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In Servitude of the Dark: The Hand That Guides Me	By : xXxLuckyxXx Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male > Harry/Voldemort Views: 74965 -:- Recommendations : 4 -:- Currently Reading : 6
Disclaimer: All things Harry Potter belong to JK Rowling and her publishers. I just play in her world.

Chapter List
- 18
- 19
- 20
A/N: Those who followed my a/n's know how sensitive I am to reviews (which I am learning not to), but I had receive one of those rare constructive criticisms that really are constructive and I am properly thankful for. The issue was how quickly Harry mastered the violin. As CrowX pointed out to me, the violin is one of the hardest instruments to master. Since I strive for realism, I feel I must address this. In my defense, I am justifying Harry's 'natural' musical talent the same way Rowling justifies how Harry can catch a tiny remembrall the very first time he rode a broom. I know, I know, it's a pretty weak justification...maybe he has Lily's talent in music, like he has James' talent in flying? Anyway, I could probably change it to something easier like Hagrid's flute that Harry got in his first year, but I've always been enchanted with the violin, so that's what Harry gets.

Thank you CrowX for pointing this out. Now on to the story…

Chapter 19 : Prince Grimoire and Secrets – May 15, 1994

By the second week, Harry wasn't really worried about Hedwig, not yet. But as the days passed, and no snowy white owl in sight, Harry was beginning to think he should have sent Terra and Flama with Hedwig as well. To pass the time, Harry imagined dozens of scenarios of how his encounter with Sirius Black would go. In one, the man was completely insane, and all this work was for nothing. In the best case, Sirius was in full control of his faculties and actually wanted him like a godfather should. Of course, that meant he and Snape would have to cross wands so to speak, and Harry didn't want to lose the relationship he had with his Healing/Potion's teacher.

And then Marvolo reminded him that Snape's loyalty was still in question.

It was something that bothered Harry more and more as he got to know the real man behind the sour personality. He wanted to broach the subject with his teacher, but was half afraid that he wouldn't get the answer he wanted. But whether he was ready or not, he knew his time was running out. Spring Break had come and gone, and Marvolo planned to get his body back after this Summer. That was just a little more than a month away!

Suddenly, the ink in Harry's ink well began bubbling, bringing his attention back to the present. With seeker reflexes, Harry clamped a palm over the ink well, but not before his friends noticed the odd bubbles.

"You know you shouldn't shake them," Hermione scolded and shook her head. "No wonder your papers are smeared in ink all the time."

"It's alright, mate," Ron added. "I got bubbles in my ink too."

Harry gave them a weak smile and let out a sigh of relief. Then he glanced at his parchment. It had been a while since he asked his friend to check his work, so she didn't know just how much his handwriting had improved under Andromeda's coaching. "There's something I need to check on," Harry said quickly and cleaned up his work.

Hermione, Ron, and Neville all nodded, too absorbed in revising for their midterm in Potions. But Ron did look up to ask if Harry could bring them something from kitchens.

Harry gave a non committal answer before hiking up his backpack and leaving their common room. Once he was safely outside, Harry opened the diary.

"Marvolo," he wrote. His friend was still weakened from what they did in the Chamber of Secrets. Not only had he taken possession of Harry again, but he had to use his own magic to scry for Pettigrew and activate the Dark Mark. The effort cost him a lot, and even now almost three weeks later, Marvolo was still recovering from it. "Hedwig's back."

"Did the mission run smoothly?"

"Hold on, let me ask."

Harry whispered for the two sprites, and each one appeared on his shoulder. He looked at them critically, noting how tired they looked, especially Aria who never liked to stand still. So he offered his fingers, not even flinching at the mild sting of being cut. It amused him that his blood seemed to act as both a pepper up and cheering charm to his friends, because they both perked right up.

"Were you guys and Hedwig successful?"

Aria nodded quickly while Triton's watery form morphed into that of a small rat, slumped over sideways and obviously fast asleep.

Harry giggled at the imitation before reporting to the diary. "I think it went smoothly and according to Triton, Pettigrew is still in his rat form and knocked out."

"What are your plans now, little one?" Marvolo asked curiously.

"I would like to tell Professor Snape everything, except for the identity of my Source," Harry answered slowly and thoughtfully. "I was also thinking about giving him his Grimoire back, since we couldn't break its enchantment after all this time."

The diary was quiet for a moment as Marvolo weighed the pros and cons. "I believe he will appreciate it greatly," Marvolo wrote. "And it will go a long ways to remind him of his dark roots."

"And bring his loyalty back to you for when you get your body back," Harry added knowingly.

"Of course," Marvolo replied. "And do be careful when you confront Sirius Black. He is not one to be underestimated."

"I will. I promise." Harry would have liked to have Marvolo's support even if he couldn't physically do anything, but he only recently gained enough strength to leave the diary for an hour at a time.

When Harry reached the door of Snape's office, he asked his sprites to hide or at least become invisible. At this time of day, his teacher would either be grading essays, brewing potions, or monitoring detentions. Harry knocked on the office door, hoping he was free. The door swung open of its own accord, and Harry was hit with a familiar pungent odor that made his eyes instantly water.

"Ughhh, it's already the full moon?" Harry asked by way of greeting. Snape had allowed him to help brew the Wolfsbane potion once, and after that Harry steered clear from his teacher whenever the full moon approached. "I hope Dumbledore is paying you extra for this."

Snape, of course, didn't dignify that with a response.

"Are you almost done," Harry asked, sounding nasally, trying not breath in the fumes. "And is there somewhere private we can talk?"

Seeing as how this was Professor Snape's lab, there were already a multitude of privacy wards up. So Snape figured the real question was whether they could speak in somewhere more comfortable and away from the stench of the Wolfsbane. "It is in the simmering stage now." Snape checked his timer. "It has about 6 hours before I deliver it to the werewolf."

"I always meant to ask you. Why are you brewing this Wolfsbane every month for Lupin when it's obvious you two hate each other so much," Harry wondered as his teacher cast protective charms around the cauldron and cleaned up his work table. "Can't Dumbledore just buy that stuff if he wants Lupin around so much?"

"I volunteered, actually," Snape answered.

"Really? Why?" Harry didn't think Snape was one who did things just out of the kindness of his own heart, or at least if it didn't fit into his narrowly defined sense of honor.

"I simply didn't trust anyone else to brew this complicated potion. And in a school full of dunderheads, who still don't realize the signs of lycanthropy when it's right in front of them…"

So that's why, Harry thought with an inward smile. It never ceased to surprise him just how much Snape actually cared and put an equal effort into hiding it. "It would be disastrous if they used sub-par ingredients," Harry realized. Imagine, a rampaging werewolf in a school full of children.

Snape merely nodded and when he was finished tidying up, he led Harry to the floo. "The password is Sanctuary. I trust you will not abuse this privilege."

Harry gulped and nodded, realizing his teacher was going to let him into his private rooms. Nervous as he was, he couldn't keep the curiosity out of his eyes. Very few students had ever ventured into the feared Potion's Master private rooms. After his teacher went through, Harry called out the password and followed him in.

Knowing the man better than most of his classmates, Harry didn't exactly expect a torture chamber like rumors would suggest, but the oriental motif of the place was a pleasant surprise. There were tall bamboo stalks that occupied one corner, and a large rug decorated with long serpentine dragons. The colors were of beige and light green, and there was a miniature looking tree as the centerpiece of the coffee table.

"It is called a bonsai," Snape said, seeing how Harry was studying the center piece.

"It looks like a full grown tree, but smaller," Harry said, looking up. When his eyes landed on his teacher's pale face with dark features, it suddenly occurred to him that Snape might have some Asian blood in his ancestry. Harry hadn't seen many Asians before, the only one being Cho, but Snape's eyes were slanted, his hair was midnight black, not like the brownish black of Harry's or Marvolo's. His face was pale, and didn't the orient specialize in potions and alchemy?

"That is correct," Snape answered. "Their trunks are trained to take on this unusual serpentine pattern, and it is a symbol of longevity." Then he set out a couple sets of tea, not needing to ask what Harry's preferences were after many sessions of shared tea. "I believe we came here so that you could speak of something of great importance and not here to admire my décor?"

Right, but now Harry was nervous again. "I have a confession to make," Harry said quietly, guiltily. "During the Summer, I received a birthday gift. I knew it belonged to you, but I didn't want to give it up, but I also know it's wrong to hold on to it."

This was obviously not what Severus was expecting. The boy was clearly ashamed, but Severus couldn't think of anything of his that was missing. It certainly wasn't any potions ingredients. He had just finished making an inventory of his cupboards. "And so you're here to give it back to me?"

Harry nodded and Severus watched as the boy ducked waist deep into that ever-present backpack of his. It took a moment to rummage around, obviously being kept in the most secure place inside the bag, before the boy finally came back out holding what looked like a silk wrapped book. "I've been keeping it very carefully," the boy said before reluctantly passing the tome over.

The moment Severus' hands touched the leather bindings, he knew right away that it was some book of power. He could feel it pulsating like a heartbeat upon his touch. Admiring the way Harry had so carefully wrapped up the book, he vaguely agreed that at least whatever this book was, it had been in good hands. And then he flipped the silk covering away, letting it flutter to the ground, and revealed the name of his mother's family, written in the language of her homeland.

Harry watched as his teacher grew so still that he was afraid the book had cast some kind of stupefy on his teacher. But then his teacher's long potion stained fingers gently caressed the golden characters with a shaky hand. This same hand went to open the cover, only to find what Harry had found, blank pages.

At last, Severus sighed and closed the book. He looked up to find Harry nibbling on his lower lip, a sure sign that he was anxious and nervous. A year ago, Severus would have been raging mad at the audacity of the boy for keeping one of his Family heirlooms from him. Not only that, a Family Grimoire was never supposed to leave the hands of the Family. Such a theft from the Family could have incited a blood feud, especially since the Grimoire contained all of the Family's magical secrets. And if it were any other person besides Harry, who confessed to such a theft, than Severus would show them his Death Eater side.

But this was Harry Potter. Severus had found a new purpose in life taking care of the Brat-Who-Lived-To-Get-In-Trouble, so he suspended his rage to at least listen to Harry's reasons. Plus, the boy did eventually return the treasure back to its rightful owner, even if it did take almost a year to do it.

"You are not in trouble, Harry," Severus said, and the boy let out a breath of relief. "But I am curious as to how this particular tome came to your hands. There is very little I know of my mother's family, but I do know this Grimoire has been lost to us since my Great Great Grandfather's time."

Harry gave a shaky smile and told his teacher about how Neville had found it in his vault and how his Gran said that at one time a Prince married a Longbottom, which was how they came to have the book. And then he said how Neville's Gran was glad to be rid of such a dark object.

By the end of the tale, Snape decided he needed a shot of Firewhiskey. It wasn't the fact that he shared some blood with one of his most inept students. After all, all purebloods were related in one way or another to each other. It was the fact that the symbol of all that is Light, the boy-who-lived, was actually sitting in front of him admitting he was interested in learning the Dark Arts as if it were any other ministry approve brand of magic. And not only that, but the other Prophesized Child also had some interests in these forbidden things as well.

Harry's brow creased when he noticed he had driven his teacher to the alcohol. "Are you alright?" he asked.

"Does the Headmaster know about this?" Snape asked before shaking his head at his own question. "No. Of course he doesn't." Then he pinned the oddly innocent looking boy in front of him. "You do realize what would happen if word got out that you even show an inkling of interest in the Dark."

Harry shot him a, 'do I look stupid to you,' look. "Dumbledore would sooner lock me up in Azkaban than see me turn out dark," Harry answered. "But I was told that you would be more open minded about this…that you are a dark wizard yourself?"

Severus let out a shaky breath. He certainly was not prepared to wax philosophically about the nature of the Dark Arts, their allure, and their danger. "I am a dark wizard," Severus admitted reluctantly, making it sound like he had been tortured into confession. "But there is much more to being a dark wizard than just practicing dark arts. Indeed, that is the most INsignificant difference between a Light and Dark wizard."

Harry nodded. "I know. We must always be in control of our minds and emotions because that is where our power stems from. And we also hold the Ancient Ways close to our hearts because we know that Magic exists all around us, not just in our cores and our wands." Marvolo had driven that distinction into his brain so many times he could recite it in his sleep.

Severus dark eyebrows rose impossibly high.

Harry returned that with a smile. "My source makes sure that I am trained thoroughly and that I know dangers of being a Dark Wizard."

Being reminded of this mysterious source again worried him, especially now that it was obvious this Source was teaching Harry potentially dangerous magics. And then another thought occurred to him that made him sit up in alarm. "This source isn't a Death Eater, is he?" Severus said, his voice clipped with worry.

That was the closest guess so far, Harry privately admitted. Still, it wouldn't do to let his teacher believe in something like that. "I still can't tell you who he is, but I can absolutely say that he is no Death Eater!"

The boy answered too quickly, Severus thought. While he was sure the boy was telling the truth, somehow this guess had been closer than any other. Perhaps it was a family member of a Death Eater, or a silent supporter of the Dark Lord...

"Don't worry, Professor," Harry said. "My source takes very good care of me." Then he gave a mischievous smirk that alarmed the older man. "Can I show you something he taught me? And will you keep it a secret?"

Severus groaned. As if they hadn't been talking about highly confidential subjects already. What in Merlin's name did the boy have to share that would require a promise of secrecy from him now? Slightly apprehensively, Snape nodded. "You have my solemn promise," he said.

It wasn't a vow, but Harry knew his teacher was a man of honor, and did not give his promises lightly. So with bright, excited eyes, Harry pulled out his unicorn wand, undisguised.

Embarrassingly, Severus actually gasped when he saw the bi-colored horn, instantly knowing the boy was using it as a wand…a second wand. Then, with this wand, he accioed a nearby candle stick, never mind that it was a fourth year level charm. He expected the boy to use a small incendio to light it, but instead he brought the wick up to his lips and gently blew against it.

"Fire's Breath," Severus whispered in part with amazement and recognition.

"I'm not done yet," Harry said smiling, and set this candle down.

The boy had an air of excitement and pride akin to a child showing off some new skill to his parent. It was infectious and Severus couldn't help but lean forward also excited to see what Harry could do. Remarkable things happened to Harry Potter all the time, so it had to be something pretty impressive for the boy to get so excited.

Then Harry again reached into his bag and actually pulled out a violin. Severus didn't know why, but for some reason the idea of Harry Potter actually playing an instrument like this was just as unbelievable as any of his other tricks. He never associated Harry with music before, and the boy never showed much interests in the creative arts either. The boy didn't even doodle in the margins of his books, unlike many of the other children.

Now more fascinated than ever, Severus watched as Harry flick his unicorn wand a couple times in the air, turning it into a black and white violinist's bow. Severus mentally added wand manipulation to the boy's already impressive repertoire.

Then Harry rose to his feet and went to a more open area of the sitting room and placed the violin beneath his chin and poised the bow across its strings. While waiting the weeks for Hedwig's return, Harry passed the time by practicing more and more complicated pieces of music. Andromeda encouraged this practice because it was a mark of culture and refinement to be able to play a musical instrument without the aid of magic.

While Harry was the first to admit he was no master, at least he could now summon all four of his sprites with something similar to a pleasant song, and not just a bunch of ear bleeding noise. Once he discovered music, Harry really took to it like he took to a broom. Just like flying, the music had the ability to carry Harry away from his troubles, leaving him more relaxed and at peace afterwards.

Severus was already impressed, even if what came out of that violin was more akin to a banshee's cry. Harry had so much hidden potential and unplumbed depths, that it boggled the mind. From flying to dark arts to parselmagic and now music. He wanted to take all this raw talent and help raise this child above the rest of the mediocre.

As prepared as Severus was to brace his ears, when the first long, smooth, and rich sound was pulled out of the violin, Severus swore goose-bumps instantly prickled his skin at the hauntingly beautiful sound. Shortly after the first note ended, the small boy picked up the pace, pulling the bow over the violin strings with shorter and quicker motions. Then the child began swaying, flexing, and twisting to the sounds which quickened, and Harry matched it with even quicker steps, until it couldn't be denied that he was actually dancing, even forgetting that he had an audience.

Severus took a sip of his alcohol, now completely enchanted with the sheer beauty and joy this little child radiated. Really, with his dark wild hair flying around and his flashing green eyes, Harry more resembled one of the fey of Olden Times than a mere school boy with too much on his shoulders. Not to mention the magic that he was raising was so energizing and intoxicating.

Severus was so hypnotized that he didn't notice the nearly transparent creature that soon joined Harry in his dance. Another sprite answered the summons, but this one was at Harry's feet, so Severus didn't notice this one either. It wasn't until the candle that Harry lit with Fire's Breath, grew taller and taller that Severus realized he wasn't just watching a violinist's act, but an actually Calling.

The abnormally tall flame split off from the candle and lit up the darkened area where Harry danced, casting wild shadows around the room.

Harry didn't stop playing until he was surrounded by his four friends. Only then did he change the bow back into his wand and returned to his seat. "So what do you think?" Harry said a little breathlessly. "I've been practicing a lot." He carelessly wiped the damp bangs out of his eyes, eager to hear what his teacher thought.

What do I think? Severus thought incredulously, as he watched the boy feed his four…four! Elemental sprites with a drop of blood. Magic really did favor this child, Severus thought inanely. For once in his life, Severus had no words to express all the emotions that this little show inspired, but the boy was waiting for some kind of response, looking for some kind of approval with those bright, dancing eyes of his.

A thought suddenly hit him like a bludger. Severus realized with a saddened heart how starved for affection and a kind word Harry must be. At least Severus had his mother, who never failed to let him know that he was loved by at least one person. But not a single person told this boy that he was worth loving, not until this mysterious Source and now Severus, himself.

"That was the single most enchanting performance I have ever had the privilege to enjoy," Severus said truthfully, willing the boy to absorb the meaning of his words into his very bones. Indeed, it was rare for Severus to be so moved by anything really, but it was all he could do not to give the boy a standing ovation. By the brilliant smile and then humble embarrassment that flashed across the boy's face, Severus was glad he chose not to censure a single word. "Truly, it was an honor. Your mother would be thrilled with your musical talent."

"Oh." Harry wasn't prepared to hear such a candid admission from his normally stoic teacher and it made him choke a little and tears prickled in his eyes. "Umm…it was nothing," he said awkwardly, not really knowing what to do with Snape's compliment. "I sorta get carried away when I play." Searching for a change in topic, he spotted his four friends, the whole reason for this pleasant but awkward situation in the first place. "Can I introduce you to my friends?"

Severus gave the boy and amused look, letting the boy off. It wasn't common practice for a wizard to name his sprites, but of course Harry wasn't a common wizard. So Severus inclined his head, indulgently.

Harry perked up and began pointing them out. "This is Aria, she's the playful one and full of energy. Next to her is Flama, obviously the Fire sprite. She's the curious one." Then he lifted the Earth and Water sprites from his shoulder and placed them on the table. "These are Triton and Terra."

Severus nodded to each of them, giving his respect as they were due. Small though they were, they were still manifestations of pure magic and deserved to be acknowledged properly. And to his delight they nodded, bowed, curtsied, and bubbled back at him in acceptance. "Not that this evening hasn't been the most intriguing and enchanting, but I get the impression that there was a reason why you decided to confide these secrets to me now."

Harry blinked as he decoded Snape-speak into normal human words. And then his eyes widened, and he shot to his feet. "Oh, that's right."

Seeing Harry's reaction, Severus again prepared himself for some other kind of surprise. The boy had an odd way of leaving out the most important and urgent information until last, just like the day when he turned over the Firebolt. And, of course, Severus' suspicions were correct.

"Remember about a month ago, I asked you for that special vial of the Draught of Living Death?" Harry asked.

Severus nodded as his eyes narrowed, suddenly not like the direction where this was headed. "You said it was to catch Pettigrew."

Harry nodded excitedly. "Yeah. I sent Triton and Aria out with Hedwig, and they just returned with Pettigrew."

A jolt of adrenalin went down Severus' spine uncomfortably. "You mean to tell me, Pettigrew, the man who betrayed Lily…who betrayed your parents is here right now?"

Harry's excited eyes softened, realizing that Snape had a claim to Pettigrew too, maybe even more than Harry did because he loved…still loved his mother so much. "Pettigrew is in rat form and Hedwig is guarding him now."

At this, Snape quickly rose to his feet and sent the precious Grimoire into his room, saying nothing about the fact that Harry let his pet owl guard an allegedly dangerous wizard. One of these days, he was going to smack some sense into the Gryffindor and teach him the importance of prioritizing. Then he waved a hand, letting Harry lead the way.

To be technical, it was Aria who led the way, out into the Forbidden Forest. Severus was glad to note that at least Hedwig was smart enough not to enter the Hogwarts wards with her prisoner. Just as they reached the first of the trees, Harry stopped them both and fiddled with something that was tuck beneath his robes.

"Dementors," Harry answered before murmuring the counter to the dark memory charm he had put on Severus to forget about his cobra patronus way back in November.

That was the only warning before Severus' eyes were practically blinded, even in afternoon light, by the bright King cobra that burst from Harry's unicorn wand.

And like a shroud had been lifted from his mind, Severus suddenly realized he recognized this patronus. He caught himself gaping before hastily closing his mouth. "It was your patronus that was on the field that day?" Severus returned before his eyes narrowed. "How is it that I did not recall its form before now?"

"I couldn't risk anyone suspecting anything strange about me," Harry said, feeling a twinge of guilt but was confident in the knowledge that he had no other choice. "If it makes you feel better, Sir, I made sure no one remembered my patronus that day."

Severus still didn't like it. He hated magic that altered his mind, but he couldn't fault the child either for the rare bout of caution and self preservation. "Is there any other mind magicks that you performed on me?"

Harry shook his head. "That was the only one, sir. I promise."

Severus sighed. "Very well. But you will not be performing any more on me. If there is something you don't wish for me to know, say so."

"I understand." Harry nodded before turning back to his patronus. "Follow Aria," he ordered.

As the patronus lit the way through the shadowed forest and repelled the dementors, Severus allowed himself to admire the beautiful serpent. It had to be at least 3 meters long, so detailed that you could see every single scale, and so corporal that it was practically opaque. Most other corporal patroni were only translucent.

When Severus first saw this powerful patronus on the Quidditch field that day, he remembered wanting to ask Flickwick whose patronus it belonged to, already knowing it didn't come from any of the teacher's wands. Logic said that it belonged to a Slytherin, being a snake, but none of his 7th years were able to conjure a corporal patronus at the time.

After the chaos, Severus somehow forgot to follow up on this. Now he knew the reason for this uncharacteristic forgetfulness. Now with his memory restored, he recalled how this one patronus was strong enough to not only hold off a herd of dementors but also injured one of them. Such an occurrence was unheard of. Glancing at the boy who mastered said patronus, Severus wasn't even sure if Harry realized how powerful he had to be. And to think I thought he was an attention seeking brat, Severus thought disgustedly. Now he knew he couldn't be farther from the truth. If anything, the boy tried his hardest to disappear into the background.

Finally, a gentle hoot stopped them in their tracks, and the king cobra coiled against itself, alert and ready if a dementor attacked. Severus and Harry both looked up at the owl's call. There it was, its snowy white feathers glistening in the few beams of sunlight that managed to penetrate the forest ground, and in its right claw was a slightly punctured and battered rat.

"Hey girl," Harry said softly, holding his arm out. Hedwig came to land, one footed, since the other foot still clasped around her prisoner. Then she nipped Harry's finger hard, almost drawing blood. Harry snatched his finger back and hissed in pain.

Hedwig gave an angry hoot.

"I'm sorry it took so long," Harry instantly apologized. "I promise, you can have your fill of my breakfast tomorrow." Harry tentatively reached for his owl, and was rewarded by a more gentler nip.

Severus watched their antics with a roll of his eyes. That bird had Harry wrapped around her claws. He cleared his throat. "If we may proceed?" he asked, eyeing the slightly bleeding rat pointedly.

Harry quickly apologized for Snape's manners, and Hedwig carelessly dropped her burden onto the forest ground before flying back onto the tree bow where she could get the best view.

"So what are your plans now," Severus asked. He knew he wanted the traitorous coward to pay for his crimes, but he was also curious as to what Harry had planned.

"Can you return him to human form and back into a rat again?"

Severus nodded, waving his wand over the rat. "Hominus Revelio." He watched with a disgusted sneer as the rat grew to the size and shape of a pudgy and baldish looking human. While he had faith that Harry knew what he was doing, it wasn't real until he had Peter Pettigrew, one of four of his childhood tormentors, lying unconscious at his feet.

"Merlin…" Severus breathed. "That really is Pettigrew."

"In the flesh," Harry said. "Now to make sure he doesn't escape again." He cast a detection charm that would tell him if Pettigrew had any magical objects or boobie traps placed on his person. There were no traps, but his wand and what looked like a portkey lit up in Harry's scan. Harry levitated the portkey out of Pettigrew's pocket and incendio-ed it. Next, he retrieved the wand and used the same levitation charm to empty out the man's pockets. There were some expected items like galleons, which he ignored, but he did pick up what looked like an expensive pocket watch.

"Pettigrew never went anywhere without it," Severus said, recognizing it.

Hearing this, Harry placed it in his bag as well. "Alright, I'm done. Can you revert Pettigrew back into his rat form?"

Professor Snape did, and Harry gingerly picked up the still unconscious rat and dropped it carelessly into a potion's jar with air holes. Then he layered it with all sorts of charms, some even in parseltongue. "I'm going to keep Pettigrew in my trunk," Harry announced. "Until I can get a vow from Sirius Black that he will concede to our demands."

"And when do you plan on approaching Black?"

"Now, if we can," Harry answered promptly.

A/N: Severus' reaction feels a little flat to me, but I am attributing that to the fact that he had so much dumped on him at once, so he's a little shell shocked. Poor Sev. He'll definitely liven up in the next chappie.

I hope this lived up to your expectations. I know many of you were hoping Harry would reveal Marvolo as well, but they can't do that until they could secure Severus' loyalty.

Up Next : My version of Harry, Severus, Moony, and Padfoot's confrontation. It is definitely different from canon!
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In Servitude of the Dark: The Hand That Guides Me