Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

Bound	By : goldhorse Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Draco/Hermione Views: 126120 -:- Recommendations : 15 -:- Currently Reading : 31
Disclaimer: JK owns HP. Not me. I also don't own any quotes you might recognize. I make no money doing this, I just get the plot bunnies to quit interrupting my sleep.

Chapter List
- 10
- 11
- 12
When the door closed to the classroom, Snape ushered the Malfoys into his office and then into his study. He wandlessly lit the fire, ignoring Narcissa’s gasp. Then he grabbed a book off the shelf and turned to a page that had been previously marked.

“Draco, we’ll need three pillows to sit on. We have to perform the bond on the stone floor but I dare say we will be there a while. Certain comforts are allowed.” He intoned absentmindedly.

“Yes sir,” Draco answered and wandlessly summoned three pillows. He too ignored his mother’s gasp. In the almost seven weeks that he and Hermione had been bound in mind, he’d attended most of her detentions with her. Snape might be a cruel taskmaster but he was a very good teacher. Draco didn’t need his wand anymore. He mostly kept it on him for show, although it did bring him a modicum of comfort. He still couldn’t cast unforgivables without it or do extremely complex spells that no sixth year had any business knowing. Still, he had honed his wandless ability greatly. Snape never let him or Hermione duel with wands and rarely out loud. He’d even started Ginny on the same regimen as well. Weasley wasn’t advanced but she had a determination that made her scary.

“Now,” Snape began. “The ritual must start with the revealing of everything because no family can be bonded with secrets among them. Everyone must reveal his or her deepest secrets. These secrets will never be heard again by another living soul. Narcissa, if you wish, we can obliviate this totally even though the bond will protect your mind. It is your choice but I must tell you, this blood bond is irrevocable. Should something said here be repeated, the talker will be removed from this existence.”

Narcissa nodded. “I wish to remember everything Severus. I can promise you that my lips shall remain sealed forever.”

“Very well,” Snape continued. “We need to draw a circle on the floor and then sit as if on the points of a triangle.”

Once the circle was drawn, Draco placed each of the pillows to where the three would form a perfect triangle.

“Now, the first spell is for the truth. It works much like veriteserum but no one has to ask you questions for it to work. You will be compelled to spill your deepest darkest fantasies, regrets, and secrets. It will be uncomfortable to say the least.”

At the nods from both Draco and Narcissa, he began the chant in a low melodic tone. Suddenly, Draco felt the need to purge his very soul to the two people sitting across from him. When Snape finished, Draco couldn’t hold it in any longer.

“I hate my life. Father was always beyond cruel and I wanted a normal life. I never got to have the kind of friends I wanted, like Potter, true friends who weren’t just out for themselves or my money. I thought that blood purity was stupid long before the incident with Hermione. Although I can’t say what happened, I can tell you that she impressed me more than words can say. She’s a warrior, a lioness, and I am actually looking forward to marrying her. I already know I admire her and I have a fondness for her. I think she returns my affection. It could be love. If we survive this war, I think we could have a beautiful family together. I want that.”

Draco’s jaw dropped open at his admission. It was everything he had hid from everyone his entire life. To say he was embarrassed was an understatement. However, he didn’t have long to think because his mother started to speak.

“I married Lucius because I was a blithering idiot. I was love struck. He seduced me so easily. I don’t think he ever loved me, but if he did, that man is long gone. He’s been replaced with a monster. I’ve twisted myself in pretzels for that man and he just wants more. I’ve never believed in blood purity. Andromeda’s husband seemed so lovely when we met him. I miss my sister but Lucius wouldn’t permit me to see her anymore. All I’ve ever hoped is that Draco would somehow not become twisted by his views. I can’t even begin to say how happy I am that he’s not. I only met Miss Granger today and I absolutely adore her. I think she’ll become a fine wife and someday a great mother. If we survive this war, I want lots of grandbabies. I never had a chance for a second child. The moment Draco was born, Lucius made it his mission that I would never conceive again, the selfish bastard.”

It was Narcissa’s turn to gape like a lunatic. She’d never expected that to come out of her mouth. However, instead of embarrassment, she found she was relieved. Before she could revel in that feeling, Snape began to speak.

“I perhaps have the most to divulge. Draco already knows part of my secret. I am a daywalker. A vampire bit my mother when I was still in her womb. Since she was pregnant, she didn’t turn and the vampire was interrupted before he could drain her. She hid that fact from my father. My father was a horrible, abusive man who made our lives a living hell. He was a muggle and couldn’t understand why we couldn’t just conjure money even though we explained it tirelessly. He broke down my mother until she was a mere shell of herself. Eventually, he killed her in a fit of rage and then killed himself. I was sixteen.

“I hid my vampire nature from everyone except Lilly Evans, Potter’s mother. We became friends at a very young age. We played in the same park together. She was my only friend and she took my secret to her grave, even though she didn’t keep our friendship. I got angry with James and his cronies one day and I called her a mudblood when she stepped in to help me. She never forgave me for that. I loved her more than life itself and she flew into the arms of my enemy.

“Angry because I had no family and no friends, I was easily seduced by Tom Riddle’s promise of power and belonging. He said I was special, made me feel like I was something special, and treated me like I was someone of importance, at first. When I learned that he was going to kill the Potters, I pleaded for Lilly’s life. He said he would spare her but something in his eyes told me he couldn’t be trusted. It was then that I went to Dumbledore and begged for mercy. I then became a spy in exchange for his protection for the Potters. He thought it was selfish that I asked only for Lilly and I bade him to protect them all. As long as Lilly lived, I could live too.

“That horrible night has haunted me ever since. I should have known that James and Lilly would be ever the Gryffindors, giving up their life for their son. That rat Peter Petegrew betrayed them, although I didn’t know that at the time. Broken, I crawled back to Dumbledore demanding to know why he went back on his promise. He merely stated that they had put their trust in the wrong man. Then he told me I could still do right by Lilly by protecting her son, a boy who looks just like his father with his mother’s beautiful green eyes. I always felt Harry should have been the son that I would have had, had Lilly not forsaken me.

“That takes us to the present day and this predicament we find ourselves in. I was surprised that Hermione and Draco bonded, and so brutally. However, the girl has impressed me far beyond any other. I feel as if she is my own daughter. She saw right through me. When Draco was at the Manor searching through books, she immediately broke through my walls. She told me I’d have to forgive before I could unburden my soul. And then she cried for me, not out of pity, but compassion. She is truly a great woman. Should I survive this war, I hope to move on and find a compatible woman with compassion like hers, perhaps even start a family.”

Snape had recited his secrets with his eyes closed, mentally berating himself for his weakness. He knew the spell couldn’t work without it, but it didn’t make it hurt any less. It was the first time in fifteen years that his soul was bared, made raw before another and it stung just as bad now as it had then. However, he was aware that he felt a tiny bit lighter from his admission. Perhaps Miss Granger was right. Perhaps he did have to forgive to unburden his soul.

When he opened his eyes, it was to see tears streaming down two sets of cheeks. Neither Malfoy had heard a story so heart wrenching before. The man had literally lost everything and had no one his entire life. His only champion was the very man who sent him back to the fray for an almost doomed mission of protecting the child of his enemy and his love. It was a real life tragedy, laid before their eyes.

It was several minutes before the three had enough of a hold of themselves before they could speak. Snape continued with the bonding. “Now we come to the objections. Since all of our deepest secrets have been revealed, it is only natural to have questions or to decide that there is a person unworthy of the bond. Speak now.”

“Severus,” Narcissa said barely above a whisper. “I must say you are the bravest man I have ever met. I am astonished that you’ve agreed to protect my son and I couldn’t have asked for a better friend. You are more than worthy to bond with my son. However, I am concerned. You said you are a daywalker. Would my son turn into one too? You will have to share blood.”

“I researched this for a very long time Cissy. It is possible that Draco will gain some of my vampire attributes like enhanced hearing or better than average strength. It is also possible that he could get none of them or all of them, although if he does get fangs, they will only be in looks and not function. He will NOT have a need to drink blood. He will heal on his own, unheeded by the vampirism. He will not have the disease required to trigger the bloodlust as it is only transmitted through the fangs. I have no desire to bite him Cissy. He will also not be gifted with immortality. I am far from immortal, but I do believe that daywalkers live on average at least a century more than regular beings. However, both Draco and I are tipped toward the darkness, as I am sure you know. That in and of itself adds time to the life expectancy of a person.”

“I can’t argue with that, Severus. I agree to the bonding. Draco?”

Draco had been watching the exchanges in fascination. All of this was being done for him. Well, not entirely for him but he was a part of this. This was the first time anyone but his mother put any faith in him. It was his time to step up and be a man. He was extremely impressed with his godfather. The man had been through hell, stood back up, dusted his robes off, and kept walking forward. He was everything he could hope for in a father figure. In fact, the professor had been more of a father to him than his biological father ever had. He had no doubts or concerns about it. He could all but sleep in a coffin with permanent fangs and feed off the blood of innocents and he would go through with this.

“I agree. There isn’t anyone who I’d rather have as my father. I spent a week calling you father, Severus. I don’t think it would be that hard to get used to.” It was the first time Draco had used his godfather’s name away from his home. It felt strange, even stranger than father, but he was truly happy with his lot for the first time.

“Very well. I accept the bonding as Draco’s blood father. With the spilling of blood and a tie of chords under a mother’s acceptance, we shall become bound, one family for life.”

He then took two chords out, one silver and one gold. He gave them each to Narcissa and explained that they were to be tied in an x pattern across their arms after a cut was made with a golden dagger on each of the men’s arms. Then the final ingredient was one single drop of her blood spilled onto the chords, signifying her consent. The final chant would be recited and the bond would be complete.

Narcissa carried Snape’s instructions out to the letter. Then Snape and Draco began to glow. Draco was silver and Snape was bronze. They were beautiful. Suddenly, a large strand of each man’s hair turned a different color. Malfoy platinum and Snape onyx on the opposite head signified the bond had been completed. The chords on their arms disappeared as the bond solidified. They were officially father and son by blood and no one would be able to break it.

When the light dissipated, the occupants of the room arose on shaky legs. The sheer power of the bond had weakened them all. They slowly made their way to the chairs.

“The bond will take a full 24 hours to completely set,” Snape began as soon as he had his bearings back. “During that time, you might notice some strange happenings. Your hair might suddenly switch completely to black, your eyes turn completely to black or flash indigo, and your senses might sharpen. Let me know if you get any of these attributes. They could be so minute you hardly notice them. After all, you are not a daywalker.”

Draco nodded. He felt strange. His magic seemed to swirl inside him and test its bonds. Knowing that it couldn’t be good if he were to break through his magical bindings before the blood bond was set, he decided to let his new father know.

“Severus, I think my magic is unsettled. I can feel it testing the bonds. I don’t know if I will be able to contain it.”

Snape nodded. “I was worried about that. You’ve just bonded with me Draco. My darkness introduced into your veins could very well upset your magic. I fear we might have to release your bonds early. You would have to go through tomorrow and Saturday completely unbound. We can’t perform the marriage until our bond is completely set. The earliest would be Friday at midnight. I know you have learned to somewhat control it but unbinding you could prove disastrous for your intended.”

“I’ll try to hold it as long as I can but I’m not sure that Hermione will be able to. I’ve experienced this before; she hasn’t.”

“I understand. Let me take your mother home and then we will monitor you and see if we can convince a portrait to look in on Miss Granger.”

Snape then rose and gently helped Narcissa to her feet. They began the trek out of the school under the cover of a disillusion charm. It wouldn’t do for her to be seen traipsing about the castle. He and Draco might be the only Death Eaters in school, but that didn’t mean that the Dark Lord didn’t have other eyes and ears in the castle.

Draco could only meditate and try not to use any magic. Any flicker could send him over the edge. Once he was free of the binds, it would be a different story all together. With no bonds, it is best to expel as much energy as possible. It was rather painful to keep so much raw energy inside. He only hoped Hermione had learned enough control that she could hold her energy at bay.

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Hermione was jittery. Her magic seemed to be vibrating through her. She hated to wake Ginny up but she might need her to get Professor Snape. She had been slowly learning to control her waves of magic and knew it was just a matter of time before her bonds would begin to break. The knowledge of the fact that they could break tonight was terrifying. Unable to lie still anymore, she reluctantly woke Ginny.

“Gin. Gin! I need help.”

Ginny sat up as if she had been hexed. “What’s wrong Mione?”

“It’s my magic, Gin,” she whispered back. “It’s starting to surge and I’m not sure I can hold it.”

Nodding in understanding, she jumped out of bed. The two then got dressed and tip toed down to the common room. At least they wouldn’t wake everyone up there.

“I might need Harry.” Hermione muttered nervously.

“Let me see if I can get him up without waking Ron. That’s all we need is his big mouth shouting out and waking everyone up.”

Hermione sat as still as she could on the couch trying to calm herself while Ginny slunk swiftly up to the boy’s dorms.

“Harry!” Ginny whispered in his ear.

Harry’s eyes shot open and he started to shout but Ginny was quicker. She slammed her hand over his mouth and held a finger up to her lips, asking for his silence.

“You need to come downstairs. Something is wrong with Hermione and I need you to sit with her so I can get help. No one else can know about this Harry, not even my brother.” Harry nodded. “I’m going to need your cloak again Harry.” Harry nodded again.

Ginny left to let Harry get dressed. As she walked down, she noticed that Hermione was getting worse. She was starting to shoot sparks out of her fingers intermittently. She sprinted to the sofa.

“Harry’s coming but you know he hasn’t been properly trained. I hope this works but I’m going to run and get Professor Snape. Harry’s letting me use his cloak. I think we should just go with our original cover.”

Hermione nodded shakily. Right after Ginny started attending detention; it was brought up that someone could notice weird happenings between Draco and Hermione. It was decided that should anyone inquire about it specifically, they would say that it was a side effect of a curse. Obviously not wanting to be exploited, they had kept it under wraps under the watchful eyes of the DADA professor.

Harry practically ran down the stairs when he saw Hermione shaking. He had started to wake up Ron anyway, but decided that if Ginny had specifically asked him not to, there had to have been a reason for it. Now that he had seen her, he understood. Ron would have immediately flown off the handle. He was a true and loyal friend but he was too reactive.

“Hermione!” Harry whispered when reached her.

Hermione looked at him with tears in her eyes. She was starting to feel the pain from the bindings that Draco had talked about. It felt like steel bands were constricting her. How had Draco survived this so many times?

Ginny, seeing Hermione’s state, immediately took charge. “Harry, no one can know about this. I only know because it has happened before,” she lied. “She was hit with a dark curse in Myrtle’s bathroom that day when she was found. They haven’t found a counter for it yet but it only flares once in a great while. They haven’t even figured out what it is yet. Snape’s been monitoring her. I’ve got to get him because he is the only one who can contain her when she loses control. She’s going to start glowing Harry and she is going to be in so much pain.”

“Why didn’t you tell me Mione?” Harry asked, accusing her with his eyes.

“I couldn’t Harry. Dumbledore said to make sure no one knew unless it was absolutely necessary. If someone found out Harry, there is no telling what could happen.”

Seeing the haunted look in her eyes made it easy for Harry to keep from being too upset. He was still hurt that he was once again kept in the dark, but if Dumbledore said to hide it, he must have had a good reason.

“Fine, what can I do to help?”

“You need to hug her Harry.” Almost laughing at his incredulous look, Ginny continued. “Trust me, it will work.”

Then Harry adopted “The Look”. The one that said I don’t believe that is the full story for a minute and I’m not going to do anything until you tell me everything. She looked at Hermione for confirmation. At her curt nod, she continued.

“Fine. Harry, it takes a very special and extremely rare kind of magic to calm her. Her magic is unstable and there are only th-two people with the exact kind of magic that will work, you and Professor Snape.”

Ginny hoped against hope that Harry didn’t catch her slip. Malofy was to be kept out of it at all costs. Harry was suspicious enough of Malfoy, he didn’t need another reason to seek him out. Luckily, he didn’t.

“OK, so I just hug her?” Harry asked, more than a bit unsure.

“Yes Harry. Just hug her. It will be enough until I can get Professor Snape to come get her. We can’t risk her being found out and I can’t use magic to transport her. It could completely set her off and from what the professor said, she could potentially harm people.”

Harry’s eyes widened in alarm. He sat beside Hermione and gave her a tentative hug. She immediately stopped crackling and let out a sigh of relief. He shuffled back to where he could hold her upper body in his lap so she could at least get a bit of rest. She looked terribly uncomfortable. Hermione curled into a fetal position, clinging to Harry and thankful that he was there, even if he didn’t have a clue what was going on. She was lucky to have such a great friend.

Ginny threw on Harry’s cloak and tore out of the common room. She narrowly missed Mrs. Norris and was able to outrun Filch. All she could think of was getting to the dungeon as quickly as possible before Hermione lost control. She hated that they’d had to tell so many half-truths to Harry but it had to be done. Ginny’s magic wouldn’t balance her out. She needed Draco and she needed him now.

Ginny slammed into something hard right outside of the professor’s door.

“Shite!” she yelped at the same time she heard a deep voice exclaim “What in the bloody hell!”

“Professor?” Ginny whispered, terrified.

“Who is that?” Snape snapped as he released his disillusion.

“It’s me sir,” Ginny answered as she took off Harry’s cloak. “Hermione is in real trouble. She can’t control herself much longer. She was shooting sparks! Harry’s holding her still on the sofa in the common room but we must hurry!”

“Shite!” Snape breathed. “Let me check on Draco,” he stated, hastily unwarding his door. “I was afraid of this. The blood bond unsettled Draco’s magic. He’s going to break the bonds if he can’t control it. We might have to unbind them tonight.”

“Professor NO! They’ll be destroyed.”

“They WILL be if we don’t release those bindings. We can’t perform the ceremony until Friday at midnight at the earliest. They’ll have to hold on until then. I swear if I have to tie them together we’ll get them through this.”

Ginny was in awe at Snape’s dedication. She ran in the office and through the study following her determined teacher. There Draco was, in the middle of the stone floor, shooting off sparks from his fingers and hovering above ground. His hair whipped about him and she could see a strand of black amongst the platinum fringe. Then she looked toward her teacher and finally noticed the almost white streak in his hair.

“Hurry Miss Weasley, I don’t know how long he can last. Run over and lay a hand on him. Give him as much as he needs to still the pain. I’ll return with Miss Granger shortly.” Snape breathed. Seeing Draco in such a precarious position had unsettled him. He knew he was powerful but this was beyond anything he’d ever seen, and Draco was still in his bindings!

Snape rushed back into his office. Not wanting to waste time, he put up a silencing spell and apparated to Gryffindor tower. No one but Dumbledore knew he could apparate in the castle. It was a precaution. Sometimes, he would return from the Dark Lord too weak to move. It wouldn’t do for any student to see him in that shape.

“Password” The Fat Lady asked.

“Professor Snape, Head of Slytherin, let me in!” He snapped.

“Well my word,” the Fat Lady spluttered, offended by his tone. However, unable to deny him passage, she swung open and let the professor in.

What the professor saw when he walked in almost made his heart stop. Miss Granger was lying in a fetal position in Potter’s lap. She was glowing gold and shaking with all of her might. It wasn’t her state that unnerved him. It was Potter’s. He had closed his eyes and was rubbing Hermione’s hair gently, whispering soothing words in her ear, obviously oblivious to what was happening. He was glowing a brilliant green color, a sign that his magic had already made the adjustment toward the darkness that Hermione craved. Such power wielded naturally was extremely rare. Even Draco and Hermione, who were pure, needed help focusing their power.

“Mr. Potter,” Snape said softly so as not to startle either teenager. “I will take her from here.”

When Snape spoke, Harry lost his glow and opened his eyes, his concentration broken. He gasped at the light emitted from his friend. She started shaking and shooting sparks again. Her body lifted a few inches in the air from the force of her magic.

Snape desperately wanted to wait to calm her until out of sight of Potter. It wouldn’t do to have that boy on his tail as well. However, he knew that she wouldn’t make it out the door before she exploded if he didn’t do something. He began to glow bronze, ignoring Potter’s gasp. He gently lifted Hermione up as if she were made of glass and started to stand and turn.

“I. I can’t hold it.” She whispered brokenly and started to cry. Snape glowed brighter. “We’re not going to make it, sir.”

Snape held her tighter and started walking out the door. “Shhh, it will be alright. Let’s get you back to my study and we’ll take them off.”

“NOOOO!” She shrieked. This riled Harry.

“What’s going on?” he roared.

Snape sighed. “Potter, go get the Headmaster. The password is lemon heads. Tell him that time ran out. He’ll know what that means. Tell him I’ll be in my study.”

With those final words, Snape stalked out the portrait and down the hall to the dungeons. He had to get Hermione to Draco as soon as possible. There was only so much he and Miss Weasley could do. They needed to be together. He hadn’t even wondered if Harry had noticed his new look.

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Harry sprinted over to the Headmaster’s office as fast as he could. Snape wasn’t very forthcoming but he looked as if he was completely shaken up. Not much ruffled the greasy git’s feathers but whatever curse Hermione had certainly did. Snape didn’t even try to take points away when Harry yelled at him. Was that a grey streak in his hair?

“Lemon.” Gasp. “Heads.” Harry breathed at the gargoyle who sprung out of the way. He then sprinted up the stairs, his legs burning from the exertion. He banged on the door for only a moment when Dumbledore opened it.

“Harry, my boy. Whatever is the matter?” Dumbledore asked, obviously concerned.

“It’s Hermione, sir,” he wheezed. “Something’s wrong. She’s losing control of her magic or something. Snape said to tell you that time ran out and you would know what that meant. He said he’d be in his study.”

“Oh dear.” Dumbledore gasped. He stalked out of his office with the speed and agility of a man half his age. They were at the door to Snape’s office before Harry could even sort through what was happening. Dumbledore hadn’t corrected him for not using Snape’s title. He hadn’t questioned him for being out of his house after curfew. He didn’t even seem to notice that Harry was trailing behind him.

They stormed in the office and Dumbledore held out a hand to stop Harry.

“Harry, I must insist that you stop here. No matter what you see or hear, do NOT leave this office until I tell you to.”

“Yes sir,” Harry said, holding himself in check. Ginny had told him that Hermione could cause harm. He hoped it didn’t come to that.

Inside Snape’s study, Hermione and Draco were clinging to one another, kissing fiercely as if their life depended on it. In this case, it did. A brilliant white light was being emitted from the couple and the magic was so thick the waves were causing palpitations. Ginny was sitting in a chair; obviously exhausted while Snape was tearing through his potion stores. He’d found a few bottles of pepper up and handed one to her. They both drank deeply. Immediately, her color returned.

“There’s no time, Albus,” Snape began. “We’ve got to take them off. They can’t hold it and are in too much pain to concentrate.”

Dumbledore nodded, noticing the change in Snape’s appearance with amusement.

“Very well. It will take us longer to remove Miss Granger’s bindings since there are 6 of them. We will need to work swiftly. Miss Weasley, my dear, I am afraid we will have need of your help one more time.”

“No problem,” Ginny answered as she shakily rose from her chair. She gently separated the couple and told them it was time. Then she glowed copper.

“My word, it’s Potter!” Snape breathed.

“Pardon?” Dumbledore asked.

“Her mate,” he whispered.

Dumbedore nodded and walked over to Hermione. “Yes, we’ll have to discuss that later. Let’s get started. Harry is just outside. I figured Miss Weasley would need an escort after this.”

Hoping against hope that Potter would for once, listen and obey a direct order, he knelt beside Hermione, who had laid upon his sofa in agony. Dumbledore chanted the release and one by one, the bindings fell away. With each one gone, her expression eased a bit. When he reached the last one, he stalled and looked over to Draco and Ginny.

Ginny’s copper aura was flickering and it was easy to see she couldn’t hold up much longer. Draco was practically writhing in midair, trying desperately to hold on.

“I think it wise we release them at the same time,” Dumbledore stated.

Snape nodded and sprinted over to Draco. At the headmaster’s nod, they began the releases. Ginny ran to the other side of the room and collapsed just as the couple’s magic exploded. The entire study was bathed in white light, reminiscent of muggle Hiroshima. She and the two professors had to cover their eyes to keep from being blinded. The professors were then thrown against the wall that Ginny was being pinned to. The pure couple could very well destroy them.

Once the initial release was finished, Draco grabbed Hermione’s face.

“Hermione, we need to focus on expelling as much energy as possible. We need to get outside or something. We could tear the walls down. Hold on just a bit, okay?”

She nodded and they turned toward the other occupants in the room who were obviously hurt. Walking over, each began casting healing charms as their patients slowly started to recover.

“We need to get outside to the quidditch pitch or something so we won’t destroy the school!” Draco snapped, urgency in his voice.

Snape nodded. He gingerly got up off the floor and went over to a blank space in the wall. The tapped the bricks with his finger and they receded to make a door.

“Go straight to the end, make a left, and then straight. Raise your hand; think alohamora and it will open. The quidditch pitch is to the right. No one will see you go but disillusion yourselves once you get out. There is no telling who is out and about.”

Draco nodded, grabbed Hermione’s hand, and raced through the door. They needed to get out of the castle quickly before they hurt anyone else.

Snape walked back toward Dumbledore and Miss Weasley and helped them from the floor in turn. Then he made his way across the room and collapsed in one of the chairs. Dumbledore took the other and Ginny took the sofa. They rested a few minutes before they heard Harry calling. He’d obviously become concerned from the lack of movement.

“Hello? Is everything okay? Hermione? Professor Dumbledore?”

“Come in, Harry.” Dumbledore said tiredly.

Harry tentatively stepped into the office. He was terrified that he would find that something horrible had happened. He’d seen the white light and had to shield his eyes. Then he heard the subsequent thumps that sounded like several people being thrown bodily across the room. After that, a familiar voice said something to the effect of they had to get out before they destroyed the school. However, it wasn’t clear and he couldn’t place the voice.

When he walked in, he was stunned to find that Hermione was nowhere in sight. All three occupants looked haggard, as if they had been in a duel. They were slumped on the furniture, obviously spent. He took a second to observe each one. Dumbledore still looked serene, if tired. His eyes however, were trained directly on Snape’s. He wondered briefly if they were communicating through legilimency. It was a distinct possibility, which made his blood boil. He was going to be kept in the dark, again.

Snape never looked away from the headmaster’s eyes. Harry decided that he looked even more gaunt than normal. What really caught his attention though was the streak of white through his hair. It looked decidedly out of place. He didn’t see that streak just the day before. It didn’t even look white, more of a platinum color, Malfoy platinum color. That voice. It was Malfoy, he was sure of it. What did Malfoy have to do with it, though? Wait. The curse. Hermione was cursed in the bathroom. Could Malfoy have the same curse on him? Could that be why Hermione was defending him? She hated Malfoy too much for it to be anything else.

Ginny was lying on the sofa, looking pale and drawn. She had known what was wrong and she hadn’t told. He wasn’t sure if he should be mad or admire her for her ability to stay loyal. Could that be the true reason they were in the infirmary that day? He’d never heard of Ginny being so careless at potions before. Come to think if it, Snape was the DADA professor, not the potions master. It would make some modicum of sense that Malfoy had carried Hermione to the bed, then. Perhaps he had an ounce of empathy in his dark soul.

“Harry,” Dumbledore spoke gently, interrupting Harry’s thoughts. “Please sit down. No doubt you’ve thought things through a bit. I think it is time you know more.”

“More,” Harry repeated, starting to get angry. “More but not all though,” he stated bitterly.

“I’m sorry my boy, but some things are better left unknown. The fewer people who know all of our secrets creates a lesser chance of someone finding out. Even Miss Weasley doesn’t know all of the details, nor does she want to.”

Harry looked at Ginny skeptically.

“It’s true Harry,” she answered in a quivering voice. “I wish I didn’t know as much as I do.”

Seeing her honesty, Harry calmed a bit.

“Where is Hermione?” He asked.

“Safe for the time being Potter.” Snape answered tiredly. “Suffice it to say you won’t be seeing her again tonight. She’s built up too much magical energy and has gone to expel it. She should be functional again in the morning.”

“Have a seat, Harry. There is much to discuss,” Dumbledore said before Harry could respond.

Acting with a maturity and rationality that belied his usual reactions, he sat beside Ginny and gently placed his arm around her. Both students then briefly flashed a brilliant white light. Snape looked toward Dumbledore who merely nodded his head in acquiescence.

“That confirms it. Harry, what I am about to reveal to you, no other person can ever know. Ever Harry. Not your friends other than Miss Granger and Miss Weasley, not the rest of the Weasleys, no one else in the Order, and you MUST keep this from Voldemort at all costs. Of course, you know I can’t reveal everything to you. However I must ask that you not seek further knowledge on this. It is better you not know. Trust me on this.

I am going to ask you to practice your occlumency even harder now. If Voldemort were to learn this information, it would risk the lives of all those you hold dear. It is serious enough to request an unbreakable vow from you, Mr. Potter.”

Harry nodded. It must be extremely important. He readily took the vow, sealed by Snape.

“Now, Harry. What you witnessed earlier with Miss Granger was an unbalance of magic. Magic comes in two parts Harry, both light and dark. One must have the other to function. If it isn’t in perfect balance, magic can flare and become unstable. The inability to control it renders it destructive, as you saw earlier. Miss Granger’s magic was inexplicably tipped toward the light and she was unable to contain it. Therefore, her body was warring against the magic within, causing her great pain. You, my boy, were able to temporarily calm the magic within her. Why do you think that is?”

Harry thought for a moment. If Hermione was tipped toward the light, that meant that…oh no.

“I’m full of dark magic.” Harry breathed, horrified at his realization.

“Not entirely my boy or you wouldn’t be able to control your magic as well as you can. However, it does explain your ability with curses. When you were born Harry, you were born with a balanced magic. Even after you rebounded the killing curse, you remained balanced and stayed that way up until your 4^th year. What do you think happened then?”

Getting annoyed at having to struggle for answers, Harry snapped. “Voldemort returned.”

“Yes but more importantly, he took something from you in order FOR him to return.”

“My blood,” Harry exhaled, paling.

“Precisely. That exchange created a dark current, which tipped your magic. It has happened just one other time.” Dumbledore than shifted his gaze to Ginny, who had slowly shrunk away from Harry. She looked a bit like a scared rabbit.

“The diary.” Harry stated flatly.

“Correct again. However, Miss Weasley is a different case. She was born with an imbalance. Tom’s diary merely lessened her imbalance and she has been able to lead a relatively normal life. Well, until recently.” He smiled gently at Ginny, who looked like she was going to vomit.

“Miss Weasley, if you are going to be sick, please do so in the bin and NOT on my sofa.” Snape snapped.

Ginny nodded submissively and sat straighter. She’d been through this before and Hermione and even Draco had accepted her. Harry had always understood when it came to being different. He didn’t hold it against her that the diary had possessed her. Perhaps he would understand this time.

“Wow” was the only word Harry could get out.

Snape snorted, drawing attention to himself.

Harry’s eyes narrowed. “So where does Snape fit into this.”

“That is PROFESSOR Snape, Harry.”

“Yeah, so where does he fit in. He was glowing like Hermione.” Harry snapped.

“Yes, as were you I am told.” Dumbledore answered serenely.

“What? I think I would know if I was glowing.”

“Your eyes were closed Potter. You wouldn’t have seen it. You were glowing a bright green color when I entered the Gryffindor common room. Your magic was responding to Miss Granger’s imbalance.” Snape answered snidely.

Harry took a moment to let that information sink in. His magic was responding without him knowing it! That had to be dangerous didn’t it? He decided he’d ask. “Isn’t that dangerous? I mean, I obviously wasn’t in control of it.”

“Exactly Potter.”

Harry gave Snape a quizzical look, which caused the dour man to sigh heavily.

“Harry,” Dumbledore began. “Now that we know your magic is responding naturally to imbalances, we must train you to use it.”

“Train? I thought I was already being trained?”

“Don’t be stupid Potter. How many people with unbalanced magic do you think walk through these halls?”

“I don’t know.” He snapped. “I’ve never thought about it.”

“Neither has anyone else,” Snape sneered.

“What?”

“Having an imbalance is very rare Harry,” Dumbledore answered.

“Well it can’t be that rare. Ginny is sitting right beside me. She’s unbalanced, right? And even though she’s cursed, Hermione is now. And there are two other people, too. Aren’t there?” Harry asked with narrow eyes.

“Two others?” Dumbledore asked nonchalantly.

“Snape and Malfoy,” Harry answered.

Snape merely glanced over at Dumbledore at the accusation.

“Why do you say that Harry,” Dumbledore asked.

“Well, Snape was glowing a bronze color when he picked Hermione up. She immediately stopped sparking magic so he has to be unbalanced toward the dark, which isn’t surprising.”

Snape merely snorted at this.

“Malfoy was in the bathroom with Hermione. I heard him in here through the door. I think he was cursed too.” Since no one argued, he continued. “I also think that the whole potion accident thing was a ruse too. Ginny is brilliant at potions and Snape isn’t even the potions professor this year. Malfoy wouldn’t have been that nice to Hermione on his own, either. Therefore, he knows they are cursed with the same thing and is counting on someone finding a counter curse for it. Hermione’s brilliant. I’m sure she’ll be able to figure it out. Ginny also said she had seen Hermione lose control before.”

“Excellent reasoning Harry,” Dumbledore stated with a twinkling smile. Then his smile faded and he looked pointedly at Snape.

“Professor Snape does indeed know how to separate his magic out into light and dark. It is something very few people learn to do and even fewer have the right kind of power to do so. This is something that only the Professor and now Miss Weasley can do, Harry.”

“What about Hermione and Malfoy. Can’t they do it too?”

“No, they can’t Potter which is WHY they are outside trying to expel their excess magic so they won’t demolish the entire castle. I imagine they are having quite the duel.” Snape smirked.

“DUEL!” Harry shouted. “And no one is out there to monitor them? What if they kill each other?” Harry stood and made to run out of Snape’s study but he was thrust back into the chair with a powerful energy surge.

“Trust me, Potter. No one will die. They won’t even try to hurt each other.”

“Yeah right,” Harry said tersely.

“Harry, you must know that we wouldn’t willingly let them out if they were going to harm one another. As you said before, Miss Granger is brilliant and she will be able to find a cure for the curse.” Dumbledore said to placate him.

“So Malfoy is just in this for himself.” Harry said bitterly.

“You expected something different, Potter?” Snape asked, amusement in his tone.

“Of course not. Not from that git. He’ll probably try to hurt her the second she finds a cure.”

“I highly doubt that,” Dumbledore said.

“Well see,” Harry returned darkly.

“Regardless of what goes on between those two, you must learn to control your magic. It could come in handy later. Professor Snape will begin your training after the holidays.”

“What?” Harry asked sharply.

“Potter, when he says that only myself and Miss Weasley can do this, he means it. He cannot do it, therefore he cannot teach it to you.”

Harry looked wildly at Dumbledore for confirmation.

“It’s true Harry. There are some things that even I can’t do.” Dumbledore smiled gently.

Sensing that he was fighting a losing battle, Harry sighed deeply and steeled himself for one more round of punishment from Snape. “Fine. When?”

“Oh don’t worry, Potter. I’m sure you’ll be able to earn enough detention to garner us some time. After the initial lessons, we’ll set up some sort of tutoring story again. No doubt it will be believable. You’ll need to actually dedicate yourself this time. This isn’t a divination class. Failing could be deadly.” Snape’s voice took on a severe tone.

Ginny had just sat and watched the discussion. Harry seemed to accept his lot very quickly. She thought it was very cunning of the Headmaster to let Harry think that Malfoy was cursed and only being civil because he was counting on Hermione finding a curse. If he only knew that those two would be married in two days’ time, he’d have bugbears! Sensing the conversation was nearing an end; she tried to get up off the sofa, only to fall to her knees with a cry.

Snape jumped up at the same time as Harry and they both gently picked her up off the floor.

“Miss Weasley, you need to take this.” Snape said gently and handed her another bottle of pepper up potion. She took it gratefully.

“What’s happened to her?” Harry asked.

“Ginny is now able to separate her magic, and in doing so, she is able to help contain the cursed pair. However, it is very taxing to try and contain them. She is completely depleted and needs her rest. She will return to full strength by tomorrow, which is much closer than I thought it was.” Dumbledore then pulled a pocket watch out of his paisley robes with what looked like snitches floating around on them.

“How much longer Severus?”

“I’d say they would be heading back now.” Snape answered quietly.

“Very well. Harry, would you please escort Miss Weasley back to her dormitory.”

“I want to wait for Hermione.” Harry answered stubbornly.

Dumbledore sighed heavily. “Harry, I must insist that you go now. We do not know what shape they will be returning in and if they are still volatile, it could be dangerous. Miss Weasley is spent and she won’t be able to protect you.”

“But Hermione was fine when I was in the same room.”

“It won’t be Miss Granger you’ll need to be protected from, Potter,” Snape answered darkly.

Harry’s eyes widened in understanding. Malfoy must be unbalanced toward the darkness which was again, unsurprising. Ginny was light and could repel it normally but couldn’t now. What had he gotten himself into this time?

“What about you sir?”

“I’ll be fine Harry. Go now. I dare say Miss Weasley won’t be able to walk the entire way but rest is the only thing for it. Stay with her in the common room, Harry. Make sure you arise before everyone else and get her back to Professor Snape’s office for a checkup. Madam Pomfrey won’t be able to diagnose her if there is something that needs attention.”

“Yes sir,” Harry said, cowed by the old man.

Seeing Ginny was still struggling to get up, he lifted her into his arms. They both flashed again. Puzzled, he looked back at the headmaster.

“It’s your magic reacting Harry, nothing to be concerned about. It will stop when her magic reaches normal levels.”

Harry nodded and walked slowly out of the study, making his way toward the tower. He couldn’t help but notice how light Ginny was and how nice she felt against his chest. She had put her arms around his neck and snuggled into his shoulder. She smelled of the wind and the gentle sent of lilies. It was intoxicating and he was having a hard time concentrating on keeping her steady while he walked.

When they reached the common room, Harry laid her down gently on one of the sofas. He then summoned two blankets and a pillow from his room and sat down with Ginny propped in his lap. He covered them both up, set his wand to give off an alarm an hour before the rest of his house normally woke up, and fell into a fitful sleep.

AN: Thanks for the reviews everyone. As always, let me know if there are any errors and how I'm doing. It's always nice to know and if you get confused, don't hesitate to ask. This will be the last update for a couple of days because I have a huge paper due for college but don't worry. The next chapter is already written. (actually, the next several but I still have to double check them.)
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