Chapter XXV

Harry walked up to the door to Draco’s room, hesitant to open it once more. After he had walked out of Dumbledore’s office, he could hear Snape’s louder words. He was certainly giving Dumbledore a piece of his mind. The last thing he heard before he walked out of earshot was Dumbledore asking Snape if he could help with the organization of the students. Needless to say, Harry wasn’t all that surprised when he heard a loud, angry, vehement muffled sound.

“All right Harry,” he took a deep breath. “You can do this.”

He took the knob and turned. The door creaked open rather ominously. The interior of the room that was trashed before was completely obliterated. The floor was littered with fragments of wood, paper, and cloth. Harry looked at the bed to see the draperies hanging in tatters around the posts. Even from the door, he could see the two shapes in bed, one curled behind the other. He closed the door behind him and walked up to the bed slowly; the very air seemed to thrum with something he couldn’t quite place.

Suddenly, Draco sat up and looked at him, his grey eyes piercing. “You know, I could just kick you out of here.” Draco paused, as thinking over something. “Again.”

Sora turned her head, pulling the blankets up closer around her. “Harry…”

“You could,” Harry mused. “But then I’d have to go by myself. And that would be boring.”

“Go where?” Draco asked cautiously.

“The Forbidden Forest,” Harry said easily. “We got a message from Alexandre.”

“From Father?!” Sora sat up, twisting the sheet around her and starting from the bed. “What did it-”

“If you don’t mind.” Draco said dryly, jerking back a bit of sheet to cover himself before it all slid away.

“Oh, er,” Sora’s face went red, and she sat down on the edge of the bed. “What did it say?”

Harry didn’t say anything for a moment, watching as Draco slid up behind Sora, wrapping an arm around her waist. “He’s still alive. He wrote to say that Voldemort has taken control of almost everything. And he’s started purging, and I quote, ‘those that are unworthy’.”

“Dear Merlin,” Sora said in a low mutter.

“Alexandre had been trailing him with some rebels,” Harry said the word dryly. “And followed him to the back of the Forbidden Forest. Voldemort knows no one really goes in there save Hagrid. He’s planning a surprise attack.”

“Makes sense,” Draco mused. “But why exactly do you have to go?”

“Dumbledore wants confirmation.”

“A letter from Alexandre wasn’t enough for the crazy old coot?!” Draco asked incredulously. “I don’t believe him.”

“I’m sure you can ask Severus about how he took it.” Harry stated.

Sora didn’t say anything for a moment. “How did he take it?”

“When I left he was working himself up into a nice conniption fit,” Harry said. “I could hear him yelling at Dumbledore and he was livid. Then Dumbledore asked him to help with organizing the students.”

“That must have gone over well with him,” Sora snorted. “So, am I to assume that Dumbledore wants the three of us to go and confirm what my father says? And that’s what made Severus spit Merlin knows what words at the Headmaster?”

“Exactly; two of Sev’s exact words were ‘kamikaze mission’.” Harry replied.

“Isn’t that nice,” Sora said shaking her head. “Voldemort is the last person I want to go to, but I’d much rather go with you than let you go by yourself.”

“There’re some other things I’m supposed to tell you, but most of them can wait until we get back.”

“Most of them?” Draco asked, arching an eyebrow.

“Yes. But not this one,” he didn’t say anything for a moment. “I think the both of you are going to have to take a full physical, courtesy of Madame Pomfrey after all of this.” Harry couldn’t help but give a dry chuckle at the shocked expressions on their faces. “I’ll be waiting in my rooms for you both.”

The trees were just as dark and oppressive as before. They pressed in thickly, and thin crooked branches stretched out, ready to snag loose cloth and tufts of fur. He slipped through the trees easily, keeping pace with the kitsune and dragon making their way through the trees. They had started into the forest in the afternoon, and now, the silver crescent of the moon was rising into the sky.

He lowered his nose to the ground, sniffing madly. There was still nothing; no scent, no faint trail, absolutely nothing to go on. He stifled a growl from his throat and continued to pad onwards. The kitsune came over and silently, nudged her head against his shoulder. He swung his head to look. The dragon was high up in the branches, barely visible save for its pale scales, peering at something intently. He sat back on his haunches while the kitsune paced around for a bit

When the dragon easily glided to the ground, landing without a noise, it motioned towards the northwest with its slim muzzle. He snorted, clearing his nostrils free of any scent that might have lingered there and started off after him. They made their way silently through the forest, the moon rising higher and higher to its apex for the night. When a soft glow permeated through the tree branches, they stopped, shifting back into their human forms to move in closer and remain hidden.

Harry wrinkled his nose and rubbed it briskly before shaking his head. Then he looked around. This light was definitely caused by a large amount of people in one spot. He peered around a tree trunk, seeing a few tents pitched. He motioned Sora and Draco forward with a slight hand motion. They came to trees nearby, peering around. So far, they hadn’t seen anyone; just tents and light spilling out onto the forest floor. He shifted a bit uncomfortably, careful to not make any loose twigs snap. How long did they have to stand here waiting to-

“Are you sure?” Leiko’s voice was excited. “Absolutely positive?”

“Yes, I am, Mistress,” a soft unfamiliar voice said. “After Professor Snape removed the Carnis charmed object, the only choice I had was to spike his drink.”

“And?”

“That wasn’t easy; they eat in private away from everyone else,” the voice paused. “But I found out and lined his cup with it on the breakfast tray. It took hold a few hours later.”

“Hm,” Leiko mused. “And you’re certain they mated?”

“Positive. The amount and type of noise coming from that room, it was unmistakeable what was going on in there.”

Harry dug his fingers into the tree bark, managing to suppress his anger for now. He watched as Leiko stepped out from the tent that was casting a bluish tint on the forest floor.

“Excellent. Now I simply have to capture my wayward daughter and make her negotiate with the vampires. Plus we’ll have control over that Malfoy brat. He’s so whipped for my daughter, he’d let her turn him into a seal and do idiotic tricks. We lost Lucius; imagine how it would tear him up that his beloved son is working for Voldemort. Of course, we’ll have to make it seem that the boy came willingly, but that can easily be arranged.”

“That it would, Mistress,” the voice replied.

Harry glanced back to see Draco’s flinty hard expression, and Sora’s horrified one. He looked back in the direction of Leiko’s voice.

“There’s something else you should know,” the person said in a tremulous voice.

“What is it?” Leiko asked sharply.

“Daichi and Kenshin are still alive.”

“What?” Leiko shrieked so loudly that Harry squeezed his eyes shut and winced. “What do you mean those brats are still alive?! They’re supposed to be dead! They know! I finished them off myself!”

“I know Mistress Leiko,” the person was definitely quavering now. “But they are alive and at Hogwarts. Their tongues still haven’t grown back however.”

No reply came for a moment. “Well, those two annoying spawn of Alexandre’s have lucked out. Sora got them, did she?”

“I believe so, Mistress,” the person said.

“Damn that girl; first the inheritance and then this, well, as soon, as we take Hogwarts, I will personally kill her myself and the Malfoy brat she lured to her bed, as well as Dai and Ken. I’d kill the filthy half-Mudblood as well, but that is our Lord’s esteemed honour.” Leiko said in a vicious voice.

Harry’s fingers tightened further, causing small flakes of bark to float down to the ground.

“My mistress, I am sorry to have failed you so,” the person paused for a moment. “The centaurs never discovered me in their midst.”

“Undoubtedly because that Potter brat rushed in to save the day. Glory hog,” Leiko said venomously. “No, you have done well….if you had killed Daichi and Kenshin, suspicions would be greatly raised inside the school. No, this will suffice well for now. Did you use the same passageway to exit and leave?”

“Yes Mistress. Through the old bathroom you spoke to me of.” The person said. “I should be leaving now. Dumbledore has instigated a curfew and I do not wish to be missed and raise an alarm. That will prompt unwanted questions.”

“I want you to keep a close eye on the three of them. Pass yourself off as a Slytherin if need be. But I want to know what is going on with that trio at all times. Am I understood?” Leiko said haughtily.

“Perfectly Mistress,” the person said. “I shall report back here in three days time.”

“See that you do. We shall undoubtedly be attacking any time now.” Leiko said.

Harry looked around frantically as the sound of footsteps came their way. He quickly cast a simple levitating charm, causing the three of them to float silently into the air. They looked down to find a cloaked figure making their way quickly through the trees. Damn, now they had no way of identifying who this person was. As soon as they were safely away, Harry lowered them back to the ground. They looked at one another before Sora made a wide sweeping motion, indicating they should move a bit west. Harry reluctantly nodded his head. They needed to know just how large this camp was and gain some idea of what they were up against.

Shifting back into their animal forms they started to slink through the trees. More tents and conversations passed by them. He wasn’t too sure how long they were walking around, but they passed a good many tents by the time they reached the one where Leiko was. They shifted back to their human forms once more, huddling close.

“Way outnumbered,” Draco hissed.

Sora nodded. “By six to one. At least.”

“Not good,” Harry muttered. “Not good. A force of-“

They all looked up at the sound of a twig snapping. Someone else was coming into the forest once more. They quickly morphed back into their animal forms. The kitsune darted up a low tree branch and hid in the leaves, while the dragon flew upwards into the higher reaches. He slunk around a tree, until he was safely concealed in the darkness. His lips pulled back into a silent growl as he heard the sound of a zipper being lowered. Wonderful, now the stink of urine filled his nose. He watched the person, whose back was towards him.

The person was looking around now as they rocked back and forth on their heels. He advanced a step ready to spring forward if need be. The person stopped rocking and peering right in the direction of where the kitsune had hidden itself. He looked up to see the dragon making its way down silently, purple eyes glowing with a malevolent balefulness.

“What on Earth…” the person reached forward parting the leaves.

The kitsune exploded from its spot, making the person scramble back and shield their face. He raced forward, and sunk his jaws into their lower leg as they attempted to scramble away, giving his head a good shake and ripping the tendons in the ankle. The scream of agony that echoed throughout the once silent forest was cut short as the dragon landed quickly and crunched the person’s head between their jaws. He looked up to see the dragon’s once immaculate white jaw dripping with blood. Even he could taste the sharp copper liquid against his tongue.

Then a loud wail came from somewhere deep inside of Voldemort’s camp. They didn’t even look at one another as they started racing through the forest. It had taken them long to reach here and now, with hunters behind them, they would have to run twice as fast and hard. Even now, they could hear the sounds of a first pursuit. The ones hunting them now were clever, and had much power to easily dispose of them. They could not be caught. They had to reach the castle on the other side of forest. Once they reached there, the walls would provide protection.

The ground raced beneath their feet and the cold air burned in their lungs as they ran. The trees still pressed in thick in this area of the forest. Wait, he had seen this part of the forest before, hadn’t he? It was long ago, and with a redhead…there was something about here that made him wary, despite the pursuit close on their heels. He gave a sharp yip, when something landed right in from of him and he crashed right into it. A similar yip from beside him, said the kitsune had the same accident. He picked himself up quickly to find a spider lunging right for his face. He snarled, ready to bite, but the spider was knocked aside by gout of flame. He looked around to see the spiders all around now, and the dragon spewing flames forth to beat them back. The kitsune was backed against a tree, fangs bared as she lunged, ripping off a few limbs, and parts. He charged over, trampling spiders and ripping them apart with his jaw. The kitsune gave a happy bark and darted out when he made a small opening for her.

Apparently, their pursuers were encountering the same problem because they hadn’t been caught yet. He growled, motioning for the kitsune to get on his back. She was small enough to be left behind and easily lost in the maddening press. Once she had scrambled onto his wide back, he charged forward, stepping on spiders, and knocking them away with his head. The dragon caught on, firing a path in front of him, carving through the arachnids. It didn’t take long for them to burst through the fringes of the spiders. He ran even faster, sensing the end of the trees up ahead. But why did it suddenly seem harder for him to run? His breath seemed to labour to reach his lungs. And his muscles seemed to be tiring more easily now. He grunted and continued running, reaching the edge of the trees.

Once he set foot on the smooth expanse of snowy field, he collapsed, pitching the kitsune in the air. She got up and shook herself off quickly and ran over, nudging him with her nose, giving a worried whine. He blinked and tried to stand back up but collapsed back down. He felt his breath start to catch when he heard the footsteps from the trees. He tried to get up once more, but found that he couldn’t. Then he saw a few more figures; they were coming from the castle and rather fast too. The kitsune changed back into the girl and drew the stick, a dangerous look in her eyes. The pale boy was there now, dragging him away from the trees as fast as he could. Change…he should change back now too. He tried, but whimpered from the pain. It hurt too much; his muscles felt as if they were locked in place and couldn’t move at all.

“Shit!” the pale boy said. It was rather strange to see blood smeared around his mouth. “He was bitten!”

“Then get him back to the castle! I’ll hold them off!” the girl said, her stick already giving off jets of light in response to the ones that came from the trees.

He blinked and closed his eyes, struggling to breathe. He felt himself being lifted and carried somewhere in the sudden sea of noise. He whimpered a bit; he wanted to know where he was going. What if it was one of the hunters? Then he would surely be dead once they arrived at their destination. When he felt hands stroking his head gently, he opened his eyes once more he found himself looking up at a dark haired man. This man he knew, wanted, and cared for. He whimpered again, plaintively; would he make this pain go away?

“Shh,” the man stroked his head once more before. “Hagrid gave me this. It should counteract the Acromantula venom. Then I can give you the antidote.”

The man had to force his throat open. His muscles had become so stiff; he couldn’t do anything of his own volition. But once the liquid was poured down his throat, he could feel his muscles start to relax and become pliant once more. His breathing became easier and he could lift his head up to look around. He was in a room with a large blazing fireplace. He let his head fall back to the ground wearily.

“Harry,” the man said again. “I need you to drink this now.”

He struggled to his feet and sat on his haunches. He was waiting, but the man looked more than a bit puzzled as how to get it down his throat now. He took a shaky step forward, sniffing the bottle and licking it. The man removed the cork and he found his muzzle being tilted back a bit and then the contents were sliding down his tongue and throat. He collapsed to the ground once more, a tired ache making him want to sleep.

“There,” the dark haired man said once more, stroking his head once more. “You’ll be fine now. I’m not going to let you do anything like that again.”

He lifted his head and licked the man’s face gratefully before he settled back down, resting his head on the man’s lap. The last thing that he could sense as he drifted off to sleep was warmth, and the man’s soothing touch that made him feel safe, protected and loved.

The room was pitch-black when he woke up. He thumped his tail and sat up slowly and looked around. Wait a moment. He still had to change back. Yes, change back and then he could better explore of this place. He morphed back, his bones protesting the shifting a bit.

“Are you up Harry?”

Harry turned and looked at the sound of Snape’s voice. He was an indistinct black splotch. Harry rubbed his eyes slightly, pulling out his wand and uttering ‘Lumos’. Snape was looking at him with sleep filled eyes and mussed hair. Harry had never been gladder to see him. He bolted over, knocking Snape back onto the bed and hugged him tightly, burying his face in Snape’s shoulder. Snape gave a slight ‘Oof!’ but didn’t say anything, hugging Harry back.

“Did you have trouble bringing me back here?” Harry asked softly.

“You were not light by any means,” Snape said dryly, his hands stroking Harry’s back. “You’ve been asleep for nearly a day. You seem to spend far too much time doing that.”

Harry gave a snort of amusement, resting his head on Snape’s chest. “I’m glad you were there, Sev.”

Snape simply continued stroking Harry’s back. “May I ask you something?” Snape sounded as if he was musing to himself.

“Yes?” Harry asked.

“Why do call me ‘Sev’?”

“Do you want me to call you Sevvie?” Harry asked with a smirk.

Severus made a displeased noise. “Most certainly not,”

“All right Sev,” Harry purred a bit as Snape’s fingers started stroking the groove of his spine. “I figured you’d yell at me the first time I called you that.” The sound of Snape’s heart steadily beating was a comforting sound, and Harry didn’t want to move quite yet.

“I didn’t even notice,” Snape murmured. “I don’t mind it; it’s certainly the lesser of the two evils.” Snape looked at him. “Did you want to see Sora and Draco?”

“I do,” Harry said. “But I’m not in a rush. I’m perfectly comfortable where I am at the moment,” he chuckled at the little huff Snape gave. “Where are they?” Harry looked up when Snape didn’t answer. Snape had a strange little smirk plastered his face. “Sev?”

“Last I saw, Draco was trying to coax Sora to go down to the infirmary,” Snape chuckled. “They’re probably there right now.”

Harry snickered for a few moments before he pulled himself off of Snape. “Come on,” he said, smacking Snape’s thigh lightly. “Time to rise.”

“If you insist,” Snape pulled Harry back down and kissed him, arms sliding around him.

“Sev!” Harry exclaimed when they broke apart a few minutes later. “I meant to go to the infirmary!”

“Oh,” Snape said innocently. “You should state your intentions more clearly or they could be open to…” Snape squeezed Harry’s arse. “Misinterpretation.”

Harry gave a little purr, rubbing his body against Snape’s. He gave a light laugh as Snape closed his eyes, savouring the slight friction. “When we get back,” Harry said before giving Snape a languid kiss. “But now we’re going up to the infirmary.”

The first sound that greeted Harry as he stepped into the ever spotless infirmary and stopped was a howl of pain. He looked around startled to see Draco and Lucius standing and talking, as if nothing was out of place. He stepped in slowly, spying a curtained off section of the room. Lucius spied him and Snape first, turning to greet them.

“What’s-” Harry started.

“May I ask why you insist on injuring my knee?!” Sora demanded in a shrill voice.

“Her reflexes are being tested,” Draco said in a dry voice. “I think they finally got to her knee.”

“Finally?” Harry raised an eyebrow in surprise.

“Ow! Not so bloody hard!” Sora howled a few seconds later.

“You are not making this any easier!” Madame Pomfrey sounded extremely frustrated and angry.

Harry looked back at Snape who had an amused look on his face. “What?”

“You think she was having her teeth pulled out one by one.” Snape said, the corners of his mouth tugging upwards slightly.

“Ow!” Sora screeched again.

“Besides,” Madame Pomfrey said in a rather breathless voice. “That’s as hard as I can possibly hit your knee! And nothing! You obviously have no motor reflex for that joint.”

“What was your first bleedin’ indication?!” Sora snarled.

“Best to be sure!” Madame Pomfrey shot back in a heated tone.

“Best…to…be…sure?!” Sora spluttered in indignation. “If you had to be absolutely damned certain, I think I’d be dead on the floor by now!”

“She hates medical examinations,” Lucius commented in an offhand manner.

“You had better shut up out there!” Sora yelled. “I can hear every wretched thing you four say!”

They looked at one another, falling silent and trying to hide their grins of amusement.

“This examination is far from over you know, Mrs. De Vyns.” Madame Pomfrey snapped.

“Bite me!” Sora said vehemently.

“I’ll leave that for young Mr. Malfoy to see to,” Madame Pomfrey said crisply. Draco’s face went slightly red. “Now stand on that piece of metal right there.”

“Why?” Sora asked suspiciously.

“I need to take your weight.” Madame Pomfrey said simply.

There came a dangerous silence for a moment. “You don’t need to know my bloody weight!” Sora bristled.

“Fine. I’ll take your height.” Madame Pomfrey snapped. Nothing sounded for a few moments. “Erm hrm. Step on the metal please.”

“Make me!” Sora spat.

“Very well,” Madame Pomfrey’s voice was grim.

There came sounds of a scuffle before the sound of feet kicking against metal against was heard.

“I hope you rot!” Sora said angrily a few seconds later.

“I’m sure that’s more suitable for someone else, dear,” Madame Pomfrey said blithely. “Lift your arms please.” The sound of rough cloth shifting sounded in the room. “Thank you. If you don’t mind, I think I shall take a break for now. I’ll be back in five…no fifteen minutes. Your examination is far from done, so don’t you dare set foot outside this room.”

And with that, the curtain was snapped back and Madame Pomfrey stalked out with a thoroughly displeased expression on her face. The quartet wiped the grins from their faces quickly and parted immediately, not wishing to get in the mediwitch’s way. Then they hesitantly looked over at Sora who was sitting on an examination table in a paper gown glaring at the as if she wanted them to burst into flames.

“Er…going good so far?” Harry asked.

Sora’s gaze snapped to him, malevolent and ready to rip into someone. Harry could distinctly hear the others stepping back a bit. This was just great. He swallowed a bit of nervousness, rubbing the back of his neck.

“Well…ah…there’s something I wanted to ask you.”

Sora tilted her head slightly, eyes narrowing as she continued to stare at Harry. He looked back to find Lucius inspecting a curtain, Draco was fiddling with…something. And Snape was looking over the shelf of potions with great detail. Perfect.

“Well? What is it? I haven’t got all day!” Sora snapped. “That sadistic medi-witch will be coming back any moment now!”

“Tell me, how did you just throw me from the room like that if you can’t do wandless magic easily?” Harry said bluntly, crossing his arms.

“Quite easily,” Sora said with a sudden smile. “Just like I can do this.”

Harry suddenly felt himself being picked up by some invisible force and shaken like a rag doll. His words came out in spasms as his teeth clattered together. Suddenly he was deposited on the ground rather abruptly. He picked himself up, blinking rapidly in an attempt to stop the world from spinning around so fast.

“What the hell?!” He spluttered, trying to walk closer to Sora. Bad idea. Everything spun even more and he lost his footing.

“Careful.” Snape moved forward and caught Harry.

“Thanks Sev,” Harry said dryly as he continued to blink owlishly in an attempt to make everything slow down. “Are you explain this to me, or not?!” he demanded moving from side to side as he kept Sora in view.

“I do feel a bit better. So I think I shall answer your question,” Sora said huffily as she stretched a bit and rested her hands beside her. “What do you think it was?”

“Something that managed to scramble my brains for a bit rather effectively.” Harry snapped. Things were slowing down to crawl now. “And don’t answer with a question, please.”

Sora sighed and slipped down from the table, tucking a strand of hair behind her. “Vampires have certain abilities. It varies from vampire to vampire. Some can communicate with their minds; some can move things with just a thought; some can read minds, the list goes on.”

“Basically all those things that a single vampire can do from myth and legend?” Harry asked. “Muggle myth and legend.” He amended a second later.

“I guess so…I’m not familiar with Muggle myths and legends concerning this subject. But it does vary. When vampires band together, it is usually over a feud of some sort and it is certainly not something pretty. The last time something like that happened was-”

“Yes, I know; 1749 and the blood feud between the Lemures and Valériane clans.” Harry said impatiently. “Two hundred and forty eight years ago.”

Sora cleared her throat, a displeased look in her eyes. “Since you saved me that particular explanation, you’ve realized by now,” her voice took on a slightly patronizing tone. “That my mother has no active vampire traits. And as such, she is useless to Voldemort as an emissary-

“And she’s trying to use you to-”

“Listen,” Sora snapped. “You are going to stop interrupting and let me talk, got it?” Sora glared at Harry until he nodded his head in agreement. “I know I have explained it to you as simply as I could, and that you understand it. Shaking you around like that showed it more than necessary. But there is more to this than you know Harry,” Sora didn’t say anything for a moment. “Than any of you know.”

Harry could hear Lucius and Draco turn now, giving her their full attention. Sora sat back on the bed, sighing heavily. Draco came and sat beside her, while Lucius came and stood beside Harry and Snape.

“When I was fifteen, I did two very brainless things,” Sora said quietly. “One was breaking into Mother’s private study. The second was falling into her pensieve. At the time I had no remote idea what a pensieve was or what it looked like or what it was used for. Now, I never want to see one again. The things I saw in there,” she gave a visible shudder. “Lucius, did you ever wonder why I just showed up in your house like that.” That was more a statement than a question.

Lucius gave a wry frown. “It’s not everyday I find my friend’s child huddled in a corner of my living room with fear in her eyes.”

“Well now you know,” Sora murmured. “I couldn’t stay under the same roof with…Mother. After seeing all those twisted, depraved…perverted things she inflicted on others, she was the last person on Earth I ever wanted to see. I was liable to curse her into nothingness.”

Harry glanced at Lucius and Snape to see pained looks on their faces. They obviously knew all too well what Sora was talking about, and what she had unfortunately seen.

“My mother has come to Hogwarts three times in her life.” Sora stated quietly.

“Three?” Snape sounded puzzled. “She came here once when Ken and Dai were studying here and then when you came here.”

“No,” Sora said, shaking her head. “There was Christmas Break of ‘77; the one where almost everybody went home. From what I saw in the pensieve, only twenty or so students stayed. Two wretched stupid weeks…”

No one said anything, waiting until Sora found it in herself to speak again.

“Mother came to spend the holidays with someone. That was when she met Father. As well as Narcissca and Bellatrix. Three days…that was all those two needed to convince Mother to join Voldemort.” Sora fell into silence for a moment. “And Mother told Voldemort that she could go and bring the vampires to him, once she had awoken her own dormant traits.”

“Why do I get the feeling that this is where everything goes horribly wrong?” Draco muttered darkly.

Sora didn’t say anything for a moment. “Satoru Miyamoto was his name. They were friends…I guess; it seemed that Mother pretended to be his friend or something like that. He’s the one who asked if Mother could come and visit him here. And he’s the one she killed when he interrupted and botched the ceremony. Instead of awakening her traits, it sealed them off permanently. She flew into a rage and killed him. Then she hid his body and partially cut out his tongue.”

“Silence, even unto death,” Snape murmured grimly. “No wonder Satoru doesn’t speak properly now.”

Harry gave him a whack accompanied with a glare before looking back at Sora.

“You know him?” Sora asked.

“He’s the only other ghost student here besides Myrtle. But he goes out of his way to avoid most people.” Snape said.

Sora nodded her head, sighing deeply. “But Mother never did finish cutting out his tongue because something spooked her and she took off.” She didn’t say anything after that, bending her head and staring intently at her knees.

When the infirmary door opened again, they all look surprised to see Madame Pomfrey standing there, a puzzled expression on her face.

“May I ask what is going on?” Madame Pomfrey asked.

“They were trying to say this torture you’re putting me through is necessary and I was just giving them a piece of my mind about that!” Sora snapped, raising her head. “What hell are you going to put me through now?”

“I certainly glad I don’t have you as a permanent patient,” Madame Pomfrey said with a glower as she walked up to the examination bed. “Now, the rest of you out; this will go much faster if she’s not yelling at you.”

“That just means I yell at you twice as much.” Sora pointed with a rather gleeful malicious tone.

“You, hush. The rest of you, out.” Madame Pomfrey ordered.

Harry looked at the other three before he started making his way for the door; he certainly wasn’t inclined to disagree with Madame Pomfrey now.

“Draco.” Sora called.

“Yes?” Draco turned to look at her in the doorway.

“For dragging me up here, you can sleep alone for a week.” Sora said.

And that, the curtain jerked out of Madame Pomfrey’s hand and screened off the area once more. Harry didn’t say anything, simply coughing politely to cover up the laugh that threatened to escape. Hearing the same sound, he glanced around to find Lucius and Snape doing the same thing. Draco glared at the three of them.

“Thanks,” he scowled as he slammed the infirmary door shut behind him and leaned against it, crossing his arms.

Lucius cleared his throat slightly and rested a hand on Draco’s shoulder. “If there is one thing you should know about women, they always have a way to make us suffer from something. Be glad you even know what it is.”

When Darkness Comes - Chapter Twenty Four || When Darkness Comes - Chapter Twenty Six