A/N: Towards the end of this chapter I reference wizarding Catholic priests. This is not meant in disrespect of the Catholic faith, as I have the highest respect for anyone who chooses to devote their life to priesthood. I merely enjoy interweaving fantasy with reality. I apologize if anyone takes offence.

Chapter 29 - Intruder

Mrs. Dursley answered her pristine front door and smiled haltingly in a perfect mixture of curiosity and approval. It wasn't everyday that such a conservative, normal looking girl paid the Dursleys a visit over the summer holidays; just the kind of girl she'd like Dudders to bring home. "Yes?"

"Hello. You must be Mrs. Dursley. I'm Hermione Granger. I've come to visit Harry. May I come in?"

Petunia's lip stiffened quicker than a curse at the end of a wand. "No. My nephew isn't allowed visitors over the holidays. Now, you go home young lady," she replied sternly, slamming the door. Such a nice looking girl had no business getting involved with that sort. There was no way she was going to let that happen under her roof. Harry was sick anyway. Petunia huffed and went back to the kitchen, wondering how on earth he'd met a girl like that when Dudders hadn't even been lucky enough to land a girl for the end of year dance.

Hermione pursed her lips in frustration and peered at the second floor, wondering which window was his. Thanks to the time turner use in third year, the ministry recognized her as physically seventeen and lawfully able to do magic away from school, as long as she did so out of the presence of muggles.

Walking discreetly behind a bush, Hermione twirled her wand around herself until she took on the color and texture of the wall behind her. Smiling slightly to herself, she walked around to the backyard of number four Privet Drive and looked up to see a window with bars on it. She closed her eyes and apparated within the upstairs room.

Cancelling the disillusionment, Hermione gasped as she touched Harry's forehead. He was lying on his bed, burning up, and mumbling in his sleep. She didn't know what to do: she wasn't Madam Pomfrey. Thinking quickly, she conjured a small sponge and drenched it with an aguamenti. Hermione pressed the sponge over her best friend's forehead and gently swept it down his face, taking off his glasses while she was at it. His fever was too high. He needed care. Looking around nervously, she used Harry's writing desk to pen a quick letter.

Dear Professor Mcgonagall,

I felt I had to check up on Harry, given our state of Home Rule. I came to number four Privet Drive, and found him very sick. He has a high fever and seems to be delirious. I cannot apprise Mr. and Mrs. Dursley since they were unwilling to let me see him in the first place. I don't know any adequate healing spells. Please send someone quickly. Yours respectfully,

Hermione Granger

Hermione smiled at Hedwig as she freed her from her cage and strapped the letter to her leg. "Please hurry Hedwig."

Hedwig nipped Hermione's ear affectionately before flying off out of the window.

Hermione sighed and sat down, resuming her gentle sponging of Harry's head.

At Grimmauld Place they were dealing with another kind of sick person. Daphne was finally home, but the joy that fact was supposed to inspire was absent. Severus observed her silently as she lied on her bed. She had yet to wake up. He'd performed diagnostic spells and found that her system was saturated with Amortentia. Biting back his fury, he also realized she was suffering from cruciatus exposure, something he'd expected given Bella's handiwork, but she seemed otherwise alright. There was no reason she should be unresponsive to his renervate. Black was being disgustingly emotional. He'd groveled over her prone form, after placing conjured flowers on her bedside table and taking her unconscious hand in his. Severus stood at the foot of her bed, stoic as ever, as he waited for Mrs. Weasley to arrive. He thought perhaps she could care for Daphne in his absence. Lords knew he didn't trust Black to do it.

The lady came bustling in a few minutes later. "Oh the poor thing." She shooed Sirius out of the way and started her own set of diagnostic spells. After several tries to revive Daphne, Molly sighed and went to the kitchen to retrieve a meal to spell into the young woman's stomach.

Severus regarded Daphne for a moment and decided he would not leave her unprotected. He lifted the ingot out of his pocket and placed it in her hand. Severus frowned, and Sirius's chair screeched as he suddenly got up in shock. The ingot flew to Daphne's chest and it's fine bronze chain began weaving itself around her neck. Daphne sputtered and took in a huge gulp of air as her eyes shot open. She sat bolt upright as her hand flew to her chest to grasp the ingot. Her eyes welled with unshed tears as she looked at Severus. She gave him a watery smile. "I'm back… I'm back," she repeated as her eyes closed and she fell back on her pillows.

Reciprocatively, Severus closed his eyes in relief while Sirius rushed to her side and hugged her.

The door opened revealing Molly, "Daphne!" She almost dropped the plate of food when she saw Daphne awake. She placed it on the bedside table instead and immediately started another round of diagnostic spells, revealing that Daphne would have some post tremors from the cruciatus curse.

Severus narrowed his eyes at the traces of Amortentia still coursing through her system. "How do you feel?"

Daphne opened her eyes and swallowed. "I'm just happy to be back. You can't imagine how its been, not knowing when that freak was finally going to give up coercing me."

"I meant your physical state Miss Martin."

Daphne frowned at his stilted manner, but answered anyway. "I feel… slightly numb. Tingly all over. A little giddy, actually."

Severus pursed his lips and paused thoughtfully. "Amortentia can be quite addictive if taken for long periods of time. You may need withdrawal treatment."

Daphne looked appalled.

The potions master raised a brow, "No need to worry Miss Martin. I will brew the necessary elixirs to restore your health. I shall return this evening." Severus turned and billowed from the room. He walked out of Grimmauld Place in a numb frame of mind. The leading fact throbbing through his thoughts - Daphne was back. Relief was not a feeling he was used to. Taking action to set things right was far more normal, if anything about Severus Snape's life could be considered normal. He took a calming breath, putting these odd feelings from his mind. He was happy, and that was a good thing for once.

Severus took another breath, and began occluding his thoughts. He had a list of Death Eaters to visit.

He made sure every remnant of relief or sentimentality was safely locked away in the imaginary stronghold of his mind and apparated to the literal, more terrifying, stronghold in his life. After feeding the Dark Lord and ascertaining that his catatonic condition hadn't changed, Severus aparated to Wiltshire and was received by a weepy Narcissa Malfoy.

"Severus," she took his hand and clung to him as she walked him into the drawing room where Lucius was seated with tea. Hiccuping miserably, she continued, "Draco has been missing for a week. The whole abbey was destroyed. Almost everyone was kissed," another sob, "Only a few staff escaped unscathed, and those missing are presumed dead." Narcissa broke down pitifully into Severus's supporting arms."

"Narcissa," Lucius piped up. "Severus you must forgive my wife. Our situation is most dire."

Severus frowned compassionately as he placed Narcissa in a comfortable armchair and began subtle diagnostic spells on her. "I am sure Narcissa that Lucius has every possible trace on Draco." he looked up to the sallow visage of his host for confirmation.

"Of course I do Severus. I've also hired the best magical investigators in Britain, as well as blackmailed several aurors into prioritizing the case. I still… fear the worst." Lucius sipped his tea, unconsciously keeping his little finger extended in formal pureblood manner. On second thought, Severus believed it was conscious effort.

"Where does the trail run cold?" he asked.

Lucius swallowed heavily before replying, "It seems that Draco ran to the southern coast line as the attack was underway. The Sanitarium, or what's left of it, is located on the island of Inchkeith. I suppose he thought that getting away from the group was the best way to escape notice, trapped on an island the way they all were, or perhaps he was simply running mindlessly."

Severus grimaced as he vanished Narcissa's diagnostic results.

"It is very difficult to keep a trace over open sea as you know. Aurors speculate that, given his condition,... there's very little chance he was able to fight the waves or use magic to keep himself afloat Severus."

Narcissa burst into fresh tears, as Severus grasped her shoulder to steady her. "Lucius, Narcissa is suffering from severe anxiety. I suggest a calming draught and bed rest."

Lucius looked at his wife, glassy eyed. "Pippy!" A nervous house elf appeared in front of Lucius. "Pippy, take Madam Malfoy to her wing. See that she takes a calming draught and that she retires for the day."

"Yes Master! Right away Master!" The elf petted her mistress on the hand gently, popping out of sight in the process.

Severus stared at Narcissa's vacated seat for a moment before turning to Lucius. "Lucius," he pressed, "you can't have lost hope…"

"There is no hope Severus." Lucius finally allowed his calm facade to shatter. His teacup slipped from his fingers, making a broken sound on the floor, and he clasped his face in his hands. His shoulders shook, his deep voice raising a few octaves, "My son, Severus. My son... is dead." Malfoy openly wept.

Severus sank into Narcissa's armchair. He kept silent as he sat with his devastated friend, a stable presence to ground the Malfoy patriarch.

Several early drinks later, and a few more bouts of tears, the men commenced speaking. "I was always too hard on him Severus. I taught him as my father taught me, and as his father before him taught him. I just never imagined I wouldn't get the opportunity to look back with a fully grown son, pat his back, and laugh about the harsh learning experience. I never imagined we'd have so little time. No doubt…" Lucius swallowed down a watery hiccup, " No doubt, he believed I didn't much like him," he pointed an accusing finger, ironically away from himself.

"Lucius, Draco knows of your pride for him. And there can be no doubt that he's been maturing admirably the last few months at Hogwarts, and with the proper attitude towards family. You have nothing to worry about my friend."

Lucius took a swig. "You talk as if you expect to see him again."

"I do believe the Firth of Forth is well traversed. He could have been picked up by any number of muggle ships or ferries from Edinburgh." Severus emptied his glass and rose to serve another.

"Muggles…" Lucius frowned in thought. "I'll admit I hadn't thought of that."

"By the way, seeing as how Edinburgh is such a large city, do we know why the dementors chose to attack a tiny island in the middle of the bay?"

"It was a sanitarium Severus. They probably were attracted to all of the miserably terminal wizards there. I can't say I think Draco was very happy towards the end."

"Hmm…" Severus sat sipping his drink.

"Even so, they probably found his… they probably found him and are currently trying to discover who he was."

Severus frowned, "Still, it's something we should discuss with the aurors."

A patronus suddenly burst through the wall. Severus recognized Minerva's annoying blue cat as he silently received the message. He scowled. "I'm sorry Lucius, McGonagall seems to be panicking with some Order business. I cannot let my spying duties slip," he spoke as he stood.

"Of course. You've been the only follower at all worthy lately. I admire the fortitude, and the association, by the way. It's only because of our cooperation with you that my family," Lucius suddenly stopped and amended, "that my wife and I have escaped retribution along side the Lestranges." He stood as well, grasping Severus's arm like a lifeline.

Severus felt jostled as he left the manor. Apparently something bad had happened in Little Whinging, and he had to make yet another house call before he could get to his potions lab. Severus apparated in a rush and marched up Privet Drive to number four whereupon he unceremoniously began banging on the door forcefully. The door was yanked open, revealing a rather fleshy man with an unflattering puce face. "Mr. Dursley I presume. My name is Severus Snape, and I require an audience with your nephew."

Petunia looked astonished as she appeared behind her husband. "You! What are you doing here?"

"Why Petunia, after all these years what an unpleasant surprise."

"How dare you!" Petunia spat as she was enveloped under the arm of an indignant and somewhat frightened Vernon Dursley.

"Who are you!? What do you want?" Screamed Vernon.

"As nostalgic as this is, can we save the niceties for later?" Severus pushed passed the shocked couple and made his way up the stairs. He took one look at the bedroom door with excess padlocks installed and entered. Minerva, Poppy, and Miss Granger, of all people, sat worriedly by Harry Potter's sick bed.

"Ah, Severus," Poppy stood relieved. "He doesn't seem to be responding to any treatment. He has a high fever and is suffering from delirium."

Severus approached the bed frowning as he waved his wand towards Potter. The diagnostic runes showed exactly Poppy's consensus. It also showed a foreign presence in his system. Severus pointed at it, "What is that?"

"I don't know. All I've been able to confirm is that it isn't material, or viral. It has to be magical."

"Any hidden curses?"

"Not that I can detect," Poppy stated firmly.

Severus's brows creased. It was unlikely that a matron like Poppy would have missed cursework if she'd checked for it. She was just too experienced. Potter was still twitching and mumbling. Severus stared at the debilitated face of the boy who looked so like his own childhood nemesis… Lily's boy. Draco flitted across Severus's thoughts, and he pinched the bridge of his nose, disturbed. Severus cleared his mind and decided to try something else.

He dragged his wand over Potter's forehead in the pattern deliberately used by wizards who'd converted to the muggle catholic faith, wizards whose jobs were to deal with magical ailments that afflicted muggle devotees. These wizards took muggle vows in order to protect the populous from demonic activity. Under his breath, Severus recited the unique prayer/incantation hybrid developed by these priests. What he found didn't astonish him as much as it should have - Potter was busy fighting an intruding spirit, and his body was burning up trying to dispel it. Severus rubbed his face wearily, conjuring a glass of water and downing it in one gulp. He set the glass on the bedside table, turned to the room at large, and spoke, "Mr. Potter is in need of a specialist. He is fighting a possession."

A/N: The island of Inchkeith is located in the Edinburgh bay, saw a lot of the fight between the Scots and English since the 200s BC, was utilized by King James IV during the Renaissance for a linguistic experiment, was an important HQ location to protect Edinburgh during the world wars, and is now maintained only for its lighthouse capability. Thanks for reading...