Can Love Survive...

"You think they'll be allright?" Remus asked of Severus after Harry had left his rooms.

Severus shrugged. "Can only hope so. There's alot more going on then what we first thought Remus. Obviously alot more then they both know."

"I'm surprized Albus never picked it up, you'd have thought he'd have known." Remus said thoughtfully.

"Remmy it was on pure chance that even we 'picked it up' as it were. Albus rarely sees the two boys as often as we both do."

"True. Still though, after the way they have been behaving, or rather, the way Draco has been behaving towards Harry this so far this year, you'd have thought Albus would have made some comments." Remus said getting up to boil up some more tea. "Tea?"

Severus nodded and help out his teacup, a nice ice blue with pink flowers that came from a Sevres china teaset that had been left to Remus by his mum years ago. The tea set was one of the few things he'd had left from his parents among some wizard photos and assorted other things. Remus finished pouring out, and sat back down, wearied all of a sudden.

"Are you sure you're even right bout all this Sev? Couldn't it just be a coincidence after all?"

Severus shook his head no. "I might not have all the knowledge I did a year ago thanks to...that situation Remus, but I know what I saw. When Harry saved me it was clear as daylight to me, and I knew I'd seen it before. After I...got better...I saw it again, but not on Harry. Led me to only one conclusion."

"But when Severus? You've known Harry since the day he got here, and apart from the 1 time he met Draco at Madame Malkins Robes for All Occasions back in Diagon Alley, and on the train ride here when they were 11, they've never been anything but rivals. One would hardly call that a reason to do such a thing." Remus said arguing the issue.

"There's no point trying to figure it all out Remus. We've gone rounds on this since this term began and I noticed the change in Draco, not to mention the other thing. We both know Draco for what he is, that he isn't what everyone expects of him..."

Remus cut him off however, "That has nothing to do with the facts as they are now Severus. Obviously this was done before they came to Hogwarts. A long time ago too by the looks of it. The point is...what are we going to do bout it?" he said staring at Severus with an odd look in his eyes.

"Why do you assume we have to do anything? Sometimes it's better to let things lie Remus. If we interfere, it could make things worse." Severus said sharply.

"And what if they dont figure it out in time? Come off it Sev, we both know the legends, and the fact they were both at the edge of the Forbidden Forest today proves that they do share a link, and that it is becoming more active." Remus said back a bit annoyed.

"Admittedly I agree there. It probably wasn't mere coincidence that they were unknowingly right beside the very path that leads to that place. Obviously you're right, they did do this long ago, Merlin knows how, but they had to have. And it's clear that Draco must have used some sort of potion, rather then charm or spell, he would have been too young to do something of that caliber without detection. Potions however are not monitored by the ministry, easy to make especially if you've grown up round the Dark Arts, and a child of even 9 years old can most likely understand them." Severus said that last part however as if he refused to believe a child could comprehend the subtle art that was potionmaking.

"This is Draco Malfoy we're talking bout Sev, dont underestimate the Malfoys. From the day he was born he's been trained in the arts, like you were incase you've forgotten. Obviously he knew what he was doing to a certain extent, though I cant quite figure out what he could have used. Any clues yet?" Remus said peering closely at Severus now.

Severus furrowed his brow. Ever since last year when he'd been subjected to a weeks worth of the Cruciatus curse, his memory had become riddled with tiny holes. Nothing too major, but after healing he found certain potions, certain memories had vanished. It infuriated him at first, but thanks to Remus he finally overcame that sore point, and was trying to reclaim those forgotten memories, atleast far as his potions work went.

"I know I've seen it Remmy, but it eludes me yet. I've searched but it keeps slipping away." he said sighing in defeat.

"You haven't tried the library yet have you? You are a teacher remember, not a student. You have full access to the 'restricted section'." Remus said dryly.

Severus for a moment was annoyed with Remus for that, till he realized he was actually right. "Gods, you're right Remus. If it was dark arts related of course it wouldn't be in the texts I keep in my rooms. Even I am not stupid enough to give Albus or the ministry cause to question my reading tastes. Of course! Come Remus, I think I'm beginning to remember something! I'm sure I am!" Severus said a bit excitedly and grabbed Remus up nearly dragging him out the door.

45 minutes later..."I knew it! Remus, I found them!" Severus cried out from deep within the restricted section. He came round the bookshelves then, 2 books in his hands, and placed them on the table infront of Remus.

""A Dark Wizard's Guide To Binding, Uses In Practical Applications"? "A Dark Arts Guide To Potions" ? Good work! Let's see now..." Remus said beaming at Severus, then taking the first guide and leafing through it. "Aha! Here Sev, look at Chapter Twenty Five....Blood Binds and It's Uses! This is it!"

Severus meanwhile was leafing through the potions book, till his eyes fell on a particular one. "I do believe Remus, that this has to be what Draco used as well. Only I have a suspicion that he didn't bother to read the warning attached." Severus said pointing to the glowing paragraph at the bottom of the page.

"This isn't good Sev. We knew it was a binding, but I didn't think, didn't dream Draco and Harry would have....could have...done the "Lover's Bind". That hasn't been performed in what now...atleast 100 years? It was forbidden by the Ministry, and the pathway was sealed by enchanted bushes so that it wouldn't be easy to find. Far as I know Albus has never allowed anyone to use the pathway while he's been headmaster, and I certainly dont remember Armando Dippet, the old headmaster when we were students here, allowing it."

"Your right. According to what I do remember, the bind was outlawed 115 years ago actually, after the then Head of the Ministry's daughter bound herself to a muggle. Because he didn't know bout the bind, he forbade her to ever see the muggle man again, and that led her to leap off the rock from being denied his presence. After Dupont, that was the Ministers name, found out what she'd done, and why from her parting letter, he forbade any use of the bind." Severus said hoping that his facts were actually straight.

Remus nodded though, "I remember reading that now. As for the potion, it was outlawed if I do remember right though I"m not the expert in them, some 50 years back...because of Voldemort. He was using this particular potion to wipe out the memories of the people who wouldn't follow him, and replace them with memories of loyalty to him. And I remember them saying he used this potion while he was here at school. He couldn't use magic or charms knowing Dippet would detect them, but he could use the potion." Remus said.

"Yes, I remember that bit of information too. Remus...this is shaping up to be a bigger problem then we thought. Harry and Draco unknowingly are bonded, for all time, and if they dont find out soon....I shudder to think of what the consequences will be." Severus said softly. Only Remus knew that Severus had quite a soft spot in his heart now for Harry since he'd saved his life.

"If indeed they were young, and I'm assuming they weren't younger then 8 nor older then 10, then the bind has had a long time to fester within them. It's clear that the potions properties are breaking down, judging from Draco's behavior anyway that it started for him quite some time ago, though Harry may only now beginning to realize it." Remus said thoughtfully.

"Most likely due to the powers Voldemort instilled in Harry is why. It probably slowed the reactivness of the potion. However I agree that both of them have been noticing the changes taking place within their souls, even if till now we haven't. Harry's struggle to fight what he might be, Draco struggling to be what he wants to be. They wont find that unless...." Severus wasn't sure what words he was going to choose even.

"Unless Severus we interfere. Oh dont worry, I dont plan on doing anything 'major' and obvious. But if we dont do something soon, that is...if they dont figure it out on their own...then there will be two more people at the bottom of that blasted lake, and naught we can do bout it. Are you agreeable?" Remus said looking sharply at Severus.

"You know I loathe to interfere Remus....however I believe the cause is just. Let's give them till the end of the weekend. If by then they haven't figured it out yet, we'll do something. Agreed?"

Remus nodded. "Agreed. Let's bring these books with us. We can always claim research if anyone spots us with them. I want to read up more on the bind, and what alternatives we might have. You coming?" Remus said getting up and gathering the books.

"I'll meet you in a while Rem, I have something I have to take care of. Wont be long allright?" Severus said standing up and walking towards the gate of the restricted section.

"Allright, see you then." Remus said following him out. At the doorway to the library they headed off in separate directions, Remus back to his rooms, and Severus....Severus in another direction, one in which he hoped was the right decision. Remus's intents were good, but he still had to know for himself if it would be worth the trouble, and it was with that thought that he headed off into the direction he did, a determined look upon his face.

* * * * *

Sorry it's a bit short but I did want to get in some Sev/Remus interaction. I'm good at involving those two in Harry and Draco's lives, but this time I thought I'd see where it was going first. They did have to figure it out as well as Albus I figured, since they were the next two people closest at the moment to Harry and Draco. i"m kind of liking this 'new' Severus...not an overly gushy one, yet not abrupt and tense all the time. An inbetween Severus I think. :)

Anyway I'll try to post again by tonight, if not by morning so be on the look out, and next chapter I will make a bit longer. :) Right now however I'm off to watch yet another Alan Rickman film called Blow Dry...ah the advantages to working in a film store eh...so many films, so little time! :grins: Ta for now!

2002-03-11 8:39:16 PM