When Harry heard the agonized scream and felt his magic jump erratically inside him, his stomach dropped. He took off running, his friends calling after him, and he dashed around the side of the Quidditch Pitch. Seeing Malfoy on the ground, despite moving, screaming, and bloodied, made Cedric flash in his head and fear filled him.
“Draco!” he shouted without even realizing just what he’d said and hurried over, immediately catching Warrington in the face with a punch, knocking the large Slytherin off of Malfoy.
Warrington recovered quickly and tackled Harry to the ground. Harry grunted at the impact and they rolled, throwing fists and knees. As they fought, he felt his magic get pulled and tangle with what he knew was Malfoy’s magic. It was just like on the train and he just let it happen.
“Oi!”
Harry heard the shout and saw, just past Warrington, as Ron, the twins, Zabini, and a Slytherin boy he didn’t know but frequently saw with Zabini started fighting the rest of the Slytherin team, Hermione and Luna standing off to the side, shouting. He had no time to focus on how the others were fairing in their fights as Warrington got the upper-hand on him and Harry was suddenly being strangled. He gasped for breath and clawed at Warrington’s hands, his last night in Privet Drive floating through his mind. He forced himself to focus, gathered his Air Magic, and pushed it out. Warrington flew off of him, hitting the ground hard just beyond where everyone else was fighting.
Harry heaved as air rushed back into his lungs and he rolled over onto his front. Coughing and aching, Harry crawled across the grass to Malfoy, reaching out and grasping the Slytherin’s hand once he was close enough. He felt their magic burst as it connected and squeezed Malfoy’s hand.
“Draco,” Harry said, his throat burning. “Are you—”
“Harry!” Malfoy yelled and Harry whipped around, eyes widening at the Blasting Curse coming towards them. Out of instinct, Harry threw his hand up, palm up, Malfoy doing the same next to him. The curse stopped mid-air, seeming to fizzle out as it hit a shimmering wall. It was made of silver-white threads in a tight weave while blue threads surrounded by water cascaded vertically up and down the weave. Harry stared at the barrier, shocked at what he and Malfoy had created.
“What is this barbarity?” a shrill voice cried and Harry’s hand dropped along with Malfoy’s, ending their strange shield. All the other fights broke apart and everyone turned to find Umbridge, Snape, and McGonagall hurrying over to them.
“Professors,” Harry said, deliberately looking past Umbridge at Snape and McGonagall, “they were attacking Draco. We were just trying to—”
“Use forbidden magic on other students?” Umbridge interrupted.
Harry frowned. “What?”
“From what I can see, it would appear you and your friends were the attackers, Mr. Potter,” Umbridge said and Harry gaped. “Using forbidden magic to make it seem you were the victims, were you?”
“Are you blind?” Harry said loudly. “Look at Draco! They attacked him, and we were helping him!”
“I do not believe you, Mr. Potter,” Umbridge said and Harry glowered. “Defensive magic is not allowed at Hogwarts. What was that magic you and Mr. Malfoy performed?”
Harry glanced at Malfoy, knowing they had to keep their magic secret, especially from Umbridge. It would only prove Harry was crazy and dangerous.
“It was just a Shielding Charm,” Harry said.
“Do not lie to me, Mr. Potter,” Umbridge said. “A pity your lessons do not seem to have sunk in. I ask again. What kind of magic was that?”
“It was a Protego,” Harry snapped. “You know, one of those things we’re supposed to be learning this year? A pity you’re the liar and a mad bi—”
“Mr. Potter!” McGonagall interrupted sternly.
Harry flushed at her stare and Snape’s narrowed eyes. He snapped his mouth shut, glaring at Umbridge.
“Well, it would seem a more serious punishment is in order,” Umbridge said. “Detention for our attackers and a ban from Quidditch for those who are players. It will teach you to attack students, use unauthorized magic, and lie to me.”
“What?” Harry shouted.
“You…you can’t do that!” Malfoy said, appalled.
“Professor!” several of the others chorused.
“There are to be consequences when rules are broken,” Umbridge said. “Order will be maintained and lies not tolerated.”
“I believe detention to be more than adequate punishment,” McGonagall said. “And all involved will be punished.”
“Unfortunately, you do not have the authority to ban students from Quidditch, Madam,” Snape said. “As such, detention will have to suffice.”
“Those two deserve far more,” Umbridge said, pointing at Harry and Malfoy. “They are clearly main parties in this behaviour and they have used unauthorized magic.”
“Really, Dolores, it was a simple Protego,” McGonagall said even as she sent Harry and Malfoy a curious glance. Clearly, she’d seen their shield of their combined magic.
“As Mr. Potter stated, a common enough spell for fifth years when taught with competence,” Snape said.
Harry looked at Malfoy, both of them holding back grins at the man’s jab at Umbridge.
Umbridge bristled, hearing the insult. “How dare you? I am employed by the Ministry of Magic—”
“Ah, yes, the height of competence,” Snape drawled. “Do forgive my forgetfulness.”
“Why, I never!” Umbridge gasped, offended.
“Really? That is surprising,” Snape said.
Harry couldn’t hold back a snort of amusement, drawing a raised eyebrow from Snape.
“If you would excuse us, Dolores,” McGonagall said. “These students are in need of the infirmary.”
“Those two are hiding something and you are helping them,” Umbridge said, pointing at Harry and Malfoy again, and then at Snape as he helped them to their feet. “I will find out what you are hiding.”
“I do hope you have something specific in mind,” Snape said, “for I am hiding many things.”
Harry grinned again as Umbridge spluttered before focusing on supporting Malfoy. He pulled the blonde’s arm around his neck and wrapped his own around Malfoy’s waist. With Snape behind them floating unconscious Slytherins, they all headed up to the castle and to the Hospital Wing. He helped Malfoy settle in a bed before being shoved into one himself by Snape.
Madam Pomfrey bustled around, clucking in disapproval. Harry was given a mild Pain Reliever to help with the ache he was developing from his strangulation. He looked over at Malfoy when the Slytherin groaned loudly in clear frustration.
“It is not broken, Mr. Malfoy,” Pomfrey said as she secured the blonde’s arm in a sling, “but you have a small fracture. It will be healed in a week.”
Harry winced in sympathy. It was the same arm that had had a shattered shoulder during the summer. Malfoy huffed and glared at the offending article.
“If you are finished with these two?” Snape said. “We have a punishment to sort out.”
“Yes, yes, they are free to go,” Pomfrey said, all but shooing them out.
“Come,” Snape said sharply and spun on his heel to leave the infirmary.
Glancing at each other, Harry and Malfoy scrambled to follow.
Severus led the two boys into his office and to the secret passage that connected his office to his private rooms. He guided them through and to the sofa in the inset sitting area. He pushed them gently to sit, settling on the coffee table in front of them himself. He gazed at them for a moment as they settled, taking in their injuries and remembering the jolt of fear he’d felt at seeing them embroiled in the fight with Slytherins he knew were extraordinarily violent, especially now they had the task to kill or capture Malfoy. He sighed to himself, resisting the urge to rub his forehead.
This was the first time seeing the two since Potter’s breakdown aside from class. He’d had to send Potter back to his tower quite early that following morning to avoid detection and they’d hardly had time to speak, only taking a few moments to reassure the boy that he’d meant everything he’d said. Then, both boys had been in detention with Umbridge once again, making Potter miss Occlumency. He’d wanted to speak further with Potter and with Malfoy in general, Potter’s breakdown forcing him to realize what he had unintentionally been putting the boys through and to face the reality of his changed feelings towards the two. Now, though, he finally had the time to speak with both of them.
“There are several things we need to discuss, but there is one in particular that has been allowed to go unquestioned for far too long,” Severus said, eyes darting between the two sets before him. “Show me your hands.”
He cocked an eyebrow when Potter and Malfoy tensed and glanced at each other, clearly anxious. He saw both of their bandaged hands curl into fists.
“Professor, I don’t—” Potter started, but Severus held up his own hand to stop the denials.
“Credit me with some intelligence, Potter,” Severus said. “I have known you both have been hiding something since the start of the year. Alexei and Leif have also known. Do remember Alexei is a vampire.”
“Bloody vampire,” Potter muttered under his breath.
Severus concealed any amusement. “Indeed,” he said. “We had hoped you would come to one of us, but obviously that has not happened. So, show me your hands.”
The two hesitated, looking at each other once again. Then, showcasing the synchronicity Severus had seen a few times in the summer, both boys sighed and unwrapped their left hands. Once revealed, they held their hands out and Severus took them, staring hard at what he found.
The skin was red, inflamed, and swollen under and around the carved words. Both phrases had minor scabbing, but also trickles of blood leaving spots. There was some discolouring along the edges, telling him how close to infection the boys were.
“How has this happened?” Severus asked, his voice tight as he released them to silently summon supplies.
“Detention with Umbridge,” Potter said.
“She makes us use a Blood Quill,” Malfoy said.
Severus clenched his jaw at the mention of the illegal object being used to torture his students. He hated most children and students, but he never wanted them physically harmed. He took several seconds to use the items he had summoned to prepare two bowls of green liquid. He also picked up a cloth and moistened it with warm water from his wand. He held out his hand to Potter who, after a moment of hesitation, allowed his to be held again. Gently swiping and dabbing at the offensive phrase, he finally spoke.
“How long?” he asked shortly.
“Um, end of the first week for me,” Malfoy said.
“Since the first day,” Potter said.
“A month and a half?” Severus said, raising an eyebrow as both boys nodded. “How many detentions have you had with her in that time?”
He removed the cloth and settled one of the bowls in Potter’s lap. He submerged the boy’s hand in the liquid and saw an immediate release of tension in the Gryffindor’s face and shoulders. Clearly, he had been in quite a lot of pain. Severus reached for Malfoy’s hand to repeat the process.
“Maybe one or two a week,” Malfoy said. “Harry’s had way more.”
Potter nodded. “At least two or three a week, sometimes more.”
Severus was stunned. “Rivalling your numbers with me, I see,” he said lightly. He saw the small grin that crossed the Gryffindor’s face.
“I can get more with you if you want to keep the top spot in my torment,” Potter said.
Severus rolled his eyes, lips twitching at the boy’s cheekiness. “Unnecessary, Mr. Potter. It is no great loss.”
Both Potter and Malfoy chuckled. Severus finished cleaning Malfoy’s wound before also setting his hand in a bowl. Just like Potter, strain left Malfoy as the Murtlap Essence, dittany, and Pain Reliever mixture settled into his own carving. He gazed at them as they both stared down at their hands in their bowls.
“Do not believe these messages, either of you,” he said and the boys looked at him again. “You, Mr. Malfoy, are nothing like your father, and you, Mr. Potter, have lied about nothing.”
Malfoy nodded while Potter started to grin again. Severus narrowed his eyes.
“Well, I’m sure I’ve lied about some things, especially to you,” Potter said and Malfoy laughed again.
“Very well,” Severus said with a put-upon sigh. “You have lied about nothing of substance or import.”
“Well…” Potter said, drawing it out dramatically and grinning when Malfoy began snickering.
Severus huffed, rolling his eyes again. “Potter,” he said, exasperated. These two were such brats, yet he could no longer deny it was endearing.
They fell quiet for a few minutes, Potter and Malfoy sinking more comfortably into the sofa as they stared at their hands, absently wiggling their fingers in the liquid. He could see the redness on both their hands was fading and the discolouration was mostly gone.
“Why did you not tell anyone what was happening?” Severus asked.
“That’s what she wants,” Potter said, “us to break and need help, prove she has that kind of power over us. If we asked for help, then she was right.”
“Plus, we didn’t want anyone to get in trouble for helping us, especially once she got the High Inquisitor thing,” Malfoy added. “We didn’t want her to go after anyone because of us.”
Severus sighed, cursing, not for the first time, the boys’ families that had made them have such ridiculous logic. “You still should have said something. The teachers can take care of themselves. Your wounds were becoming infected.”
“We tried to clean them,” Malfoy said.
“I am sure you did, but reopening a wound so often is dangerous,” Severus said and frowned as he thought. “Unfortunately, I can do little to stop her without risking my job or position as spy.” He hated that he couldn’t do more, that he had to let this happen to these boys because of what he had to do for Dumbledore. How could he be protecting them if, to do so, he had to let them continue to be tortured and mutilated by another professor?
“We know,” Potter said and Severus wanted to shake his head at their easy acceptance of being left to harm. “That’s why we didn’t want to tell you especially.”
“We didn’t want to put you in danger,” Malfoy said.
Severus sighed again. “That is not something for you to worry about. I can handle Umbridge.”
“Could we come here though?” Potter asked. “After detentions?”
Severus felt his expression soften as he looked at the two. “Of course.” The warmth he felt at the small smiles he received at simply being willing to help them was unlike anything he’d felt before that summer. He was having a difficult time remembering and understanding how he’d been able to listen to Dumbledore, and cast these boys aside as though the summer hadn’t happened.
Shaking his head at himself, he moved on and gestured for them to lift their hands from the bowls. He wiped each with the cloth to see the sentences.
I must not tell lies and I am just like my father.
Perfect ways to hurt these two boys specifically.
He examined both, finding the redness and swelling had greatly diminished. The lingering bleeding had also stopped. Tossing the cloth down beside him, he picked up a jar of Scar Reduction Paste. He could already tell the words would never be removed, but he could hopefully lessen the scar’s severity. Potter and Malfoy had enough scars. He rubbed the paste into the words, took the bowls from their laps, and let the boys finally have their hands back. He looked at them.
“Now, it has been brought to my attention that I have not been helping you as I previously believed,” Severus said, giving Potter a pointed look. “I have been told that magic does not lie and is not something that can be ignored.”
“What are you saying, sir?” Malfoy said.
“That, perhaps, this summer meant more than I was willing to admit,” Severus said, and both grey and green eyes widened. “You must understand, there is danger surrounding each of us and we must take care with how we proceed. I have an offer I would like to extend to the both of you in hopes of rectifying what has occurred between us since returning to Hogwarts.”
Potter and Malfoy glanced at each other and back at Severus, curious and slightly hesitant. He didn’t like the unsure expressions and resolved to ensure neither ever looked at him in that way again. He would be something for them from then on, something they needed and had never had. He didn’t give a damn what anyone else said.
“Potter, we will continue our Occlumency lessons and I would like to offer lessons to you as well, Mr. Malfoy,” Severus said. “Leif has informed me it could help you with your Aether Magic. For the both of you, I suggest we discuss memories that I see.”
Both boys’ eyes widened with a touch of fear.
“You have both been through things no child should go through and, whether you want to admit it or not, it has affected you and will continue to do so,” Severus said, seeing Potter’s eyes drop as he obviously thought of his breakdown a week earlier. “Talking will help you and I know you can both agree you cannot stay silent anymore. I am offering to help you.”
He gave them a moment to consider the first part of his offer before continuing.
“Additionally, I offer one evening in which all of us, including Leif and Alexei, have dinner in my rooms, like the summer,” Severus said. “Caution would be paramount as you cannot be seen coming to or from my rooms. Potter, your cloak will be useful as well as I will show you some secret passages that can help you avoid detection.”
He saw the surprise and the hope that lit up the grey and green eyes. He knew spending additional time with them was a risk, but it was a risk he was now willing to take. He couldn’t leave these two behind, not anymore. He knew he could hide and deceive anyone about the two boys, and, honestly, he knew the boys were smarter than he once gave them credit for.
Malfoy was about to speak when the door to his quarters opened, and Leif and Alexei entered. Severus frowned at their worried expressions.
“Good, you’re all here,” Leif said.
“We need to talk,” Alexei said. “There are things you need to know.”
Concerned, Severus nodded. “Very well. Let us have some lunch.”
He guided Potter and Malfoy to follow Leif and Alexei to the combined kitchen and dining room. They arranged themselves around the dining table, unconsciously taking the same seats as they had at Prince Manor. Severus tapped the tabletop, summoning the lunch options from the kitchens and waved his hand to retrieve blood for Alexei.
“Now, what is going on?” Severus asked once he ensure Potter and Malfoy began to eat. He’d noticed how often they were absent from meals.
“It is about Umbridge,” Alexei said.
“We know why she is really here at Hogwarts and it has nothing to do with Dumbledore building an alleged army,” Leif said, leaning forward on the table with a sigh. “Fudge is being controlled to get something important from the Ministry and Umbridge is here to investigate those who may be connected to it.”
“It’s the second prophecy, isn’t it?” Potter said and Severus looked at the Gryffindor sharply.
“Alexei mentioned you knew about it,” Leif said. “How?”
“I’ve been having strange dreams of a glowing orb that sometimes speaks,” Potter said. “I didn’t know what it was, but Alexei said there was another prophecy.”
“Have either of you had dreams?” Alexei asked, looking at Severus and Malfoy.
“Since summer,” Malfoy said.
Severus shook his head at his friends. “I have not.”
“You will soon,” Leif said. “The prophecy has activated further due to your magic connecting the way it did.” He gestured to Potter and Malfoy.
“What are you talking about and what does this have to do with Umbridge?” Severus asked, his eyebrows furrowed.
Leif and Alexei looked at each other and sighed.
“There is a prophecy that was spoken centuries ago and reappeared in the Hall of Prophecies in July,” Leif said. “Fudge is trying to get this prophecy.”
“Why would he care about a random prophecy?” Potter asked.
“He doesn’t, but whoever is controlling him does,” Alexei said.
“This prophecy is called Lady Magic’s Triad Prophecy and refers to an Elemental, an Aetherion, and their Ground,” Leif said, looking at each of them in turn.
“Are you saying this prophecy refers to us?” Severus said, puzzled.
“By name or any specificity, no, because no prophecy ever refers to anyone in such specific terms,” Leif said. “However, that is why Fudge wants the prophecy, to know what it says.”
“That’s why Umbridge is here,” Potter said in realization. “She’s been told to find out if anyone at Hogwarts has that magic.”
“Yes,” Alexei said. “The assumption has been made that you must be one of them, particularly because it seems Lady Magic’s Prophecy is the second path of two that could have been taken with Trelawney’s Prophecy.”
Severus looked at his friend, pain in his chest at the mention of the prophecy that had killed his best friend because of him. “What do you mean?”
“We believe Trelawney’s Prophecy is the path that was going to be taken due to the magic of Lady Magic’s Prophecy never coming alive at the time of Voldemort’s initial rise,” Alexei said. “However, once it was voided, Lady Magic’s Prophecy became the true path and it was confirmed when circumstances naturally led to the development of Elemental and Aether Magic in Harry and Draco. We believe they were intertwined prophecies.”
“Does that mean whoever wants the second prophecy thinks they were connected too?” Potter asked.
“We believe so,” Alexei said. “We believe they think the magic spoken of in Lady Magic’s Prophecy is the same magic spoken of in Trelawney’s Prophecy.”
“Who would want any of this?” Severus asked.
“I believe it is Lucius Malfoy,” Leif said.
Severus saw Malfoy tense and his eyes widen at the mention of his despicable father. He had little time to consider the boy, however, as he comprehended what Leif’s theory meant. He looked sharply at his friend again.
“If Lucius Malfoy is behind this, then that means the Dark Lord is behind it,” Severus said.
“If it is him, he thinks I’m the one from Trelawney’s Prophecy,” Potter said.
“Yes,” Leif said. “Which is why Umbridge is targeting you. They believe you have the magic in Lady Magic’s Prophecy which, to them, is also the magic in Trelawney’s Prophecy.”
Severus saw the way Potter paled and felt his own fear rise up at the danger the Gryffindor was in. How was he supposed to protect the boy from this?
“Only those a prophecy is about can hear a prophecy,” Severus said, looking back at the immortals. “There should be no risk of Lucius getting his hands on this prophecy.”
“True, but anyone can read a prophecy’s transcript,” Alexei said and Severus frowned, confused.
“A transcript is created and hidden in the Archives if someone hears a prophecy when it is spoken,” Leif said. “I was there when Lady Magic spoke.”
“Lucius is after you,” Severus said in realization and saw the terrified looks the boys gave their mentor.
“Yes, but do not worry. I can handle him,” Leif said, waving off their concern though it did nothing to clear Severus’ or the expressions from Potter and Malfoy. “It is the three of you that must be careful, especially Harry.”
“We don’t know how far Umbridge will be willing to go to find out about your magic,” Alexei said. “It was already very close today with that shield you produced.”
“We know where she’s willing to start,” Severus said, nodding at Potter and Malfoy who each held their hands out for the immortals to see after sighing.
Alexei and Leif grew enraged at the words they found, eyes flying to the boys and Severus in shock.
“I cannot do anything to stop her, not if I wish to hold my position and job,” Severus said regretfully. “I was told to get the prophecy and use Potter to do so. If Lucius gets this second prophecy or Umbridge discovers Potter is the Elemental, I will be discovered as a spy.”
“Is that why she’s evaluating the teachers?” Malfoy asked.
Alexei nodded. “She wants to know who is protecting you and why.”
“What can we do?” Potter asked.
“Do your best to stay off Umbridge’s radar more than you already are,” Alexei said.
“And I will try to keep Lucius from getting the transcript,” Leif said.
Harry looked up from his Runes work as shadows fell over his books. He sighed quietly and sat back, watching Ron and Hermione sit across from him, looking uncomfortable. It had been a couple of days since the Quidditch match, the fight, and the second prophecy revelation. He’d kept to himself, needing a break from the emotional turmoil that seemed to exist around every relationship in his life. Not that he wasn’t thrilled to have his friendship with Draco or whatever was now building between him and Snape, but it had been a rough start to the school year. He just wanted a minute to only worry about homework.
“Hey,” Ron said awkwardly and Harry raised an eyebrow at him. “So, I got in a fight to help Malfoy?”
Harry’s lips twitched and then he burst into laughter. “Yeah, you did,” he said, grinning.
“Well, don’t think about it too much. I still don’t like or trust him,” Ron grumbled.
“But we accept that you do,” Hermione said, her earnestness causing Harry’s laughter to settle. “Harry, I’m sorry for what I’ve said, for pushing you so hard. I should have just let you take your time.”
“Yeah, mate. We should’ve trusted you,” Ron said.
Harry tapped his pencil on his notebook before looking at them again. “I know it’s weird. It’s not like we instantly became friends. It was still a rough summer, but it did change things.”
“And we get that…now,” Ron said.
“And we shouldn’t have been all over you about secrets,” Hermione said. “Like you said, we kept secrets too.”
Harry nodded. “I didn’t keep as much from you as you thought. I really did tell you everything I could, but there’s a lot that I just can’t really explain. Like my magic or why Draco ended up at the safe house with me,” he said. “Some things also aren’t mine to tell or I just really don’t feel ready to talk about. It’s been hard since June, but…they helped.”
“Malfoy and your trainers?” Ron said.
Realizing how close he was to revealing his new connection to Snape, he just nodded again.
“We should have realized what you were going through,” Hermione said. “We should have written, no matter what Dumbledore said. We should have been there for you.”
Harry gave a small smile. He felt a weight lift from his chest. He hadn’t even realized how much fighting with Ron and Hermione had been bothering him.
“So, the Slytherins are really after Malfoy?” Ron asked after an extended silence.
“Yeah, they are. Some of them anyway, any in the Death Eater circle,” Harry said. “Zabini and his friends have been helping, though, same with Snape.”
“He turned his back on his family?” Hermione said.
Harry nodded.
“That’s why he was at the safe house,” Ron said.
“What about you?” Hermione asked.
Harry froze, immediately flashing back to his last day in Privet Drive.
“It was your relatives, wasn’t it?” Ron said. “It wasn’t just bars on your window that one time.”
Harry dropped his eyes to his notebook, hating that Ron was actually smarter than everyone gave him credit for. Just once he wished they couldn’t guess at what he wasn’t saying.
“Harry…” Hermione said quietly.
“I really don’t want to talk about it,” Harry interrupted and looked at them, hard. “Please.”
“Alright,” Hermione said, “but when you feel ready, we’ll listen.”
Harry looked at them again and smiled, happy to have them back. There was a lot he hadn’t told them yet, but he did believe they would continue to support him now even when it all came out.
“Sorry, am I interrupting?”
They all turned to Draco who was standing next to the table, fiddling uncomfortably with his bag strap over his shoulder. Harry felt the tension rise immediately, and saw the way Ron and Hermione tensed. He sighed. At least they were trying.
“No, sit,” Harry said. “I was waiting for you when they came.”
Draco glanced at Ron and Hermione, unsure, before slowly sitting next to Harry. They all looked at each other awkwardly and silently for several seconds before Harry broke the silence.
“Hey, maybe you can help us,” Harry said. “We’re talking to Leif and Alexei later, but maybe you can help with some of the details.”
“What are you talking about?” Ron said.
“Draco and I are going to start a study group-Duelling Club to learn Defense,” Harry said.