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Through the Veil and Back Again	By : SpeedyTomato Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male Views: 77508 -:- Recommendations : 3 -:- Currently Reading : 13
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter (though someone could gift me a few of the men in it and I wouldn't complain) and make no money off of this.

Chapter List
- 13
- 14
- 15
Beta'd by the amazing Tenchi. Love you, woman, you're the best!

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Chapter 14

“Are they alright?” Narcissa asked quietly, still wringing her hands, when Remus stepped back into the kitchen after being gone for what seemed like forever.

Sighing, Remus nodded then took a seat at the table. “They should be fine shortly. Lucius is going to stay up there with them until Harry falls asleep. It looked like he was about to when I left.”

“I'm so sorry,” she whispered, shaking her head. “I completely forgot not to touch him when he started bleeding. I was only trying to help.”

Giving a dismissive wave, Remus said, “You did what you thought was right. It's nothing to worry about. Just don't do it again. I'm not sure what exactly went on yet. Sirius and Harry are too out of it for me to get much. Lucius filled me in some and said he'll explain more when he comes down.”

“Was it the psychometry?” Narcissa asked quietly.

“It was,” Remus nodded, sighing. “Lucius said he actually knew what the vision was about and who was involved. He didn't say much beyond that, but did add that he didn't think it was anything Harry could have known about or that he would have known who it was in it.”

Now very curious as to what the vision was, Narcissa explained, “I had the elves remove all the old serving ware and replace it with new. I like the history of what we were using, what with the goblets and such, but I don't want to chance that happening again. New should make sure it doesn't, at least I would think.”

Looking at the place settings on the table, Remus nodded slowly, “Hopefully. It's going to depend on how sensitive this particular 'gift' is. Even new can sometimes set it off in some that have this 'gift'. However, it should be far better than something ancient that is steeped in antiquity.”

Not having thought about that first part, Narcissa rubbed a trembling hand over her forehead. “Merlin,” she muttered, shaking her head. Pressing on, she placed a set of gloves on the table. “While you were upstairs, I sent a message to Severus. He sent those over. From what he said, he's put a spell on them that purports to help block all but the worst of visions from psychometry.”

Relieved that someone could do something, Remus nodded and took the gloves. “I'll impress upon Harry to wear them most of the time if he can. At least until he can come up with something, somewhere that might help him distinguish what is setting off problems. I keep reading that is possible. Hopefully, in this case, it is and he can come up with something.”

“He wants to help, Remus,” Narcissa told him softly, hands clasped in front of her on the table. “He just doesn't know what to do or how to go about it. He can't come over, obviously, so he's at a loss as to what to do. I told him that it didn't look like the pain draught he sent over worked fully. He said to get in contact with him if it didn't and he'll see what he has on hand that might work better. Also, if you could, to give him some more information so he can start looking. He’s sure as to where to look to help and doesn’t know what you’ve already researched.”

Thinking that over, Remus scrubbed a hand over his mouth and looked down at the table. Really, they needed help, badly, to figure out what was going on. Like Sirius and Harry, though, he wasn't sure what to give up to the man as they didn't want what they knew getting to either the headmaster or the other party in this nightmare. “I don't know,” he finally said, shaking his head. “We need help, I admit that, as we can't find anything beyond the order the so-called 'gifts' are coming in, something that is little more than a guess on my end though does seem to be self proving, but Harry and Sirius are wary about talking some of it over. I'm sure you understand why.”

Oh, she did and it was frustrating as all get out! Narcissa sighed then told him, sincerely, “We aren't here to betray any of you, I promise, Remus! In this—we just want to help. I swear that's all it is.”

Shaking his head, the werewolf looked at her and said, quietly, “That part is up to Sirius and Harry, not me. It's them it affects more. There is a great deal there that they are reluctant to share. Severus—the history with both of them and him isn't a good one. Neither is going to trust him with some of what is going on, especially Harry. There is also the problem of him even coming around. We don't know what the complication is with him and Albus or why it causes the reaction it does. As long as that is happening, it just makes matters worse.”

Though she had known that, Narcissa sighed and nodded, looking down at the table. Both parts were something hard to deal with. Nor did she know what she could do to work around either by herself. Lucius was better at this kind of thing and could judge easier what they should or shouldn't say.

Just as she was about to try to talk some of it out, her husband came into the room. Looking at him, she was relieved to see that he didn't appear to be any worse for wear. Waiting until he seated himself, she had an elf bring him a plate of food then asked, quietly, “Are Harry and Sirius fine?”

Not hungry after what he had seen and felt, Lucius eyed the food then sighed before taking a drink of the wine that was served with meal. “They are alright and finally sleeping. Sirius, from what I gather, is finally free of pain, though getting the residual from Harry still. Harry is still hurting, but Sirius thinks that the sleep will get it down to the point he can deal with it.”

Looking at the blond, picking at the food that was served to him, Remus then said, “You told me you knew what the vision was. Is it something that you can tell us or not?”

“Its ancient history, actually,” Lucius told him. “However, it's something I very much doubt Harry knows about.” Glancing at Draco, who still appeared to be off-kilter slightly, he said, “Draco will know the name of one of the people in it, but not the history I don't think.” Seeing curious looks, he explained, “It was about Hera Black. The vision was of her murdering one of her husbands. From what I could see of it, it was Antonio Rizzo, her next to the last husband.”

Mouth working, Narcissa looked at him wide-eyed then asked, “Really?”

Nodding, Lucius said, “Yes. It was poison in his wine, using the goblet that Harry had. He would have no way of knowing that I would think. Not to mention creating the pain that came from Antonio's death throes.”

“He wouldn't,” Remus said with a shake of his head. “He may know the name from the tapestry when Sirius showed it to him, but he was more interested in who is related to whom than the history. From what I know of him, he's not even interested in his own family history.” Giving a shrug, he explained, “Harry doesn't have the sense of family many descending from the Pureblood lines do because of how he was raised. From what I know, he's not even expressed interest in exploring that either. It's not something Sirius would talk about as he just doesn't care about his.”

“She really did?” Narcissa asked, astonished, looking at her husband. “I mean, well, you know—we all speculated because of the many husbands, but no one ever knew for sure.”

“She did, at least Antonio,” Lucius confirmed with a nod. “If she poisoned him, chances were she did it to the others.”

Looking between his parents, confused, Draco asked, “Which one was Hera Black? I've heard the name, of course, but am not sure which one she was.”

“It's ancient history, Draco,” Narcissa explained, smiling at her son. “She had seven husbands, all of them having died. It was a rumor she murdered them for their money, part of the reason the Black's have the fortune they do, but never proven. I'll show you where she is on the tapestry later.”

“Interesting!” Draco said. “I don't think I ever heard about that.”

“You didn't as far as I know,” Narcissa told him with a shake of his head. “She's not one that is more current that you would be familiar with.”

Rubbing his eyes, Remus said, “And that would be something Harry would have no way of knowing. I doubt there is even a painting of her around.”

“There isn't,” Narcissa confirmed. “I didn't see one anywhere. She's rather the black sheep because of what so many thought she did. If there was a painting of her done, I've not seen it anywhere in this house.” Stopping, she looked at her husband then explained about the communication with Severus. “I don't know what to do here, nor does Remus.”

Knowing the issues with this part, Lucius looked down at the table then said, quietly, “At the very least, we need his help with pain management when this happens. Harry is still hurting, badly. Whatever he sent over didn’t fully work, which tells me that we need something better. This is not my area nor do I know what to suggest we even try. That is where he would come in. I don't see where something like that would be objectionable to either Sirius or Harry. The rest is where the problem arises. I would suggest that Severus speak to both Harry and Sirius about it so they can get his assurances we're only trying to help.” Stopping, thinking it over, he then imparted, quietly, looking around, “We know something that might help slide some of the pieces together. Not all, mind you, but some.” Looking at his wife to prepare her, he added, “There was another prophecy. One that we think fits what is going on. The one that we were after in the Hall of Prophecy we now know is invalid. It's information you can probably use though we have no way of getting you a copy of the prophecy and I don't remember the exact wording. Severus can probably get his hands on a transcript of it.” Stopping, he waited.

Looking at Lucius, eyes wide, Remus asked, “There is another prophecy? And how do you know the other is invalid?”

“It broke,” Lucius explained. “They can't be broken if they are valid because of a spell on them. I saw it break, Remus. That means it's invalid.”

Not having known that, Remus looked at the man, now sure that they needed what he knew about the topic. Shaking his head, he imparted softly, “Whatever I do know, I can't tell anyone without Harry and Sirius' permission. You need to understand that.”

“Understood,” Lucius said, nodding. “However, the fact that Severus can't even come around because of the pain he causes is a real issue. What information he would need would partially have to come from both of them. Which means, even for the pain management end, we need to figure out what in the blazes is even causing it.” Stopping, he looked at Remus then asked, “Is there any clue as to why? Anything at all that might even be a hint?”

“We don't know,” Remus told him honestly. “At first, we thought it was Albus' power levels. Then the identical problem arose with Severus. They aren't the same, so that was discounted. Now we have no idea what is causing it.”

Thinking it over, chin resting in his palm as his elbow was propped on the table, Lucius asked, tone distracted, “Any clues as to what it might be? I mean, something like is one worse than the other when it comes to pain levels or something telling? Just a hint about a direction?”

“Harry says Severus is slightly worse, that he causes more pain. It's not much from what he told us, but slightly. The only other thing that he said pertained to Albus when he first noticed it. He said whatever was going on was like it was being blasted at him. Moody was in the room at the same time and he said that he picked up some from him, just not like he did from Albus.” Stopping, he thought it over, then said, quietly, “What he told us when we asked what he picked up was something extremely private that we knew Albus would have Occluded against anyone finding. I won't impart what that was, however, but it was very personal, trust me.”

Thinking that over, Lucius asked, hoping for some clarification, “What did he mean by 'blasted'?”

“I assumed that he meant at a high volume, like you would music,” Remus explained. Shrugging, he admitted, “I didn't ask beyond that.”

Shaking his head, Lucius said, “I don't know. I'm not getting anything beyond pain from him so I didn't understand that part, at least until tonight when Narcissa touched him, though what I did get will be no help at all. The psychometry was different.”

“Maybe ask him? I don't know,” Remus shook his head. “Will it even help? I mean, I don't know more of what the two have in common that could cause this.”

“The only thing I can possibly think of is something I believe I can rule out because I am accomplished in it as well; the Occluding.” Lucius told him, thinking over the problem.

Looking at the man, Remus said, softly, “I think whatever it is will be something you would be excluded from because of the connection that is there. Whatever that is would negate it in you.”

Looking at Lupin, Lucius thought that over then nodded. “Maybe. It may. Which would lean me towards their shields. Severus' talent is one that comes naturally, though something he had to train with, obviously, but it was a natural gift passed in his family line. Albus wasn't. Though Albus' shields are good, no doubt there, they are nothing like Severus'.” Stopping, thinking it over, he said, tone distracted, “Give me a minute to see if I can't ask Harry without causing him more pain.” Seeing Lupin nod, he prodded the connection then asked the young man when he responded, “Can I talk to you without causing more pain?”

“You're fine,” Harry told him softly. “You and Sirius don't hurt doing this.”

“Remus is telling me that Severus causes you more pain than Dumbledore does. Is that true?” He asked.

“It is,” Harry confirmed. “It's not a whole lot, but some. He does seem to be worse. I don't know why though.”

“I don't either,” Lucius admitted. “Let me ask this; Remus said you described Albus' thoughts like they were being blasted at you. Does that mean they were louder than most?”

“No,” Harry told him. “He's no louder, nor is Snape.”

“Explain what you mean, if you would,” Lucius said, confused.

“You know what it's like when someone sets off a blast of something, like from a spell or whatever?” Hearing the man confirm he did, Harry explained, “The thoughts come rushing at you like that. They not only seem to hit, hard, causing pain, but from all directions about all kinds of things, like being blasted with them after setting off something explosive. That causes part of the problem, but not all of it. It's hard to describe, but when I get stuff from people, it's usually coherent and about one topic. Those two, though, it's all kinds of things. And the pain hits only a couple seconds, if that, before I start getting them. Once they start hitting me, it makes it worse, like I described.”

Taking that in, more confused, Lucius said, “We're here trying to figure out why the two of them cause you pain when no one else does. And this—well, honestly, I don't know, Harry. Snape wants to help and we need to get you something for pain that works better. That's all this is. So, I'll let you rest and if I need more, I'll ask.”

“Alright,” Harry sighed.

Easing back from the connection, Lucius explained what Harry said then added, “I don't know. That was helpful, but I'm still not sure.”

Looking down at the table, rubbing a finger over his upper lip, brow furrowed, Remus said, “Like being blasted--” Stopping, he shook his head. Then, quietly, he said, “Shrapnel flying.” Eyes widening, he looked up then to Lucius, “It's the shields, it has to be! With what he just described, it sounds like whatever he's dealing with is blasting through those shields and taking them apart, sending something like debris flying all over. I can't Occlude, but I know the theory. You don't lock everything behind those shields, just some pieces. If whatever this is he has is taking them apart, he's not going to get anything in a coherent order like he does from everyone else. Yes, what he picks up is random, but it all relates to one topic.”

Staring at Remus, Lucius began to nod slowly. It made sense. Him—well, as Lupin said, the connection seemed to be negating everything as Harry didn't get thoughts from him at all and never had. He could though, easily. “If that's the case and Severus can drop his shields, something he would be reluctant to do, we could see.”

“Those shields mean nothing,” Remus told him with a shake of his head. “It's like they aren't there from what Harry says. Dropping them wouldn't be worse than what is going on now. I know he picks up thoughts from everyone but you and Sirius. This would be no different. What he does pick up I don't know. He won't say and we don't ask. The only thing we've pressed him for is to tell us if it's something that puts us in danger, nothing more.” Looking down, thinking it over, he said, “How about this—let me go talk to Sirius to see what he says and get him to come down. You contact Severus and see what he says. Then we'll go from there.”

“We can work with that,” Lucius nodded acknowledged, looking at Narcissa who was nodding as well.

Standing, Remus told them, “Give me some time and I'll be back.” Seeing them agree, he walked out.

Coming back into the kitchen after talking to Sirius, Remus sat down then clasped his hands on the table in front of him. Looking around, he said, “Sirius will be down shortly to talk to us. He's not in good shape and not in a pleasant mood, I'm warning you about that right now. However, he did explain that he figured out part of this and that I could impart it because Lucius needs to be warned as to what is coming. Just to make sure, though, I'm supposed to ask if you got any kind of visions at all from Narcissa when she touched Harry?” Stopping, he looked at the Malfoy patriarch and waited.

“I did,” Lucius nodded. “What they were, I don't know. It was so vague and disjointed I couldn't figure out what any of it was.”

“He thought so,” Remus sighed. Looking down, he said, “Sirius said part of it is something like a pressure release valve. For the first time tonight he got the visions Harry did. He said they aren't as clear as what Harry gets, but he was on the receiving end. He said he was doing fine, or as well as could be expected with what was happening with the cup, until Narcissa touched Harry. He got pain then as Harry hit what even he could tell was overload from the visions brought on by both, and they started to bleed off into him. We knew he was getting the bleeding off from the pain, but this was the first time for the visions.”

Rubbing his forehead, looking down at the table, Lucius nodded, not liking that at all. However, it made sense as he was getting the pain as well.

“What did he get, do you know?” Narcissa asked, genuinely worried about what might have come across.

“I don't know. I didn't ask,” Remus told her with a shake of his head. Sighing, he asked, “Did you get in contact with Severus?”

“We did,” Narcissa nodded, assuming that if Sirius didn't say anything to Remus, they were safe. “Though he's reluctant, he will drop his shields to come over so he can help. We'll wait to see what Sirius says and go from there.”

Remus was about to say something when Sirius staggered in, looking to be both in pain and not at all in a good mood. Watching his old friend come over and all but flop by him on the bench, he waited to see what Sirius had to say.

Rubbing a hand over his face, trying to get himself together, Sirius sent one of the elves to get him one of Harry's Cokes, hoping that might perk him up slightly. Right now, the dichotomy of feeling stoned from the pain draught and still feeling a version of pain from Harry was almost mind altering. Nor was it something he could shake. Taking the soft drink from the creature and downing about half of it in one gulp, he sat the can on the table then looked at Cissy and said, “Never touch him again. I'm not being nasty here, but he and I, both, can't take that again. Nor did I want those visions or to know what I just found out.”

“I'm so sorry! I didn't even think after I saw how badly his nose was bleeding,” Narcissa told him softly, wringing her hands. Stopping, she then asked, “What did you see?” Really, she wanted to know. If Sirius wasn't yelling, it wasn't anything that would get them into trouble, but there were things there she didn't want her cousin knowing, having protected them with everything she had from all but Lucius, Severus, Draco and the Dark Lord.

Looking her dead in the eye, Sirius told her bluntly, “You don't want to ask me that, Cissy.”

After an almost panicked glance at Lucius, someone that was looking concerned as well, she stiffened her spine then said, “I do. Just tell me.”

Not at all in the mood to argue with her over it or try to dissuade her from asking, Sirius stared at her then said, bluntly, “Your affair with my brother.” Seeing the color drain completely out of her face, he then glanced at Draco who, too, was pale and starting to shake. Quietly, he added, “And how though Draco is, indeed, a Malfoy, he's also my nephew and cousin, both. Severus gave you the potion to take to where it was a blood adoption before he was born. That's why he's his godfather.”

Hands flying to her mouth, eyes so wide they were starting to tear, she looked at Sirius then to the pale Lucius, not sure what to say. That—she never wanted anyone to know that, ever, aside from the five of them that already did.

Rubbing his eyes after draining the last of the Coke and sending an elf for another one, Sirius said, tone weary, “I didn't need to know that or see some of what I did. And I can now fully appreciate why Harry says he doesn't want to know some of what he gets because I don't want to know that either.”

Shutting his eyes and pinching the bridge of his nose, Lucius didn't know what to say. He had known going into the marriage who Narcissa loved and had no problem with it. Nor with Draco being his heir via blood adoption. That was something that appeased his father and got him off his back, giving him an heir. And he loved and cherished Draco like he was his own son so it didn't matter to him. Quietly, he said, “Sirius, we would ask--”

Before Lucius could say anything, Sirius cut him off, “I'm not going to say a word. Nor will Harry and Remus. Just don't touch!”

“Oh Merlin no, never again!” Narcissa told him, shaking her head, tone quivering.

Looking at Draco, who was shaking, and still pale, he said, “Don't touch Harry, ever. He's picking up more from you than most. We assume because it's the fact he's had more contact with you over the years. I don't want to know this shite nor does he.”

Nodding vigorously, now having had that point driven home in a way he would never forget, Draco said nothing, staring at Sirius.

“He won't say anything to anyone, nor will we. Your secret is safe,” Sirius added wearily once more. Shaking his head, he moved on, “I talked to Harry before coming down. He said to give it a try with Snape. We need what information you have and will judge from there what we give up. We figure that if it isn't the shields, he will know before Snape gets in the door. If it isn't, he needs to go. None of us can take any more tonight and that's the truth.”

Trying to pull herself together, Narcissa nodded then summoned an elf. Giving the creature the message, she sent it off. Quietly, she asked, “How is Harry?”

“In pain still, but he's asleep,” Sirius told her, looking down at the table. After he said that, he relayed to Harry that Snape was coming over and to let them know if he felt the pain before he came in. Hopefully, though, it wouldn’t happen and they could finally get some answers or at least help in figuring out what was going on.

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Through the Veil and Back Again