Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

In His Place	By : SpeedyTomato Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male > Harry/Sirius Views: 72865 -:- Recommendations : 16 -:- Currently Reading : 16
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, so sad for me, and make no money off this story, even sadder for me.

Chapter List
- 19
- 20
- 21
Beta'd by the amazing Tenchi. Love you, woman, you're the best!

With help from Lynn who works with me when it comes to flow, continuity and other issues.

Just a reminder of what's on my profile; reviews complaining or whinging about the lack 'o sex in stories will get deleted. If you want a smut-filled romp, you need to find another story to read.

Chapter 20

Looking at the mist that came out of the end of Narcissa's wand, Harry nodded. “That's good and means you're going in the right direction. You probably just need to find the right memory to make it work.” Handing her and Lucius, both, a bit of chocolate after they look a seat, looking tired and stressed, he added, “You're both doing quite well.” For the first time, they were working on their Patronus. It had been a struggle at first, of course, but they were getting there.
Smoothing down her robes after taking a seat then rubbing a slightly trembling hand over her forehead, Narcissa let out a sigh of relief then took the chocolate. “This is a bit harder than I expected.”
Seating himself on the arm of his wife's chair, taking his own chocolate, Lucius told her, “It is, yes, but worth it. We don't catch on as quickly as we did in school to so much, unfortunately. I imagine that's part of it. There is also the part where it pulls on your magic a different way. We're getting there, though. It will just take time and practice.”
“You're doing quite well,” Harry said, settling into his chair. It was actually easier to teach these two than it was Draco, as they had a firmer grasp on some of what they needed than their son did. “We'll keep working on it until you get it, don't worry.”
“Draco was right; you're an excellent teacher and quite patient,” Narcissa told him with a smile, reaching over to pat his hand.
“Indeed,” Lucius agreed with a nod. “Once we get this down, you can walk us through how to send messages. That should help me aid in what you and Draco are taking on when it comes to the other spell.”
“We aren't getting very far with that, I admit it,” Harry said with a shake of his head.
“Getting too distracted with ideas for pranks?” Narcissa asked, smiling slightly.
“No,” Harry said with a grin. “We just can't find anything compatible that will work is all. Everything we've come across doesn't like parts of the spell for the Patronus. It just means we have to look harder, nothing more.”
“I think, at this juncture, we need to get Sirius and Remus involved in the hunt. They may know better where to look as we've gone through all the areas I can think of. I'm certain it's a defensive spell of some kind, but I’m just not sure where else to research to find it,” Lucius admitted, shaking his head.
Looking between the two, having listened in, Narcissa asked, curious, though this wasn't her area, “What is it you're trying to accomplish? This doesn't sound like another prank.”
“It's not, Lucius told her with a shake of his head then explained Severus' assignment. “I have a feeling his impetus behind this is because he doesn't have the time to work on it himself. That and it should give Harry practice in the area.”
Nodding thoughtfully, taking it in and seeing if she knew anything that could help, Narcissa then sighed. “I'll be of no assistance there, sorry.”
“I'm not being much either,” Lucius admitted with a snort and smirk. “We've been looking at defensive spells and are finding nothing. They've been through standard locking charms and come up with naught.”
“What kind did you use to do the talking and movement? That may give you a hint where to look, Harry.” She finally inquired, wondering if that wouldn't at least give them all a nudge where to hunt.
“That was odd. It was a joke charm,” Harry told her. Telling her which one, he added, “We all learned it our second year. It was just meant to add movement and voice to something.”
Straightening up, Lucius thought it over then said, brow furrowed, “Mayhaps we're looking in the wrong place then. That spell wasn't even in the same class as what we're working with. Perhaps looking in other areas is needed.” Shaking his head, he let out a sigh and admitted, “I think we were making this far harder than we had to, Harry. Let's get Sirius and Remus involved then see where else we can look.” Snorting, he said, “Perhaps I should have left you alone to tend to it. My meddling may have complicated this far more than it should have and spun you in a few circles.”
“That's fine,” Harry grinned. “We learned plenty doing that.”
“True, but I should have left well enough alone. Let's see where Sirius and Remus can point us,” Lucius sighed, shaking his head. That wasn't the kind of help the two needed, though he was sure they picked up plenty that they could use for pranks!

Tossing the book he had just gone through aside, Sirius grabbed the next one and shook his head. “I agree with Lucius; I don't think we can use a defensive spell for this. We need to look at a charm from a different class. And I think, maybe, it might be one of the prank ones again. Which one? I don't know yet, but we'll find it. Once we do, I think we're going to have to tinker with it slightly.”
Pushing the book he had gone through aside, Harry took a sip of his butterbeer then asked, “Should we give over even attempting to look at defensive spells?”
“I think so,” Sirius nodded. “Let's focus on Charms books instead. We should find something close then you two can work on tweaking it. If you can't figure out a way, Remus and I can give a hand.” Sirius told him, skimming through the tome he was holding.
Glancing at the door, Harry asked, “What's Remus doing anyway? I heard the signal from the mirror, of course.”
“He got a message from Snape, so he's setting up that meeting Rufus wants,” Sirius explained. Right now, it was just him and Harry in the kitchen. Narcissa was tending to something with the elves while Lucius was downstairs working on Potions with Draco. “We'll know what they want to do with that bit when he comes back. If Rufus wants it set up fast, it means something big and we need to do it quickly.”
Understanding, Harry nodded. He was curious about that, of course, but figured they'd know what it was when the Minister of Magic started talking. He was about to change back to the original topic and ask questions when Remus came in. Watching the werewolf walk over and take a seat, he waited to see what was going on.
Glancing up as his old friend, Sirius sat the book down as Remus cast the standard warding spell.
“We have a meeting set up tonight at midnight. Severus was able to get the Room of Requirement working how he needs it, so he's going to use that rather than risk trying to get out. Rufus will come over then. He said he wants us to set up as many precautions as we can get, including the elves to keep watch. From what he told me, he desperately needs our help, especially Severus' with whatever this is in reference to.” Remus explained softly, looking concerned.
“Any hint what it's about?” Sirius asked, uptight himself and not sure what it could relate to other than, probably, the war.
“As Alastor said; he's not giving up any hints, just that it's huge,” Remus sighed, clasping his hands on the table, looking worried. Shaking his head, he added, “I get the feeling that, because Severus is involved, it relates to not only You-Know-Who, but Albus as well. It's just a feeling, mind you, but that's the only thing I can think of as he knows how dangerous it is for Severus to get involved with the delicate dance he does. For him to insist he needs him there, tells me it has to involve both of them.”
“That makes sense,” Sirius admitted, brow furrowed. Shaking his head, he added, “This has me concerned. Rufus is good at giving up hints so we know to prepare.”
“I concur,” Remus told him softly. Eyes drifting to Harry, he added, “And Rufus said he needs Harry there. Draco is fine to join as well, of course, but he insisted that Harry be there.”
That Sirius didn't like as it could mean something rotten coming from either whatever Albus was trying to pull or the other side of this nightmare. Shaking his head, he didn't know what to say.
“Why me?” Harry asked, looking between the two, feeling a chill dance up and down his spine over this.
“I don't know,” Remus told him honestly. “I wouldn't be overly concerned, Harry. You aren't leaving the house and we protect you. It might mean that he just needs answers or some understanding of something you know about. Maybe something clarified. I don't know. Either way, Rufus is making certain you aren't drawn into this mess. There is no chance he's going to change that stance now.”
Putting a hand on Harry's back, Sirius patted it. “Don't worry. I'm sure it's just information of some kind. He's making damned sure you aren't on the front line of this. In fact, he's going out of his way to make sure you are safe and protected from anyone trying to drag you into this nightmare. He's not Albus and going to try to drag you in. He's promised all of us that.”
Nodding, slightly relieved, Harry wasn't sure what to say as he had a bad feeling about this. And it wasn't from that nightmare this whole mess triggered with the psychic ability either. It was just there and he didn't know why.
“Sirius is right,” Remus told Harry with a smile. “You are out. Everyone from him to Severus and the rest of us will ensure that. I wouldn't be overly concerned.” Shaking his head, he said, “Let me go get with Narcissa and Lucius so they know to prepare. Rufus is getting in contact with Alastor so he knows. This way we're all ready. When I finish, I'll come in and give a hand trying to find a spell or something we can use.” Seeing them nod, he stood to go pass along the information.
Watching Remus go, Harry muttered softly, “I don't like this, Sirius. Something about it has me on edge, in a big way.”
Rubbing Harry's back, Sirius sighed, “That makes two of us, Harry. We'll figure it out soon enough, don't worry. Just don't focus on it. We'll find something to distract ourselves until then.” Giving Harry's back a pat, he went back to the books. Grinning, hoping to add some levity to a tense situation, he said, “We are keeping track of some of the spells we find. Some could not only be dead useful, but a right riot.”
Grinning himself, Harry told him, “Draco and I were doing the same thing. There were plenty we found that can be used for all kinds of bits. We have a huge list of them with references to the books they were in.”
“We're doing the same thing with this,” Sirius said, pulling some parchment over and making a note about a spell he just found that could be used for many things helpful and had serious possibilities for pranking. “People definitely need to watch out when we finish with this research. We'll find some genuinely fun shite to play with.”
Laughing, Harry shook his head. Though that lightened the mood, he couldn't help but still be on edge. There was something huge coming and he was sure he was involved somehow. That and it related to what Dumbledore was trying to pull. He didn't like that, at all.

Explaining to Snape the issues they were having when it came to finding the spell they needed for the Patronus, Sirius was trying to pick the man's brain about where they could look for something. So far, they weren't coming up with much. As they were just waiting for Alastor and Rufus to show up, he was going to take the opportunity to do that. Shaking his head, he said, “So far we're not coming up with much. We've discounted standard locking charms and anything for defense. What we're looking into now is some of the joke spells as that's what they used initially. It was our hope you had an idea where to look.”
Rubbing a hand over his mouth, looking down, Severus tried to think. “So far you've not come up with anything close?” He asked, looking up and glancing between the obviously tired looking Draco, who shook his head, and the dozing Harry. Harry—he had taken the potions that were taken at bedtime. Though he wasn't prepared to go to bed yet, they had to be taken at a specific time to keep them in his system, so he was dozing from the effects. Severus was holed up in the Room of Requirement, quite happy with how it worked, something he would remember for future purposes if he had to talk to those in the house. This would make it less risky than trying to get over there.
“Nothing, Severus,” Lucius sighed, shaking his head. Putting a hand on Draco's head, he explained, “We've all helped them look and have come up with nothing close. It's either obviously out, as it'll counteract with elements of the Patronus, or just won't do what you've asked about. We're still looking, of course, but aren't coming up with anything. So, any suggestions would be most helpful.”
Folding his arms over his chest and looking down at the floor, Severus' brow was furrowed. “Let me see what I can find. I'll get with Filius to see if he can at least point me in the right direction. He should have some idea of what kind of charm to use.” He was stopped from speculating on where to look from the signal indicating Alastor and Rufus were on their. Straightening up, he waited, slightly on edge by this. Like the rest, he was sure that whatever this was was big and that boded nothing good, for any of them.
Rousing Harry, Sirius slipped an arm around him and waited, eyes on the door. Like Snape, he had a deep sense of foreboding about this that he couldn't shake, no matter what he did.
Coming and taking a seat, nodding to everyone while Alastor activated the standard warding, Rufus waited until the retired Auror took a seat to launch in. “I'm going to jump right in here. It's about that diadem we found in the castle.” Seeing everyone look at him, obviously concerned, he sighed, shaking his head. “The tests on it are back. It's something called a Horcrux.” Seeing confused looks, he quickly explained what it was as briefly as he could. Seeing the sick looks after he was done, he nodded, “I agree; that's just beyond disturbing for someone to do.”
“Was it the Dark Lord's, or couldn't you tell?” Lucius asked with a shiver, looking dour over the thought.
“We're sure it is,” Rufus told him. Looking around, he added, “It has to do with the magical signature on it. It matches what we know is his from testing other bits we knew he caused. Which leaves us needing help.”
“How can we help?” Alastor asked, looking grave, not sure what they could manage.
“What I desperately need is information.” Looking at the mirror, seeing the tense looking Severus gazing at him, Rufus told him, “You saw Albus' reaction, Severus. That's enough to tell me he knows something about this nightmare. And we need to know what that is. I know you can't come out and directly ask him, but if you can find a way to wiggle around to get it out of him, I need you to do so. I'm not going to ask about the other side as there is no way of doing that.”
“I'll see what I can manage,” Severus told him, looking determined. “It's just going to take time.”
“I'm not sure how much time we have, honestly,” Rufus admitted with a shake of his head. “The faster we can find out, the better we can handle the situation. Do what you can.”
“Let me see what I can wiggle,” Severus sighed, already trying to think of a way to go about this that would get them the desperately needed information.
Shifting his gaze to Lucius, Rufus told him, “I need you to think over what you know to see if you can come up with any leanings at all about this disgusting area. While I get that you might not know anything directly, you might have heard or seen something that can help. Any clue you can give up would be most helpful.”
“I'll do what I can,” Lucius assured him, brow furrowed as his mind began to race over the implications and how it might relate to so much.
Sighing softly, Rufus then looked at Harry, who was slightly green over what he heard. “When Harry sent us into that room, he said there was more of those—nasty items out there and that they would lead to what we had to do to end this mess. That now makes sense.” Shaking his head, he asked the teen, softening his tone, “Do you know anything more than that? I know you imparted everything you could, but I was wondering.”
“Nothing more than what I told you,” Harry said softly. “I'm sorry. Honestly? I don't remember much of that part either because I was so out of it at the time.”
“I figured but wanted to ask,” Rufus sighed.
“Can you get us the readings on that—disgusting thing so we know what we're looking for or see if it can jog something loose?” Remus asked, shivering at the thought of what it was and how it was made.
“That I'll pass to Alastor,” Rufus nodded. “He can get it to you and help all he can.”
Though his old boss had asked Harry a question, Sirius didn't think it was the reason he requested they have him here specifically. However, he was equally sure that it might be related in some way. So, he was going to ask. “What did you need Harry for, Rufus? We don't have any way for him to get into that state so you can ask him questions.”
“That wasn't what I wanted him here for,” Rufus sighed, shaking his head as he looked at the floor. “That comes because I want him to hear what I have to say next to drive the point home that he needs kept away from Albus at all costs.”
Stiffening up, not liking the sound of that, Sirius then glanced around, seeing concerned faces, before asking, tone highly wary, “What's going on?”
“I think I have an inkling of why Albus keeps pushing for what he is with Harry and let so much happen when he had a chance to stop it,” the Minister of Magic said. With a groan, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a slip of parchment. “I finally got my hands on the full prophecy that was involved. There was a record of it down in the Department of Mysteries. It was just so buried and lost that it was hard for them to find. I don't think that was a coincidence, either.”
“What does it say?” Severus asked, already on edge about this, sure none of them would like what it contained.
Quickly, Rufus read it off then said, looking around, “I have what they translated it to mean.” Eyes sliding to Harry once more, he said, “They took it to mean that for this to end, that Harry had to face that maniac and kill him.”
“Oh, fuck no!” Sirius snarled, pulling Harry close to him. “That is not happening!”
“I agree,” Rufus nodded, seeing the others also looking quite upset by that revelation. Sighing, he continued, “You need to consider that even those in the Department of Mysteries will tell you that though a prophecy might be valid, that doesn't mean we can't change it in some way or invalidate it. Either that or they might have the translation wrong or that changes as well. There is nothing set in stone when it comes to these prophecies. I don't think that Albus sees it that way, though. Which means all of you need to stay on your toes when it comes to dealing with him and do everything in your power to keep Harry away from him until something happens to prove to him that this prophecy isn't something he should be following. I also don't think that he's going to help much in ending this nightmare until someone, somewhere, proves to him that it's invalid.”
Looking thunderous, piecing together plenty of things that had happened, Severus asked, tone a low snarl, “Do you think this Horcrux nightmare and the prophecy are related?” Already he wanted to go hex the old goat for this mess, though he would stay his hand. However, at the end of the nightmare, he would be imparting his displeasure at the manipulations! Oh yes he would!

“While I don't have direct proof of it or know how it relates, my gut is telling me it is,” Rufus admitted. Shaking his head, he added, “I tend to listen when my gut tells me something as it's usually right, so I'm doing that with this nightmare as well. It's just a case of I don't know how yet. That's what I need the information partially for. Until I can get that or you lot can figure out how it does, we need to keep Harry as far out of that old man's grasp as we can keep him. Moody told me he's already trying. As that fails, it's my thought that he'll keep on. You need to make sure he can't succeed.”
“Oh, you can bet your arse he won't,” Sirius hissed, eyes narrowed, holding the trembling more than normal Harry close.
“Between all of us, we'll not only stick as close to Harry as we can, but devise a signal that he can send off if something is wrong. One way or another, we'll keep Albus from pulling some kind of stunt,” Remus sighed, not liking this at all.
“I'll also look into what I can find to help you. You all need to keep me posted on what he tries. Moody told me he was trying to talk Harry into going back to school. One more attempt like that and I'm doing something to step in. I have paperwork to stop him, as I told you before. So, I'll see what I can do with that to make it look like it's a normal occurrence, rather than give him a hint that all of you have a clue about what he's trying. Let me see what I can manage. There may be other things I can do as well without looking like my hand is in it or that someone may know what he's up to. I'll find a way.” Rufus assured all of them, looking around.
“Since when does Albus follow rules, Rufus?” Severus asked, tone snide. “He thinks he's above those and the law. If it comes down to it, he'll do that again with this.”
“Another point well taken, Severus,” Rufus admitted with a sigh. “I'll manage. Just give me some time. There is a way, I just have to find it, nothing more.” Shaking his head, he admitted, “Whatever I manage to put in place isn't going to deter him. All of you know that. He'll just find another way. Which means all of you have to stay hyper vigilant to protect Harry. And that has to start now.”
“We will,” Lucius assured him, looking dour himself at the thought, not liking the conclusions he was drawing over this mess and what Harry had probably been set up for.
“Any more questions?” Rufus asked, looking around. Seeing plenty of furious looks, but shakes of heads as well, he said, “I'm going to go. I'll let you work out what you need to on how to deal with this. All of you are better at that than I am, so I'll leave you to it. If you find out anything, no matter how small, let me know.” Standing with a groan, he nodded to the angry looking Alastor then took his leave with the retired Auror following him out.
Glancing in the mirror, seeing Severus' jaw working angrily, Remus sighed and shook his head, “I say we give this tonight to think it over. Tomorrow can you manage to slip away and do this again, Severus? That way we might be able to see things clearer than we can now because of emotions.”
“I'll make time,” Severus assured him, looking irate.
“We'll plan for that then,” Remus said. “I'll get with Alastor so he can join us. We can hash it out then.” Seeing nods, he sighed again, hating the ramifications of this. Though he doubted that sleep would come easily to any of them in this room, they needed to try to have a clearer head to sort through the newest mess. That would only help.

Eyes flying open, Sirius stiffened up, body bathed in sweat. Clutching the sleeping Harry tightly, he played over what had just come to him in a dream. Well, it was more like his mind turning a 'dream' he already had over and replaying it. And what it did hit him, hard. He was also damned sure that it related to the mess they had heard tonight as well.
Taking in great gulps of air, heart hammering, he panted heavily as he tried to think of a way to talk to James. Harry couldn't get into that place on his own at this point, but that's what he needed, desperately, because he had questions only James could answer.
Shutting his eyes with a groan, still holding his godson close, he tried to think. Tomorrow he would get with Cissy to see what she could do or figure out. She was the kind that would keep it to herself if he asked. If she had a way or something to try, he would work with Harry on the matter. His godson might not like it, but he had to know for it to help all of them. Because, like Rufus said, he was now damned sure that it was related. And he had to know if what his mind just put together was correct. Had. To! He was damned sure that plenty was riding on the answers to the questions he had. Once he had those, he thought they might be on firmer footing in dealing with Albus or find a way to point him in another direction. Either worked and had to come.
Giving Harry a squeeze, he kissed him on top of the head then groaned. Now he was going to sort through the mess of that dream of James to see if he could figure most of it out on his own. That would help as well. Anything would at this point.
- 19
- 20
- 21
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

In His Place