Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

No Obvious Truths	By : Danyealle Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male Views: 64502 -:- Recommendations : 8 -:- Currently Reading : 32
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter and make no money off this work of fiction.

Chapter List
- 2
- 3
- 4
Chapter 3

Beta'd by the amazing Tenchi. Thanks, woman! You're the BEST!

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Sitting in Spinner's End, Tom and Lucius were going over what they felt needed to be accomplished. Once Severus and Arabella were back, Lucius would deliver what they brought and pick up the list of scans that were needed from his lawyers so Severus could attend to that. Then they would go see the boy and work from there. Really, not much could be done until Severus did the scans, but they wanted to have as much already in place as they could. It was all set up and waiting though. Already, his lawyers had a healer waiting on call to come look over things and make determinations then, from there, the custody shouldn't be an issue. He and Tom had determined that Amelia Bones was going to be the one to approach with this. Though she was tough, she was fair about things and the one in charge of the family portion of the Wizengamot. It was just going to be a delicate dance with her to where he had to leave things out but couldn't outright lie to her about anything. As Lucius was used to doing things like this, he was accustomed to it but was going to have to be more aware of doing so this time than most because it could come back to bite them later if he wasn't.

They hadn't been there that long when Severus and Arabella returned. From the smug look on Severus' face, not to mention the large volume of parchments he was holding, they had everything they would need to get the end result they were wanting. Arabella looked conflicted then wary when she saw the other being in the room. Figuring that it was best that Severus deal with that while he hurried the things to his lawyers, he stood, saying, “We have enough to accomplish everything?”

Giving a feral grin that only Severus could manage, one that was evil in nature and made chills dance down your spine, he told Lucius, “More than enough, trust me! With this alone you will have no issue at all getting custody.” Having read through some of it while Arabella was collecting other parts, he, though not all that familiar with legal maneuvering, knew enough that it would be easy to get custody transferred.

Liking the look on his friend's face, Lucius nodded. “I'll get these to the lawyer and get the list of what we need to procure.” Glancing at Tom, he then added, quietly, “You can explain who he is and work with it though he does have a plan in place.”

With an internal sigh, Severus then nodded, knowing this wasn't going to go well once Arabella found out who this was.

After Lucius took his leave, Tom, having already been filled in on what had transpired before, stood and walked over to the pair. “Arabella, Lucius already told me that he and Severus gave you an Unbreakable Vow to assure you of their good intentions.” Seeing the older squib give him a wary look then a nod, he continued, “I would like to add mine to that. From there, we can press forward. Is that alright with you?”

As she didn't know who this was, Arabella appreciated the gesture and nodded. “I believe that is something I would like, yes.”

Severus was relieved at that. It would stave off a multitude of issues. Having been in the Order long enough, Arabella would recognize Tom's name instantly then any help they would get from her would be gone.

Grasping her arm in the way needed, Tom started off, making sure he had a firm grasp on her, “I, Tom Marvolo Riddle,” at the mention of his real name, he could see the squib's eyes widen, her body stiffen then feel her try to pull her arm back. Rather than stop and reassure her, he held on tightly then continued, “Never have, nor ever will, try to harm nor have harmed Harry Potter. Nor have any of my followers. I will not use, manipulate, try to convert, force or, in any other way, coerce him into anything. I will also do everything in my power to keep him safe and protected, ensuring that all his needs are met. Along with that, I'll make sure, to the best of my ability, that he is well, happy and protected for the rest of his life.” Stopping, he waited for the tap of Severus' wand then felt the magic flare, sealing the Vow.

Standing there, feeling the magic course through her, Arabella just stared in amazement. That name... oh, she knew it well! Dumbledore had made it clear that Tom Marvolo Riddle was the same being as Lord Voldemort, the most evil wizard ever. The Vow though... it was real and took. Nor could she see any wiggle room in what he had said. Stammering, still wide eyed, she whispered, “You're him! You're Lord Voldemort! The one that tried to kill Harry in the first place!” Looking at Severus, she was panicked, wondering what to do and just wanting to get out of there.

“Arabella,” Tom said in his most calm and soothing voice, “I am Lord Voldemort but, as I said in the vow, I have never tried to harm Harry.”

“How? It was you that killed his parents and gave him that scar!” She shrieked, backing away, wringing her hands.

“No, I didn't kill his parents or try to kill him. The scar, yes, is my fault but it was as the result of trying to defend him,” Tom explained.

“Wh-what?” Arabella asked, confused, looking from Voldemort to Severus.

“There are two Lord Voldemorts, Arabella,” Severus told her softly. “Tom is not the one that tried to kill Harry and murdered his parents. He was there that night, yes, but to try to defend against the other.”

Now the poor woman was very confused. Looking between the two, she opened her mouth to say something but nothing came out as she couldn't think what to say. Finally, she asked a soft, tentative, “Two?”

Putting a hand on the older woman's arm, Severus led her over to sit down. Though it was early, he poured her a shot of firewhiskey and handed to her, not at all surprised when she downed it quickly. Seating himself beside her, he looked at Tom who took a seat on the other side then arched an eyebrow as if it ask who should explain it.

Seeing Severus' look, Tom nodded back then leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. Quietly, he began to explain, “I won't go into the whole story, that's best left for another time. One of these times when you visit Harry after Lucius gets custody, I'll explain the whole thing. Yes, I am Lord Voldemort and can look like the other but it's something like a glamour. I'm not the one that did all the evil things that one was known for. I do want to change the Wizarding World and am not fond of Muggles but I wouldn't go out to just kill them. When it comes to changing things, I'm going about it another way, not by violence or trying to overthrow anything. As for Harry, as I said in the vow, I never tried to hurt or kill him. It had come to my attention what was going to happen so I tried to stop it. There was a battle, my wand was thrown off and the spell I was casting hit Harry, leaving a scar. The Killing Curse that was thrown was not by me but by what we refer to as the fake Voldemort.”

After that, Arabella was even more confused. Albus had laid out all kinds of fact that lead to this being, never once saying anything about two.

Just as Tom was about to explain better, Lucius came back. The timing on that was perfect and he could give a better visual than he could ever explain. Motioning Lucius over, he said, calmly, to the obviously upset woman, “How about if I show you?” Seeing her nod, he pushed Lucius' sleeve up and showed the Dark Mark that was there. Looking at Severus, he made a motion for him to do the same then had them put their arms side by side. “Look at the two. They are similar, yes, but not the same. The one on Lucius' arm is mine. Severus carries the mark of the other one.”

Looking at the two, the first thing Arabella did was shudder then she leaned in closer to take a better look. At first, they appeared to be the same but as she looked closer there were some subtle differences, quite a few of them, such as the way the snake curved, the way the lines where, how some things arched. Small things, but differences nonetheless. And the one Severus had on his arm seemed to ooze a malevolent magic that made her skin crawl. Leaning back slightly, she frowned, looking again. It was then that she could really see the differences. Though similar in shape, they were different. Confused, she looked up then between the three men and said, voice soft, “They aren't the same.”

“No, they aren't.” Tom said with a small smile. “The other one made his look similar but it's not mine. Severus is a spy in his camp, not mine. He delivers not only the information to Dumbledore but to me as well. I may not like Albus but he's not my enemy.”

“I told you, things are not as they seem. Just trust us and the Vows, Arabella,” Severus told her bluntly. “Those can't be faked or broken. You know that.”

Nodding, she said nothing, looking between the three.

“Just take those for what they are, Arabella. Severus, Lucius and I will help and protect Harry, just as we vowed. All else can be explained later once he is somewhere that the help he truly needs can be provided. Acceptable to you?” Tom asked, gently, trying not to upset the woman more than she already was.

Thinking over the Vows, she couldn’t see any wiggle room in anything that was said so she sighed then nodded. “Alright. I'll go with that. Just so Harry gets the help he needs.”

“He will, I assure you,” Severus told her. Glancing at Lucius, he asked, “Is everything in motion?”

Though he wanted to say something else to assure the woman that their intentions were just what they said they were, he didn't. All that could be said already had been and she would just have to wait to see proof of it. Instead, he answered Severus. “Yes, the lawyers are on it. They gave me a list of scans they want done. Once we get that, they will finish the paperwork then we'll get the hearing set up tonight. If all goes as it should, Harry will be in my custody tonight and be on his way to being cured.”

“I would suggest, then, that we leave and get started,” Tom said, standing.

Arabella had given them directions to Apparate to an alley way behind a convenience store right beside the hospital so she could run in and pick Harry up something for Harry before they went in to see him.

Standing there, brow furrowed, Lucius asked Severus, after trying to figure it out on his own, “What in Merlin's name is 7-Up anyway and how does it help you if you feel sick?”

Lips turning up in a slight smile, remembering the times his own mother had given him the drink when he had an upset stomach, Severus told him, “It's a Muggle fizzy drink that seems to soothe the stomach when you're feeling nauseous. Though it sounds like just an old wives tale, it does actually work. The flavoring and bubbles seem to help an upset stomach and Muggle hospitals even use it for such things.”

“Oh, interesting!” Lucius said with a nod, wondering about it.

“I remember it as well. It does work and is a standard thing when someone is sick,” Tom told them.

“Perhaps, then, that's something we should look into for him,” Lucius said, rubbing his chin.

Quickly, Arabella returned with a bag full of soda and some candy bars for the boy. Leading them into the hospital, she didn't have a problem getting them badges to visit the oncology floor since she was rather a fixture by that point.

After a quick trip up the elevator, Arabella led them to the nurses' station where she handed over one of the bottles of 7-Up for later. The nurse in charge smiled at the elderly lady and nodded then said, “Since you're here, can you take in a change of pajama bottoms for him? He's been sick again from this round of the chemo and has sweated through them. I was about to go in and help him but he trusts you to do it.”

Taking the bottoms, Arabella nodded then smiled, “No problem. I'll get it done.”

Though the nurse gave the three men with her a curious glance, she said nothing and just smiled.

Leading them into the room, she poked her head in the open door and smiled when she saw Harry sitting up, flipping through the TV channels. No, he didn't look good at all being pale and shaking, sweating profusely, obviously in pain, but for the first time she had some real hope that he would finally be cured. After saying his name softly, she stepped into the room when he looked her way. Smiling at him, she said, “I brought some visitors for you.”

Fanning himself with the book he had been reading, Harry looked at the three men curiously. They weren’t anyone he remembered seeing before. Along with that, he was wondering why Mrs. Figg had brought them along. He wasn't real comfortable with people he didn't know, beyond medical staff, seeing him in this shape, especially since he was losing his hair again. Giving a tight smile, he nodded then said a soft, “Hi.”

Giving the men a look that she hope conveyed they shouldn't jump right in with things, she walked over to Harry and sat by his bed then, after sitting the pajama bottoms on the bedside table, dug into her bag and extracted the candy bars. “I brought you some more 7-Up and some Mars Bars. I know those are your favorite!”

Smile growing a little, he said, “Thanks, Mrs. Figg. They said I was almost out of 7-Up.”

Patting his hand, she said, “I figured you were so I made sure we stopped to get some.”

While the woman engaged him in small talk, Tom took the time to pull out his wand, making sure the young man couldn't see it, then shut the door and cast a spell on it to keep everyone out unless they had a specific reason to come in. Even then, the weak ward would alert them to that so they could ensure no one saw magic being done. Then he cast another spell to create a barrier around the Muggle electrical equipment to ensure the magic wouldn't set it off. It wouldn't work for a long period but it should give Severus the time to run the scans that were needed.

Walking over to where Lucius and Severus were standing, he put a hand on his lover's shoulder and was perplexed by the almost horrified look on his face. “What's wrong?” He asked softly, making sure that the young man didn't hear him.

“He is so small! I mean, he's only a month or so younger than Draco but he looks like he's seven or eight! And Severus said those tubes sticking out of him are attached to needles they pushed in his body! This... it's barbaric!” Lucius hissed lowly, sickened by what he was seeing.

“He's sick, Lucius, very sick. That's the reason he's small. The rest is the best the Muggles know to do to get the medicine they need into him,” Severus told him softly. He, too, was stunned by the looks of Potter. It wasn't like he knew what to expect but this wasn't it. Draco was a normal sized boy and he supposed he expected something similar but Arabella's description of him being little more than a waif was correct. This wasn't something he was prepared for.

Having gotten Harry calmed down and not so wary of the men she brought with her, she set the Mars Bars aside then said, “When they give you the medicine for nausea, you can have those, alright? No sense eating them now if you'll just sick them up.” Smiling when she saw him nod, she settled back in the chair then smiled more saying, “I want you to meet some people, Harry. They are here to help you.”

“More doctors?” Harry asked softly, not sure if he should be wary or look hopeful. All he could do was eye them suspiciously, not sure what to think.

“No, they aren't doctors,” Arabella told him with a shake of her head. “Severus,” she said motioning to the man in black, “was a friend of your mothers when they were young. Tom and Lucius are friends of his. They are going to try to help you.”

Glancing at the three men, confused, the young man thought they looked slightly strange. Though dressed normally, there was something off about the clothes but he couldn't put his finger on what it was. Maybe it was the pain killers they kept giving him that made it seem off since they kept him befuddled for quite some time. Rather than focus on that, he asked, “If they aren't doctors, how can they help?”

Motioning the others close, Arabella sighed then looked down at her handbag before looking back up to meet the young man's eyes. Stiffening her spine, knowing this was best coming from her rather than the other three since he trusted her, she said, “There have been some things that you've been lied to all your life about, Harry.”

Brow puckered, not understanding that, Harry looked around then back at Mrs. Figg and asked, softly, “What are those?”

“Harry...” she started then stopped, not sure what to say. After a couple moments she continued, “Your parents didn't die in a car crash. They were murdered.”

“Car crash,” Severus spat out, voice cold. Standing by the bed, spine rigid, he glared though not at Arabella. The mere thought that someone would tell the boy that was appalling! “Who told him this abominable lie?”

Looking at the formidable Potions Master, she said, simply, “The Dursleys.” Glancing back at Harry, she smiled. “Though this might seem a different topic; you know all those 'accidents' you did you couldn't explain? Like when you appeared on the school roof?”

Now Harry was confused. He was already stunned by the information that his parents didn't die in a car wreck but to switch to that stuff? What did one have to do with the other? Nodding, he said, voice slow and thoughtful, “Yeah, I remember those and getting in trouble. What does that have to do with my parents?”

“Harry, you're a wizard. That's why you can make odd things happen. It's also why your parents died. There was an evil wizard that killed them. They died because they were defending you from him. Your mother was a brilliant witch and your father was a wizard as well.” Arabella told him softly. Stopping, she waited for the reaction. She, honestly, didn't know any other way to tell him other than straight out.

Staring at Mrs. Figg, Harry's first thought was the medicine he was given was making him hear things. A wizard? No way! Everyone knew those were just fairy tales! That other stuff... well, he didn't know how he caused such things but it wasn't magic. Licking his lips, he just stared at her then looked around the room at the other three that were there. They weren't laughing, any of them, and all looked serious. Finally, he looked back at Mrs. Figg and said, “Magic isn't real. Uncle Vernon always made sure I knew that!”

“Your uncle lied to you, Mr. Potter,” Severus said, trying to keep his tone soft. Remembering what Petunia was like, this part, honestly, didn't surprise him. If she couldn't have it, she would make sure Harry didn't know about it. Stepping closer to the bed, he said, knowing he would have to do something to prove it to the young man before they could go any further, “I can prove it to you.”

Pulling out his wand, he had Arabella hand him the pajama bottoms the nurse had given her. After having Harry lower the sheet, he waved his wand and exchanged the ones the boy was wearing with the clean ones with just a wave of the wand. “That, Mr. Potter, is magic. No trickery, no sleight of hand; true magic. Something you, too, can do once you are trained.” He told the young man in a firm voice but one that had a soft edge to it.

Looking down at the pajamas he was now wearing, Harry's eyes were almost impossibly large. He couldn’t believe what he had seen! It was no trick because there was no way he knew that someone could do that! Looking at Mrs. Figg then over to the man in black, he stammered, “Wow! Real magic!”

“Let him hold your wand, Severus. It won't be suited to him, but it will have some reaction,” Tom said softly, a smile on his face.

Nodding, Severus conjured a chair by the bed and held out his wand to the young man. “Take it. It's not suited to you. You'll get one when you turn 11. This one might not be appropriate for you but you'll feel the magic.”

Reaching out a shaking hand, afraid that it was a trick and the stick of wood would be yanked back then he would be told it was all a prank, Harry swallowed thickly, ignoring the waves of pain that were still coursing through his body, then took it in his hand. When the older man let go of it, he could feel a tingle. It wasn't like static electricity or anything but felt as though it was connecting to something in his body. Feeling it, he looked at it with wonder, marveling at how it made him feel. It was as though something in him were coming alive for the first time. Swallowing again, he looked at the man, wondering what to do with it.

“Give it a wave. Not much will happen but something will,” Severus told him softly, a small smile turning up the corners of his mouth. He remembered the first time he had held a wand and just what it felt like to connect to your magic the first time. There was nothing in the world that felt like it.

Nodding, Harry did as he said. There was a tiny surge in himself and he saw some bright blue sparks come out the end of it. They were weak and didn't last but a few seconds but they were there. Eyes widening more, he couldn’t help but grin. “It's real,” he whispered. “I felt it!”

Taking the wand back, Severus nodding, eyes sparkling slightly. “You are a wizard, Mr. Potter. Just like your mother and father.”

Looking at the other two men then Mrs. Figg, he asked, “Are the rest of you as well? I mean, do you have magic?”

Smiling at the boy, Arabella reached out and rubbed his head gently, ignoring the bald spots that were more prevalent than before and said, “Lucius and Tom are as well, yes. I'm what's called a squib. I was born to magical parents but have no magic.”

Face falling slightly, Harry said, “Oh. I'm sorry! I didn't mean...”

“Hush, Harry. There is nothing to be upset about. I'm fine just as I am!” Settling back in her chair, she then told him, “The reason I'm telling you all this is that they are here to help you. The people here at the hospital are doing all they can to cure you but magical medicine can do better. That's what they are here for. Severus is a Potions Master. That means he makes potions to help cure people. He needs to run some scans on you to check on things and see what needs to be done. After that, we're going to see about getting you to somewhere that can cure you.”

Looking at her, Harry gave a sad smile then shook his head, “They can't. I know that. No one has told me but I know they can't do much more. I'm going to die from this and it's alright. I... I think that I've hurt long enough from it and to not feel that anymore will be alright.” Reaching out, the young man took her hand and gave it a squeeze then said, softly, “It's alright, Mrs. Figg. I'm not upset by it. You shouldn't be either.”

Tears prickling her eyes, Arabella squeezed the boy's hand back then hissed, “No, Harry! It's not alright! And you aren't going to die! Wizards can do far more than Muggles to cure things. That's what Tom, Lucius and Severus are here for.”

“Muggles?” Harry asked, confused, looking around.

“Non-magical people, Mr. Potter,” Severus told him, voice slightly rough. What the young man had said affected more than he cared to admit and he vowed to make sure it didn't come to pass. “I can assure you that, indeed, we can and will cure you! Our medicine can do far more than the Muggles. Cancer can be cured. I just need to run some scans on you to understand what's going on then we'll have a healer determine what course of treatment to take. It may take a while, but you will be cured.”

That was a hope that Harry had for so long but knew it probably wasn't going to happen. Shaking his head he said, “You can't. They haven't told me but...”

Stepping forward, Lucius stood at the end of the bed and said, tone firm, “Mr. Potter, I can assure you that they can and will do so. We will make sure of it. You may be very ill but you can be cured. All of us here will make sure of it. Mrs. Figg went to get Severus because she knew that something could be done. It's why we're here.”

A small hope bloomed in Harry's chest but before he let it grow, he said, “Will the Dursleys let you? I mean, they aren't apt to let me be taken somewhere else and won't pay for anything special.”

This was a topic she knew was coming and still wasn't sure how to handle but Arabella gave his hand a squeeze and said, “Harry, I know what they are like and how they treat you. They won't have to approve.” Taking a deep breath, not wanting to upset him, she said, softly, “I know how they feel about magic. What's going to happen is someone in the Wizarding World is going to take you in and see that you get all the treatment you need.”

Looking at her, he asked, “Who? I mean, I don't know anyone and...” Trailing off, he shrugged, not sure what all that meant.

“I am, Mr. Potter,” Lucius told him, tone smug. “My wife and I have a son a couple months older than you. We will gladly take custody of you and see that you are taken care of the way you should be. Tom and Severus will help as well, of course. Arabella can come visit you any time she likes.”

“You want to take me away from the Dursleys?” Harry asked softly, that bloom of hope growing slightly. He loved his family, really he did. They were all he had. To be given the opportunity, though, to go somewhere else was something he thought he would like. Maybe they wouldn't treat him like the Dursleys did.

“Yes, that's what I mean. My lawyers have already started the paperwork for it and Narcissa, my wife, has already agreed. Draco is actually quite excited at the thought of having someone around his age. You will be cared for and your disease cured.” Lucius told him, smug look still firmly in place.

Alright, Harry couldn't help it, he was really hopeful now. This sounded great. He was sure there was downside to it, though. Looking down at the bed, he said, “Right now, I'm sick so I can't clean or anything but when I'm better, I'll help out and do all I can. I promise!”

Horrified look crossing his face, Lucius looked from Severus to Tom then to Arabella before saying, “Mr. Potter, you're not a house elf!” Seeing the confused look on the young man's face when he lifted his head, he explained, “That's a servant, something you are not! You will, when you feel better of course, be expected to do things like clean your room and such but no housework! Never! That is a job for others. You will be our foster son and that is how you will be treated. For now, though, we won't worry about any of that. We will concentrate on getting you better then go from there. Alright?”

That bloom was getting bigger by the moment. Looking at Mrs. Figg, he asked, softly, “This isn't a trick? Or something like that?”

Reaching out and stroking his head, she told him, a wide smile on her face, “No, Harry, it's not. It's real. All you have to do is say you're willing and then we'll get started.”

He couldn't help but doubt this was going to happen but with the options he had left in the world, Harry felt he had to take it. Sitting up straighter, ignoring the pains in his body, he said, firmly, “I agree!”

Smirking, Severus said, “So be it. Let's get on with the scans I need so everything can be in place. If we do this right, you will be out of here tonight, Mr. Potter!”

“Let's do it!” Harry said, grinning, a look of determination on his face.

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No Obvious Truths