CHAPTER 25
Disclaimer: All recognizable characters belong to JKR. All situations are mine. No $$$ is being made from this fanfic.
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Chapter 25 ~ Entering the Potter’s Field
Armed with her wand, a long wand of willow, another of ironwood and the Harmonics book, Hermione waited in the living room for the Potions Master to appear. Eli was doing a walk-through of the house, making sure he had secured everything properly. It was the first time he would be away from it in over eight years. The house elf felt a bit of separation anxiety already…not that anyone who knew Severus lived there would ever dream of entering.
Hermione had the equivalent of a large flock of rocs flying about in her belly and not just because of the situation with Harry, but because she would be seeing the Potions Master again. It had only been less than a week since she had laid eyes, and more than eyes on the snarky wizard, but she still felt excited they would be together over this weekend. She had no idea if the wizard would exercise restraint because they would be domiciled at Harry’s house, but she hoped not. She made sure to put on a fresh contraceptive patch after her shower just in case Harry’s restoration wasn’t the only ritual they’d be involved in.
At six o’clock sharp a crack of thunder sounded and Severus appeared in the living room, tall, pale and dour as ever. The wizard’s black eyes washed over Hermione. She was dressed like a muggle, in a brown print skirt and white blouse. Her hair was in a bun and she wore sensible brown shoes.
“You look like a school marm,” Severus said by way of greeting…but already he was thinking about hiking that skirt up around the witch’s waist.
“Hello to you too,” Hermione replied, fighting her impulse to kiss the wizard. She didn’t think he’d appreciate such a familiar greeting, despite the fact he rode her like a hippogriff. She didn’t want to press him.
Severus had his violin case with him.
“Do you have everything you need?” he asked the witch.
Hermione nodded.
“I’m just waiting for Eli. He’s doing a final check on the house,” she answered.
Severus snorted.
“This house is always well-protected. If anyone tried to get in here, there would be nothing left of them,” the wizard said with a growl. “If the repelling wards are tampered with, they become…shall we say…stronger.”
Hermione blanched as she imagined what horrors would befall the unfortunate person who attempted to enter Severus’ house uninvited. The Potions Master gave an ugly little smirk before bellowing for Eli.
“I is here, Master,” the elf said, running into the room.
“Good, let us go,” Severus replied, looking at Hermione imperiously.
The witch walked over and slipping her arm through his, feeling its lean musculature beneath his sleeve. She didn’t look at him as she offered her hand to Eli, who took it firmly in his claw.
“All right then, we’re off,” Hermione said.
The three disapparated.
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They reappeared in front of Harry’s home. Severus turned and surveyed the beach, his black eyes washing over the rolling surf. Sea birds wheeled in the sky issuing their haunting cries. He turned back and looked at the house. It was set up on short pilings to raise it above the tide should it come inland. A large porch with a banister ran the length of the front of it. Several wicker chairs, a wicker couch, a few potted plants and a hammock were arranged prettily on the porch. There was also a wooden rocking chair, flanked by two folding wooden chairs. The rocker contained Harry Potter, who was staring at them blankly. He was belted in.
Hermione walked up the three short steps that led to the porch, followed by Severus and Eli. Harry looked up at her.
“Hello Harry. It’s me, Hermione. I’ve come to visit and brought Professor Snape with me,” she said. She started to ask if he remembered Severus, but her voice caught.
She knew he didn’t.
Severus walked up to Harry.
“Hello Mr. Potter,” the pale wizard said, taking in the wizard’s blank expression. Although Harry was sitting down, Severus could see the young wizard was as tall as he was now, though thicker. Harry looked up at the pale wizard through his glasses.
Then he smiled and grasped the Professor’s hand. Severus didn’t pull away, but simply looked at the wizard’s trusting smile.
“He’s happy to see you,” Hermione said to Severus.
“Probably for the first time in his life,” Severus snorted, sitting down on the folding chair next to Harry, who still held on to his hand. He propped his violin case against the wall.
Hermione sat down on the other side, and Harry took her hand too, smiling at the witch, and then the wizard and then the witch again.
“Hello Master Potter,” Eli said, placing his hand on his chest and bowing to the great killer of the Dark Lord, “We hopes to help you come back.”
Harry didn’t have another hand for Eli, but laughed in delight at the elf for a moment, then fell silent, returning to looking at both Hermione and Severus, his head swiveling back and forth as if watching a tennis match.
“I is going to go inside and sees what service I can do,” Eli said to his Master who nodded.
The elf pulled open the screen door and disappeared into the house. A large wave broke on the shore and suddenly Harry looked out over the water, staring, still holding on to Severus and Hermione.
After several minutes of silence, Severus asked Hermione, “Is he always like this?”
Hermione nodded. “Yes. He stares out over the water as if he is looking for something. But he never lets go of my hand until it is time for me to leave. Then he cries.”
Severus studied Harry’s profile as he gazed at the rolling surf.
“So he does have rudimentary feelings of pleasure and sadness,” the wizard said thoughtfully.
“Yes. It’s almost as if he is autistic,” Hermione said.
“Autistic?” Severus repeated.
“Yes,” Hermione replied, “Autism is a complex developmental disability that usually appears during the first three years of life.” It’s the result of a neurological disorder that affects the normal functions of the brain, and as a result affects social development and communication skills.”
“I see,” Severus said as Harry suddenly squeezed his hand without acknowledging it.
“People with autism show difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions, and leisure activities, but it’s considered a spectrum disorder which means it affects each individual differently. Treatment is usually tailored to the individual.”
“Have you thought about possibly getting Harry treatments?” Severus asked.
Hermione shook her head.
“Harry’s condition has a magical basis. The normal muggle ways of treatment would have no effect on him. Part of his soul has been torn away. Muggles talk about the soul, but most don’t believe in it I think. I am sure the medical community doesn’t. And his soul is what has to be repaired,” she replied, running her fingers through Harry’s unruly black hair. He gave a faint smile.
Severus nodded as he looked at Harry, or the shell of who Harry used to be. His dark eyes drifted down to the wizard’s hand, which held on his own firmly. It was as if the young wizard was attempting to ground himself through touching another human being. He wondered if Harry felt any connection despite his seeming distraction.
The Potions Master found it rather unsettling to see the historically irritating Gryffindor wizard reduced to this blank shadow of what he used to be. It was hard to maintain his legendary dislike for the wizard like this. Severus would prefer him his old pompous, swollen-headed self. If all went as hoped, he would soon be the boy-he-loved-to-hate again.
Severus’ black eyes flicked over to Hermione, who was watching Harry with a sadness in her amber eyes. She loved this wizard, had loved him for years. But it was a familial love, a sibling-like love…nothing remotely sexual…Severus believed. Then again, there was no telling where this innocent love might have gone once Harry was free of the onus of Voldemort. They might have become more.
If Harry was restored…they still might.
Severus swallowed back the strong, unfamiliar jealousy that welled up inside him at this thought. For the slightest moment, he considered backing out…but he couldn’t do it. As much as he hated to admit it to himself, he wanted to make Hermione genuinely happy…and on a darker note, to make her owe him big, beyond his patronage.
The wizard had already been thinking about the dissolution of their arrangement, though most likely it was a few years away. Once he was no longer Hermione’s patron, he would lose the right to fuck her.
The wizard scowled.
Why was he even thinking about such things? He had her now…that was enough. Severus shifted in the chair and Hermione looked at him.
“I think now is as good a time as any to perform legilimency on Harry. It’s best to get it out of the way,” the pale wizard said. “Release his hand. I will maintain contact with him as it will deepen our connection.”
Hermione found she felt a bit apprehensive, though she didn’t know why. Severus was both an accomplished Legilimens and Occlumens. He knew what he was doing. She let go of Harry’s hand and watched as Severus half rose and moved his chair in front of Harry, blocking his view of the surf. Harry smiled at him as the Potions Master sat down in front of him, a soft, pleased smile.
Severus’ black eyes met his child-like green ones.
“Legilimens,” he breathed.
Hermione watched as the wizard fell still, immersed in the mind of her best friend.
She hoped there would be no unforeseen difficulties.
She wanted Harry back.
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Severus found himself inside of Harry’s head much as if he had entered a pensieve. This wasn’t unheard of when invoking the legilimency spell and usually occurred if the person who’s mind was being viewed was unusually receptive. Since Harry was disconnected from the world for the most part, there was no resistance and the Potions Master could enter fully.
This was the first time Severus had ever entered a mind and found it totally blank. There were usually images flickering all about, images that could be locked on to and the memories involving it read. Severus walked forward through the blank space, then stopped as he came to a wall that seemed as if it were made of black water. It shimmered and rippled.
Severus experimentally poked a finger into the wall, and concentric circles rippled outward. He pushed his finger deeper and felt space on the other side. Maybe Harry’s memories were on the other side of this strange wall. It might represent the part of his soul that was unbroken but separate. Severus walked forward, passing through the wall, feeling it ripple over him. On the other side was more black space.
Nothing.
Severus took another step forward then suddenly pitched forward, falling into space, tumbling over and over, his robes and hair streaming upward as he fell. All around him, he could see images now, but strange images that kept pace with him.
An old, bald wizard with age spots on his head. Prisoners manacled to walls. Then a black ball unfolding and forming a Dementor.
What was this?
Severus watched as what was apparently the history of the creatures flashed by him. Then suddenly he was sucked forward and wracked with pain as he flew threw the darkness, his arms and legs wheeling frantically as he was pulled toward the unknown. Try as he might the Potions Master couldn’t break the connection. He saw people whiz by him, beating on what appeared to be invisible walls, screaming at him for help.
His eyes widened as he saw Minerva, who was waving at him frantically!
“Go back! Go back Severus! You’re going to be taken! Go back!” the terrified witch screamed at him, banging on the nothingness as he flew past.
Taken? Oh good gods! Thank you, Hermione.
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Severus was staring at Harry, Hermione looking on when suddenly the wizard fell back into the wooden chair, all his limbs stretching out and his eyes rolling up into his head. He began to shudder violently.
Hermione screamed and leapt out of the chair, grabbing the wizard and shaking him, terrified, her heart pounding as spittle began to form on his lips.
“Severus! Severus, break the connection! “ she screamed, slapping the wizard in an effort to wake him.
“ELI!” the witch screamed at the top of her voice.
Eli, who had been arguing with Dobby about being given a chore to do, froze…then his green eyes widened in horror.
“Come!” he screamed at the other elves, streaking through the house at an amazing speed and running on to the porch. He took one look at Severus and launched himself on to him clutching him close. Dobby and the other elves were right behind him.
“Come help me!” Eli screamed at them, and the other elves also piled on Severus, clinging to him and each other as Hermione watched, tears of terror pouring down her face. Harry still looked out over the water serenely oblivious to what was happening.
The elves clung to Severus’ body tightly.
“I goes in,” Eli cried.
Suddenly the elf was flying through the darkness, streaking after his Master. He could feel him, and he could feel the evil that was pulling him away.
“You will not claim my Master,” the elf swore, “He is not yours.”
Eli streaked through the water veil and dove downward, passing the images of Damius and the Dementors without interest…he was here for a reason. Unlike Severus, he wasn’t falling…he was flying at almost supersonic speed, his ears flat against his head from the wind. Suddenly he flew right into a dark tunnel and saw a number of trapped souls.
“That way! That way!” Minerva called as the elf streaked by, “Hurry!”
Eli could see the billowing tangle of robes that was Severus flying before him and increased his speed until he was close enough to grab the wizard’s ankle, stopping him from going any further.
“I has you Master. You is safe now!” the elf yelled over the terrible wind whipping past him.
Severus looked down and saw Eli. He sighed with relief.
“Get me out of here, Eli,” he called to him.
“Yes, Master,” the elf said.
Slowly Eli began to drag Severus back up the tunnel.
They passed Minerva.
“Tell Albus that they are frightened, Severus! And tell him I’ve heard every word he’s said to me these past years and that he is right, the Ministry Councils are idiots and he will have to take their destruction into his own hands!” she yelled at him, her hands cupped around her mouth. A terrible hissing rang out all around them.
“Shut up you blasted shadow!” Minerva shouted at the noise. She looked back at Severus.
“And tell him I love him and I always will!” she cried to the pale wizard.
Severus looked at Minerva astonished. He didn’t believe she was a figment of his imagination. She looked too real. Severus realized that he was seeing Minerva McGonagall’s trapped soul and that the witch was very much alive, though separated from her body.
“I will tell him, Minerva!” he yelled back at the witch as Eli began to drag him upwards.
Now Severus was able to see the images clearly. He was rather shocked to see Albus and Bara standing on the edge of a jungle, looking at a ruined temple. Then he saw Dementors exiting out of the back of the temple into the deep jungle.
This had to be recent. Bara had just arrived at Hogwarts. How would Harry know this? Well, he didn’t know…he retained it.
Then Severus realized that Harry was connected to the Dementors. He had been partially absorbed into one before it was destroyed. He saw how they bred and wondered did they each retain the experiences of others since in essence they were all reproductions of the original?
And if Minerva was alive…and the wizard had no doubt that she was, could she be retrieved? Up to this point everyone believed the Dementors fed on souls like food and the souls were lost forever. But now he realized that the souls were kept intact and whole, most likely to keep the creatures alive. They were using the souls, not destroying them.
Eli brought Severus back through the veil of dark water and set him down.
“You can gets out now, Master,” the elf said, bowing.
Severus looked at him.
“How did you do this Eli?” Severus asked him.
“I is bound to you, Master…bound to your very soul,” the elf replied smiling. “Nothing can hides you from me. I will always finds you. I go now.”
Eli winked out. Severus quickly broke the connection…and woke up to find himself covered in house elves.
“What is this?” he bellowed, flailing his arms, kicking his legs and scattering the chittering creatures Harry’s house elves all scampered back inside the house, with the exception of Eli who knew to climb off his Master the moment he returned. He didn’t warn the others however, and grinned as they fled. It wasn’t very nice of him, but Eli had his own snarky little ways.
Suddenly, the Potions Master found himself smothered in kisses and softness and witch.
“Oh Severus, you’re all right!” Hermione cried, kissing him all over his big hooked nose and clinging to him like a house elf.
“Yes…yes,” he replied, struggling, his voice muffled because Hermione was all over his mouth and face. “And I didn’t survive just to be suffocated by your kisses. Get off me witch!”
Hermione got in another kiss or two on his eyelids, then released him, happiness and relief in her amber eyes as the wizard shrugged his shoulders and fixed his robes.
“What happened?” she asked him, lowering herself back into her seat and sitting on the edge of it. “You started seizuring terribly. Eli and the other house elves came to your aid. It looked as if…as if you were dying.”
Hermione face went very pale as she said this, fear returning to her eyes. Severus looked at her and realized the witch had honestly been scared to death for him.
“I’m fine,” he said, “but it seems Harry is connected to the Dementors…”
Severus paused.
“And I saw Minerva McGonagall. She’s alive, Hermione. Alive and trapped inside one of the Dementors.”
Hermione looked at him incredulously.
“Minerva? But Severus, that just can’t be. She was kissed years ago. She would have been digested by now. It must have been a hallucination,” the witch said.
“No, it was no hallucination, witch. It was Minerva, and she gave me a message to give to Albus. The souls Dementors take aren’t destroyed, Hermione. They are used to keep the creatures alive. Every stricken victim is a prisoner and still alive,” the wizard said, his voice low.
Hermione stared at him.
“If they are still alive, Severus…then that means there must be a way they can be retrieved,” she said in an awed whisper. Her eyes began to shift back and forth rapidly. Severus knew that look. She was thinking about how the trapped souls could be saved.
Hermione began to chatter, vocalizing her thoughts as she considered the problem and the possible solutions.
“When a Dementor dies, no one ever wakes up. I bet they die shortly afterwards. No one could have made the connection because no one knew Dementors kept their victim’s souls. When a Dementor dies, the soul dies too, then the body follows” she breathed, looking at Severus, her eyes aglow. “Inversely, I imagine when a body dies, then the soul inside the Dementor dissolves as well, and it has to seek a new one. Severus…this is HUGE! I’ve got to go get Damius’ journal!”
The witch rose, ready to disapparate when Severus grabbed her with one pale hand.
“One miracle at a time, witch. We are here for Harry right now. The trapped souls will still be there,” he said to the witch silkily. Gods, she was brilliant. Despite his brush with death, Severus felt a pulse of desire. He would like to fuck Hermione right now. But it was too early.
Hermione sat down sheepishly as she realized she was about to abandon her friend in a mad dash for knowledge.
“You’re right, Severus. I just got excited. Damius tells all the ingredients of the potion he created to make the original Dementor…there’s agistani flower, tandiem root, basilisk heart and blood, kneedock blossom…some others. I’m sure with the right ingredients, the potion can be changed to one that will destroy them while keeping the souls intact long enough to return to their original bodies.”
Severus stared at Hermione, a stricken look on his face. He had stopped listening after Hermione said “Basilisk heart.” She needed a basilisk’s heart?
Oh no. No. Shit.
The wizard pinched his nose. The very gods themselves were against him.
Still staring out over the water, Harry laughed.
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A/N: A very exciting chapter to write 🙂 I hope it was exciting to read. I just have to say, Severus is so freaking ungrateful…flinging the house elves off him like he did. lol. But it was a close call. Please review.