Chapter XVIII

'December 9,

It's been little over a week since I’ve gotten this journal. It's about time I write in it, I think.

First things first though. It finally snowed. Finally. The snow usually comes in November, but it was really late this year. I guess that seemed important to me somehow. Oh well.

I got all my essays done and handed in. Only I got more than will need to be done immediately if I want to have t he break all to myself. There's only a few days left until everyone leaves to go home. I've been wondering what Christmas will be like at the Manor, and just how much Leiko can ruin it.

I think I'll invite Lupin over. I don’t exactly want him to be anywhere else for Christmas. Call me selfish, but I haven't seen him in a long time and would like to have him around for the two weeks.

Me and Sora have spent a lot of time in the library, trying to figure out what my animal form was. She even took a picture so we would have something to refer to besides her memory. I'm pretty massive in my animal form. I can still see my animal self pacing around restlessly, eyes glowing from the flash of the picture. One thing is for certain though; it's some form of wolf. Exact type, we're still working on.

I haven’t really talked to Severus ever since that night on the staircase. He hasn't breathed a word about my detention. And he hasn't exactly been Mr. Sociable lately. I suppose Voldemort is demanding more things from him and he's more than a bit stressed. I know I'd be if I was juggling someone like Voldemort and Dumbledore. Trying to please those two at the same time is no easy feat. Well, there goes some more respect for Sna...Severus.

Hell, I don't even know what to call him by anymore. I think I'll just refer to him as Severus now. I can still feel that kiss on my lips, the kind that make you all tingly and ignite you inside. I think that’s the kind of kiss that those singers…sing about. Merlin, that is horribly mushy. But kissing him was definitely better than kissing Cho and Ginny. That's the way a kiss is supposed to be.

Although it was rapidly going halfway to something else than a simple kiss.

I know at some point, I'm going to have to talk to Severus. It's inevitable. Only, I don't know what to expect honestly. I mean, he did kiss me back. I kissed him and most certainly kissed back. If he thinks he can shift this entirely on my teenage hormones...well he has another thing coming.

Hopefully Alexandre will invite him up to the manor. I know I can talk to him in private for sure there and not have to worry about some prying gossipy students, like I do here.

Hermione has gotten S.P.E.W. into full swing again. She actually held an S.P.E.W. sponsored scrub of the house common rooms. How she managed that, I don't know. But when I came in later, I found a few grouchy looking Gryffindors, holding buckets, rags and such.

Needless to say, Hermione wasn't very popular for a few days.

I've started going down to the Great Hall to eat again. Neville found me asleep in a common room chair one morning. I was so lethargic when I woke up that he thought I was sick and took me to see Madame Pomfrey. She declared she would have someone watch me to make sure I eat if I didn't do it myself.

That's part of the reason why I was so tired all the time; crappy eating habits. It apparently made me deficient in a few things.

If I could eat somewhere in private, I certainly would. The stares and whispers of everyone drives me crazy; makes me want to get away. You think some of them would have something better to do than gossip about me virtually all the time.

But eating in the Great Hall does have its worthy moments.

Yesterday, Sora exploded at Blaise Zabini. Yelling, using foul language, you name it. And to top it all off, and probably to drive her point home, she grabbed Draco and kissed him rather soundly for a good five minutes. That certainly got her point across. Draco looked so dazed and confused but incredibly happy after. It was fairly difficult to not laugh.

Oddly enough, the only rivalry between me and Draco now is a vestige of what it used to me. I guess misery of some sort binds people together. We both didn't want to become friends; but it was certainly a better option to work it out than suffer Sora berating the both of us. I honestly don't mind him that much now. We're starting to become friends, in our own way. Sora did start it, but the rest, that's simply us.

Things have been fairly quiet this week. I hope it stays this way throughout the break. I think I'd better go do my stupid assignments now.'

Harry stood over his trunk, inspecting the contents. He had packed everything. The day had finally come when he was leaving with Sora to go back to Whytemoor Manor. He closed his trunk and shrunk it down and placed it in his pocket. He told Sora he would meet her at the main staircase at one. The carriages left at one thirty and he would be on a carriage to the Hogsmeade train station come hell or high water. He was looking forward to going somewhere for Christmas, especially home.

He made his way down easily, arriving at the staircase at twelve fifty five. He sat down on the top step, noticing the few other students that came early as well, milling around. The minutes ticked by and the area filled with students going home for the holidays. But Sora didn't show up. Harry finally decided to look at his watch: one twenty one.

"Where is she?" he muttered to himself, rising.

Harry stood around, waiting and watching anxiously. When one thirty came, he saw Hagrid come stomping in through the front doors, ready to escort the students to the carriages. He must have been busy getting the carriages ready. Harry looked back, still not seeing Sora. She'd probably be coming later. He started forward with the surge of students, eager to leave and ignoring the cold snapping air.

"Hey there, 'Arry!" Hagrid called and came over as Harry started to get into a carriage.

"Hey Hagrid," Harry said, stepping back down onto the ground. "Is something wrong?"

"Your cousin is tearin' down that fron' path real quick." Hagrid said, pointing. "Better go see what she wants."

Harry started back, his steps crunching in the light dusting of snow. Sora looked entirely distraught, waving a piece of paper frantically. Harry quickly sprinted the last few steps to her.

"Sora, what on Earth is wrong?" He asked his brow furrowed with concern. Her eyes were red rimmed as if she was crying.

"This came earlier," she said in a choked voice, holding the letter out.

Harry took it, a sliver of fear stabbing him in the stomach. It was in Alexandre's hand, but it was scrawled messily, not in his usual flowing cursive. "All of you don't come home. Stay at Hogwarts." he murmured, reading the words.

"That's all he wrote." Sora said.

"What he didn't write says more," Harry said grimly. There were brown and red streaks - probably from dirt and blood - and some obvious water spots that warped the scrawl - probably from snow. "This came this morning?"

Sora nodded. "At nine. The owl went to Draco. It was almost dead, so he took it to Hagrid after he gave me the letter. When I read it, I left and went to the house."

"And?" Harry was scared to hear the answer.

"There is no more house left!" Sora sobbed. "It's just a shell! A shell!"

"Was anyone hurt? Ken? Dai? Alexandre?"

"I didn't find Father. I just hope he's all right."

"What about Dai and Ken?" Harry asked.

"I found them half alive. They'd been left for dead." Sora bowed her head, fists clenched tight. "They tried to tell me something but they couldn’t. Mother had cut their tongues out." She managed in a strangled voice.

"Merlin," Harry said as he hugged Sora.

She sniffled a bit in his shoulder before she started sobbing. "She could have killed them but she did…that instead. I had to bring them here; I didn't know what else to do. After I read about how this man was killed in St. Mungo by Devil’s Snare a few years ago, I didn't want to risk anything happening to them."

"Good thinking. But don't tell me you went alone," Harry drew back and looked at her, seeing the defiant answer in her eyes. "Sora, what if-"

"I don't care!" she exploded. "I'll make her pay for what she did to them! They're her children and she could be so merciless to them! I. Think. It’s. Disgusting! She's. Abhorrent!" she spat out, wiping away the tears from her eyes.

"Think you two better take 'is inside, since you've missed the carriages an' all."

Harry looked up to see Hagrid looking down at them. He nodded his head. "How's the owl doing?"

"Oh, the owl 'ill be fine, 'ave no doubt. I'm more worried 'bout her brothers. Fine men; didn't deserve the likes o'that." Hagrid started ushering them inside. "Just you keep in mind Sora, plenty o' people 'ere will 'elp you if you need it. All yeh gotta do is ask."

"Thank you Hagrid," Sora said with a shaky smile. "Draco said what you and Harry said earlier, but I just managed to work myself up again. I can be so foolish sometimes."

"It's all righ'," Hagrid said. "Seems like this was some sort o' random attack, I s'ppose, so I wouldn't worry all that much. ‘Sides, Alex was always the smart one. 'E'll make sure they suffer for wha' they've done to ‘im and his kids, you mark my words. Bloody cowards."

"Keep an eye on Epona for me, will you?" Sora asked, wiping her eyes on her sleeve.

Hagrid beamed. "She's taken a likin' to Tenebrus already! O'course I will. It's no problem ter look after a new Thestral. Now run along inside and get settled down. I've got me an owl to check up on."

Harry watched as Hagrid started back towards his cabin. "You brought Epona?"

"How else was I supposed to get Ken and Dai here quickly?! Apparate? That'd only make things worse, and I have no clue how to make a Portkey, much less risk using one now."

"All right, I don't want this to turn into an argument now," Harry said as they walked back into the Great Hall. "I'm guessing Madame Pomfrey won't let us see Ken and Dai now?"

Sora shook her head. "And she said it won't be for a long while. They'll recover, but it won't be easy. God, how could Mother do this?"

"How is a very good question."

Harry watched as Sora's head snapped around, her expression deadly. Even though it was Dumbledore coming down the stairs, her expression didn't change or even lessen up. If anything it intensified. Dumbledore kept walking down until he came to a stop in front of them both.

"How dare you-" Sora began but bit off her words immediately as Harry flashed her a look.

"I understand how you must feel at the moment," Dumbledore said. "Your brothers will recover have no doubt. And Alexandre will survive."

Sora was seething; Harry could sense the anger roiling off her waves. But she stood still, managing to hold her tongue.

"Harry, given the events, perhaps you should move into the Slytherin dorms for the Christmas break" Dumbledore suggested.

Harry didn't say anything, just nodding his head. That wasn't a request, it was an order. But at the moment, it would be best of all of them were in one place instead of scattered.

"And could you come to my office in three days." Dumbledore said. "I'll need to talk to you again."

"I think I'm going to see if I can get Sora to calm down. If you'll excuse me…" He managed politely.

Dumbledore nodded. "The password to the kitchens is 'mince pie'. I think Dobby is making some hot chocolate at the moment."

Harry nodded and quickly ushered Sora off. Once they were safely ensconced in the kitchen, with Dobby hopping around happily at the chance to see Harry once more, he felt ready to broach the subject.

"Sora?" Harry started quietly. "Do you want to talk about it?"

The cup Sora held in her hand shattered into large jagged shards as she squeezed it hard, hot liquid gushing over her skin. She looked down at the pieces in her hand before she removed them and rose. "I think I'll go lie down for a bit. Yes, lie down for a bit.” She stared at her hand, flexing it, watching the blood trickle down the reddened skin. “When you come up, the password is 'crux'. I'm...just going to lie down for a bit. You don't need to walk me up. I'll be fine. Excuse me."

Harry watched as Sora walked out of the kitchen before turning back to his hot chocolate.

"Is Harry Potter wanting anything else?" Dobby asked, peering at Harry intently.

"No, thank you Dobby." Harry paused. "Wait a moment,"

"Yes?" Dobby looked eager.

"Is it possible for us to get dinner in our rooms tonight?"

"Who is 'us' being, Harry Potter?"

"Me, Sora, Draco, and possibly Professor Snape. Is it possible?"

"For Harry Potter, yes." Dobby said. "Does Harry Potter have a choice as to what he wants for dinner?"

"Whatever is being served; I don't want to have you go through too much trouble on my account."

"Dobby doesn't mind. Just so long as he gets to help Harry Potter."

"Thanks Dobby," Harry said, finishing off his hot chocolate. "I have the feeling this is going to be a long Christmas break."

'December 12th,

This isn't as bad as I thought it would be.

I was hoping to go to the Manor for Christmas. But staying here isn't that bad. Turns out most of the school decided to go home for the holidays. There's about eighty nine students staying over the break; most of them Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw. There's about twenty Gryffindors and Slytherins that are staying - combined. And most of them are Gryffindors, first years. I don't think I would too pleased if someone from my year started harassing me about staying in the Slytherin rooms.

Which aren't all that bad really; the fires are greenish, but it's surprisingly warm and comfortable – it must be blessedly cool in the summer. I honestly do feel more at home here now, than in the Gryffindor rooms. If this keeps up, I might ask Dumbledore if I can be reassigned a house. And I know what kind of things people are going to say, but they can piss off for all I care now.

This, I do find to be a bit rich. First I was shagging Sora, and now they've gotten it into their heads that I was briefly with Snape before I went back to Sora. Honestly, I do wonder where they come up this stuff. I wouldn't be surprised if by the end of the break I had somehow slept with all the staff in Hogwarts and a good amount of the student body. Next thing you know, I’ll go down in Hogwarts’ history as the very horny Boy-Who-Lived.

But something does worry, and makes me think that Draco was right. Hermione first accused me of being in this self-imposed bubble. I didn't deny it, and what I said is true. My supposed little bubble distances me away from all that crap everyone is spouting every day about me, my sexuality and Merlin knows what else I haven’t heard.

Then she was demanding answers from me about the whole Snape rumour a day before she left. She hid it from her face really well, but her voice said everything. I could hear the revulsion, loathing in her voice. Hell, I patted her shoulder and she flinched. She flinched as if I was sick with...leprosy and she was afraid of catching it.

She'll crusade for Elfish rights, but her best friend might be gay and she cringes and acts as if he'll corrupt her beyond belief.

No wonder Ron said not to tell her until after break. Hell, I didn't even tell her. The mere idea seems to have freaked her out enough. I wish I had just avoided her now. Hell, I think I might when break is over. Who knows what she might do. She seemed to have this crazy idea that all I needed was a nice girl; as if I was diseased and needed to be cured. I don't know whether to be disgusted or angry. Both should do nicely. Maybe-'

Harry stopped writing and looked up. He had found a nice little niche in the dungeons to write. Even though it was cool, he hadn't bothered to put on his robes. This spot was far away from anyone's prying eyes and no one would find him. But he could have sworn that he heard a mumbling sound. He had just placed the black quill to start writing again when the mumbling came once more. He peered around the corner to find a ghost floating there serenely, the Ravenclaw badge on his robes clear to see. Harry just about did a double take. Since when did Hogwarts have another ghost student?

The ghost pointed to Harry, them himself to made a sweeping motion towards the stairs.

"Follow you?" Harry snorted when the ghost nodded his head. "Who sent you?"

"Shenurtut Grnape."

"Something about grapes?" Harry asked.

The ghost shook his head again. ""Shenurtut Grnape."

Harry paused for a moment; it sounded like the ghost had problems with the letter ‘s’ and vowels. "Severus Snape?" he tried.

The ghost nodded his head and repeated the same motions again. Harry glanced at his watch. It was a few minutes until six; almost dinner time. Harry placed the ribbon on the page he was writing and the quill on the first page, closing the journal before he rose and followed after the ghost. It wasn't long before Harry found himself standing outside the door to Snape's chambers. He looked at the ghost uncertainly. The ghost nodded his head and motioned for Harry to enter. Harry grasped the knob, taking a steadying breath before he walked in.

Snape's quarters were larger, larger than Draco's room, occupied by more bookcases, a massive bed that filled one side of the room with green hangings and two chairs by the fireplace, with a table in between them. In between the fireplace and the bookcase was closed door. Snape was sitting in a chair by the fireplace, where a fire blazed cheerily. Harry didn't say anything, noticing the covered tray. He made his way over to empty chair and sat down a bit gingerly.

"Well, you understood Satoru," Snape mused.

"That's the ghost's name?"

Snape nodded. "Undoubtedly, you noticed his mumbling problem. I had Dobby bring your dinner here."

"Thanks...I guess." Harry laid the journal down on the table, but he didn't make a motion towards the tray. "I'm...not all that hungry at the moment."

"Eat something at least?" Snape asked. "I don't want Poppy breathing down my neck, accusing me of letting you starve yourself."

Harry sighed and lifted the cover up. Mashed potatoes, baby carrots and fish. He really didn't feel like eating any of this. He made the carrot float up to his mouth and he quickly swallowed it. "Look, no hands." he couldn't help but flash a grin.

"Cheeky," Snape muttered. "How long have you been able to do wandless magic?"

"Since sixth year. I got pretty good at it in the summer."

"I'd more say adept. Some wizards spent a year attempting to do something that simple."

Harry chuckled a bit, picking up the fork and eating another carrot. These were good; he'd eat them. "I don't really use it often. I suppose I'm more of a hands-on person." he ate another one and swallowed. "How's Sora doing?"

"She's seen better. If she's not sleeping, she's in the infirmary, asking to see her brothers. Poppy finally allowed her to stay with them for an hour a day, and won't let anyone else see them."

"I know." Harry said. "I went to see if I could visit them; she turned me away immediately."

"As did I," Snape mused. "This was only the first."

"Could we talk about something else?" Harry suggested immediately. He didn't think about anything along those lines at the moment.

"Certainly." Snape replied.

A tense silence descended in the room almost immediately. Harry suddenly found himself working through his mashed potatoes easily. It certainly beat starting up a particular subject. When he finished his dinner, he laid the fork down shifting uncomfortably in his seat. This was certainly more awkward than he had originally thought.

"Harry," Snape started in a quiet voice. "There's no point in the both of us sitting here, hoping the other starts talking."

Harry gave a nervous grin and laughed lightly. "Good way to broach the subject at hand."

Snape blinked then chuckled as well. "I suppose so. It happened and it shouldn't have at all. I should have known better. You're young, hor-"

"Hormonal?" Harry cut Snape off. "I knew that was going to come up. You were just as hormonal as me. You were just as....involved."

Snape's face burned slightly. "Needless to say, I should have used better judgement and-"

"Define better judgement." Harry said.

"Not allowing something of that nature to occur, especially when you were feeling...vulnerable." Snape said. "It sho-"

"I wasn't feeling vulnerable in the slightest!" Harry bristled. "I heard full well what Dumbledore said! Vulnerable my-"

"Would you stop interrupting me?" Snape snapped in irritation.

Harry sank back in his seat, not saying anything.

"It shouldn't have happened for a variety of reasons. First of all, you may have been feeling vulnerable, or," Snape looked at him pointedly. "Willing to lash out in some manner. It was an inappropriate moment. Secondly, I am your teacher and you are my student. I could be banned should anyone find out about what happened."

"That occurred to me as well," Harry stated.

"Then you see why it was a mistake that can't happen again." Snape said easily.

Harry didn't say anything for a moment as he sat up, regarding Snape carefully. He rose and walked over, standing in front of Snape, crossing his arms.

"Do you want to know why I kissed you?"

"I'll admit, I have been wondering why." Snape said quietly, sinking back into his chair wearily.

Harry watched him for a bit more. Snape was rubbing his temples as if expecting some vocal demonstration of sorts. Who knew what he was doing before Harry showed up. Harry felt his anger melt a bit. "I kissed you because I wanted to. Not because I wanted to lash out at something or because I was feeling vulnerable. I kissed you because I wanted to, pure and simple. I wanted to kiss Severus. I…I wanted to."

"Pray tell, why kiss me? If men are your choice, there are certainly others out there." Snape said, rubbing his brow now, his eyes closed. "Others far more suitable than me." Snape paused for a moment. "Younger as well. I'm old enough to be your father."

"Do you think I really care about that?" Harry demanded. "And I don't think I want to suffer through some foolish jerking around. Maybe you haven't noticed, but most people my age do tend to do foolish things. I don’t need any of it."

"Indeed. Like trying to justify starting a relationship with a man who is their teacher and far older than them." Snape said wryly.

"I'm not going to stand here and try to validate this all night to you, Severus," Harry said rising, and moving to stand in front of Snape’s chair. "And won't lie. I have feelings for you; I can't bloody well change that. But that night on the staircase, you wouldn't have kissed me back unless you felt something for me." Harry stepped forward again and slid onto the chair, straddling Snape's lap. He had to keep Snape pinned somehow while he talked to him.

"What in blazes do you think you're doing?" Snape demanded, glaring up at Harry. "Get the hell off of me!"

"If you can honestly look me in the eye and tell me that you didn't, and that you don't, feel any thing towards me, I'll leave." Harry shifted slightly, making his knees more comfortable. He felt a shudder pass through Snape. "I'll walk out of here and never bother you again. Find a...younger man," Harry made a face at that. "And try to forget you. And I do mean try, because you have been in my thoughts for quite awhile."

"Harry-" Snape began.

"I’m not done yet,” Harry chided. “And I realize I have wanted you for quite a while now. After that night on the staircase, I am not exactly willing to throw it away. Will you have me or not, Severus? Yes, or no?" Harry shifted slightly, causing Snape to shudder once more. "Will you have me or not, Severus?"

"Damn you!" Snape spat out, his face flushed and eyes snapping.

"That's not the answer I'm looking for." Harry chided, shifting again. "Yes or no?"

Snape glared up and him and suddenly shifted forward. Harry found himself suddenly sprawled across the floor and pounced on a few seconds later. Snape was kissing him fiercely, fingers digging into his hips. Harry wrapped his arms around him, kissing him back just as much.

"Yes, you foolish boy," Snape retorted as he broke off for a breath of air. "Yes. Are you happy now?"

"Quite," Harry smirked as Snape kissed him once again.

The slow coil started building in Harry as Snape assaulted his mouth, hips slowly grinding against his. Harry closed his eyes and moaned, moving his pelvis in response and sliding his hands down. When Snape started trailing his lips down, fingers slipping the buttons of Harry's shirt free, Harry arched up seeking further contact with those lips and heated tongue.

Snape's breath was moving across his skin in hot whispers when suddenly cold air touched his skin. He sat up and looked around, a bit dazed to see Snape clutching his forearm tightly, his face tight with pain. Harry had a good idea of what it was. He crawled over quickly, pushing the sleeve of Snape's robe up. The Dark Mark was blatant against Snape's pale skin. And it was pulsing steadily, much like a heartbeat. Harry glanced up at Snape as the older man rose and started for the fireplace.

"Are you insane?!" Harry said, standing hastily as well now. "He'll kill you! He knows!"

"We don't know that for sure, Harry." Snape said.

"Two more rats; who else was he talking about?" Harry snapped. "Bellatrix and Narcissca?!"

"I knew the full risk when I volunteered to be a spy of the Order. If I don't, go I may as well never set foot outside Hogwarts again."

"What good are you to the Order if you go and die?!"

"He's been far more enraged by others before and cursed everyone in his presence. If I survived that, I can survive a paltry meeting such as this." Snape started towards the fireplace.

Harry watched him, frantically trying to think of something. "Don't tell me you expect to Floo there?"

"No. I Floo to an abandoned house in London and Apparate from there. This fireplace is closed to anyone save for me and Lucius, as is the one in my lab."

Harry watched as Snape outed the fire and reached into the small container mounted on the wall. "Do you know what Laetitia asked me? She asked me to make sure nothing happened to you. How do you think she's going to feel when she finds out that you...how do you think…” Harry trailed off, taking a steadying breath. "Don't go, Severus."

"I have to. We need to find out what Voldemort has planned. We need that information."

"Lucius is probably going. Why do you have to?" Harry was grasping any reason he could.

"If Voldemort does suspect us of being traitors, it's better to have two of us there," Snape said.

"A better chance of the information reaching someone in the Order." Harry said bitterly.

Snape stepped away from the fireplace and walked up to Harry. "You can stay here in my rooms if you wish. There's a lab just behind that door if you want to brew something." Snape bent and kissed him. "I'll come back, don't worry."

Harry watched as Snape walked up to the fireplace and uttered a place and flung down the Floo powder, disappearing in a blaze of green flames. Just like that Severus Snape was gone.

Harry sighed and blinked as his alarm clock went off. He didn't know how long he stayed sitting in the chair in Snape's room, but he made his way up to his new room and stripped down before crawling into bed and falling dead asleep. Harry groaned as he noted where the hand was - breakfast. The faster he changed, the quicker the lecture from Madame Pomfrey would be. He changed into the same clothes from yesterday and hurried down to the Great Hall.

He quickly made his way to his way over to Sora as she waved him over. "Sorry. Slept in. Late night."

"Harry," Sora whispered pushed a full plate in front of him. "There's something you should know."

Harry glanced up to see Madame Pomfrey looking at him from the corner of her eye. "I'm being watched like a hawk to make sure I eat this entire plate."

"Worse than that," Draco muttered.

"What is it?" Harry said, managing to swallow a whole kipper in one breath.

"Severus isn't back yet." Sora murmured, swirling her spoon around in her oatmeal.

Harry glanced up at the staff table; Snape's spot was the only empty one. "Is this different from any other time?" he looked between Draco and Sora.

"Yes!" she hissed. "He's usually back within a few hours. I have a very bad feeling this time."

Harry was starting to wish he had tied Snape down to a chair and stopped him from going. "He'll be back."

"What makes you so sure?" Draco asked.

"I…It's...He'll be back." Harry said resolutely. "Is there something important he needs to know?"

"No, it's what he has to brew for us," Draco said. "They need to be started today."

"What needs to be started?" Harry asked.

Sora cleared her throat. "Well, um call it individual potions. They're like incredibly potent versions of a Degermate potion. A Vimortalis Elixir and a Lycium Draught."

"Erm, Vimortalis for you," Harry pointed to Sora, who nodded. "And Lycium for you." he pointed to Draco, who also nodded. "Can't you just take a stronger Degermate potion and everything will be fine?"

"It doesn't work that way," Draco said in slight irritation. "Look at it this way; it's easier to understand. Sora and I each run on two cycles. The Degermate potion deals with the day to day things. But there's usually one week in the month when our cycles...start to align. Sometimes, little things start to appear, we start to change, physically change, and all that other stuff."

Harry shot Sora a look that she refused to meet.

"That's where the Vimortalis Elixir and the Lycium draught come in. They stop and reverse any changes that have happened and stop us from..."

"Mating?" Harry said. "So, when your...cycles perfectly align..." Harry had a sneaking suspicion he knew what Draco was talking about.

Draco and Sora flushed before Sora spoke quietly.

"Well, you won't be seeing any one of us outside our respective rooms. We usually lock ourselves up for the day."

"That bad?" Harry asked.

Draco nodded. "The first time it happened, her brothers walked in on us. I didn't go near her for two month on pain of death after that."

Harry let loose a sharp laugh before he immediately attempted to sober his expression. Sora scowled as small giggled and snickers escaped from Harry's tightly shut mouth.

"Do you think this is funny?" Sora snapped in a low voice.

"Of course not. I just imagined Ken and Dai chasing down Draco here, while attempting to hex and curse him for trying anything with their little sister."

Sora's lips jumped before she schooled them into a fixed line. She failed miserably a few seconds later and she was chuckling as well. Draco glared at the both of them.

"Fine. Gang up on me, why don't you." he huffed. "I'll be glad when I have to lock myself up on Friday."

"This Friday?" That certainly stopped Harry's laughter.

Sora abruptly stopped as well. "This Friday, our cycles will be in sync. Friday or Saturday, these things aren't exactly precise. If those potions aren't finished brewing by Saturday morning the latest..."

"If anything I can try to make them for you. I have a feeling they'll be horribly complex."

Draco nodded. "It takes Severus a full week to make one dose of each. Thankfully, we only have to take it once a month."

"I think it's a good thing, Severus refilled his supplies." Harry muttered as he looked up. Madame Pomfrey was still watching him. He held up another kipper before downing it. She smiled and nodded her head and turned back to Flitwick and some conversation. "Does he have the recipe in a book?"

"Er," Sora tapped her spoon against the bowl. "We don't know. Severus always gave us the potions when they were just finished. We don't know how they're made or anything."

"You have no idea, whatsoever?" he looked at Draco who shook his head no. "Well, I hope you two didn't make any plans for after breakfast."

"Why?" Draco asked in a suspicious voice.

"Because you two are going to help me find those recipes. Severus does have a lot of books, and I don't plan on spending a whole day looking for those two, when they could be brewing in a few hours time."

When Darkness Comes - Chapter Seventeen || When Darkness Comes - Chapter Nineteen