Harry Potter and the Black Grimoire

CHAPTER TWENTYFOUR - AN UNEXPECTED ARRIVAL

It was a thin shaft of light creeping through a part in his bed hangings that woke Harry the next morning. It fell across his sleeping face and rested deftly on his forehead. He stirred and found it to be much earlier than he usually woke, which was not the only odd thing he noticed.

His scar felt like it was... buzzing. Not a painful ache, but a dull tingling sensation that was not altogether unpleasant, but noticeable nonetheless. It didn't hurt; it was simply... there. Since it didn't hurt, or impede his vision in any way, he chose to try and ignore it the best he could. He decided he would ask Sirius about it after Potions class.

And he only had to wait until his second class was over to do so.

As everyone got up to leave, Harry asked Hermione to wait for him while he stayed behind to talk to Sirius. She was curious as to what (as he had conveniently forgot to mention it to her at breakfast), but she agreed to wait for him outside, even though it took a bit of what could only be called a public display of affection from him for her to do so willingly.

As she closed the door behind her, he approached Sirius' desk. Apparently he had noticed his little exchange with Hermione and thus he was waiting patiently for Harry to approach.

"What can I do for you, Harry?" he asked, trying his best not to look a little worried.

"Well," he started, "It's really nothing, but I thought I should tell you that when I woke up this morning, I noticed my scar was tingling."

"I see," he said, looking puzzled and concerned. "Does it hurt?"

"Not at all," Harry said, maybe a bit too quickly. "I can honestly say it doesn't hurt at all. It's just noticeable I guess. Like it doesn't bother me, but it's there still."

Sirius didn't answer, but instead looked away, apparently trying to decipher some kind of solution as to why it would be doing what it was.

"Well I think it's clear that it's not active because of distance," he said, "But, I have my own theory. Dumbledore has called an official Order meeting for this Saturday, so I'll discuss it with him before then and tell you what we think."

Harry frowned, obviously wanting a more immediate answer, or at least a clue, but it was obvious he was not going to get any.

"Don't worry about it though, Harry. If I'm right, you have nothing to be worried about. Just go about your daily routine as you normally would. Chances are it'll go away by the weekend anyway."

Harry nodded in compliance, although for some reason he doubted it very much. He gave Sirius one last smile and a thank-you, and headed for the door. It was after he opened the door that the pain in his head got worse beyond measure. He stumbled a bit and leaned on the wall, clutching his throbbing cranium. It was not, however, in any way related to Voldemort. Instead, a certain brown-haired vixen he had come to adore was the origin of this particular headache.

"Harry Potter!" she yelled at him. "How dare you not tell me right away that something was wrong with your scar!"

"Hermione," he mumbled, still trying to dull the ache in his head. He rubbed it softly, as it was already becoming painful to the touch. He knew he would have a bump there. He could already feel it forming.

"Well?" she demanded, obviously not too interested in the pain that had settled into Harry's skull.

"I didn't want you to get all worried," he answered her, clearly afraid of the large book she still held in her hands, ready to hit him again with it if she deemed necessary.

"Get worried? And why would I get worried? I mean there's only the small fact that the curse-scar on my boyfriend's head seems to be causing him enough concern that he should decide to not tell me and instead go to a teacher! Worried? Why should I be worried?!"

Harry took a few steps back, as she had raised the large tome in a very threatening manner. He didn't think his brain could take another rattling just yet.

"Hermione, you heard what Sirius said! It's nothing to worry about! And like I told him, it doesn't even hurt. I just thought that he should know. And I didn't tell you because I didn't want you to get worried over nothing."

She did not respond, but she didn't look any less angry either.

"Ok, I promise that from now on, even if it only gives the smallest of twitches, I'll make sure to tell you right away. Even if some careless fly hits me mid-flight and I don't notice it, I'll make sure to let you know."

He paused to let her think over his words and he took his chance to step in and relieve her of the book. He let it drop to the floor and he took her hands in his, letting the greenness of his eyes linger on hers.

"I promise. And I'm sorry."

She did not respond, but he saw a good amount of anger leave her body. She relaxed a little and the corners of her mouth turned up a small fraction, which made Harry in turn relax a little as well. It seemed he was no longer in danger of large, heavy, bludgeoning objects.

"Well I guess I can accept that," she said at last. "But next time you better tell me!"

She added that last bit with a quick wave of her finger.

"I will, I will. Now can we go get lunch? I'm starving."

"Oh, you boys and your food. I'm positively baffled as to why you aren't a giant, sexy balloon."

"A sexy balloon, eh? Would you still love me as much as you do now if I was?"

"Who says I love you now?" she replied.

"Ooo, that hurts!" he said, clutching his chest. "I guess now I'll go drown my sorrows in mass amounts of very bad-for-me food. And then soon I'll inflate to that very large balloon and you'll be stuck with me. How'd you like that?"

She laughed at him and kissed him quickly before taking his hand and leading him up the stairs.

"I think I'd like to keep you just the way you are, thank you!"

~*~*~

The rest of the week went by as a blur of O.W.L. preparation and study and by the time Saturday came, the tingling in Harry's scar had, just as he suspected, not left him. It did disappear for short spans of time, but these absences were few and far-between. The bump on his head was a constant reminder to let Hermione know that it had not gone.

By the time the Order meeting had come, they were beginning to get a bit worried and were eagerly awaiting any answers Dumbledore and Sirius could give them.

Harry, Ron and Hermione were among the first to arrive in the spacious meeting room and were quickly called over by Sirius, who was standing off in a corner, talking to Dumbledore and Lupin. They hurried over to the group, hoping to get some answers.

"Your scar," Dumbledore said, "Does it still feel the same way?"

"Yeah," Harry answered. "It goes away for a very short time once in awhile, but it's pretty much been the same way all week."

"That seems to make sense then," Sirius added.

"Indeed it does," Dumbledore replied. "Harry, you remember what I told you of the connection that the scar gives you to Voldemort?"

"Of course."

"Well I thought," Sirius started, "and Dumbledore agrees, that it might be because of something he is possibly feeling right now and therefore you are experiencing something as a result."

The trio looked confused, so Dumbledore explained more fully.

"You know that you feel something whenever Voldemort is feeling particularly angry, or murderous, but I think it's safe to say you can also feel something when he is feeling pleased as well."

"And what would make him so happy that Harry would suffer the effects of it for a week?" Hermione asked.

"I believe it is because he is torturing Professor Snape. And he is enjoying it."

Clearly his answer wasn't something any of them had expected, but they couldn't help admit that it made sense, even if it was a bit disconcerting nonetheless.

"How come Harry has just now started to feel something if they have had Snape for much longer than a week?" Ron asked.

"Professor Snape, Mr. Weasley and I can only imagine that perhaps Voldemort himself had not participated in the questioning and torture of him before now. I think it probable that perhaps Severus has not proven to be a particularly helpful captive and it was not necessary for him to personally administer the torture until now."

"So they're getting desperate," Harry declared.

"It would seem so."

Harry was content enough to accept this theory, as was Hermione, thankfully, so he didn't inquire further about it.

"Nice welt, Harry," Remus commented.

"Thank my beloved better-half for that," Harry answered.

They all chuckled and Hermione looked a bit sheepish.

Soon, however, they weren't allowed to dwell on Harry's new head decoration, for everybody else had arrived and the meeting was called to order. They all sat at their chairs and waited for Dumbledore to begin the discussion.

"I feel that we should start today's meeting by addressing any questions that anybody might have. So if you have anything on your mind, anything at all, feel free to ask."

This offer hung in the air for a short time before Hermione raised her hand.

"Has there been any progress in the research for the counter-curses?" she asked.

"Good question, Ms. Granger. And yes, there has been some progress, but not as much as we would like. The processes detailed in Lily and James' notes are not widely known, nor practiced by most witches and wizards, so a lot of research has to be done on those as well. But rest assured, the break will come soon."

She nodded, as did everyone else, before Harry asked the next question.

"Is the entrance to the Founder's Office going to get any protection? I know that we don't have to really worry about Voldemort coming here and taking it, but shouldn't there be some kind of safety precaution?

A familiar glint flashed into the old man's eyes before he answered.

"A very plausible argument, Harry and one that I thoroughly agree with. Which is why I have taken a few necessary precautions. Don't worry; just because you don't see them, doesn't mean they're not there," he answered with a sly wink.

"Sorry for doubting you, Headmaster."

"No need to apologize at all, Harry! It just shows that you're concerned and that is nothing to be ashamed of. Now, are there any more questions?"

A few shaken heads and a moment's silence signaled to Dumbledore that there were no more questions.

"Good," he said, clapping his hands together. "Then I have one of my own. Alastor, how are the plans coming along?"

Without answering, Mad-Eye pulled a long tube out of a seemingly normal pocket and proceeded to extract an equally long parchment from it, which he laid flat on the table before them.

It appeared to be the floor plans for Malfoy Manor. Harry could see the layout and measurements of the rooms and hallways and a breakdown of the different levels. It was complete with windows and doors and he noticed there were several handwritten notes here and there on the parchment.

"Excellent, Alastor. Have you come up with any kind of tactical strategy yet?"

"Of course I have, Dumbledore. What do you think I do up there at the Ministry all day?" he growled in a not unpleasant way.

"How silly of me."

Moody nodded with a cracked smile, and then answered.

"I think the best way for us to advance is by air, preferably on a day with low visibility."

It took a minute for Ron to realize that he was talking about him and when he did realize it, his cheeks became the color of his hair.

"Weasley, I want to play a game of chess with you," he declared in his usual rumble.

Ron was momentarily taken aback and confused, but he quickly realized it was because he wanted to test his strategic skills.

"Any time," he said, trying to sound as confident as possible.

Moody nodded in answer and continued to lay out his plans and explain the notes he had written on the plans. Nothing was set in stone yet, but he had a good idea of what would be the best plan-of-attack. The other members of the Order listened closely and made suggestions as they saw fit.

Harry was interrupted suddenly as Hermione grabbed his arm. From the look on her face, she had apparently had a thought.

"What is it?" he asked.

"Harry, the Marauder's Map materials!"

The rest of the group had noticed the interruption and stopped to look at them in curiosity.

"What is it? Have you thought of something?" Dumbledore inquired.

"Headmaster, you've seen the map that I have of Hogwarts, right?"

"Yes, I would imagine it comes in handy every now and then?"

"Yes, it does," Harry answered, a little embarrassed. "But anyway, the same night we found the map to the Offices, we found the materials that the Marauders left behind and it has everything that's needed to make new ones. Do you think that it could be useful for this?"

Instead of answering, he looked to Sirius and Remus.

"I didn't even know that the materials still existed! Did you hide them Remus?"

"Yes, I did, but when I went back to find them they weren't there. I hadn't thought of the fact that the beds could have been moved and in all the excitement, I forgot to ask about the materials."

"Could it be useful?" Dumbledore reiterated Harry's question.

"Yes! But it only works if you are in the vicinity of whatever it is you're plotting," Remus answered.

"So we'd have to get near enough to the Manor in order for it to work," Sirius added.

"That shouldn't be a problem," Moody growled. "I can have someone fly down there with my invisibility cloak and get close enough to make it work."

"Excellent! Very good work, Ms. Granger!" he said with a wink.

As it turned out, Hermione didn't have a chance to respond, or even to feel embarrassed, as she usually would have, for at that exact moment, there was a loud pop and a body fell from the air onto the table before them.

Everyone jumped back from the table and drew their wands, ready to incapacitate whoever it was that had come into their midst. Dumbledore however, jumped up and did not take out his wand. He did, however, climb onto the table to examine the body. As he moved the figure's disheveled black hair out of his face, Hermione issued an audible gasp.

"Severus, can you hear me?" he asked, trying to revive an obviously unconscious Professor Snape.

The potions master did not respond, so Dumbledore took out his wand and muttered a spell. Immediately he stirred a little and a moan came forth from his dry and cracked lips.

Harry noticed how utterly horrible he looked. His normally straight hair was tangled and knotted and his skin was a sallow, bloodless color. There were cuts and bruises dotting his skin here and there like ugly, out-of-place birthmarks gone wrong and skin hung off of his already lean frame in such a way that it was clear he had lost a good amount of weight in a short amount of time. Ugly, popped, very painful looking boils covered his arms and face. He wore only a torn, bloodstained white shirt and ripped black pants.

Dumbledore continued trying to revive him, but it was clear he was getting nowhere.

"We need to get him to St. Mungos," Lupin suggested.

"Yes, right away. Sirius, Melissa; pick him up and take him through the fireplace. We'll join you momentarily."

They did as they were told and carefully picked the weakened body up from the table. Severus moaned in pain, but said nothing. He never opened his eyes. In a manner of seconds they had entered into the roaring green flames prepared by a swish of Dumbledore's wand, and were gone.

Everybody in the room looked on the verge of panic. Nobody was completely sure of what had just happened. Only Dumbledore retained the sense of calm that rarely ever left him.

Ok, let's all try and remain calm," he said. "We aren't going to find out any sooner what has just happened by becoming panicked and incautious."

Everybody around nodded uncertainly.

"Ok, now let's all floo to St. Mungo's and regroup there."

In five minutes time they were all standing in a large, well-lit room with white, clinical-looking walls. Sirius and Snape were nowhere around.

Dumbledore strode up to the reception desk and inquired as to where Severus had been placed. She told him the room number and they all trooped through a set of swinging doors and down the hallway. Sirius was pacing back and forth just around the first corner, and Professor Radford was sitting in a chair along the wall in front of the door, both apparently waiting for them. When the group rounded the corner he sighed openly and stopped.

"The Healers and working on him now, trying to resuscitate him. I was told they would let us know his condition as soon as possible."

Dumbledore nodded and Harry thought he saw a flash of concern cross his face. The headmaster was good, but he wasn't that good at hiding his true emotions. He was merely trying to set an example for the rest of them.

So they waited. It wasn't long before a sandy-haired wizard in a long white robe strode out of the room wearing a troubled look upon his face. Dumbledore immediately stopped forward to meet him.

"How is he?" he asked calmly.

"Right now he's looking pretty bad. He is severely malnourished, his bones and muscles are weakened and he is in a lot of pain, to say the least. Among other things, he was hit with a popping-boil curse and a bloodletting curse. So needless to say he has lost a lot of blood."

"Will he be alright?"

"He needs to stay here for a period of time so we can get his health back to normal. After he is back in good health he will need to go through some rehabilitation classes until he is completely back to normal. It's going to take awhile, but he should be as good as new within a month."

"A month?" Remus asked incredulously.

"Yes, at least. It's amazing that he's even alive given the state he's in right now. His bones are going to have to be given time to gain the strength they have lost and his blood time to replenish. It's not going to be an easy, or quick recovery. And also given how fragile his body is right now everything is going to have to been done carefully and gradually, so his system doesn't get overloaded with too many things at once, which could prove more harmful than helpful. Believe me, we're going to do everything that can be done to help him get back to normal as soon as possible."

"Thank you for your help," Dumbledore said to the Healer.

"It's my job," he replied with a reassuring smile before going back into the room.

"A month," Professor McGonnagall said in a disbelieving tone of voice.

"It can't be helped, Minerva. We're lucky to have gotten him back so easily at all."

"How do you think he did get back?" Professor Radford asked.

"Snape may be a slimy git at times," Moody answered, "But he's not stupid. If he saw an opportunity to make something work in his favor, he would find a way to make it happen. He has smarts where he lacks in physical strength. And I'm sure muscle wouldn't have helped him in his condition anyway. He must have tricked a guard or something."

"My thoughts exactly," Dumbledore added.

"Dumbledore," Moody started, "as much as I would like to be relieved about getting our spy back, did it cross your mind that this could be a trick?"

"Yes, Alastor, it had."

"They could have sent him back under the Imperious Curse."

"It is a possibility, but it is something we'll have to wait and see about."

"I'm going to assign a couple of Aurors to guard him at all times, just in case," he growled.

"I won't stand in your way, Alastor. I hate to think it, but it is a good possibility."

Moody nodded his scarred head and his magical eye glared at the door. Harry knew that eye could see through solid objects.

"Nothing more can be done right now. I suggest we all go our separate ways. The meeting is adjourned."

The group nodded in agreement and said their final goodbyes before they left.

"And remember, we don't speak of this to anybody," he added.

There was a general murmur of consent before several members dissaparated. In a moment everybody had gone except for Dumbledore, Sirius, Professor Radford, McGonnagal and the trio. Silently they went back the way they came and returned to the Meeting Room through the fire. It seemed none of them had anything to say. They were all still in shock after what happened. It was Sirius that spoke first.

"So I'm not to say anything to the Slytherins about this?"

"No, I think not, Sirius. We still don't know if any of them are acting like eyes and ears yet," Dumbledore replied and Harry knew he was speaking indirectly of Malfoy.

He nodded in understanding and with that he took Professor Radford's hand and they were both gone, leaving the trio alone with Dumbledore. He turned to face them, unable to hide the concern in his eyes.

"I know it's pointless to tell you three not to dwell on what you've seen today, so I'm not going to tell you that," he said. "I just want you to go about your normal lives. We'll make sure to keep you updated on Professor Snape's condition, so I don't want you to come asking about it every day."

"We won't, Professor," Hermione said.

"Good," he replied and suddenly his age was much more apparent in his eyes. "And Harry, I want to make it very clear to you that I don't want you trying to enter the Offices again until the Order as a whole decides the time is right."

Harry nodded his compliance.

"Now you should all go back to the normal confines of the castle and enjoy the rest of the day."

They nodded and with a last smile of reassurance, they took hold of their pendents and transported themselves to the common room.

"Well that was an interesting meeting," Ron commented once they were standing in front of the fire, the common room nearly empty.

Madeline looked up from some homework she was doing in a corner and joined them. Ron hugged her and gave her a quick kiss before collapsing onto the couch, pulling her onto his lap. Hermione sat in the same squashy chair she had slept in the last weekend and Harry sat on the floor in front of her, between her opened legs.

"I take it the meeting was eventful?" Maddy asked.

"You could say that," Ron answered, letting her raven-colored hair slip between his fingers.

"Well I'm glad to see nobody has ended up in the hospital or something because of it."

Obviously she didn't know why, but after a quick look at each other, the trio actually started to laugh. After all, Professor Snape was safe and would recover soon enough. There wasn't much to be unhappy about.

"I don't think I even want to know," she said.

"I'll tell you later," Ron assured her.

They sat for silence for a few moments, simply enjoying each other's company, before Maddy spoke again.

"Oh, did you guys hear about the Valentines Day Ball?"

Harry and Ron groaned loudly.