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Invictus	By : starcrossedkayla Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male > Harry/Snape Views: 13268 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 10
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"How is Harry?"

"Alive. I gave him The Hunchback of Notre Dame to occupy his time." Settling back in his chair, Severus adjusted his trousers to a more comfortable position. With Avery's requests, Potter's healing, and his regular duties taking up his time, he hadn't been able to sit down and talk to Albus for a while. He had no idea how long he had before the Dark Lord arrived, but he intended to make the most of it. "You know what I caught your golden child doing, Albus? Masturbating. Again."

Albus merely chuckled. "What did you expect? He's still a teenager."

Severus snorted his disapproval and grabbed his glass, pouring a generous amount of Scotch inside. Not even a strong amount of alcohol could erase the mental image of Potter curled up, a sly smile on his face, and a hand wrapped around a surprisingly large cock. The ugly flush that had filled his face back then started to return, and he took a huge gulp of liquor, not wanting Albus to see how discomposed he had been. Potter would have to bring him serious harm before Albus stopped finding the prat's behaviour charming.

Waving a dismissive hand, Albus asked, "Come now, Severus, is that so shocking? Next you'll be complaining to me about how he picks his nose and doesn't wash his hands after using the loo."

Severus stared at the portrait, horrified. "What?"

Albus slowly shook his head, amusement dancing around his lips. "Calm yourself, Severus. They were examples based on how most teenaged boys act, even legally adult ones. What else can he do to entertain himself? He's been here nearly two weeks and he spends most of that time alone."

"He's being held captive by his worst enemy - a man who killed his parents and has tried to kill him. His guard is a man responsible for the deaths of many of his loved ones. He has no idea how his allies are faring or if he will ever see them again, yet he feels the need to have it off. Multiple times." He took another large sip and added, "I think he does it to annoy me."

Albus scoffed. "You are paranoid. I doubt he has any idea he's constantly monitored."

He hated to admit that he hadn't thought of that. Potter was rather thick and particularly non-paranoid. To change the subject, he said, "Lucius wants to divide the duties of the Headmaster so that he has power over the Hogwarts students. I should still have control of the house-elves and the wards, but I can't be certain of that."

His brow darkening, Albus slowly shook his head. "That explains why Kreacher took Ginevra to join Hermione and Ron. I'll do my best to stop Lucius, but I fear that I and the other Headmasters will be unable to do more than protect the students most in danger."

"The house-elves have been discreet?"

"Perfectly." Albus stroked his beard and Severus watched silently, waiting for him to reveal his thoughts. After a bit, he said, "With Kreacher still unable to find the key, I feel we should move forward with our attempt on Gringotts."

"What needs to be done that hasn't been done already?"

Albus laced his fingers together and leant forward towards the portrait frame. "You may recall that a goblin named Griphook has been travelling with Hermione and Ron. I had Kreacher bring him to my portrait-"

"Was that wise?" It seemed exceedingly risky. The fewer interactions they all had with each other, the harder it would be to track down everyone involved. "I told the Dark Lord that Kreacher had been killed."

"Unless you revealed yourself whilst obtaining my portrait, I don't believe it will be a problem. To most goblins, all house-elves look similar. Kreacher never once mentioned his name."

He didn't think he had revealed himself, but time would uncover the truth.

"Anyway, I asked him if he had access to the Headquarters of the Goblin Society, or knew who did."

Severus paused, his glass stopping midair. "Goblin Society?"

"Yes, my dear friend Hadrian Mortimer, who's housed in both the Ministry and Gringotts, informed me of a building off of Diagon Alley that only the most well-connected goblins may enter. The most complete plans of Gringotts should reside there. Griphook said that he knew several goblins who had regular access and could obtain hair samples for Polyjuice. Would Hermione and Ron be able to use Polyjuice to transform into these goblins and search the Headquarters?"

"Why don't you have them try to Polyjuice into Griphook?"

"Should they be faced with a situation akin to Miss Granger’s mishap with the cat hair, they could be stuck in that form for quite a while and unable to use Polyjuice again. I don't want to risk it."

"So try with someone less valuable."

Sighing heavily, Albus said, "It will be difficult for them to obtain Polyjuice, and I'd like to limit the number of those involved. Should Voldemort discover someone attempting to Polyjuice into goblins...."

True enough. Severus set his drink to the side and, casting wards over the door, hurried down to the library to fetch his book on magical creature morphology. Polyjuice typically didn't transform individuals entirely into other species, but goblins might be human enough that it could work. He returned to the room, reading as he walked. As soon as he had sealed himself inside again, he said, "I might need to brew a tailored potion. I assume a limited number of samples will be required?"

"Most likely. Will it take a month?"

Goblins shared around 99% of their DNA with humans. Of course, they could share 100% of their DNA and it wouldn't matter if he didn't take into account all the other factors that determined physiology. "It will take . . . at least a week. Just for research. Less if I manage to stumble on the right process. I'd need..." Fresh fluxweed scruples. Lacewing flies wouldn't work. Perhaps acteon beetle antennae? "Several ingredients I need to order. Most of all, I'd need a way to conceal my work on this from the Dark Lord. If it is possible, it will be difficult and time-consuming."

Albus sighed. "I was afraid of that."

It was their best chance and he needed to give it his all. The sooner they found and destroyed all the Horcruxes, the sooner this would all end. "I'll try it. Have Griphook obtain at least one hair sample, two if possible. Are there any other possibilities that could help us find a way into Gringotts?" Albus was a brilliant man, but it was possible that he was missing something.

"Hadrian also said that Death Eaters occasionally patrol the entrance hall, although they aren't allowed in the vaults."

He had to make use of every bit of information that he could. "Find out who patrols and when. Even better, get hair samples from all Death Eaters known to patrol the bank."

"We've thought of that," said Albus, "but it's too risky to position ourselves outside the bank, and their names have yet to be spoken inside. It was my impression that no more than six young men patrol, but I can't be certain until Hadrian has given me more information. Have you seen Nagini yet?"

"No sign of her," Severus said, wishing he had any lead on that issue. "I can't ask about her without raising suspicion. I suspect he doesn't want her near Potter. I may not see her until after Potter is dead." He sighed and drank from his glass. As beneficial as it would be for Potter to kept alive until all the other Horcruxes were destroyed, such an opportunity seemed less and less likely with each passing day.

"The Horcruxes may be destroyed in any order," Albus reminded him. "We only have to be certain that we've found and destroyed them all before targeting him."

Potter would probably die without seeing the end of it all, but maybe that was for the better. If he died first and it all went to hell, he'd never have to live with the failure. The soft chime of his mantle clock reminded him that the Dark Lord would arrive soon. He strode to the door and, opening it, sent the book back down to the library. When he returned to Albus's portrait, he said, "Perhaps we should bring some competent adults in on the mission."

Firmly but gently, Albus said, "I feel it best to restrict the number of individuals who know about the Horcruxes. The last thing we need is for more Tom Riddles to make themselves nearly immortal."

"But sharing information about Horcruxes will make them easier to find and hunt in the future." He noticed Albus's lips press thin and added, "Don't try to tell me there won't be any more attempts. If the Dark Lord could find this information, then anyone else could. If I can discover what he's done with only part of the information, then so could anyone else. Not to mention, you've told Potter. The boy with a mind like sieve."

"Voldemort will not let him share that information now. Leave it be, Severus."

Severus couldn't. Not when so much was at stake. "The withholding of information allows powerful wizards to grow unchecked, and none seek unrestrained power as much as those wishing ill. All that we have ever done is react to his actions. A more proactive approach could have prevented this."

"Severus, please. Let's focus on what can be done now. Can you limit what will happen tonight?"

Severus knew from experience that Albus wouldn't let the conversation continue now. "I'll do my best, but I only have so many options. If the Dark Lord regards him to be fully healed, then he may allow them to do anything to him, provided that Potter can recover from it."

Someone entered through the wards of the house and he stood. "They've arrived. I'll speak to you later." Shoving Albus's portrait in his robes, he removed the wards around his room and retreated to his bathroom, where he made a half-hearted attempt at combing his hair and preparing for dinner while he waited for whoever had arrived to leave the kitchen. When he'd finished his ablutions and no one had emerged, he left his room and strode towards the sounds of someone tinkering about in the kitchen.

He arrived at the door to find Narcissa Malfoy unpacking a large container that took up nearly half of the table.

"Oh, Severus," she said as a few swishes of her wand had a dinner table rising up out of the box and galloping towards the dining room. "I hope I did not disturb you. As my husband is unavailable to attend tonight, and the Dark Lord wished for everything to be in place before his arrival, I came early to set up."

"We have a table and chairs already set up." He shifted to the side as a row of wooden chairs danced past him.

"But with my china?" she asked, a critical eyebrow arched. "If the furniture is anything like this-" She dismissed the room with her hand. "-it's a good thing I brought the extras. A dinner with the Dark Lord is not a privilege granted often."

Where was the Dark Lord staying if not at Malfoy Manor? What did the Dark Lord's new location mean? Narcissa seemed pleased, but Severus had never learnt to read her.

Who knew how long they had together before the others arrived? Without setting up wards or alerting her, he casually said, "I received your letter."

She had been floating the silverware over to the counter and her wand dipped slightly, her eyebrows drawing in close together. Her pale eyes searched his. "I wasn't sure if you had received it. You didn't answer."

He had good reason to argue that he simply had been unable to answer it. Instead, he said, "I saw no rush to reply as I understand the situation has already been handled."

Her shoulders squared as she turned back to her box, floating chafing dishes towards a conjured table against the cabinets. "You surprise me, Severus," she said. "You know more about my house than I do myself."

He didn't believe that for one second. "Your husband will undoubtedly secure his son a proper education with the reforms he is currently seeking at Hogwarts."

"My husband and I are not in concord on every opinion," she said, her eyes on her wand work.

Everything had been done entirely behind Lucius's back or had been painted to appear that way. He needed to figure out which. He let his voice grow cold and said, "Then speak to him about your disagreements. You are his wife. Perhaps you should honour and obey him as is your duty."

An alarming flush brightened her cheeks and she clutched her wand tightly as she turned to face him and hissed, "Do not dictate to me how I should manage my affairs!"

He crossed his arms and leant against the doorframe. How far to push her? He needed to know where she stood if he was to have any sort of alliance while her husband actively plotted against him. "You are either incredibly stupid or naive. Which is it?"

She schooled her facial features to calm and asked, "Why can't it be something else?"

He pushed away from the doorframe and strode into the room. "You know that your husband and I are . . . in disagreement. Any agreement between us endangers your husband whilst this animosity continues."

"You think I can't handle myself?" She arched an eyebrow at him, her nose rising.

He moved to the counter behind her, forcing her to turn around to face him. "I think you have no idea the extent of the games those of us who are in his most trusted circle play."

"I am a Black," she said.

"Don't," he snapped. "I don't care about your blood status or your family line. I can kill a Pureblood just as easily as a Muggle should I find reason. Do you really think me merely half as powerful or conniving as your husband?"

She did not. She stared at him, breathing harshly, her lips pinched thin.

He continued, "I have various . . . means at my disposal. I am not as confined as I appear to be." Rather, he was more confined, but he'd done his best to dispel that belief.

As if shaking off sleepiness, she roused herself and said, "If you were plotting to hurt my husband, you wouldn't tell me."

He gave a low chuckle. "I wouldn't?"

"The Dark Lord-"

"Prohibits me from killing or incapacitating him, just as Lucius may not kill or incapacitate me. Much exists outside those prohibitions." The Dark Lord would probably enjoy it if Severus launched an attack on Lucius. He’d always tried to set them against each other, probably because he couldn’t stand two powerful men to be so aligned with each other.

She blinked and looked away and he suspected the best revenge on either of them would be to have one kill the other. Then again, perhaps she was better at this game than he thought. He waited patiently, staring at her to try to get under her layers.

She focused on her work for a moment, then turned to face him and firmly said, "What you and I will arrange will have nothing to do with my husband."

Interesting. She thought she had enough to offer to force a deal. He gave her a look of scorn and asked, "Why would I arrange to have anything to do with you?"

Tilting up her chin, her face firm, she responded, "We all need allies and your position has not improved since you've been stationed here."

Was it that well-known, had she learnt about it from her husband, or was she fishing? He said nothing.

"As you can see, the Dark Lord has granted me the privilege of visiting you without an escort." She floated the box to the corner of the room and turned to her unpacked supplies, speaking softly but firmly as she busied herself arranging the chafing dishes on the table. "It is true that I do not have the extensive connections that my husband has, but many of those have been lost to you now, and I have the ability to renew some of your former associations."

He did need allies, but he wasn't about to reveal his weakness to her. "If I am to save your son, then I want payment - your husband." Best to start high and negotiate down.

She turned to him and met his gaze with cool fire in her own. "If you do protect my son, then my husband will be in your debt."

Somehow, he managed to keep the calm haughtiness on his face and not reveal even a flicker of surprise. She couldn't be serious, could she?

She hadn't outright said that he could have his revenge on Lucius, but she'd certainly implied that she’d find a way to end his animosity with her husband would cease. Perhaps she would even let him torture Lucius. She may not have taken the Mark, but she was of the Black House and had been surrounded by Death Eaters all her life. She knew that Severus demanded a high price and she was, on the surface, still willing to at least partially sacrifice her husband to save her son. Of course, it was all phrased in such a way as to make her appear to be the perfect wife, and this could all be a trap, but Severus's instincts told him otherwise. Either way, he'd be a fool not to take advantage. Carefully he said, "And you must prove to me that you can be of use."

She gave a slight nod and turned her attention back to the food. "I'll not take anything into my home. I'll deliver post, bring packages, and give you information, but that will be the extent of my involvement."

It was more than reasonable, but he still had to push for more. "How am I to aid your son if I can't interact with him?"

"You'll suggest books, epuipment, other items which I will purchase on my own. Over time you’ll gain increased access to him, but never once will you gain access to the Manor."

He wouldn't gain it now, but there was a chance he would later. It didn't matter anyway, he wouldn't press for it. He'd rely on her to bring him information and potions ingredients. She and Lucius had to know that nothing could be done against him or Potter through potions ingredients, as he wouldn't be foolish enough to use potions ingredients they provided in his own private stores. If they were stupid enough to try to tamper with his potions, the Dark Lord would not have mercy. "For now, I'll give you book titles and names of tutors in exchange for information and potions ingredients. Have you access to a supplier outside the Apothecary in Diagon Alley?"

As expected, she shook her head. "I don't."

"I'll give you a few names. First, tell me what you know about what Avery Senior and Mulciber Senior have done lately."

She wove a convincing tale of different tasks assigned to several high-ranking Death Eaters. None of the information sounded like anything that ought to remain hidden, and most of it matched what he had pulled from other sources. He expected that she wouldn't lie at first, and never about anything so widely known among the Dark Lord’s followers, but he couldn't be certain.

She had just put the finishing touches in place in the dining room when the Dark Lord arrived with Avery Senior, Mulciber, and Bellatrix, and led them to the sitting room. Bellatrix, still gloating over her recent discovery of an Order hideaway (never mind that everyone inside the building had escaped), sneered at him as she entered.

Avery slipped him a note as they passed between the rooms, most likely giving him more information on Lucius. He accepted it with discreet gratitude and fetched liquor from the large house supply contained in one of the cabinets in the sitting room. Whoever had lived here before him had certainly enjoyed drinking, and he'd made only a minor dent in the top shelf.

Dinner was a boring affair where he found himself seated third, behind Avery Sr and Mulciber, then excluded from a private conversation with the Dark Lord's new top two while he was sent to fetch Potter.

Fortunately, after he had turned Potter over to Bellatrix, the Dark Lord conjured a chair for him beside his throne.

When Severus sat down, the Dark Lord asked, "How has your research been going?"

Perfect. "Very well, my Lord." Things were looking good, but he needed to play this right. "I've devised two possible containers for the boy's soul. The first involves a duplicate body. Even if we should be unable to remove his soul, you could possess his other body, as it won't have a soul." It also meant that the Dark Lord could grow new bodies for himself, should he so desire it.

The Dark Lord blinked, a surprisingly human reaction. "That's possible?"

"In theory," he admitted. "It's never been done as far as I know. Individual parts have been recreated, but not an entire body. Not yet anyway."

"And the second option?"

He hadn't the time to think of anything better, but he needed an excuse to explain the Polyjuice, so he said, "I would also like to experiment with Polyjuice and see if I can't devise a method to increase the length of time it lasts, thus creating a container to house Potter’s soul within any other human."

His red eyes narrowing slightly, the Dark Lord said, "You told me it wouldn't work."

Years ago, when the Dark Lord had first courted Severus for the Death Eaters, they'd discussed a few potions together. All this time, the Dark Lord had never once referenced those conversations, and Severus had assumed he'd forgotten. Not surprisingly, he hadn't forgotten his promises; he just didn't care to honour them. "A student of mine once took Polyjuice that contained a cat hair rather than a human hair. Whilst her companions, who had ingested regular versions of the potion, lost their disguises after an hour, it required work and time to reverse the effects of hers. I suspect that if we were to tweak Polyjuice and give it to a nonhuman animal, it may be possible to turn said animal into Potter's body for an extended period of time. Of course, it would have no soul and therefore should be easy to possess." Severus suspected animals had souls, but the Dark Lord had always firmly divided humans from non-humans, in addition to dividing humans from Muggles.

The Dark Lord gave a wry smile. "Focus on growing a body for me." He waved Severus away and motioned for Mulciber to approach him.

Merlin's balls, he'd fucked it up. What did that smile mean? Did the Dark Lord think he had lied earlier? Shit, shit, shit.

When the Dark Lord avoided him the rest of the night other than to give him orders, he knew that he'd failed. They'd have to get the Cup some other way.

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Invictus