Chapter XIX

The sound of potions bubbling echoed gently through the room. Up on a once empty shelf mounted on the wall, vials and bottles were filled with liquids of every imaginable colour. Harry opened the door and shuffled in, yawning widely. He had to add in some ingredients into some of these potions. He walked up to the worktable, adjusting some flames underneath, stirring some potions and adding in some ingredients. He had the Vimortalis and Lycium potions brewing away, as well as a few healing potions. Madame Pomfrey had probably used up a good amount on Ken and Dai. If Snape came back in worse shape...Lucius Malfoy might even show up too. Better prepared than not.

He yawned as he added in the next set of ingredients into the Vimortalis and Lycium potion. It was Wednesday and he had started them late Monday afternoon. He had barely slept in the past three days. He was pretty sure he looked like hell. His sleep patterns were erratic enough to begin with, but they were in shambles now, complete shambles.

He glanced at his watch before he gave a healing potion a final stir. He still hadn't seen Dumbledore, and he was supposed to have gone on Tuesday. Oh well, things did come up sometimes. Mainly making sure Sora and Draco didn't end up doing something they'd regret; Harry didn't know who he was trying to kid.

He shuffled out of Snape's chambers and started for the gargoyle on the second floor. He had to come back at three to bottle a healing potion and then he could catch about six hours sleep until he had to take care of the next healing potion. Another hour after that and then the Vimortalis and Lycium potion would require his attention.

"Skittles," Harry yawned as he reached the gargoyle.

Harry stepped onto the rising top step easily, letting it carry him up. He stepped out into the office as the gargoyle came to a halt. Dumbledore was seated in his usual spot. And lounging comfortably in a chair was Remus Lupin. Lupin looked back suddenly.

"How's it going, Harry?" Lupin asked with a grin that disappeared. "You look horrible. You haven't been getting enough sleep."

"No, I haven't." Harry admitted. "Things could be better," Harry said as he went to the other seat and sat down gratefully. "What are you doing here?"

"Order business," Lupin said. "We're trying to figure out what happened to Severus, Alexandre and another one of our spies in Voldemort's camp."

"I know it's Lucius," Harry had a good idea of what was coming.

"How did you figure that one out?" Lupin demanded.

"I didn't. Alexandre told me."

"Ah," Lupin nodded his head. "I should have figured as much. I gather you know what has happened so far?"

"The Manor was attacked." Harry replied. "Sora took off after she got a letter from Alexandre. She said the place was destroyed."

Lupin nodded. "Whytemoor Manor is just a shell now. Alexandre fled into the countryside. We can't seem to find him at all."

"What about Professor Snape? Or Lucius Malfoy?"

"That we're not entirely sure of," Dumbledore said, speaking up finally. "We know he left when Voldemort summoned him. Since Severus left him once and came back, it's safe to say that Voldemort never fully trusted him again. And perhaps found something to use against him."

"Or he's still with Voldemort and hasn't been found out yet." Harry countered.

Dumbledore inclined his head slightly. "The same holds true for Lucius. We don't know about either's status. Though, with the amount of time that has passed and no word from them, I'm starting to fear the worst."

"Was Whytemoor Manor the only place attacked?" Harry asked.

"Yes," Lupin said. "I suppose Leiko wanted her husband out the way, since he could easily rally support against the Death Eaters."

"Why hasn't he before?" Harry asked. "It could have helped to avoid something like this now."

"True," Lupin admitted. "But we didn't want to let Voldemort know just how much we knew of his plans. If Alexandre had rallied support it would have tipped off Voldemort far too soon."

Harry didn't say anything. "I suppose this helps him in that regard then. When people see he was attacked and survived, they might be far more willing to help fight against Voldemort."

"You're awfully good at this politics stuff," Lupin said.

"You should have seen what Sora, Draco, Professor Snape and I cooked up in Japan." Harry replied with a grin.

Lupin laughed. "Is that why the Matsushita family was pressing so much for a full blown investigation and warning between the England and Japan?"

"It was quiet ingenious," Dumbledore said with a small smile. "And would have certainly had the desired effect had Sutcliffe not been tampering with the documents."

"Harry," Lupin began. "Did Snape happen to tell you anything of where he was going?"

"You're asking me?" Harry looked at Lupin.

"I know, it's something of a long shot-" Lupin began.

"All I know is that he usually Floos to an abandoned house in London and then Apparates from there. I also know that the Floo fireplaces are closed to anyone but him and Lucius." Harry said quickly. Lupin's startled look made his face flush red. "That's about it."

"All right," Lupin said slowly. "Would you happen to know what time he left?"

"Er," Harry paused, trying to remember. "A bit after dinner...I think. I'm not too sure. I didn't think to note the time."

Dumbledore nodded. "Thank you Harry. There is some good news though."

"Good news?" Harry looked surprised. "What's that?"

"Lupin shall be staying here over the break," Dumbledore said.

"He is?" Harry looked at Lupin.

Lupin in turn looked at Dumbledore. "I am?" this must have been news to Lupin as well.

Dumbledore smiled a twinkle in his eye. "It's the holiday season, Remus. It would be a great pleasure if you could stay here. Perhaps keep Harry some company?"

"That would be nice," Lupin said with a smile. "Find a spare room near the Gryffindor common room."

"Ah, about that," Harry said. "I'm not staying in the Gryffindor dorms for the break."

"Then where are you staying?" Lupin asked with a puzzled look.

"Slytherin." Harry said a bit nervously.

"Oh, that's good then," Lupin said with a sober look. "Merlin knows Sora's crushed. From the way Alexandre spoke of her, they had a very close relationship."

"There's a spare room on the first floor a few doors away from Professor Beecham's chambers." Dumbledore offered.

"Beecham? Oleander Beecham?" Lupin looked surprised.

"Yes. I daresay she'll be glad for the company." Dumbledore beamed.

"Really Sir," Lupin began. "I don't think that's such a good-"

"Nonsense. She's the only other person here besides Severus who can brew the Wolfsbane potion. Best not to take any chances, don't you agree?"

"I suppose." Lupin said hesitantly.

"Excellent. Now that all this is settled, I'm afraid that I have quite a few things that require my attention."

"Not a problem, Sir," Lupin said rising. "Want to go get some lunch Harry?"

Harry nodded as he rose, his weary muscles protesting the lack of comfortable seat. "Yeah, lunch. I didn't even realize it was lunch time. Lunch sounds good. Then I can take a nap."

"You certainly look like you need it," Lupin said as they started down the stairs. "Have you been staying up half the night?"

"Yeah."

"What for?"

"Brewing potions. Don't ask; it's a long story. But needless to say, they need to be done." Harry said wearily.

"I'll take your word for it." Lupin said.

"Do you know Professor Beecham?" Harry asked.

Lupin didn't reply for a few moments. "Yes, I do know her."

Harry didn't say anything for a moment. "So, what do you think's for lunch?"

The clock ticked onwards, inching slowly closer towards 'Wake Up!’ Once the hand came to a rest, the clock shrieked, startling Harry from a rather restless sleep. He shut it off with a smack and stomped off to the lab. It was now Thursday. He glanced down at his watch...correction, early Friday morning. Two thirty seven in the morning to be exact.

Harry walked into the lab, seeing the half filled shelf again. He'd taken all the potions he had finished earlier on in the week to Madame Pomfrey, who was more than thrilled with him. She had indeed been running low on some basic healing potions. The Vimortalis and Lycium potions were almost done. He just had to add in some ingredients now and then, he could give it to Sora and Draco. He'd even found the recipe for a stronger Degermate potion and brewed eight doses of it and given that to Sora and Draco, as an emergency supply. He wasn't entirely sure if his Vimortalis and Lycium potions would work. But he knew his Degermate would work only for a temporary basis.

"Tomorrow, I think I'll lock myself up in my room. Merlin knows I need the sleep," he muttered before stifling a yawn. "OK, take care of these other potions first."

Harry quickly finished off the six other potions he had brewing, before outing the fires and leaving them to cool. Then he turned his attention to the Vimortalis Elixir. The Lycium one still had a bit more simmering to go. He looked through the ingredients left. Then he took the chopped mandrake and crushed asp fangs and mixed them up before scraping them into the potion. The potion turned a fiery red colour once more. Now for the Lycium potion.

A sudden 'thump' sound reached his ears and made him turn to see. Lucius Malfoy was stumbling out of the fireplace and collapsed on the ground. Harry blinked and rubbed his eyes, making sure he wasn't dreaming before he started forward to help him. Then another thump from the fireplace made look up to see Snape stumbling forward as well, but much faster.

Harry made a sound of surprise as Snape tripped over Lucius' prone body and bowled straight into Harry and the worktable. Harry grunted as he slammed into it, jarring the table hard. "Severus?" he asked in tiny voice, smoothing the black hair away from his face. Harry was a bit horrified with it came back bloody.

A crashing sound made Harry look up to see wide spill of potions pouring over the side. Harry could only cover his head with his hands as it crashed down onto him and Snape. It felt cool as soon as it touched his skin. He curled up tighter, partially shielding Snape as it ran down his hands and his wrist, over the nape of his neck and down the length of his back. Harry whimpered a few minutes later when the last droplets dripped down; now it felt like his skin on fire and needed to be outed. He moved his hand hesitantly, causing fresh pain to burst along it. Tears sprang to his eyes, but he blinked them back as he reached for his wand and grasped it. He felt like he was going to pass out from the agony.

"Alarmum." he muttered before he dropped his wand and fainted.

It was the graveyard again. Harry paused and looked around, noting the all too familiar tombstones and dead trees sprinkled about. He stood up and walked through slowly. He felt like something was definitely off here, but he wasn't sure what. But he continued walking, feeling his wand in his pocket.

'You have to die for us...'

Harry whipped around when he heard Dumbledore's voice whispering behind him. But there was nothing there. He looked around carefully before walking again.

'You're a freak...'

He didn't turn when he heard Hermione's voice whispering behind him. He would not listen to these voices no matter what. He drew his wand and crossed his arms resolutely, continuing to walk.

"I heard he shagged Sora...'

'Did you know he was with Professor Snape?'

"He left Snape for Sora; can you believe him?'

'He and Sora were caught in the middle of shagging right on Trelawney's desk.'

Harry ignored them all as he continued to walk. After what seemed like forever, the whispers died down. He paused for a few seconds a looked around.

The graveyard was suddenly gone and he found himself just outside Hogwarts, in the stretch of grass that led down to the lake, and up to the fringes of the Forbidden Forest. Only, it was littered in bodies and blood. Harry felt his heart screech to a halt, seeing the faces of people that were staying for the break. All dead. He surveyed the field, feeling eyes on him. Then, as if deliberately placed there, he spied the bodies of Ken, Dai, Sora, Alexandre, Snape, Draco and Lucius.

'Do you see it now?'

Harry recognized that voice. He turned around raising his wand. But his hand was grasped and twisted viciously, making him drop his wand. It fell uselessly to the ground as another hand shot forward and clenched around his neck. As he was raised off the ground, he found himself facing Voldemort.

'See what your futile resistance has done?' Voldemort shook him and made him face their bodies.

'You let us die, Harry,' Sora's eyes started upwards sightlessly while her pale white lips move; there was a gaping hole in her stomach.

'Why did you let him do it, Potter?' Draco's lips curled into a sneer, while his empty eye sockets dripped blood.

'Why Harry?' Ken and Dai intoned, their lipless mouths moving grotesquely.

'Why Harry?' Alexandre, Snape and Lucius said at the same time, their limbs twisted and broken. 'Why did you let her? Why did you let him in?'

'See how you let them down,' Voldemort sneered as he turned Harry back around and started at him with those red eyes. 'See how you failed miserably? As if you could ever destroy me.' he tossed Harry to the ground and aimed his wand at him. ‘You should know how this ends, Harry Potter.'

'You kill me, you kill yourself,' Harry gasped out, coughing for breath. 'Tom.'

'True; but I already died once and came back. I'll risk it again just to be rid of you.' Voldemort gave a sadistic smile, the tip of his wand glowing green. 'Avada Kedavra.'

"No!"

Harry scrambled up in his bed, eyes darting around as he reached for his wand. Only his hand closed around air. He winced as he opened his hand again. It felt like the very air was pressing down on it too much. And his clothing was scraping painfully against his back, like steel wool. He looked down and saw himself in a hospital gown. He frowned and looked up, seeing himself in a curtained off section, soft light filtering in through the curtains. He was in the hospital wing.

"Merlin," he fell back against the bed but shot up again, managing to stifle a cry. His back.

He turned over onto his stomach, resting his cheek on the pillow. He squirmed, before pushing the blankets down to his hips and pulling the gown off his back. The slightly stiff material stayed off his skin, offering a bit of relief. The air wasn't as bad as the cloth.

He took a deep breath, closing his eyes wearily. He only had himself to blame for a dream like that, even though he knew he had fainted. He should have emptied his mind like Snape told him, at least be adept enough at it to stop something like this from happening. Voldemort hadn't been able to get in for almost three weeks now and now this. He gave a heavy sigh and opened his eyes, staring at the patch of light, emptying his mind.

He didn't look when he heard the curtain being pushed aside gently. He didn't look when he heard a chair being pulled up to the bed and a figure settling down in it as quietly as possibly. He knew who it was. He didn't feel like saying anything at the moment.

"Did you hear me?" he asked softly, not turning his head to look.

"Yes." Snape's voice was just as quiet. "We've all been in here for three days."

"Three days..." Harry repeated slowly, doing some quick math. "How are Sora and Draco doing? I left them with enough Degermate potion for four days starting from Saturday. It's Monday now."

"I wouldn't know. I'm not even supposed to be out of bed. Poppy would have a fit." Snape paused. "She hasn't let my goddaughter even see you. She doesn't know what happened to you. Or me for that matter."

"What did happen?" Harry asked. "Do you know?"

Silence came from Snape's end. "What potions were you making?"

"A Vimortalis, a Lycium and six basic healing potions. Madame Pomfrey was starting to run low. Why?"

"What were the basic healing potions?" Snape asked.

Harry sighed, making his brain work. "Curare, Halevine, Minatas, um...Purustim, Cide, and Auratum."

A silence came as Snape didn't reply and Harry didn't ask another question. After a few moments, Harry turned his head, resting on the other cheek, looking at Snape. He was sitting ramrod straight in the chair, his brows furrowed together as he toyed with his wand. He was also shirtless. Harry let his eyes wander lazily down before looking back up to find Snape looking at him in amusement.

"See something you like?"

"Very much." Harry replied with a small smile. "Would you happen to know the time?"

"It's about three in the morning." Snape replied. "I think I know what happened."

"What?"

"Hypersensitivity," Snape said. "Everything feels...heightened?"

Harry nodded, wincing slightly as the skin at the nape of his neck bunched up. "It's almost unbearable. I don't think I ever want to move again."

"Hopefully Flitwick remembers the charms for something like this."

"It got on your shoulders, didn't it?" Harry said.

Snape nodded. "Most of it fell on you though. Since you curled over me, what slid off of you landed on my shoulders and soaked through the cloth."

Harry nodded and closed his eyes. "Is sleep the only way to deal with it until we learn those charms and what not?"

"Pretty much," Snape said, pausing for a moment, playing with his wand. "I know a numbing charm."

"What the hell are you waiting for?" Harry muttered in slight irritation as he closed his eyes. "It's not fun talking to you like this, you know."

Snape chuckled. "Nebmun."

Harry groaned in relief as a cool sensation enveloped his hands and back. He sat up, letting his legs dangle from the side of the bed, not feeling anything acutely unpleasant. "He knew, didn't he." he might as well get this out of the way. "I think you had a concussion on your head when you came back."

"Voldemort knew." Snape said after a few minutes of silence. "He knew about Lucius and me spying. He was succeeding in killing us quite well when Leiko asked if she could have a go."

"Did you at least hit her with something?"

Snape's lips quirked up into a smirk. "Before Lucius and I raised hell, I hit her with a nice Furnunculus and then with Engorgio, twice. She had boils the size of watermelons all over her bloated body."

Harry snickered at that image. "I'd pay to see that."

"It wasn't something to be missed. Then Lucius cast Avis, so the room was suddenly filled with terrified birds that were squawking, flapping and shitting all over the place."

"Oh, tell me one got-"

Snape nodded. "Right on her face."

Harry buried his face in the pillow, muffling the sound of his laughter. After a few minutes, he wiped away his tears. "Good; she deserved every bit of it."

"With all that commotion," the mirth on Snape's face died. "We managed to escape. We travelled a bit slowly, hiding out in places and then Apparating somewhere else. They'd catch up with us every so often and it'd be a pretty bloody battle. They’d just caught up to us when we Apparated to London. They were waiting for us in the house." Snape paused, looking at Harry. "But I told you I'd come back."

Harry didn't say anything for a moment. "You did. Sora and Draco started freaking out when they realized you weren't back by Monday. So I told them I'd try to make the potions they needed."

"And?" Snape gave Harry a questioning look.

"I think I made them right. I read over the recipes until they were etched in my brain. Guess I'll never know now, huh?" Harry paused. "I just hope the Degermate potion works until we find another solution."

"I'm assuming you made a stronger version of it." Snape murmured to himself.

"You assume right." Harry said. "I'll clean up the lab whenever Madame Pomfrey lets me out of here."

"I'd imagine it's clean already. Those house elves never leave a mess be. Even an intentional one." Snape said in a cross voice.

"You? With an intentional mess? I think I've heard it all now." Harry chuckled softly. "You should know Remus is staying here over the break."

Snape muttered a few curses so low that Harry couldn't hear him. "Blast it." That was the only clear one Snape voiced.

"But he's on the first floor, with Professor Beecham a few doors down." Harry explained.

"My, Oleander will have a fit if he knocks on her door."

"Could you at least try to get along with him?" Harry asked.

"I suppose," Snape said half-heartedly. “But if he says anything snarky, I am not liable for my response."

Harry smiled. "The point is you'll try. Laetitia will be glad to know that you’re safe."

"You speak as if she's going to be coming back here." Snape said, giving Harry a mild look of expectation.

"She said she might bring her kids here during the break. They want to study overseas." Harry said.

"At least you two get along," Snape muttered.

"Why is it important to you?" Harry asked quietly.

Snape didn't say anything for a moment. "Really, since when did you become this perceptive? I remember a year when you were a dolt and then, it seems, a genius."

"It was always there." Harry chuckled. "I just started using it a lot more after my O.W.Ls. You shouldn't be all that shocked really."

"No," Snape mused. "Shocked was when I realized your O.W.L paper was 'Outstanding' rather than a usual disaster."

Harry gave a faint smile of reminscence. "So, why is it important to you that I get along with her?"

"Since she is related to me."

"Cousin? Aunt?"

Snape shook his head." She's my sister. I haven't seen her in almost twenty three years."

"Twenty three years!?" Harry wasn't sure he heard right. "What do you mean twen-" Harry broke off as he heard the door creak open. "Damn it, people have horrible timing."

"Indeed." Snape said rising. He gave Harry a swift kiss and disappeared behind the curtain once more.

"Ah, you're up Harry." Madame Pomfrey pulled the curtain back and beamed at him. "Were you talking to someone?"

"No, myself." he said easily. "Just trying to remember what I have to do when I get out of here."

Madame Pomfrey frowned. "Oh no, Mr. Potter. What you need are decent meals and rest. You've been wearing yourself down for far too long now. It's Christmas break. You should use the time to recuperate and get back to being your normal self."

"But I have enough things to do. Plus N.E.W.Ts are at the end of the year and I need to make sure I'm prepared. I especially need to be prepared for my Transfiguration and Potions N.E.W.Ts."

"Mr. Potter," Madame Pomfrey said firmly. "If I have to keep you in here for the duration of the holidays I will."

Harry scowled as he heard a faint snicker come from the direction Snape had gone. "Really Madame Pomfrey, I'll be fine. Especially once I get something for my hypersensitivity."

"How do you know if it's hypersensitivity?" Madame Pomfrey asked curiously.

"Er," Harry paused. "I read up on what can happen if certain potions are mixed together. Brewing potions and not being prepared for the worst is just irresponsible."

Madame Pomfrey and Harry both looked as a definite laugh came from the other side. She frowned and snapped the curtain aside. "Mr. de Vyns, is there something amusing about this conversation?"

Harry didn't know whether to be relieved or outraged when he saw Dai sitting there on the bed, tears running down his face. "Is there something funny, Dai?" Harry asked in a calm voice.

Dai shook his head frantically, his loud snickers echoing through the silent ward.

"All right," the curtain on the other side of Dai was yanked back and an irate Lucius Malfoy was glaring at Dai. "Why the bloody hell are you cackling insanely at this forsaken hour of the morning?!"

"Mr. Malfoy!" Madame Pomfrey exclaimed with a nurse’s indignation. "What do you think you're doing out of bed?! Get right back in this instant! You're in no condition to be out on your feet!"

The sound of rings against a bar made Harry look to his opposite side to see Ken glaring nastily at the lot of them, his eyes bloodshot and bleary. He watched them a few minutes longer, his lips twisting into a vicious scowl.

"At least one of you two is sensible." Lucius spat out before he scowled at Dai and yanked his curtain back.

Ken gave them all one last dirty look before he snapped his curtain shut. Harry could hear him settling back down to sleep. Dai gave Harry one last look before he started convulsing with silent laughter and shut his curtain as well.

"Hmph," Madame Pomfrey said, shaking her head. "You think the years would have knocked some sense into him. Oh well. You're sure it's hypersensitivity?"

"Well, what else could it be? I used a numbing charm to," Harry rolled his eyes as fresh snickers came from behind the curtain. "Dai, shut the hell up!" he hissed. "I used a numbing charm to relieve the..." Harry trailed off, trying to find an appropriate word. "Symptoms."

"A numbing charm? Did it lessen the sensation immediately?"

"Pretty much."

"All right then. I'll have to write to St. Mungo's and get the necessary things for you and Severus. You both seem to be suffering the same thing, so...Mr. de Vyns, if you do not control yourself, I will Stun you." Madame Pomfrey snapped as a fresh round of giggles came from Dai. "Later on, I'll have Professor Flitwick come in and teach you the charms to lessen the symptoms. If you aren't too tired tomorrow, that is."

"All right." Harry agreed with a nod. "That sounds fine to me. If it's all right, I think I'm going to go back to sleep, if that's all right."

"That's perfectly fine Harry," Madame Pomfrey said, fluffing his pillow a bit. "You just rest, all right?"

Harry nodded as Madame Pomfrey pulled his curtain shut and headed off to do something else. Harry closed his eyes and concentrated on emptying out his mind when he heard a faint snicker again. He sighed, ready to tell Dai to shut up when he heard something surprising.

"Severus," Lucius' voice was disgruntled. "If you've got a case of the giggles now, I suggest you find Voldemort again because he will be much preferable to me."

When Darkness Comes - Chapter Eighteen || When Darkness Comes - Chapter Twenty