Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of it's characters they belong solely to J. an amazing writer. Truly brilliant. I only have the honor of playing with them for this story and hopefully others. Please read the real story of Harry Potter from J. 's amazing books. For they are truly worth every read. I have read them so many times I have lost count.

Summery Notes: Everything I write here is fiction and is not a part of the actual story of Harry Potter as written by J. , but it is a story I have quite enjoyed writing. This is part of my what ifs series. Hopefully there will be many more works to come from this train of thought.

I have completely changed the timeline and how the events of the books take place. I have also made the characters my own so they will be slightly OOC I am sorry for that. Unfortunately unless it is J. writing the stories herself every rendition of her characters will be tainted by the author's take on the characters.

The story will be AU.

Summery Ideas: This will be the first story and takes place just before Philosophers Stone. I am taking the idea of the philosophers stone but in a slightly different light and changing how the events will come to pass and how the dark lord rises. In this series the Dark Lord survived though severely weakened after that fateful night in which his curse failed to kill Harry Potter and he seeks the Philosophers stone which was hidden away from the world by Nicholas Flamel and Albus Dumbledore.

Warnings: This story could contain mentions of abuse (child and adult), Contains mentions and descriptions of injury and illness. Rated T.

Authors Note: I welcome reviews, if you wish to take the time to review my work please do not flame it but give me constructive criticism is more then welcome. I am also going to be looking for a beta as I do not currently have one. All further notes will be placed as footnotes, these shall be the only notes at the beginning of my story as I do not wish to disrupt the flow of the story. If discussion on any point of the story is desired further please send me a PM.

CHAPTER ONE: A Broken Night

Black obsidian eyes blinked slowly open. Pain shot through his head until he thought he would black out again from it. His mind felt clouded and fuzzy. The pain something he'd never known before. Or had he? He couldn't figure it out right now. He raised his hand which seemed to take far too much effort and gently pressed it to his forehead feeling something wet and sticky beneath his long slender digits. Curious he pulled his hand away to gaze up at the red that slicked his fingers. Well that explained the dizziness and fuzziness. He must have hit his head during the explosion and he must have hit it very hard because he knew these symptoms well. He was suffering from a concussion. Suddenly memories began to swim back up from the cloud of darkness that swam in his mind.

Albus leaned forwards, "trust me Severus," the words in his gentle tone made the other man look up from where he was sitting his head resting in his hands.

"I do," came the soft reply so unlike the icy cold exterior that hardly ever wavered. That voice wavered.

"Then you need to retrieve the stone and complete the mission," came Albus's response. Severus gave a sharp nod and looked back down into his hands.

"It's suicide," a spark of anger tinged his words. Severus felt the anger rise. Had he not been doing enough already? Had he not suffered enough? Why must he always be the one to pay the cost of this war? Why couldn't he ever be allowed a moment of rest? He knew why. He felt it in his chest burn and war with the grief inside his mind. Grief that never let him rest.

The memory swam away from him leaving him feeling hollow and scared a feeling he did not enjoy. He wanted the comfort of anger that he understood, but he could not make his sluggish mind latch onto the anger that usually burned strong in his chest, always so close to the surface, easy to call. All he felt in that moment was fear and crippling agony far worse then the Cruciatus curse. The pounding in his head was increasing with the rhythm of his racing heart. His breathing was laboured and each breath burned in his chest as he tried to draw in enough air. He needed to breath shallower he had bruised ribs if they were not broken already. He was familiar with this pain. So so familiar. How he wished it were not so. He tried to swallow, there was too much saliva, but he knew why that was. His stomach was lurching uncomfortably and he felt ill. That was another sign of a concussion he knew, but with his ribs being bruised being physically ill would make it ten times worse. Oh he did not look forward to that. He swallowed convulsively trying to fight what he knew was inevitable.

His left fist tightened and he felt the bite of something solid against his palm even as he pressed his right hand harder against his aching head. Trying to push the pain away and let thought through. He raised his left hand, his black sleeve falling away to reveal his arm and the Dark Mark along with many scratches and abrasions from the falling rocks. He blinked his eyes open when he realized the darkness was not caused by his location, but instead because his eyes had closed again. He was so dangerously close to blacking out.

There clutched in his hand was a blood red stone. He had done it. He let his arm fall back to his side trying with clumsy fingers to find his inner robe pockets. Were all the precious potions he usually carried about his person were. His fingers trailing over soft slightly rough material seeking. Seeking.

"Severus?" Came a silky voice he knew all too well. A voice that had evidently been calling his name more then once from the tone of fear and worry that tinged the cold words. He knew every nuance of that voice. Most would not hear the emotions beneath the cold and silky tones that had been cultivated over years of training. He did. For he knew this man as his brother.

"..." he tried to speak, but Severus soon realized that only coughs would follow the activity. The sound seemed to draw the man towards him as sharp footsteps with a slight limp could be heard. Such a very slight alteration on the left step that he knew it instantly. "Luc," he barely managed to whisper. His weak voice catching on the last letter and dissolving into harsh coughs that nearly made him loose the battle with his stomach. Pain far more intense slashed through his chest and head as the coughs were torn from his body until blackness swam in his vision threatening to make him fall.

"...rus open yours eyes!" Lucius's words were louder then they needed to be, louder then they should be, Severus couldn't figure out what the rest of what Lucius had said was as his ears had bussed and it had taken him a while to focus on what had sounded like a voice. He'd barely managed it and realized once more that his eyes were closed. The darkness was not unconsciousness but his own eyes being closed. He forced them open. Watched as the shapes spun and swirled and slowly resolved into the worried face of his blond haired friend.

For a long moment Lucius and Severus looked into each other's eyes. Neither knowing exactly what to say. One trying to analyze how badly the other was injured and the other trying to cling to consciousness with barely any energy left to do so.

"Sev, how badly are you hurt," Lucius called out lowering his voice as he noticed the flinch from the wounded man.

"Bad," came the too soft reply. No coughing this time he was grateful for that. His breathing was laboured and harsh and it was far too painful he would need to focus on that. He let his eyes closed he needed to concentrate. He couldn't hear what Lucius said as he worked to calm his breathing so he could again breath without so much pain.

For several moments he did not know what was going on around him until he felt the shift of air and the soft touch of fabric against exposed skin slowly followed by light manicured fingers running over his skin. Seeking the injuries that caused him to bleed so profusely.

"Sev?" Came the call again. His breathing was better, but Lucius's words were enough to distract him from his exercise in focus. He forced his eyes to open again even though the bright light from Lucius's lit wand made his eyes burn and his stomach churn harder. He could taste bile now. How he hated that taste. Swallowing convulsively to keep from being sick he let his eyelids close.

"Sev!" Lucius demanded harsher then was needed. Severus flinched, "you need to stay awake Sev," he said softly. His voice going to a bare whisper. "Focus on my voice," the next words spoken as the man gently took his empty left hand. Empty, were was the stone. Had he lost it, panic rose, until he remembered. He had slipped it in his robe pocket. Safe. It was safe.

A pause before the next words left Lucius's lips, "where you successful?" A slow movement of the head in a positive was all Severus could do. It was not even a complete nod and the action left him feeling even more ill if that were possible. He was swiftly loosing this battle. "He will be pleased, we must leave to him now, can you stand?" A slow and deliberate shake. There was no way Severus was moving on his own. He did not even know the full extent of the damage his body had sustained. "Alright, I will help you. In either case we must get you before him. I will have to take us both to him. Sev you must hold on, please. You cannot let go, do you understand me," Lucius demanded. The last needing assurance. He could hear the fear in his friends voice and he desired to let him know he wouldn't let himself go. He nodded slowly. So slowly. He felt the relief more then heard the soft words. He didn't know what Lucius had actually said, if anything, but it had been enough to reassure the elder man that Severus was going to be ok.

This was the fourth trie for the stone. Was this one the real one? Severus was found to wonder, letting his mind wonder as he knew that the moment he was moved he would either black out or be ill. He just wasn't sure which. Head wounds were tricky he knew. He had had enough experience with Healers to know that. He had after all had to learn how to heal himself from an early age.

Strong arms found their way around him and slowly moved him so he was sitting. Severus leaned his head into the shoulder that was next to him as the arms snaked firmly around him. He couldn't hold his head upright on his own. It ached too much and the dizziness that rose was far worse then the nausea that threatened to win out. He let himself lean heavily against the other male as consciousness threatened to leave him. As if Lucius sensed his dilemma he simply held Severus for several long moments before shifting his weight into an easier position to get the man on his feet. Fluid motion that was only slightly harder then it should be had both men standing and Lucius holding him firmly bent slightly forwards. Severus took a few moment to realize why he was leaning forwards. Even as the bile left his throat and splattered onto the stone beneath he did not realize he was throwing up until it was almost over. Gasping for breath as the next wave rose and left him shaking. He was violently ill for a few moments more before finally it ended. He leaned back and Lucius took his weight easily supporting the man. Severus let his head rest against Lucius's shoulder his eyes firmly closed so he would not see anything.

Lucius flicked his wand summoning Severus's wand from the floor and tucking the hawthorn wand into his robes. He gazes again at the form of his friend. Still the panic lingers in his heart as he looks on the blood stained too pale face. He is so shocked and terrified that he has seen so much weakness in Severus's actions and responses. Or lack there of. He knows deep down that Severus is badly injured to no longer hold the cold and distant exterior he always has. In that moment the promise he made his heartbroken friend that night nearly eleven years ago rings in his ears. 'I will always watch over you Sev, I swear it. I will never let anyone hurt you again.' How often those words haunted him now. How easily it would be to shatter what little strength remains. Lucius has always wondered how Severus could bear so much on his shoulders and not cave under the weight. That was the truest courage he had ever known and he would protect his friend. As he had done so often. For Severus he would defy the Dark Lord. Somehow that thought didn't even disturb him as he thought it would. He had started to see the man who had promised them power and supremacy, but had only delivered fear and death. No his own loyalty had begun to waver that night when he had found Severus crumpled on the ground with the body of his one true love held tightly in his hand screaming out his grief and pain. Lost and utterly alone. The one thing Severus had begged from the Dark Lord in all those years, the only thing he had ever asked, the Dark Lord had promised, and yet he had betrayed that promise. Lucius was sickened by these thoughts as he knew his own wife and child could be next. Fear sank it's teeth deep in his heart. Could he protect them? What would he do to protect them. He looked at Severus and remembered the number of times he had taken Lucius's failures on his shoulders to spare Lucius the Dark Lord's anger. How often he had stepped forward to bear the burden alone to protect Lucius and his family. His decision made he took firmer hold of his friend and slowly began the agonizing trek from the ruined cave.

How beautiful it had been when they entered. Marble columns reaching into the darkness of the ceiling. Spiralling blue lights from crystals lighting every plane with sharp lights and shadows. Carvings and a small pedestal at the end. Where Severus had been when it had all shattered like glass and rained stone down upon his friend. The only reason he had not been in there was because Severus had forbidden him from entering the cave. Always protecting everyone. How had he not seen his friend's endless sacrifices? How had no one noticed the bravery of the man before him. finally clear of the cave's entrance on the wide open plateau on the mountains edge where they had come to earlier that day. The sun kissing the tops of the trees that lay so far beneath their location. The rocky mountains making shadows around them. The beauty had struck Lucius deeply. So serene a place. He held Severus tighter and looked at the faint pale face eyes slightly open and looking up at him from where he held the man cradled to his side against his shoulder. The eyes so dark they were like endless black pits were unfocused and Lucius didn't know if he was actually aware of what was going on around him.

With a deep breath he apparated them to their destination feeling the slump of weight that indicated his friend had lost his balance somewhere during the quick trip. Lucius looked at the blood stained face quickly with worry, but saw only the closed eyes and deep furrow in the brow as he slumped almost bonelessly against him.

"Severus," he called in worry, needing to feel the other move. Needing the reassurance that Severus was still conscious. Slowly, too slowly, the eyes opened again. Obsidian orbs meeting his own. Lucius drew in a relieved breath and slowly began to guide his friend towards the meeting area. Using his cane to balance the weight against the pain in his left knee that threatened to buckle under their combined weight. He knew the extra weight of his too light friend was making his limp noticeable, but he did not care. As they walked he felt Severus take more and more of his weight on shaky legs. Though he kept his arm steady around the other's waist he was glad that Severus at least was starting to be able to hold his own weight for it would not do to show too much weakness to the Dark Lord even when so badly wounded. By the time they reached the gate that led up to the sprawling dead looking mansion that was once the Riddle home Severus was unsteadily walking on his own, Lucius kept close to his side to offer a steadying hand when the other wavered too much. He could see the drooping eyes and slightly bent posture. Thee hand cradling what must be a terribly aching head. No doubt his friend was still trying to stem the flow from the largest gash on his forehead. There were other smaller gashes through his hair. Over almost all his body as could be seen through the tares in his robes. The black hair was matted and clung to his face. So unlike the graceful Slytherin that Lucius knew so well.

In no time they were entering the 'throne' room, for once Lucius was glad that his spot in the Death Eater circle was next to Severus for he could keep a steadying hand on the other's elbow when he wavered on his feet. As they joined the circle the others went silent and all eyes moved as though drawn to the scent of blood that clung to Severus. Focusing on him. On the sight he made so wounded coming into the presence of their Lord.

"Ahhh Severus, you have returned to us," The hissing words escaped the creature that walked forwards more snake then man, more beast then human. It made Lucius's skin crawl and from the slight flinch he felt under his steadying hold he knew Severus felt the same. The dark obsidian eyes tried to focus on the man before them. "Step forward Severus," the Dark Lord hissed his voice dark with anger. Severus staggered forwards towards the Dark Lord knowing it was futile to argue. Knowing he could not afford to hesitate. His body trembled of it's own accord and Lucius watched with dread in his heart even as his face remained cold and impassive. This weakness was something Severus would hate were he more aware of his own predicament. He felt his own anger burn at his friends humiliation. As the Dark Lord indicated that Severus was to kneel before him. He watched as Severus slowly lowered himself painfully to the ground so he was kneeling before their master. His head unable to rise to meet the gaze that penetrated down with loathing evident on the creatures face.

"Have you succeeded or do you come back in shame?" The Dark Lord demanded cruelly. A shaking hand found it's way into the black robe pockets and slowly Severus withdrew it holding out a blood red stone on his palm. His arm and hand shook unsteadily as the Dark Lord bent slightly ad pulled the stone from his open hand. Shivering the hand fell down to his side. Severus could barely keep his eyes open. "Good," hissed the Dark Lord with evidently glee on his face as he cradled the stone. His cold blood red gaze turned to Lucius with a cruel smile on his face. The ghastly sight made his skin crawl and ice slide down his spine. "Take him from my sight," a short pause as if considering something particularly interesting before he continued, "deposit him where that muggle loving fool can find him. That shall be his reward for succeeding in retrieving the stone. Maybe that fool will take mercy on him and heal his wounds." There was evil laughter that followed the words and soon the others in the circle were laughing too. Lucius felt sick at those words. This was no way to reward success.

He covered his hesitation to join in the laughter with movement as he knelt by Severus's side and slowly drew him into his arms and pulled the other up turning he began the trek back out of the mansion.