A/N: This is just a plot I thought up while taking a shower one morning and it's been bouncing around my head for almost two months now. So, I'm gonna write it down. Oh- those of you who really think Fred and George, or Hermione's parents are cool shouldn't read this. They're bad guys but have a reason for it. Also, I own none of the characters in the Harry Potter world, but I do own what I have written I got the idea for this from reading all those Severus Snape equals Harry Potter's father, but I am following no challenges. Do not read this if you don't like an evil Dumbledore, abused, powerful Evil Harry, Lily/Severus pairing, and abused, powerful, evil Ron and abused, powerful, evil Hermione. Also, all though I am trying not to give away the plotline, it will contain an eventual Harry/Hermione/Draco pairing, and an eventual (female) Blaise/Ron/OC pairing (well, threesomes, more like it. Threesomes...... yay... :)) OH, and THIS IS COMPLETE. There may be a sequel or two, and it is HELLA long to type all at once!!!!!
Also, I have separated the story into twenty page segments, hopefully there will be four to five of them. They ARE NOT chapter breaks, merely breaks to negate any problems with uploading. THEY ARE ALL THERE, or will be all there when I finish. Don't read this as chapters. IF you must stop reading, do it at a time break or something!
That being said, read and enjoy!
A crisp Autumn day, 1997- Harry's sixth year
Draco walked alone, having ditched his goons somewhere around the Great Hall. Presumably they were currently stuffing their faces- their favorite pastime. He made his way out the Entrance Hall and onto the grounds, enjoying what could very well be the last warm day before the winter snows dumped on them. He calmly strode, the Slytherin Prince, over to the lake to sit at his favorite spot under an ancient weeping willow right on the lakefront.
I take my Mark at the beginning of Winter Holiday, he thought ruefully. I heard it's incredibly painful. He stared at his unblemished forearm thoughtfully, imagining the rather unattractive burn that would be etched there in just a few months. I don't know if this is what I really want, but Dumbledore's just as bad, if not worse. I wish I could talk to Uncle Sev about this, but no one must know. His feet led him to his spot and he sat down gracefully against the smooth trunk, when...
"What the- Potter?? What are you doing here?" he snapped, unwittingly sitting next to his rival and archenemy.
Harry shrugged, a goofy expression on his face. "Make yourself at home, Malfoy. Pull up a bit of grass." He went back to slowly inhaling on an odd smelling cigarette.
Draco leaned forward, sniffing. "Potter, is that- WEED???" he yelped, staring at Harry as if he had grown an extra head.
"Yup, finest Wizarding Weed in the British Isles. Want some?" Harry asked dreamily, floating about three inches off the ground.
"Erm, no, that's all right," Draco answered, confused. Why is the Savior of the Wizarding World getting stoned off his ass? "I guess I can really call you Pothead and it'll be the truth."
"Yup, oh well. Suit yourself. This is really good shit." Harry went back to toking up with a sad smile.
Draco stared at him for a minute, before sighing. "As your archrival at school and the person who found you, I guess it's my civic duty to ask you what's wrong. So, why are you using pot?"
Harry sniffed, a deep pain surfacing in his eyes. "Do you really want to know or are you just asking in the hope that I'll get mad and stomp off?" He turned to Draco, an unexpected hope lighting his eyes.
Draco stared at him, an unreadable expression on his face. The hope in Harry's eyes dimmed and died. He turned back around. "Figures. I guess I'll just get mad and stomp off, then. See ya around, Ferret." He made to stand up, bracing his hand against the tree trunk behind him.
What- oh well, might as well. Aunt Grace would have my head if she knew that I had the chance to talk to him and didn't. Besides, he needs someone to talk to- I DID NOT just think that!!!! "Wait, Potter. Sit down and talk. I promise, I won't tell Father about anything you say."
Harry sat back down with a thump. "Actually, I would prefer if you told him. Voldemort too." He fumbled in his pocket. "It's in here somewhere." He pulled out an envelope with the name 'Voldemort' written on the back. "Give this to him, would you? I know you're going to see him at Winter Holidays and all."
Draco took the envelope incredulously. "What the- Why are you sending Voldemort mail????"
"It isn't mail, you dork," Harry slurred slightly, floating about a foot off the ground and turning in circles in midair. "It's a map. I drew it myself," he claimed proudly.
Draco opened it and stared at it. "What's at Number Four, Privet Drive?" he asked curiously. And how are you floating???
"Duh, that's where I live! Tell him he has an invitation to come once school ends. Oh, and before he kills me, I want to watch him torture and kill the assholes I live with. After that, he can kill me all he wants. Just no torture. Probably, by the time he gets there it'll be redundant, anyway."
Draco started laughing, falling over and clutching his sides. "Oh- hahahahaha- shit! That's funny! He'll get a kick out of that. Ok, fine, I'll give him this. For a second you really had me going, I actually believed this was a map to your house! HAHAHAHAHA!"
Harry stared at him, all traces of the smiling, dreamy expression gone. "I'm serious, Malfoy. I want to die, and I want my family," he spat the last word as if it were obscene, "to die as well. There is nothing for me here but pain and I want it to END!" His fists clenched at his sides and a lone tear fell down his face. Taking a shuddering, gasping breath, he managed to compose himself. "So, if you would please give that to him, I would be very grateful." He stood up, dusting himself off. "Well, that ruined my high," he said soberly before walking off.
Draco stood up and ran after him and grabbed his arm, dragging him bodily in the direction of the Forbidden Forest. Once they were about thirty feet into the Forest, he let go of Harry's arm. "Now, you are going to talk and you are going to tell me why you feel like dying is your only option!"
Harry cocked an eyebrow. "Dying isn't my only option, it's the most favorable one," he stated simply.
Draco gaped at him. "Why? You have everything! You have fame and you're one of the best and most powerful people on the planet! You could have anything! Why are you throwing that away?"
"Can you give me my parents?" Harry asked looking him straight in the eye. "Can you give me Sirius back? Can you give me fifteen years where I wasn't beaten or starved or r- or treated like shit by people who were supposed to protect me?" he yelled angrily, tears falling down his face.
Draco just stared at him, his mouth hanging open. "I- I-"
"Don't you DARE tell me I have everything because I have NOTHING! I have no one! All I have are two friends who have lives as fucked up as mine and an entire world that depends on me! E- fucking - nough! I can't do this anymore. So, if you would please see to it that he gets the map, I would appreciate it. Besides, why do you care? You hate me. You want me dead. I'm giving myself to him on a silver platter. I thought you'd be jumping for joy, not questioning my motives."
Draco cocked an eyebrow, trying to regain a sense of decorum. Malfoys never gape, even when told something that completely flies in the face of everything you were taught to believe. Uncle Sev will be pissed, same as Aunt Grace. Oh, they will be furious to hear this. They thought Dumbledore would take care of his Savior, not abuse him. "I don't think you understand me, Potter. I may dislike you, but no one deserves to be treated horribly by the people that are supposed to be protecting them. That is awful and unheard of in the Wizarding world. Now, wait a minute- Weasel and Granger have it bad too???"
Harry shrugged. "No one can help me, since Dumbledore has such control over where I go, plus, I just want to end everything. Get them out of their homes, all right? Please? It's bad. Besides, Hermione isn't a Mudblood like everyone thinks. She's actually from a long line of Pureblood Squibs. I think the last time anyone in her family was magic was six or seven generations ago. Wait- she had a Great Grandmother on her Dad's side that was a pretty decent witch. But, yeah, her parents hate her and all. They yell at her and belittle her constantly, telling her they should have aborted her or abandoned her. Why do you think she always does well in school? She just wants them to care. I keep telling her it won't happen but she doesn't believe me. And Ron- well, let's just say the Twins aren't the best siblings to have. They can be really fucked up. I can't say any more on that because I promised never to tell what I saw and he'd just deny it, but I can't help them anymore, so please get them somewhere safe."
Harry stood up and walked off. Draco pulled him back. "What do you want, Malfoy? Why can't you let me go? It's what I want!"
Draco stared at him. "Potter, Why doesn't Dumbledore do anything? You're his Golden Boy!"
Harry snarled at him. "Don't EVER call me that again. I HATE that name. And Dumbledore doesn't do anything because he's behind all this. He could have saved Siri, he could have sent me somewhere else, he could have gotten me out of there. He knows- I sent him letters all summer and he came to my house once. I heard him tell my Aunt she was doing a good job, but not to hurt me too badly. He wanted me submissive when I got back here. I told Ron and Hermione that and they're researching how to get me out of there, but we've had no luck. I doubt you can do better."
Draco snarled, wracking his brain for an answer. No one deserves this and they will all be furious. "I can guarantee that Voldemort, once he hears of this, will be furious, and will get you out of there."
"Well, yeah, that's what I'm counting on," Harry responded.
"No, just hang on, all right? He'll get you out of there and keep you safe. I can almost guarantee it."
Harry stared at him incredulously. "What? He hates me and wants me dead! It's either die or completely break."
"If you want to die so badly, just kill yourself then."
"I can't. Dumbledore put this spell on me at the end of fifth year. It lets him know if I have any injuries and if they're self inflicted or not. The last time I tried," he bared his arms and showed Draco the ugly scars running up the insides. "He healed me and told my Uncle I needed to be punished more." He shuddered at the memory.
Draco's face tightened with anger. "I'll see what I can do. Oh, I'll need addresses for Weaseley and Granger."
"They're on the map. I included the addresses on the other side. Why are you helping us, Malfoy?"
Draco shrugged and walked off quietly telling him over his shoulder, "Because no one deserves to be treated this way. It's criminal."
Harry watched him walk off with a renewed hope in his eyes.
Two days after Winter Holiday ended
Harry walked glumly down the Hall from his Transfiguration class. It had been horrible. His right hand was still bothering him, as Dudley had crushed it over the summer and it had never set properly. He couldn't hold his wand right, and as a result, had accidentally transfigured his desk into a Hippogriff. That was AFTER Hermione had successfully turned hers into a footstool. He grimaced at the thought of the detention he had to serve that night, cleaning and replacing everything that damn animal had broken.
He absently ran into something and paused, looking up. "Oh, sorry," he muttered, before focusing. "Malfoy?"
Draco stared at him. "Really, Potter, a Hippogriff? What were you trying to pull?"
"Nothing," he muttered, rubbing his aching hand. "I lost my concentration."
Draco stared at his hand and gasped, grabbing his wrist and bringing it closer to his face. "Holy Diana! What the hell happened to your hand?"
"Need you ask?" Harry asked wryly. "Dudley."
"What's a Dudley?" Draco asked, confused.
"My whale bastard of a cousin." At Draco's even more confused look, he sighed. "He stepped on my hand, crushing it. It's fine."
"Merlin, Potter, your whole hand is out of alignment! How are you expected to hold a wand, much less cast spells?" Draco ran a finger over the gnarled and bumpy surface with a fascinated revulsion.
"They hate magic, so that was the point. I can't do spells right any more, the stupid fucks. Dumbledore reamed them for it, saying I need that hand if I'm ever going to defeat Voldemort. They weren't too happy." Harry tugged his hand away, a resigned look on his face. He turned and walked away slowly.
"Wait!" Draco called quietly. "I have this for you." He pulled out an envelope with the name 'Potter' on the back.
Harry absently took it and opened it, scanning the contents. He gave a short bark of humorless laughter. "This is priceless. The Prince of Evil telling me to just hang on and he'll get me out of there?" he looked straight at Draco. "Tell your Master that, while I appreciate the sentiments, I really just want to die. That's all. Ron and Hermione still have each other and a lot to live for. I've had nothing since the day my parents died."
Ron and Hermione walked up the Hall. "HARRY!" they yelled, looking for him. Harry sighed.
"That's my cue," he muttered. Ron ran over, glaring daggers at Draco.
"Hey Harry, why you talking to Ferret Boy over here?" he snapped.
"Don't call him that, Ron," Harry muttered tiredly, restraining Draco from physically attacking the redhead. "He's going to help us, all of us."
Ron gaped at him. "Harry- you - you told????"
"Ron, I can't even hold a fucking wand any more. What am I supposed to do? Dumbledore's gonna get me killed and I can't help you and 'Mione any more. I just can't." He walked off, leaving the three of them staring after him, worried.
"You do realize he sent a letter to the Dark Lord, telling him where his house was, do you?" Draco asked quietly.
Both of them stared at him, shocked. "Why - what- How did you know?" Hermione asked suspiciously.
"He gave it to me, to give to Him, which I did," Draco answered easily.
"What?" Ron snapped. "What is he- suicidal - oh hell, 'Mione, I thought we got him past that." Ron started to walk off, but stopped. "How much has he told you?" he asked, his face turning white.
"Only that both of you have less than ideal home lives and that you need help. He also said he couldn't help you any more because he wants, and plans to die." Draco admired his nails, buffing them on his robes. "I can tell you that I have talked to my parents and my Lord and the same offer given to Harry has been extended to you- protection if you so choose to take us up on it."
Hermione stared at him, troubled. "But- I'm Muggleborn. Why me?"
Draco smirked. "It seems Potter knows more about your heritage than you do. You're from Pureblood Squibs, not Muggles." Hermione stared at him, shocked.
"You can prove this?" she asked doubtfully.
"We did, over Winter Holidays." Draco yawned. "Look, I'm not saying that I like you or want to be friends. What I am saying is that I can - my family can protect you from your families and problems. If Harry takes me up on the offer, he'll never come back here again. Think about it. You could have the same deal." Draco walked off.
Hermione and Ron just watched as he disappeared down the Hall.
"Do you want to, 'Mione?" Ron asked, for the first time, looking hopeful.
Hermione stared at him. "I'll never have to go back again, and neither will you. What do you think? Why would I pass this up?" They walked on to their next class, thinking over the proposition.
The First week of Summer between Sixth and Seventh Year, 1998, Riddle Manor
"Yes, My Lord," came the drawling reply. Severus Snape stood before Voldemort proudly, his masked face displaying none of the anxiety he felt.
"My Death Eaters are dismissed, you may all go," came the thundering voice.
Severus nodded and strode from Riddle Mansion, sighing silently. I will have much to report to Dumbledore. I learned who three more of Voldemort's followers are, as well as the plans for several key attacks over the summer.
Back inside, masks and hoods were removed with a sigh. Voldemort stood up, looking significantly less skeletal, as well as sporting a full head of ebony shoulder length hair that was attractively streaked with silver at the temples, with a wry grin. "Now that the spy is gone, we can get down to business. Potter has given me a map to his house, as well as the addresses of his two friends. Young Master Malfoy here has informed me that the two of them are waiting for us to make our moves, as they do not trust us at all. Any suggestions?"
A voice spoke up from the corner. "Well, Father, maybe we should just go get them, the sooner the better." Heads turned to see a young woman with fiery red hair cascading to her hips step out of the throng, a younger, much less greasy and unattractive Severus Snape at her side. They cleared a path, allowing Voldemort's only child to walk forth with her husband, unhindered.
She turned her impossibly huge emerald green eyes up at Lord Voldemort. "I want my son back, Father. They took him from me at his birth and I want him back."
"Lily Grace, of course. We will go as soon as they have stopped watching the house."
The strangely attractive Severus spoke up, his voice a velvet purr. "Thank you, my Lord. I also wish that our son would return to us."
Voldemort grinned. "How many times must I ask you to call me Father?" Severus laughed.
"Very well, I'll open the mental link we share. Robes and Masks back on." A flurry of activity began, and within minutes everyone was in place and covered.
Number Four Privet Drive, same time
Harry Potter stood in front of the sweltering stovetop, stirring dinner for the Dursleys. Oh Merlin, I wish I could get out of here. When are they coming for me? he thought desperately, stirring the pot of stew as fast as his broken wrist and dislocated shoulder would allow. Already a week into the term and they had laid into him harder than they ever had. He gasped silently as a heavy hand slammed his already injured shoulder, driving him into the side of the cabinets. Dudley grinned at him nastily, and walked back to the table.
"BOY!!! Hurry it up! We're starving over here!" the shrill scream of Petunia echoed throughout the house, causing a window to crack upstairs.
"Coming, Aunt Petunia. It's almost done." At least, Harry prayed it was and wasn't burning. He awkwardly ladled the stew into a large tureen and carried it to the table, setting it in front of Vernon.
Vernon, once the tureen was on the table, backhanded Harry across the face, sending him flying. Oh Merlin, someone help me, he thought desperately, drifting in and out of consciousness.
Riddle Manor
Voldemort opened the link, feeling for Harry Potter's mind. "Something is wrong," he muttered, only able to feel his consciousness intermittently.
Lily Grace Snape and Severus Lucien Snape gasped. "Father?" she asked, biting her lip with worry.
Number Four Privet Drive
Harry crawled across the floor haphazardly. Behind him, he could hear a chair scrape across the floor. "Pet, no offense, but I'm not too hungry just yet," he heard through a fractured mind.
Oh no, someone, anyone, help me please, he thought, crawling faster. Help me, Voldemort, Merlin, I don't care just help me... don't let him hurt me.... For God's sake don't let him touch me... he moaned, only aware that the monster was right behind him and getting closer.
"BOY! Don't you run away from me!" came the bellow behind him, too close, much too close.
Riddle Manor
"Help me, Voldemort, Merlin, I don't care just help me... don't let him hurt me.... For God's sake, don't let him touch me..." Voldemort moaned, sliding to the floor in unconsciousness.
Lily gasped. "Oh shit. They're killing my son!" she screamed, snarling. "Death Eaters, MOVE!! GO, GO, GO, GO!!!!!!!" She shrieked. Everyone hastened to obey Voldemort's heir. "We're too late," she moaned, tears streaking down her face. "Please don't let us be too late."
Voldemort staggered upright, his face a terrifying mask of fury. "That BASTARD is TOUCHING my GRANDSON!!!!" he screamed, Apparating. Lily and Severus gaped and followed, seething with fury.
Number Four Privet Drive
Harry lay half in the cupboard, Vernon towering over him. "You FREAK!" he snarled.
Harry tried to roll over, scooting himself into the cupboard, trying to escape his Uncle. Vernon grabbed his belt loops, dragging him back out and pulling his pants down to his knees in the process.
"Vernon, I'm putting your plate in the oven. As soon as you are done punishing the freak, come eat," Petunia called from the kitchen. "The Damn Freak forgot to clean up his mess! Vernon, hit him a few times extra for me! I don't want any of his worthless freak blood staining my clothes again!"
Vernon grinned nastily. "Can do, Pet. Where you want the marks?"
"Umm, could you brand him again? Maybe on his face this time?" Petunia asked, staring down at him from over her husband's shoulder. Vernon nodded and she walked away.
"You're gonna get it, Freak. Your Headmaster approved us torturing you. He said nothing was barred, so long as we break you. And I know how to break you, freak. How about an early birthday present?" he asked, ripping Harry's boxers from his emaciated frame. Harry screamed a raw, primal sound and he arched around, clawing at Vernon's eyes.
"NO NO NO NO NO NO NO!" Harry screamed, his eyes going blank and glowing. "YOU CAN'T TOUCH ME!!!!!"
Vernon slammed his head against the wall. "I can do whatever I want, Freak. You don't get it. I have the power, not you." He roughly grabbed Harry by the testicles, dragging the boy up and flinging him, face forward against the wall. Harry flinched and tried to get away, but Dudley walked up to the left of Vernon, blocking his escape.
"Dad, you need any help?" he asked, slamming a meaty fist onto the palm of his other hand.
Vernon grunted and grinned. "Now, Dudley, pay close attention. This is how you break a freak." Dudley grinned.
Right outside Number Four Privet Drive
Lily stared at the wards surrounding the house of her adopted sister, concentrating. Suddenly, the entire house glowed briefly, then went out, sending the street into darkness. "Right, MOVE!" she snapped. Voldemort, Severus, and Lucius Malfoy went in first, with enough force that the door exploded, sending shards and splinters of wood everywhere.
Petunia screamed, a long, thin wail, and sprinted upstairs, leaving an equally petrified Vernon and Dudley to fend for themselves. Vernon dropped Harry at Voldemort's feet. "Here! You want him dead, right? Well take him!" he screamed, hysterical.
Voldemort leveled his wand at the Muggle, his eyes glowing scarlet with fury. Vernon backed up, panting. Lily strode around Voldemort, grinning evilly. "Hello, Vernon," she purred.
Vernon stared at her. "No- you you're dead. The freak's Headmaster assured us you were dead!" he whispered, his eyes bulging out of their sockets. "You're dead. You have to be dead. He promised you were dead."
"I am quite alive, and am incredibly pissed off. Did you think you would get away with hurting my son?" she asked in a level tone of voice, squatting down to stroke Harry's bruised and bloody face.
Vernon wheezed and promptly passed out. Lily and Voldemort stared at him with disgust.
"Father, can I bring home a new toy to play with?" Lily asked with an evil giggle.
Voldemort stared at his daughter with pride and a little fear. "Of course, Lily Grace. You may bring home all the toys you like." You are entirely too sadistic for your own good, you know.
I only learned from the best."Goody! I want three," she said with a smirk. "All three of them and I want them screaming for a long, long time."
Voldemort nodded and muttered an incantation. Instantly, Vernon was shrunk in size and placed in a small bag. Lily knelt down by Harry's side. "My poor little boy," she murmured, scooping him into her arms. "Let's get you home before Dumblefuck gets here." She walked out the door with her son in her arms. Severus joined them and they Apparated straight back to Riddle Manor.
Voldemort strode through the house. Find my Grandson's things and do NOT kill the Muggles I repeat, do NOT kill them. Shrink them and bring them to me! he ordered telepathically. Two Death Eaters, Lucius Malfoy and another, strode over to him calmly, and handed over the two miniature Muggles. Voldemort nodded and put them in the bag as well.
"My Lord, should we send up the Mark and leave?" Lucius asked quietly.
"Yes. Dumbledore will know we were here anyway and-" several pops could be heard outside. "That's our cue. Let's go. Anyone slacking will be caught. Move, everyone!" Voldemort barked. Lucius sent up the Mark and everyone Apparated instantly.
The windows blew in as dozens of Aurors stormed the property, Albus Dumbledore in the lead. "We just missed them, sir," Kingsley intoned gravely.
Remus Lupin ran up to them, breathless. "Harry's stuff is gone, including his wand, and I can't find Hedwig anywhere. Her cage has been smashed to bits. The Muggle relatives aren't here either."
Dumbledore, for the first time in the recorded history of man, swore vehemently. Remus stared at him, shocked, before Apparating away. He knew exactly where Harry was and only hoped that they hadn't been too late.
Four days later
Harry slowly awoke, his head throbbing. "What the- where am I?" he muttered aloud. The last thing he could remember was Vernon trying to r- I can't even think it, how pathetic is that? hurt him, and then darkness. He slowly opened his eyes millimeter by millimeter, trying to adjust to the light surrounding him. He could hear muted voices moving around him. Am I in the hospital wing? he wondered groggily
"Shh, he's waking up," a pleasant female voice murmured above him.
"Where- where am I?" Harry croaked, opening his eyes no more than a fraction. He could see the vague outline of a lady with long, red hair above him.
"Hush, little one. You are safe and we came for you." He stared, mesmerized by her vivid emerald eyes. Hey, she has eyes like mine, he thought before sleep reclaimed him.
Two days later
Harry slowly opened his eyes, expecting to wake up in the cupboard again. He stared around in shock as he took in his new surroundings. He was laying on an enormous bed under a down comforter in shades of green and black. He cautiously lifted his head, wincing at the pain from the movement and slowly, muscles screaming in protest, sat up, gaping. He was in the most lavishly decorated bedroom he had seen in his entire life. On the wall opposite from the bed, a floor to ceiling portrait of Salazar Slytherin and Godric Gryffindor whispered back and forth, eyeing him intently.
His gaze whipped to the door as it opened and a blinding pain shot through his head. "Ohhhh..." he whimpered, falling over.
Lord Voldemort swept into the room. "Well, well, I take it you're awake?" he asked wryly, walking over to the bed.
Harry clenched the bed sheets in one hand and his forehead in the other. Blood seeped from between his fingers and trickled down his face. "Lord Voldemort," he acknowledged, gritting his teeth.
Voldemort sat down on the blanket, eying his forehead suspiciously. "What the hell- why are you bleeding??" he snapped.
"It's what happens when I'm around you. Why the hell am I here? And, more importantly, why are you sitting in front of me, and I'm not dead??" Harry snapped in return.
Voldemort raised an arched eyebrow. "And would you prefer to be dead? I can arrange that."
Harry glared at him, only half conscious from the pain. "That's why I sent you the map, damn it. I wanted you to kill everyone, not get me out of there." He lay back on the pillows, slowly adjusting to the agony spiking through his head. "I didn't expect you to rescue me. You've tried to kill me for the last six years. Why didn't you?"
"Why are you asking that? We saved your life! Do you really have a death wish???" Voldemort yelled, standing up and pacing, his eyes flashing.
"YES, YOU ASSHOLE!!!!! I ADMIT IT!!!!! I WANT TO FUCKING DIE SO KILL ME ALREADY AND BE DONE WITH IT!!!!!" Harry screamed at him, tears of frustration and pain welling in his eyes.
Voldemort just stared at him, open mouthed, before finally sputtering, "WHA-WHAT?? Are you INSANE???? Why do you want me to kill you???"
"Why do you THINK???? I lived with that filth since infancy!!! Do you even know- oh wait, that's right. You know all about it. Dumbledore sent you to a Muggle Orphanage. So, would you please just do the honors? I can't!! Dumbledore saw to that."
"What??? After we spent all that energy rescuing your pathetic life? No!"
"KILL ME, DAMN IT!!!"
"NO!!!!!"
"COME ON, KILL ME!!!!"
"HELL NO!!!!"
"JUST KILL ME ALREADY!!!"
"FOR THE LAST TIME- NO!!!"
"WHY THE FUCK NOT?????"
"Because- because you really don't want to die, not after we have found you, finally. Just, I don't know, just go back to sleep." Voldemort looked as if he wanted to say something else, but thought better of it. He turned and walked out, pausing at the door. He turned back around and pointed his wand at Harry. Harry didn't even have time to be scared as he fell into a deep sleep.
Three days later
Hermione and Ron sat next to Harry's bed somberly. "I still can't believe we're here and they're his PARENTS, 'Mione! Imagine, The Boy who Lived being Voldemort's Grandson!" Ron exclaimed in a subdued voice.
Hermione brushed a stray lock of hair off of Harry's forehead. "Well, at least they're letting him choose what he wants to be called. That would suck- finding out that the people you have nightmares about dying weren't even your real parents and deserved to die and, on top of that, having to change your name."
Harry stirred under her hand and she stilled. "Harry?" she asked tentatively.
"Hermione? Ron?" Harry asked sleepily, opening his eyes.
"Harry, you're awake! How do you feel?" Hermione asked gently.
Harry blinked. "All right, I guess. Better than I've felt in a long time." He slowly sat up, for the first time in his life completely pain free. "Hermione, Ron," he stared around himself, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings, "where am I? I just had the strangest dream. I dreamt that Voldemort and his Death Eaters saved my life and I wanted him to kill me and we started arguing about whether or not he should. For some reason he didn't want to. Oh shit." he looked around at the lavish bedroom he had woken up in and the enormous king sized bed he was currently laying in. "It wasn't a dream, was it. What the- Where?"
"You're safe," came a strangely familiar voice. Harry looked up to see a woman with extremely long scarlet hair and vivid green eyes just like his walking over to the bed. "How are you, Harry?"
Harry stared at her, his eyes widening as he recognized her from the pictures in the scrapbook. "Mum? But you're- you're dead..." he passed out.
Lily stared at him. "Did that go well?" she asked the two teenagers sitting by her son's bed.
Hermione shook her head ruefully and waved her wand at Harry. "Enervate."
Harry woke up, looking dazed. "Hermione, I had the weirdest dream that my Mum was standing in front of me and told me I was safe..." he looked up, his eyes widening. "Am I still dreaming? Am I dead?"
"No, Harry, you're awake and quite alive. I'm not dead, in fact, I never died in the first place." Lily sat on the edge of his bed and stroked his now healed right hand.
Harry looked down. "Hey- my hand's fixed." He stared at her, tears welling in his eyes. "Didn't you want me?" he asked quietly. "Why did you let me stay there if you were alive?"
"Um, Mrs.-" Lily shook her head. "Umm, Ma'am, why don't you just show Harry what happened, rather than try to explain it?" Hermione interjected.
Harry looked back and forth between his mother and Hermione confusedly. "What? What aren't you telling me?"
Ron looked embarrassed. "Umm, Harry, we don't exactly know how to put this. You see, James Potter, well, he-"
Severus Lucien Snape, the not greasy, fairly attractive version, walked into the room. "Hello, Harry. How are you feeling?"
Harry's jaw dropped. "Pro- Professor! What- Why- How- UGGH!" he exploded, his eyes the size of saucers.
Ron and Hermione snickered. Harry glared at them, and they laughed even harder. "Harry," Hermione began, "that's not our Professor. Look at him. He barely resembles Professor Snape and he's MUCH, much nicer."
"Except where the Dursleys are concerned," Ron added in an undertone, turning green.
Harry stared at them, speechless. "Honestly, the first day I saw him, I asked him if he had undergone plastic surgery for his nose," Hermione added, waving her hands and shrugging. "He just glared at me and asked who the hell I was and why the hell I was so forward. He'd never met us before five days ago."
"You mean there're TWO of them??? BLOODY HELL!" Harry yelled, shaking.
"Watch your mouth, young man!" Severus snapped, his mouth a thin line.
Harry jumped a foot in the air, frantic. "And now he's going all parental on me!!!! What is going on???" he demanded angrily.
Severus stared at Lily. "You haven't told him yet?" he asked sorrowfully.
"He just woke up! We'll give him a heart attack if we dump everything on him all at once," Lily shot back.
"Tell me what? What's going on? Why is Snape being nice to me???" Harry demanded. Severus winced.
"Would you not take that tone of voice with me?" Severus asked quietly.
Harry stared at him incredulously. "Well, I'm not the one who hated me because of a prank played on him twenty five years ago!!!!" he snapped.
"HE ISN'T PROFESSOR SNAPE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Hermione yelled at the top of her lungs. "WOULD YOU JUST BLOODY SHUT IT AND LISTEN??????"
Harry glared at her, chest heaving with repressed emotion, but stayed quiet. "Good," Hermione snapped primly. "Now listen to what your mother has to say. And, yes, she is your mother, before you ask another dumb question."
Harry glared defensively and gestured for his mother to talk. Lily took a deep breath. "Harry- you know, that isn't even your real name," she mused. Harry stared at her and raised his eyebrows. "Anyway, the people who you thought were your parents weren't. Lily Potter didn't exist. I never married James Potter, and the people you watched die weren't your real parents."
"Back up," Harry interrupted. "First, what is my real name? Second, who were they? Third-"
Hermione interrupted him. "Just let her tell the story. Mrs. Snape, could you start from your sixth year?"
SNAPE????? Harry thought incredulously. He watched as Lily and Severus smiled at each other fondly before she continued. NO WAY!!!!
Yes way, now LISTEN!!!! snapped Hermione and Ron simultaneously.
"That actually sounds like a good idea, Hermione. All right, in my sixth year, I was in a steady relationship with Severus Snape, your father. At the Winter Holidays, he invited me home with him. At that time, I had no idea that he was involved with Voldemort in any way. Sev, why don't you tell him what was happening at that time?"
Severus grinned. "Sure Lily. Anyway, I had taken the Mark in my fifth year, and spent a lot of time reporting on Dumbledore's movements to My Lord. This was before he died the first time, way before. Anyway, I had seen picture of him and his late wife, Angela Riddle. He had told us how Dumbledore had killed his wife and stolen his child. I saw the pictures and saw your mother, and put two and two together. You get your eyes from your Grandfather, you know. Those vivid eyes are a Slytherin trademark. Besides, Angela had intensely red hair and Lily was a dead ringer for her, down to her nose. I took Lily to meet Voldemort, prefacing the meeting by telling him that I might have found his daughter."
"When Father saw me, he knew," Lily said with a carefree laugh. "We had a connection. All of us in the family, you included, are natural telepaths, and we had a mental bond form instantly. Even so, he had Severus make a paternity potion and prove it. I passed, and took my family's name. Lily Evans ceased to exist, and Lily Riddle took her place, at least, in private. Back at school, which I couldn't leave, I had to remain Lily Evans, Muggleborn."
Harry just stared at her. "So the bond I have with Voldemort is telepathy, not anything to do with this damn scar? And how did Dumbledore- I mean- you were adopted??? They why did he place me with the Dursleys if they aren't blood relations- That blood protection was all a bloody lie, wasn't it?" he asked.
Lily stared at him. "How about I continue the rest of the story before answering questions?"
Harry nodded and she continued. "Well, Seventh year ended and Severus and I got married. James Potter and Dumbledore knew that I was in contact with my father so we went into hiding, fully supporting my father. We went to America and lived there, recruiting more Death Eaters. Two years later, I became pregnant with you. On the night before you were born, all of us, my father and Lucius Malfoy included, were in New York City at St. Agatha's Wizarding Hospital. The next morning, you were born, the second happiest day of my life. I saw you, you were so perfect and tiny," she smiled, wiping away a lone tear that trickled down her cheek. "Eight hours later, a nurse walked into the room, asking for us to let her have you so she could record blood type, take finger and footprints and finish filling out your birth certificate. Five minutes later, another nurse came in, asking the same thing and we knew something was horribly wrong."
"What happened?" Harry asked quietly.
"A woman, who just so happened to look exactly like me, and a man who looked exactly like your father walked out of the hospital with you five minutes after we found out that you were missing. We didn't find you for a year and four months exactly."
"James Potter, and who?" Harry asked, staring at her intently.
"An Auror named Andromeda Tonks, a Metamorphegus." Lily sat down next to Harry and he instinctively burrowed into her side. Lily choked back a fresh wave of tears and continued her voice thick with unexpressed emotion. "We searched high and low for you, following every lead we could find. Severus and I even moved back to England to follow up on a slim lead that Peter Pettigrew had given us. He told us that the Potters, James and his wife, a Lily Evans Potter, were in hiding with their year old son. It was strange, he said, because Lily had never looked pregnant. He didn't know about us, or that I had really married Severus Snape, as he was too close to Potter and his band of friends and wasn't trustworthy."
Severus walked over and sat on the other side of Harry, absently stroking his hair. "Harry, I know this is hard to take in and all, but I promise we'll let you see the memories as soon as you are well enough to get out of bed." Harry nodded, gulping back tears.
"On October 22, 1982, we had physical proof that Harry James Potter was in fact our son, Damien Alexander Snape."
Harry grinned. "You mean that's my real name?" he asked hopefully.
Lily smiled sadly. "You may choose what name you wish to go by, Har-"
"Damien. I hate the name Harry, actually."
Lily and Severus grinned widely. Hermione and Ron smiled as well in relief. "Are you sure, Damien?" Hermione asked gently. Harry nodded, relieved.
"Harry James Potter is a beaten, starved, hurt individual who is hopelessly under the thumb of Dumbledore. I'm Damien Alexander Snape and he can't hurt me ever again. Besides, even if this is some elaborate lie, it's certainly better than the shit I have been living through so why not believe it?" Damien asked wryly.
Lily grinned wryly. "Well, I can assure you that Damien Alexander Snape has a birth certificate," she offered, holding a piece of parchment out to her son. Damien took it gratefully, staring at it.
"I refuse to believe that you are so unintelligent that this has no possibility of being forged. I'll say it again. I'm more than happy to believe this, no questions asked. You are offering freely to give me a family and yet one more reason to abhor the man I already loathe with every fiber of my being. So, Mum, Dad, you don't have to prove anything to me. I'd just like to accept this as truth." Damien hugged Lily and Severus gratefully, resting against the both of them.
Voldemort walked into the room, followed by Draco, Lucius, and Narcissa Malfoy. Damien's head exploded in an agony of intense light and blurred vision. He whimpered, slumping over. "Aw, shit," he dimly heard Hermione say as he fell over, gasping for air. "Not again. That's the third time this has happened and it gets worse each time. Are you sure you don't know what kind of spell was cast on him?"
"We're working on it. Father, if you could step out of the room? I know you want to see him, but you're putting him through hell as it is." Voldemort walked from the room regretfully, and the pain subsided to a dull ache and was finally gone.
"You know, you're putting a damper on the family reunion, Damien." Severus teased, grinning.
Damien thought for a minute. "I don't really look like this, do I? I've always been told that I look like James, so I must be under Glamour of some kind. Do you think it could be removed?"
Hermione looked thunderstruck. "Do you think the reason you can't find the spell is because it's been tied into the Glamour- I need to research this. Where's the Library again?" She ran from the room excitedly. "Sir! Lord Voldemort, Sir, I think I have something!" Damien could hear her - hyper house elf on crack- voice echoing down the hall, Voldemort's usually thundering voice echoing with hers as they discussed the properties of Glamours and whether or not another spell could be piggybacked and hid that efficiently. Damien grinned and shook his head.
Severus stared at him. "Where did you find her?" he asked in amazement. "She is so intelligent and she never shuts up!"
Damien laughed quietly. "And if I had gone into Slytherin like the Hat wanted me to, I never would have become friends with her."
Draco gaped at him, as did Lucius and Narcissa. Ron sighed from next to him. "Yeah, it would have been different if all three of us had gone where we belonged- Slytherin."
"WHAT???" yelled Draco, completely losing his composure. "You - ALL of you???? In SLYTHERIN????? You're all bloody fucking NUTS!!!!"
"Draco! Language! And, close your mouth," Lily chided him. "So, my son, why did you choose otherwise?"
"Well, I had been told that Slytherin was where Dark Wizards came from, Draco had just insulted the only friends I had ever made, and I didn't want to be an evil bastard. Now, I kind of like the idea," Damien sighed.
Draco smirked. "Yes, I can see it now 'Dumblefuck's Downfall- the Boy Who Bloody Wouldn't Die Makes Him Choke on His Lemon Drops After Renouncing Side of Light'. We could have a parade and everything," he trailed off, evilly plotting.
Damien laughed, a carefree sound that had Lily and Severus smiling in relief. I didn't know he'd take this so well, Love. It's wonderful.
Damien stared up at them. Hey! I can hear you and it doesn't hurt! He grinned broadly, and the three of them hugged each other tightly.
"Um, what's going on?" Ron asked, staring at them with concern.
"Damien is a telepath!" Lily squealed, kissing the top of her son's head.
"Well, duh, we knew that. We've been talking back and forth since first year. It's bloody useful during tests and all." Ron shrugged, missing Draco's incredulous looks.
Hey, I could hear them too, Draco thought incredulously. Ron and Damien whipped around and stared at him as he sat there, lost in thought.
Hermione came skidding in, her eyes dancing with mirth. "Ok, Damien, hold still. I think we got it." Everyone stared at her as she brandished her wand. With as much fanfare as possible, she announced, "Finite Incantium."
Where Damien had sat, a tall muscular youth sat in his place. His face eerily looked like a mixture of Lily and Severus, and the only thing unchanged was his scar. Even his eyes had changed; they were darker and almond shaped. He stared back at them with his emerald green eyes expectantly. "Well, did it work??" he asked impatiently, removing his glasses.
Hermione hastily conjured a mirror and Damien inspected himself anxiously. "Hey, I look good!" he exclaimed happily.
Damn straight, Hermione and Draco thought at the same time. Damien eyed them both suspiciously. Oops, they thought simultaneously, both turning a dusky pink.
"So, explain!" Lily said impatiently, gesturing wildly. Hermione sighed.
"Well, I thought that first Voldemort wouldn't be able to undo the spell, because the ward was against him. Second, anyone of Harry- I mean Damien's blood- you and Severus Snape- the real one, would also be unable to end the spell because Dumbledore wanted Damien kept away from you. Third, anyone with The Dark Mark wouldn't be able to do it because their magic is tied in with Voldemort's. That left me or Ron, and no offense, Ron, I'm a little more powerful than you, and Dumbledore is really, really strong."
Ron huffed angrily, insulted. Damien grinned. "Damn, 'Mione, you really did it."
"Indeed she did," Voldemort's voice could be heard from the doorway. Damien looked up and smiled.
He gasped in surprise. "Hey! It doesn't hurt any more!"
Voldemort grinned and walked over. "Hello, Damien Alexander Snape. I don't think we've been properly introduced. I am Thomas Marvolo Riddle, also known as Lord Voldemort and your Grandfather." He extended his hand.
Damien grinned and shook his hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Grandfather. Sorry about the other day." they laughed quietly at the sight- the former Harry Potter and Gryffindor's Golden boy shaking hands with Voldemort, resident Dark Lord- and his Grandfather.
"I told you that you really didn't want to die, young man."
"So, not to burst your bubble or anything, but how long are Weaseley and Granger going to be here?" Draco drawled, gaining everyone's attention.
"As long as they want, Draco," Lily answered, frowning.
Draco sighed before walking out the door. Damn it, I have to put up with the Gryffindorks all frigging summer before Father makes me go back to dumpy old Hogwarts. Don't I get any rest from their stupidity? he thought angrily.
Before anyone could say anything, Damien, Ron and Hermione ran out the door after the unsuspecting Slytherin. "Damien!" Lily yelled angrily, "get your ass back into bed!"
Damien caught Draco's robes and swung him around, knocking him into the wall. Draco's eyes bugged out as he stared at the extremely scantily clad, angry guy in front of him. "Oof," wheezed Draco as he hit his head against the stone wall.
"Now- Hey! I'm taller than you!" Damien exclaimed, grinning evilly. "Now, you little dipshit, what did you just say about my friends???"
"I didn't say anything!!!!" Draco exclaimed angrily, pushing Damien away from him. Damn he's got nice abs, and pecs and damn!
Damien glared at him and removed the offending hands. "First you call us Gryffindorks and stupid, and now you think I have a nice body. Make up your bloody mind already," he ground out, turning three shades of red.
Draco's jaw dropped. "What the hell- Pott- Snape- whoever you are, get out of my head!"
"We ALL heard you, dumbass," Ron snapped, crowding Draco back against the wall. Hermione stood on Damien's other side, effectively blocking his escape.
"No, I'm serious, Scarhead! I wasn't THINKING that, not saying it! Get the bloody hell out of my head!" Draco protested, well aware that he was about to get his face pounded. Damien drew his hand back, looking murderous.
Lucius stood up quickly, not wanting his son to get jumped by three angry Gryffindors, but Voldemort shot him a look and walked out first, intent on restraining his Grandson.
"Severus, would you help him restrain your son?" Lucius drawled, trying to put on a brave front. "Why are they going to hurt him for thinking?"
"Because he's never done it before?" Lily asked, sotto voce. Narcissa glared at her before giggling.
"I think Our Lord has a handle on the situation. Besides, from what I understand, this had been in the making for a long time. From the horror stories Hermione and Ron have told me, your son is a stuck up, arrogant prick at school and deserves this," Severus drawled, smirking. "And, now he's been caught without his brainless bodyguards."
Lucius snarled at him, drawing his wand. A hand on his arm restrained him. He looked into the eyes of his wife. "Luc, leave it. I admit freely that our son is an arrogant ass, just like his father. It's Malfoy tradition."
Lucius took his hand off his wand and grinned in defeat. "That he is, isn't he Cissa. However, three against one is hardly fair." He stood up and walked out into the hallway after Voldemort.
Draco stared wide eyed at the hand Damien had raised. "Oh really, Pothead, what do you think you can do with that- OOF" Damien slammed him across the face, leaving an angry red mark. "That's going to bruise, you bastard!" Draco snapped, never knowing when to quit.
Damien growled and raised his fist but a hand on his shoulder restrained him. He turned and stared into the scarlet eyes of his grandfather. "Could you please move your hand so I can decorate the walls?" he asked in an even tone.
Voldemort shook his head. "Would you save your anger for someone who is worth the trouble? Besides, magic is so much more inventive than the Muggle alternative of a physical confrontation."
Damien cocked his head. "True." Suddenly, Draco found himself hanging almost four feet off the ground, plastered against the wall. For some reason, Damien was in midair as well, along with Ron and Hermione.
"HELP!!!!!!" Draco howled, his Malfoy decorum going straight out the window. Narcissa shot out of her seat, Lily, and Severus right behind him.
"Drop him NOW!!!!" Lucius roared from his vantage point, whipping out his wand. Damien just looked down at him and the elder Malfoy paled and backed off. Damien's eyes glowed a solid viridian and his fingers glowed the same color. His hair whipped around his face and he radiated a seething anger. Hermione's eyes, on the other side of Damien, glowed a solid cobalt blue, and her clothes whipped around her lithe body. Ron's eyes glowed scarlet, and his entire body had a faint glow around it as well.
Voldemort stared up at them, flabbergasted. "Well, who'd have thought that the Golden Trio would have so much power?" he mused aloud.
Draco stared down at him, wide eyed. "While you are all enjoying the power display would someone GET ME DOWN????????" he shrieked.
Also, I have separated the story into twenty page segments, hopefully there will be four to five of them. They ARE NOT chapter breaks, merely breaks to negate any problems with uploading. THEY ARE ALL THERE, or will be all there when I finish. Don't read this as chapters. IF you must stop reading, do it at a time break or something!
That being said, read and enjoy!
A crisp Autumn day, 1997- Harry's sixth year
Draco walked alone, having ditched his goons somewhere around the Great Hall. Presumably they were currently stuffing their faces- their favorite pastime. He made his way out the Entrance Hall and onto the grounds, enjoying what could very well be the last warm day before the winter snows dumped on them. He calmly strode, the Slytherin Prince, over to the lake to sit at his favorite spot under an ancient weeping willow right on the lakefront.
I take my Mark at the beginning of Winter Holiday, he thought ruefully. I heard it's incredibly painful. He stared at his unblemished forearm thoughtfully, imagining the rather unattractive burn that would be etched there in just a few months. I don't know if this is what I really want, but Dumbledore's just as bad, if not worse. I wish I could talk to Uncle Sev about this, but no one must know. His feet led him to his spot and he sat down gracefully against the smooth trunk, when...
"What the- Potter?? What are you doing here?" he snapped, unwittingly sitting next to his rival and archenemy.
Harry shrugged, a goofy expression on his face. "Make yourself at home, Malfoy. Pull up a bit of grass." He went back to slowly inhaling on an odd smelling cigarette.
Draco leaned forward, sniffing. "Potter, is that- WEED???" he yelped, staring at Harry as if he had grown an extra head.
"Yup, finest Wizarding Weed in the British Isles. Want some?" Harry asked dreamily, floating about three inches off the ground.
"Erm, no, that's all right," Draco answered, confused. Why is the Savior of the Wizarding World getting stoned off his ass? "I guess I can really call you Pothead and it'll be the truth."
"Yup, oh well. Suit yourself. This is really good shit." Harry went back to toking up with a sad smile.
Draco stared at him for a minute, before sighing. "As your archrival at school and the person who found you, I guess it's my civic duty to ask you what's wrong. So, why are you using pot?"
Harry sniffed, a deep pain surfacing in his eyes. "Do you really want to know or are you just asking in the hope that I'll get mad and stomp off?" He turned to Draco, an unexpected hope lighting his eyes.
Draco stared at him, an unreadable expression on his face. The hope in Harry's eyes dimmed and died. He turned back around. "Figures. I guess I'll just get mad and stomp off, then. See ya around, Ferret." He made to stand up, bracing his hand against the tree trunk behind him.
What- oh well, might as well. Aunt Grace would have my head if she knew that I had the chance to talk to him and didn't. Besides, he needs someone to talk to- I DID NOT just think that!!!! "Wait, Potter. Sit down and talk. I promise, I won't tell Father about anything you say."
Harry sat back down with a thump. "Actually, I would prefer if you told him. Voldemort too." He fumbled in his pocket. "It's in here somewhere." He pulled out an envelope with the name 'Voldemort' written on the back. "Give this to him, would you? I know you're going to see him at Winter Holidays and all."
Draco took the envelope incredulously. "What the- Why are you sending Voldemort mail????"
"It isn't mail, you dork," Harry slurred slightly, floating about a foot off the ground and turning in circles in midair. "It's a map. I drew it myself," he claimed proudly.
Draco opened it and stared at it. "What's at Number Four, Privet Drive?" he asked curiously. And how are you floating???
"Duh, that's where I live! Tell him he has an invitation to come once school ends. Oh, and before he kills me, I want to watch him torture and kill the assholes I live with. After that, he can kill me all he wants. Just no torture. Probably, by the time he gets there it'll be redundant, anyway."
Draco started laughing, falling over and clutching his sides. "Oh- hahahahaha- shit! That's funny! He'll get a kick out of that. Ok, fine, I'll give him this. For a second you really had me going, I actually believed this was a map to your house! HAHAHAHAHA!"
Harry stared at him, all traces of the smiling, dreamy expression gone. "I'm serious, Malfoy. I want to die, and I want my family," he spat the last word as if it were obscene, "to die as well. There is nothing for me here but pain and I want it to END!" His fists clenched at his sides and a lone tear fell down his face. Taking a shuddering, gasping breath, he managed to compose himself. "So, if you would please give that to him, I would be very grateful." He stood up, dusting himself off. "Well, that ruined my high," he said soberly before walking off.
Draco stood up and ran after him and grabbed his arm, dragging him bodily in the direction of the Forbidden Forest. Once they were about thirty feet into the Forest, he let go of Harry's arm. "Now, you are going to talk and you are going to tell me why you feel like dying is your only option!"
Harry cocked an eyebrow. "Dying isn't my only option, it's the most favorable one," he stated simply.
Draco gaped at him. "Why? You have everything! You have fame and you're one of the best and most powerful people on the planet! You could have anything! Why are you throwing that away?"
"Can you give me my parents?" Harry asked looking him straight in the eye. "Can you give me Sirius back? Can you give me fifteen years where I wasn't beaten or starved or r- or treated like shit by people who were supposed to protect me?" he yelled angrily, tears falling down his face.
Draco just stared at him, his mouth hanging open. "I- I-"
"Don't you DARE tell me I have everything because I have NOTHING! I have no one! All I have are two friends who have lives as fucked up as mine and an entire world that depends on me! E- fucking - nough! I can't do this anymore. So, if you would please see to it that he gets the map, I would appreciate it. Besides, why do you care? You hate me. You want me dead. I'm giving myself to him on a silver platter. I thought you'd be jumping for joy, not questioning my motives."
Draco cocked an eyebrow, trying to regain a sense of decorum. Malfoys never gape, even when told something that completely flies in the face of everything you were taught to believe. Uncle Sev will be pissed, same as Aunt Grace. Oh, they will be furious to hear this. They thought Dumbledore would take care of his Savior, not abuse him. "I don't think you understand me, Potter. I may dislike you, but no one deserves to be treated horribly by the people that are supposed to be protecting them. That is awful and unheard of in the Wizarding world. Now, wait a minute- Weasel and Granger have it bad too???"
Harry shrugged. "No one can help me, since Dumbledore has such control over where I go, plus, I just want to end everything. Get them out of their homes, all right? Please? It's bad. Besides, Hermione isn't a Mudblood like everyone thinks. She's actually from a long line of Pureblood Squibs. I think the last time anyone in her family was magic was six or seven generations ago. Wait- she had a Great Grandmother on her Dad's side that was a pretty decent witch. But, yeah, her parents hate her and all. They yell at her and belittle her constantly, telling her they should have aborted her or abandoned her. Why do you think she always does well in school? She just wants them to care. I keep telling her it won't happen but she doesn't believe me. And Ron- well, let's just say the Twins aren't the best siblings to have. They can be really fucked up. I can't say any more on that because I promised never to tell what I saw and he'd just deny it, but I can't help them anymore, so please get them somewhere safe."
Harry stood up and walked off. Draco pulled him back. "What do you want, Malfoy? Why can't you let me go? It's what I want!"
Draco stared at him. "Potter, Why doesn't Dumbledore do anything? You're his Golden Boy!"
Harry snarled at him. "Don't EVER call me that again. I HATE that name. And Dumbledore doesn't do anything because he's behind all this. He could have saved Siri, he could have sent me somewhere else, he could have gotten me out of there. He knows- I sent him letters all summer and he came to my house once. I heard him tell my Aunt she was doing a good job, but not to hurt me too badly. He wanted me submissive when I got back here. I told Ron and Hermione that and they're researching how to get me out of there, but we've had no luck. I doubt you can do better."
Draco snarled, wracking his brain for an answer. No one deserves this and they will all be furious. "I can guarantee that Voldemort, once he hears of this, will be furious, and will get you out of there."
"Well, yeah, that's what I'm counting on," Harry responded.
"No, just hang on, all right? He'll get you out of there and keep you safe. I can almost guarantee it."
Harry stared at him incredulously. "What? He hates me and wants me dead! It's either die or completely break."
"If you want to die so badly, just kill yourself then."
"I can't. Dumbledore put this spell on me at the end of fifth year. It lets him know if I have any injuries and if they're self inflicted or not. The last time I tried," he bared his arms and showed Draco the ugly scars running up the insides. "He healed me and told my Uncle I needed to be punished more." He shuddered at the memory.
Draco's face tightened with anger. "I'll see what I can do. Oh, I'll need addresses for Weaseley and Granger."
"They're on the map. I included the addresses on the other side. Why are you helping us, Malfoy?"
Draco shrugged and walked off quietly telling him over his shoulder, "Because no one deserves to be treated this way. It's criminal."
Harry watched him walk off with a renewed hope in his eyes.
Two days after Winter Holiday ended
Harry walked glumly down the Hall from his Transfiguration class. It had been horrible. His right hand was still bothering him, as Dudley had crushed it over the summer and it had never set properly. He couldn't hold his wand right, and as a result, had accidentally transfigured his desk into a Hippogriff. That was AFTER Hermione had successfully turned hers into a footstool. He grimaced at the thought of the detention he had to serve that night, cleaning and replacing everything that damn animal had broken.
He absently ran into something and paused, looking up. "Oh, sorry," he muttered, before focusing. "Malfoy?"
Draco stared at him. "Really, Potter, a Hippogriff? What were you trying to pull?"
"Nothing," he muttered, rubbing his aching hand. "I lost my concentration."
Draco stared at his hand and gasped, grabbing his wrist and bringing it closer to his face. "Holy Diana! What the hell happened to your hand?"
"Need you ask?" Harry asked wryly. "Dudley."
"What's a Dudley?" Draco asked, confused.
"My whale bastard of a cousin." At Draco's even more confused look, he sighed. "He stepped on my hand, crushing it. It's fine."
"Merlin, Potter, your whole hand is out of alignment! How are you expected to hold a wand, much less cast spells?" Draco ran a finger over the gnarled and bumpy surface with a fascinated revulsion.
"They hate magic, so that was the point. I can't do spells right any more, the stupid fucks. Dumbledore reamed them for it, saying I need that hand if I'm ever going to defeat Voldemort. They weren't too happy." Harry tugged his hand away, a resigned look on his face. He turned and walked away slowly.
"Wait!" Draco called quietly. "I have this for you." He pulled out an envelope with the name 'Potter' on the back.
Harry absently took it and opened it, scanning the contents. He gave a short bark of humorless laughter. "This is priceless. The Prince of Evil telling me to just hang on and he'll get me out of there?" he looked straight at Draco. "Tell your Master that, while I appreciate the sentiments, I really just want to die. That's all. Ron and Hermione still have each other and a lot to live for. I've had nothing since the day my parents died."
Ron and Hermione walked up the Hall. "HARRY!" they yelled, looking for him. Harry sighed.
"That's my cue," he muttered. Ron ran over, glaring daggers at Draco.
"Hey Harry, why you talking to Ferret Boy over here?" he snapped.
"Don't call him that, Ron," Harry muttered tiredly, restraining Draco from physically attacking the redhead. "He's going to help us, all of us."
Ron gaped at him. "Harry- you - you told????"
"Ron, I can't even hold a fucking wand any more. What am I supposed to do? Dumbledore's gonna get me killed and I can't help you and 'Mione any more. I just can't." He walked off, leaving the three of them staring after him, worried.
"You do realize he sent a letter to the Dark Lord, telling him where his house was, do you?" Draco asked quietly.
Both of them stared at him, shocked. "Why - what- How did you know?" Hermione asked suspiciously.
"He gave it to me, to give to Him, which I did," Draco answered easily.
"What?" Ron snapped. "What is he- suicidal - oh hell, 'Mione, I thought we got him past that." Ron started to walk off, but stopped. "How much has he told you?" he asked, his face turning white.
"Only that both of you have less than ideal home lives and that you need help. He also said he couldn't help you any more because he wants, and plans to die." Draco admired his nails, buffing them on his robes. "I can tell you that I have talked to my parents and my Lord and the same offer given to Harry has been extended to you- protection if you so choose to take us up on it."
Hermione stared at him, troubled. "But- I'm Muggleborn. Why me?"
Draco smirked. "It seems Potter knows more about your heritage than you do. You're from Pureblood Squibs, not Muggles." Hermione stared at him, shocked.
"You can prove this?" she asked doubtfully.
"We did, over Winter Holidays." Draco yawned. "Look, I'm not saying that I like you or want to be friends. What I am saying is that I can - my family can protect you from your families and problems. If Harry takes me up on the offer, he'll never come back here again. Think about it. You could have the same deal." Draco walked off.
Hermione and Ron just watched as he disappeared down the Hall.
"Do you want to, 'Mione?" Ron asked, for the first time, looking hopeful.
Hermione stared at him. "I'll never have to go back again, and neither will you. What do you think? Why would I pass this up?" They walked on to their next class, thinking over the proposition.
The First week of Summer between Sixth and Seventh Year, 1998, Riddle Manor
"Yes, My Lord," came the drawling reply. Severus Snape stood before Voldemort proudly, his masked face displaying none of the anxiety he felt.
"My Death Eaters are dismissed, you may all go," came the thundering voice.
Severus nodded and strode from Riddle Mansion, sighing silently. I will have much to report to Dumbledore. I learned who three more of Voldemort's followers are, as well as the plans for several key attacks over the summer.
Back inside, masks and hoods were removed with a sigh. Voldemort stood up, looking significantly less skeletal, as well as sporting a full head of ebony shoulder length hair that was attractively streaked with silver at the temples, with a wry grin. "Now that the spy is gone, we can get down to business. Potter has given me a map to his house, as well as the addresses of his two friends. Young Master Malfoy here has informed me that the two of them are waiting for us to make our moves, as they do not trust us at all. Any suggestions?"
A voice spoke up from the corner. "Well, Father, maybe we should just go get them, the sooner the better." Heads turned to see a young woman with fiery red hair cascading to her hips step out of the throng, a younger, much less greasy and unattractive Severus Snape at her side. They cleared a path, allowing Voldemort's only child to walk forth with her husband, unhindered.
She turned her impossibly huge emerald green eyes up at Lord Voldemort. "I want my son back, Father. They took him from me at his birth and I want him back."
"Lily Grace, of course. We will go as soon as they have stopped watching the house."
The strangely attractive Severus spoke up, his voice a velvet purr. "Thank you, my Lord. I also wish that our son would return to us."
Voldemort grinned. "How many times must I ask you to call me Father?" Severus laughed.
"Very well, I'll open the mental link we share. Robes and Masks back on." A flurry of activity began, and within minutes everyone was in place and covered.
Number Four Privet Drive, same time
Harry Potter stood in front of the sweltering stovetop, stirring dinner for the Dursleys. Oh Merlin, I wish I could get out of here. When are they coming for me? he thought desperately, stirring the pot of stew as fast as his broken wrist and dislocated shoulder would allow. Already a week into the term and they had laid into him harder than they ever had. He gasped silently as a heavy hand slammed his already injured shoulder, driving him into the side of the cabinets. Dudley grinned at him nastily, and walked back to the table.
"BOY!!! Hurry it up! We're starving over here!" the shrill scream of Petunia echoed throughout the house, causing a window to crack upstairs.
"Coming, Aunt Petunia. It's almost done." At least, Harry prayed it was and wasn't burning. He awkwardly ladled the stew into a large tureen and carried it to the table, setting it in front of Vernon.
Vernon, once the tureen was on the table, backhanded Harry across the face, sending him flying. Oh Merlin, someone help me, he thought desperately, drifting in and out of consciousness.
Riddle Manor
Voldemort opened the link, feeling for Harry Potter's mind. "Something is wrong," he muttered, only able to feel his consciousness intermittently.
Lily Grace Snape and Severus Lucien Snape gasped. "Father?" she asked, biting her lip with worry.
Number Four Privet Drive
Harry crawled across the floor haphazardly. Behind him, he could hear a chair scrape across the floor. "Pet, no offense, but I'm not too hungry just yet," he heard through a fractured mind.
Oh no, someone, anyone, help me please, he thought, crawling faster. Help me, Voldemort, Merlin, I don't care just help me... don't let him hurt me.... For God's sake don't let him touch me... he moaned, only aware that the monster was right behind him and getting closer.
"BOY! Don't you run away from me!" came the bellow behind him, too close, much too close.
Riddle Manor
"Help me, Voldemort, Merlin, I don't care just help me... don't let him hurt me.... For God's sake, don't let him touch me..." Voldemort moaned, sliding to the floor in unconsciousness.
Lily gasped. "Oh shit. They're killing my son!" she screamed, snarling. "Death Eaters, MOVE!! GO, GO, GO, GO!!!!!!!" She shrieked. Everyone hastened to obey Voldemort's heir. "We're too late," she moaned, tears streaking down her face. "Please don't let us be too late."
Voldemort staggered upright, his face a terrifying mask of fury. "That BASTARD is TOUCHING my GRANDSON!!!!" he screamed, Apparating. Lily and Severus gaped and followed, seething with fury.
Number Four Privet Drive
Harry lay half in the cupboard, Vernon towering over him. "You FREAK!" he snarled.
Harry tried to roll over, scooting himself into the cupboard, trying to escape his Uncle. Vernon grabbed his belt loops, dragging him back out and pulling his pants down to his knees in the process.
"Vernon, I'm putting your plate in the oven. As soon as you are done punishing the freak, come eat," Petunia called from the kitchen. "The Damn Freak forgot to clean up his mess! Vernon, hit him a few times extra for me! I don't want any of his worthless freak blood staining my clothes again!"
Vernon grinned nastily. "Can do, Pet. Where you want the marks?"
"Umm, could you brand him again? Maybe on his face this time?" Petunia asked, staring down at him from over her husband's shoulder. Vernon nodded and she walked away.
"You're gonna get it, Freak. Your Headmaster approved us torturing you. He said nothing was barred, so long as we break you. And I know how to break you, freak. How about an early birthday present?" he asked, ripping Harry's boxers from his emaciated frame. Harry screamed a raw, primal sound and he arched around, clawing at Vernon's eyes.
"NO NO NO NO NO NO NO!" Harry screamed, his eyes going blank and glowing. "YOU CAN'T TOUCH ME!!!!!"
Vernon slammed his head against the wall. "I can do whatever I want, Freak. You don't get it. I have the power, not you." He roughly grabbed Harry by the testicles, dragging the boy up and flinging him, face forward against the wall. Harry flinched and tried to get away, but Dudley walked up to the left of Vernon, blocking his escape.
"Dad, you need any help?" he asked, slamming a meaty fist onto the palm of his other hand.
Vernon grunted and grinned. "Now, Dudley, pay close attention. This is how you break a freak." Dudley grinned.
Right outside Number Four Privet Drive
Lily stared at the wards surrounding the house of her adopted sister, concentrating. Suddenly, the entire house glowed briefly, then went out, sending the street into darkness. "Right, MOVE!" she snapped. Voldemort, Severus, and Lucius Malfoy went in first, with enough force that the door exploded, sending shards and splinters of wood everywhere.
Petunia screamed, a long, thin wail, and sprinted upstairs, leaving an equally petrified Vernon and Dudley to fend for themselves. Vernon dropped Harry at Voldemort's feet. "Here! You want him dead, right? Well take him!" he screamed, hysterical.
Voldemort leveled his wand at the Muggle, his eyes glowing scarlet with fury. Vernon backed up, panting. Lily strode around Voldemort, grinning evilly. "Hello, Vernon," she purred.
Vernon stared at her. "No- you you're dead. The freak's Headmaster assured us you were dead!" he whispered, his eyes bulging out of their sockets. "You're dead. You have to be dead. He promised you were dead."
"I am quite alive, and am incredibly pissed off. Did you think you would get away with hurting my son?" she asked in a level tone of voice, squatting down to stroke Harry's bruised and bloody face.
Vernon wheezed and promptly passed out. Lily and Voldemort stared at him with disgust.
"Father, can I bring home a new toy to play with?" Lily asked with an evil giggle.
Voldemort stared at his daughter with pride and a little fear. "Of course, Lily Grace. You may bring home all the toys you like." You are entirely too sadistic for your own good, you know.
I only learned from the best."Goody! I want three," she said with a smirk. "All three of them and I want them screaming for a long, long time."
Voldemort nodded and muttered an incantation. Instantly, Vernon was shrunk in size and placed in a small bag. Lily knelt down by Harry's side. "My poor little boy," she murmured, scooping him into her arms. "Let's get you home before Dumblefuck gets here." She walked out the door with her son in her arms. Severus joined them and they Apparated straight back to Riddle Manor.
Voldemort strode through the house. Find my Grandson's things and do NOT kill the Muggles I repeat, do NOT kill them. Shrink them and bring them to me! he ordered telepathically. Two Death Eaters, Lucius Malfoy and another, strode over to him calmly, and handed over the two miniature Muggles. Voldemort nodded and put them in the bag as well.
"My Lord, should we send up the Mark and leave?" Lucius asked quietly.
"Yes. Dumbledore will know we were here anyway and-" several pops could be heard outside. "That's our cue. Let's go. Anyone slacking will be caught. Move, everyone!" Voldemort barked. Lucius sent up the Mark and everyone Apparated instantly.
The windows blew in as dozens of Aurors stormed the property, Albus Dumbledore in the lead. "We just missed them, sir," Kingsley intoned gravely.
Remus Lupin ran up to them, breathless. "Harry's stuff is gone, including his wand, and I can't find Hedwig anywhere. Her cage has been smashed to bits. The Muggle relatives aren't here either."
Dumbledore, for the first time in the recorded history of man, swore vehemently. Remus stared at him, shocked, before Apparating away. He knew exactly where Harry was and only hoped that they hadn't been too late.
Four days later
Harry slowly awoke, his head throbbing. "What the- where am I?" he muttered aloud. The last thing he could remember was Vernon trying to r- I can't even think it, how pathetic is that? hurt him, and then darkness. He slowly opened his eyes millimeter by millimeter, trying to adjust to the light surrounding him. He could hear muted voices moving around him. Am I in the hospital wing? he wondered groggily
"Shh, he's waking up," a pleasant female voice murmured above him.
"Where- where am I?" Harry croaked, opening his eyes no more than a fraction. He could see the vague outline of a lady with long, red hair above him.
"Hush, little one. You are safe and we came for you." He stared, mesmerized by her vivid emerald eyes. Hey, she has eyes like mine, he thought before sleep reclaimed him.
Two days later
Harry slowly opened his eyes, expecting to wake up in the cupboard again. He stared around in shock as he took in his new surroundings. He was laying on an enormous bed under a down comforter in shades of green and black. He cautiously lifted his head, wincing at the pain from the movement and slowly, muscles screaming in protest, sat up, gaping. He was in the most lavishly decorated bedroom he had seen in his entire life. On the wall opposite from the bed, a floor to ceiling portrait of Salazar Slytherin and Godric Gryffindor whispered back and forth, eyeing him intently.
His gaze whipped to the door as it opened and a blinding pain shot through his head. "Ohhhh..." he whimpered, falling over.
Lord Voldemort swept into the room. "Well, well, I take it you're awake?" he asked wryly, walking over to the bed.
Harry clenched the bed sheets in one hand and his forehead in the other. Blood seeped from between his fingers and trickled down his face. "Lord Voldemort," he acknowledged, gritting his teeth.
Voldemort sat down on the blanket, eying his forehead suspiciously. "What the hell- why are you bleeding??" he snapped.
"It's what happens when I'm around you. Why the hell am I here? And, more importantly, why are you sitting in front of me, and I'm not dead??" Harry snapped in return.
Voldemort raised an arched eyebrow. "And would you prefer to be dead? I can arrange that."
Harry glared at him, only half conscious from the pain. "That's why I sent you the map, damn it. I wanted you to kill everyone, not get me out of there." He lay back on the pillows, slowly adjusting to the agony spiking through his head. "I didn't expect you to rescue me. You've tried to kill me for the last six years. Why didn't you?"
"Why are you asking that? We saved your life! Do you really have a death wish???" Voldemort yelled, standing up and pacing, his eyes flashing.
"YES, YOU ASSHOLE!!!!! I ADMIT IT!!!!! I WANT TO FUCKING DIE SO KILL ME ALREADY AND BE DONE WITH IT!!!!!" Harry screamed at him, tears of frustration and pain welling in his eyes.
Voldemort just stared at him, open mouthed, before finally sputtering, "WHA-WHAT?? Are you INSANE???? Why do you want me to kill you???"
"Why do you THINK???? I lived with that filth since infancy!!! Do you even know- oh wait, that's right. You know all about it. Dumbledore sent you to a Muggle Orphanage. So, would you please just do the honors? I can't!! Dumbledore saw to that."
"What??? After we spent all that energy rescuing your pathetic life? No!"
"KILL ME, DAMN IT!!!"
"NO!!!!!"
"COME ON, KILL ME!!!!"
"HELL NO!!!!"
"JUST KILL ME ALREADY!!!"
"FOR THE LAST TIME- NO!!!"
"WHY THE FUCK NOT?????"
"Because- because you really don't want to die, not after we have found you, finally. Just, I don't know, just go back to sleep." Voldemort looked as if he wanted to say something else, but thought better of it. He turned and walked out, pausing at the door. He turned back around and pointed his wand at Harry. Harry didn't even have time to be scared as he fell into a deep sleep.
Three days later
Hermione and Ron sat next to Harry's bed somberly. "I still can't believe we're here and they're his PARENTS, 'Mione! Imagine, The Boy who Lived being Voldemort's Grandson!" Ron exclaimed in a subdued voice.
Hermione brushed a stray lock of hair off of Harry's forehead. "Well, at least they're letting him choose what he wants to be called. That would suck- finding out that the people you have nightmares about dying weren't even your real parents and deserved to die and, on top of that, having to change your name."
Harry stirred under her hand and she stilled. "Harry?" she asked tentatively.
"Hermione? Ron?" Harry asked sleepily, opening his eyes.
"Harry, you're awake! How do you feel?" Hermione asked gently.
Harry blinked. "All right, I guess. Better than I've felt in a long time." He slowly sat up, for the first time in his life completely pain free. "Hermione, Ron," he stared around himself, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings, "where am I? I just had the strangest dream. I dreamt that Voldemort and his Death Eaters saved my life and I wanted him to kill me and we started arguing about whether or not he should. For some reason he didn't want to. Oh shit." he looked around at the lavish bedroom he had woken up in and the enormous king sized bed he was currently laying in. "It wasn't a dream, was it. What the- Where?"
"You're safe," came a strangely familiar voice. Harry looked up to see a woman with extremely long scarlet hair and vivid green eyes just like his walking over to the bed. "How are you, Harry?"
Harry stared at her, his eyes widening as he recognized her from the pictures in the scrapbook. "Mum? But you're- you're dead..." he passed out.
Lily stared at him. "Did that go well?" she asked the two teenagers sitting by her son's bed.
Hermione shook her head ruefully and waved her wand at Harry. "Enervate."
Harry woke up, looking dazed. "Hermione, I had the weirdest dream that my Mum was standing in front of me and told me I was safe..." he looked up, his eyes widening. "Am I still dreaming? Am I dead?"
"No, Harry, you're awake and quite alive. I'm not dead, in fact, I never died in the first place." Lily sat on the edge of his bed and stroked his now healed right hand.
Harry looked down. "Hey- my hand's fixed." He stared at her, tears welling in his eyes. "Didn't you want me?" he asked quietly. "Why did you let me stay there if you were alive?"
"Um, Mrs.-" Lily shook her head. "Umm, Ma'am, why don't you just show Harry what happened, rather than try to explain it?" Hermione interjected.
Harry looked back and forth between his mother and Hermione confusedly. "What? What aren't you telling me?"
Ron looked embarrassed. "Umm, Harry, we don't exactly know how to put this. You see, James Potter, well, he-"
Severus Lucien Snape, the not greasy, fairly attractive version, walked into the room. "Hello, Harry. How are you feeling?"
Harry's jaw dropped. "Pro- Professor! What- Why- How- UGGH!" he exploded, his eyes the size of saucers.
Ron and Hermione snickered. Harry glared at them, and they laughed even harder. "Harry," Hermione began, "that's not our Professor. Look at him. He barely resembles Professor Snape and he's MUCH, much nicer."
"Except where the Dursleys are concerned," Ron added in an undertone, turning green.
Harry stared at them, speechless. "Honestly, the first day I saw him, I asked him if he had undergone plastic surgery for his nose," Hermione added, waving her hands and shrugging. "He just glared at me and asked who the hell I was and why the hell I was so forward. He'd never met us before five days ago."
"You mean there're TWO of them??? BLOODY HELL!" Harry yelled, shaking.
"Watch your mouth, young man!" Severus snapped, his mouth a thin line.
Harry jumped a foot in the air, frantic. "And now he's going all parental on me!!!! What is going on???" he demanded angrily.
Severus stared at Lily. "You haven't told him yet?" he asked sorrowfully.
"He just woke up! We'll give him a heart attack if we dump everything on him all at once," Lily shot back.
"Tell me what? What's going on? Why is Snape being nice to me???" Harry demanded. Severus winced.
"Would you not take that tone of voice with me?" Severus asked quietly.
Harry stared at him incredulously. "Well, I'm not the one who hated me because of a prank played on him twenty five years ago!!!!" he snapped.
"HE ISN'T PROFESSOR SNAPE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Hermione yelled at the top of her lungs. "WOULD YOU JUST BLOODY SHUT IT AND LISTEN??????"
Harry glared at her, chest heaving with repressed emotion, but stayed quiet. "Good," Hermione snapped primly. "Now listen to what your mother has to say. And, yes, she is your mother, before you ask another dumb question."
Harry glared defensively and gestured for his mother to talk. Lily took a deep breath. "Harry- you know, that isn't even your real name," she mused. Harry stared at her and raised his eyebrows. "Anyway, the people who you thought were your parents weren't. Lily Potter didn't exist. I never married James Potter, and the people you watched die weren't your real parents."
"Back up," Harry interrupted. "First, what is my real name? Second, who were they? Third-"
Hermione interrupted him. "Just let her tell the story. Mrs. Snape, could you start from your sixth year?"
SNAPE????? Harry thought incredulously. He watched as Lily and Severus smiled at each other fondly before she continued. NO WAY!!!!
Yes way, now LISTEN!!!! snapped Hermione and Ron simultaneously.
"That actually sounds like a good idea, Hermione. All right, in my sixth year, I was in a steady relationship with Severus Snape, your father. At the Winter Holidays, he invited me home with him. At that time, I had no idea that he was involved with Voldemort in any way. Sev, why don't you tell him what was happening at that time?"
Severus grinned. "Sure Lily. Anyway, I had taken the Mark in my fifth year, and spent a lot of time reporting on Dumbledore's movements to My Lord. This was before he died the first time, way before. Anyway, I had seen picture of him and his late wife, Angela Riddle. He had told us how Dumbledore had killed his wife and stolen his child. I saw the pictures and saw your mother, and put two and two together. You get your eyes from your Grandfather, you know. Those vivid eyes are a Slytherin trademark. Besides, Angela had intensely red hair and Lily was a dead ringer for her, down to her nose. I took Lily to meet Voldemort, prefacing the meeting by telling him that I might have found his daughter."
"When Father saw me, he knew," Lily said with a carefree laugh. "We had a connection. All of us in the family, you included, are natural telepaths, and we had a mental bond form instantly. Even so, he had Severus make a paternity potion and prove it. I passed, and took my family's name. Lily Evans ceased to exist, and Lily Riddle took her place, at least, in private. Back at school, which I couldn't leave, I had to remain Lily Evans, Muggleborn."
Harry just stared at her. "So the bond I have with Voldemort is telepathy, not anything to do with this damn scar? And how did Dumbledore- I mean- you were adopted??? They why did he place me with the Dursleys if they aren't blood relations- That blood protection was all a bloody lie, wasn't it?" he asked.
Lily stared at him. "How about I continue the rest of the story before answering questions?"
Harry nodded and she continued. "Well, Seventh year ended and Severus and I got married. James Potter and Dumbledore knew that I was in contact with my father so we went into hiding, fully supporting my father. We went to America and lived there, recruiting more Death Eaters. Two years later, I became pregnant with you. On the night before you were born, all of us, my father and Lucius Malfoy included, were in New York City at St. Agatha's Wizarding Hospital. The next morning, you were born, the second happiest day of my life. I saw you, you were so perfect and tiny," she smiled, wiping away a lone tear that trickled down her cheek. "Eight hours later, a nurse walked into the room, asking for us to let her have you so she could record blood type, take finger and footprints and finish filling out your birth certificate. Five minutes later, another nurse came in, asking the same thing and we knew something was horribly wrong."
"What happened?" Harry asked quietly.
"A woman, who just so happened to look exactly like me, and a man who looked exactly like your father walked out of the hospital with you five minutes after we found out that you were missing. We didn't find you for a year and four months exactly."
"James Potter, and who?" Harry asked, staring at her intently.
"An Auror named Andromeda Tonks, a Metamorphegus." Lily sat down next to Harry and he instinctively burrowed into her side. Lily choked back a fresh wave of tears and continued her voice thick with unexpressed emotion. "We searched high and low for you, following every lead we could find. Severus and I even moved back to England to follow up on a slim lead that Peter Pettigrew had given us. He told us that the Potters, James and his wife, a Lily Evans Potter, were in hiding with their year old son. It was strange, he said, because Lily had never looked pregnant. He didn't know about us, or that I had really married Severus Snape, as he was too close to Potter and his band of friends and wasn't trustworthy."
Severus walked over and sat on the other side of Harry, absently stroking his hair. "Harry, I know this is hard to take in and all, but I promise we'll let you see the memories as soon as you are well enough to get out of bed." Harry nodded, gulping back tears.
"On October 22, 1982, we had physical proof that Harry James Potter was in fact our son, Damien Alexander Snape."
Harry grinned. "You mean that's my real name?" he asked hopefully.
Lily smiled sadly. "You may choose what name you wish to go by, Har-"
"Damien. I hate the name Harry, actually."
Lily and Severus grinned widely. Hermione and Ron smiled as well in relief. "Are you sure, Damien?" Hermione asked gently. Harry nodded, relieved.
"Harry James Potter is a beaten, starved, hurt individual who is hopelessly under the thumb of Dumbledore. I'm Damien Alexander Snape and he can't hurt me ever again. Besides, even if this is some elaborate lie, it's certainly better than the shit I have been living through so why not believe it?" Damien asked wryly.
Lily grinned wryly. "Well, I can assure you that Damien Alexander Snape has a birth certificate," she offered, holding a piece of parchment out to her son. Damien took it gratefully, staring at it.
"I refuse to believe that you are so unintelligent that this has no possibility of being forged. I'll say it again. I'm more than happy to believe this, no questions asked. You are offering freely to give me a family and yet one more reason to abhor the man I already loathe with every fiber of my being. So, Mum, Dad, you don't have to prove anything to me. I'd just like to accept this as truth." Damien hugged Lily and Severus gratefully, resting against the both of them.
Voldemort walked into the room, followed by Draco, Lucius, and Narcissa Malfoy. Damien's head exploded in an agony of intense light and blurred vision. He whimpered, slumping over. "Aw, shit," he dimly heard Hermione say as he fell over, gasping for air. "Not again. That's the third time this has happened and it gets worse each time. Are you sure you don't know what kind of spell was cast on him?"
"We're working on it. Father, if you could step out of the room? I know you want to see him, but you're putting him through hell as it is." Voldemort walked from the room regretfully, and the pain subsided to a dull ache and was finally gone.
"You know, you're putting a damper on the family reunion, Damien." Severus teased, grinning.
Damien thought for a minute. "I don't really look like this, do I? I've always been told that I look like James, so I must be under Glamour of some kind. Do you think it could be removed?"
Hermione looked thunderstruck. "Do you think the reason you can't find the spell is because it's been tied into the Glamour- I need to research this. Where's the Library again?" She ran from the room excitedly. "Sir! Lord Voldemort, Sir, I think I have something!" Damien could hear her - hyper house elf on crack- voice echoing down the hall, Voldemort's usually thundering voice echoing with hers as they discussed the properties of Glamours and whether or not another spell could be piggybacked and hid that efficiently. Damien grinned and shook his head.
Severus stared at him. "Where did you find her?" he asked in amazement. "She is so intelligent and she never shuts up!"
Damien laughed quietly. "And if I had gone into Slytherin like the Hat wanted me to, I never would have become friends with her."
Draco gaped at him, as did Lucius and Narcissa. Ron sighed from next to him. "Yeah, it would have been different if all three of us had gone where we belonged- Slytherin."
"WHAT???" yelled Draco, completely losing his composure. "You - ALL of you???? In SLYTHERIN????? You're all bloody fucking NUTS!!!!"
"Draco! Language! And, close your mouth," Lily chided him. "So, my son, why did you choose otherwise?"
"Well, I had been told that Slytherin was where Dark Wizards came from, Draco had just insulted the only friends I had ever made, and I didn't want to be an evil bastard. Now, I kind of like the idea," Damien sighed.
Draco smirked. "Yes, I can see it now 'Dumblefuck's Downfall- the Boy Who Bloody Wouldn't Die Makes Him Choke on His Lemon Drops After Renouncing Side of Light'. We could have a parade and everything," he trailed off, evilly plotting.
Damien laughed, a carefree sound that had Lily and Severus smiling in relief. I didn't know he'd take this so well, Love. It's wonderful.
Damien stared up at them. Hey! I can hear you and it doesn't hurt! He grinned broadly, and the three of them hugged each other tightly.
"Um, what's going on?" Ron asked, staring at them with concern.
"Damien is a telepath!" Lily squealed, kissing the top of her son's head.
"Well, duh, we knew that. We've been talking back and forth since first year. It's bloody useful during tests and all." Ron shrugged, missing Draco's incredulous looks.
Hey, I could hear them too, Draco thought incredulously. Ron and Damien whipped around and stared at him as he sat there, lost in thought.
Hermione came skidding in, her eyes dancing with mirth. "Ok, Damien, hold still. I think we got it." Everyone stared at her as she brandished her wand. With as much fanfare as possible, she announced, "Finite Incantium."
Where Damien had sat, a tall muscular youth sat in his place. His face eerily looked like a mixture of Lily and Severus, and the only thing unchanged was his scar. Even his eyes had changed; they were darker and almond shaped. He stared back at them with his emerald green eyes expectantly. "Well, did it work??" he asked impatiently, removing his glasses.
Hermione hastily conjured a mirror and Damien inspected himself anxiously. "Hey, I look good!" he exclaimed happily.
Damn straight, Hermione and Draco thought at the same time. Damien eyed them both suspiciously. Oops, they thought simultaneously, both turning a dusky pink.
"So, explain!" Lily said impatiently, gesturing wildly. Hermione sighed.
"Well, I thought that first Voldemort wouldn't be able to undo the spell, because the ward was against him. Second, anyone of Harry- I mean Damien's blood- you and Severus Snape- the real one, would also be unable to end the spell because Dumbledore wanted Damien kept away from you. Third, anyone with The Dark Mark wouldn't be able to do it because their magic is tied in with Voldemort's. That left me or Ron, and no offense, Ron, I'm a little more powerful than you, and Dumbledore is really, really strong."
Ron huffed angrily, insulted. Damien grinned. "Damn, 'Mione, you really did it."
"Indeed she did," Voldemort's voice could be heard from the doorway. Damien looked up and smiled.
He gasped in surprise. "Hey! It doesn't hurt any more!"
Voldemort grinned and walked over. "Hello, Damien Alexander Snape. I don't think we've been properly introduced. I am Thomas Marvolo Riddle, also known as Lord Voldemort and your Grandfather." He extended his hand.
Damien grinned and shook his hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Grandfather. Sorry about the other day." they laughed quietly at the sight- the former Harry Potter and Gryffindor's Golden boy shaking hands with Voldemort, resident Dark Lord- and his Grandfather.
"I told you that you really didn't want to die, young man."
"So, not to burst your bubble or anything, but how long are Weaseley and Granger going to be here?" Draco drawled, gaining everyone's attention.
"As long as they want, Draco," Lily answered, frowning.
Draco sighed before walking out the door. Damn it, I have to put up with the Gryffindorks all frigging summer before Father makes me go back to dumpy old Hogwarts. Don't I get any rest from their stupidity? he thought angrily.
Before anyone could say anything, Damien, Ron and Hermione ran out the door after the unsuspecting Slytherin. "Damien!" Lily yelled angrily, "get your ass back into bed!"
Damien caught Draco's robes and swung him around, knocking him into the wall. Draco's eyes bugged out as he stared at the extremely scantily clad, angry guy in front of him. "Oof," wheezed Draco as he hit his head against the stone wall.
"Now- Hey! I'm taller than you!" Damien exclaimed, grinning evilly. "Now, you little dipshit, what did you just say about my friends???"
"I didn't say anything!!!!" Draco exclaimed angrily, pushing Damien away from him. Damn he's got nice abs, and pecs and damn!
Damien glared at him and removed the offending hands. "First you call us Gryffindorks and stupid, and now you think I have a nice body. Make up your bloody mind already," he ground out, turning three shades of red.
Draco's jaw dropped. "What the hell- Pott- Snape- whoever you are, get out of my head!"
"We ALL heard you, dumbass," Ron snapped, crowding Draco back against the wall. Hermione stood on Damien's other side, effectively blocking his escape.
"No, I'm serious, Scarhead! I wasn't THINKING that, not saying it! Get the bloody hell out of my head!" Draco protested, well aware that he was about to get his face pounded. Damien drew his hand back, looking murderous.
Lucius stood up quickly, not wanting his son to get jumped by three angry Gryffindors, but Voldemort shot him a look and walked out first, intent on restraining his Grandson.
"Severus, would you help him restrain your son?" Lucius drawled, trying to put on a brave front. "Why are they going to hurt him for thinking?"
"Because he's never done it before?" Lily asked, sotto voce. Narcissa glared at her before giggling.
"I think Our Lord has a handle on the situation. Besides, from what I understand, this had been in the making for a long time. From the horror stories Hermione and Ron have told me, your son is a stuck up, arrogant prick at school and deserves this," Severus drawled, smirking. "And, now he's been caught without his brainless bodyguards."
Lucius snarled at him, drawing his wand. A hand on his arm restrained him. He looked into the eyes of his wife. "Luc, leave it. I admit freely that our son is an arrogant ass, just like his father. It's Malfoy tradition."
Lucius took his hand off his wand and grinned in defeat. "That he is, isn't he Cissa. However, three against one is hardly fair." He stood up and walked out into the hallway after Voldemort.
Draco stared wide eyed at the hand Damien had raised. "Oh really, Pothead, what do you think you can do with that- OOF" Damien slammed him across the face, leaving an angry red mark. "That's going to bruise, you bastard!" Draco snapped, never knowing when to quit.
Damien growled and raised his fist but a hand on his shoulder restrained him. He turned and stared into the scarlet eyes of his grandfather. "Could you please move your hand so I can decorate the walls?" he asked in an even tone.
Voldemort shook his head. "Would you save your anger for someone who is worth the trouble? Besides, magic is so much more inventive than the Muggle alternative of a physical confrontation."
Damien cocked his head. "True." Suddenly, Draco found himself hanging almost four feet off the ground, plastered against the wall. For some reason, Damien was in midair as well, along with Ron and Hermione.
"HELP!!!!!!" Draco howled, his Malfoy decorum going straight out the window. Narcissa shot out of her seat, Lily, and Severus right behind him.
"Drop him NOW!!!!" Lucius roared from his vantage point, whipping out his wand. Damien just looked down at him and the elder Malfoy paled and backed off. Damien's eyes glowed a solid viridian and his fingers glowed the same color. His hair whipped around his face and he radiated a seething anger. Hermione's eyes, on the other side of Damien, glowed a solid cobalt blue, and her clothes whipped around her lithe body. Ron's eyes glowed scarlet, and his entire body had a faint glow around it as well.
Voldemort stared up at them, flabbergasted. "Well, who'd have thought that the Golden Trio would have so much power?" he mused aloud.
Draco stared down at him, wide eyed. "While you are all enjoying the power display would someone GET ME DOWN????????" he shrieked.