The rest of November passed fairly quickly and relatively smoothly considering all that had preceded the month. The three of them seemed to have settled into their new dynamic well, Harry and Draco seeming to quietly revel in the mere idea of having a reliable adult responsible for and willing to help them. Though, Severus could still sense some hesitance from them towards trusting the situation and him too much. He wasn't surprised; Lucius remained a very real threat to Draco and Dumbledore to Harry. Both had very real power that would enable them to take the boys regardless of the guardianship and, given how much the thought terrified him, he could only imagine the fear the boys kept hidden. He, Leif, and Alexei did their best to assure the boys of their safety, but they knew it was only so effective since they all knew if Lucius, Dumbledore, or even Voldemort wanted the boys, they would go to any lengths.

He supposed claiming the month had passed smoothly wasn't completely accurate. Rather, it was more the threats and issues had chosen to follow quietly a few steps behind instead of standing directly before them. Everything had stepped into the shadows to watch them instead of blatantly antagonizing them. He couldn't deny that the silence made him nervous.

Despite the threats waiting on the outskirts for their moment, there were plenty of improvements that had been made.

Both Harry and Draco had seen a decrease in their nightmares, at least, to an extent. He knew, with Christmas break three weeks away, Draco was dreaming of his father, but they had clearly lessened in intensity. The same was for Harry. The Gryffindor was still plagued by nightmares he couldn't remember-Severus couldn't even find evidence of them during Occlumency-but his other nightmares about the Dursleys and the third task had finally lessened. He knew the improvement was likely from both the guardianship as well as the fact that both boys were making great strides in Occlumency. Draco had an almost natural ability to perform the redirection that Occlumency typically called for and had grown quite skilled at blocking surrounding emotions and magic, a requirement for succeeding with his Aether Magic. Harry, on the other hand, had grown exceptional at using his Elemental Magic to achieve Occlumency. His wall of fire was becoming impenetrable while his whirlpool was an amazing diversion.

Additionally, they were both becoming incrementally more willing to discuss the things that haunted them. He'd learned more about Draco's ‘training', his isolation, the neglect by his mother, and had been permitted to examine the scar that ran the length of his sternum: a repeated Cutting Curse with a Burning Curse anytime he did something wrong. It was, unfortunately, too deep and too old to do anything about, a reminder Draco would forever be stuck with. In terms of Harry, he'd learned about the life of abuse, the imprisonment in the cupboard, the lies about his parents, and had learned what happened that day in July. Apparently, Harry had accidentally responded with magic when his cousin attempted to burn him on the stove and his uncle had decided he'd had enough of magic.

Every new thing Severus learned broke his heart even more and made him more determined to give the boys all they'd been denied for fifteen years.

Alongside their lack of nightmares, improved Occlumency, and growing willingness to confide in him, Leif and Alexei had also praised how both boys were excelling at their training. Leif was apparently preparing to teach Draco the final, most difficult skill of an Aetherion and Alexei wasn't sure there was much more for him to teach Harry at the individual level. Much of the boys' training had become about working in tandem with each other and the immortals were discussing bringing Severus into the sessions. Severus could hardly express how impressed he was with Harry and Draco, that, after just four months, they'd both nearly mastered their magic.

Then there were all the others that had been causing them harm. Draco hadn't been attacked for weeks. Dumbledore had virtually ignored him and the boys since he showed the man the guardianship. Umbridge hadn't given Harry or Draco detention all month, spending all her time interrogating professors and interrupting lessons, though, Severus had noticed the strange stares she'd been giving Harry and Draco, keeping him on guard and watching her closely. Finally, Voldemort had also been oddly silent, not summoning him for several weeks. Summons often slowed during the school year, but such an extended break was uncommon.

Thus, it had been an odd month, a mostly positive one, though he knew it was unlikely to continue much longer.

"I do hope you don't intend on disappearing once you complete their training," Severus said, sipping his wine.

"Of course not!" Leif said, faking his affront and making Severus smile slightly.

"They are not the only reason we responded to you in August and returned, moy drug," Alexei said. "We came back for you as well."

Severus gazed at them, warmed at the sentiment. He would never admit that he'd been afraid they would simply leave once they finished with the boys. He'd loved having his friends back and wasn't sure he could say goodbye to them again, even if it would be a more positive goodbye than the last time.

"There is still quite a bit of training to do," Leif pointed out. "It is only their individual training that will be ending in the new year."

"Have you told them?" Severus asked, raising an eyebrow when they glanced at each other.

"Not yet," Leif admitted.

"They've been having such a good month, we haven't wanted to upset them," Alexei said.

"We don't want to tarnish their Christmas either," Leif added.

"Speaking of, what are the plans?" Alexei asked and Severus snorted, shaking his head, amused.

"You will have to tell them eventually. Training will obviously not last forever and they are aware of that. It is likely they are already wondering this same thing," Severus said. "They will be fine, just as long as you do not abandon them completely."

"Never," Alexei said earnestly.

"We'd hoped to come around quite often given they will be with you from now on," Leif said.

"How so?" Severus asked.

"You know. Holidays, birthdays, a generic Tuesday here and there, maybe even a weekend," Leif said, aloof, and Severus chuckled.

"I am sure we could work something out," Severus said. "Though, you are aware nothing is guaranteed, even with the guardianship. While Lucius and Dumbledore and Voldemort are around..."

"We know," Alexei said with a nod, "but we have faith in Lady Magic."

"And you," Leif said. "They will be yours in the end, no matter what happens."

Severus gazed into his wine, unwilling to follow their optimism. Far too many things threatened his tenuous hold on the boys and he couldn't handle their loss if he let himself believe they would always be his.

"You didn't answer my question," Alexei said, changing the subject.

"What question?" Severus asked, looking at the vampire.

"About Christmas," Alexei said. "What are your plans?"

"Harry will likely go to Headquarters for at least some of the break," Severus said, thinking of Dumbledore, Black, and the Weasleys. "I hadn't made many plans, honestly. I am unsure what the boys could expect or want."

"I doubt they expect much," Leif said and Severus conceded the point.

"You should bring them back to Prince Manor," Alexei suggested. "Harry talks about how much he misses it there during every training session."

"Draco too," Leif added.

"Perhaps," Severus said. "Regardless of where we are, you both must come. You know they will be hurt if you do not."

"Just them?" Leif said with a grin while Alexei laughed into his glass of blood.

Severus just gave the immortal a withering glare that lacked any heat.

"We will be there, of course," Alexei said, still chuckling.

They fell into a comfortable silence, enjoying their drinks, the crackling fire, and the company. Though these moments happened fairly frequently now, each one left Severus in just the slightest state of awe. He'd truly never thought he'd see Leif or Alexei again after Italy or, if he did, it would just be another fight. He hadn't believed he could be forgiven or could forgive what had happened between them. He'd believed that, just like with Lily, he had destroyed the best relationships he'd ever had. How he had missed Leif and Alexei. It had been a long, lonely decade.

"Leif?"

Severus looked away from the fire, pulled from his reverie at Alexei's concerned tone. Alexei was looking at Leif on the other end of the sofa who had sat up straight as he frowned at what seemed to be a pocket watch. Severus knew, though, that it wasn't a pocket watch, but a kind of alarm that alerted him if something was happening in the Archives. He watched as Leif put his wine on the coffee table almost absently and stood, still staring at the device.

"I have to go," Leif said.

"Is everything alright?" Alexei asked.

"I'm sure it's nothing," Leif said, trying but failing to be reassuring.

Severus and Alexei frowned at each other.

"Apologies, gentlemen," Leif said, still trying to convince them nothing was wrong. "I will be back once I get this sorted."

Severus watched as Leif, his face tight despite his attempts to hide the expression, disappeared through the fireplace to the Ministry. Leif was not one to appear concerned often, even if situations would warrant distress, so, for the immortal to be so clearly uneasy had Severus on edge. He turned back to Alexei who looked just as worried about their friend as Severus felt.

"Have there been more threats from Lucius?" Severus asked, thinking of the near harassment Leif had been experiencing. Lucius had been consistently making threatening comments towards Leif about getting Draco back, having ‘friends' in the Department of Mysteries, and finding what he needed in the Archives. He knew it had been weighing on Leif, the man fighting to keep Lucius away and all of them safe, though he'd done his best not to let them see his stress, especially Harry and Draco.

Alexei sighed. "I'm sure there have been, but he hasn't said anything to me recently."

Severus massaged his brow, swirling his wine slowly. "I fear something could happen that we are unprepared for. Things have been far too quiet."

Alexei's reply was cut off when the door to Severus' rooms opened. Alexei looked up and Severus turned, only for both to fly to their feet as Harry collapsed to the floor. Severus knelt next to the boy, quickly visually identifying injuries.

"Professor," Harry mumbled, eyes fluttering as he fought to stay conscious.

"What happened, child?" Severus asked gently, but frantically as he watched the trembling and waning consciousness. Harry was clearly suffering from severe after-effects of the Cruciatus, intense shakes wracking his body and blood trickling steadily from the ears and nose. His left hand was covered in blood, marks around his throat were quickly growing a deep purple, and blood was soaking into various parts of the boy's greyish-blue shirt.

"D...Draco..." Harry mumbled, his head rolling. "D...D..."

"Harry, stay awake for me," Severus said, cupping the boy's cheek. "What about Draco? What happened?"

"Se...sep'rated," Harry said, words becoming more slurred. "L...lef'...di...di'n't mean..."

"Harry. Harry, look at me," Severus said as Harry trailed off. He cursed when the boy's eyes closed and he went slack aside from the tremours. He turned to Alexei who had watched the exchange in tense silence. "I have to bring Harry to the infirmary. Find Draco. Something has happened."

Alexei nodded, cast a last anxious look at Harry, and rushed from the room. Severus carefully slid his arms under Harry's knees and back, and stood, drawing the shivering boy to his chest. Copying Alexei, he rushed out of his rooms and hurried through the school up to the infirmary. While he passed numerous students, he noted that none of them were the Death Eater Slytherins, making him nervous about where they and Draco were. He forced himself to trust in Draco's resourcefulness and in Alexei as he burst into the empty infirmary.

He quickly placed Harry on a bed and called, "Poppy!"

He drew curtains around the left side of the bed so any potential enemy eyes passing by wouldn't see him with Harry.

"My goodness! What has happened?"

He looked up at Pomfrey's exclamation, watching her hurry to them.

"I am uncertain though the Cruciatus has most certainly been used in excess," Severus said as Harry continued to seize almost violently on the bed, causing more blood to trickle from his ears and nose.

"The poor dear. Who would dare..." Pomfrey trailed off as she banished Harry's shirt only to gasp.

Liar...Liar...Liar...Liar...LIAR...LIAR...

The word, though mostly concealed by the sheer amount of blood, had been carved repeatedly all over the boy's arms and torso. Some were small, some large in huge, block letters. Most were sharp and deep and vicious. It was the single word that immediately told Severus who has responsible for Harry's attack. It also solidified his resolve to no longer roll over for the Ministry or Dumbledore.

Pomfrey had begun to wash the blood from Harry so they could better see his injuries and Severus was about to begin healing when the Hospital Wing doors opened again. He stepped around the curtain and his eyes widened as he recognized a very unconscious and very bloody Draco in Alexei's arms.

"This is mad," Draco said.

"No worse than the Rune Mage Association requirements," Harry said with a shrug. "Plus, we can take the theory course together."

"Brilliant, sure, but still mad," Draco said, flipping through the pages he held for the fifth time.

Harry just chuckled, having had basically the same reaction when McGonagall and Siguard told him about the Association. Yesterday at their weekly dinner while Alexei had helped Harry with his Runes project planning, Leif had given Draco the overview package for how to become a Crafter for the Crafters' Guild. Like Rune Mages, Crafters were highly skilled and very exclusive, but a perfect field for an Aetherion. As Leif had explained, Crafters were associated with and employed by the Crafters' Guild, and hired out to ministries for curse breaking, spell creation, and magic crafting, in which brand new branches of magic were created. It had similar requirements to the Rune Mage and was just as intense a path to take, but Harry thought Draco seemed genuinely interested in pursuing the career. Despite the remaining threat that was Lucius Malfoy, Harry had noticed that Draco had seemed to become a bit more hopeful and happier since the day Snape gained guardianship. Harry had felt it too, like, maybe, they could have a future and even a family with each other.

The thought, however, did consistently bring a new concern of Harry's to the forefront of his mind. He chewed his lip lightly as the concern rose then.

"Do you think they'll stay if we do these jobs?" Harry asked quietly as they continued to one of the entrances to the dungeons.

"Who?"

"Leif and Alexei," Harry said, looking at Draco. "Maybe if we keep needing them, they won't leave."

"We still have training," Draco pointed out.

"It won't last forever," Harry said, "and, in my experience, people leave once there's no reason to stick around."

He saw Draco frown though, at what, Harry wasn't sure. Perhaps it was at the idea of their mentors leaving or at Harry's pessimism. Harry began to frown himself, shoving his hands in his pockets and looking down sadly at his feet as he walked. He hated thinking of Leif and Alexei leaving. Just like with Draco and even Snape, he couldn't imagine his life without the two men anymore. Yet, he was aware that the entire reason Leif and Alexei had come into their lives was going to end soon and they would have no reason to come back. It had been proven to him repeatedly in his life that no one stayed around, especially not for him, just because they wanted to; there was always a reason and, if there wasn't, then they disappeared. He wasn't enough to keep people around. They all left eventually.

They slowed and came to a stop at the top of the stairs that led to the dungeons.

"Are you sure you don't want me to come with you?" Harry said, always anxious when he left Draco alone.

Draco's expression bordered on annoyance. "I'll be fine. Blaise should be waiting. Besides, it's been almost a month."

"Exactly," Harry said. "They're building to something, especially with Christmas so close."

Draco sighed. "I know, but I'll be fine. I can make it down a staircase."

Harry gave his own sigh and nodded. "Meet you on the Pitch after breakfast?"

"As long as the storm holds off," Draco said, referring to the snow squalls that had hit Hogwarts the last couple of days, indicating a coming winter storm to bring in December.

Harry grinned. "I flew in a storm once, I could do it again," he said, thinking of the match against Hufflepuff in third year with the Dementor attack.

"You're on your own," Draco said almost haughtily. "I don't do cold."

Harry laughed. "You live in the dungeons."

"Yeah, and you don't see how much time I spend in front of that fireplace," Draco said with a grin.

Harry laughed again and they parted, Draco heading down the stairs and Harry retracing their path to return to Gryffindor Tower. He climbed the Grand Staircase and wound through corridors, his mind wandering over all manner of things and doing his best to ignore the persistent ache that never left his head and scar those days.

He was walking down an empty corridor, one slightly out of the way for getting back to the Tower to give him a little more time alone, when excruciating pain suddenly tore through him and he fell to the floor with a scream. Unable to catch himself as his body spasmed, he hit the stone hard, his skull cracking against it painfully. Despite the torturous pain, the Cruciatus wasn't held long and he was able to roll over to see who was attacking him. His eyes widened and his blood ran cold at the sight of Umbridge.

"It is time you get the punishment you deserve," Umbridge said coldly, her expression pure hatred.

Harry pushed himself up shakily. "What are you talking about?"

"Order must be maintained. Traitors must be punished," Umbridge said. "Lies will not be tolerated!"

Harry cried out as pain exploded across the back of his left hand. He looked down and found ‘I must not tell lies' being scratched into his skin, reopening the scarred wound that had finally healed over the last month. Only, once it was written, it didn't stop. Rather, each word was carved again and again, causing extraordinary agony as blood poured from the deepening wound.

"You're mad!" Harry shouted as he scrambled backwards in a fruitless effort to escape. "You can't-"

"I am with the Ministry of Magic!" Umbridge shrieked and Harry's heart pounded with fear at the woman clearly becoming unhinged. "We can do whatever necessary to protect our kind from contamination!"

"What the hell are you talking about?" Harry said, trying to focus through the pain in his hand as it began to feel like his bones were being carved to gather his Elemental Magic. He didn't care that he was risking Umbridge finding out about his magic; he had to stop her or she'd kill him.

"You and Draco Malfoy have unnatural magic and are threats to the foundation of wizard-kind!" Umbridge yelled. "You will be punished for your lies and unnaturalness!"

The slicing of his hand stopped, but was instantly replaced by a brutal, long-held Cruciatus. He collapsed back to the floor, contorting and screaming. He had no reprieve, even when the Cruciatus ended, as more carving sensations appeared across his body, something being etched deeply into his flesh. He whimpered, trying once again to crawl away and use his Elemental Magic, only to find his magic wouldn't respond. It was as though it was stuck, trapped inside him and unable to be reached.

"You dare to try and use your horrid magic against me?" Umbridge cried and she was suddenly on top of him, hand tight around his throat. He gasped as his air was cut off and clawed at her hand, still fighting to pull out his magic. Through spotty vision, he saw Umbridge pull a necklace from under her dress and dangled it above him, a long, clear, cylindrical crystal nearly touching Harry. "We know how to deal with freaks like you."

Harry glared at her the best he could only to scream and sob as he felt more carving and slicing on his arms and torso. He could feel the blood beginning to dampen his shirt and pool on the stone underneath him. He heaved and coughed when his throat was released only to choke as yet another Cruciatus ravaged him. He was certain he could feel blood trickling from his ears and nose, tasting it as it flowed into his mouth.

"P...please..." he gasped out brokenly as the Cruciatus continued.

"No one will save you," Umbridge snapped. "You are getting what you deserve."

The cutting returned alongside the Cruciatus. Harry's screams were weakening as his throat tore with the strain and his voice steadily disappeared. He didn't understand how this was happening. Sure, the corridor was a lesser-used one, but how had no students, professors, or even ghosts wandered by? How had no one heard him screaming? Finally, the torture ended and he collapsed against the stone, tremours wracking his body, blood pouring from wounds, and tears flowing down his cheeks.

"Don't you worry about your ‘friends'," Umbridge sneered. "Draco Malfoy, Snape the filthy half-blood, and those immortal abominations will get what they deserve. Traitors, liars, beasts..."

Her face was twisted with rage and hate and disgust.

"Punishment awaits them all, as does your ultimate punishment. How I wish it could be me delivering it," Umbridge said almost wistfully. "You can be assured, you will never see them again."

"No!" Harry screamed, rage and fear at anything happening to Draco, Snape, Leif, and Alexei filling him. He felt his magic explode out of him and Umbridge was sent flying upwards. She slammed hard into the ceiling and fell to the floor in a crumpled heap.

Harry stared at her, unsure if she was still alive. He didn't focus on her for long as he fought to stay conscious and his thoughts turned to the others, especially Draco, knowing he was the easiest target at Hogwarts. Umbridge had been working for Lucius, by extension. It was completely possible she had enlisted the Death Eater kids to help target him and Draco, and Draco was currently in his common room where they could easily get to him. He could feel himself fading, the agony he was in pulling him towards the bliss of unconsciousness, but he fought against it. He needed to get help. He'd left Draco alone and now Draco could be in danger, could be hurt.

Suddenly grateful he was in that particular hallway, he forced himself to his feet despite the grating feeling it caused on his bones. He stumbled as his body shook and he caught himself on the wall with a whimper. His vision tunnelling and his body threatening to give out, he slid along the wall to the alcove hidden by the chimera statue. Tucked inside, he touched the back wall until the image of Snape's door appeared and he stepped through. Almost immediately on the other side, he collapsed to the floor, no longer able to stay up as his body succumbed to the torture it had endured.

He was pulled back from the edge of unconsciousness when he heard footsteps and felt someone kneel next to him, their leg lightly brushing his. He forced his eyes open, seeing very little through his blurred vision, but knowing it was Snape beside him.

"Professor," he mumbled.

"What happened, child?" he heard Snape ask, tone sounding almost frightened.

Harry found his head getting light and his thoughts fuzzy, making it hard to think of how to answer. He knew the man couldn't be worried about him, so he had to be asking about Draco.

"D...Draco..." Harry mumbled, struggling to form any words from his hazy, almost indecipherable thoughts. "D...D..."

A hand landed gently on his cheek and he couldn't help but lean into its comfort.

"Harry, stay awake for me," Snape said and Harry groaned quietly at not being allowed to just let go. He was so tired and it hurt so much. "What about Draco? What happened?"

Right.

Draco.

He had to get help for Draco. He had to get help because he'd left Draco alone, because he didn't stay to make sure his friend was alright. If Draco was hurt or killed, it would be his fault. Just like Cedric. Just like the Dursleys.

"Se...sep'rated," Harry said, unable to think beyond having left Draco alone as his consciousness quickly faded. "L...lef'...di...di'n't mean..." He couldn't do more than slur now.

"Harry. Harry, look at me."

Snape's voice sounded so far away now and he could no longer keep his eyes open. As soon as they closed, he fell into the dark unawareness that had been so desperately clawing at him.

"You should talk to Simon," Blaise was saying as he and Draco walked along the corridor to the Slytherin common room. "His uncle, I think, works for the Guild."

"As a Crafter?" Draco asked.

"No, a Spell Master," Blaise said. "Just does spell creation, but he still had to go through the whole process, just without the proving-Aether-Magic part."

Draco hummed with interest, surprised to learn such a thing about one of his friends. Blaise gave the password to the serpent portrait and they entered the Slytherin common room. They didn't get far as, the moment they were inside, Blaise was violently punched across the face and Draco was grabbed by the throat, swung around until he was slammed into the wall. He was released after the impact and he slid to the floor, dazed and pain instantly radiating from the back of his skull. His hand flew to his head and he looked to his left just in time to see Blaise begin to get up only for Goyle to kick him viciously in the head. Draco watched as Blaise went limp and blood began to pool beneath his head.

"No one to help you this time," Nott sneered as he crouched in front of Draco, wand hanging casually in his fingers. Draco instantly wondered where Simon, Adelaide, and Daphne were, being the only other Slytherins on his side and willing or capable of helping him. He also wondered where the rest of Slytherin house was in general as the common room was completely empty. "Got a change of orders."

"Yeah?" Draco said, pulled back to the moment. "What's that?"

"Special celebration waiting for you back home," Flora said.

"We have to deliver you alive," Hestia said.

"Looks like you're good for something after all with your freak magic," Nott sneered. "Don't bother trying to use it. Your father's helped us out with that."

Draco watched as Nott pulled at a chain around his neck, tugging a long crystal pendant free from under his shirt. Draco frowned as he realized he couldn't get to his Aether Magic. He could feel it swirling inside him, but couldn't draw it out. Fear filled him at the realization he was defenceless, Avery having taken his wand when he collapsed to the floor.

"Don't worry," MacNair said. "We still get to have fun."

"Right," Nott said with a twisted grin. "We were told to give you a preview."

Draco's eyes widened just before he was hit with two Cruciatus Curses. He screamed and contorted until it ended, leaving him breathless. The reprieve was brief as the group launched into their various torture methods simultaneously.

Flora and Hestia excitedly displayed their affinity for Cutting and Gouging Curses. They knew exactly where to carve to cause the most pain and damage, but not death. MacNair favoured the Burning Curse while Avery continuously applied the Oxygen Restricting Curse. Perrot took advantage of the tears pouring down Draco's face and made them icy, causing excruciating pain in his eyes as he cried ice instead of water. He couldn't stop screaming even as his voice broke with the strain. Eventually, they moved on from the basics and got creatively sadistic.

The air in his lungs was frozen, making him choke and making breathing agonizing. His blood boiled. He coughed up water as he was made to feel like he was drowning. Blood poured from his ears as his eardrums were ruptured. An invisible knife dragged down along his spine. He had fingernails ripped out and skin was peeled from his body.

He knew they'd been told to keep him alive, but he wasn't sure how he would survive this. He could feel himself struggling to hang on, to keep hold of his consciousness. His hazy, fleeting thoughts flickered between all manner of things: his father, Snape, all the ‘training' sessions growing up, Leif, Alexei, his mother, his life of loneliness, Harry. He couldn't focus on one thought, each flittering by as he fought to stay awake, to stay alive. He could hardly make a sound beyond a choked whimper or move beyond small twitches when a prolonged Cruciatus took over the other torture. When it ended, Nott came over and crouched next to Draco who gazed up at the Slytherin through eyes blurred with tears, blood, and waning life.

"You never should have turned your back on us," Nott said harshly. "You'll get what you deserve."

"So will the traitors that have helped you," Avery sneered.

"That Marcus is high on your father's list," Hestia said and Draco felt a stab of fear for Leif.

"See you at Christmas," Nott said and, tearing Draco's shirt open, dragged his wand down Draco's sternum.

Draco jerked and choked on a scream caught in his torn throat as his scar was reopened and deepened. He fell into darkness before the entire wound was even reopened.