Chapter XX

Once Harry closed the door to his room, he breathed a sigh of relief. After a rather ludicrous amount of fussing and fretting, Madame Pomfrey finally released him from the infirmary. It seemed that seventy two hours was more than enough time spent in the infirmary, even if most of it was spent sleeping. He looked at the box he had placed on his bed. Specialty gloves sent from St. Mungo's. Professor Flitwick had spent most of the morning teaching him the necessary charm to make things feel normal once more. It was essentially a dampening charm, with specific applications. Harry shook his head briskly; he was starting to turn into a textbook.

He stretched his arms a bit before he sat on the bed and opened the box. The gloves were of black leather, soft and rather supple. It seemed like there were no seams holding it together. He picked one up, rubbing it between his fingers. This would definitely be a pleasure to wear sometime. But, he'd probably save it as backup, just in case he forgot to apply the charm one day, which wasn't likely, since he was left with this for the rest of his life.

"Harry?" the muted word was followed by a soft knock. "Are you in there?"

"You can come in, Sora," he called out.

The door open slowly, and Sora stuck her head around and smiled. "I tried to see you in the infirmary. Every time I came, Madame Pomfrey told you were asleep. When I went a few minutes ago, she said you'd be back in your room."

"Yeah, ordered rest." Harry said, making a face. "I'll suffer it for a week before I start doing something she'll yell at me for." Harry didn't say anything; Sora was semi-hidden in the shadow the door cast.

"I can just see that." Sora chuckled, shaking her head.

"Is there a particular reason why you've hiding behind the door?" Harry asked. "I did say you can come in."

"I know, it's just…" Sora paused, looking a bit uneasy. "Well, I suppose this might as well get out of the way now."

Harry watched as Sora stepped fully into the room, his eyes growing wide. Sora was wearing the same clothes she wore usually. A pair of loose, but fitted, blue jeans and a thick black turtleneck against the cold. Her hands were shoved casually into her pockets, and she rocked back and forth in her heeled boots. But she looked anything but comfortable.

She was tall; much taller, and willowy. Harry rose and walked up to her. Where they had been even in height – and they were both fairly tall at 5’10 to begin with – she now topped him by a good four inches. Her elbows stuck out, accenting how long her arms had become. And her legs...he was lost as to where her torso ended and her legs began. And her chest, he wasn't about to even broach that subject. Her skin was paler, making her green eyes seem to glow unnaturally. Sora gave him a hesitant smile, flashing a bit of teeth. Harry could see the elongated canines, clearly visible against her lower teeth. Sora's smile quickly disappeared.

"Sora," Harry began after a few minutes. "What-"

"I know," she said miserably. "I know. I haven't really left my room in three days. Dobby's been kind enough to bring my meals to me. And even Draco."

"Well, you're eating. I see it's going somewhere." Harry mused wryly. "How come you...why in so short a time frame?" he said.

"My only theory is arrested development," Sora said a shrug and wince. "This should have taken place gradually over say eight, nine years. But the potions Draco and I took stopped it. So our bodies met nothing to suppress it this time, and, I guess, it's gone a bit crazy now...I'll tell you one thing Harry; doing that many years worth of growing in four days is far from fun. It hurts like you wouldn't fucking believe."

"Worse than Skele-Gro?"

"Worse than Skele-Gro. Try taking Skele-Gro consecutively for three weeks all the time and then you might have a vague idea. You're lucky I was able to walk up here. I've been sore and achy all over."

"Did you try numbing charms?"

"Didn't work. Or last." Sora said wearily. "And I'm so tired now. I've been shifting over to night, and it's hard making myself stay up during the day."

Harry glanced at his watch; it was only a bit after eleven in the morning. "Madame Pomfrey didn't tell me, but maybe once Severus is out-"

Sora gave a dry laugh. "Harry honestly, I think he's going to get the same orders as you. Rest and don't tire yourself out. And I intend to see that does happen. Merlin knows he suffered enough at that insane fool's whims than to get into who knows what here."

"Good point. But when he realizes you need a potion, do you really think he's going to listen to what Madame Pomfrey said?"

"Of course not," Sora said. Harry smirked a bit in self-satisfaction. "He's just as great and bloody stubborn fool as you are."

"Excuse me?!" Harry said indignantly.

"That is why we aren't going to let Severus think anything is wrong.” Sora continued on, ignoring Harry’s small outburst. “But in order for that to happen, we need to get Draco back in the mix."

"Yes, it will seem perfectly normal if Draco is fawning all over you," Harry said sarcastically. Sora shot him a look. "Don't start that. You know full well the risk you run just being in the same room as him."

"I know perfectly well. That's why we need to get used to it now, while Severus is in the infirmary." Sora mused, rubbing her lip absently. "And that's why we're going to need you there."

"Me?!" Harry choked out. "Severus will kill me if he finds out I didn't tell him about your fangs showing up, much less this. Now you want me to help you cover this up? You must have a death wish out for me."

"What happened to the Gryffindor daring?"

"Oh, it's still there, but there's a very fine line between daring and pure stupidity!"

"Thinking like a Slytherin?" Sora asked arching an eyebrow.

"Whatever! But I'm not going to let you get me flayed alive. Merlin, I'll be put through torture for the first one alone."

"All right," Sora sighed, throwing up her hands. "I have to see Draco though. Won't you come? That'll stop anything from happening. He might to jump me." Sora paused, watching Harry. "Or I might jump him. See, I think I'm becoming a raging mass of hormones. All I can think about is-"

"Enough!" Harry barked. "Before you start blithering about things I don't really want to hear about concerning you and Draco."

"Speaking of Malfoys," Sora mused. "Lucius was spitting mad at Dai when I went to see if you where there earlier on."

"That's because Dai ruined his beauty sleep." Harry said with a dour expression on his face as he rose from the bed and started for the door. "At three in the morning."

"I'm sorry Harry," Sora said quietly as she fell in step beside him. "That was rather low of me."

"But so very Slytherin," Harry said a few moments. "I didn't leave you much choice with my ‘adamant’ refusals."

"You didn't," Sora said quietly. "I just don't want anything to happen to my godfather. I'm sure you can appreciate that."

"I can." Harry replied softly as they paused in front of Draco's door. "If Severus finds out and kills me, I am coming back to haunt you, you do realize this, right?"

"I expected no less," Sora said with a small smile before she rapped on the door lightly.

There were sound muffled noises from behind when a shirtless Draco opened it, a cross look on his face. It vanished away the moment he laid eyes on Sora. Then he promptly slammed the door shut.

"At least he has the right idea." Harry said. "See, he doesn't want any visitors, let's just..." Harry paused, seeing the expression in Sora's eyes. "Goddamn it, you aren't going to cut me any slack, are you?"

"No," Sora said curtly before she banged her fist against the door loudly. "Open the door Draco. There's something we need to discuss."

Nothing came from the other side before Draco opened the door a crack, looking at them. "Sora. Harry." he said in distant politeness. "What is it?"

"We need to discuss how to best handle...this." Sora said. "I'm not going to have Severus worrying about it whenever Madame Pomfrey releases him from the infirmary. Or Lucius for that matter."

"I see. One moment." Draco closed the door, and opened it again a few moments. "Come in." he said, opening the door further.

Harry walked in, noticing how everything looked freshly arranged. Draco must have cleaned up. And he had put on a shirt. He looked over at the table, seeing three chairs instead of two. "I thought there was only two chairs."

"It's enchanted to provide the number of chairs needed. Assuming the person is going to sit." Draco flickered a look in Harry's direction. "And since there are three of us, and three chairs, it stands to reason."

Harry nodded and immediately took the seat in the middle, stretching out his legs. "May as well get this over with."

"Agreed," Draco said, sitting down also. "Because we are going to need some sort of plan to survive this."

"You two are," Harry amended. "I'm the unfortunate second party dragged into this." he gave Sora a look.

Sora shrugged. "You didn't leave me much choice, you know."

Harry frowned, and closed his eyes. "You guys discuss it. I'll be listening."

"Er, Harry," Sora began. "Are you-"

"I'm sure." he didn't open his eyes. "Come on already."

There was silence before Sora ad Draco started talking in a low murmur. Thankfully, this would be the only time he would have to do this. Snape was bound to see through their attempt in a second. But Harry had to admit, it was good to know that Sora would go to this amount of trouble for his health's sake.

Snape was more than likely going to be released by the end of the week. Then, he and Snape could have a completely uninterrupted talk. First Voldemort summoning Snape, and then Madame Pomfrey coming into the infirmary...he couldn't help but wonder what would pop up the third time he tried to talk to Snape. A horde of rabid Red Caps? Or maybe the giant squid would rise up from the lake and attempt to dismantle the castle.

Harry wasn't exactly willing to open his eyes yet. If this was the first time they were seeing each other in four days, he wanted to give them something of a moment. Draco too had changed. He was taller as well, as tall as Sora. But where Sora was willowy, Draco had fleshed out and gained some muscle. The shirt Draco had on was barely masking that fact, and the pants didn't help to hide his height. His face was a bit more defined, but not too harsh or angular. Draco Malfoy was drop dead handsome. Of course, Harry was looking at this from a purely aesthetic light.

"Just one?" Draco's voice broke into his absent musings. "I really don't think he'd mind."

"I don't know. Harry might object." Sora sounded a bit unsure. "I think he's fallen asleep."

"It's just one. Really quick." Draco said. "Just one. Since you're here, we may as well. You have no idea how boring it is trying to do it yourself."

"Oh, I suppose. Just one though, all right."

Harry cracked open and eye to see them setting up the pieces of wizards' chess. He closed his eye, chucking lightly to himself. "A game or two won't hurt." he murmured.

There came a pause for a moment. "Told you." Draco said triumphantly.

The cool dungeon hallway was quiet as Harry slunk through them easily enough in his Invisibility cloak. He had toyed with the idea of sneaking down to the kitchens in his Animagus form, but decided against it. He always seemed reluctant to change back into a human. The Invisibility cloak was much more preferable. And sneaking down to the kitchen of hot chocolate and cookies seemed like a very good idea, despite the time being two forty five in the morning. Harry did need a moment to himself, since he found himself playing chaperone to Sora and Draco for the past three days. He felt like he was going to scream if he didn’t get a moment to himself soon. Perhaps sneaking out more at night was something of an answer.

He paused when he approached a painting of fruit, trying to remember what to do. Then he reached out and tickled it, like Hermione had so long ago. Only the door remained firmly shut. Harry frowned. “Mince pie.” He was pretty sure that was the password. But the door still remained shut. “Great, someone’s changed the password.”

Harry sagged against the wall, trying to think up of new, plausible passwords. He wasn’t too sure how long he was there, but when the sound of the door creaking reached him, he darted behind a nearby statue, hoping he wouldn’t be seen and docked points.

“My Harry, I was under the impression that you wanted to go into the kitchens.”

Great; it was Dumbledore. The one person he certainly didn’t want to see at the moment. “I thought you were another teacher, Sir,” Harry said easily as he came out from behind the statue. “I just came down for a snack.”

“Ah. Good time at night for a snack, isn’t it?” Dumbledore asked with a chuckle.

Harry had the immediate feeling that he should laugh to cover up the fact that he didn’t want to laugh. He finally settled on a small smile and nod of his head. He was certainly failing to see the humour in this situation.

“You wouldn’t happen to know the password, would you, Sir?”

“It’s ‘apple dumplings’,” Dumbledore said. “And everything is fine in the Slytherin quarters?”

Harry nodded in reply, choosing to remain mute.

“Keeping an eye on Ms. de Vyns and young Mr. Malfoy?” Dumbledore peered at him over his half-moon spectacles.

Harry didn’t reply for a moment as something clicked in his head. He didn’t know how he managed to grind out the words in a civil tone. “Yes Sir, I am.” Just for good measure, he managed to summon a slightly anxious look on his face.

“Excellent!” Dumbledore beamed cheerily. “That is excellent news indeed. I’m sure they’re glad to have you around Harry.”

‘I’m sure you’re glad I’m there, doing exactly as you planned.’ Harry simply nodded his head, hoping the anxiousness showed clearly on his face.

“Well, I must be off. Walking through these cold hallways in winter was never any good for my bones. Good night Harry.”

Harry watched as Dumbledore started down the hallway before he spoke again. “Sir, there’s something I want to ask you.” The first step was to distance himself as much as possible. This would more than ensure this.

Dumbledore paused to look at him. “Such as?”

“Is it possible for someone to be resorted into a different house?”

“Yes, it is possible, if they request it for specific reasons as well as for their own safety. The reasons vary from student to student.” Dumbledore paused. “Is there someone who wishes to be resorted?”

“Yes, they do want to be resorted. And they wish to keep the reasons to themselves.”

“Then have them come up to my office tomorrow before dinner,” Dumbledore said. “And the necessary arrangements will be made. The password is ‘spring berries’.”

Harry watched as Dumbledore continued on his way back to his quarters. He whirled around and stormed into the kitchen, growling out the password. “Blast that conniving, manipulating old man!” he spat out.

“My Potter, such an outburst about our esteemed Headmaster?”

Harry looked up to find Lucius Malfoy seated at a table, a cup of tea in his hands with a pot, and sugar bowl on the table in front of him. “Does it look like I really give a damn at this point?” Harry snarled.

“Language, Potter.” Lucius drawled softly.

“Fuck. Off.” Harry said succinctly as he sat down hard in a seat and poured himself a cup of tea, wishing it were Firewhiskey instead.

Nothing more was said as Harry stared down broodingly into his cup of tea. Was there anything that Dumbledore didn’t have his aged tentacles curled around tightly? He really shouldn’t dwell on it. It seemed that everything Dumbledore did had an ulterior motive that simply infuriated him even further. Suddenly, leaving Hogwarts never seemed so appealing.

“Do you normally stare at your tea so?” Lucius asked in a quiet voice.

That broke through Harry’s thoughts, and he gave a biting retort. “Asking to be lectured by Madame Pomfrey? I didn’t know she allowed patients to leave under her care to come down to the kitchens at this…ungodly hour of the night.”

“Touché,” Lucius said with an acquiescing nod of his head. “What’s the particular reason for Harry Potter being out of bed at this ungodly hour?”

“Harry Potter,” Harry said in sharp voice. “Wanted a snack and a moment to himself.” Harry took a sip of his tea. “Since I have to spend all day with those two walking, talking bundle of hormones. Namely your son and my cousin.”

Lucius didn’t say anything for a moment. “Apparently our arrival was very disruptive.”

Harry snorted and rolled his eyes. “You fell on the floor and Severus tripped over you and bowled right into me. Considering the fact that none of the potions I was working on survived unscathed, and caused serious ramifications, I’d say disruptive is an understatement.”

Lucius didn’t say anything for a moment. “A simple yes would have sufficed.”

Harry gave a disgruntled grumble as he took another sip of tea. “Madame Pomfrey is going to yell at you if she finds out.”

“I had quite enough of doing nothing,” Lucius said grimly.

“As opposed to spying,” Harry queried. “Just why are you in the Order?” Harry was done dancing around the one thing he honestly wanted to know.

“I have my reasons, just as you have your reasons for befriending my son,” Lucius said easily. “This was something of a surprise, considering the rivalry between the both of you.”

“Turns out he wasn’t as big a prat I thought he was. That turned out to be most of my housemates. I didn’t hear anything of Slytherins chattering behind my back.”

“Interesting who you pick for friends,” Lucius mused. “Perhaps you’ve noticed that solidarity was never really high in Gryffindor; but they made a good show of faking it.

“It’s pretty much a few Gryffindors who are the decent ones,” Harry said before taking a sip of tea. “Never thought I’d be saying that. But then again, I didn’t think about or notice a lot of things before.

Lucius didn’t say anything for a moment. “I, for one, am surprised that we are sitting here having a decent conversation, given the nature of our previous….tête-à-têtes.”

“Well, may as well get this out of the way, since we’re going to be related by marriage one day.” Harry mused.

“I concur,” Lucius agreed. “It does help that you aren’t as arrogant anymore.”

“Yes, and you are the very epitome of humility.” Harry retorted in a sarcastic voice.

Lucius shot him a look. “Perhaps I spoke too soon?”

“Hm, it’s as if-” Harry began in a slightly exasperated voice.

“Begging your pardon young master.”

Harry looked down to see house elf tugging on his pants. “Yes, what is?”

“Young master Malfoy is wanting to speak to you.” The elf said in a small voice. “I am suggesting that young master Potter is careful.”

“Why? Don’t tell me he beat you.”

The elf shook its head. “No. Buts young master Potter is best being careful around young master Malfoy.”

“What’s your name?” Harry asked.

“Uzzy, young master Potter,” the elf squeaked in surprise and shock. “Uzzy being my name.”

“Thank you Uzzy,” Harry said, slipping off his seat. “I want you to make sure that this man here east something. Perhaps a sandwich.”

“Piss. Off. Boy.” Lucius growled.

“Or something,” Harry blithely ignored Lucius’ words. “And ignore him if he says no. He does look dreadfully thin, don’t you agree?”

Poor Uzzy looked ready to faint from the looks Lucius was shooting at Harry. “This man is looking thin to Uzzy.” Uzzy cringed and hid behind Harry when Lucius shifted his malevolent gaze.

“Come now,” Harry said. “Surely you’d rather eat a sandwich than deal with Madame Pomfrey.” Harry turned to leave. “Make sure he eats something Uzzy.”

Harry walked out of the kitchen, hearing Lucius’ particularly virulent curses. Harry chuckled a bit before he hurried back towards the Slytherin common room and up the staircase to the boys’ dormitory. He went to his room for a moment; he had inkling as to why Draco wanted to talk to him at this time of night. He paused when he reached Draco’s door before knocking and opening the door slowly. Draco was sitting by the table, on the edge of a chair, his elbows resting on his knees. He was clasping his hands so tightly that the knuckles pressed starkly against the skin.

“What’s wrong now?” Harry asked, coming in and shutting the door behind him.

“I can’t keep this up,” Draco muttered, staring intently at his hands. “I can’t Harry, I can’t. Not any more. It’s hell.”

Harry sighed and pulled up a chair, sitting down. He reached into his pocket and drew out a vial. “Here. This is the last vial of stronger Degermate that I have for you. The other one is going to Sora tomorrow. After that…”

Draco took it, contemplating for a moment before he rested it one the table. “I didn’t wake you up, did I?”

“No,” Harry said with a small shrug. “I was having a small conversation with your father.

“My father?”

“Who snuck out of the infirmary to get a cup of tea.” Harry stifled a yawn. “Are you going to be all right?”

Draco nodded his head. “You should go back to bed.”

“Just try not to harass me too much tomorrow. I might be able to brew some more. There’re some things that I need to do tomorrow before I can though.” Harry said as he rose and walked to the door.

“Harry,” Draco called. “Don’t let them trample you when the break’s over.”

Harry couldn’t help but chuckle. “After tomorrow, you’ll see why that’s the farthest thing from my mind. Night Draco.”

“Night Harry.”

Harry closed the door and made his way to his room and got his Invisibility cloak. Then he quietly stole his way down to the infirmary. It was dark save for the moonlight streaming in through the windows. Harry quickly made his way down, by passing a sleeping Ken and Dai and Lucius’ empty bed. Harry slipped in and took his cloak off, bringing a chair closer to Snape’s bedside. Snape was fast asleep, and Harry had no intention of waking him up. He rested his head on a small space on the bedside, his hands resting on top of one another in front of his nose.

“He really does look it,” Harry murmured as he watched Snape’s face. “A fallen angel,” he didn’t say anything for a moment before he spoke softly. “My fallen angel.”

He raised a hand and ran his fingers lightly down Snape’s still hand. He could feel the slight press of bones and taut tendons against the skin. Harry held Snape’s fingers in the palm of his hand. Snape had very fine fingers; fingers that spoke enough of Snape that he couldn’t say. They were long, slim, aristocratic, had fine calluses – probably from holding a wand for Merlin knew what, the short clipped fingernails – Snape certainly wouldn’t want potion ingredients getting stuck underneath. Harry curled his fingers around Snape’s and closed his eyes with a heavy sigh, wondering if he was being unfair to Snape.

When Darkness Comes - Chapter Nineteen || When Darkness Comes - Chapter Twenty One