World of the Unfallen

by black_blade

Summary:

Over seven years has passed since Voldemort fell and Harry has just gotten his life back on track. Suddenly, he is pulled from his world and into another. A world of his nightmare. A world where Voldemort wasn't defeated and the side of the light are clutching at straws.

Chapter 1: Chapter One

Over seven years has passed since Voldemort fell and Harry has just gotten his life back on track. Suddenly, he is pulled from his world and into another. A world of his nightmare. A world where Voldemort wasn't defeated and the side of the light are clutching at straws.

xXx

Harry Potter tapped his pen on his desk as he tried to think about his latest case and what he should be writing up in the report. He'd been with the Aurors for over five years and was now fully qualified after finishing his training last year. It was not what he'd been expecting, the paperwork was one thing and the long hours was the other. He'd thought that he would be fighting dark wizards and it would be similar to his years of fighting Voldemort. He'd been wrong.

"Hey, Harry."

Harry looked over to Ron as the red head stood before his desk. Ron looked at the paperwork, scattered before him, in interest. The red head had been an Auror longer than Harry and had progressed through the ranks quickly. Harry's magic and attitude had held him back in many ways but he was improving or so his bosses told him. Harry just felt like he was stuck.

"Hey," Harry replied and threw his pen on his desk before leaning back in his seat. "This would go quicker if they moved with the times and brought in computers."

"Not this again," Ron groaned.

It was an old argument between them, Harry wanted to use a computer and Ron still didn't understand what one was.

"Feel like a drink, it is your birthday after all?" Ron offered.

"Nah," Harry answered. "I'm still on the clock for another two hours, how about this weekend instead?"

"Sure," Ron announced and stood up. "See you tomorrow then."

"Yeah," Harry agreed before Ron wandered off.

Harry glanced around the Auror Department. Most had already left for the day and it was too early for the night crew to start. He stretched out his back before picking up his pen and going back to the papers before him. By the time that he finished, the first of the night crew started to drift in as he quickly tidied up his desk. He picked up his back pack and swung it over one shoulder as he walked through the Department and up to the London streets.

The streets were busy for a Tuesday night but Harry was used to that. He weaved through the crowds while everyone around him were heading home or out for a night on the town. Most wizard and witches used the floo or other magical means to get home. Harry liked to walk to his London apartment. His mind drifted as he walked and knew that it was just him when he arrived at there. His relationship with Ginny had fallen apart quickly due to many reasons. While Hermione and Ron had been able to make it work. Harry and Ginny had just fallen into shouting matches. In the end, Harry wasn't even sure what he'd been defending himself against and had walked out.

His friendship with Ron had been shaky for a while after that but in the end the red head had come around. Harry still felt awkward when he went around to the Burrow for family gatherings even if Ginny and him had broken up over four years ago. Harry had just fallen further into his work and any relationship he'd had had been fleeting and with no substance. Harry just sighed and his eyes traced over the people around him as he walked along. Tourists, families and business people alike mingled together.

Harry then felt a slight brush against the back of his neck. He'd been working long enough as an Auror to know that someone was watching him. His hand slipped down into his pocket and he curled his fingers around the Elder Wand. Feeling the power at his fingertips as he tried to glance into any reflective surface to see behind him. If there was someone following him, they knew what they were doing.

The next pub that he came across, he stepped into. Noise and smoke rolled over him as he walked up to the bar. His black jeans, light blue shirt and long black jacket blending in with the muggles around him as he strolled up to the bar. He looked into the glass behind the bar as he signalled for a beer. He couldn't see anyone giving him any extra attention.

"Three quid," the bartender said and Harry passed the money over.

"Cheers," Harry replied and turned as he looked over the bar.

Nothing stuck out to him as he sipped on the beer. At eight at night, the pub was just starting to get going. He could see a band was setting up as he pushed off from the bar and walked towards the bench, before the windows, that would overlook the street.

When the attack came, he was caught off guard.

He felt a hand wrap around his wrist and pull. He stumbled to the left as he dropped his beer and went for his wand. He couldn't see his attacker as he fell back into something as a cloth covered his mouth, then he felt the pull of a Portkey. He held his breath as the Portkey spat him out and he tried to elbow the invisible person behind him. A fist slammed into his ribs and he gasped in pain.

The smell of the cloth filled his nose and mouth as he felt light headed while an arm wrapped around his waist. His legs gave way as his vision tunnelled in before he fell into the darkness surrounding him.

xXx

Harry woke slowly and felt groggy like his head was filled with cotton wool. He could tell that he was laying on his side on a narrow bed as he blinked his eyes open. He took in the bare room around him slowly. He could feel the touch of magic on the air and he took note of the fact that he'd been stripped down to his jeans and shirt. He groaned softly as he slowly sat up on the edge of the bed.

The room held just the bed that he was sitting on and two doors. The walls were bare and there were no windows. He leaned forward and ran his hands over his face before looking at his bare wrists. They had even taken his watch, belt and shoes. That gave Harry a clue to the fact that they either gave him more credit than he deserved or were taking no chances. Harry, however, wasn't defenceless. You don't hold the Deathly Hallows without having a few tricks up your sleeve. He stood up and carefully stepped over to the wall and placed his hand on the plaster.

He closed his eyes and reached out with his magic to find out if there was a ward in place. He quirked a smile when he didn't find one, it would seem, that his abductors hadn't taken everything into account. He had an ace up his sleeve as he reached further out and could touch on a few background spells. He opened his eyes and stepped back before walking over to the door. Slowly he brought his hand up as he focused his mind. He could feel the spells, without touching the door, as he hesitated. His head was already giving him grief, he didn't want to touch the door and end up in a pile on the other side of the room.

His curiosity overrode that as he closed his eyes and took a look at the spells. His head pounded as he gently teased the spells apart. His teachers, at the Auror school, had always mentioned that he had a natural affinity for magic. He knew better, he had a connection to the Deathly Hallows. Those three magical items that had come together to save his life before the battle with Voldemort. He had then used the last seven years perfecting what he'd gained through the Hallows. Even if Hermione wouldn't let him try the last test of the killing curse. He thought the day that he'd snapped the Elder Wand, that had been the end, he'd been mistaken. It had only been the beginning.

He touched on a powerful locking charm first, but it was only on the door and not the rest of the room. They had linked his blood into the wards and there was a spell that people from the other side could look into the room and pass in items but he couldn't see out. That gave him a clue that they wanted him alive and were planning on feeding him. He opened his eyes and walked over to the other door in the room.

He reached out and turned the handle, already knowing there was no magic there. It opened up into a bathroom and Harry glanced around. It was tasteful and modern and that gave Harry another clue that they didn't normally house prisoners here or they didn't want him to think of the room as a prison. He walked over to the sink and opened the cupboard underneath but they had cleared it out. There was a towel hanging up and Harry took a sniff and could tell that it was clean. There was soap on the sink but nothing else.

Harry walked back into the bedroom, leaving the bathroom door open and glanced around. He was sure that there was a window hidden somewhere. If he could find it, it could give him a way out, as long as they were on the first or second floor.

He tensed and looked over to the door when he heard the handle rattle. He braced himself as a dark-haired man walked in. Harry felt a chill go through him. He looked into the man's hazel eyes and took in the sight of his messy black hair. He knew the man from photos of when he was younger, he looked to be in his late thirties now. About ten years older than Harry himself.

"Hello," the man greeted. "My name is James Potter."

Harry eyed the man off and nodded.

"I know who you are," Harry stated, not letting his guard down.

"Good," James remarked. "That will make this quicker. You are Harry Potter?"

"Yes," Harry answered, having a surreal moment. "You would have gotten that off my Auror badge."

James's lips twitched up at that but it didn't reach his eyes.

"You are correct," James remarked. "And we apologise for abducting you the way that we did and holding you here."

"Then you will happily let me go then," Harry attempted.

"It's not that simple," James sighed. 

"The door is just there," Harry pointed out. "Seems simple enough to me."

James sighed again and crossed his arms. Harry knew that he wouldn't be going anywhere.

"Just a personal question," James inquired. "I am your father. Did I raise you?"

"No," Harry answered shortly and James nodded.

"This must be a little strange then."

"You would think so," Harry remarked. "But I'm used to strange by now."

James then gave a laugh and he looked years younger. Harry knew that he hadn't gone back in time as his mind raced about what was going on. The man before him had aged past the date that he was killed which led Harry's thinking somewhere else.

"This is not my dimension," Harry stated and James startled. "You have taken me out of my timeline."

James nodded slowly.

"It will reset itself," James assured him then shifted on his feet. "Then you will be pulled back to your rightful time and dimension."

"After how long?"

"One year."

Harry felt a chill run down his back.

"In one year," James clarified. "The spell that was cast will wear off and you will go back."

"Why am I here?" Harry questioned.

"That will take a long time to explain," James responded. "I'm sorry, but I don't have the time at the moment. I am already running a risk by being here now."

"And the reason that I can't leave?"

"Things are different here," James told him. "This world is not like yours."

Harry stepped back and looked at his father. The fact that the man was alive gave that away.

"I'm sorry," James said quickly. "But you just have to trust us, I have to go."

James quickly stepped back to the door and the spell covered him as he left. Harry was left standing there alone in the middle of the room.

"You could have left me a book at least!" Harry yelled after his father in frustration.

Chapter 2: Chapter Two

Three days passed as Harry paced around the small room and sensed out the magic and how he could get around it. Meals would arrive, on a tray, three times a day then disappear half an hour later. Whether he touched it or not and Harry was intrigued by the spell work. He was also amused him when a fiction book turned up with his first meal. He would have preferred a history book but it looked like they wanted to keep him in the dark. Whatever the reason, that they'd pulled him out of his dimension, they weren't ready to tell him. Which brought up the question of how many other people had they done this to.

Harry tensed when he heard the door handle rattle and he paused then braced himself. He could feel magic at his fingertips as the door opened and a tall, dark-haired man stepped into the room. Harry felt the blood drain from his face as a shiver ran down his back. He stepped back as he looked into the face of Severus Snape.

"We have to go," Snape said quickly. "Cause any trouble and I'll be carrying your limp body."

"That would mean manual labour, Snape." Harry snapped back without thinking and Snape paused. "That would be beyond you."

"Don't assume to know me," Snape replied mildly and held out his hand with a small silver ball in his palm. "Portkey."

Harry could feel that as he carefully stepped forward as his eyes darted over Snape's features. He looked younger and his face wasn't as lined or pale. His black hair was brushed back smooth and tied at the base of his skull. He wore muggle clothes with a long black jacket over the top. He stood there impatiently as Harry placed his hand on the Portkey.

"Green beans," Snape intoned and the room dissolved around them.

Harry stumbled into Snape as the Portkey spat them out. He then looked down at the puddle that he'd landed in. He cursed and stepped away as water soaked into his socks and he could feel Snape smirking at him. He glanced around the cavern that they'd landed in before focusing back on the other man.

"This is not an upgrade," Harry said, snidely.

"You won't be here long. This is just a staging point," Snape replied and looked him over. "You're not what I was expecting."

"Those words allude to the fact that the Harry Potter of this time is dead?" Harry questioned.

Snape nodded sharply as his dark eyes bored into him. The only other sound around them was a soft dripping in the distance that would echo back to them eerily.

"What year is it?" Harry inquired, to break the uncomfortable silence.

"1996," Snape replied. "3rd of August, in fact. I believe that you are further along in your timeline?"

Harry paused at that answer, since the year that he'd come from, was eight years from now while Snape watched him carefully.

"Yes," Harry answered, simply.

"You will find that there are more than just time differences here," Snape told him.

Harry nodded, he thought he had an open mind but as he looked at the dead man before him. He felt like his mind wasn't open enough as he tried to absorb the situation. In some ways, it had been easier to see James Potter for he'd never known the man. Severus Snape was a different story; he'd seen the man murdered in front of him.

"A history book would have caught me up on that," Harry pointed out and Snape snorted.

"We tried that the first time," Snape remarked and Harry paused.

"With another Harry Potter?"

"With another Chosen One," Snape countered.

Harry froze at those words.

"That would mean-"

"Don't say his name," Snape hissed. "Or you will bring him down on our heads."

"You have brought me to a time where that creature is still alive!" Harry yelped.

Snape suddenly grabbed his arm in a steel grip and Harry lashed out with his left fist. Snape pulled back sharply as Harry followed his punch up with a kick and Snape slipped further back warily. Harry pushed his advantage as he curled his hands into fists and waited but Snape didn't throw a punch or pull out his wand. Harry kept himself balanced on his feet and didn't shift out of stance.

"I'm not here to fight you," Snape defended as he eyed him off.

Harry didn't relax but he could hear the truth in the man's words.

"Then why are we here?" Harry pressed as he stepped forward. "Why are we in a cavern…somewhere?"

"We're waiting," Snape replied, not stepping back. "We couldn't hold you at the last place any longer. The Dark Lord had picked up on the fact that a chosen one has entered this timeline."

Harry fell back a step at those words.

"And how would he know that?" Harry questioned, in thought.

"You are marked as a chosen one," Snape stated.

Harry laughed at those words as he turned and walked away from Snape. He looked around the cavern before turning back to the potion master. He spread his arms out wide.

"You have no idea," Harry laughed. "Did you go looking for a saviour through different timelines and dimensions?"

Snape shifted on his feet as a frown came to his brow.

"Someone to save you all?" Harry continued with a sneer. "The great Harry Potter, Saviour of the Wizarding World. You lot are diluted!"

"You are a chosen one," Snape said quickly. "There was no Dark Lord in your timeline which means that you killed him."

"Ha!" Harry barked and stalked back towards Snape.

The man held his ground as Harry stopped a foot away from him.

"Then what is stopping me from leaving this place?" Harry whispered, with a glint in his eyes. "I have killed a Dark Lord but what am I?"

Snape opened his mouth then paused as he looked into his eyes. The other man must have seen something in Harry's expression which gave him pause. Going off the date for this world, he would have only just turned sixteen. Still a child and not a fully qualified Auror, with more than just that training under his belt.

"You are an Auror," Snape remarked.

Harry's lips curled up into a smirk before he flicked his head to the side. Sirius Black and James Potter appeared in the empty space as they portkeyed in.

"We have to go!" James gasped and rushed forward. "He already knows where we are."

"That won't be a problem," Harry said, mildly.

"What-"

Harry then pulled his magic around himself as he tapped into the Deathly Hallows and disappeared from sight. The three men stilled completely before Harry twisted that magic around himself and he apparated. He felt the slight resistance of an anti-apparation ward before he slipped through it. He had an image in mind as he appeared in a park near Privet Drive. He looked around the park that he remembered well as he coated his skin in a sight shield. He flicked his wrist and the Elder Wand fell into his palm. That connection to the Deathly Hallows allowing him access.

Now that he knew that Voldemort could find him. He could put something into place to stop him. He held the Elder Wand up and closed his eyes as he drew out the runes that he wanted as he nudged the magic. He knew what Voldemort was trying to connect to as he closed his mind off. That part of Voldemort's soul, that had been in him, may be gone but Harry had still been tainted by it. He whispered under his breath as the magic ran over his skin before it settled and soaked in.

He opened his eyes and glanced around the silent night before letting the wand go and it disappeared before it hit the ground. When the Deathly Hallows had found a master they had absorbed themselves into him. He could feel their magic in his veins. Three parts of a whole entwined within him. He then shivered as a cold breeze touched his bare arms and he cursed. It was a cold night to be standing in just his shirt, pants and wet socks.

xXx

James, Sirius and Severus just stood there in shock as the young man disappeared. He was not what they'd been expecting, his age and skill were just two things as Sirius started cursing.

"Severus," James said as he turned to him. "Get back to Hogwarts, in case he goes there, we don't want Malfoy to get his hands on him."

"And if he goes to the Ministry of Magic?" Severus questioned.

James and Sirius cringed.

"He knows nothing of this world," Severus continued. "Perhaps we should have given him a history book."

"That's why we came here," Sirius pointed out. "To explain everything!"

"Too late now," James muttered. "He seems like an intelligent man and he picked up on the fact that he isn't in his own timeline or world-"

"This is a fuck up," Sirius cursed. "It has been from the start-"

A loud rumble sounded from above as the earth pattered down around them. They looked up briefly before sharing a look between them.

"Time's up," Severus stated as he palmed a portkey.

The three men disappeared as the cavern rumbled again and stones rained down in the empty space.

Chapter 3: Chapter Three

Harry crouched down behind a row of bushes as he watched the large man waddle out to his car and the jingle of keys as he opened the door. The man slipped into the car and it groaned under his weight before he put it into a gear and pulled out. Harry watched as Vernon Dursley drove away while he waited. He'd picked this house for one reason; he knew the people inside and their routine. It was a Saturday morning, so he knew that his aunt would get fed up with Dudley and head out to the shops with the boy in tow. Knowing that when they arrived that they would go their separate ways.

A few hours later, he was rewarded, as his aunt stormed out to her car with his cousin whining behind her. His cousin was even larger than he remembered as the boy kicked a stone and it clattered across the driveway and towards where Harry was hidden in the bushes with his invisibility cloak curled around him.

"Can't I go to the movies?" Dudley whined.

"Of course, Sweetkins," Petrina replied, sweetly. "You can see a movie while I do some shopping."

Dudley smiled widely as he slipped into the car and his aunt started it up and pulled out. Harry gave them twenty minutes before he crept up to the front door. He pulled out his wand and tapped the door. It opened easily and he stepped inside, there were no wards around the house or magic. From that alone he knew that the Harry Potter of this world had never lived here. He walked through to the laundry and picked out some clothes and with a quick spell had them resized. He changed into the clothes and picked out a few other shirts and pants.

He walked into the kitchen and placed the clothing on the bench before he knelt down and reached into the back of one of the low cupboards. He fished around for the tea pot that he knew was back there and grinned when he pulled the item out. He knew this was where his aunt kept her secret stash of money from her husband. Harry opened the lid and smiled at the close to two hundred pounds in there. He stuffed the money into his pocket and replaced the tea pot at the back of the cupboard.

He picked up the pile of clothes and headed upstairs to his cousin's room. He stepped into the mess and to the wardrobe. He found an old backpack and stuffed the clothes in there as well as a pair of Dudley's shoes that he resized with a quick spell. Once he was finished, he walked into his aunt and uncle's room and into their wardrobe. He knew where his uncle kept his safe and pushed around a few boxes to uncover it. His uncle had a thing about banks, Harry was sure it was the fees as he pulled out his wand. With a quick spell, he had the safe open, and picked out a few more notes and a thick gold chain then closed it back up.

Within half an hour, he had everything that he needed as he let himself out the front door and casually apparated. Now, he needed information.

xXx

Harry sat back in his seat at the local library with a frown, as far as muggle history went, everything was the same as in his world. Current events were the same but he got that sense of awareness from people that he was used to from his time as he dug into newspapers. He could read between the lines. There had been attacks, not like September eleventh in his time. But there were reports of unexplained events that they had chalked up to terrorists. Something that hadn't been thrown around in the main stream until after 2001 in his time.

Harry glanced around the library and knew that if he wanted to know what was going on in the wizarding world. He would have to step foot in it but that gave him pause. With the knowledge of Voldemort being alive, he would have to take care. The Ministry of Magic was out, and without his Auror badge, he couldn't use that entrance. The fact that he hadn't been held at Hogwarts, when they'd brought him here, made him throw that idea out as well. He couldn't keep hiding out as he chewed through the money he'd stolen.

He would have to take the risk. If he wanted to find out what was happening. He wasn't going to be able to just sit around for a year as he waited for the spell to run out. He wasn't even sure if that was correct. He had no knowledge of the types of spells that could cross over times and dimensions, only that such magic existed. He placed the newspapers back and picked up his bag and left the library. He would have to try his luck and see where it led him.

xXx

Harry started to develop a really bad feeling in his gut as he sat in a coffee shop across the road from the Leaky Cauldron. He'd picked up on the wizards and witches coming and going from the pub but they looked on edge. They would glance around before entering and exiting. They would avoid walking down the street and would apparate while still within the range of the spells of the pub. The ones that did walk down the street were careful to look completely muggle. Harry had never seen people with magic take such care to blend in with muggles before.

Something was going on and Harry didn't like the feeling he was getting. He knew people that could tell him but he wasn't sure that he could trust them. Then a thought came to him and he smirked. He finished his coffee and left the café. He found an alley and apparated to a run-down looking building with the slight flavour of magic around it. He'd arrived at Spinner's End; Severus Snape's house. He'd been surprised, after the man's death, that Snape had passed the Prince name and holdings to him. Then Gringotts had contacted him with other families that had left him properties after the war.

It was another sticking point to Ginny when he'd given the money and properties, that he'd been given, to charities. Harry pushed those thoughts to the side as he stepped closer to the building while he felt out the magic. The wards hadn't been renewed and it had a feeling of disuse as Harry paused at the front door. He pulled out the Elder Wand and used a spell to cut into his palm and let his blood drip onto the front step. It hissed as it hit the stone but the blood still held. It didn't matter that he came from a different time and place. Snape had passed the title to him, which luckily for him, still held here.

The door creaked opened and Harry healed the cut before he stepped into the house carefully. Just because he'd been granted entrance, didn't mean that Snape didn't have other defences in place. He closed the door behind him and took in the layer of dust as he carefully walked down the hallway to the man's office. He was after one thing; books.

xXx

Severus frowned and glanced around the Great Hall of Hogwarts. His eyes taking in the students and the feeling that his wards had been tripped on his house. He also knew that he couldn't leave, at that moment, without raising suspicion. He tapped the table in irritation and Minerva gave him a glance and he stopped.

"Problem?" Minerva whispered and Severus tilted his head slightly in answer.

They both knew that they couldn't say much on the matter while Lucius Malfoy sat two seats down in the headmaster's place. Dinner rolled on and Severus was happy when he could get away. He took care as he left the school and apparated a few streets away from his house and walked the rest of the way. When his house came into view, he took in the fact that the light was on upstairs. Whoever had tripped his wards either wasn't expecting anyone to question them or was waiting for him. Severus glanced around before he slipped his wand into his hand and stepped up to his front door.

He looked down at the spots of blood on the front step with a frown. He was the last of his line and yet someone had used blood magic to get passed his wards. He closed the door silently behind him and kept his magic close as he checked the rooms downstairs before making his way up the stairs. He avoided the steps that creaked as he headed towards the light spilling out of his office. He paused when Harry Potter stepped out of the room and looked at him as he held a large book in his hand. It had been over a month since anyone had seen the man.

"History book," Potter announced as he held the book up. "No wonder you didn't want me to know anything. You lot are fucked."

Severus pulled back at those words.

"How did this world mess up so badly?" Potter continued as he opened the book in his hands. "Education restricted to purebloods and only to half-bloods that can afford the schooling and have two magical parents. Muggleborns are found and have their magic bound. Half-bloods that speak up also have their magic bound and squibs are cast out of all magical areas and communities. Ministry of Magic under the control of Barty Crouch junior and Lucius Malfoy is the Headmaster of Hogwarts. Not to mention the fact that the muggle government are having a silent war with the wizarding world. Which is on the brink of spilling over and exposing everyone to the existence of magic."

Severus eyed off the other man as the words spilled out, taking in his casual stance and inch long black hair. He had piecing green eyes of his mother and Severus had expected him to have the curse scar but his brow was scar free. It was the first thing that had put them on edge but the spell to find a chosen one hadn't failed yet. He was a handsome man and took after his father in body shape and strength but didn't have the height. He also had an odd feel around him, like there was more to him then what was on show. It screamed danger to the part of Severus that had kept him alive all these years.

"And your world is all sunshine and roses," Severus drawled.

"I wouldn't go that far," Potter replied and shut the book with a snap. "From the look of this place, I assume that you are under the watch of Lucius Malfoy at Hogwarts?"

"Defence and Dark Arts teacher," Severus answered and slipped his wand away.

"Moving up in the world," Potter remarked mildly. "I suppose being friends with a Malfoy worked out for you."

Severus felt rage flood through him as he stepped forward and Potter watched him mildly. Potters always knew how to stroke his temper. While James was careful about what he said, it looked like his son was a different story.

"Don’t pretend to know me!" Severus snarled, "that book doesn't have my history in it!"

"How about your forearm then?" Potter said casually.

Severus threw the first punch but it didn't come close to hitting the other man. Harry stepped back while he brought up the history book before him and Severus cursed as his fist hit the leather-bound cover. He slipped back and pulled his wand but froze when a dark wand appeared in Potter's hand.

"You want to do this here?" Potter questioned.

Severus froze, they had taken everything off the other man, including a wand. Potter had stolen a wand which put them all in danger. The Ministry could be tracking that wand as they spoke.

"Who did you steal that off?" Severus demanded. "Do you know how regulated they are?"

"This one is unregulated," Potter replied mildly with a hint of amusement.

"We have your wand," Severus stated.

"I would look again," Potter suggested with a curl to his lips.

Severus felt his gut clench at that look and the glint in those green eyes. There was power around the other man but he was keeping it close.

"How many others have you dragged here?" Potter questioned.

"Four," Severus replied with a sigh. "One was too young, another too old and one was so unbalanced that the Dark Lord killed him within a month."

"So, you just pick up 'chosen ones', like lambs to the slaughter?" Potter snarled. "You were happy enough to kidnap me off the street."

Severus sighed and ran a hand through his hair.

"We have been fighting for a very long time, Potter."

"Desperate times calls for desperate measures? I'm sure that the means justify the end." Potter said snidely. "This smells like the work of Albus Dumbledore."

Severus paused at those words and he took in Potter before him. Slight signs around the other man that time and experience had taught him. This was a man that had been through a war and had lost more than just loved ones and they had dragged him into another one. However, on the other hand, he knew that Potter had killed Voldemort. They eyed each other off before Potter snorted.

"Something amusing?" Severus drawled.

Potter waved his hand and said, "just the situation. Do you have anything to drink around here?"

Chapter 4: Chapter Four

Harry eyed off the self-updating history book on the table before focusing back on Severus Snape across the table from him. The man looked him over with dark, piercing eyes that he remembered so well. They were not something that you would forget quickly as Harry picked up his coffee and took a sip. To see the man through the eyes of an adult was a different story.

"Why did you bring me here?" Harry questioned and Severus sighed.

"He can't be killed," Severus said, smoothly. "Only the chosen one can kill him."

"And your 'chosen one' is dead?"

"Yes," Severus replied. "We found out too late what the prophecy really meant."

"Who was it?" Harry asked in interest and his question threw Snape.

"He killed both children," Snape informed him. "And any magical child born at the end of July since."

Harry flinched, that gave him a sense of the Voldemort of this world.

"But still working from the shadows?" Harry questioned. "He's not the Minister of Magic."

"He has puppets for that," Severus drawled. "He likes pulling people's strings and has more of the Ministry in his pocket then we can keep track of."

"And the young minds at Hogwarts," Harry added, absentmindedly as he tapped the table with his fingers.

"Yes," Snape answered, drawing out the word.

They fell into silence for a few minutes.

"Did you know me?" Snape questioned and Harry focused on him.

"Yes," Harry answered. "You were my Potion's teacher at Hogwarts."

"How old are you?"

Harry sipped on his coffee and looked at the man sitting across from him. He thought he would feel uncomfortable talking to a dead man but the man across from him seemed different to the one he'd known. The fact that he worked with James Potter might be a clue as to why. There wasn't that instant hatred that the Snape, that he'd known, had for any Potter.

"Fishing for information?" Harry asked as he leaned his elbows on the table. "Or concerned that I know more about you than you do about me?"

Snape bristled and his expression closed off. Harry knew how to push Snape's buttons as he leaned back in his chair.

"No doubt that you are a Potter," Severus grumbled and Harry grinned. "James knows how to hit the mark as well."

Harry gave a chuckle at that.

"This is still strange for me," Harry admitted. "Is Lily Potter alive as well?"

"No," Snape whispered. "She was murdered the night that their son was."

"At the age of eighteen months?"

"Close enough," Snape replied.

Harry placed his hand on the history book.

"As far as I can tell," Harry remarked. "That's when the timelines split. Vol-the Dark Lord never fell and the war went on."

"Yes," Snape agreed.

"Albus Dumbledore?"

Snape tensed across the table from him and Harry had his answer.

"When?" Harry asked.

"Just over two years ago," Severus said softly, his expression closed but his eyes gave him away.

"Horcrux?"

"I'm concerned with the amount of information that you know," Severus said slowly as he nodded.

"I'm an Auror," Harry remarked with a smirk. "It's my job to know things."

Snape chuckled and Harry started at the sound, he couldn't recall a time when Snape had laughed.

"James would have given me the same answer," Severus remarked in amusement.

"Is he an Auror as well?" Harry asked in interest.

"Yes," Severus replied. "And Sirius Black. Do you know him?"

"Not for long," Harry said sadly.

"And James?"

"Not at all."

They lapsed into silence at that answer and Harry sipped on his coffee then grimaced and pulled his wand. He noticed Severus tense but Harry just tapped his cup to heat the drink up. He slipped his wand away again and Severus gave him an odd look.

"What?" Harry questioned.

"All use of magic is regulated," Severus replied. "Unless you are in your own home with strong wards or a government agency. However, if you are a 'person of interest' they can log what spells you have cast even then."

"Even at Hogwarts?"

"Yes."

"For how long?"

"We didn't notice until the laws were in place," Severus replied with a sigh. "About five years ago they worked in laws to try and weed out Death Eaters. It was keyed to dark magic…"

"Then to wands," Harry added. "Then it would have been easy to tie the wand to the castor."

"They did the same in your time?" Severus asked in interest.

"No," Harry answered. "But they used to take records of the spells used by a wand to convict people that had used dark arts. The Death Eaters never got a full hold of the Ministry, they tried…"

"And that wand is different?"

Harry pulled out his wand and held it between his fingers, feeling the live magic in the simple looking piece of wood. Severus frowned as he stared at the wand and Harry wasn't sure if he recognised it or not.

"Yes," Harry answered.

"We were going to explain," Severus told him as Harry placed his wand on the table. "James was going to talk you through everything but we ran out of time and the Dark Lord had picked up on what we did. However, you have shown that you can look after yourself."

Harry snorted and gave the other man a grin.

"You pick these things up," Harry said mildly. "I can't just keep hiding for a year."

"You could help us fight instead," Severus threw out there.

"I have already fought a war, Snape."

"And we are still fighting one," Severus countered. "Stay here and think about it. I'll pass the message along to James to talk to you but I have to get back to the school."

Severus stood and Harry eyed him off.

"Are you a spy in this world as well?" Harry questioned, knowing the answer but wanting to have it confirmed.

"In a way," Severus replied, vaguely. "Those kinds of questions can be dangerous."

"Being found in your house can be just as dangerous for you as well as me," Harry pointed out. "I need to know so that I can act accordingly."

Severus nodded.

"Make sure it doesn't happen," Severus warned before he left.

Harry just watched the doorway that Severus had gone through before sighing and looking at his dark wand on the table. With a thought, the wand disappeared, and Harry pulled himself to his feet. He would get some sleep, while he could, since he wasn't sure what tomorrow might hold.

xXx

Severus paced while he waited for James to arrive. His conversation with Harry Potter kept running through his head and he wasn't sure what to think of him. He was intelligent and had been able to make connections with the limited amount of knowledge at his disposal. He could be very dangerous or an asset to them and at this stage. Severus wasn't sure which way it would fall. Being James's son didn't make him on their side but he hoped that it didn't put him against them. They had dragged him away from his home and life and into a war that they were losing.

"Was it that bad?"

Severus turned at James's voice from mid-air before the man pulled the invisibility cloak off from around his shoulders.

"I'm not sure yet," Severus replied as he stopped pacing.

They were meeting in a room in the lower dungeons. It always put Severus on edge when they would meet at the school but if anyone knew how to get around Hogwarts without being detected, it was James Potter. The invisibility cloak helped ease his mind even if Severus couldn't place wards or spells on the room. James held out a plastic bag and Severus took it in his hand. He stepped over to a table and laid it down and looked inside.

"The wand was gone," James informed him. "But everything else was still there. He must have linked the wand to himself."

"Those type of spells are difficult and outlawed," Severus mentioned.

"Probably not from where he came from," James added. "Do you think it will work this time?"

Severus shrugged as he looked into the bag and pulled out Harry Potter's Auror badge in interest. The issue date on it would be about two years after Harry would have graduated school while James looked around the room that they were in. There were a few other items that the man had been found with. A few stones with runes on them, which were probably portkeys. A knife, wallet, a muggle watch and a thick leather wrist band with a symbol inscribed on it that looked vaguely familiar.

"Sirius thinks that this is a lost cause," James commented.

"What do you think?" Severus asked as he picked up the wallet and looked through it.

"That it's unfair to pull someone away from their life and expect them to fight our war."

"This was Albus's plan and not ours," Severus pointed out. "Even after his death, the spell stuck."

James sighed and ran his hand through his shaggy hair. Severus knew it had been hard on the other man to see versions of the son that he'd never known. Even harder when it had led to their deaths.

"Let's hope that this is the last one," James remarked. "And it doesn't keep pulling people over to this world until You-Know-Who is dead."

Severus felt a chill at those words. He didn't want to think of a Harry Potter or Neville Longbottom trapped in that room; if they were dead and couldn't retrieve them. The spell would bring them food and water but they wouldn't be able to escape. The second year that the spell activated they weren't expecting it and it had taken them two months to realise. By that time the 'chosen one' was half mad and wouldn't believe them.

"And if it continues?" Severus questioned. "We have looked into this spell and we are no closer to breaking it."

"How's he doing?" James questioned, changing the subject.

"I can't get much of a read on him," Severus admitted. "He's battle worn and being an Auror…he has skills."

"How old do you think he is?"

"I asked but he didn't divulge that information."

"Twenties?"

"Close enough," Severus said with a sigh. "Mid-twenties going off the dates on some of these cards in his wallet."

They fell into silence at that, the man could have a family and children that were concerned with his whereabouts. They had no idea the amount of time that would pass in the other man's timeline while he was in this one. The guilt played on all their minds for a spell that a dead man had set up. One that ripped someone away from everything they knew and into their world, a world that was close to losing the war around them.

xXx

James stepped into Severus's house with care and shut the door behind him. He shrugged out of his invisibility cloak and looked around. Dust was the first thing that he noticed, since Severus didn't use this house often.

"Harry?" James called out, not wanting to startle the other man.

"I hope you brought food?"

James jumped and swirled around to see Harry Potter in the doorway to the lounge room. He hadn't heard him and he could understand more about what Severus had said. He held up the bags in his hands for the other man to see.

"You won't be able to stay here long," James warned. "I think a week would be pushing it. We can find somewhere else for you to stay, if you will trust us. Did you want to move this to the kitchen?"

Harry looked him over with those piercing green eyes. He was reminded of his wife in that stare, of her fire, love and temper all rolled into one. He had loved her beyond measure and it had almost killed him when he'd found her and their son dead in their own house. To see the man that his son could have grown into, it made it that much harder, and he hadn't been a part of his life.

He'd met three Harry Potters so far and every time was hard. Every one of them had been different as well. This one, however, gave him some hope. Something that was in short supply lately.

"Lead the way," Harry offered and waved his hand towards the kitchen.

James gave him a smile and headed that way. They weren't sure whether he would stay at the house, and the fact that he had, gave them hope. Not that he thought that the man would swoop in and save them all from Voldemort and his followers. He would be kidding himself to think that was true. James placed the shopping bags down while Harry stepped closer to see what was in them.

"Food and clothes," James told him. "And what we took from you when you arrived here."

Harry picked through everything while James took a seat at the island bench and looked at his son. The other man slipped his wallet into his pocket and curled the leather band around one wrist and his watch around the other.

"Do you have any questions?" James asked.

"Too many," Harry replied as he looked over the food that he'd brought. "Do you want something?"

"I'm fine," James stated. "We do apologise for bringing you here. The spell was set up four years ago and it's still pulling people over from other dimensions and times."

"Really?" Harry asked as he made up a sandwich. "That's a powerful spell. Four years, so one person a year…ah, the thirty first of July."

"Yes," James agreed. "End of July."

"Linked to the prophesy?"

James nodded, impressed with the man's mind and the quick conclusions.

"I'm assuming that Albus Dumbledore had something to do with this spell?" Harry questioned. "It has that feeling around it."

"Impressive," James remarked.

"Logical conclusions," Harry countered and started on the sandwich that he'd made but he watched James carefully. "So, when one 'chosen one' appears the other one goes back to their world?"

James shifted on his seat and looked away from those green eyes. He could feel it on the air when Harry worked it out.

"Right," Harry drawled. "Good to know what happened to the ones before me. Are you just assuming that I will be sent back when the thirty first of July rolls around? Since the ones before me didn't get the chance to find out."

"That's what Albus told us and the spell books agree. We'll give you as much help as we can," James told him as he held his eyes.

"As long as I fight with you?"

"No," James cut in. "I can't lose another son!"

Harry placed his sandwich back on his plate and stared at him. It was an unsettling stare.

"I don't know you," Harry stated and James felt a chill. "You and my mother were killed when I was a child. We may be blood related but I am not your son."

James flinched at the words but couldn't dispute them. He had faced this the first time that he met a Harry Potter from another dimension.

"My son and wife were killed in eighty-one," James said, with hard eyes. "I did not know my son."

The two Potters looked at each other over the kitchen bench before Harry nodded his head.

"Tell me what happened after that," Harry requested. "And I'll compare it to what I know."

James gave him a smile and did just that.

Chapter 5: Chapter Five

Harry carefully walked along the busy streets of London, weaving through the crowds with skill, as he made his way towards the Leaky Cauldron. He knew that he shouldn't be going there but he had to know that what James had told him was true. To see it for himself.

He'd taken care to make sure that he had nothing magical on him beside his wand. He wore a long black overcoat and had slicked his dark hair back. He wore top of the line slacks and shirt and even had a silk tie around his neck. He looked like a man with money to burn and he walked with the stride of a pureblood.

People subconsciously gave him room as he walked into the tavern and looked around. People nervously glanced over at him and he looked down his nose at everyone as he stalked towards the bar and the bartender pulled himself up.

"Open the way," Harry demanded.

"You need-"

"Now!" Harry barked as he glared down his nose. "I have no time to deal with you, bartender."

Tom shifted nervously and Harry kicked up the glare with a sneer on his lips for extra measure. The man swallowed nervously and nodded.

"Yes, Sir." Tom whispered and quickly walked towards the back.

Harry let his eyes drift over the room and no one met his eyes. He could feel the fear on the air as he casually followed after the bartender.

"Do not think about crossing me," Harry hissed and Tom shivered. "You will not like what happens if you do."

"Of course, Sir." Tom stuttered and quickly tapped the wall and it rolled to the side.

Harry's eyes bore into the man and Tom quickly looked down and shifted nervously. He could see the sweat on the man's brow before Harry turned on his heels and stalked into Diagon Alley. The wall rumbled closed behind him as Harry glanced around. The feel of the place reminded him of when the Ministry had announced that Voldemort had returned while Harry took everything in. People went out of their way to avoid him. He could pick up on the Aurors and those that were Death Eaters scattered around the Alley. There were eyes everywhere and he fell into the character that he wanted to portray.

He drew attention but those looks were turned away when they took in his suit and presence. He knew how to look the part of a pureblood and give off that dark magical presence. He kept his walk casual but would glance in windows to make sure that he wasn't being followed. Which he was, but he expected that, he wanted to see if it was the Aurors or the Death Eaters that were paying him more attention. Until he noticed Sirius Black, the man looked around the alley with boredom then gave him a second glance.

He knew the moment that Sirius recognised him when he paled then he quickly looked away. Harry took care not to let anything show on his face as he silently cast a spell at the Auror before he walked into a bookshop. The woman at the counter looked up then paled. He closed the distance to her with measured strides as he ignored anyone else in the store.

"Can I help you, Sir?" The woman asked, her voice thin.

"I want these two books," Harry demanded and placed a piece of paper on the counter.

"Um, of course, Sir." The woman stuttered.

Harry placed a few gold coins on the table and the woman's eyes darted to that quickly.

"I am in a hurry," Harry drawled. "Make it quick."

"Yes, Sir." The woman said and quickly scrambled into the back room.

Harry turned slightly as a dark-haired man walked into the shop and down one of the aisles. Harry picked him for a Death Eater and vaguely recognised him while he tapped his fingers on the counter. The man made it look like he was browsing but was doing a poor job of it while Harry waited impatiently. The woman returned and placed the two books down.

"Do you want me to wrap them up?" She asked.

"Yes, hurry up." Harry snapped. "I have more to do today than to wait in this store."

The woman flushed at his words and Harry was sure that he would have been cursed, if times were different, but she just glanced up at him. Harry gave her one of his cold stares and she quickly had the books wrapped and packed away in a bag. Harry snatched up the bag and walked out without a word.

"Sir?"

Harry turned to the man that had followed him into the bookstore and looked down his nose at him, even if he was taller than him. He'd spent enough time with Draco Malfoy to perfect that look.

"Make it quick," Harry snapped, coldly. "I have no time to deal with minor inconveniences."

"All purchases need to be viewed, Sir." The man said.

"I viewed them as well as the shopkeeper," Harry sneered. "They have been viewed by one more person than I would like."

The man pulled back at his words and Harry gave him his best 'pureblood' look. He stood with confidence and the feel of a man that expected his orders to be followed to the tee and without question.

"I would find it a deep insult if that weren't enough people viewing my personal items," Harry added as he stepped forward and let a little dark magic come to the surface. "Wouldn't you agree?"

"Yes, Sir." The man said quickly and tilted his head in respect.

"Well," Harry remarked with sarcasm. "I'm ecstatic that we could come to an agreement."

Harry turned on his heels, showing his back to the man and stalked away. He kept his head up high while his eyes roamed as he walked. He'd gotten what he came for and found out what he needed to know. This world had fallen to Voldemort but the people around him hadn't accepted it yet. That gave him a way in.

xXx

"James!"

James started at the hiss and turned to a pale Sirius Black. He glanced around but they were alone in the Auror Department, however, they knew they couldn't speak freely. Sirius signalled that he needed to talk.

"Can I borrow your quill?" Sirius asked and James handed it over.

"I'm going for lunch anyway," James replied and signalled their meeting place.

"I have paperwork to fill out," Sirius groaned and signalled agreement and twenty minutes.

"I'll have plenty of that when I get back," James agreed and stood. "Just put the quill back in my desk when you're done."

"Sure," Sirius replied and walked away.

James walked out past security and to the apparation point. He then had to apparate four times before walking two streets over and apparating one more time. Fifteen minutes later, Sirius arrived and glanced around. James was waiting for him at their meeting place.

"Your son has balls," Sirius remarked and James tensed. "He walked into Diagon Alley."

"What!" James yelped and grabbed Sirius's arm. "Was he arrested? Or taken? He doesn't have approval to be there! How did he even get in?"

"You should have seen him, James." Sirius said with admiration. "He could have stood next to Malfoy and no one would have picked him for a half blood!"

"What!" James uttered. "They let him walk away?"

"They even let him leave with two books," Sirius told him. "Brookshield pulled him up then Harry had him cowering. Even Malfoy would have been impressed."

James stood there in shock.

"Why would he take the risk?" James whispered. "We could have gotten him those books."

"He has skills, James."

"He took a great risk for two books!"

"He walked right in like he owned the place."

"But why?"

"To see for myself," Harry announced.

Both Aurors turned on the spot as they pulled out their wands to see Harry Potter standing there. He casually leaned back on a tree with his dark hair slicked back and wearing a top line suit and long jacket. He looked older and both men could tell that there was no magic on him and yet he'd found them.

"How did you find us?" Sirius whispered.

"Tracking spell," Harry replied mildly. "After seeing you at the Alley, I knew that you would meet with James. I just waited until you left the Ministry and after your little hop around. I just had to wait for you to stop."

"And if the Ministry had picked up the spell?" James asked.

"I would have been very surprised," Harry replied with a smile. "And apologetic."

"What books did you get?" Sirius asked in interest and that smile widened.

"Two children's books," Harry stated with a smirk. "That will have them wondering."

Sirius barked a laugh and felt better for it. There hadn't been much laughter lately.

"We need to get back," James announced and looked around before focusing on his son. "Are you heading back to Severus's house?"

"In a roundabout way," Harry replied.

"Just take care," James offered. "There are more dangers than just Death Eaters in this world."

Harry gave him a smile and a nod before he disappeared.

"I wish I could do that," Sirius muttered. "I miss the days that we could use magic without thinking."

"Yes," James sighed. "I just hope he won't get himself killed."

"He has shown he has skills, James."

"Overconfidence killed a lot of people at the start of the war," James pointed out.

xXx

Harry took care as he looked around the cottage on the outskirts of Hogsmeade. He could pick up the magic around the village and the wards on the cottage itself. He was taking a great risk being here and could feel the cold touch of Dementors as the creatures patrolled the village and Hogwarts castle. He could see the light on in the cottage, that he'd been watching, and he'd viewed the man a few times through the window as he'd waited. When the next patrol passed by, he waited an extra five minutes before stepping up to the back door.

He pulled his wand and tapped it against the door and waited. His eyes darted around before a rough, old man arrived at the door and looked him over.

"Yes?" Aberforth Dumbledore questioned.

Harry showed him a piece of paper with the Deathly Hallows symbol on it without a word. The old man grabbed his arm and pulled him into the house and quickly shut the door.

"What are you doing here!" Aberforth hissed, his face pale behind the beard. "They are watching me close enough!"

"They won't know that I've been here," Harry assured him and didn't try to break the grip that Aberforth had on him. "We need to talk."

Harry held up the piece of paper then rubbed it between his fingers and the paper burst into flames. Aberforth stepped back quickly as his eyes darted around at the use of magic. When nothing happened, while the paper burned, the ashes disappearing before they hit the ground Aberforth relaxed but his eyes were still sharp. Aberforth was very different to his brother.

"They did it," Aberforth whispered, a light in his eyes. "Albus's spell finally worked."

"I get the feeling that it might be a little late," Harry replied. "Even if the Dark Lord died tomorrow, his influence has already spread. He has given power to too many people that crave it."

Aberforth nodded his head sadly and waved his hand to the lounge room.

"Take a seat," Aberforth offered. "Going off the date. You have been here a couple of months."

"Yes," Harry agreed. "Can't say I really like what I've seen."

"You have found me, though." Aberforth pointed out as he settled on one of the seats.

Harry sat down on the lounge and looked at the old man as Aberforth eyed him off. The symbol of the Deathly Hallows had gotten him through the door but Harry knew that only went so far.

"My condolences for the loss of your brother," Harry offered, softly.

"Surprised he wasn't killed earlier," Aberforth grumbled. "Overconfidence got him in the end."

"And a Horcrux?"

"Yes," Aberforth agreed, with a sharp look in his eyes. "How far in the future are you from? You are older than Harry Potter would have been in this time."

"I am," Harry said vaguely. "And this time is very different to mine."

"You would know where the Horcruxes are," Aberforth pointed out. "You don't have the curse scar."

"I did and I do," Harry replied. "He could have made more than I knew about."

"I believe that he made less," Aberforth responded. "This man is too sane and magically powerful to have split his soul more than three times."

"Really?" Harry said in interest. "I could write down the ones I know."

Aberforth looked him over with assessing blue eyes, so much like Albus's had been.

"You would have spoken to James Potter," Aberforth mentioned. "Why are you sharing this with me and not him?"

"James and Sirius are under the watch of the Ministry," Harry pointed out. "You are a bartender that has been estranged from his brother for many years."

Aberforth chuckled.

"I suppose that our world isn't that different from yours then," Aberforth commented with a rough grin. "Write down what you know and I'll see what I can do with the information."

Chapter 6: Chapter Six

Severus stepped into his house and looked around. From first glance, he couldn't tell if he had a house guest and from the sounds of it, Harry Potter had been making a stir already. Between the Order and the Death Eaters, he'd been noticed. Severus wasn't sure what game the man was playing. He was a wild card that they'd brought into this playing field and they were just waiting for Voldemort's response. The Dark Lord was being cautious which put them all on edge. The times before, Voldemort had come down on them hard, this time he had paused.

Severus walked through the house but couldn't find Potter but he did find slight signs of him. Fresh food in the fridge and his bag in one of the bedrooms were a giveaway. He walked back into the kitchen and placed a Portkey down on the bench and quickly wrote out a note. They had believed that they would be looking after another chosen one but, this time, they were wrong. It looked like Potter had the skills to take care of himself as Severus placed a pouch down with some muggle and wizarding money in it.

He startled badly when someone knocked at his door then tensed. He straightened up and quickly picked up the pouch, note and Portkey and shoved them back into his pocket. He glided through the house to the front door and ripped it open. Lucius Malfoy stood there with a smirk on his lips and with his blonde hair slicked back into a neat tail.

"Severus," Lucius greeted.

"Lucius," Severus returned and stepped to the side. "How can I help you?"

"I was concerned when you missed lunch," Lucius replied and stepped into the hall without an invitation. "I wouldn't like one of my professors getting sick so close to the start of the year." Lucius looked around with a sneer. "I can understand why you have been staying at the school."

Severus didn't reply to that, since the professors were 'encouraged' to stay at the school over the break. Their movements were watched without it being officially on the record. Trust was hard in these times as Lucius looked around in interest. Even if Severus had the Dark Mark on his arm, he'd been too close to Albus before his death. However, Lucius and him were still friends but on different sides of the war, not that Lucius was aware of that.

"Was there something you wanted, Lucius?" Severus drawled.

"Are you trying to get rid of me already, Severus?" Lucius countered.

Severus raised his eyebrow in answer as he crossed his arms over his chest. Lucius's smirk widened as he looked him over.

"Are you expecting someone?" Lucius questioned, while he stepped into the lounge room. "And you couldn't have met them at the school?"

"I needed a potion book," Severus replied, not following the other man.

"Is that so?" Lucius purred. "It's odd that you bring up needing a book. There was an incident at Diagon Alley that involved a book recently."

"And what does that have to do with me?"

Lucius stepped back towards him with a glint in his eyes.

"Then you won't mind if I look around?" Lucius drawled.

"Feel free," Severus replied, smoothly. "If you don't mind getting your clothes covered in dust and dirt."

Lucius cringed and Severus knew he'd hit the mark as the other man lifted his nose up and sniffed in distain.

"Very well," Lucius said and brushed past him. "I'll see you back at the school for dinner."

Lucius let himself out and Severus felt the tension in his shoulders ease. He could have been under suspicion if the blonde had found Potter's bag. Severus made sure that his door was closed before he walked back into the kitchen then froze.

"Good to see that he's an ass in this time as well as mine," Potter remarked as he spooned out yoghurt from the tub while he sat at the kitchen bench. "I guess my time here is up?"

"You are making waves already, Potter." Severus snapped as he fished out the pouch, portkey and note out of his pocket and placed them down. "People are starting to ask questions."

"Is that your way of saying 'get out of my house'?" Potter questioned and Severus nodded sharply.

"I am under enough suspicion," Severus remarked.

"Very well," Potter agreed, not sounding offended. "Did you want some lunch while you're here?"

"No," Severus answered. "I have to get back."

"School is only a few weeks in?"

Severus sighed as he looked the other man over and Harry just watched him back with those unnerving green eyes.

"It is 'encouraged' that teachers stay at the school," Severus relented. "Any half or pureblood students, without a guardian, are required to stay at the school until they finish their education."

"New rule?"

"It was brought in five years ago," Severus replied. "When Malfoy was on the board for the school. Albus thought it was a good idea…"

"Until he realised the reason?"

Severus nodded and felt his heart clench when he thought of the old man.

"Yes," Severus drawled. "Easier to turn them to the pureblood way of thinking if they don't leave the school."

"I bet that the Dark Lord thought of that," Potter commented mildly. "Since he grew up in an orphanage."

Severus paused at that answer.

"Tom Riddle," Potter expanded as he looked at him. "Dumbledore did tell you his name?"

"Yes," Severus answered. "However, he has gone to great lengths to bury that…as well as anyone that knew."

Harry snorted and gave him a smile before spooning out some more yogurt. Severus looked him over and Potter raised an eyebrow in question.

"You spoke to Aberforth," Severus mentioned, smoothly. "Why did you go to him with information?"

"Because," Harry said, drawing out the word. "He knows how to use that information the best way."

"You knew him?"

"By reputation," Potter remarked with a smirk.

Severus fell silent and tapped the Portkey on the table.

"Make sure that you leave nothing behind," Severus told him and turned away.

"Thank you, Severus."

Severus paused but didn't turn back as he left.

xXx

Harry turned out the small pouch after Snape had left and counted up the money, it was enough for him to survive for a few weeks at least. He couldn't keep relying on handouts and what he could steal. He had no access to his vaults and felt like his life was held by the Order to a degree. He eyed to portkey off and cursed. The blood wards around Spinner's End were strong and would keep him reasonably safe but not if he was found out. Malfoy could come back and Harry may not have enough warning like he had this time. The portkey offered him something as Harry sighed and ran a hand through his hair.

What he needed was a plan, he thought, as he went upstairs to Severus's office and looked through the books there. The man had a good supply on a range of subjects and Harry piled a few up. After that he packed up everything that he would need and made sure the house went back to looking like no one had lived there. He shrunk down the bags of food, clothing and other items and placed them away in his coat pockets.

He then stepped out of the house and reclosed the wards behind him and touched on the blood wards. They flared but he didn't remove his magical signature but hid it amongst the others. He still wanted to be able to get into the house and not have to break in with his blood again.

He walked away from the house and felt more exposed as he did. With a sigh, he activated the portkey. He looked around when he landed and cursed. The house before him was set back from the street in a nice neighbourhood that reminded him of Privet Drive. He cursed even more as he headed up the driveway and noticed the curtains in the houses around him twitching. It may be a muggle neighbourhood but he'd been noticed and that put him on edge.

He reached the front door and placed his hand on the wood and the door clicked open. The wards were standard and they only started on front door and looped around the house. He would have no warning before his door was blasted in, if he was found. The house didn't seem very safe to Harry but he was running low on choices.

He sighed and pushed his way into the small house. The living room was large for the size of the house and it had two bedrooms at the back and a hallway with a kitchen to the side. There was a small bathroom between the bedrooms that made for an odd layout. The kitchen led to a side door and the only other way out of the house besides the front door. Harry didn't like it as he looked around. He placed the bags of food down in the kitchen and looked between the two bedrooms before stepping into the bathroom.

Out of all the rooms, this was the one that was most defendable as Harry opened the small window. He pushed it open as much as he could and looked the frame over before with a whispered spell, he broke it open completely. He would use that as a way out and with a sigh he realised that the best place to sleep was also here. With the two bedrooms on either side, this would be the safest place.

He sighed and returned to the kitchen to unpack the bags. He was in for a few rough days or weeks as he worked out his next move. The one thing that the house had going for it was the fact that the Order should know the minute that he was under attack. Since he was in no doubt, that would be the case, and it was just be a matter of time.

xXx

Harry startled awake and was rolling from the blankets on the floor before he even realised that he was moving as the front door was blasted in. Screams sounded on the air as Harry's trap spells were set off as he dressed quickly before he scaled up the boxes that he had placed under the window and he peered out. The Death Eaters were attacking from the front and side of the house but not the back as he wiggled through the window and dropped to the ground in a crouch.

He listened as another spell went off and he grinned at the yells on the air. They hadn't been expecting that, then Harry felt the darkness on the air and he cursed silently. It looked like Voldemort had decided to come in person. Harry called the Elder Wand to his hand as he ducked behind the bushes at the side of the house and peered around the corner to take in what he would have to face and paled.

Voldemort had come in force as a group of Death Eaters tried to get in the side door that led into the kitchen. He could only imagine that there was an even bigger force at the front door, not to mention Voldemort himself. He could feel wards on the air and they would be too strong for him to bypass.

His only choice was to fight his way through and hope that the Order would get there in time to make a difference.

With a curse he pointed his wand down to the ground.

"Crescere," Harry cast.

Suddenly, tree sprouted from the ground before him and just kept growing as he gathered attention. He whispered another spell that had mists tumbling out before him and into the trees as the first of the Death Eaters rounded the corner.

"Sectumsempra," Harry cast with a flick on his wand and the Death Eater went down with a scream and a splatter of blood.

The casually violence caused the rest of the Death Eaters to pause while someone pulled their friend back into cover beside the house. That had gained him a few minutes.

"Ignis," Harry whispered.

He threw out a fire spell and cast it out on either side of the house to screams and cursing. The fire flared out to the side of him and curled around. forcing the Death Eaters back down the sides of the house and prevented them from circling around him.

"Liberum lupus," Harry intoned as a pack of wolves appeared before him with shinning red eyes.

They spilt up and darted to either side of the house as Harry ran forward to the sounds of screaming on the air. He used the wolves to distract while the trees covered him as he ran. The yard at the property was large and he was hoping to get to the fence line and through to the yard behind and past the wards. He could hear cutting charms being called out, as he ducked and dived, and explosions from behind him. The trees took a beating around him as the Death Eaters and Voldemort cleared a path before them.

Harry ran to the fence then cursed. They had placed a barrier charm along it. Someone had thought this through. Harry placed his wand tip to the spell to see if he could break his way through.

"That won't work, Potter." The cold voice of Voldemort rang out and Harry ducked to the side and along the fence.

He crouched down behind a tree. His only way out was through Voldemort or if someone had a portkey that could get through the spells that were placed. His eyes darted around as he focused his mind and could pick up Severus's magical signature amongst the other people around him. Snape was his best chance and he darted from tree to tree as he headed in his direction.

He had a spilt-second warning, as a rumble sounded on the air, and he threw up a powerful shielding charm around him. His trees were just flattened by a wave of power and swept to the side. Harry held the charm before him as dirt rained down and he couldn't see anything as his eyes darted around. With a thought, he added his own spell to the mix, since Voldemort would know where he was in a minute. He twisted the wind up, which picked up the dirt, and let the wind howl as he twisted it around and pushed it away from him in an expanding circle.

Yells lifted up on the air as Harry cleared an area around him. Voldemort stepped through his tornado with his wand out but Harry was expecting that as his follows were pushed back. A few powerful followers were scattered around as they held shielding charms in place and Harry took note of which one was Severus. He knew the man's signature well, even if he was wearing a mask.

Harry held his wand down as he eyed off Voldemort and the other man did the same. He had shown that he was capable. The man before Harry stood tall as he held his wand down as well. He was dressed in a tailor-made suit that was now covered in dirt, which Harry smirked at. He was easily six feet tall with brown hair and eyes and reminded Harry of the Tom Riddle from the diary but looked like he was in his mid-thirties which Harry knew was false. There was a presence around him as Voldemort calmly looked at him. Harry could feel a coldness around the man and strangely a connection. Harry frowned at that last thought.

"You must be Harry Potter," Voldemort stated. "I must say that you show more promise than the last Harry Potter."

"I aim to please," Harry drawled in sarcasm.

"It's an unfortunate situation that I can't let you live," Voldemort sighed. "You could have been an asset to my cause."

Harry quirked a smile and noticed the way the Death Eaters around them shifted at the words. He didn't have to look far for the people that he'd already killed or were charred from his fire spell. He had proven that he didn't hold back and was willing to kill.

"I don't think you brought enough people," Harry pointed out as he held his wand up.

Voldemort moved without warning and threw out a killing curse and Harry met him head on with his own. The magic collided with a bang before flaring out and Harry braced himself as he pulled up a shield from the backlash. Others were not as lucky as screams sounded on the air. Voldemort stumbled back a step as he held up a shield and Harry twisted to the side. He knew that if he wanted to stay alive, he had to keep moving.

He flicked his wand as he formed the spells in his head. He was light on his feet but he couldn't watch his back as he took out Death Eaters while Voldemort closed in. He made sure to keep the Dark Lord in his sights at all times as he ducked and blocked what he could. He grinned as the thrill of the fight ran in his blood and stepped to the left as a red spell raced past him. Voldemort threw out another killing curse and Harry dropped to the ground then rushed forward. Voldemort grunted in surprise as Harry barrelled into his middle and took him down.

Harry dropped his wand and smashed his fist into the Dark Lord's face before rolling away. He felt a spell brush his back and knew that he wouldn't be able to do that again. Then someone grabbed his arm. Harry turned quickly then changed his aim as he recognised Severus's magic behind the Death Eater mask. The punch landed on Severus's shoulder instead of his face and he grunted.

Harry slipped his foot behind Severus's and pushed and the man went down hard on his back as Harry spun away. Severus was quicker as he grabbed his ankle and twisted. Harry knew that the man was going to do that. He twisted his body slightly as he hit the ground then grabbed his magic and quickly thrust it up in a controlled explosion above their heads. Severus quickly ducked down as screams sounded on the air and the magic roared above them. Harry rolled close and took a tight hold of the man's arm.

"Now," Harry hissed and Severus activated the Portkey.

Harry felt the pull then they were spat out in a tangle of limbs. Harry quickly rolled away and jumped to his feet. He braced himself as his eyes darted around at the people around him. He held his hands on his sides as he panted until his eyes fell on James Potter.

"Fuck," Harry cursed and straightened up with a wince. "You took your bloody time!"

Harry held his hand out to Severus and the man eyed him off before taking it. Harry helped him to his feet and Severus rubbed his shoulder as he pushed his mask back, revealing his face.

"Sorry about that," Harry offered. "It was either that or a broken nose."

"They didn't have much luck fixing it last time," Sirius laughed as he stepped closer.

"Did you tip your hand, Severus?" James asked.

"I'm not sure," Severus replied as he rubbed his shoulder.

"I'm sure my last spell would have covered our exit," Harry said with a smirk. "I've been working on that one for a while."

"And that would be?" Severus questioned in interest.

"Perhaps another time?" Harry offered as he looked around at the people in the large room. "Order of the Phoenix?"

Aberforth stepped forward and waved his hand around.

"Everyone," Aberforth called. "This is Harry Potter."

Harry gave a bow and James snorted as he stepped up to him and clapped a hand to his shoulder when he straightened. Harry took care to not show the fact that he'd taken a few hits and was feeling it.

"I'm guessing that we're not keeping this a secret anymore?" Harry inquired.

Severus suddenly grimaced as his hand grabbed his forearm. Harry reached for his empty holster and his wand appeared in his hand. He held it up and Severus's eyes locked on him while Harry noticed the others tensing or shifting around him. He flicked his wand and a small dark ball appeared above Severus's head.

"Don't look up," Harry advised, just as ash started to rain down from the ball.

Snape glared at him as ash fell around him, on his clothes and head then would disappear before anything touched the ground. Harry cancelled the spell then flicked a coin towards Snape. The man caught it without a thought and gave him a questioning look.

"Just in case," Harry warned.

Severus slipped the coin away before he apparated. Harry flicked his wand and cleared any ash away. He looked around at everyone as James observed him.

"Are you alright?" James asked softly.

"I believe that we need a better plan," Harry remarked, dryly. "This one isn't working."

Chapter 7: Chapter Seven

Severus stumbled on a step and, even if he was hurting, he had to give thanks to Potter. Without that spell, he wouldn't have looked as bad as the other Death Eaters that had been with Voldemort. The ones that were still alive, that was the part that had surprised them all. That Harry Potter hadn't given a second thought to using magic to kill. Nine Death Eaters had fallen in the attempt and whispers were already going around.

Severus gave a smirk at the kind of whispers. Dumbledore had been the last wizard to stand up to Voldemort but now they had another wizard willing to take on the Dark Lord. If they could work with that, they could drive a wedge into Voldemort's hold. The fact that Potter would use whatever means he could, proved that his hand wouldn't stray when the time came.

Severus smirked at the fact that Potter had broken Voldemort's nose and he was sure that he wouldn't be the only Death Eater that would be getting a kick out of that. Even if they all paid the price for it. Severus stumbled again and braced his hand on the tree closest to him. He could feel the tremble in his body from the pain curse. He bowed his head and panted as he got a hold of himself and knew that he wasn't going to be the only person cursing Voldemort's name.

"Need a hand?"

Severus didn't react to the voice as he slowly lifted his head up and took in the image of Harry Potter. He'd changed clothes but Severus could still see the evidence of the fight he'd been in. He stood there in a grey shirt with a black jacket and his hands in the pockets of his blue jeans. Looking like any other muggle on the street, if not for his piecing green eyes.

"You shouldn't be here," Severus complained. "If Malfoy finds us, we'll both be dead."

"He's not here," Harry replied. "He left about twenty minutes ago with the Dark Lord and I doubt that he'll be back tonight."

"The Dark Lord must have come here after he had his fun with us," Severus remarked and tried to straighten up.

"I set a spell to inform me if he comes back," Harry said casually.

Severus felt envy run through him at that answer, the days of casual use of magic were over years ago. They had to think twice every time they reached for their wands. Every spell they used was recorded at the ministry, not that every person's record was looked at, but those of interest were. Which included anyone that worked for the Ministry or other departments.

Potter stepped towards him then pulled out that wand of his and flicked it. Severus felt the cleaning charm run over him and he was thankful even if he didn't say as much. It wasn't as good as a shower but it would do for now as he pulled out his potion pouch.

"How did you know to use that ash spell?" Severus asked.

"Part of the spell that I cast before you Portkeyed us," Potter replied, mildly. "It would have covered everyone in smoke and ash. If you had arrived without ash on your clothing, it would have looked out of place."

"You have done this kind of work before," Severus mentioned as he took the first potion.

"Undercover work?" Harry asked. "Yes, and other type of work. You pick things up along the way."

"And that spell?"

"A friend of mine came up with it," Harry answered and Severus could see the pain in his eyes. "She liked mixing up spells and building up new ones. That was a combination spell."

Severus nodded as the potions started to work through his system and he could feel the tremble in his body ease off.

"You killed a lot of Death Eaters," Severus commented, watching the other man closely.

"What a shame," Harry remarked with sarcasm then added. "Except if they were on our side?"

Severus paused at that, if Potter was starting to think of it as 'our side', then they were winning him over.

"How did you know it was me?" Severus questioned, instead.

"Your magical signature," Potter answered then looked at his watch. "Malfoy's back, earlier then I thought he would be."

Harry quickly turned and started to walk away.

"Potter," Severus called out and the man turned. "Do you have somewhere to stay?"

"I'll think of something," Potter said with a grin and gave him a wave as he walked away.

Severus watched the man as he weaved through the trees and out of sight.

xXx

Harry leaned back in the chair outside of the tent that the Order had supplied. He'd given them his demands and they had given him what he wanted. James and Sirius had been confused why he wanted a tent and not a safe house. Harry knew different. A safe house had an address but if Harry kept moving, he was harder to pin down and he now had Voldemort on his tail.

Aberforth still had a way to contact him but he was the only one in the Order that could. He felt slightly guilty that he wasn't taking this time to reconnect with Sirius and to learn more about his father but he had to keep himself safe first. He couldn't do that around the two Aurors. He couldn't just sit idle either but he knew that this wouldn't last.

Harry just looked around the forest he was in as the bird darted around and tried to take peace from it but he was restless. It reminded him too much of when Ron, Hermione and himself had been on the hunt for the Horcruxes. However, this time he was alone.

xXx

The hooded figure walked up to the door of the cabin and tapped his wand to the wood and waited. It was a cold night and the dementors that drifted past didn't help. The door opened and the old man took in the figure before pulling him into the house. Harry pushed the hood back as he glanced around.

"You took your time," Aberforth said gruffly.

"It seems that I may have gained the Dark Lord's attention," Harry remarked mildly as he rubbed his hands together. "Took me longer to pick my way through the wards around here and to shake off any tails. What did you want?"

"Chaos," Aberforth said and Harry paused. "Something spectacular."

"I didn't realise that the circus was coming to town," Harry remarked dryly.

"You, boy," Aberforth said gruffly. "We need something that will be remembered and keep He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named away from the real work."

"A stooge," Harry deadpanned. "I'm not liking this plan already."

Aberforth gave him a grin and Harry almost flinched back at the Dumbledore glint to his eyes. Harry knew that he would be going along with the old man's plan and he was reminded of the man's brother.

"Damn Dumbledores," Harry muttered under his breath before focusing on Aberforth. "What do you have in mind since I'm just the circus monkey in this?"

Chapter 8: Chapter Eight

Severus sat at the back of the Order meeting a month later. Harry Potter seemed to have disappeared and he knew that James was concerned and it was only the insistence that Voldemort didn't have him that kept him calm. They had things in place to take out the department where spells and wands were monitored. With that department taken care of they could start to use their magic freely again.

Voldemort had become obsessed on finding Harry Potter which had opened up an opportunity to strike. He had Death Eaters spread out looking for the man and not just in England. Spreading his resources thin.

"We need you at the Riddle Manor," James told him. "To confirm that You-Know-Who is there and Malfoy as well if you can."

"That shouldn't be a problem," Severus replied. "He's been keeping Malfoy close lately."

James held out a Portkey and Severus slipped it away in a warded pocket in his robes.

"Good luck," Severus offered before leaving the room.

Apparation was the only form of magic they could use that couldn't be monitored as Severus disappeared. That didn't mean that they took a chance as he apparated a few times before arriving at the Riddle Manor. Wormtail met him at the door when he knocked and Severus looked down his nose at the short puggy man.

"Severus," Peter greeted as he shifted on his feet. "Come in."

Peter opened the door for him and Severus stalked past him. No other words were needed, he was a branded Death Eater and had the right to enter the Riddle Manor. Severus worked his way through the house to the meeting room and slipped in. Voldemort sat at the head of the long table with a few other followers. No one wore Masks for the spells worked into the mansion made it impossible to tell anyone, away from the manor, whom they had seen.

Malfoy sat next to Voldemort as they spoke with a distance around them that gave away the presence of a silencing charm. Severus knew that wouldn't last when the Order launched their attack. The first since Dumbledore had fallen. Severus wouldn't admit it but it felt good to make a big move. Malfoy suddenly started and looked around then hissed something to Voldemort and the man stood. Severus frowned since the time wasn't right. 

Voldemort said something to Malfoy and the man rushed off then an alarm rang through the house. That's what Severus had been waiting for as Malfoy paused and glanced back.

"Get to Hogwarts," Voldemort ordered and the man looked over at him. "Severus, go with Lucius."

"Yes, my lord." Severus intoned and fell into step with the blonde. "What is happening?"

"The Dementors," Lucius gasped. "They just left the school and Hogsmeade."

"What about the containment spell?" Severus demanded.

"It's fallen," Lucius reported. "The Dark Lord is sending support."

They stepped out of the mansion and apparated to the silent grounds of Hogwarts. Severus looked around. He'd gotten so used to the slight ice on the air from the presence of the Dementors, that now that they were gone, it felt empty and lighter which was an odd conflict of sensations. While they looked up towards the castle and the grounds other Death Eaters apparated in and looked around as well. Confusion was clearly written on the faces not covered by Masks.

"Sir?" One asked Lucius.

"Head towards the castle," Lucius ordered. "We'll check the spell."

"Yes, Sir."

Severus watched as the group of about twenty walked up towards the castle as Lucius focused on the wards on the grounds of Hogwarts. Severus then spotted Potter standing near the forest and tensed. Did he have something to do with the Dementors? Potter then raised his hand and gave him a waving motion. Severus frowned before he stepped back through the gates of Hogwarts and over the wards. Lucius started and looked at him in confusion.

"What?" Lucius uttered.

Severus grabbed the other man's arm and tugged him over the wards. Lucius stumbled back as Severus pulled up a shield, just as Potter's spell smashed into the wards of Hogwarts. A bell sounded out on the air while Potter casually strolled forward with his dark wand out. Lucius snarled and turned just as Potter threw another spell of power forward.

Severus could fell the ground groan as that powerful spell hit the golden dome of the wards before them and Lucius yelped. A wail started on the air as Lucius pulled a communication device from his pocket.

"My Lord," Lucius gasped into the device as Potter hit the wards with another spell. "Harry Potter is attacking the wards of Hogwarts!"

Severus just looked at Potter in complete surprise then he felt the coldness on the air.

"Lucius!" Severus cautioned and the blonde looked at him. "I know where the Dementors are."

Lucius's eyes widened as he took in the sight of the dark clothed figures drifted towards them as Potter stood there calmly. He held his dark wand beside him with a smirk on his face.

"What do you think, Lucius?" Potter called to them. "Do you think those wards will stand?"

Severus felt a shiver go down his back as ice started to creep across the grounds towards them. Harry raised his wand with a smirk and drew a symbol in the air.

"We shall see," Harry announced before releasing his spell.

Severus ducked to the ground as the explosion of the spell hit the golden dome. He wondered just what kind of man that they'd pulled over to them. He could smell something like charred flesh on the air as he stared at the wards and noticed the cracks. If Harry threw another spell like that, the wards would fall. The power that would take, and from one wizard, was staggering.

xXx

James spun to the side as a Death Eater appeared and knew it was just a matter of time before the Dark Lord would arrive. He cursed and brought the man before him down. Remus needed time to get to the Department and remove the spell. Sirius yelled out and James looked over with wide eyes as Voldemort appeared. James felt fear run down his spine at the sight of the man. There was just something about him.

The man lifted his wand then paused. James held still as Death Eaters and Aurors faced off. Each not knowing whom was on which side as time seemed to slow down.

"Stop!" Voldemort commanded.

Everything froze.

"Hogwarts, now!" Voldemort ordered.

James stood there in shock as the Death Eaters just disappeared.

"James!" Sirius yelped and then they were running.

If they were looking for the chance to make any ground in the Ministry. They'd just been handed it. But what had given them the opportunity?

Chapter 9: Chapter Nine

Severus yelled out as his Patronus rushed forward and drove the Dementors back. The wards had fallen and the shock that one man had done that was still running through him. Other Death Eaters arrived as the Dementors flew around in a mass of darkness and bone bitting cold. Severus flicked his wand to the side then up when he saw Harry walking towards him. His green eyes glowing slightly as he took in the action around him. He had his dark wand in his hand and Severus could see a slight shimmer of a shield around him.

He also noticed that the other Death Eaters were not inclined to take Harry on as they focused on the trying to get the Dementors back under control. Severus found himself the only one close to Potter while Lucius tried to get the Dementors to listen to him and bring the wards of the school back up and failing at both.

"What are you doing!" Severus hissed and those eyes focused on him.

"What I was ordered to do," Harry replied, mildly. "He should be here soon…I'm not sure how this is going to go."

Severus paused at those words, maybe the other man hadn't been as idle as he'd first thought. Harry then lifted both of his hands and closed his eyes, a scent of magic floated out on the air and the Dementors focused their attacks on the Death Eaters that had arrived. Severus was in no doubt about whom was in control of them. Then the Dark Lord arrived and Severus stumbled back as a Dementor swept down towards him. He threw up a shield and the creature swung to the side.

When he could see again, Harry Potter and Voldemort faced each other. Harry had used the dementor to cover him as he'd pushed Severus back to the edge of the fighting.

"You are becoming a problem," Voldemort intoned as he looked around. "Even taken my pets from me."

"Can't say it was difficult," Potter remarked with a smirk. "They can recognise a true master when one comes along."

The Dark Lord snarled and threw out a spell and Severus scrambled back from the fight. The power on the air was staggering as Severus held a shield before him and even the Dementors kept their distance. They were keeping back Voldemort's support while Severus was reminded of Albus, the one man that always stood up to the Dark Lord, while Harry fought. He skipped and dived and Severus was learning that was his style. While Voldemort pulled up shields and tore up the ground. Potter was constantly in motion.

Severus was struck speechless by the talent and skill on show as Harry rolled to the side and threw out a green spell. Voldemort conjured up a bird to take the curse. There was a grin on Potter's face as he flicked his wand. He was light on his feet as he closed the distance to the Dark Lord. The other man flicked his wand around as he countered what he could while he pushed the other spells to the side. Then Potter was rolling and came up behind the Dark Lord and placed his wand to the man's neck. Even Albus hadn't managed that feat.

Severus's breath caught in his throat before magic flared out. He boosted his shield as the magic exploded out. He got the image of Harry being thrown back. Voldemort spun on the spot and stalked toward Potter. The other man was on one knee and Severus could see the dirt on his clothes and blood on his face.

"You think yourself powerful?" Voldemort hissed and Potter smirked. "You know nothing, boy!"

"You think that?" Harry asked as he stumbled to his feet and held his dark wand out. "Does this wand look familiar?"

Voldemort paused and Severus froze at that action. He'd never seen the Dark Lord hesitate and, as he looked into that pale face, he saw fear. Harry lifted up his other wrist and showed him the leather band and the symbol there. Voldemort's eyes widened as his face paled.

"Surprise," Potter stated.

"Avada Kedavra!" Voldemort snarled.

Severus felt his stomach drop. Potter was too close to dodge as that green spell spun towards him. He could tell that Harry knew that as well as he grabbed his wand in the middle and held it up before him like a batten.

Then the green spell smashed into him.

There was a frozen second before the magic exploded out. Severus was thrown back into a tree. He groaned as he crumpled to the ground. He looked up, fearing what he was would see, but Potter had disappeared.

The Dark Lord had been thrown back as well and was slowly pulling himself to his feet and looked worse for wear. The Dementors suddenly screamed and Severus cupped his hands over his ears at the sound on the air before everything went silent. Severus glanced around to see the grounds empty except for the Death Eaters and the dead. He shivered at the silence.

xXx

Harry stumbled as pain rolled over him and he could feel a fire in his veins. His mind was in confusion and he wasn't sure where he was. His sight was cast into shadows of red and black. He was sure that he had blood in his eyes as he stumbled down to one knee. Then he felt hands on him. He snarled and tried to bring his magic forward but he couldn't focus his mind enough.

"Harry," James gasped from beside him. "It's me!"

Harry slumped back as he tried to see. His hand felt heavy as he lifted it up to rub his eyes but someone grabbed his wrist before he could.

"Get him into the house," Sirius ordered. "I'm sure that Severus will be here soon."

Harry felt himself being lifted up and his arms slung over someone's shoulders. He tried to get his feet under him but just stumbled on the first step. He felt like all the energy had been ripped from him and he had no choice but to follow the hands on him. He felt something soft behind him before he was lowered down onto his back. He just sprawled out on the bed and closed his eyes. The world rocked around him as if he'd been drinking.

"Harry," James whispered. "Are you with us?"

"Vaguely," Harry uttered, without opening his eyes.

"You're a bit of a mess," Sirius remarked from close by.

"I'm fine," Harry stated.

"Sure," Sirius drawled in sarcasm.

"Clear out," Severus ordered and Harry heard the other two leaving.

"Use my wand," Harry told him as he cracked his eyes open.

"I need you to take some potions," Severus countered. "Can you sit up?"

Harry tried to lift himself up but gave up as he looked over to Severus with red tinted sight. The other man looked pale under the dirt as he looked at him. Harry hissed a breath as Severus helped him sit up with the pillows behind him. Harry panted in both pain and exhaustion.

"Better be quick," Harry muttered. "Before I pass out."

Severus just held out three potions and helped him to take them. Harry laid back and closed his eyes as he felt the first brush of magic touch him and he relaxed as the potions worked in his system. He was out quickly. He had taken the fight to Voldemort and he wasn't sure if either of them had won that round.

Chapter 10: Chapter Ten

Severus checked on Potter once more but he hadn't moved and he closed the door again and made his way back to the dining room.

"I think he'll be out for a while," Severus informed the two Gryffindors.

"Probably longer than that," James added, looking pale.

Severus nodded in agreement, the image of Harry staggering along with blood running down his face. A blank look in his eyes and close to passing out was something that Severus wouldn't be forgetting anytime soon. Severus was amazed he'd even made it to the house. He didn't want to think about what would have happened to him if he hadn't. He slowly pulled out Harry's wand and placed it on the table. Sirius hesitated before he picked it up and looked it over with a frown.

"Why does this look familiar?" Sirius asked.

"We did take it off him when he arrived," James commented.

"No, I mean that it looks familiar," Sirius disagreed.

"It's Albus's wand," Severus clarified and Sirius dropped the wand.

"Doesn't You-Know-Who have that wand, now?" James asked.

"He does," Severus said in agreement. "But it never seemed to work completely for him. He doesn't use it often."

"Why would Harry have this wand then?" James questioned. "None of the others had this when they came here."

"You would have to ask him," Severus drawled. "I believe that we can agree that this man is very different from the ones that came before him."

"Given us a hint of hope at least," James agreed.

"We don't know anything about him," Sirius reminded them.

"He stood against the Dark Lord," Severus pointed out. "Took him head on and survived the killing curse. That is all I need to know about him."

The three men fell into silence at those words. They had made their first real move against Voldemort and his Death Eaters and had won the day.

xXx

Harry woke slowly and rolled onto his side, feeling stiff and sore but better than he had before. He dragged his ass to the shower and stood under the hot water until it ran out. After he shaved and dressed, he felt more human, as he walked through Snape's house to the kitchen. He paused when he spotted the man seated at the dining table with a few books and papers spread out around him.

"Shouldn't you be at the school?" Harry asked as he clicked the kettle on.

"The Dark Lord sent me on a mission for two weeks," Severus replied without looking up from his book. "I am investigating the killing curse and fail safes around it."

"Intriguing," Harry replied as he made a coffee. "Does he think that the Horcruxes that he's made won't stand up?"

"Since the Order have been slowly making their way through destroying them," Severus drawled and looked up at him. "I believe he is feeling his mortality. The fact that a man recently stood before him and survived the killing curse must be weighing on his mind as well."

Harry gave the man a smirk as he settled in the seat across from him and dragged one of the books towards him. It was a potion text and he read through what was on the page in interest.

"Are these from the Riddle Library of Dark Arts?" Harry asked.

"One and the same," Severus replied.

"How did you go at the Ministry?"

"Went off without a hitch," Severus answered as he sat back in his chair. "For now, the wizarding world of the UK have no fear of using their wands."

"Did the papers write that up?"

"In big bold letters," Severus said with a smirk. "And key people in the Ministry are already fighting to keep that department down."

"I imagine there would be a lot of support for that."

"That doesn't begin to cover it," Severus snorted. "The Dark Lord is not pleased that he has lost his dementors as well."

"It was just a matter of time for them," Harry remarked mildly. 

Severus then looked at him head on as he drew out a piece of paper and placed it down on the table. Harry looked at a photo of himself on a wanted poster and smirked.

"I would like to say that this is the first time that I have been labelled an 'Undesirable'," Harry drawled. "But it's not."

"It won't stick," Severus countered. "They printed this without the correct approval and will need to retract it."

"Ah," Harry remarked. "They were hoping to get to me before I could find support."

"Yes," Severus agreed as he sat back in his seat. "The Dark Lord is not happy."

"That sounds like an understatement."

"It is."

Harry stood from the table and looked at Severus.

"Do you want something to eat?" Harry offered.

"How did you survive the killing curse?" Severus asked instead of answering his question.

Harry paused as Severus watched him with dark eyes.

"The question should be," Harry replied mildly with a pointed look. "Will I be able to survive it again?"

xXx

Harry walked out the front door to Spinner's End and glanced around. It was a rundown area but from the lights on in the houses, it was also a populated one. That was something different than from his time. Harry was sure that they were surrounded by muggles, as Harry started walking, but these people kept to themselves. He'd been at the house a few days and he needed to get out. He didn't do well being cooped up somewhere but at least it wasn't doing paperwork in the Auror department. In fact, he wouldn't admit it to himself, but since he was pulled over to this timeline. He hadn't felt this alive since before Voldemort fell in his own time. He wasn't sure what that said about him as he took in the muggle neighbourhood.

A glimpse of a black dog had him slowing his steps before he walked down a pathway between two houses and into a park. He leaned back on the fence and waited. A few minutes later the large black dog appeared and looked around. Harry gave Sirius Black a smile.

"Fancy meeting you here," Harry remarked and Sirius shifted form. "I suppose a stag in the middle of town would have caught someone's attention."

"Yes," Sirius agreed with a grin. "How are you feeling?"

"You ever get bucked off a broom and land head first on the ground?" Harry questioned.

"Not recently," Sirius said with a glint in his eyes.

"Then you know the feeling," Harry said and started walking again. "Have you been watching the house?"

"Yes," Sirius answered.

Harry nodded and looked around as they fell into silence.

"Did you know me?" Sirius asked, breaking the silence.

"In a way," Harry answered, how could he explain what the Sirius of his world had been through. "Why did you not go after Wormtail?" Sirius stopped dead in his tracks and stared at him with large eyes. "The night that…well my mother and I were killed?"

"James," Sirius whispered. "He stopped me."

Harry nodded and started walking again. One simple act had changed so much and Harry could understand why time turners were so dangerous. He'd had a glimpse of that in his third year but that had only been one hour. Harry was looking at a lifetime of small changes that had led to Voldemort never falling. Hermione would find this fascinating.

"What's it like at the Ministry?" Harry questioned, changing the subject.

"Tense," Sirius said with sigh. "It's getting harder and harder to know who is on what side."

"Yes," Harry muttered in thought. "Even in the Auror department?"

Sirius nodded and they walked for a while in silence.

"Was it like that in your time?" Sirius asked after a while.

"In a way," Harry replied, thinking of Voldemort's second rise to power. "There were still major players and the Order."

"So, our world isn't that different from your own?"

"Except the Dark Lord fell," Harry said and stopped. "Then it fell into chaos again."

"Really?" Sirius asked in interest.

"It took almost seven years to get everything back on track," Harry told him carefully.

"Well, at least it did." Sirius laughed and clapped a hand to his shoulder.

Harry nodded as they started walking again. It was never as simple as people believed. A Dark Lord doesn't just die and the world moves on. Harry knew that better than anyone as they headed back to Spinner's End. He needed to try something different.

xXx

Harry looked down at the book before him in interest. Severus had left it on the table with the rest of his work when he left to go to Hogwarts to meet with Lucius. He flicked through the book before something caught his eye. It was about binding spells and as Harry read further, he realised that it was probably the spell that Voldemort used in the Dark Marks. He frowned as he read then re-read it. An idea came to his mind as he ran his finger over the text before him.

"That could work," Harry muttered to himself.

"What has caught your eye?"

Harry startled and looked up at Severus in the doorway and Harry shut the book before him.

"Nothing of interest," Harry lied and Severus didn't call him out on it. "Have you found a way for the Dark Lord to survive the killing curse."

"You know the answer to that," Severus drawled as he came into the room and sat down at the table. "I haven't been able to find out how you did."

"Potter luck," Harry replied with a wink.

Severus just snorted as Harry went into the kitchen.

"Do you want lunch?" Harry called out. "Coffee or tea?"

"Yes, and coffee," Severus called from the other room.

"Black, two sugars." Harry called back and heard Severus curse.

Harry made up a few sandwiches and the coffees and floated them to the table and placed them down carefully on the surface. Severus piled up the books but Harry noticed that the book that he's been looking at was on the top of the pile. He hoped that the man would leave them there so that he could look more closely at the ritual and spell that he'd found. He had the inkling of a plan and wanted to look into it further.

"When do you have to be back at the school?" Harry asked as he retook his seat, next to Severus.

"Tomorrow," Severus answered. "No doubt, I'll be coming and going for a while."

"Is it safe for me to be here?" Harry questioned. "I noticed that you wrote in a few more spells into the wards.

"Yes," Severus sighed. "You are safe for now. The new wards will allow you to apparate through them and also it will let me know if anyone comes close to the house. The blood wards will help, but you have already bypassed them."

Severus looked over at him and raised an eyebrow in question. Harry just picked up his sandwich.

"How do you hold the Prince title?" Severus asked into the silence.

"You gave it to me," Harry replied and enjoyed the look on shock on the other man's face. "I hold many family titles."

"Why would I give you the title?"

"You would have to ask the Snape of my time that question," Harry replied. "Since, I don't know the answer and he's dead. I don't think you'll get the answer that you want."

Severus paused at that answer but gave nothing away in his expression. This Severus used more thought than Harry was used to as the silence hung between them. He was thoughtful and wasn't as quick to lash out. Harry could respect that.

"How do you think this war will end?" Harry asked after a few minutes of silence.

"I can only imagine," Severus answered.

"You haven't thought about it?"

"We've been fighting for a long time," Severus sighed. "There would have been a time when I would have said that it would end with the Dark Lord's death…"

"Yes," Harry agreed and Severus looked at him sharply. "I doubt that would end the war."

"You can't negotiate with him," Severus added. "The Dark Lord does not compromise."

"And it's tearing this world and the muggle one apart."

"Yes," Severus agreed as he looked at him. "You have a sharp mind. Most people are still wrapping their minds around that."

"Too far down the rabbit hole to turn back," Harry retorted. "I'm an outsider that knows the players but I'm still trying to work out the playing field."

Severus nodded as he picked up his coffee. Harry found it easy to talk to the man. He also had a sharp mind that would look outside the box. Harry hadn't been expecting that and he'd had to remind himself, more than once, that these people could be different due to their circumstances. To fight this war for so long, Harry could almost understand Albus's drive to cast the spell that brought him here, almost.

"What was Albus's aim with that spell?" Harry questioned. "He must have had a plan?"

Severus looked down at the table before him and Harry could tell that he was thinking the question through. Harry let him have a moment. It was a complex question.

"We can only theorise his motives," Severus sighed as he sat back in his chair. "He'd been tainted by dark magic and when he came to us with his plan to cast the spell…"

"You weren't sure?" Harry questioned and Severus nodded.

"Even more so when a young man was pulled over from his dimension," Severus told him and there was pain there. "The Dark Lord of his time had been killed when he'd been a child. The boy himself was just a teenager…"

"It didn't go well," Harry summarised.

"It went worse than that," Severus whispered. "It was a slaughter."

"Albus?"

"Was killed," Severus answered with pain in his eyes. "As well as our last hope, it seemed."

Harry nodded; he could understand that. Albus always seemed like he was beyond death's hands and that nothing could touch him. The image of Albus falling from the tower surrounded by the green light of the killing curse came to his mind. From the faraway look in Severus's eyes, he could tell, that the other man was also thinking of Albus's death but they were not thinking of the same man. Harry reached out and clasped his hand over Severus's and the other man's eyes darted up as they focused on him.

"I think we all believed that Albus couldn't fall," Harry said softly and Severus just stared at him. "That he was too powerful and all-knowing to fall to death."

Severus snorted at those words and Harry gave him a smile as he released his hand.

"But the man had his faults," Harry said evenly.

"That he did," Severus agreed.

Neither man mentioned that Harry being there was one of those faults.

Chapter 11: Chapter Eleven

Harry tapped his fingers on the book before him as he studied the spell that went into the Dark Mark. He knew this could be the key to saving this world but it wouldn't be enough by itself. He looked over the other books on the table in interest. Severus had added a few books that had the spell that Albus had used to bring him here and he read them in interest. They were vague and Harry was surprised that Albus had convinced enough people to cast the spell.

The person that Harry had thought had been following him, hadn't been a person at all, but a construct of magic. It had one mission, to abduct the chosen one from a world without the Dark Lord. It was a crazy idea and Harry wasn't sure if Albus had been in his right mind when he'd come up with the plan.

Harry copied a few pages then placed those books to the side and was sure that next time that he went looking for them, they would be gone. Severus was running enough of a risk having them in the house as it was. Not to mention Harry being there.

Harry knew that he would have to leave soon to protect Severus. He sighed at the thought as he tapped his fingers on the table. The Order had supplied anything that he asked for and the knowledge in the books before him was impressive but Harry had something that the Order didn't.

An intimate knowledge of magic that was granted through the Deathly Hallows. There was a reason that it had taken Harry two years before he applied to the Aurors. He'd had to learn how to harness and control the magic from the Hallows. There was more than just a prophecy that joined Harry and Voldemort together. Since he'd been a living Horcrux as well. Then bound together even further with the Dark Ritual that had brought Voldemort back to life. Voldemort had bound them together three times and Harry still wasn't sure why.

That Voldemort may not be the same in his dimension but they were still magically, and through blood, the same person. Harry stood from the table and looked around. He had an idea to start with now it was time to see if he could turn that into a plan.

"Okay," Harry announced to the empty room. "Time to get to work."

xXx

Harry walked along the fence line of a up market mansion. He knew the estate well as he walked along and took in the neighbourhood. Strangely, Malfoy manor was set back from a road in a multimillion-dollar estate, with muggle access. It wasn't in a wizarding neighbourhood and that had always surprised him. The Riddle mansion was in a muggle neighbourhood but that wasn't surprising since Riddle's father had been a muggle. The Malfoys, however, were a pureblood family. He'd asked Draco one time and he'd just laughed and said that muggle gold was as good galleons.

Harry brushed up against the fence and felt out the wards but they were strong. His permission to pass them in his own dimension didn't leak over to this one. He did not want to tip his hand in this as he walked along but he knew something that would work. With a thought, he apparated, to a place that he knew over looked the mansion but wouldn't be within the wards.

He crouched down and pulled out some muggle binoculars and looked through them. The spot allowed him to look into the rooms of the house. He got comfortable on the ground and waited. He didn't mind as he watched the house for a long time. He could pick out Narcissa in the house as well as a few other people coming and going. Lucius arrived well into the night and Harry watched them.

Draco had once mentioned that family was everything, and Harry knew, that for the Malfoys that was true. Narcissa had shown him that. She had betrayed the Dark Lord on Harry's promise that Draco was alive. This was one card he could play and as he watched the house. He knew that he had a way in. His conversations with the Malfoys in his own dimension and time coming back to him.

Harry stayed there on and off for roughly a week and easily worked out that Lucius always came home after dinner was served at Hogwarts. Even if he had to leave later, he did stay for time with his wife. Yes, they craved power and money but family also mattered to them. Harry could offer them that.

xXx

Severus entered his house with care but he needn't have bothered as he noticed the Harry wasn't there. He checked the house to make sure and noticed that if he didn't know that Harry was living there, he wouldn't have known. It surprised him to know that Harry knew how to hide his presence since last time it had been clear to know that the man had been there.

Severus sighed and went to his table and looked over the books there. In a way, he was thankful that this task allowed him to get away from the castle and with the dementors gone. Hogwarts felt lighter and he'd noticed the laughter from the children. That had been in short supply over the years.

He was a few hours into his study when he felt Harry pass over his wards. He looked up at the doorway when the man appeared. His black hair was starting to grow out and turn into a mess and the dark grey clothes that he wore looked dirty and worn. The man had been up to something as those green eyes focused on him with a frown on his brow. Severus just took in that lean body and strength.

"Tell me about Lucius Malfoy," Harry requested as he walked past him and into the kitchen. "He's the Headmaster of Hogwarts but what kind of sway does he have in the Ministry?"

"He's the Dark Lord's right-hand man," Severus replied, evenly.

"Interesting," Harry muttered as he came back to the table with two mugs and set one in front of Severus.

Harry sat down in the chair across from Severus with a thoughtful expression on his face. Severus wasn't sure what to think of that. Lucius was one of his friends but he was on the wrong side of this conflict. The blonde may allow Severus to get away with more than others but he was still Voldemort's man. Nothing they'd tried over the years had budged him on that.

"He would know the Dark Lord's network?" Harry questioned.

"Yes," Severus answered as he sat back in his seat. "But he cannot be swayed."

"You have tried?"

"Indirectly," Severus said as he picked up his coffee and held it in his hands. "The Dark Mark stops many."

"Hmm," Harry mused, without looking at him. "Yes, it would."

"What are you thinking?" Severus pressed in interest.

"Just a thought," Harry replied but that had Severus's mind racing. "Is Draco still at Hogwarts?"

"Yes," Severus answered, tensely. "You can't think to-"

"No," Harry cut in and looked at him. "He's just a child."

Severus sagged in relief at that answer and Harry looked at him sharply.

"What is Lucius to you?" Harry asked and Severus tensed all over again.

"That is a complex question," Severus said as he blanked his face and made sure the barriers in his mind were strong.

Harry just quirked his lips up at that and Severus felt something clench in him. There was a glint in those eyes that drew you in the same way as the Dark Lord had caged him and Severus shivered at the thought. Harry Potter had that same pull and it made him wonder once again who this man was that they'd pulled over to their time.

"Lucius may be the key in this," Harry said as he sat back in his seat in thought.

"He can't be swayed," Severus insisted. "It would be your death to try."

"I suppose that if his friend couldn't sway him," Harry broached with smirk. "What chance have I got?"

Severus wasn't sure how to approach that as he eyed off the other man.

"You're planning something," Severus mentioned and Harry laughed.

"Of course," Harry said with a smile that went through Severus. "I can't keep drawing off the Dark Lord and sending him off on wild goose chases. He will work out what I'm doing and come after me again."

"Yes," Severus agreed. "He is completely focused on you."

"Hmm," Harry muttered. "That could work against him."

xXx

Severus stepped into his house but he knew that Harry was gone. Any subtle signs of him being there were gone and the house felt empty. Severus sighed and checked anyway. A few of his books had been returned and others had been taken. The fridge was empty and there was no note left for him. Harry Potter was gone. He wasn't sure how he felt about that. He'd gotten used to Harry being there. This emptiness was jarring.

The only person that Harry had trusted enough was Aberforth which was surprising but at least he knew that someone would be able to contact Harry. Severus could only hope that he'd found somewhere safe.

xXx

Harry pulled a cloth bag out of his pocket as he stood on the sidewalk. He had his cloak of invisibility around his shoulders. Not that it would matter too much since there was no one around. He was in a wizarding town and stood before the gates of one of the pureblood wizards that he couldn't remember the name of.

He slipped a small marble out of the bag and could feel the condensed magic under his fingertips. He gently placed the marble down right next the start of the wards without touching it before he moved on to the next house. He repeated the act until his bag ran out of marbles. He then apparated to the next wizarding town that he knew.

He pulled out another bag of marbles of condensed magic. He felt a little like the Weasley twins as they set up a prank. The marbles were set to go off randomly after he'd placed them and he was sure that each small explosion would have the purebloods panicking. Especially, after what he'd done at Hogwarts. Paranoia had nothing on purebloods. 

He paused outside of Godric Hollow but the lights were off and Harry wasn't sure whether James still owned the building. It was standing and in good order which kind of surprised him. Harry held still as an old couple walked down the street and turned into the house across the road.

Harry placed the last marble down then set the timer with his wand. He was planning chaos and this would only be the start. He apparated four times before landing in a forest clearing and took in the tent before him. He started the fire before he sat down on the camping chair as he threw another log on the fire.

He was sure that James and Sirius wouldn't be having fun for the next few weeks. This, however, would give Harry a chance to rest and plan.

xXx

It was a quiet night in a sleepy town just outside of Wales. Only a few lights shone in the windows as everyone turned in for the night.

Suddenly, a loud explosion split the air and shook the houses where they stood. Dogs started barking as the glass rattled in the windows. People rushed to their windows to see mists swirling and something dark within them. They then rushed to their fireplaces to make calls to the Ministry as an eerie whine lifted up on the air.

xXx

Two days later a firework spell went off in the Leaky Cauldron before someone spotted Harry Potter running towards the back of the tavern. Wizard and witches cried out as they panicked.

xXx

A large explosion went off outside the Lestrange Manor as dark shapes of dementors descended on the estate. Ice spread across the lawns as alarms rang out.

xXx

Alan Foster was enjoying a late morning walk with his dog Toby. The little terrier started barking wildly and Alan groaned before he looked down to see a snake on the road. Alan scooped up his barking dog as snakes appeared from everywhere and he squealed as he dashed back towards his house. The snakes on his heels as people yelled out. He reached his house and banged his way in.

"Snakes!" Alan yelled out to his wife as he shut the door loudly.

"What's that dear?" Ness called down.

"Snakes. Hundreds of snakes!"

"Just what have you been drinking?"

Alan set Toby down and the dog went running to the front door and started to dig at the carpet and yap loudly.

"Oh!" His wife cried. "There are hundreds of snakes outside!"

Alan groaned and knew his morning had just been ruined.

xXx

James groaned as the alarm in the Auror department went off again. He let his head hit the table and was sure that this was keeping Voldemort and his followers busy as well. Reports of Harry had been coming in as well as explosions. Random reports of firework spells and shadow people were also coming in. At first, they took the attacks seriously now they still had to investigate but James and Sirius had done enough pranks to know what was happening.

Harry had changed the spells up enough that it still had them running. The reports of Harry himself had been illusion spells that were impressively realistic. James was sure that Voldemort would have a headache keeping up as much as the Aurors were.

"He's definitely your son," Sirius muttered.

"I know," James moaned as the alarm stopped. "And he had to target purebloods."

Sirius laughed at that since they'd had more than one pureblood yelling in the Auror apartment after one of Harry's spells had gone off. With all the false leads, the chances of anyone finding Harry were slim to nil. Harry had managed to disappear into the chaos and no one knew what he was up to.

James looked up as another pureblood came storming into the department and James groaned again. It was going to be a long day.

Chapter 12: Chapter Twelve

Harry worked out the down side to pissing off purebloods was that the next time that he arrived near a magical area the wards had been strengthened. He could still easily by pass them with the power from the cloak of invisibility but it had been interesting to see the way that they'd reacted to his spells. The papers were coming down hard on the Ministry. He could hear his name whispered around. Chaos was his friend in this world and he'd been a partner in the Weasley twins' business. He'd learned from the best.

He'd proved that they weren't as safe as they thought they were. Making them rethink the world they lived in. That the Dark Lord didn't have as much control as they believed. He had sowed the seeds of doubt in their minds and he was going to widen it. He smirked and retreated back to the muggle world. A world that he could disappear into.

xXx

Harry felt on edge as he approached the property of an old bloodline he'd never heard off until the goblins told him. It was a line that had died out in the war and he'd received the title to. The Roseburgers had left the title to him in their Will which Harry had received at the end of the war. The house before him was in disrepair and as soon as Harry touched on the blood wards, they accepted him without question.

He sighed in relief. It had taken him longer than he'd hoped to find another property with old blood wards. He couldn't run the chance at Spinner's End and he needed somewhere that he could use magic undisturbed. This was it as he carefully approached the door of the large house.

He had a lot of complex magics that he had to do and now he'd found a safe place to do it.

xXx

Harry tapped his wand to the door before him with care as he held the invisibility cloak of the Hallows tightly around himself. It was getting harder and harder to get into and out of Hogsmeade without detection. The patrols had been increased, now that the dementors were gone, which was hard enough. The wards were another.

Harry was just starting to think that he would have to leave and try again when the door opened before him. He pushed his way forward and almost knocked Aberforth over but the old man recovered quickly and shut the door silently behind him. Harry pushed back the cloak as he stood beside the door. A few minutes later they heard the footsteps of the patrol.

"That was calling it close," Aberforth rumbled and Harry nodded.

"I'm not sure I'll be able to get back here again," Harry told him. "They have changed the wards on the village."

"In what way?"

"To stop concealment charms, Polyjuice and invisibility."

"And your cloak?" Aberforth said with a pointed look.

"Is too powerful for a simple charm to reveal but I'm sure that the Dark Lord will work that out," Harry replied with a grin. "I'm sure he'll have a stronger charm up next time I come here."

"Severus tells me that you have left Spinner's End?" Aberforth mentioned and Harry nodded. "Do you have somewhere?"

"Yes," Harry replied as he leaned back into the wall behind him.

"Were you traced back there?"

"No," Harry replied. "But it was close too many times. I need a list of compromised safe houses-"

"Why would you need those?" Aberforth asked with a frown.

"I need the Dark Lord to have something else to focus on," Harry replied. "Have him chasing shadows. I also need you to supply some safe houses that you don't mind losing."

Aberforth looked at him for a long couple of minutes before sighing and heading away from the door. He paused when he realised that Harry wasn't following him. He looked back with a frown.

"I'm leaning on the wards of the house," Harry explained. "They are giving me cover."

Aberforth nodded in understanding and left him there as he got what he needed. Harry sighed and sat down on the floor as he waited. He listened as the patrols did their rounds and counted them out. He felt tired, he'd been on edge for too long, as he laid his head back against the wall and felt the wards at his back.

"If you don't rest," Aberforth announced, waking Harry up without him knowing that he'd fallen asleep. "You will make a mistake."

"Yeah," Harry agreed as he looked up at the old man. "I should be able to rest soon."

Aberforth just chuckled and held out a cloth bag with portkeys. Harry took it in his hand and nodded. He looked into the bag in interest as he pulled out some papers with addresses on them which would tell him which portkey was for each property.

"The ones with a star next to them are compromised," Aberforth told him. "Is there anything else?"

"I need anything that you can get on transference of a magical link," Harry said and Aberforth raised an eyebrow in question. "I have an idea."

"Most of that magic would be dark," Aberforth said. "I'm assuming that you won't have permission to take the link?"

"That’s right," Harry answered. "Include inheritance magic as well and magic to magic transfer."

"Like when you transfer a link with a portkey to another one?"

Harry frowned then nodded. He wasn't sure if that would help him but it could. He pushed himself to his feet with a groan and Aberforth gave him a smirk.

"Feeling you age, boy?" Aberforth questioned.

"Every day," Harry replied with a grin.

Harry then pulled a coin out of his pocket and held it out to Aberforth. The old man didn't take it.

"That's the only way that I can get a hold of you," Aberforth stated, unnecessarily. "It is also the only way that you can call us for help."

"I can't have it on me," Harry sighed and Aberforth held out his hand and Harry dropped the coin into his palm. "I'm trying to set up a safe drop but it will take time. I'll check in at Spinner's End every few days or so until then."

"Take care of yourself then," Aberforth offered and Harry nodded.

"And you," Harry replied.

xXx

Severus stepped into the Hog's Head and glanced around. He made his way to the bar and quickly had a beer in hand as the bartender gave him a nod before turning away. It was a busy night as he took a seat at the edge of the room. The crowd was rowdy tonight as Severus nursed his beer before him and leaned back in his chair so that his ear was close to the wall.

"Potter saw me," Aberforth said from the other side of the wall and Severus nodded. "He looked tired and he gave back the Order coin."

"Why?" Severus muttered.

"He said that he couldn't have it on him anymore," Aberforth replied. "He's planning something but I'm not sure what. He has requested some books and he said that he would stop in at Spinner's End if we need to contact him. Is that safe?"

"Yes," Severus answered. "Does he have somewhere to stay?"

"I don't know," Aberforth answered.

"The Dark Lord is getting frustrated by his failed attempts to track him down," Severus said as he held his mug before his month. "It's making him look weak."

"Good," Aberforth stated and Severus was sure he'd be smirking. "I'm sure that Albus's eyes would be twinkling at that."

Severus snorted at that image and had to agree.

"Will he be able to do it, Severus?" Aberforth asked after a few minutes.

"If anyone has a chance," Severus replied. "It would be him. His skills are impressive and he's powerful. Very powerful."

"That's not everything," Aberforth pointed out.

"But it could be what tips the scales. To make people think of a different powerful wizard."

xXx

Harry looked at the address on the piece of paper before he apparated close by. He looked up at the apartment in interest and knew that the safe house had been compromised. Which is what he needed. He looked around until he noticed a for rent sign and approached the building across the road. He rang the bell for the manager of the building.

"Yes?" A voice came through the intercom.

"Hey, hi." Harry stuttered. "You have a unit to rent?"

"That's right," the man answered. "Are you interested?"

"Um, yeah." Harry said. "Is it on the top floor?"

"No, third floor."

"Oh, ah. I like the top floor."

"Sorry, mate. Only one available."

"Um, thanks. I'll keep looking."

Harry stepped away from the intercom and walked off down the street. He found a coffee shop easily and grabbed a drink and a table. He sat before the window and watched the street for a while. It was a slow day as he ordered food and sat there for a while to get a feel of the place. He was interested in the Dark Lord's response as well as the muggles as he planned what to do next.

Later that night he approached the building across the road from the safe house. With a quick spell, he had the door of the small lobby open and he was on his way up to the third floor. It was a walk up and Harry was glad that the unit hadn't been on the top floor. He stepped onto the third floor and quickly picked the lock on the only door on the floor.

The place was empty as Harry placed a gentle anti muggle charm that would make the manager forget that he had a third-floor unit. He would make sure to remove the sign down stairs as well. Harry pulled out a few bags from his pocket and was glad the place had a working fridge. He set up his sleeping bag on the floor near the window that overlooked the building next door and settled in.

It was three days after he arrived that he poked the hornet's nest. Harry had been working on a construct with his magical signature and he had it ready to go. It was shaped like a human with shaggy black hair but that's where the similarity ended. He dressed it in one of his white shirts and jeans and mourned the fact that he would be losing that clothing. He made it stand up and looked it over. He refused to put shoes on it since he only had one pair. He slipped the portkey into the pocket of its jeans.

"Well," Harry said to the construct. "You have to pretend to be me."

The thing would have looked at him if it had eyes, or a face which it didn't. It was more like those old stories of golems made from mud than something human.

"I'm sure that you won't last long," Harry said and started to wonder about his sanity. "But be sure to give them a good show."

Harry clapped a hand to the thing's shoulder. He'd programmed some spells into it to sell the façade. He then tapped his wand to the portkey and said the codeword to activate it.

The construct appeared on the sidewalk outside and walked towards the apartment building. Harry had programmed it to walk into the apartment and go to the bedroom to wait which is what it did. Harry had timed everything until night had set in so that it's non-human features would be harder to see.

Harry then waited as he watched the clock. Minutes and hours ticked by and Harry was starting to think that his plan wouldn't work. Just past midnight he noticed people moving on the street.

"Five hours and twenty-six minutes," Harry muttered to himself. "Longer than I thought it would be."

There were five people and Harry was sure that they would be the cannon fodder of Voldemort's ranks. They were careful as they approached the building this time and quietly opened the door and entered the building. Harry frowned at that, it seemed that they took more care in built up muggle areas then they had at the house Harry had been at.

Everything was quiet until Harry's construct cast the first spell from inside the apartment. Coloured lights lit up the windows as bangs and explosions sounded out on the air. Harry could hear people in the building around him as the quiet of the night was broken. Alarms rang out and before too long the people that Harry had seen enter the building went running back out and disappeared. The alarms still rang out.

Suddenly, Aurors appeared in uniforms and descended on the apartment and Harry frowned. They had arrived quickly. Harry pulled on the magic in the construct and it unravelled before the Aurors could find it. Sirens lifted up on the air as the Aurors ran back out of the house and apparated. Harry frowned at that response since it was procedure that Aurors were supposed to stay on scene until muggle authorities arrived. To contain and secure.

The muggle police arrived and Harry looked at his watch.

"Thirty five minutes," Harry muttered. "Impressive."

From the moment that the muggles had been awakened until the police had arrived it had been thirty five minutes. The police arrived in three cars and quickly used them as cover as they looked at the apartment building across the street.

Harry noticed that these people were heavily armed and armoured. They looked like a specialist team in the military and not police. He then noticed something else odd, they had magical shields around them. Harry stared at them as they closed in on the apartment building. That was unexpected. The muggles had come dressed to face people with magic without the support of the Aurors. Or that's how it looked.

Harry watched them as they entered the building and he noticed that no one had come out of the apartment through the front. The muggles had either used an emergency exit or were still inside the apartments. No one had left the units around Harry either and no one was on the street rubber necking. He'd been to many muggle crime scenes and this was odd.

The alarm cut off and silence reined once more and it was disconcerting. Harry had learned a lot with this. The muggles were aware of magic, had learned how to respond and the Aurors did not want to deal with them. Harry sighed as he watched the muggle police as they locked down the apartment and knew it would just be a matter of time before they were knocking on his door.

Harry packed everything up and pulled the cloak of invisibility around his shoulders and disappeared from sight. He pulled down any spell that he'd cast and made sure that he left no residue of magic behind. He didn't leave until after the muggle police knocked on his door and had the manager open it. He slipped out and around the heavily armed men.

They were on edge but couldn't detect him as he left the building and walked away. He didn't feel comfortable to apparate until he was three streets away. He arrived in a wooded area and made his way up to the road.

"Fuck," Harry swore. "This world is more buggered than I thought. The muggles are aware of us."

He startled a hare with his words as he walked along a forested road and towards the small town before him. He thought on the issue and how he could turn this to his advantage but he needed more information.

Chapter 13: Chapter Thirteen

Harry repeated that trick a few more times over the next few weeks with various times and results but the muggle police were the same force. Any amount of magic would draw them which was interesting. Voldemort's response became slower until it was days until they showed up and Harry had to do something else to change that.

Harry picked the lock on the house before him as he kept an eye out but he worked with the shadows around him. It was past midnight and he knew that the house before him was empty since he'd used a stolen card to book the house for two weeks. By the time that the muggles worked it out, he would be long gone.

He pushed the door open and stepped into the neat house. It was on the small side with two bedrooms, bathroom, kitchen and living room. It was a typical holiday rental and he sighed as he sprawled out on a lounge for the first time in a long time. He even had a tv and he clicked it on and brought up the twenty-four-hour news channel. The muggle and magical worlds weren't in full out battle. The news still reported on attacks but they called then terrorist attacks by a group of marked men.

Harry smirked as a few of the places that he'd set up were on the news and he watched the reports in interest. The UK government were not being shown in a good light as the news rolled. It did surprise him that the magical world didn't try to suppress the attacks with the use of magic and Harry had the feeling that they couldn't. That they had enough problems trying to contain what they could while other things were slipping through. Like what Harry was doing.

Harry sighed and went to the kitchen and placed his food away as he made a sandwich and settled into the house. He didn't feel safe and he didn't use any magic, which also meant that he didn't cast any wards. He was using the cover of muggles as he settled into the house. He wouldn't be able to stay long but he could try to get some sleep before he was going to face the Death Eaters head on.

It was time that he shook up his MO.

xXx

James's stomach clenched when the alarm rang out in the Auror department and everyone paused. It shut off quickly but the cold ball in James's stomach didn't ease. Harry had been playing a game with the Death Eaters and Aurors alike and he wasn't sure what the man was up to. Every time that the alarm rang out, he thought that he would see the broken body of Harry Potter. To hear that his luck had run out.

"Potter," Kingsley called out. "Take Black and check that out. It's Potter again."

James nodded and stood with Sirius beside him. So far, he hadn't been called out on these jobs since Harry Potter was his son. Even if the man they were dealing with wasn't 'his son' they were still reluctant as they had times before.

"What is he doing?" Sirius asked, not for the first time.

"I don't know," James sighed.

"This is the third one this week!" Sirius hissed, keeping his voice down.

"I know."

"Do you think that You-Know-Who has picked up his magic?"

"I don't know."

"If he has then he might be running-"

"Sirius," James hissed and the other man looked at him. "I know as much as you do."

Sirius nodded but his grey eyes were concerned. They both were. James just sighed and they apparated to where the magic was picked up and looked around. The neighbourhood was quiet and strangely it was an industrial estate and not a suburban area for a change. They looked at the warehouse before them and could feel the magic on the air.

"Oi!"

James and Sirius swirled around with their wards in their hands to see Harry. He stood in a doorway two warehouses down. James and Sirius ran towards him. James hadn't seen him in months as they came to the warehouse and ducked in.

"The Death Eaters have already left," Harry called as he ran towards the doors at the back. "The police will be here soon."

"We have to clean the scene," Sirius said as the two men ran after Harry.

"No need," Harry called back as he reached the back door and shoved it open. "The Death Eaters only blasted the door in before they left."

"You weren't inside?" James asked as Harry lead them out the back of the warehouse and towards a river.

"No," Harry answered. "But that's about to change. I've been waiting for you two to show up."

Harry jumped onto a riverboat and the other two followed. Harry had it started up quickly and pulled out into the river. He'd had this planned as James and Sirius watched the other man drive. He knew what he was doing.

"Won't the muggles notice that you have stolen a boat?" Sirius questioned.

"No," Harry answered but didn't go into details. "I have a slip ready down the river to park this at."

James had so many questions that he didn't know where to start.

"Has You-Know-Who picked up on you?" Sirius ask and Harry gave him a grin.

"No," Harry answered and James felt his gut unclench. "He hasn't even bothered showing up yet. I think he's thinking his next move through. I'm going to push his hand."

"Why?" James uttered is disbelief.

"I can't fight against him if he doesn't show up to the fight," Harry replied as he guided the boat towards the bank.

He raced over and threw out a rope to catch something on the bank and pulled the boat close. He grabbed another rope attached to the front of the boat as he jumped to shore and tied it off. James was impressed as he watched him. He could tell that Harry had definitely done this before.

"Why were you waiting for us to show up?" James asked as Harry came back to them.

"I wanted to know about the specialised group of muggle police that have been responding to what I've been doing?" Harry asked and James paused.

"They are a detection team," Sirius responded. "They have ways to pick up on magic and will respond to any battle magic."

"That are not covered by wards?" Harry asked. "I noticed they didn't turn up to properties with strong wards."

"Yes," James agreed. "If Death Eaters attack populated areas, towns or public spaces they respond."

"Are they dangerous?"

"Yes," James answered with a sigh. "They are armed and have shields in place. Some are half-blood or muggleborns and know how to use magic but have had their magic bound. Squibs have also joined their ranks and they can see magical areas."

"Have they attacked or just defended?"

"Just defended," Sirius said.

"Does the Ministry have any control over them?" Harry asked as he showed them down to the living quarters below decks and took a seat.

"Not as much as they would like." James replied. "They fall under the muggle government."

"So," Harry mused. "They are a splinter group due to what the Dark Lord is doing?"

"I suppose," James consented.

"You haven't thought about it?"

"No," James admitted. "The Aurors just stay out of their way and they don't bother us. "

"Interesting," Harry said as he rubbed his chin in thought. "They seem to be holding the line between the muggles and the wizarding world. I think I may have to talk to them."

"I wouldn't," Sirius muttered. "I've had run ins with them before…"

Harry just gave him a wink that had the two Aurors feeling very uncomfortable.

"Do you need the Order's help?" James offered and Harry shook his head.

"Not at the moment," Harry said, but the two could see that he was thinking of something else.

"We should be going," James announced as he looked at his watch.

"You can apparate from the bank," Harry told him. "I'll be here for two days. If you need to get a hold of me."

"We'll stop by with some supplies for you then," James promised and Harry nodded.

"Thanks," Harry offered with a smile.

They all stood and Harry led them up above and to the shore. James took Harry in a hug and the man tensed before he returned the hug. Sirius gave him a handshake.

"Take care of yourself," Sirius offered and Harry nodded.

"Of course," Harry replied with cheeky grin. "I'm quite good at that."

James and Sirius turned away and headed down the dirt track while Harry climbed back onto the boat and disappeared below deck. They walked for a while in silence.

"He has something planned," James muttered.

"Yes," Sirius agreed. "I just hope it doesn't get us killed."

xXx

Harry debated with himself for a while before coming to a decision. He made his way to a public park and glanced around at the people enjoying the day. He walked over to a bench seat and sat down then carefully pulled out his wand and placed it under his hand on the seat next to him. He had to cause a scene but not draw the Aurors attention. He watched some children running around after a ball. The adults watched them carefully and didn't let them out of their sight.

Harry cast a ball of magic and had it bouncing away from him. It was as big as a basketball and shimmered in the light as it bounced its way merrily towards the children. A boy of ten noticed it first and yelled out to his father as he pointed. The man ran towards his son as other screams sounded out and Harry cringed at that reaction. The ball was harmless as it bounced in place and soon the park was empty of people and he cancelled the spell. He hadn't expected that bad of a reaction.

He could hear sirens on the air and three cars pulled up in the parking lot as people fled. The three teams of four people spread out around the park and made their way towards him. Harry stood and made his wand disappear as he held his held his hands up behind his head.

Two people approached him with care as the rest of the teams covered them.

"Don't move," a dark-haired man warned.

"Wouldn't dream of it," Harry replied as he knelt down with his hands behind his head. "I just want to talk. My name is Harry Potter."

"We don't care, mate." The dark-haired man said as he stopped before him. "You cast a spell in a public space, that's in breach of the accord."

"So," Harry said with a quirk to his lips. "Am I under arrest?"

In answer, a man behind him grabbed his wrist and slipped a magic suppressor cuff around it. He was pushed down to the ground on his stomach as the other cuff tightened around his other wrist. Two men stepped in on either side of him and he was hauled to his feet.

"You are under arrest," the dark-haired man intoned as he read him his rights.

Harry just followed along; the suppressors would work for most magical people but not Harry. He was too powerful but the people around him didn't know that. Harry was pushed into the back of one of the police cars and the dark-haired man sat next to him. Harry didn't take offence at the fact that the man had a gun trained on him.

"Do you have a name?" Harry asked.

"Dougson," the man answered. "Michael Dougson."

"Muggleborn or half-blood?"

"Muggleborn," Dougson answered and Harry nodded.

"Do you have your magic bound?" Harry asked and he noticed the finger tense on the weapon. "I'll take that as a yes."

"I would be more concerned with your own situation," Dougson remarked.

"I think I'll be okay," Harry told him as he shifted into a more comfortable position.

"Doesn't look good, mate."

Harry just gave him a smile and sat back into the seat. They pulled up at a police station and Harry was dragged out of the car and led into the building. There was nothing interesting about the building as Dougson held his arm and tugged him along. They headed to the lift and Dougson held him in a firm grip as three people from his team piled in. They went down and not up and Harry stayed quiet as he took everything in.

They stopped at sub-level two and walked out. Harry felt the moment that the wards passed over him and he paused briefly in interest.

"You can feel that?" Dougson mentioned and Harry nodded. "Good to know."

They went down the hallway until they reached a door on the right and one of Dougson's men opened it up into an interrogation room. Harry was pushed down into the seat on one side as Dougson sat down on the other.

"Not going to remove the cuffs?" Harry asked and the man gave him a cold stare. "Just thought I would ask."

"Why were you at that park?" Dougson asked as he pulled a note pad closer on the table and took out a pen from his pocket.

Harry looked up at the camera in the room and the glass window to his side. It looked like a standard interrogation room, except for the wards. Harry focused back on the man before him.

"It's a nice day," Harry remarked and watched the muscle twitch along the man's jaw. "I wanted to talk to someone in your department."

"Who?" Dougson questioned.

"Well," Harry said and leaned back in his chair. "I don't really know. I've been watching your team work over the last couple of months."

"The attacks," Dougson remarked with sharp eyes. "They were you."

"Not really," Harry said. "But I was the cause of them. The Death Eaters seem to be really keen to get a hold of me."

"Is that so," Dougson said with a frown. "And why would that be."

Harry brought his hands around before him and placed the cuffs on the table and Dougson tensed. Harry just leaned back in his chair and looked at the man. No one ran into the room but Harry could almost hear the people in the room behind the glass panicking. He had to give Dougson credit as the man stayed where he was but Harry could see the tension in him.

"It seems that I have pissed off their boss," Harry said mildly. "The Dark Lord doesn't seem to like competition."

"You have taken on You-Know-Who?" Dougson whispered with wide eyes.

Harry gave him a smile.

"What do you want?" Dougson pressed, he knew in that moment that they wouldn't be able to hold him.

"I want you to be part of the magical community, the same as all those that hold magic," Harry said and Dougson's eyes widened. "I don't want a war with muggles or to see the fear on children's faces when they see a ball of magic."

"That's asking for a lot, Mr Potter."

"I'm not asking for anything that I can't achieve," Harry responded and held out his hand.

Dougson pulled back from him and Harry gave him a smile and wiggled his fingers.

"Do you want to feel that magic again?" Harry asked and Dougson sucked in a breath. "To feel that thrill run through you and the sparks at the end of your fingertips?"

"The Ministry would just bind it again," Dougson said, bitterly.

"Then you better make sure they don't find out," Harry told him and wiggled his fingers again.

Dougson hesitated before he placed his hand over Harry's on the table. Harry could feel the block as he brought his magic forward and smashed his way through it. Dougson yelped and jumped back from the table as his chair crashed to the floor. People rushed into the room with guns ready and Harry quickly placed his hands on the back of his head. Dougson's eyes were locked on Harry with shock.

"Stop, stop!" Dougson ordered quickly as Harry felt hands on his arms.

Harry kept his eyes on Dougson as the man stood there. He looked down at his hand and rubbed his fingertips together before his eyes darted back up.

"Do I have your support?" Harry questioned, lightly.

"Um," Dougson stuttered and waved his men back.

Harry didn't remove his hands from his head as he watched Dougson. Harry knew in that moment that he had the man's support and he wouldn't let him down. Only Harry's death would prevent it as Dougson nodded his head sharply.

"Perfect," Harry said as he lowered his hands to the table. "We have plans to work on."

Chapter 14: Chapter Fourteen

Severus stepped into his house with care and smirked at that fact. He'd thrown around a few cleaning charms, now that they could use magic freely again. He walked through to the kitchen then paused at the apple on the table and he walked over. A paper was under the fruit and he picked it up in interest. He'd felt Harry pass over his wards earlier but he hadn't stayed long. He picked up the paper and words appeared in a messy hand.

Do not go to the next attack on a safe house, Harry.

Severus frowned at the note as the words faded away as the magic ran out.

"What are you planning?" Severus whispered as he picked up the apple and slipped it away in his pocket. "It better not get you killed."

xXx

Harry looked around the safe house, which was a large house on the edge of an estate with interest. This was the one property that suited his needs. It was large enough that he had space to move and backed onto bushland. He'd placed wards this time that would allow him to apparate and he had a portkey ready just in case. He wanted this to be showy. The response time had been slowing down and Harry knew that he would have time to get everything into place.

The police would not be showing up and had already cleared out the houses around this one. One thing that he couldn't control were the Aurors but he'd planned something to keep them busy. He was planning on taking on the Death Eaters here. Forcing their hand and if Voldemort turned up all the better. Nothing he'd done so far had caused Voldemort to come in person unlike the first time he'd been ambushed.

If this plan worked then he knew what would draw Voldemort out without attacking Hogwarts. He headed outside and looked around. He had work to do.

xXx

Surprisingly, it took three days before the Death Eaters decided to check out the safe house. Harry flicked his wand and set off the five magical 'bombs' that he'd set up around the UK to keep the Aurors busy and slow down their response time. He tapped into the wards that he's placed as he grabbed up his jacket and crouched down beside the window.

The first boom of his explosion spell shook the house and broke the glass in the windows as screams sounded out on the air. He covered his head as he pulled up a shield around himself as a wind picked up outside. He felt other people apparating in as they realised that this was different from the times before. Harry walked through the house calmly as the wind started to howl outside and he felt like he was in the middle of a cyclone.

He opened the front door and stepped out as he let his magic flare out from the house and the wind died. A group of five Death Eaters stood at his front gate and just stared at him. Harry could see that his explosion spell had taken out two people as they laid to the side of the gate.

"Have you been looking for me?" Harry called

He could feel a barrier charm go up as one person from the group apparated away. Harry waited with his wand out but the group just huddled behind the barrier charm. He wasn't going to take the fight to them. He was safer where he was as the Death Eaters eyed him off. They were hissing between each other and Harry was half expecting them to just push one of their numbers forward like an offering.

"Or you could go home?" Harry suggested. "If you do, can you take your buddies with you?"

The Death Eaters looked between each other than around them. Harry was sure that they were hoping that someone would come along further up the food chain than them and they could apparate home. Harry had to admit that they made for a pathetic group but at least their reluctance to take him on meant that his reputation had spread. Harry gave them a rough grin that had the group shifting where they stood before the gates, hoping they were protected by their barrier charm.

"If you are waiting for the Aurors," Harry called. "They are a little tied up."

Harry felt some people apparate in behind the property. He kept tabs on them as he eyed off the people before him. Harry flicked his wand and dark mists swirled out and the people cried out. Harry went back into the house as more explosions rocked the house from the back. He made his way to the manhole into the roof and climbed up the ladder that he'd left there. He pulled himself into the roof cavity and flicked his wand to get rid of the ladder and pushed the cover into place behind him.

He crawled along until he could see through the roof tiles that he'd removed so that he could see the yard below. Voldemort hadn't arrived as the Death Eaters tried to get to the house through the traps that he'd laid. He wasn't impressed with their progress and had seen better efforts from first year Aurors. But they did have numbers on their side.

Then another group of Death Eaters arrived and they knew what they were doing as the first one cast a ground spell forward that cut through Harry's traps. These were the ones that Harry was interested in. Harry placed his wand through the gap in the tiles.

"Ingis," Harry whispered and his fire spell cast out towards the new group of Death Eaters.

His spell came close before a counter charm stopped it in its tracks and a green spell spun out towards Harry and he ducked down quickly. The magic strengthen tiles held as the spells crashed into them and Harry quickly crawled over to the other side of the space. He'd cast reinforcing spells on the tiles, sides of the house and roof which were holding so far. He still couldn't feel Voldemort and he was sure that the man wasn't going to come.

Suddenly a spell came through the boards below him and Harry cursed as he twisted to the side. Other cutting charms were added to the first which had Harry crawling quickly across the crawl space as wood and plaster puffed up around him. They were casting blind but were narrowing in on his location.

Harry reached the back of the house and looked out at the forest. There were Death Eaters flooding in now and Harry had his answer. Voldemort would rather throw his forces against him than come to collect him himself. That was a gamble that would work against him which Harry could exploit. Harry then cursed as a lucky cutting charm clipped him on the side and he apparated.

He stumbled as he arrived then yelped as he landed awkwardly on a step. He tried to grab the rail but just tumbled down the couple of stairs as his ankle rolled. He'd survived an attack of Death Eaters just to almost kill himself on a set of damn stairs.

"Alright there, mate?"

Harry looked up at a man looking down at him from the top of the three stairs.

"Yeah," Harry muttered.

"They are a bugger," the man said with a chuckle as he carefully walked down the stairs and held out a hand. "Almost fell down them myself a few times."

Harry took the man's hand and he helped Harry up before just walking away. Harry stood there for a minute in shock until he grabbed his side with a flinch.

"Well," Harry muttered to himself. "That kind of worked."

He turned and limped towards the closest muggle surgery to have his side looked at.

xXx

James just stared at the house before them in shock. 'House' was giving it too much credit since it had collapsed on one side and only the front porch and the left side of the house still stood. The grounds were churned up and they could see bodies still in place. Sirius stood next to him and rested a hand on his shoulder briefly. He wasn't sure if this was the time that he would see the broken body of his son again.

"Are you James Potter?"

James turned to see one of the special response police and he nodded his head. The man looked him over. It wasn't often that the police and the Aurors would be at the same scene at the same time but it did happen at the bigger attacks. This was one of those times since the Aurors would have to make the scene safe and remove the bodies.

"Yes," James replied.

"He said to tell you that he's not there," the man said and James frowned. "He said he would see you at Spinner's End when he can get there."

The man then turned on his heels, rounded up his teams and left. The Aurors looked over briefly before focusing back on the house before them. They hadn't moved in on the it yet until they were sure that it was safe to enter.

"Did he just say what I thought he did?" Sirius questioned in surprise.

"Yes," James agreed.

"How did he…"

"I don't know."

"Are they on our side?"

"I don't know."

"Well, if they know where he is. They must be on our side."

"I don't know."

"I wonder how that happened."

"I don't know."

"Why would-"

"Sirius," James snapped as he turned on his friend. "I don't know any more than you."

"Potter!" Kingsley shouted over. "Black! Get over here!"

xXx

Harry cursed as he picked up on someone following him. He limped towards an ally but wasn't quick enough as a spell spun out and he ducked down. He pulled out his wand and turned towards a man that he didn't know. They had his magical signal and blood now. This would make it harder but not impossible.

Harry stood next to a large bin as he eyed off the Death Eater as the man carefully stepped into the alley.

"Finally found some of my blood?" Harry questioned and the man gave him a smirk.

"Yes," the man replied as he held his wand loosely in his hand.

"It won't help you," Harry said.

"It helped me find you," the man pointed out. "You have a large bounty on your head."

"You think that it's worth the trouble?" Harry laughed and the man paused. "Because the Dark Lord always pays his debts, right?"

Harry ducked as the man cast a stunner and he quickly flicked his wand and the bin that he was next to threw itself towards the Death Eater. The man calmly flicked his wand and the bin crashed into the wall. He didn't see the second spell that Harry cast and he was blasted off his feet.

Harry grabbed his side when it pulled as he walked towards the Death Eater collapsed against the wall. He had short dark hair and brown eyes and was on the short side. He man pushed himself up with a grimace and Harry let him. Harry stood evenly on his feet and knew that he could apparate if he needed to.

"I find it interesting that the Dark Lord seems quite happy to throw his followers against me," Harry mused as he carefully wove a shield before himself, just in case. "But is reluctant to face me himself. I wonder why?"

"He trusts us to bring you in," the man said as he eyed him off.

"Does he?" Harry laughed. "How many have you lost in that endeavour?"

The man snarled and threw out the killing curse and Harry easily stepped to the side. He felt the death curse slip passed him as the man before him panted.

"How many more need to needlessly die?" Harry asked. "I'm not trying to kill you, am I?"

The man drew himself up and glared at him but Harry could tell the man was thinking that through. This was not an ordinary zealot that Harry was talking to, he could even be part of Voldemort's inner circle. He was sure that Voldemort wouldn't trust just anyone with a way to follow him with his blood. Those spells were complex and time consuming and wouldn't last long. Harry was sure that this man had standing within the ranks.

"Just think on that," Harry remarked before he pulled his magic around himself and apparated.

He apparated four more times before he settled on a busy London street and glanced around. He smirked before he held his wand in his hand and pointed it down.

"Eicere," Harry intoned and something rushed out of his wand.

People on the street paused as something brushed past them as Harry sent his magical signal racing out in all directions. He now needed to get behind blood wards before he could plan his next move.

xXx

Harry collapsed in the bed in exhaustion without even taking his dirty clothes off. He was that tried as he closed his eyes. He knew that he was safe behind blood wards once again. It didn't take long for him to fall asleep as he laid there.

xXx

Severus opened his door with care. He knew that Harry was in the house, through the wards, and didn't want to startle the man. He stepped into the house and shut the door behind him as he made his way through the house. He was surprised to see Harry sprawled out on the bed still in his clothes and Severus wrinkled his nose at the smell. He clicked on the bedside lamp and looked at the man's dirty face and frowned.

He looked like he'd been in a fight and Severus was concerned that he was injured. The man laid on his side with one hand outstretched while the other one was curled under his head. He was unsure whether he should wake him as he stood there.

Harry took that out of his hands when he woke suddenly and a dark wand appeared in his hand as he pointed it at Severus. Harry dropped his hand as he blew out a breath then rubbed a hand down his face and grimaced.

"You stink," Severus intoned and Harry snorted.

"Thanks," Harry drawled and pulled himself to the edge of the bed.

"Are you injured?" Severus questioned.

"Just the regular cuts, scrapes and bruises." Harry said as he shrugged out of his coat. "I'll have a shower, now. Why are you here?"

"This is my house," Severus pointed out.

"Ha," Harry laughed as he unbuttoned his dress shirt. "You felt me pass over the wards."

"Yes," Severus said, as his eyes drifted.

"Do you have any clothes that I can use?"

"Yes," Severus said. "James dropped them off this morning."

"Is that safe?"

"He was very careful," Severus answered. "He also said that the damage to that house was impressive."

Harry nodded and eased himself up and Severus's sharp eyes looked him over. He could see blood on the man's shirt and when he moved, he noticed a bandage on his left side. Severus stepped forward and grabbed the shirt and flicked the fabric to the side.

"Cutting charm," Harry told him. "It's not too deep. I had a nurse stitch it up for me."

"You went to a hospital?" Severus questioned.

"Small surgery," Harry answered. "Said that I fell while putting up a metal fence and cut myself."

Severus nodded and stepped back but his eyes strayed. He could see the strength in the man's body and the bruises. He'd been in a fight and Severus wasn't sure if it was any worse than he could see.

"Did you want me to take my pants off as well?" Harry questioned and Severus's eyes flicked up but he could see the amusement on the man's face.

"I can give you a balm for the bruising," Severus remarked. "Were you in a fight?"

"Just a scuffle with a couple of Death Eaters," Harry replied as he headed to the bathroom.

Severus followed behind and noticed the limp.

"And the limp?" Severus pressed.

"Yeah," Harry said. "That too."

"Stay here tonight then," Severus offered.

Harry paused at the bathroom and turned back to Severus. Those green eyes looked him over before he nodded.

"It feels safer to be behind blood wards," Harry remarked. "And the Dark Lord is chasing shadows so I should be safe for a while."

"What did you do?" Severus questioned in interest.

Harry gave him a grin and stripped out of the shirt and Severus turned his back. He could hear Harry undressing and resisted the urge to turn back.

"He was tracking my magical signature," Harry answered as he stepped into the shower and turned the water on. "So, I created just a few shadows with my signature."

"Interesting," Severus said, impressed.

"It seems to be working," Harry replied with a sigh. "But it's kept me moving. You can only hide your magical signal for so long."

Severus could agree with that, unless a person used no magic at all they would eventually be picked up again. One sure way to conceal your magical signal completely was behind old blood wards, like at Spinner's End.

"I'll get you some clothes," Severus intoned and left the room.

"Thanks," Harry called out.

Severus just shook his head, this Potter kept surprising them and he had a talent with magic that Severus had never seen before. It was like he could look into the magic and see what needed to be done and not what the books and others told him.

Severus picked up the clothes that James had dropped off and headed back up to the bathroom. He knocked before he opened the door to see Harry in a towel before the mirror and his eyes skipped over the lean muscle on show as well as the bruises, scrapes and the stitches from the cutting charm. Harry just looked at him from the mirror as he shaved.

"Do you have a toothbrush?" Harry requested. "I had to leave most of my stuff behind at the last place."

"Under the sink," Severus replied and had a nice view as Harry bent down to fish it out.

Severus waited while Harry brushed his teeth since he hadn't been told to leave.

"I'll give you a potion for the cut," Severus remarked. "It will close it quicker."

Harry nodded as he kept cleaning his teeth. He didn't seem to care that Severus was there as he picked up a brush and tried to pull it through his hair but gave up with a huff and turned around. Severus held the clothes out and Harry took them from his hand.

"Thanks," Harry said and gave him a smile.

"I'll get that balm and potion," Severus told him and went to leave.

Harry grabbed his arm and Severus turned back in surprise, very few people touched him, even friends. They stood close to each other and Harry let him go quickly.

"I mean that," Harry told him, as those green eyes pegged him. "You could have thrown me out of your house but you haven't. Thank you."

Severus nodded sharply. Both men knew what it would mean if Harry was found here and yet Severus ran the risk. Being behind old blood wards meant that Harry was safe from anyone picking up his magical signature. Harry's eyes darted over him before he turned away and Severus felt like he'd been released from a spell and he left the room so Harry could dress.

His mind was elsewhere as he went into his office and found the balm and potion that he needed. He looked up when he heard a scuff to see Harry in the doorway. Dressed in the jeans and dark green shirt that he'd given him. There was a presence around him that seemed to draw Severus in. Harry stepped into the room and he still had that slight limp and Severus frowned.

"Have you injured your leg?" Severus inquired and Harry snorted.

"I tripped down some steps," Harry replied with a roll of his eyes. "Death stairs, I tell you."

Severus nodded and tapped a finger to some books on his table.

"Aberforth passed these books along as well," Severus told him. "He said he's still looking for better ones but it will take time. These are to do with inheritance magic."

"Perfect," Harry said and he came over and picked the first one up.

"Stay here for a couple of days," Severus offered and Harry looked at him sharply. "Recover after those stairs tried to kill you."

Harry laughed and gave him a grin that went straight through him.

"If you insist," Harry said with a glint in his eyes. "How can I say no?"

Chapter 15: Chapter Fifteen

James felt the weight of his invisibility cloak around his shoulders as he knocked on Severus's door. He'd brought some food and clothes with him as he waited for the door to open. Severus opened the door then stood to the side as James squeezed past him with the bags. Severus closed the door as James placed the bags down and pushed his hood back on his shoulders.

"I need books," Harry called from the kitchen. "Beginner books on magic."

"He's getting demanding," James muttered and Severus snorted.

"Yes," Severus said as he picked up a couple of the bags.

"Are you having any trouble leaving Hogwarts?" James asked and Severus shook his head.

"Lucius has been just as busy with these attacks as your department," Severus told him.

James chuckled at that, "yes, everyone seems to be busy with them."

They walked into the kitchen just as Harry plated up a stack of sandwiches for them. At least the man had food for them and drinks. James placed the bags down on the floor.

"What was that about books?" James asked.

"I need beginner books on magic," Harry replied and looked tired.

James's eyes picked out the slight limp and other signs that the man had been in a fight. It looked like he hadn't gotten out of his last scrape without a few bruises.

"I can probably smuggle a few out of Hogwarts," Severus said.

"I'll check my Gringotts vault," James added. "I'm sure that we can find a few."

"Perfect," Harry replied as he sat down. "Have some food. Unless you want me to make something else?"

Severus and James just sat down at the table and plated up a few sandwiches.

"I'll be here for a couple of days before I have to move on," Harry told them.

"What are your plans then?" James asked and Harry smirked.

"I have something in mind." Harry replied and picked up a sandwich. "But I need a bargaining chip."

xXx

"Michael Dougson," Dougson answered his phone.

"Finally," a familiar voice said. "It's Harry Potter. They finally routed me through to the right person."

"Yeah," Dougson muttered as he pulled a notepad towards him. "What are you after?"

"We need to meet."

"Address?"

Harry gave him an address in an industrial area that Dougson knew had seen better days. He wrote that down.

"When?" Dougson asked.

"Eight, tomorrow night." Harry answered. "Bring a few empty bags with you."

"Bags?"

"I'll come bearing gifts."

"What…" Dougson trailed off as Harry hung up and he cursed.

xXx

Dougson pulled his car up before the old warehouse and stepped out. He'd been right, the neighbourhood was rough and he could almost feel eyes on him. He shut his door with care and was glad that he'd taken the police car since he had more of a chance that he would have tires still on the car when he came back out.

He walked up to the warehouse and looked in the windows but they had been boarded up or the glass had been spray painted and he couldn't see in. The warehouse was abutted on either side by other warehouses and he was sure that they weren't connected. He banged his palm on the door but no one answered.

He grabbed the handle and the door was unlocked. He had to put his shoulder into the steel door to push it open. He looked around the space before him. Machine parts and cars were scattered around the floor. He pushed the door back into place as he made his way around the wreckage. There was a table at the back of the room and an office that he could tell that Harry had been using.

He came over the table and felt a thrill go through him as he looked down at the books. They were magic books and he picked one up in interest. Most were beginner books but others were more advanced. Books had been limited for a long time and there was a harsh penalty if someone was found with a book that they shouldn't have.

He sat down and opened one of the books. He hadn't opened a magical text since his magic was bound just after he left school.  He looked at the light spell before him and muttered the spell under his breath then just stared at the small light between his fingers. He'd thought that he would never feel that magic again.

He then looked up sharply when he heard the door to the warehouse scrape along the floor and he cancelled the spell and the light winked out. He relaxed when Harry Potter walked through the door and shut it again with some cursing. He smirked at that as he listened to the man walk through the junk in the warehouse towards him.

"You wanted to meet?" Dougson questioned, once Harry came over.

"Yes," Harry said. "That's why I called you."

"Well?" Dougson asked as he crossed his arms over to chest.

"I want to break the magical block of anyone that you can find," Harry told him and Dougson felt faint at those words. "I want to hold up my end of his partnership. In case, I can't."

"Why wouldn't you?"

"I'm planning on taking down You-Know-Who," Harry said and Dougson gasped.

"You…" Dougson whispered.

"Did you go to Hogwarts?" Harry asked and Dougson nodded. "Then your magic was bound?"

"Yes," Dougson uttered, it was still painful. "What would you ask in return?"

"Protect the children at Hogwarts," Harry replied. "I need people to help evacuate the kids from the school."

"Why?"

"Because that it where I'm going to draw the Dark Lord to," Harry answered. "That is where the man is going to die."

"Or you will," Dougson uttered with wide eyes.

"That's possible," Harry said with a shrug. "But I don't think that will happen."

Dougson just looked at Harry for a long minute and the man gave him a grin. Dougson's lips curled up and he nodded.

"I'll gather everyone that I can," Dougson promised.

Harry held out his hand and Dougson took it in his as they shook on it.

xXx

Harry apparated then stared at the number of cars in the parking lot and he was glad that he'd rented such a large hall. He walked through the cars to the building. It was a large community hall that he'd already placed blood wards around. He'd been on edge the whole time until the wards had settled into place. He'd made sure that the Death Eaters and the Aurors alike, had been busy elsewhere when he'd placed them.

He walked over the wards and let them settled before walking up to the front door. They were open before him as he walked in then stopped in shock. There was easily a hundred people around him. Some with children in tow. He was glad that he'd set up tables with food and drinks before everyone arrived.

"Harry," Dougson greeted as he came over.

"So many," Harry whispered.

"There are more," Dougson informed him and Harry stared. "And many more that had their magic bound when they were children, a memory charm placed then they were left with muggles."

"But they can still see magic," Harry uttered in disbelief. "They can be a danger to themselves and others if their magic flares out and breaks through the block.

"Yes," Dougson agreed. "We try and find them before that happens."

"Then what?"

"We help them."

Harry just looked around with wide eyes. That would just breed bitterness and would fuel vengeance in people that could outnumber the purebloods. Even though some half-bloods didn't have their magic bound they still ran a chance that if they stepped out of line then it could be. The chance of inbreeding was staggering since people would be reluctant to run the chance of their half-blood children would have their magic blocked.

"This is fucked," Harry cursed as rage simmered in him.

"Yes," Dougson agreed then clapped a hand to his shoulder. "Let's see if we can change that."

Harry gave him a rough grin and knew that this was going to be a long day but he was going to feel so much better once it was done. This was giving something back to the magical community that they probably didn't even realise they were missing.

xXx

Harry staggered as he opened the door to Spinner's End. It had taken more out of him than he thought it would as he shut the door behind him. The fatigue felt like a weight on his shoulders as he leaned into the wall beside the door then he felt something. Harry pulled out his wand as he shifted into stance but it was just Severus and he blew out a breath.

He leaned back into the wall again as his head pounded and Severus appeared beside him.

"What did you do this time?" Severus questioned smoothly.

Harry just placed his wand away and allowed Severus to help him to the upstairs bedroom. He staggered and felt like his knees were going to betray him until he reached the bed and just sprawled out.

"Harry?" Severus questioned in concern.

"Sleep," Harry gasped as he closed his eyes.

"Do you need anything else?"

Harry shook his head and was quickly out.

xXx

Severus looked down at Harry in concern as he gently eased his legs up onto the bed and settled a blanket over him. He was pale but at least he wasn't covered in dirt and blood this time. Severus gently brushed Harry's hair to the side and took in his pale skin. The man was out completely which concerned him. He wasn't sure what kind of state that he would have found the man in if he hadn't been there.

He knew that James had nightmares of finding the body to Harry Potter and Severus felt like he would soon as well. He looked down at Harry again before turning away. He would let the man sleep off whatever he'd done.

xXx

James looked around Severus's home as he placed his invisibility cloak over the lounge and headed through to the kitchen. He placed the bags in his hands down and unpacked the food. This was starting to become the norm for him but he still took care when he came here. He knew the risk that he was taking.

He headed upstairs with the last bag. He carefully eased the door open of the bedroom at the back of the house. He peered in and could see Harry asleep in the bed. The man must have done something on a grand scale to still be asleep. James walked into the room and placed the bag down on the dresser.

His eyes were caught by Harry as he slept. From the light coming in from the windows he could see his face clearly. His hair had grown out to a shaggy mess and he looked more like a Potter that way. There was no way he could say that the man wasn't his son. The only feature that he received from Lily was the green eyes and he was on the short side for a Potter.

"What are you doing here?" Harry muttered and James started.

"I brought food and clothes for you," James told him.

Harry wiggled to the side of the bed and James watched him but he didn't seem injured.

"Thanks," Harry said as he sat up and looked around. "How long have you got?"

"A few hours," James replied. "Sirius is checking out on one of your wild goose chases. Something about a pack of wolves running around a village that can sing looney tunes songs instead of howling."

Harry gave him a familiar grin and James could understand his teachers at Hogwarts when he'd given a very similar smile. Harry pushed himself to his feet and James let him use the bathroom before they went downstairs. James expected that Harry would go into the kitchen but he headed to the door instead.

"Grab your cloak," Harry told him and waved over to where the cloak was.

"You know about that?" James asked, even if he knew that Harry had a similar one.

"I have the same one," Harry said and James shrugged into the cloak. "Well, was the same one."

James frown at that answer as Harry left the house and started walking. James felt like a silent shadow behind him. He stopped when Harry did, then the other man grabbed his wrist. James frowned at the fact that Harry knew where he'd been standing. Harry then apparated and James looked up at the mansion before them in interest.

Harry walked towards the house then stopped at the front gate. James could feel the strong blood wards around the house. Harry reached up and added him to the wards. They stepped over together and James flicked the cloak back on his shoulders. He would be safe behind the blood wards.

"Whose house is this?" James asked in interest.

"Roseburgers," Harry replied. "They are all dead now."

James felt a chill at that answer and didn't want to ask his son whether he was to blame. Harry walked up to the front door and opened it for him. James stepped in and looked around in interest.

"This can be used as a safe drop but I don't want to spend too much time here," Harry told him. "With the powerful magic I've done here. I'm sure it will be found out but for now I'll keep checking back here. The blood wards will keep me safe, long enough to get out, if this house is attacked."

"Severus's house?" James asked.

"I keep magic to the bare minimum there," Harry told him. "I don't want to put him in danger."

"Severus is used to being in danger," James said and Harry paused.

Those green eyes looked him over and James had the feeling that Harry wanted to say something but was holding himself back. Which was different. Harry had never had an issue about telling them what he thought.

"He doesn't need any more suspicion put on him," Harry settled with and James nodded in agreement.

Harry walked through the house until he came to a well-stocked library and James's eyes lit up. Harry chuckled as James came forward to look at the titles.

"I don't think anyone has lived here for a long time," Harry told him. "The blood wards welcomed me when I arrived."

"Some of these are banned," James whispered as he pulled a book out.

"Take what you want," Harry told him in amusement. "I'm sure there are a few other things in this house that the Order could use."

James nodded as he grabbed out another book and Harry just left him to it. James felt like this was Harry's way of giving back some of what he's asked of the Order. However, James felt like he didn't need to since Harry had given them something better, hope.

Chapter 16: Chapter Sixteen

Lucius Malfoy took in the night as he made his way towards Hogwarts in the distance. He didn't mind having the time to think as he walked along and he could have just apparated to his office at the school but he'd found lately that the castle just felt like a prison around him. It seemed like the more power that Voldemort gained the less that he gave to the rest of them. Now with Harry Potter on the scene it was slowly descending into chaos.

Malfoy sighed and he stepped forward then tensed and pulled his wand out as a spell activated around him. His eyes darted around as he realised that he'd walked into a trap. His breathing picked up as he raised his wand while his eyes darted around. Only one person would set a trap for him.

"I wouldn't."

Lucius swirled around and took in the image of Harry Potter standing there. The dark-haired man walked closer as Lucius tightened his hold on his wand.

"I was wondering where I sat on your list," Lucius stated with a sneer.

"Not as high up as you believe that you should be," Harry retorted, mildly.

"What do you want?"

Harry came to stand before him and Lucius eyes darted over him. The man was very hard to read and could have killed him by now. No, Harry Potter wanted something as Lucius drew himself up.

"You know," Harry commented, mildly. "I knew your son, Draco, very well. I even used to sit down and have a beer or dinner with you and your wife."

Lucius froze at those words as plans ran through his head. Perhaps, he could use this information to get out of this alive.

"I imagine that there are many differences in our timelines," Lucius mentioned as he slipped his wand away. "I am aware of Albus Dumbledore's spell."

Harry nodded as those green eyes seemed to see through Lucius and he felt a chill go down his back. Lucius and the Dark Lord knew next to nothing about the man before him and yet Harry seemed to know them very well.

"Family before all others," Harry stated and Lucius started at the words. "Draco once told me about that. He'd drunk too much at the time but I could understand it after what Narcissa did for me during the war. What she did for her family."

Lucius crossed his arms over his chest as he looked down his nose at Potter. He tried his most intimidating look but Harry just quirked a smile at his stance.

"Some things don't change, Lucius." Harry continued.

"Yes, the brain washing of the Light side still continues."

Harry laughed at those words, "that could go both ways, Lucius. I find myself in that grey area more then on one side or the other."

"What do you want?"

"I have an offer for you," Harry said. "A way for the Malfoy family to get through this war alive and intact."

"If it's to convert me to the-"

"It's not," Harry cut in. "I am giving you a way to hold on to what you already have."

"No doubt by betraying the Dark Lord," Lucius sneered. "I have heard it all before."

"I am offering for you to take his place, Lucius."

Lucius froze as his thoughts stuttered to a stop at Potter's words. He'd been wrong, he'd seen the power that Harry commanded and knew that he could rival Voldemort, but this offer was something else. Lucius opened his mouth then snapped it closed again. This offer was real as Potter looked at him steadily.

"To take over his network when the Dark Lord falls," Harry continued. "I would say that you could rule it all but I can already hear Draco's laughter in my head."

Lucius quirked a smile despite himself at the mention of his son. That was something that Draco would find amusing. The man before him did know a version of his son.

"Why would you offer me this?" Lucius purred.

"I have an idea in mind," Harry said as he stepped closer.

"And that involves me?" Lucius pressed, finding a way in as only a Slytherin could.

"Yes," Harry replied with a smirk that had Lucius shifting on his feet. "Or I could just kill you and move on to the next name on the list."

Lucius felt a cold ball in his stomach at those words and knew that the man could do just that. He'd already shown that he was willing to kill.

"The question, Lucius, is how many times can you be held under the Curio curse?" Harry pushed. "How many times can you return to your wife covered in someone else's blood? How long can you stand by while your wife is tortured by your Master or your son-"

"Enough," Lucius hissed as his eyes flashed in rage. "You have made your point, Potter."

"Have I?" Harry questioned, mildly.

"Why do you care what happens here?" Lucius demanded instead. "You are only in this world for a limited amount of time. I'm sure you could disappear until you are returned."

Harry's green eyes stared at him and Lucius had his answer. Lucius felt the same when he was placed under the torture curse by Voldemort or watched someone that he loved crying out in pain. The Dark Lord was tearing the magical world apart and Harry Potter couldn't ignore that. It was no longer about blood rights or witches and wizards. The muggles were taking notice of them and they had numbers and means on their side. The grand plan was shattering and had been for a while.

"I have fought and killed this man," Harry announced. "And I will again before my time here is done. It's the black hole that will open, once he is dead, that I am concerned with."

"And you think that I can fill that space?"

"You already are," Harry countered with a glint in his eyes. "If there is a plot afoot there is a Malfoy there to take advantage of it. Draco Malfoy taught me that."

Lucius stared at Harry Potter long and hard and knew that the man was telling the truth.

"And your cohorts?" Lucius questioned. "They would step to the side on this?"

Harry gave him such a smirk that Lucius was even impressed. He stepped forward as he drew his wand and Lucius tensed. Harry just whispered a word and the spell around Lucius lifted.

"They had no idea what they were playing with when that spell picked me out of my time and dimension," Harry remarked. "If they had, they would have looked for someone else for I hold more power than they could guess. For I am the last of many magical lines and that still holds here."

Lucius paled at those words and hoped the man didn't hold the Malfoy title for he was now aware that he'd been close to Draco. Harry tilted his head to the side with a smirk on his lips.

"Think on it," Harry offered. "Good evening, Lucius."

Harry Potter then disappeared with a soft pop and Lucius stood there with too many thoughts to work out in his head.

"Fuck," Lucius swore before turning and heading towards the castle.

xXx

Severus glanced down the Head Table to see Lucius deep in thought and he frowned. Since the man had arrived at dinner, he'd been distracted and Severus was concerned about what had caused that. A thoughtful Lucius never bodes well for anyone. The man then looked up and caught Severus's eye and he frowned. Lucius tilted his head slightly before turning back to his dinner. That clawing feeling in Severus's stomach kicked up and for the rest of the dinner he was tense.

"Severus," Lucius intoned as he went to leave. "Do you have a moment?"

"Of course, Lucius." Severus replied and stood.

Lucius nodded and headed towards the main door of the Hall and out. Severus tried to relax as Lucius led him out of the castle and towards the main gates.

"Something on your mind, Lucius?" Severus broached.

"Many things," Lucius replied, with an odd tone to his voice. "We have been friends for a long time."

"Yes," Severus answered with a frown. "Has something happened?"

"What would you say that the state of the wizarding world is in?" Lucius asked as he stopped at the gates of the school.

"What has brought this question on?" Severus countered in confusion.

"It's a mess, isn't it?"

"It's…uncertain," Severus intoned, carefully.

"I went to Diagon Alley yesterday, Severus." Lucius said with a frown.

"And?" Severus prompted when Lucius said nothing else.

"There is just fear," Lucius sighed. "What would you say if I could change that?"

Severus looked at his friend unsure why he was asking these questions.

"Has the Dark Lord decided-"

"No," Lucius cut in and glanced around. "I know that we don't see eye to eye on a lot of matters but if this war could end. Would you be on my side?"

Severus felt his stomach drop at those words.

"Of course," Severus replied, as he carefully shielded his mind.

Lucius looked at him and Severus held himself back from shifting on his feet. Something then caught his attention and his eyes flicked over that way. Lucius turned and Severus tensed when Harry Potter appeared from the tree line. The man casually made his way towards them. Oddly, Lucius didn't go for his wand.

"How did he know," Lucius whispered, almost too quiet for Severus to hear.

Harry closed the distance between them and Severus shifted in case he needed to act. Lucius, however, just watched the younger man.

"I'm assuming that you have an answer for me?" Harry questioned Lucius as he came to stand before them just before the line of the wards.

Lucius's eyes flicked to Severus before he turned back to Harry, "yes."

"Perfect," Harry said with a smile. "Then you won't mind me stealing, Severus."

Lucius started and focused back on Severus and raised an eyebrow in question.

"If he wishes to go with you then I won't stop him," Lucius said with a nod.

"Perfect," Harry repeated and stepped forward. "Severus?"

"No," Severus stated and looked between the two men. "What is going on here?"

"Recruitment," Harry replied with a grin.

Severus started and looked back at Lucius and the man shrugged.

"What can I say," Lucius muttered. "He can be persuasive."

"What did he offer you?" Severus demanded.

"What he already has," Harry cut in. "Without the threat of violence or casual torture."

Severus looked between Lucius and Harry and wasn't sure what to say. He felt out of his depth which was not a good feeling for someone like him. It seemed that Harry had done what the light side had been trying to do for a long time. Turn the Dark Lord's right-hand man against him. Severus then frowned and wondered if that was what was going on.

"Come on, Severus." Harry offered. "I have a meeting to attend."

Lucius placed a hand on Severus's shoulder and squeezed until their eyes locked. He'd known Lucius for a very long time and they were friends, despite it all, as the blonde gave him a nod.

"Good luck," Lucius offered and let his hand drop.

The blonde turned and walked back towards the castle leaving Harry and Severus standing there. Severus then turned on the other man.

"What did you do!" Severus snarled.

"What had to be done," Harry replied, evenly.

"And that was?"

"Took the lesser evil."

"This is not your world, Potter!" Severus hissed.

"I am aware of that," Harry spat. "It's the fault of a dead man that I am here!"

Severus swallowed the rest of his words before he pinched the bridge of his nose. He could feel a headache coming on. He cursed bloody Potters in his head as he reined in his temper.

"I hope you remember that we have to live with the deals that you have made," Severus stated, spitting the word 'deals'. "You get to just disappear."

"Or that's what you believe," Harry pointed out and Severus paused. "Since not one person that you have pulled over to this dimension has survived that long!"

They were at an impasse as Harry slipped his hand into his jean's pocket and pulled out a marble and held it out. Severus felt the childish urge to just walk away from the man. To go back to his room and forget the name Harry Potter but he knew that he couldn't. He held his hand out and Harry drop the marble into his palm.

"Bubbles," Harry intoned and Severus felt the portkey take hold.

He braced himself as he landed and took in James and Sirius as they lounged back in the chairs in the room. The two Aurors were still dressed in their uniforms. They started when Aberforth appeared. The old man glanced around the room in interest. It looked like a muggle warehouse with an office in the back. They could hear traffic outside and people walking by on the street. The windows were covered over and all they could see were shadows of people. It was a defendable place as Severus took everything in.

"Where's the boy?" Aberforth questioned.

"The boy made a deal with Lucius Malfoy," Severus reported.

"You're joking," Sirius yelped.

"What type of deal?" James questioned.

"This could be a set up," Aberforth muttered. "My portkey was a one way only spell and there are wards stopping us from leaving."

The others nodded in agreement before they could say any more Harry Potter appeared.

"Well," Harry announced. "We have a plan in motion."

"Which includes Lucius Malfoy?" Severus inquired.

"That involves Lucius and many other parties," Harry agreed. "Tell me something, if the Dark Lord was killed tomorrow what would happen?"

"A party," Sirius laughed.

"Then what?"

"We fix everything up."

"And it all just goes back to the way that it was before?" Harry pressed. "That his followers will just say 'oh, well. It was good while it lasted'?"

"What deal did you make?" Aberforth pressed.

"The Dark Lord will fall," Harry said with conviction. "But that will open up a hole-"

"That Lucius will step into," Severus finished.

"Are you mad!" Sirius yelped.

"The lesser evil," Harry stated, mildly.

"How do you know?" James uttered.

"This is our world," Sirius exclaimed. "How cou-"

"I have lived this," Harry cut in as his eyes flashed. "The Dark Lord fell and his followers continued. He rose to power a second time and drew his network back and took over. When he fell the second time it opened up a hole that took years to plug. In this world, he never fell. His network strengthened into what it is today. Fear and on the brink of the muggles declaring a war on the magical world. Cutting off the head of the snake will not be enough. In fact, it will most likely expose everyone!"

"And Lucius Malfoy is the answer?" James pushed.

"He's as bad as You-Know-Who!" Sirius added.

"No, he isn't," Harry countered and Severus nodded in agreement. "He holds all the strings that the Dark Lord has been pulling. He knows the players and he has the motivation to keep the magical world safe and hidden."

"You are putting a lot of faith in a man that you don't know," Sirius stated.

"I know Lucius Malfoy very well," Harry countered. "I know Narcissa and I know their son even better."

"He's not the same man as you know," James tried.

"Yes, he is," Harry disagreed and looked at Severus. "Severus?"

"I agree," Severus said with a sigh.

"And if you can't keep him in line just kidnap Draco," Harry reasoned and Severus snorted. "Narcissa would be too much trouble to contain and he'll fold to your demands."

"You are gambling our future on Lucius Malfoy?" Aberforth asked and Harry nodded. "And when you go back to your dimension, what then?"

"Hopefully, you'll be better off than before I was kidnapped off the streets," Harry defended. "At least the Dark Lord will be dead."

"You seem confident of that?" Aberforth questioned.

"Yes," Harry replied as he crossed his arms over his chest.

"And if he kills you?" Severus pressed.

"Then perhaps the next 'chosen one' will find out if they get to return to their dimension on the thirty first of July," Harry replied.

They fell into silence at that and Severus had the feeling that Harry didn't want to dwell on that thought. Harry then reached into his pocket and pulled out four marbles.

"These will take you somewhere that you can apparate," Harry told them as he passed the marbles out.

"Where are we?" James asked as he glanced around.

"Hopefully, somewhere safe." Harry said, but the others could tell that he was tired. "Thank you for coming."

James then suddenly grabbed Harry up in a hug and Severus could see Harry tense. The hug was brief before James pulled back.

"Stay safe," James told him as he patted him on the shoulder.

"You too," Harry offered then tensed again when Sirius grabbed him up in a hug.

Sirius stepped back and Harry had an odd expression on his face but the two Gryffindors just nodded before they activated their portkeys. Aberforth gave Harry a nod and disappeared as well. Harry turned to Severus and raised an eyebrow.

"Are you going to hug me as well?" Harry asked with smirk.

Severus stepped forward and did just that. Harry was tense but he could feel the hard muscle then Harry's arms wrapped around him. Severus tensed this time before he relaxed and stepped back. Harry gave him a grin that Severus could get used to.

"Smart move," Severus remarked.

"An outsider move," Harry countered. "I still have to kill the Dark Lord."

"Or you could walk away."

"What happened to the line of 'you could help us fight'?"

Severus sighed and looked down at the floor.

"I suppose that it's easier to ask someone to die for your cause when you don't know them," Harry intoned and Severus quirked a smile.

"Just how well did you know Draco?" Severus asked in interest.

"Enough to know that he had a mole on his ass," Harry laughed.

Severus laughed along at that and Harry gave him an odd look.

"What?" Severus uttered.

"Nothing," Harry said and looked away.

Severus reached out and placed his hand on Harry's arm and the man looked back at him. Severus slid his hand down Harry's arm as the younger man watched him.

"And Lucius?" Severus pressed.

"What are you asking?" Harry countered. "Whether I did the Malfoy double?"

Severus snorted at that then started when Harry grabbed his hand then tugged him forward. Severus stumbled then Harry's hand was on his hip and pulling him closer. Severus's hands slipped under the Harry's shirt before he dipped forward and closed the distance as he took the man in a kiss. His hands ran down and he grabbed Harry's ass as he deepened the kiss.

Severus went to pull back but Harry grabbed his hips and pulled him forward. Severus stumbled but followed after the younger man as he ran kisses down his neck. They broke apart as Harry opened the door behind him and Severus got a glimpse of a bare room with a mattress. He felt hands at his belt and he paused to slip his shoes off. Harry gave him a wild grin and tugged his shirt over his head. Severus took in the skin on offer before he grabbed the man once more. He kissed him as Harry's hands found his cock and palmed it.

Severus groaned at the feeling and pulled back enough to slip out of his jacket and pull his shirt over his head. His fingers found Harry's pants as pleasure built and he looked down into Harry's green eyes.

"How's the bed?" Severus questioned.

"Lumpy in all the wrong places," Harry replied as his pants dropped. "I'm sure that we can make do."

Harry released him and sat down on the mattress and looked at him. Severus's eyes darted over naked skin and hard muscle as he followed the other man down. Harry wiggled up the bed as Severus settled between his legs then took Harry's cock in his mouth. Harry groaned loudly and Severus swirled his tongue around as he played with his balls. He ran his tongue up Harry's cock before going down on him.

Harry moaned as he brought his legs up on either side of him. Severus placed a finger at his entrance and noticed that Harry had cast a lubrication spell. He slid one finger into the young man and Harry groaned. Severus glanced up to see Harry with his head thrown back in pleasure and he added another finger to the mix.

"Getting close," Harry gasped and Severus pulled back.

He wiggled up and took Harry in a kiss as he settled between his legs and pushed forward. Harry slipped his legs behind Severus's as he threw his head back and Severus attacked his neck. He paused as he entered Harry completely before pulling back then rocking forward. Harry grabbed his sides and encouraged him to go faster and he picked up the speed. Severus slipped a hand between them and grabbed Harry and very soon the younger man was tipping over with a loud groan and Severus watched him. Green eyes blinked open as Severus grabbed Harry's ass and slammed into him. Harry met him the whole way until Severus was tipping over with a groan.

He twitched forward a couple more times before taking Harry in a long kiss. His hands wandered as he slipped out on the man below him. He pulled back and looked down with a smile on his face and Harry gave him a smirk before pulling him back down into a kiss. Severus took everything in before he pulled back again and shifted to the side. He felt magic run over his skin then a blanket fell over them. Harry curled into his side and Severus just held him.

"I should have more meetings like this," Harry muttered and Severus chuckled.

"I could agree with that," Severus said as he fingers ran down Harry's back.

Chapter 17: Chapter Seventeen

"What is it that you need from us?" Lucius questioned as Harry waved him to a table covered in papers.

"Take a seat, Lucius." Harry offered. "Tea or coffee?"

Lucius stood there for a second before with a sigh he sat down. He was learning that this was the way that this man worked. He couldn't say that he disagreed with that.

"Coffee," Lucius replied.

"Milk and one sugar," Harry called out as he went over to the small kitchenet.

"Yes," Lucius answered with a shiver, it was another reminder that the other man knew him, even if Lucius didn't know him.

They were in a small one bedroom cottage off a dirt track. It was more of a wood cottage but without the woods. It had a simple living room with a fireplace, kitchenet to the side and one door that Lucius was sure contained a bedroom and bathroom. They had yet to meet in the same place twice and Lucius wondered, not for the first time, where Harry kept finding these places. There was no magic around the cottage, not even wards.

He looked over the table in interest but couldn't work out what the man was working on. The spells were to do with inheritance, magical signatures and other items that didn't make sense when combined together.

"I need people that I trust at my back," Harry said as he came back to the table.

Harry pushed all the papers into a rough pile to the side of the table. Lucius was sure that they'd been there for his benefit with the careless way that Harry moved them.

"I can organise that," Lucius agreed.

"Including Severus," Harry added.

"Very well," Lucius committed.

"I will need seven people that are willing to betray the Dark Lord," Harry continued and Lucius tensed. "On their magic."

Lucius sucked in a breath as his eyes widened and Harry nodded. He understood what he was asking for.

"That will take time," Lucius whispered, he was committed now.

"Just as long as it's before the thirty first of July," Harry with a grin which broke the moment. "They must have the Dark Mark on their skin."

"Yes," Lucius nodded as he thought of some people that were loyal to him. "We would have to test their loyalty first."

"Yes," Harry agreed. "Seven would be the best number but I may be able to work with less."

"You can't find these people through other means?" Lucius questioned carefully and Harry looked at him thoughtfully.

"Possibly," Harry agreed. "Yes, you find your people and I'll see what I can do from my end. We have one chance for this to work."

Lucius nodded and looked down into his coffee. This would be a real test for Lucius of loyalty and devotion, to his family. He looked up and Harry gave him a nod and a small smile and he knew that the other man knew what he was thinking. Lucius would do this, since his family wouldn't survive without it.

xXx

"You want what?" Severus choked as he stared at Harry.

"People with the Dark Mark that are willing to betray the Dark Lord," Harry repeated and Severus wasn't sure if the man knew what he was saying and what it meant. "Lucius is helping from his end."

Severus sneered at those words and Harry quirked a smile.

"I will know if they are not willing to turn," Harry remarked. "Including yourself, I have three. I need four more."

Severus nodded but his hand wasn't steady as he reached for his mug on the table. They were meeting at Spinner's End.

"This is dangerous," Severus whispered and Harry nodded. "If your plan doesn't work…"

"Yes," Harry said and looked straight at Severus. "I understand, Severus. I've dealt with the Dark Lord's rage before."

Severus nodded and he was in no doubt that what the man said was true. However, he had seen Harry survive the killing curse which was the only time Severus had seen that happen. Others didn't have that luxury.

"I'll see what I can do," Severus agreed with a nod. "But I'm not sure I'll be able to find someone."

"I understand," Harry said with a piecing look. "I need you to have my back in the battle, Severus. I will not be able to defend myself once I start the spell."

Severus nodded again with a hard stare. He reached over the table and grabbed Harry's hand.

"We will have your back," Severus intoned and Harry gave him a smile.

"Thank you."

xXx

Severus looked at the run down motel before him in interest. It was the first time that they were meeting somewhere like this. He walked up to the second level of the building. He could hear people inside the rooms. Living their lives as he came to door number fifteen and knocked. He looked along both sides of the walkway before the door opened before him.

Harry stood there in black jeans and a light grey button down shirt. He stood to the side as Severus walked in and took in the room. It had seen better days, in the eighties. The carpet was an unknown colour and the bed was made up with a dark blanket that he was sure covered the stains. There was a small area to make coffee and tea, with a sink and mini fridge, to the right side and a table with a tv on it to the other.

A single door across from the bed, on the right, that he was sure was the bathroom. There was a window at the back of the room but the curtains were drawn. Harry shut the door behind him and Severus turned as his eyes took him in. Those green eyes focused on him as Harry locked the door. There was just something around the man as Harry stepped forward and looked him over.

"No wards?" Severus questioned.

"No wards," Harry repeated.

Severus felt exposed at that as Harry closed the distance to them. Harry's hands slipped up his shoulders and Severus shrugged out of his coat. Harry's fingers made quick work of the buttons of his shirt as Severus stood there. He knew why he was here but wasn't sure if Harry had other ideas. Severus was nervous as Harry gently slipped his shirt over his shoulders. He was sure that Harry was picking up on the shake in his body but he didn't call him out on it.

Harry's hand slipped down his forearm and over the hidden Dark Mark and Severus shivered at the feeling. Harry looked up at him with a quirk to his lips.

"Do you need something to help calm you down?" Harry asked. "I'm sure there is alcohol in the fridge."

Severus grabbed the other man and pulled him close as he dipped down and took him in a rough kiss. Harry's hands slipped around him then grabbed his ass and Severus gasped. Harry huffed in amusement then deepened the kiss. Severus let his hands wander as Harry kissed down his neck.

He hadn't expected this. Hadn't been looking for this but it had found him. He gasped as Harry hit a sensitive spot on his neck and he tilted his head further to the side. Harry's hand then slipped down the front of his pants and he groaned.

"I thought we were here for something else?" Severus gasped and Harry chuckled.

"And here I thought we could have both," Harry said as he pulled back and Severus took in the glint in his eyes. "I suppose we better get on with the spell work-"

Harry squeaked as Severus grabbed him and turned them. He gave Harry a push and the man sprawled out on the bed behind them. Harry just grinned up at him and Severus knew that had been his plan all along. Severus didn't mind being played that way as Harry pulled his shirt off. He had a few bruises and scrapes on his skin but Severus didn't pay much attention as he unbuckled his pants. Harry smirked at him as he pushed his own pants down.

Severus took in a sight as Harry wiggled further up the bed. His cock hard as Severus slipped a vial from his pocket.

"Ha!" Harry laughed as Severus knelt on the end of the bed. "I'm sure you just carry that around 'just in case'."

"In case of what?" Severus purred as he crawled up the bed.

"In case the need arises," Harry laughed and Severus quirked his lips up. "I suppose this is the place for these kinds of liaison."

"Should we have set a price first?" Severus asked as he slicked up his cock as he settled between Harry's legs.

"I'm sure we can come to some kind of agreement," Harry moaned as Severus wrapped his hand around his cock and gave it a pull.

"I'm sure that we can," Severus purred and was happy to feel the shiver in Harry below him.

He dipped forward and kissed him as he entered a finger. Harry bucked up into him and Severus had to hold on to himself as they rubbed together. Harry then wrapped his legs behind his and pulled him forward and Severus cursed. He pulled his hand loose and wrapped it around himself as he glided himself into place.

He gently pushed forward but Harry had other ideas. He clamped his legs around his waist and pulled him forward quickly as he bucked up. Severus groaned at the feeling as Harry gasped. Severus ducked down and kissed him as he pulled back then rocked forward hard. If Harry wanted it that way then he was going to give it to him.

He thrust forward hard as he grabbed Harry's ass and the man moaned as he adjusted his angle. Harry's hands dug into his side as he encouraged him to go faster and Severus picked up the speed. He ducked his head down and kissed him roughly as he set a hard pace and Harry met him the whole way. He knew that he wouldn't last long but held out as Harry groaned under him.

Harry then grabbed his ass and pulled him forward as his legs clenched around him as he came and Severus gasped at the feeling before thrusting forward a couple more times before coming himself. He held still above the man as he panted breaths. Harry's legs still clamped around him. He started when hands cupped his face and he looked down into those green eyes, still blown wide in pleasure.

He ducked forward and took the man in a kiss as Harry's hands slipped down to his shoulders then gave him a push. Severus tilted to the side with squeak and Harry chuckled as Severus sprawled out beside him. He felt boneless and satisfied as Harry panted beside him. Harry then chuckled and Severus looked over at him.

"What?" Severus asked and Harry just smirked at him.

"Nothing," Harry said. "We just may have to wait a little while until I can attempt that spell."

Severus chuckled at that as Harry stood. Severus's eyes lingered on that toned body. Harry walked into the bathroom and came out with a towel and dropped it on him. Severus used it to clean up as Harry pulled out two bottles of water from the mini fridge.

"If I'd known this was the direction that this meeting was going to go," Harry said as he held out a bottle to him. "I would have picked up food."

"We can still go and get something," Severus suggested. "Minerva is covering for me at the school and Lucius is at the Ministry."

"We'll see," Harry said and glanced around the room.

"Is it safe to do this without wards?" Severus asked in interest.

"We'll have to leave after it's done," Harry replied.

Severus wiggled around until he sat before Harry on the bed and grabbed his waist. He noticed Harry twitch at the move as he looked down at him. Severus could feel himself responding in ways that he hadn't since he was a teenager.

"How about we get that food now then," Severus suggested.

Harry slipped down on the bed, with his knees on either side of Severus, as he straddled his lap. Severus wrapped his arms around him and pulled him closer.

"We could," Harry muttered as he kissed his neck.

Harry squeaked as Severus rolled them onto the bed once more.

xXx

Severus felt move relaxed when they re-entered the room after getting something to eat. He felt like he could face what happens next as he took off his jacket and shirt. He whispered a spell under his breath and the Dark Mark appeared on his skin. Harry stood before him and ran a finger over the tattoo. Severus tried to hide what he was thinking but as Harry looked up, he knew that he was losing that battle. Harry had a way of seeing through his masks. Harry pulled out his wand and Severus tried not to shift on his feet.

Severus forced himself to stand still as Harry looked back down at his arm with the Dark Mark on show. It had been a while since he'd allowed for the tattoo to show on his arm as Harry placed the tip of his wand to it. He had to stop himself from pulling his arm back as Harry closed his eyes. Instead, he held still as Harry worked. He couldn't feel anything which just made him more nervous.

He half expected the Dark Lord to call him or for pain to shoot down his arm but it didn't. Instead, he studied the man before him to distract himself as Harry did something, he wasn't even sure what. It felt like he was placing his life in the other man's hands, something that he hadn’t done since Albus Dumbledore had been alive, but this was something different.

Harry mumbled something under his breath as his brow crinkled up in a frown and Severus found himself smiling in affection. The man had wormed his way into his life and as the end of July came closer, he felt dread in the pit of his stomach. What would his life be once Harry was pulled back to his right time and dimension.

Harry blinked his eyes open but Severus could tell that he wasn't seeing him as those green eyes looked through him. Severus knew that he was the guinea pig in this situation and if Harry's spell worked then they were one step closer. To what, Severus wasn't sure since Harry was being very closed lipped about what he had planned.

"That's it," Harry said, startling Severus.

Severus let his arm drop but he didn't feel any different as he let the spell in the mark cover the tattoo back up. Harry's eyes darted down to his bare arm and ran his fingers down the mark and Severus shivered.

"You hide it," Harry remarked with an odd tone in his voice.

"Yes," Severus replied. "Will your plan work?"

Harry gave him a grin in answer and stepped closer as he placed his hands on Severus's hips.

"It already is," Harry answered and Severus ducked down and kissed him. "We should go."

Severus reluctantly let him go and they walked out of the room. Harry gave him one last look before walking off along the walkway and Severus let him. He felt his stomach clench, since he never knew, if this would be the last time that he saw Harry. Severus sighed and walked the other way. He had to get back to the school.

xXx

Harry adjusted the strap of his backpack over his shoulder as he walked up the front gate before him with a certain amount of nervousness. He pressed the button and the gate opened. Harry hesitated before he stepped over the wards of Malfoy Manor. He was running a huge risk but Lucius had insisted that he wanted to do this here.

Harry walked up the long drive and was reminded of times before when he'd taken this same walk. Mostly with Draco since the blonde had liked to walk around the gardens and grounds. Narcissa and Lucius met him at the front door.

"Welcome," Lucius greeted and the wards settled around him, Harry relaxed at that. "This is my wife, Narcissa."

Harry took Narcissa's offered hand and kissed her fingers before releasing her hand.

"Nice to meet you," Harry intoned with a smile.

"I'm sure that you have met before," Malfoy grumbled as he opened the door and waved him in.

"I have," Harry agreed and gave Narcissa a wink. "But your beauty always catches me off guard."

Narcissa gave him a smile and Harry returned it. She really was a beautiful woman. Lucius led them through to a sitting room with drinks and food already on the table.

"The others will be coming soon," Lucius remarked. "Take a seat."

Harry sat down after the Malfoys had taken their seats and placed his backpack on the ground beside his chair. He made up a coffee and plated up some sandwiches. He wouldn't admit it but he was hungry.

"You can do it?" Narcissa blurted out and touched a finger to her left arm.

"I can," Harry replied and it looked like a weight had lifted off the woman's shoulders. "I already have."

"Severus?" Lucius questioned.

"Yes," Harry answered. "How many did you find?"

"Six," Lucius answered. "Including Narcissa and myself. That gives you the seven that you need."

"Perfect, did you want me to break through it tonight?"

Narcissa sucked in a breath as she held a hand to her mouth with large eyes.

"Will he know?" Narcissa whispered.

"No," Harry answered. "The spell will, mostly, act the same as it always does until the right time."

"How will we know that you have done what you claim?" Lucius demanded.

"You will no longer feel the pain of a calling," Harry replied lightly. "There will be a pull, and I will know, but the pain will not be there. So, I hope you are good actors."

Narcissa laughed lightly at that and gave him a soft look.

"We are Malfoys," Narcissa purred and Harry laughed.

"Draco would have said the same in my dimension," Harry said.

"Just how well did you know our son?" Lucius asked and Harry gave him a wink.

Harry reached into his bag next to him and pulled out a few papers and placed them on the table. He pushed them towards Lucius and the man raised an eyebrow in question.

"Contract for my services," Harry drawled as he leaned back into his seat.

Lucius picked up the papers in confusion until ink ran over the blank pages. Harry had taken the idea from the Marauders' map. Lucius placed them down as he started to read through it as Narcissa looked over his shoulder. A Malfoy always needed a contract in writing.

"Yes," Lucius muttered with a frown. "We can work within these guidelines."

"Just sign the bottom and we can begin."

Lucius read through the contract a second time before a quill appeared in his hand and he made some adjustments. Harry had been expecting that as they worked through what they were willing to negotiate on to see the down fall of Voldemort. Harry was surprised that Lucius didn't make as many changes as he was expecting.

The contract went smoothly and Harry and Lucius signed at the bottom of the page and the ink disappeared. Only Harry or Lucius would be able to see the words as Harry split the contracts up and put his away in his bag while he left the other on the table for Lucius. He was now bound to bring down the darkest wizard of an age or it would mean his death but that was nothing new to him. He was committed to this course of action with Lucius by his side. They were both bound to it.

Lucius sat back in his chair and Harry could tell that the man felt better with the contact in place. Lucius then tapped the table with his wand and Harry was sure that a bell would have rung somewhere in the manor. He'd seen the Malfoys do something similar before.

"Did you want to go first?" Harry asked.

"No," Lucius said and Harry looked at his wife.

Narcissa gave him a smile but shook her head then looked over to the doorway of the room. Harry followed her line of sight.

Harry jumped to his feet when Bellatrix entered the room then he stared. The woman was thin and would have been called a beauty if not for the scar across her face. It started on the left hand side of her chin and went straight across to her right ear. Harry was sure that she would have lost her right eye, if not for magic. Her left arm hung limply at her side and she had a limp. Her eyes were the same, dark and cold, but without the madness. That had been replaced with something bitter.

"My sister," Narcissa said from behind him. "Bellatrix Black."

Bellatrix's eyes ran over him and Harry felt like he was falling short in her estimate. Harry gave her a nod since he wasn't sure he could open his mouth and not get himself into trouble. Then it registered with him.

"Black?" Harry questioned and turned to Malfoy. "Black?"

"Yes," Lucius said with frown.

"Ah," Harry uttered and turned back to the woman. "Sorry, shocked for a minute there. Thank you for coming."

"My appearance does that," Bellatrix said with a slight slur to her words through her broken lips.

"It was not your appearance," Harry said. "But our history."

"Yes," Bellatrix said with a nod. "Lucius told me."

Silence hung there for a moment as Harry looked Bellatrix over. He could see what the war had done to the woman. Harry slowly pulled out his wand and the others tensed. He came closer and gently grabbed the woman's limp left hand.

"I tried to cut it off," Bellatrix said and Harry locked eyes with her. "It grew back."

Harry nodded his head; he knew more about the Dark Mark than he would like to. Bellatrix pushed her sleeve up to reveal the Dark Mark on her pale skin. He placed his wand tip to the mark and closed his eyes as he focused. He picked up the traces of Voldemort's magic first and tangled the small part that Harry still held of Voldemort's magic and let the two touch to make a connection. He wanted the mark to recognise him as Voldemort as he felt it out.

He could feel the Dark Lord through the mark but he was careful to make sure that Voldemort didn't feel him. Not that he had to worry too much about that. It would only be if Voldemort thought, in that moment, to call the Death Eater that he was working with that he would notice. He took control of that link and smoothed it over as the dark residue that had been a Horcrux in his mind soaked it in. He blinked his eyes open to stare at the mark as the snake curled around then locked eyes on him and he was done.

It was easier this time since he knew what he was doing as he gently ran a little of his magic down the woman's arm. She shivered as Harry ran his hand up and touched on her shoulder then the skin of her collar bone. He could feel where Voldemort's magic, through the Dark Mark, had severed the nerves and feeling to the arm. He gently untangled the mess and Bellatrix gasped.

Harry stepped back as Bellatrix flexed her hand with wide eyes. Harry knew in that moment that he had her complete loyalty. He gave her a nod and turned to the stunned Malfoys.

"Who's next?" Harry asked.

Harry quickly did the same to Lucius and Narcissa's Dark Marks then looked over when three children walked into the room. He felt his stomach drop as he looked into the face of Draco Malfoy and his eyes darted over to Lucius in rage.

"I could do nothing," Lucius uttered with the same amount of distaste. 

Harry nodded and Draco came to stand before him with his two friends behind him. The blonde stood tall while Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle hid behind him. They were unsure and their eyes darted around but Draco stood firm. Harry stepped forward as those pale eyes focused on him.

Harry now understood why they'd had to meet at Malfoy Manor. It was to protect the children behind the blood wards. He was sure that the three children wouldn't be able to tell anyone what happened this night. Lucius was using the wards as protection for not just him but the others as well.

"My name is Harry," Harry introduced. "Do you know why you are here?"

"For you to break through the Dark Mark," Draco replied with his chin up and pale eyes focused on him. "To free us."

Harry quirked a smile at that answer as he looked at Draco. This time he could save the boy.

"Yes, Draco." Harry said with a smile. "That is definitely my aim."

Chapter 18: Chapter Eighteen

Lucius smirked as the Minister of Magic stuttered his way through another disastrous press conference. Barty had lost the meeting early and had been trying to grab a hold of it ever since. Lucius sat back in his chair in amusement. Barty wasn't used to these meeting getting away from him as his eyes darted around the room. With Voldemort's backing and support, the crowd was normally behind him. Not today and not for a while. The press had turned on him.

"…we are closing in on this man-" Barty tried.

"Then how is he still causing problems?" Someone yelled out. "I woke to explosions this morning!"

"We have everything under control!"

"Bah!" Someone else called out. "Harry Potter is too powerful! He took down the wards of Hogwarts!"

"Now, that was-"

"And my wards," Lestrange called out and Lucius smirked, he'd never liked the man. "Old blood wards and they are just gone!"

A rumble went around the room as Barty stuttered and just looked weak. His eyes darted over to Lucius and he gave the man a sneer. Lucius was the right-hand man to two powerful wizards but only one had his loyalty. Harry had sown the seeds of doubt and Lucius was going to help them grow. He was going to take what he'd always wanted and never received.

More shouting sounded on the air and Lucius felt satisfied. In a short period of time, Harry had brought the Ministry into chaos, and the wizarding world was taking notice. The Aurors started to gather and the crowd was slowly brought back under control but Lucius knew that this was a turning point and Harry Potter had gotten them there in just over eight months. Lucius hadn't realised that they were that close to the edge.

Barty quickly finished his meeting and fled the room. Lucius noticed more than a few eyes looked over to him and he smiled. It was time for him to pick up where Harry had left off.

xXx

"Where are you planning this great battle?" Aberforth questioned.

Harry snorted as they stood in a small apartment building on the fourth floor of a building. The room was empty as James, Sirius, Severus and Aberforth stood there. Harry leaned up against one of the walls and they could feel wards around them. Blood wards, which put the others on edge, but Harry had already given them portkeys in case of an emergency.

"Hogwarts," Harry replied and Severus felt a chill.

"Why there?" James asked with a frown. "There are better places to attack that would draw his attention."

"What about the children?" Severus added.

"Lucius will take care of the children," Harry replied. "And the Dark Lord will always come to defend Hogwarts. It's the only place that he will come personally. I've tried to draw him out elsewhere but it hasn't worked. It has to be Hogwarts."

Aberforth nodded his head in agreement. They couldn't launch a full-scale attack there and not have the Dark Lord show up. If that happened then everything that they had done would be for nothing. They were running out of time.

"And if Lucius turns on us?" Sirius asked.

"He won't," Harry replied and looked at Sirius head on. "He can't now."

Severus sucked in a breath at those words as his mind raced.

"Lucius has to go through with what we have planned," Harry told them with a level stare. "He now has no choice. His only saving grace is if the Dark Lord falls and he will do everything in his power to make that happen."

"How can you be so sure?" James questioned.

Harry gave them such a smirk that Severus would have given him a Slytherin robe right there and then. He was starting to get an idea about Harry's plan and he was outfoxing the best of them.

"This is our big play," Harry told them. "If this doesn't work…then your world is lost to the Dark Lord."

Severus shivered at those words and knew them to be true. He doubted that Albus's spell would pull another man across that was like Harry. If they wanted this war to be over then this was it.

"You have our support," Aberforth said into the silence. "Let's just hope that it's not to our deaths, boy."

Harry nodded with those knowing green eyes that reminded them all of Albus Dumbledore.

"Then let's plan so that doesn't happen," Harry remarked.

xXx

Lucius's lips curled into a sneer as he looked over the people in the room. They were only just above muggles in his opinion but he was learning to work with all sorts of people with Harry. A dark haired man eyed him off and Lucius knew him from his days at Hogwarts.

"Dougson, right?" Lucius asked as he walked over to the man and he nodded. "You were in Ravenclaw. You were one of the best in your year."

"Yes," Dougson answered. "I'm a muggleborn."

Lucius nodded at that.

"Harry has asked us to help with the students," Dougson expanded. "We are all half-bloods, muggleborns or squibs."

"Yes," Lucius said as he looked around then focused on the man before him. "Lucius Malfoy."

"I remember you," Dougson remarked with a cold look in his eyes.

"I'm the Headmaster of the school-"

"Oh, good." Harry said as he arrived and came over. "You know each other."

The two men eyed each other off before they focused on Harry.

"Lucius," Harry said as he turned to the blonde. "Dougson will be helping with the evacuation of the students from the school. We are going to gather them at Hogsmeade where they will be protected."

"And the block on their magic?" Lucius asked and Dougson tensed beside him.

"Already taken care off," Harry told him. "If you can get a hold of some wands then that would help."

Lucius stared at Harry for a moment before shaking his head and turning to Dougson. He held out his hand to the man. Dougson hesitated briefly before taking the offered hand in his. They stared at each other before Lucius gave him a slight nod.

"Welcome then," Lucius said. "We'll welcome your support."

"Perfect," Harry said with a grin. "I'll tell you all the ways from Hogwarts to Hogsmeade that I know. I'm sure you know a few as well. If we need to keep some of the children in the tunnels then that could work for us as well."

"What about when they reach Hogsmeade?" Lucius asked.

"We have people on that end," Harry replied. "Hogwarts should be safe but I would hate for the Dark Lord to break through the defences and put the students in danger."

"Like you did?" Lucius asked and Harry grinned.

"Yes," Harry said and Dougson sucked in a breath at his answer. "But I only broke down the outer wards."

"The wards haven't been the same since," Lucius added and Harry smirked.

"That works even better for us," Harry said. "If we have the upper hand at the castle then it gives us something to hide behind. Walls of stone would be better than just wards any day."

"You brought down the wards of Hogwarts?" Dougson gasped.

"Sure," Harry replied easily. "I had the time to piss off a powerful wizard and panic the magical world. It was a great opening act, wasn't it Lucius?"

Lucius just glared at him and Harry gave him a cheeky smile.

xXx

Lucius looked around the bare room that the portkey had spat him out in interest. It was always somewhere different and he guessed that's how Harry had kept ahead of the Dark Lord. It looked like they were in a basement with an old staircase in one corner but the rest of the room had been finished. The walls were bare and there was only a table and four chairs.

He walked over to the table to see an old piece of parchment and a few notepads and pens. He looked up when Severus appeared and his eyes ran over his old friend. There was a sharp look in his dark eyes but there were also other subtle changes that he was only just noticing.

"It's looks like we are the first to arrive," Lucius drawled as he took a seat.

"Indeed," Severus retorted and walked over. "You are looking well."

"I'm been at the Ministry," Lucius mentioned with a smirk. "Barty is making a harsh of things there. It's quite amusing to watch."

"Is that why you haven't been at Hogwarts?"

"Yes," Lucius answered and waved to the other chair and Severus took a seat.

"That's what he has offered you?" Severus asked carefully and Lucius nodded.

"The Dark Lord is not impressed," Lucius said. "But he's coming around to my way of thinking."

Severus snorted at that and the two friends shared a look.

"You should see the Ministry, Severus." Lucius sighed as he leaned back in his chair. "Complete chaos, the Dark Lord is going to lose control of it soon."

"Interesting," Severus remarked.

It was the most relaxed that Severus had seen Lucius. The most open as well.

"What is the Dark Lord planning to do?" Severus broached while Lucius was being so open.

"He's struggling to hold everything together," Lucius sighed. "He's about to lose the Ministry, the press has turned against him. The Death Eaters are starting to rebel. He's sending too many to their deaths against Potter."

"Is he thinking of facing, Harry?" Severus asked and Lucius looked at him sharply.

"I don't think that Potter will give him much option."

They looked up when James Potter appeared and looked around. He was dressed in his Auror uniform as he looked over to them.

"Ah," James muttered and came over to them as his eyes darted over the table. "How long have you been here?"

"About fifteen minutes," Severus replied. "Take a seat."

"No food?" James asked as he settled in the offered seat next to Severus.

"Not this time," Severus said.

"He normally has food and drinks on offer," James muttered. "I didn't have lunch. How are you, Lucius?"

"Well," Lucius answered.

"Have you been upstairs?" James asked as he stood.

"No," Severus replied as he leaned back in his chair. "You are welcome to."

James flashed him a grin before heading to the stairs. They held his weight but complained the whole way. The Slytherins stayed at the table as James opened the door and went into the house above.

"What has he offered you, Severus?" Lucius questioned and Severus focused on him. "Headmaster?"

"I hope not," Severus sighed.

"It must be something," Lucius pressed.

"We shall see," Severus intoned and Lucius let it drop.

"So," Lucius muttered. "I suppose that this meeting is about the battle?"

"I would assume. Time is running out."

"House is empty," James reported from the top of the stairs. "Looks like no one has been here for a while. The toilet works, if you wanted to know."

The Slytherins sneered at him as James came down the stairs and gave them a grin. He sat down in one of the chairs and grabbed up the parchment and whispered something under his breath and lines spread out across the paper. He placed it down and the Slytherins peered at it.

"Hogwarts," Lucius gasped.

"We made it up as kids," James told them.

"Impressive," Lucius commended as he watched people walking around the school. "This will help us."

They looked over when Harry arrived at the top of the stairs with a few bags in his hands. James perked up at the smell of food and jumped to his feet. The stairs creaked and complained the whole time as Harry came down them.

"Sorry for the delay," Harry said as James took the bags. "I was being followed but I lost them."

"And managed to stop for food," Severus drawled and Harry gave him a grin.

"Have to feed the troops," Harry laughed and sat down in the last seat.

James quickly dished up the food and Severus had to agree that this was a good way to get people on your side. Better motivation than the pain curse.

"How's the Ministry, Lucius?" Harry asked.

"Chaos," Lucius answered. "He'll lose control soon."

"Perfect," Harry said and looked down at the map of Hogwarts. "How will we go about this battle?"

"In which way?" James asked.

Harry sat back in his chair in thought.

"Do I take control of Hogwarts and force him to take it back," Harry said. "Bring down the wards and meet him outside the castle when he responds. Or something else?"

"Forcing him to take it back would bring the Aurors onto Hogwarts grounds," James commented.

"The floo would be a problem," Lucius put in.

"We can cut the floo," Harry said easily. "The anti-apparation wards would work in our favour."

"It would be a fight between the Death Eaters and the Dark Lord and our forces," Severus added.

"The Death Eaters are starting to turn on him," Lucius mentioned. "Given time, they would abandon him."

"We have until June," Harry told them. "We have one chance at this. He must die by my hand for everything to work."

"Why?" James asked.

"That is the way that it must happen," Harry told him.

Severus nodded and shared a look with James.

"We'll work on turning as many Death Eaters that we can," Lucius said with a glance at Severus. "Within reason, of course."

Harry nodded but the other men could tell that his mind was somewhere else.

"You'll have to be at the Ministry, Lucius." Harry told him. "Take control there."

"What about your support?" Lucius questioned. "The Dark Lord will want me by his side in the battle."

Harry nodded with a frown.

"Yes," Harry muttered. "Okay, we'll work with that. Bring down the wards and take over Hogwarts when you are not there, Lucius. The Dark Lord will call you which means that you'll be at the battle in the right place at the right time."

"We have a rough plan, then?" James asked.

"Something like that," Harry responded. "Let's work out the details now."

xXx

Severus stretched his back, once Lucius and James had used their portkeys to leave. Harry was scribing on the notepad before him. It seemed like the man was gathering as much information of different ways to take Hogwarts. Even Severus wasn't sure with which plan that the man was going to take. He seemed like he wanted everyone's opinions. It's was an odd way to work. He could remember the way that Albus would work. A set plan in mind and orders. Harry was very different. His plans more free flowing and liable to change.

"What aren't you telling us?" Severus questioned.

Harry looked up then ran a hand over his face with a sigh.

"This is going to be a challenge," Harry said. "There is a lot of timing to work out and the Dark Lord has to die a certain way."

"Why?" Severus asked in interest.

Harry blew out a breath but didn't answer. Severus reached over and placed his hand over Harry's and the man gripped his hand.

"You will have our support," Severus promised and Harry gave him a smile.

"Thank you."

Harry leaned towards him and Severus met him in a kiss. Severus's hand slipped under Harry shirt and touched on his skin as they pulled back. He didn't want to face the fact that at the end of July that he would lose the man.

"Albus's spell?" Severus broached.

Harry stood and came closer as Severus turned in his seat. Harry settled on his lap and kissed him and Severus wrapped his arms around his waist as he deepened the kiss. He wanted to remember everything about the man in his arms.

"Don't worry about that," Harry whispered in his ear. "I have a plan."

Harry pulled back and Severus took in those green eyes and smile on his lips and could believe it. But it still didn't shift the doubts that he had. Why would Harry choose this world over his own? What did they have to offer here?

Harry then dipped forward and captured his lips in another kiss and Severus quickly forgot all this doubts. Except one, did Harry want to stay here?

Chapter 19: Chapter Nineteen

Lucius glanced around the dining room of Riddle Manor and the people. The first thing that he noticed was the lack of food or drinks. He wasn't sure when he'd expected to see that at meetings and knew that it came from Harry Potter. The second was the distance between the members of the inner circle. He wasn't sure if Voldemort had noticed the way that even his inner circle was starting to drift into smaller groups.

Lucius calmly took that in as people started to take their seats. Harry Potter had also created that divide. Lucius sat in his seat to the right of the head of the table, where Voldemort would sit. He looked over the table and took in Antonin Dolohov. The man gave him a nod from his place to the left of Voldemort's seat. He wasn't much to look at with plain features, of dark hair and eyes, but he was a powerful wizard.

Lucius knew that the man was in control of finding Potter and yet had nothing to show. They all knew that he'd come close but Potter had slipped through his fingers. He was now Lucius's main obstacle as his eyes swept around the room. It was a mix bag but every day that Voldemort failed and Potter succeeded pushed the people around him to rethink their alliances.

Lucius turned back and noticed Antonin studying him. He paused at that look and raised an eyebrow in question. The man just looked over when Voldemort arrived with his familiar on his heels. The snake slid towards the fireplace as Voldemort headed to the head of the table.

"Antonin," Voldemort intoned when he settled in his seat. "Any progress?"

"No, my lord." The man replied. "We found his last hideout but he was gone. We are getting closer."

Voldemort tensed but didn't draw his wand.

"Did he leave anything behind?"

"A few things," Antonin consented. "I have them in a secure location for you to preview at your convenience."

"Yes," Voldemort muttered and rubbed his chin. "He has become an interesting man."

Lucius noticed a few people shifting at the man's words. They didn't understand the relationship that Voldemort held with all the chosen ones. They only saw them as people to eliminate. Lucius knew better since each one held the power to kill the Dark Lord. Lucius's eyes flicked to Nagini at that thought as Voldemort moved on with other matters. He did notice Antonin's eyes on him when he thought that Lucius wasn't looking.

The meeting didn't last long before Voldemort dismissed them and everyone quickly disappeared without the pain curse being cast. Lucius had noticed that as well. It looked like Voldemort wanted to tie them closer and knew that the pain curse was not the way to go about it. However, that glint in Voldemort's eyes promised that would not last.

Lucius went to leave when Antonin caught his eye and flicked his head to the side. Lucius frowned but followed the other man from the room. They walked down the corridor until they left the house. Lucius stopped and Antonin paused as well.

"What is it?" Lucius questioned. "I am needed back at the Ministry."

"Not Hogwarts then?" Antonin questioned in interest.

"Not while Barty is being eaten alive by the press."

"That man was never right for that job," Antonin scoffed. "His father had standing, not him."

"I believe that you are right," Lucius conceded.

"Are you looking on taking his place?"

Lucius paused at that.

"Only if our lord decides that it the correct course of action," Lucius said carefully and Antonin frowned.

"Yes," Antonin agreed then reached into his pocket and pulled out a small glowing ball. "I suppose that you would be correct."

Antonin held the ball out and Lucius held out his hand with a frown. He dropped the ball, about the size of a large marble, into his palm. He could feel the magical signature held within the marble and the fact that the magic was about to run out.

"Good afternoon, Lucius." Antonin said and walked away.

Lucius was left standing there with the ball in his hand with Harry Potter's magical signature inside.

"What the fuck," Lucius cursed and just stared at the ball. "How the fuck did you do that."

xXx

Harry looked up when he felt something. He jumped to his feet and hurried to the door of the motel room. He held his wand in his hand as he flicked the curtains then frowned. Lucius Malfoy stood in the parking lot. Harry's eyes darted around but the blonde was alone. Lucius was looking down at something in his hand then around the parking lot. Harry could tell that the man couldn't tell where he was. At this point with anyone else, Harry would have slipped away, but this was different.

"Lucius," Harry called, when he opened the door.

Lucius looked over at him with a frown. Harry just looked back and Lucius held up a small glowing ball in his hand. Harry cursed and quickly went back into the room and collected up his stuff and shoved it into his bag. He went back out of the room and shut the door behind him. He wouldn't be returning.

Lucius slipped the ball away as Harry came even with him. He held the Elder Wand in his hand as his eyes darted around but everything was quiet around him. Harry grabbed Lucius's arm and apparated to a different motel across town. He let Lucius's arm go and the man held out the small ball to him.

"Antonin Dolohov gave it to me," Lucius said but Harry didn't take it.

"Who?" Harry said with a frown. "Break it."

Lucius smashed the glass ball to the ground and Harry grabbed his arm and apparated two more times. They arrived down a side alley and Harry walked out onto the busy street. Lucius fell into step with him as they walked into a coffee shop and Harry ordered food and drinks. Once they were settled at a table Harry focused on Lucius.

"What happened?" Harry questioned.

Lucius told him and Harry frowned at the story. He wasn't sure who Lucius was talking about.

"Do you have a photo of him?" Harry asked.

Lucius pulled out his wand carefully to make sure that no one could see him as he grabbed up the menu and whispered a spell. Harry frowned as a picture of a man that Harry knew appeared and he nodded. Lucius released the magic and the menu went back to normal.

"Yes," Harry said. "I know that man but I didn't know his name. He was sent after me a while ago."

"Is he on your side?" Lucius asked.

"I don't know," Harry sighed as he leaned back in his seat. "I threw a dumpster at him and he cast the killing curse at me."

"You must have made an impression on him," Lucius said with a smirk. "He is the lead on finding you. He mentioned that he found your last hide out."

"I don't think so," Harry remarked in thought. "What read do you get on him?"

"He is a hard man to read," Lucius confessed. "You do have something that no one else could offer?"

"It's too close," Harry replied. "I don't want to expose my hand too soon."

Harry picked up his coffee and Lucius watched him in interest. He could tell that Harry was running everything in his mind even if he looked unconcerned. Lucius picked up his own coffee as he glanced around the coffee shop.

"I'll leave this up to you," Harry said after a while and Lucius focused on him. "You know this man better than I do but I can't offer him what you are suggesting."

"Very well," Lucius agreed.

Harry gave him a level stare as Lucius sipped on his coffee. He was sure that he would have been able to feel the power of the man in front of him. If they weren't in such an exposed area.

"What are you going to do about those tracking charms?" Lucius asked.

"I'm sure they are running low on my blood by now," Harry replied mildly.

"How did that even happen?"

"Part carelessness, overconfidence and a little bit of stupidly," Harry said and Lucius quirked a smile at that answer. "I've been working around it with mix results. That glass ball that you had was a very complex spell that only lasts forty-eight hours."

"And your method of dealing with it?"

Harry pulled out a leather cord around his neck and Lucius looked at the pendent there. He didn't know the runes on the plain silver disk.

"It gives me just enough warning," Harry told him. "It looks like I'll have to cast another spell to scatter my magical signature. That means that it will be harder for you to find me."

"The Dark Mark?" Lucius asked and Harry frowned.

"Ah," Harry muttered and ran a hand over his head. "I forgot that. Yes, I should be able to use that and you should be able to get in contact with me but only use that if you have no other way. I should be going."

Harry gave him a nod and headed up to the counter to order another coffee as Lucius finished his food. He'd never known a man like Harry and he could see what Severus saw in him. Harry tipped his coffee cup at him before he left. Lucius was left with his own thoughts as he finished the last of his coffee. He was sure that Harry was going to have a busy few days ahead of him. 

xXx

Aberforth took in the muggle neighbourhood in interest. The portkey had spat him out here and he wasn't sure which house that Harry would be meeting at. Normally, the portkey would take him directly to the location. He turned when Harry appeared next to him and started walking. Aberforth fell into step with the other man as he walked along.

"No house this time?" Aberforth asked in interest.

"Not this time," Harry replied a he glanced around. "Are you hungry? There's a burger joint the next street over."

"No," Aberforth answered.

Harry nodded and led them to a public park. It was a busy day as kids ran around. They settled on a park bench that overlooked a park. Even here, Aberforth could feel the tension on the air as people walked around with dogs or kids played on the equipment.

"What did you need?" Harry asked.

"No wards?" Aberforth asked in interest.

"Not this time," Harry said with a sigh.

"You look tired?"

"Just a bit," Harry answered. "What do you want, Aberforth?"

"We need a distraction," Aberforth said but he felt on edge without wards. "Nagini is the last Horcrux."

"I could draw her out?" Harry suggested.

"How?"

"I can speak to her," Harry admitted and Aberforth shivered.

"Parselmouth," Aberforth uttered and Harry nodded. "That could work."

"Where is she?"

"Riddle Manor."

"Ah," Harry muttered. "I've stayed away from there for a reason but I'm sure I can act as a distraction, but it won't be for long."

"That's all we need," Aberforth said as they watched the kids play.

"When do you need me?"

"Soon," Aberforth said.

Harry held out a hand and Aberforth placed a coin in it. Harry slipped it away in his pocket without looking at it.

"I need at least two hours to prepare," Harry told him. "I've already looked at the Riddle Manor but it's kept under close guard."

"Yes," Aberforth agreed. "Will that cloak of yours get us past the wards?"

"Perhaps," Harry said and held his hand out to the side and his cloak appeared.

Aberforth's eyes darted around but Harry had timed it correctly and no one had seen it. Aberforth took the cloak in his hands with care. It looked just like every other invisibility cloak he'd seen but something about it felt different, darker.

"Will this leave you exposed?" Aberforth questioned.

"I will call it back to me after," Harry told him. "He will attack with force and his wards do not start at his fence line but on the open ground between the manor and the gate. If you can't get through with my cloak, let me know, and I will retreat."

"How long do you think that you will be able to hold his attention?"

"Not long without putting myself in danger."

"He can't be killed until the snake is dead."

"Then this is our plan. I'll scope it out and see if there is a weakness that we can exploit."

Harry gave him a nod before he stood and Aberforth let him. Aberforth stayed where he was as Harry walked away. He knew what kind of danger that he was putting the other man into and so close to their big play but it had to be done.

xXx

Harry looked through his binoculars as he watched Riddle Manor. It was a well-guarded property that sat up on the hill that overlooked the rest of the village. He would have trouble getting close without being seen. He sighed and wasn't sure how he was going to do this. He would have no cover before he could attack the wards to draw the Dark Lord out.

Harry's eyes then caught on a small truck as it drew up to the main gate. The truck stopped briefly before it was let through and Harry started to get a rough idea. The truck drove up to the back of the house and two muggles unloaded containers of food through the back door into, what he believed, would be the kitchens. They then drove back to the gates and away down the street.

"Yeah," Harry muttered. "I can work with that."

Chapter 20: Chapter Twenty

Aberforth paused when he felt the coin in his pocket heat and he pulled it out. He got the sense that it was Harry. He left the bar to head into the back room. Once he knew that he was in a safe location, he pressed his thumb to the coin.

"Yes," Aberforth said, knowing that Harry would hear his words.

"I have an idea," Harry's voice came to him and him alone. "He gets food delivered by a truck twice a week. That would be the best way for someone to slip into the house."

"And the distraction?"

"If I blast a way through the gates after you get someone in," Harry said. "It may be enough to get to Nagini. Getting out may be a problem."

"Can the cloak be left behind?"

"Yes," Harry answered.

"Could an animagus pass over the wards?"

"Yes, they should be able to get out of the wards but not in."

"Alright," Aberforth said. "We'll flesh that plan out. When is the next delivery?"

"Tuesday," Harry replied. "I tracked down the company and I'm sure that I can break in and get the delivery drivers route that day."

"I'll contact you on Monday morning."

The coin went cold in his hand and Aberforth smirked with a twinkle in his eyes that Albus would have been proud off.

xXx

Harry looked over when Sirius and James appeared and he wasn't surprised. He'd thought as much when Aberforth had mentioned animagus. The two were dressed in dark jeans, shirt and loose jacket. Harry could tell that they were also wearing a dragonhide vests under the shirt. Harry held out a silver knife in a leather sheath and James took it in his hand.

"Use that to finish her off," Harry told him. "It's goblin silver and will cut through the Horcrux."

"How did you get this?" Sirius asked in interest.

"It's better that you don't know," Harry replied. "No other magic on you, except your wands?"

"Yes," James told him and Harry nodded.

"The closest that you can get to Nagini before you are exposed the better," Harry told them then held out a small recorder. "I've recorded some words of parseltongue on here. Press the play button to draw her attention."

"How are you a parselmouth?" James asked in interest and Harry shrugged.

"Lucky, I guess. I won't be able to draw him away for long. Make the time worth it."

James clapped a hand to his shoulder before Harry nodded. They headed around the side of the building that they were behind. Harry picked the lock on the door and opened it up. It was the garage for the store that the Dark Lord was using. Harry stopped at the right truck and picked the lock on the roller door at the back and pushed it up. The two slipped into the back.

"They start loading at five," Harry told them softly. "Riddle Manor is the third stop. You can use a charm so that the muggles will load everything around you but the magic needs to be removed before you enter the gates."

The two nodded their heads.

"Good luck," James offered and Harry gave him a grin.

"I think you will need the luck more," Harry said.

"Nope," Sirius said. "I have the Black family luck."

Harry just groaned before he pulled the door down behind them.

xXx

Harry flicked the hood of his jacket up as he stumbled down the sidewalk with a bottle in a brown paper bag. People gave him a wide berth and Harry didn't blame him. The smell of the jacket alone was even making him wrinkle his nose. Though he did get it off a homeless man in London. The man had been happy to get a new coat for exchange. Harry paused at the stone wall looped around the Riddle property and sat down with his back to the rough stones.

People went out of their way to go around him as he sat there. He called out for coins but was getting no takers and soon gave up. The two men on the gate of the manor glanced over at him but he was quickly forgotten. Harry just leaned his head back with his eyes closed as he focused on the sound of a traffic. He knew that they should be here in about half an hour by the itinerary that he'd copied.

He opened his eyes when he heard the small truck. It drove past him and went up to the gates and was let in. He listened as it drove up the long driveway to the manor. No shouts or alarm went off and Harry felt the tension in his shoulders relax. His cloak had been powerful enough to get past the wards. He was sure that Voldemort's arrogance had played a part in that.

He kept an ear out for the truck's return before he stood. The truck rattled away and Harry stumbled towards the two men on the gate. He felt the coin heat in his hand. It was game on as Harry tripped into one of the men on the gate.

"Hey!" The man yelped and pushed him.

Harry dropped the paper bag in his hand as he stumbled to the side. The glass broke as Harry turned on the men.

"Look what you did!" Harry shouted as he stepped further back and grabbed a cloth out of his pocket.

One man stepped forward before he then stumbled as the potion that had been in the bag reached the men. The second man looked over just as the first one hit the ground. None of the muggles noticed as Harry darted forward as the second man fell. Harry covered his nose and mouth with a cloth as he stepped up to the gates and pushed his way through.

The downside to not having the property wards on the gates was that anyone could just open them. Harry walked onto the driveway and looked up at the house. He then pulled his wand out and pointed it at the house in front of him.

"Confractus," Harry intoned and the dark spell spun out before him.

The spell smashed into the wards with a loud bang. They flared up and Harry cursed. They were very strong, stronger than Hogwarts had been, in fact.

"Confractus!" Harry snarled and increased the magic in the spell.

The spell crashed into the wards and Harry saw cracks as he followed the spell up with another with a snarl. People started to pour out of the house but not the Dark Lord. Harry knew that he was in the house as he threw spell after spell until he could smell something burning on the air. Still no Voldemort as more people gathered before the manor.

He cursed as he kept the gate at his back. He didn't want to advance but needed to do something. He then cast the one spell that would work. The one spell that he hated with a passion.

"Avada Kedavra!" Harry spat in distaste.

The green spell spun out and went straight through the wards of the house. It was the one spell that had no counter or shield. The green spell barrelled towards the manor and hit the side of the house with a loud explosion. Harry panted from the effort and felt sick from using the death curse.

People scrambled away from where the spell had hit as Harry advanced a few steps. Voldemort then appeared at the front door and Harry smirked.

"Avada Kedavra!" Harry recast.

The green spell spun away and passed through the wards once more and Harry followed it up with another blast of power. The green spell hit the house once more as the wards flared from his second spell. Voldemort walked out onto the lawn and towards him and Harry waited. He took note in the fact that Voldemort walked alone.

The cracks had widened in the wards and Harry was sure that, given time, that he could have torn them down. However, Voldemort wouldn't give him that time as he walked towards him. He did notice the man that Lucius had warned him about, Antonin Dolohov, and the way that he kept back with the other Death Eaters. He seemed to stand before the others and was taking control of them while Voldemort came forward to confront him.

Harry kept an eye on the open gates behind him and made sure that he could still apparate away. He took in the fact that the Death Eaters were all at the house and none had apparated behind him. His eyes settled on Antonin briefly but he couldn't make out his expression from this distance before he focused back on Voldemort and sneered. The man seem confidant as he walked towards him. Harry adjusted the grip on his wand. It seemed that Voldemort wanted to talk.

xXx

James and Sirius huddled under the cloak as they peered into the cosy lounge room. Nagini was curled up before the fire after her master had left. James slipped out from under the cloak and let Sirius enter the room. Another explosion sounded from outside then something hit the wall of the manor.

It felt like the air had been sucked out of the house and James gasped. He felt the hair go up on the back of his neck but he couldn't look away from Nagini. The snake lifted her head up as she scented the air. He couldn't see where Sirius was as James slipped through the door while Nagini was distracted.

The snake then swung her head around when hissing sounded on the air. She uncurled and headed towards the lounge as James closed in on the armchair. He had his wand out and ready. Nagini pulled back as the hissing faded away.

"Immobulus," James whispered.

Nagini turned in his direction just before the spell hit. She froze as a silver knife flashed out and cut into the skin just below her massive head. James cringed as blood spurted but the snake was still frozen. Something dark rushed out with a scream then darted away. James let his spell go and the large snake fell lifeless to the floor.

Sirius appeared from behind the snake just as the coin in James's pocket heated up.

"Come on," James yelped and Sirius ran across the room. "Time's up!"

xXx

Voldemort came to stand before his wards and looked at Harry with sharp eyes. There was a good gap between them as Harry looked the man over. He really could be called handsome even at his age. It was the coldness in his eyes that made you pause. Otherwise, he looked just like any other person on the street. It was still jarring to Harry, whom was used to facing a man that barely looked human.

"You come alone," Voldemort mocked. "No one to support you?"

"I work better that way," Harry replied with a shrug. "People just complicate matters."

Harry flicked his wand and sent another force spell forward. Voldemort didn't even flinch as the spell hit the wards before him and flared. Harry was impressed by how strong they were but they weren't failproof as he'd already proved.

"Why have you come here, Potter?" Voldemort questioned. "Have you finished playing your childish games?"

"Not yet," Harry said.

"Then what is this in aid of?"

Suddenly, a scream sounded out on the air and Voldemort spun around. Harry ran towards the gates while Voldemort was distracted.

"Avada Kedavra!"

Harry darted to the side and felt the killing curse rush pasted him. He turned at the gates and pointed his wand back. Voldemort stood there in rage and Harry could feel the death spell building but he had to give Sirius and James cover.

"Multa animalia!" Harry gasped just as the killing curse leapt towards him.

A hundred stags and black dogs spun from his wand and sprinted across the lawn and grounds. Harry dropped to the ground to avoid the killing curse and rolled. He felt a blaze of fire run down his back before he apparated.

xXx

James and Sirius ran with hundreds of stags and dogs around them. The Death Eaters were casting spell after spell but with so many animals to aim for they were more at risk to each other than James and Sirius. They easily passed over the wards and apparated.

"Wish I knew that spell at school," Sirius gasped with his hands on his knees.

James just laughed at the absurdity of the situation. His son would have made a great Marauder. He then sobered on the thought.

"Do you think he got away?" James asked as Sirius looked over at him.

"I hope so," Sirius said with a light in his eyes. "At least You-Know-Who can be killed now. That was the last one."

xXx

Harry staggered on his first step and glanced around the alley that he'd appeared in. He felt like someone had placed hot coals to his back and he braced his hand on the wall beside him. He pressed his thumb into the coin as he thought about Aberforth.

"Did you get away?" Aberforth's voice came from the coin.

"Yes," Harry gasped in pain.

"Harry?"

"Spell got me," Harry said as he braced himself.

"Do you need help?"

"Does Severus have a coin?" Harry asked as he staggered down the alley.

"Yes, I'll contact him."

"James and Sirius?"

"They got away and Nagini is dead."

"Alright."

Harry reached the door of a warehouse and pushed on the door to get in. He cursed as he struggled with the door.

"Harry?"

"Yea," Harry muttered as he closed the door. "I'm here."

"I'll send Severus to your location?"

"Yes," Harry replied as he made his way through the junk to the office at the back.

The coin went cold in his hand as Harry reached the office and pushed the door open. He'd come and gone from this place a few times and this would be the last time that he would stay here. He staggered over to the small mirror and tried to look at his back but there was nothing on his jacket.

He slipped out of the jacket and there wasn't a mark on the fabric but it felt like his back was burning. He started to undo the buttons of his shirt when he heard a noise in the warehouse. His wand appeared in his hands as he went over to the door.

"Harry?" Severus called.

"In here," Harry called as his wand disappeared.

Severus pushed open the door and looked at him with a frown. Harry slowly undid each button as Severus came over.

"Aberforth said you were hit with a spell?" Severus asked as his eyes roamed over him. "Where?"

"Back," Harry said and Severus came over to help him with his shirt. "I think it was the killing curse."

Harry got his shirt off and turned around and Severus hissed a breath. Severus placed gentle fingers on his back and Harry's knees hit the ground as pain bolted through him. Severus grabbed his shoulder as Harry panted.

"It looks like a spider web of red lines," Severus told him. "There is bruising as well. It runs from your neck and down your back. Could it be from the path that the killing curse took?"

"Possibly," Harry gasped in pain. "Don't touch it again."

Severus held out a potion and Harry took it in his hand and drank it down. He could feel the pain potion spreading out and he relaxed.

"At least you know what happens if you get grazed by the killing curse," Severus remarked.

"Good thing to know," Harry panted as he pushed himself to his feet. "I'll just try to avoid it better next time."

Severus carefully helped him over to the mattress and Harry sat down. Severus placed his potion pouch down on the floor as he took a seat beside him.

"If I can’t touch it then I can't use a balm or cream," Severus warned him as he looked at his supplies. "Besides pain potions, I'm not sure what will help."

"At least the plan worked," Harry grumbled and Severus gave him a smirk. "Can you stay here?"

"Yes," Severus answered and glanced around. "No wards?"

"No wards," Harry agreed.

"Then I imagine that you need some protection," Severus said with a sly smile and Harry chuckled.

"Bloody Slytherins," Harry cursed.

Severus just held out another potion and Harry took it. He trusted Severus to have his back as he laid out on his side. Now, they just had to wait for Voldemort's response. 

Chapter 21: Chapter Twenty One

Severus tensed when he heard a noise and silently stood and stepped over to the door. He glanced over at Harry but he was still asleep. Severus let his wand fall into his hand as he sided up to the door and looked through the gap. There was a man in the room and Severus slipped through the gap and into the other room.

The man was well built and from the small amount of light getting through the blocked out windows, Severus could see that he wore a uniform. Severus crept around the man as he headed towards the office. Severus used the cover of the wreaked cars as he got behind the man. He noticed the gun on the man's belt then heard a soft beep.

The man spun as he pulled his gun as Severus brought his wand around. They froze with the weapons pointed at each other as Severus took in the man.

"Dougson?" Severus questioned and the man's gun dipped slightly.

"Yes," Dougson said with a nod and Severus lowered his wand. "You are?"

"Severus," he answered and Dougson's gun dropped to his side.

The two men took stock of each other in the low light. Severus stood taller but Dougson had bulk and Severus wouldn't want to take him on in a physical fight. He was geared up but with only one side arm that Severus could see. He looked to be about Lucius age but from what Harry had told him. He'd lived a very different life after being cast out of the magical community after he finished school.

"Did something happen?" Dougson asked and looked towards the office.

"Why are you here?" Severus countered.

"Harry didn't turn up for a meeting," Dougson told him as he placed his gun away and crossed his arms. "This is his current emergency hideout."

Severus paused at that. He didn't know much about this force that Harry had converted and James hadn't had a lot of good things to say about them. However, James was an Auror and Harry seemed to recruit people that they wouldn't have been able to or even thought of.

"He was injured yesterday," Severus told him and Dougson's eyes darted over to the office.

"Does he need support here?" Dougson questioned and Severus got the feeling that the man knew more about him then Severus knew about the other man.

"You would have to ask him," Severus told him and stepped around the man and opened the door.

He walked back to the mattress and sat down on the side. He very carefully grabbed Harry's shoulder and shook him. Harry came awake instantly and looked up at him with sharp eyes. Even with the two potions that he'd taken yesterday, that had knocked him out, he was quickly on alert.

"Dougson is here," Severus told him and Harry's eyes darted over to the doorway as he sat up.

"You should head back to the school," Harry told him, his voice rough. "I'm sure that Lucius would have covered for you but we can't risk it so close. Dougson, can take it from here."

Severus nodded as he gripped his shoulder then lifted the blanket to look at his back. Dougson suddenly flicked on a torch and Severus gave him a nod. He looked at Harry's back and could see that the red lines had almost faded but the bruising remained.

"How does it feel?" Severus asked as Dougson came closer.

"Sore," Harry replied as he leaned forward and they got a better look at his back.

It was a mess of bruises like he'd landed on it from a height. Severus wanted to run his fingers over it but he held back after Harry's reaction yesterday. He pulled out a couple of potions and held them out. Harry took them in his hand with a nod and placed them on the bed.

"You can apparate from down the road," Harry told him and gave him a long look. "I won't be coming back here but I still have the Order coin."

Severus nodded and stood. He had to get back to the school for his afternoon classes. He looked at Dougson and the man gave him a flat stare in return. He nodded to Harry, turned his back on them and left the room. Everything in him wanted him to go back but he kept walking. He still had a façade to maintain but he knew that it wouldn't be for long.

xXx

"What happened?" Dougson questioned once Severus was gone.

"The Dark Lord wasn't happy that I cursed his house," Harry said and Dougson sucked in a breath.

"Was that wise?"

"It had to be done."

Harry sighed and bowed forward as his back ached. This was going to put him in an awkward position for a while. Not to mention a dangerous one as well as he glanced around while he let his mind run. He was sure that the Dark Lord would be in a rage and out for his blood. Even more than he was before.

"Can you pack up here?" Harry asked as he slowly pulled on a shirt.

He winced as the fabric rubbed against his back which was noticed by Dougson's trained eye. Harry slowly pushed himself up as Dougson gathered up his bag. There wasn't much here as Harry looked down at his dirty clothes. There was nowhere to shower here and it only had a toilet out the back.

"I have my car out the front," Dougson offered and Harry nodded.

"Okay," Harry replied. "The Dark Lord may attack after what I did."

"We are used to that," Dougson sighed as he swung Harry's bag over his shoulder. "Is that everything?"

"Yes," Harry said and headed to the door to the office and out into the warehouse. "This place worked out well."

Dougson just nodded and they headed to the door and Dougson shoved it to the side. Harry stepped out into the morning sun and shielded his eyes from the glare. From the light inside the building, you would have thought that it was night.

Dougson opened the back door to the unmarked police car and waved for Harry to get in. Harry quirked a smile at that as he slipped into the back of the car and tried not to rest his back against the seat.

"How secure are those cells of yours?" Harry asked in interest as Dougson started the car up.

"Secure enough," Dougson replied. "You do need a shower. The last bloke that was in the back didn't smell so bad."

Harry chuckled at that as Dougson turned the car and headed back to headquarters. It wasn't the best plan but it was one that no one would expect. There would be no way that Voldemort would have spies within the muggle police. Hopefully, it would give him enough time to recover.

xXx

James stared at what remained of the warehouse before him. It was just a burned out wreak.

"Wow," Sirius whispered. "He cut that close."

"Yes," James replied. "And wherever he is, the wards are too strong for the Order coin to work."

It was four days after the attack on the Dark Lord and everyone could tell that Voldemort was pissed. He seemed to be working his way through any place that held only a hint of Harry's magic. This warehouse had been Harry's last known location and it had been razed to the ground. Voldemort had finally decided to take the fight to Harry.

James and Sirius knew that it was too little too late as June approached. They had started to believe that Voldemort's plan had just been to wait it out until the end of July. Harry had forced the issue and it was causing waves in the Ministry and even within Voldemort's own ranks.

"This works well for us," Sirius said and James nodded.

"Bad time to remind everyone what he was like at the start of his rein," James added.

"Yes," Sirius agreed. "I think most people had forgotten what he is capable of."

"I can agree with that," Kingsley said as he stopped beside James and looked at the building. "It took the muggles all night to contain the fire."

The two nodded their heads as they took in the other buildings. It would have been one hell of a fire and had taken down the whole block of warehouses.

"We've had another report of a fire," Kingsley said. "Three dead and two unaccounted for."

"Another firebomb?" Sirius asked and Kingsley nodded.

"I hope your boy is safe," Kingsley said to James. "I believe that any magic he uses at the moment is being tracked."

"I can only hope that he's found somewhere safe," James said.

They paused as Kingsley held a finger to his ear to listen to a report coming in.

"Attack," Kingsley reported. "The Roseburger estate…twenty minutes ago…I thought they were all dead."

James felt his stomach drop at that and shared a look with Sirius. Kingsley listened for a little longer.

"Come on," Kingsley said and apparated.

They arrived outside the gates of the manor to see the gates torn from their hinges. The Aurors were gathered around and there were bodies on the torn-up lawn before them. Harry had laid his traps well. The house, however, was still on fire. They looked up at it as it burned with ungodly flames of black and red.

James stood there with his mouth gapping and a coldness in his belly. Sirius grabbed his shoulder in support. They had stripped the house but this left Harry with nowhere to go that had blood wards except Spinner's End.

"Severus," James whispered to Sirius and he nodded. "Get word to him."

xXx

Severus felt the coin in his pocket warn and stepped into an unused classroom. He pulled the coin from his pocket and placed his thumb on it.

"Are you at the school?" Sirius voice came from the coin.

"Yes," Severus replied.

"You-Know-Who burned the warehouse to the ground last night and has just set fire to the Roseburger estate," Sirius reported. "He's going to every place that Harry has used magic which may include Spinner's End."

"He won't pick up his magic there," Severus told him. "The blood wards won't let him."

"Harry was behind blood wards at the Rosebuger manor, Severus." Sirius told him. "We can only assume that any place that Harry has used magic could be compromised."

"Have you heard from him?" Severus asked in concern.

"No," Sirius replied. "We can't get into contact with him."

Severus felt his gut clench but knew that Harry would have taken a lot more care at Spinner's End than anywhere else. The big difference between the Roseburger Manor and his house was that a blood relative, Severus, was still alive which made the blood wards even stronger. Not to mention that Harry also had his permission to be at his house.

"I'll stay at the school," Severus told him. "If I feel him pass over my wards then I will let you know."

The coin went cold in his hand and Severus stared at it. He hoped that Harry had found a safe place to ride out Voldemort's rage.

xXx

"Potter, lunch!"

Harry startled awake and looked over to the cell door. The food tray sat on the flap as Harry sat up on the side of the bed. Any other time and Harry would have said that being stuck in a prison cell would have driven him up the wall but he was enjoying the break.

His back was still giving him trouble and he didn't want to repeat the experience but at least he was recovering. The news reports that Dougson supplied were a different story. Voldemort was playing into his hands but at the expense of innocent lives. There was nothing that Harry could do as each one of his hideouts was exposed. He did have a lot more that Voldemort hadn't found but he had found the ones that Harry knew that he was going to lose anyway.

Harry stood and grabbed up the lunch tray and the two newspapers. He set them down on the table in the room and shook out the magical paper.

You-Know-Who burns down pureblood manor!

Harry smirked at that as he read into the article and knew that Voldemort had lost the Ministry. His rash actions after Nagini was killed was telling. He looked up when the door rattled and Dougson entered with his own tray of food. Harry pushed around a few books and papers so that the man could place his tray down on the small table.

"Pressure is coming from higher up," Dougson told him as Harry looked at the muggle paper.

"What do they expect you to do?" Harry asked as he read the headlines of 'terrorist' attacks. "Take on the Dark Lord yourself?"

"More like contain the situation," Dougson sighed.

"You can't contain this," Harry spat as he threw the papers down. "This is a powerful wizard having a temper tantrum that doesn't care who gets in the way."

"Try telling them that," Dougson sighed.

"Do you want me to?" Harry questioned and Dougson groaned.

"Don't even think about it!"

Harry laughed and started on his lunch as they fell into comfortable silence. Harry was here until the heat died down as Dougson and his team played interference with the police and the Aurors. Like they had been doing for a long time.

Harry had to wait until Voldemort had expended enough magic and resources before he made his big move. Since, Hogwarts was next on his list and that had to be before the school year finished. Harry could almost feel the time slipping away from him but there wasn't much he could do yet as he waited for everything to fall into place.

Chapter 22: Chapter Twenty Two

Lucius glanced around the quiet street that the portkey had taken him too. It was well past midnight and he could only see a few lights on in the buildings around him. He'd been busy at the Ministry as July came closer. Voldemort's rage had subsided for now but he was still on edge. Antonin had been busy and Lucius still wasn't sure which side the man was on. Antonin was the reason that Harry's hideouts had been burned to the ground and yet Harry was still safe.

Lucius turned when he noticed a car coming down the street. It was a non-descript car in white. The car pulled up and Harry got out and looked at him over hood.

"Get in," Harry said and Lucius did as he was ordered.

Harry drove back out onto the quiet street. Lucius couldn't remember the last time that he'd been in a car as Harry drove. He looked over at the man but he was giving nothing away.

"We are moving on Hogwarts in two days," Harry told him and Lucius started.

"That early?" Lucius countered.

"Yes," Harry nodded as he pulled the car over near a park but didn't get out. "The Dark Lord is still focused on finding me but has used enough forces and energy in attacking the places that I've been. You have to be at the Ministry that night. I will try to set something up to draw his attention away from the school which will hopefully give you cover not to be there."

Lucius paused at those words as he looked at Harry but he wasn't looking at him.

"I'm sorry but this might be painful for you," Harry said and turned to him.

Lucius breath caught in his throat at the intense look in Harry's eyes.

"I'm aware of that," Lucius replied and Harry nodded.

"You know the back way into the school," Harry said as he relaxed back in his seat. "If you are able, come through that way, after you see him."

Lucius nodded and felt a hardness come to him. This was it. If this failed then everything failed. Harry gave him a level stare and Lucius held it. He would do this for his family and for the other families that he should have been protecting. Being the Headmaster of Hogwarts had shown him that. Every year there were fewer and fewer children attending the school. That had to change.

"Good luck," Harry offered him with a sigh and Lucius nodded.

"And you," Lucius said.

They shared one last look before Lucius stepped out of the car and Harry drove away.

xXx

Antonin looked at the glass ball in his hand as he picked up another signal of Harry's magic. He'd been tracking another signal but this one was fresher. He had to give the man credit. He had skills when it came to this. He was sure that every hideout that he'd found. Harry had wanted him to find them.

He stepped forward then cursed as a ward flared before him. He pulled out his wand as his eyes darted around. He'd stepped into a trap. He was down an alley between two apartment buildings on the outskirts of London. There were steel ladders leading down from the apartments from above and a scattering of a few dumpsters. He hadn't expected the trap. Hadn't even felt it until after the ward went off.

"Antonin Dolohov."

Antonin swirled around as he pointed his wand at Harry Potter. The man stood calmly at the entrance to the alley, right past the spot, that Antonin had walked past.

"I know your name now," Harry said as he came closer. "I didn't last time that we met. That seems like a very long time ago."

Antonin's eyes darted down to the glass ball in his hand and noticed that it wasn't pulling towards the man. He felt his stomach drop at that. He had been played. His grip tightened on his wand but he knew that it wouldn't help him. He was a powerful wizard but that was nothing on the power that he knew that the man before him held. He'd already come up against Potter and failed.

"You don't know me from your dimension?" Antonin questioned.

"Perhaps," Harry replied as he came closer and stood on the edge of the ward that he'd place. "But I've learned to work with many people that I may have fought against before. This is a very different time and place."

Antonin slipped his wand away now that he knew that Harry just wanted to talk. He walked towards the shorter man and stopped before him. He could feel the man's power on the air and he knew that Harry was doing that on purpose.

"I'm assuming that the Dark Lord has been displeased with your efforts so far," Harry commented and Antonin shivered.

"That is one way of saying it," Antonin said, with another shiver.

Harry stared at him and Antonin felt like he was being weighed up. That if he fell the wrong way then it would mean his death. He also knew that if he kept coming back to Voldemort without results then he was going to see his death that way as well. He was stuck between two powerful wizards.

"I could offer you a respite," Harry said as he pulled out another glass ball. "To turn his attention away."

"How would that help me?" Antonin questioned.

"How many more times can you be held under the pain curse?" Harry countered. "Can you feel the shake in your body now?"

Antonin didn't answer but he also didn't have to as those green eyes saw through him. He could tell when the times were changing. Harry flicked the glass ball towards him and Antonin caught it.

"Tomorrow afternoon," Harry said simply then he apparated away.

Antonin looked into the swirling mists of the glass ball. He could chase after Harry now. Could let Voldemort know where the man was or he could step over that line. He frowned at that as he thought of Lucius and also Severus and many others. He would have to be deaf not to hear the discord amongst the Death Eaters. The world was changing and this was his chance. The ward faded away and he was free once more.

He made his choice as he broke his glass ball. He then slipped away the one that Harry had given him into his pocket.

"Tomorrow's problem," Antonin muttered and walked away.

xXx

Harry peered through the window of the small house. Dougson and his team had already evacuated the muggles around this house. Harry walked back to the living room and looked at himself. Well, it wasn't him, but a very well-crafted construct of himself. This one was different to the ones before since it wore his face and looked very life like. He'd made it a while ago when the Roseburger house had still been standing.

He carefully pulled out a glass ball from his pocket and slipped it into the pocket of the construct. It would move like him and to a degree think like him. It had to be enough to draw the Dark Lord's attention away since he had loftier goals tonight.

"Okay," Harry said to the construct as he activated it. "You are me."

The construct nodded its head and Harry glanced over at the front window of the house. He clapped a hand to the construct's shoulder. It almost felt real under his hand and would move that way as well.

"Good luck and give them hell," Harry told it.

The construct just stood there and Harry sighed. He walked out the back door and took care to place a few spells on the way out. He then slipped a leather cord around his neck that would cover his magical signature. It wouldn't last for long but it only had to last the night. Since very soon everyone in the magical world would know where he was.

He walked to the back garden fence and climbed over. He went through the neighbour's yard to the house across the road and in. He would wait here until the Death Eaters came. Either way, he had to move on Hogwarts but this would give him better cover and would give him a clue on where Antonin stood.

Two hours later he had his answer as the first explosion went off. As the screams sounded out on the air, Harry walked away. He had a bigger job to do. It was time that he took Hogwarts and pushed Voldemort into their last battle. Since Harry knew that only one of them would walk away from this.

xXx

The night was quiet when Harry apparated outside the gates of Hogwarts. He looked up at the castle in the distance and the welcoming lights. This would be the first step as Dougson appeared next to him and looked up at the castle with a wistful expression.

"I thought I would never see it again," Dougson whispered as more people arrived around them.

"Should we have a closer look?" Harry asked and stepped closer to the wards.

"Yes," Dougson whispered.

Dougson looked around at his team and the others that had arrived. Harry gave him a grin before reaching out with his hand and touching on the wards. This was the first big test as that magic ran over his hand then let him pass. He stepped over the wards and waited as the hundred or so people stepped over as well. He had given them this opportunity and they hadn't hesitated.

Harry led the way across the lawns and towards the main doors of the castle. They had timed this with dinner for a few reasons. Lucius would not be at the school since he was at the Ministry and Severus would be in control of the school since he was the deputy headmaster. Not to mention the fact that the students would all be gathered in the Great Hall. They were hoping they could get through this without blood being spilt.

Harry reached the castle and held up his hand as the castle took a look at him. He was hoping that she wasn't holding a grudge from when he'd attacked the wards. The wards slipped over him and Harry pushed the doors open. Dougson stood next to him as they entered the Entrance Hall. Harry walked towards the Great Hall before him and could hear the children.

Dougson's team knew what they were doing as they spread out and waited. Harry walked up to the doors and pushed them open. The moment that the students noticed him the noise dimmed.

Harry stepped into the Great Hall with Dougson at his side. A pin could have dropped as the students stared at them and the people behind them. His eyes picked up Draco and his friends and noticed that the Slytherin table was silent and still. He was sure many of the students were looking to Draco for directions. The blond nodded to him slightly as Harry's eyes continued around the room.

"Stay seated," Harry ordered, his voice carrying around the hall. "We are not here to harm anyone."

Hissing whispers started up as Dougson's team flooded around the room. Harry and Dougson stood there as Harry looked towards the Head Table. Severus and Minerva had stood but had not moved. He could tell that the other teachers looked unsure but were looking to Severus and Minerva for direction.

"Stay calm," Severus's voice whipped out and cut through the whispers.

Harry nodded and started walking between the Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw tables. Students pulled back from them but at least no one thought to fight. Harry stopped before the Head Table and his eyes swept over each teacher. He could tell that they were reluctant to attack. Minerva gave him a slight nod before his eyes settled on Severus.

"This school is now ours," Harry announced and the children started whispering. "We have cut off the floo and changed the wards. No one can leave. This school is now under my control."

Severus nodded sharply, "very well."

There were gasps as students hissed around them. Harry had just taken Hogwarts, without a fight or blood being split. Harry walked around the table and sat down in what would have been the headmaster's seat between Severus and Minerva. Dougson gave him a nod and went to organise his teams.

"That went better than expected," Harry said with a wink at Severus and turned to Minerva. "Harry Potter, I believe that you know my parents?"

"Yes," Minerva stuttered as she looked between him and Severus. "How long do you expect to hold Hogwarts?"

Harry sat back in his seat as he looked around the room and smirked.

"For as long as I can," Harry responded.

xXx

"Potter!"

James looked up from his table as Kingsley waved at him. James went over and entered the man's office and closed the door.

"Harry Potter has just taken Hogwarts," Kingsley hissed, looking pale.

"What?" James uttered; he hadn't contacted them. "Anyone hurt?"

"No reports of injuries," Kingsley sighed. "The Minister doesn't want us to retake the school."

"Malfoy?"

"Is in the Minister's office right now," Kingsley said. "He wasn't at the school when it was taken and he's in a right state."

Kingsley glanced around before James felt a powerful charm go up around them and James tensed.

"Is this it?" Kingsley asked and James nodded. "Okay, what do you need?"

"Support Harry," James ordered. "Whatever his play is. He needs our support."

"You don't know?"

"Some of it," James admitted. "I have a feeling that the rest of it…I won't like."

"He's on our side?" Kingsley said but his eyes darted around even with the powerful charm in place.

"Yes," James said without hesitation. "And someone else, very high up."

Kingsley sucked in a breath at that.

"Lucius," Kingsley gasped. "That's why he wasn't at the school. How did he manage that?"

James shrugged a shoulder.

"He will not act like he is on our side," James warned. "Until he needs to."

Kingsley nodded sharply and pulled down the charm.

"We are on standby until they work out whether they are going to take back Hogwarts," Kingsley ordered and James nodded.

"Yes, sir."

Kingsley gave him another measuring look. James just gave him a nod before he left the office. More than a few looks where thrown his way but once Kingsley stepped out everything changed.

"Harry Potter has taken Hogwarts," Kingsley announced to the room and everyone froze. "At this time, we are on standby but no orders have been made to retake the school. We have reports that no one was injured and that all the students are safe. Go back to your work."

Hissing whispers started up as Sirius and James shared a look. The first part of this battle had begun.

Chapter 23: Chapter Twenty Three

Severus and Harry walked beside each other as they headed down to Severus's rooms. The students had been confirmed to their common rooms but school would resume as normal tomorrow morning.

Severus paused in the hallway and Harry stopped beside him. Severus pushed his sleeve up to look at the Dark Mark on his arm with a frown.

"He's calling you?" Harry asked.

"Feels odd," Severus remarked. "Like it's warm."

Harry placed his hand over the mark and could feel the call. He gently eased a little magic over it and it cut off. Voldemort would know that he'd done something. That he'd lost Severus to him. Harry was sure that Voldemort would be thinking in what way. Did he lose Severus as a follower or had Harry done something to block the link? Since, the link was still there.

"Why would he call me when he knows that the school has been locked down?" Severus asked in confusion. "There would be no way that I could respond."

"Panic," Harry said with a shrug and they continued down the hallway. "He's pretty much lost the Ministry and now he's lost Hogwarts."

Severus opened his door and Harry stepped into the room. He glanced around before Severus wrapped his arms around him and he leaned back into the taller man. Severus kissed his neck as Harry relaxed. He'd been running for so long. It felt good to stop.

"All because of one man," Severus whispered in his ear and Harry shivered.

"I just brought the pieces together," Harry remarked as Severus kissed his neck. "The real battle is still to come."

"That's not tonight," Severus pointed out, his breath ghosting across his skin.

"No," Harry agreed as he turned in Severus's arm. "That's not tonight."

xXx

Lucius smirked as Barty tried and failed to hold the crowd as the news of Hogwarts spread. The Minister had tried to get ahead of the news and call a press conference. Lucius glanced around and caught a few eyes of people that he'd already put into place to fuel the flames of this disaster of a conference.

The smirk dropped from his face when he felt the Dark Mark go warm on his skin. There was no pain just a warmth since Harry had changed it. He stood and shared a look with a few people in the room. They would continue his orders. They did not want the Aurors or the Ministry to storm Hogwarts.

Lucius left the chaos of the room and went back up to the foyer to floo home then to Riddle Manor. When he arrived, the house was quiet. Lucius glanced around and felt a certain amount of satisfaction. The Dark Lord was losing control and he was sure that not even Voldemort wanted to admit to that.

"Come in," Voldemort called at his knock.

Lucius pushed open the door to find Voldemort before the mantel in the large room. Nagini's absence was notable, she's fallen to the Order weeks ago while the Death Eaters had been distracted by Harry's attacks. Lucius fell to one knee as he bowed his head.

"Stand," Voldemort ordered.

Lucius stood and took in the tall man before him. He could have been called average with brown eyes and hair. He had a handsome face and a presence of power that made you pay attention. There was anger in that stare as Lucius stood tall.

"You lost Hogwarts!" Voldemort hissed and Lucius grabbed his arm as he felt that warmth and knew that it would have been pain if not for Harry.

"Sorry, my lord." Lucius offered as he bowed his head. "My focus was at the Ministry after Potter's last attack."

"How did you lose it!"

"Someone changed the wards," Lucius said quickly.

"Severus?" Voldemort demanded.

"Or Minerva," Lucius put forward. "She also has control of the wards."

"Severus won't answer my summons," Voldemort confessed and Lucius glanced up. "His mark has been blocked behind the wards of Hogwarts."

"Potter has locked the school down," Lucius reported. "There is no way in or out for anyone."

Voldemort stared into his eyes and Lucius made sure that the shields around his mind were strong. They had to sell this story even if it was mostly true.

"Curio," Voldemort intoned.

Lucius yelled out as the pain curse rolled over him and he crashed to the floor. He could feel a warmth run over him to try and combat the curse but the pain still bit into him. He lay panting after the curse was lifted as his body shook. Without the protection that Harry had offered through the mark, he would have been in even worse pain.

"You have displeased me, Lucius." Voldemort said coldly.

"We still hold the Ministry," Lucius gasped. "Barty has lost control but I still hold it."

"Hmm," Voldemort hummed.

Lucius pulled himself to his knees as he bowed his head.

"We can always take Hogwarts back," Lucius reasoned. "We have people inside and once we have the Ministry back under control-"

"No," Voldemort cut in. "This makes us look weak. Gather our forces."

"Yes, my lord."

"This is more important than the Ministry. Let Barty deal with that."

"Yes, my lord."

"Once the school is back under our control then we will remind the Ministry just what we are capable of."

"Yes, my lord."

"Go," Voldemort ordered. "I will call you again when the time is right."

Lucius stood and bowed his head before leaving. Voldemort had fallen right into their trap. His arrogance would be his downfall.

xXx

Harry stood in a bare stone room in the dungeons of Hogwarts while he waited. There was a passage before him that led to Hogsmeade as he tapped his hand on his arm. Lucius was late and Harry was growing concerned. He'd felt the call over his mark and knew that he'd seen Voldemort.

The wall before him suddenly opened up and Lucius staggered through. Harry instantly held out two potion vials and the blonde took them with a nod of thanks.

"Are you okay?" Harry asked in concern as his eyes ran over the blonde.

"As well as can be expected," Lucius replied. "Thank you."

"I couldn't block the curse," Harry said as he leaned back on the stone wall behind him.

"I had to sell it," Lucius said with a smirk and Harry nodded. "He's taken the bait."

"You will have who we need around us?"

"Yes, as much as I can."

Harry nodded as Lucius looked at him.

"I tried to turn his attention away from Severus," Lucius told him. "I'm not sure how successful I was."

"He can't stand with me," Harry told him and Lucius nodded. "He needs to be seen supporting you in the battle. Hopefully, the Dark Lord should be more focused on me than Severus."

"His place was always in doubt," Lucius agreed. "He was too close to Albus before his death. I'll keep an eye on him."

"Thank you, is there anything that you need?"

"Not at the moment. I'll let you know the minute that he wants to move on Hogwarts but he can be unpredictable when it comes to battle."

"Yes," Harry agreed. "Good luck."

"And you," Lucius added with a nod.

Lucius went back to the open tunnel and disappeared. The next time that Harry saw him. He would be on the other side of this conflict. Next to Voldemort. Harry just sighed and left the room. It was just a waiting game now.

xXx

Harry stood next to Severus and Minerva as the fire before them flared up green. They were in the Great Hall. They had floated the tables to the side of room. All the children had been evacuated to the lower levels of the school and Hogsmeade. Harry didn't want a repeat of what happened in his time. This was not a war with children as the combatants.

His eyes drifted around the room to Dougson and his people as they waited. Kingsley was the first to arrive through the fireplace and was shortly followed by James, Sirius and then Aberforth. Kingsley walked over to Harry and he took in the dark man with the same assessing eyes as Harry did.

"Well," Kingsley announced. "I'll give you points for balls."

Minerva coughed at that and Harry gave him an amused smirk as he held his hand out. Kingsley easily took it.

"Nice to know you are still the same," Harry said as they shook hands. "Is your team ready?"

"Yes," Kingsley replied. "When is it going to happen?"

"Tomorrow," Harry replied. "I will know the moment that he moves."

"That is impressive," Kingsley remarked then pulled out a small trunk and held it out. "Wands, as you requested."

"Dougson," Harry called out and the man came forward.

Kingsley looked over at the man and nodded at him. Dougson nodded back as he took the trunk from his palm. The man went over to one of the tables and expanded the trunk as his team picked through the wands to find one that would work for them. Soon sparks were flying from the air as Harry focused back on the others.

"We have to let Voldemort come onto the school grounds before attacking," Harry told them.

"Why?" James asked in interest.

"He needs to think that he is getting the upper hand," Harry replied. "I need to get close to him. The wards on the castle stones will keep most of our forces safe."

"That's where we will retreat to," Aberforth said. "We can handle any of the injured in here."

"Some of the Death Eaters will be on our side," Harry told them and Kingsley looked at him in interest. "Lucius Malfoy will be in control of them. Until he plays his hand, however, we must act as if he is on the Dark Lord's side. Please don't try and kill him."

Severus snorted at that and looked at him.

"Severus will help Lucius when he gets the chance," Harry continued as he held Severus's eyes and he nodded. "This is a complex play."

"It's sounding that way," Kingsley remarked. "How are we to know where anyone stands?"

"We won't," Harry sighed. "Until the fighting is done. I'm sure that once the Dark Lord and I start trading spells then the fighting will become more of a façade. Those that pick a side will be noticeable. Keep an eye out for that. Those that are using lethal spells with intent will not be on our side. Whether they are Aurors or Death Eaters. Those around Lucius, Severus or Antonin Dolohov will most likely be on our side."

Kingsley nodded but he didn't like it.

"We will open the way into the Auror department," Harry continued. "And I want anyone that you trust to come through first. I'm sure once the Dark Lord and I start the real fight then anyone sitting on the fence will make their place known."

"That is leaving a lot up to speculation," Aberforth retorted and Harry nodded.

"I'm sure that you have your suspicions," Harry said. "After the Dark Lord is dead. We'll work through them."

"How are you going to do that?" Kingsley asked in interest.

Harry gave him such a smirk that Kingsley felt a shiver run down his back.

"I am going to take over control," Harry said to them.

Kingsley knew in that moment that the man wasn't lying and wondered just who the Order had pulled over from another world.

"You have our support," James told him.

Harry gave his father a nod and a smile.

"Well," Harry announced. "You did bring me here to do this."

"My brother has a lot to answer for then," Aberforth muttered and Harry gave him a wink. "We will support you in this. Don't let me regret it, boy."

xXx

Severus laid with his arm over Harry before him but he couldn't sleep as he listened to the man's soft breaths. The battle would be the next day and Severus's mind couldn't stop running. He would be on the other side to the Order with Lucius when the battle started. Would be on the other side of Harry and that scared him. He was an accomplished duellist but this was something else.

He ran his hand down Harry's side as he took in the feeling of the man in his arms and was unsure how long he would have this. Everything hinged on the battle and even if they all made it through. He would lose Harry at the end of the July.

"Something on your mind?" Harry asked and Severus paused in running his hand over his skin.

"Did I wake you?" Severus asked.

"I'm a light sleeper," Harry replied and wiggled back into him.

Severus tightened his arms around him and they stayed that way for a while without saying a word.

"Can you survive the killing curse again?" Severus asked and Harry sighed.

"I don't know," Harry replied. "I would say, yes, but I can't know for certain."

The fell into silence until Harry wiggled around in his arms and Severus let him. Harry pinned him down to the bed as his hand wandered. He gave him a grin in the weak light of the room. Severus pulled Harry down for a kiss as Harry's hand found his hardening cock.

"Perhaps I can turn your thoughts away for a while," Harry purred as he stroked him.

"How do you plan to do that?" Severus said smoothly.

Harry's hand then drifted lower to touch on him and Severus moved his legs further apart. Harry kissed down his neck as his fingers breached him. Severus groaned as he grabbed Harry's ass. He felt a slickness as Harry made his way down his body before taking his cock in his mouth and Severus groaned. The duel feeling of Harry's mouth and his fingers in him pushing him closer.

"Harry," Severus groaned and Harry looked up at him with a grin.

Severus took that sight in as Harry wiggled up the bed and settled between his legs. Severus wanted to roll them and take advantage of the situation but he didn't. Harry took him in a deep kiss as he pushed forward. Severus wiggled at the feeling but soon forgot that as Harry nibbled down his neck. Harry rocked forward and hit that sweet spot and Severus gasped and Harry hit it again.

Harry slowly drew the gasps and groans out of Severus until he grabbed Harry's ass and pulled him to go faster. Harry chuckled and the breath raised the hair on the back of his neck but he picked up the speed. Severus encouraged him to go faster as Harry braced himself and complied. They moved smoothly together as one of Harry's hands wrapped around him and Severus groaned as he came and Harry chuckled at the sound.

Severus then growled and rolled them. Harry squeaked until Severus got into place above Harry. He looked down at Harry spread out below him. Still rock hard with dark eyes.

"I didn't think that would last," Harry laughed.

Severus just glided Harry's cock into place and went down on him. Harry's hands came up to his sides as Severus rode him until Harry bucked up as he came. Severus braced himself above the younger man and looked down at him. Committing everything to memory. They may not survive the battle but they had this moment. Harry went to open his mouth but Severus placed his finger on his lips.

"Don't ruin it," Severus murmured.

Harry just wrapped his lips around Severus fingers and twirled his tongue around it in answer. With that glint in his eyes. Severus couldn't resist dipping forward and taking the man in a kiss. It didn't take long for Harry's hands to find his ass again.