the population. He hadn’t truly appreciated how the presence of Voldemort had affected the atmosphere of the wizarding world – well he knew it did affect it but he was rarely out and about in populated areas with other wizards except at Hogwarts and Hogsmeade – but now seeing it like this without that worry…well it made everything he sacrificed a little bit more worth it.



Letting a faint smile reach his lips, Harry waited outside the dark, smelly store until a customer turned to walk inside and he quickly slipped in after him without being noticed. Once again his nose was assaulted by the repugnant smell of pickled eyes and raw liver. He truly did not know how the owners managed to stay in the shop without open windows and doors. It almost reminded him of the smell of Snape’s private store of potions ingredients when he had pilfered some gillyweed for the Triwizard Tournament – not to mention his classroom in general but thankfully the smell seemed to somewhat lesser in the classroom itself. Maybe he had used some “scent-repelling” charm or something…



Shrugging off the thought, Harry began looking around the ingredients for what he needed. He passed by most of the dead reptiles but gathered a small pouch of lizard tongues then turned to the shelves of different kinds of magical and non-magical rocks. Thinking to himself for a moment he pulled out the ugly pink book - written by some guy named Sleekeazy - again from his bag and opened it, making sure to stay inside his cloak, and turned to a few of the potions to check the ingredients. Finally nodding he closed the book and replaced it in his bag before trailing the shelves to find what he needed. Picking out some more asphodel, dittany, fluxweed, knotgrass, and a few small bags of rat tails, he figured out how much it would cost and counted out the money before stepping up to the counter. Waiting until he was sure that there was no one nearby and the man behind the counter had turned to talk to a customer, he placed the sickles on the counter before slipping out after an elderly witch.



Once Harry was outside again he paused to take a few deep, wonderfully fresh breaths before turning down the street again. He wanted to visit the junk shop again in hopes that he could find something interesting but as he walked down the curve of the crowded street he paused when he saw the sign for the Magical Menagerie. He really did miss Hedwig. She had been such a wonderful owl and a true friend, especially when he could reach no one else. He missed being able to talk to her and not have to worry about how she might disapprove or be disappointed in him. She just listened and gave him support in her own way. He wasn’t so proud that he wouldn’t admit that he really and truly missed having that. He did know, however, that he would not be able to buy another owl. No owl could take her place and he didn’t really want to let it, not to mention how he really didn’t want mail and if he had to send any he could just visit in person. It wasn’t as if he had a whole lot of people he could talk to…



Feeling the tension headache coming on, he pushed back the negative thoughts and hesitantly stepped into the loud and colorful shop. There were parents with children buying them their first familiars and a few older adults browsing as well which forced him to weave carefully in and out through the open store to see the cages lining the walls. His eyes scanned over the cats but he didn’t really think he would want one. He didn’t mind them but well…he just didn’t connect with them as well. Rats were definitely out of the question and he really didn’t see the point in having a frog as a pet. Coming to the bird cages he pondered over perhaps getting a raven. They looked intelligent and they could fly if he ever did want to write to someone. The idea seemed okay and he was about to try and figure out how to pay for one and get it out without anyone seeing him when something caught his attention. The sound of familiar hissing coming from a corner led him towards the back of the store. Intrigued by this – he didn’t think the store would sell snakes – he bent down to look into the reptile tanks. There weren’t that many and a few were labeled as poisonous but Harry couldn’t help but chuckle softly. After all, what could be better than an animal companion you could actually understand?



Glancing around quickly he made sure no one was in hearing range before leaning in to the tanks.



“Hello.” He whispered in parseltongue. “Are you all here to be petsss asss well?” he asked, smirking when the snakes all tensed and became alert, most looking around curiously for where the voice had come from.



“Who issss that? Where are you hidingssss?” One serpent with dark black scales said suspiciously, its tongue tasting the air for the intruder.



The dark haired boy chuckled again.



“Ssssorry, I cannot ssssshow mysssself right now. I’d rather not be sssssseen by anyone.” He tried to explain. “I am a wizard.”



The snakes didn’t seem very convinced but they could tell it was a human speaking to them so many settled down again to sleep and ignore him. The black snake hissed angrily, cursing at him colorfully and startling him.



“We are no petsssss, wizard. I am tired of grubby human children banging on my glassssss and ruining my ssssleep. The next time a hand reachesssss in here I ssssshall remove it for them.” He threatened, making Harry wince.



Well he certainly wasn’t going to be adopting that snake… Turning his eyes to the others he looked in the tanks before seeing a medium sized one on the end with dark green scales. It wasn’t very decorative with strange colors or shape and it didn’t stand out at all but it also didn’t seem to be taking his presence badly which was a promising sign. He crab-walked sideways to see it better and gently tapped on the glass, but not too loud to hurt it.



“Hello, what issss your name?” he asked, wanting to see how the snake would respond to him.



The small green snake blinked lazily before looking up towards where Harry’s voice was coming from.



“I have not usssssed a name for many yearsssss human and have now forgottenssss it. I am assssuming you are going to asssk me if I want to leave with you.” He said pretentiously, seeming quite unconcerned about the whole situation.



Harry chuckled faintly, though a bit startled by the small reptile’s personality. He found that it amused him though.



“Yessss, I ssssupposse I wasss. Would you be interessssted in getting out of that cage?” he asked.



The snake paused, seeming to think the idea over and bobbed its head faintly from side to side.



“What are you planningssss on doing with me?” he hissed back curiously.



“I jusssst wanted ssssomeone to talk to, assss a companion.” He said gently, making sure not to use the word pet. After all it did seem kind of wrong to call an intelligent creature the property of someone else, especially when he could talk to them.



The snake seemed to think this over again, ignoring the angry threats he was getting from the first black snake. Finally, he seemed to come to a decision and nodded his head.



“I will go with you, human, but be warned. If you try anythingssss I will bitesss you hard.” He threatened, causing Harry to laugh.



“Deal. Hold on a moment while I find a way to buy you.” He agreed before standing and looking around.



How was he supposed to sneak the snake out and leave money without being seen? It was just too crowded. Sighing in resignation he realized that he would have to show at least one person he was there…but which employee and how? He blinked as he saw one of the girl workers with brown hair pulled up in a ponytail tell a customer she would get a cage for their new owl before turning to head into the back store room. Quickly following he slipped in behind her. The girl walked down the rows of supplies and equipment before stopping at the cages and picking up a couple for the woman to choose from. Harry hesitated before tapping her gently on the shoulder.



“Excuse me…” he tried to say as gently as possible but the girl still jumped startled, dropping the cages and spinning.



“Ehh? Who’s there!?” she demanded, looking around startled.



Harry winced before sheepishly pulling off the hood of his invisibility cloak, watching as the girl almost fell over from shock.



“Sorry!” he said quickly, reaching to steady her a bit. “I didn’t mean to startle you but I didn’t want to cause a huge display out front.” He said sheepishly.



The girl frowned, looking confused before her eyes widened. She recognized Harry’s face from all the papers.



“Why you’re!..Oh wow! I never thought I’d meet you!” she said surprised, causing Harry to wince.



“Umm…right…actually I was hoping that you could help me without having to let anyone know I’m here.” He said quickly, not wanting to have her rush out and tell everyone or start screaming and bringing attention to them.



The girl blinked before smiling brightly.



“Oh right! Well I guess I can see what you mean, there’d be a storm of people out there trying to get your autograph if they knew.” She chuckled, but not being able to help as her eyes glanced up at his scar.



Harry was thankful that she seemed more composed than most though and just looked back to his face and continued smiling. He heaved a soft sigh of relief.



“Thank you…I was actually wanting to purchase one of your snakes.” He said. “The green one in the third tank. I didn’t want to cause a scene by just taking it and leaving money.”



The girl nodded, picking up the birdcages again.



“Alright, that’s no problem.” She smiled, “If you wait right here I can take these cages back out. Once I’m done I’ll get it for you. The snakes should be seven galleons and three sickles.” She informed.



Harry nodded. “Thank you.”



He watched her smile again before leaving. He was relieved that she didn’t make a big deal out of just who he was. It was a nice change he had to admit. She was rather pretty too; her eyes were a strange shade of grayish blue. He smiled sadly to himself when he realized that he had no desire to get near her even if she was nice and pretty. His heart probably just learned its lesson and stopped getting attached to more people. Maybe if he was a normal guy he would have thought about asking her out…but well he wasn’t normal.



The thoughts were shaken out of his head a few minutes later when the girl came back with a small box with tiny holes in the top.



“Here you are.” She smiled, handing it over to him. “Will you want a tank for him?” she asked.



Harry shook his head as he took the box, peaking inside to make sure it was the right snake before smiling faintly.



“No, thank you. He won’t be needing one.” He said before counting out the money and handing it over to her. “Thank you again, I really appreciate it.” He said.



The girl blushed faintly at the words and offered a sheepish smile.



“No…thank you. My father was threatened by Death Eaters a couple of nights before the big battle…he survived because of you.” She said gently. “My family can never repay you.”



Harry blushed darkly, shifting uncomfortably but feeling pleased that he could truly see how he had helped.



“I didn’t fight on my own…lots of people helped me…but I am glad that your father is alright.” He offered with a weak smile.



The girl matched his smile before shaking her head.



“I know that you were not the only one to fight but you gave us hope. You gave the world hope.” She said before blushing faintly herself and turning. “I’ll hold the door open to talk to my manager to let you slip out. Oh…and my name’s Dillon.”



Harry blinked, startled by her words before quickly pulling the hood up and disappearing. There was a feeling in his chest that he couldn’t describe, couldn’t really understand Perhaps today wouldn’t turn out to be so horrible… Smiling faintly at the thought he clutched the snake box close to his chest before slipping out of the open door and quickly walked out of the store.



“Thanks Dillon.” He whispered when he passed.



Once he was outside and off against the wall so he wouldn’t be run into he opened the box and smiled down at the snake.



“Hi, I’m Harry…would you like to sssstay in there or would you rather I carried you. I ssstill have to go to one more sssstore…” he said apologetically.



The snake bobbed its head. “I would likesss to be outssside.” It hissed. “It hass been long time ssssince I could sssee beyond the glasssss.”



Harry nodded, gently reaching in and letting the snake climb up his hand and disappear into his sleeve. He dropped the box into a nearby waste basket before turning to head towards the end of Diagon Alley where the small junk shop was. His mind tumbled over the girl’s words while a chaotic whirl of emotions ran rampant through his chest. They thought he was hope? They saw him as hope? Was that really true or was it just the flimsy, weak hope that they wanted him to save them. He didn’t want to be the hope they turned to to solve their problems…but if he gave hope for others to be strong themselves…that felt nice. It felt like he had actually done something.



Harry’s feet felt lighter as he walked down the street towards the junk shop. There were fewer people at the end of the street and he could tell not many really visited but since he had been in it the first time with the Weasleys he thought that there had been a lot of interesting things in there that might be worth looking at. If he could find some old books perhaps or artifacts that he might be able to use to enchant with protection spells he would have called the trip a success. Part of him just wanted to be outside for a little while longer. He hadn’t been out in the sun in a while and even with the invisibility cloak on he felt as if the world was brighter than before and he wanted to enjoy it.



The curious teenager peaked inside the glass door, making sure there was no one nearby or in view before quietly opening it and slipping inside without a sound. If anyone outside had noticed the door move on its own no one said anything. Sighing in relief, Harry turned to look around the shop.



Dim light filtered through the grungy windows and most every corner was dark from the lack of light except for the few odd candles here and there. The air was thick, filled with the smell of faintly molding paper and rusting metals. They should probably open the windows and door to vent the place every once in a while if they wanted more customers, but it really seemed to Harry that they didn’t really want anyone there. The shop keeper was no where in sight and the trinkets and junk was simply scattered around on tables and shelves with no organization to them at all. No one would want to have to wade through the stuff to find anything.



“Thissss place sssssmellsss dead.” The small snake hissed in obvious contempt, his tongue flicking at the air before he hid back into Harry’s sleeve.



He offered his new companion a faint smile.



“Yessss, I know, I’m ssssorry.” He apologized. “But I promisssse we won’t be ssstaying for too long. I just want to sssee what issss here…”



“Jussst assss long assss it iss quick.” Was the snake’s reply before it fell silent again.



Turning his focus back to the store, Harry began to look around at all the items. He wondered where the store keeper had gone off to but he didn’t bother to worry about it. After all there weren’t many customers to begin with so he probably just stepped out to get something. The shelves were stacked with trinkets of all shapes and sizes, most broken and the others rather useless. One strange contraption looked like a weird, muggle hamster ball with a glowing mist inside. Knowing better than to touch without knowing what it was, he just looked at it closely before passing it by. He was more interested in the old books.



A few journal looking tombs were stacked against the wall and carefully sitting down on the floor he reached out to gently lift the top one to look at it, being mindful that it might turn him into a toad or something of that nature. The leather bound item didn’t react to him as far as he could tell so he opened it to flip through the pages. It turned out it was a journal of some woman with no name she could speak of. Finding it useless he set it aside. He began working his way through the books until he came to an old, rotting one with yellowing paper. The cover seemed to be made out of dragon hide and thick locks clamped the corners down securely. He carefully began looking it over, trying to find a trick or something to open it but nothing worked. ‘Alohomora’ didn’t do anything and he didn’t want to try and force it open without preparing properly. His curiosity was peaked, however, so he decided that he would buy it.



He tucked the book under his arm before turning to the rest. No other books seemed useful or interesting so he began looking at old necklaces and charms. A few had small tags on them saying ‘dangerous’ or ‘will turn skin pink’ but nothing caught his eye until he saw a small pendant that was in the shape of a key. He tilted his head faintly and carefully picked it up, making sure to use his sleeve and not let it touch his skin. Just to make sure he placed it beside the book but nodded when he saw that it wasn’t for the lock. He absently turned it over, looking at the tarnished silver and dirty red gem at the top. There was something…familiar about the key…but he couldn’t put his finger on just what it was.



Firmly deciding that he wanted the key as well he wrapped it carefully in his handkerchief before putting it in his pocket. A whining snake demanded he hurry and he did a quick round of the store but found nothing else but a unique looking quill that seemed to glow and an old book that seemed to be a guide for the early form of quidditch. Adding up the amounts that were written sloppily on pieces of paper near the pieces he put the money plus a couple of galleons just in case before turning to leave.



Another deep breath of fresh air brought a smile to Harry’s face before he set out towards Florean Fortescue’s Ice Cream Parlor to grab a quick ice cream cone before he headed home. Hopefully he could do what he did in the pet store and the person would be just as nice.



Unfortunately for Harry…the small streak of good luck he was having, came to an abrupt end when two children suddenly darted out from a store, chasing each other, and ran into him before he could move. The startled teen only had the reflexes to fall backwards instead of forwards so he wouldn’t land on the kids as his cloak fell off and his shrunken items along with the book and key he had yet to put away scattered around him.



Suddenly Harry Potter was once again in the middle of the spot light with everyone nearby staring at him and others hurrying closer.



“Why it’s Harry Potter!”



“Oh my! He’s here!”



“Go get Tim quickly! He wanted to ask for an autograph!”



“Oh perhaps he could give me one too!”



The sound of hurried and excited talking made Harry wince and he quickly scrambled to his feet, gathering his things in a rush, wanting to get out of there. He wasn’t fast enough, though, and he barely had time to pick up his last fallen item before he was swarmed, people pushing from all sides. Those nearest began eagerly shaking his hands while others begged for autographs or wanted to know how he was doing and if all the rumors were true. Harry didn’t want to even ask what rumors they were talking about and he desperately tried to pull away.



“I’m sorry! I don’t mean to be rude but I really need be going!” He cried over their voices, trying to be heard. “Please! I’m in a hurry! If you’ll just let me through-“ but no one would listen.




More people seemed to be peaking out of the shops to see what the commotion was about and Harry was sure he was going to be suffocated by the mob. He winced when his foot was stepped on and his whole arm shook by a small witch with a oddly shaped hat. He wanted to groan as he realized that he couldn't just apparate out of there without probably taking someone with him as a slidealong. He tried to pull away once more.




"Please! Please just let me-"




A flash of light startled everyone and pain ripped through Harry’s chest as he was suddenly thrown back into the wall of Gambol & Japes. A few cries reached his ears and a stunned and terrified silence washed over the mass.



Harry winced, pushing himself up and instinctively pulling out his wand to point towards the heaving, enraged man who was standing where he had sent the purple beam of light at him. The crowd had shied away, all staring confused and too shocked to move at the man who had just attacked one of the most famous person in wizarding history. Harry forced his eyes to focus, shakily fixing his glasses. Was this man a Death Eater? Were there ones still out there who wanted to kill him?

Harry’s thoughts were interrupted when the man snarled at him.



“You monster.” He growled, his whole body seeming to shake as his chubby face was red from pent up rage. “You murderer! You killed my boy!”



Whatever Harry had been expecting it wasn’t that. His eyes widened in alarm and his body froze, mind going blank with the angry eyes glaring into his soul.



“It’s your fault You-Know-Who went to Hogwarts! It’s your fault my boy died!!! Why didn’t you save him!? Was he not WORTHY enough to be saved by you!? Is that it!? TELL ME! WHY DID YOU SURVIVE WHEN MY BOY DIDN’T!?” he demanded.



Harry paled as the world tilted around him, his lungs seizing up and his arm trembling. Images of Ginny screaming at him overlapped with the overweight man.



“I….I-I’m sorry…I…I di-didn’t mean…I…” he stammered, his body not wanting to respond.



"Timothy never harmed anyone! He would never have fought if you hadn't said it was up to them! HE WAS ONLY SIXTEEN! HOW WAS HE SUPPOSE TO BE ABLE TO FIGHT DEATH EATERS! DID YOU LIKE SEEING YOUR CLASSMATES DIE!? DID IT MAKE IT MORE THRILLING!?" He bellowed, the man's loss obviously affecting his hold on sanity. "DID YOU THINK IT WAS ALL SOME GAME!? IF YOU TOLD THEM TO FIGHT WHY WEREN'T YOU THERE TO PROTECT HIM!? IF YOU COULD STOP YOU-KNOW-WHO WHY DIDN'T YOU STOP HIM BEFORE ANYONE ELSE DIED!? WHY DID YOU LET MY ONLY SON BE TORN AWAY FROM ME!? TELL ME!!!"



The words were like knives in Harry's chest, each one digging deeper into his soul and twisting painfully as he remembered the rows of dead after the battle, many who he didn't know well. Not well enough to make them fight for him. Had he really sent them to die? Did he really need children to help fight for him when he was the one prophicised to destroy Voldemort? Had it really been his fault they died? He felt bile rising up his throat at the thought. Surrounded by people…cornered by his attacker…Harry did the one thing his mind could think of…he fled. Pulling on his magic as much as possible he apparated to the steps of Grimmauld Place and fell in through the door, dropping to the floor and promptly throwing everything he had in his stomach. Kreacher was instantly at his side disappearing the sickness, his worried voice falling on deaf ears as Harry dry heaved. The man’s voice rang in his head as a massive migraine began pounding behind his eyes. He barely managed to pull himself by using the wall and stumbled blindly towards the stairs, the old house elf following distressed at witnessing the scene. He didn’t care; he didn’t even notice him as he drug himself blundering up the stairs and into his room. Kreacher’s hand was almost smashed as Harry slammed the door shut and fell back against it, a dry, broken sob escaping his lips as he sank to the floor.



He didn’t feel the tears as he stared up unseeing at the ceiling, he didn’t hear Kreacher’s worried calls or feel the blood seeping from the scrape on the back of his head where he had been thrown into the wall. He didn’t notice the small snake who was slithering out of his shirt and watching him warily from the floor. He didn’t feel anything….just…cold and pain.



“Si…Sirius…” he whispered numbly, closing his eyes desperately to try and remember his godfather’s face.



Sirius...please…what do I do? I don’t…I don’t know what to do anymore…it hurts…I…I just want it to stop…just to stop…



But Harry didn’t get an answer. The pictures were silent and no smiling ghost came to his aid. Letting out a low sob, the boy-who-lived laid down shivering on the floor and curled up desperately, his hands over his ears as he tried to block out the screams.





*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

AN: Once again I cannot tell you how much I love hearing from you. You are all so wonderful to me and it really inspires me. Thank you for being so kind! I did like the idea of using an email system so if you want me to email you when I have updated on the story please just leave your email in the review and I’ll send you all a notice once I’ve posted it. ^^ The girl Dillon was my lovely reader who came in 30th of reviews and I hope you like your appearance Dillon. ^^ She actually fit in really well and I just turned a person I was going to use anyway into her. I decided on a snake even though it was a bit cliche because I felt that Harry really needed someone to talk to. The snake is not a miniture basilik or a poisonous rare snake, in fact it is probably a regular garden snake. He just has a funny personality and I thought he would be good for our little hero. He would also drive Snape crazy later XD. Thank you all for reviewing and I want to hear more from you and your opinions!



P.S. I was fiddling around with the idea of a Harry Potter/LOTR crossover. I saw that there weren’t very many and since I love both so much I really wanted to try one. I have the basic beginning set up but I wanted to know if anyone would read it before I went to the exhausting trouble of planning everything out and writing it up then posting it. It’s just depressing when you put so much effort into something then it goes ignored. Anyway! If the idea sounds good to you please tell me, I’d like to have a reason to post it XD.