Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

Hidden Truths	By : SpeedyTomato Category: Harry Potter > Threesomes/Moresomes Views: 79878 -:- Recommendations : 3 -:- Currently Reading : 13
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter and make no money off this story.

Chapter List
- 5
- 6
- 7
Beta'd by the amazing Tenchi. Love you, woman, you're the best!

Also, thanks to Lynn who helps me with flow, content and not forgetting things!

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Chapter 6

Keeping half an ear on the conversation around the table, as Lupin and Lucius were saying something important that involved all of them, Severus was paying closer attention to Potter, though. There was something wrong there, he just couldn't put his finger on what it was, though. Potter had a pinched look on his face and seemed like he was trembling slightly. Rather than engaging in the conversation, he was just looking down, eating his bacon butty, something no one else was having. To his eye, Potter seemed slightly pale. That made him wonder what was going on. Some seemed to know as Lucius made a cryptic comment about talking to Bill and Black right after breakfast, alone. Which meant that someone knew something. And he wanted to know what it was.

A glance around made him more curious. Charlie seemed like he was looking at Potter with concern. Even Fred and George appeared as though they were doing the same thing. Now he really wanted to know as some seemed to get what this was. Shaking his head as Potter shoved his half eaten sandwich away and shook his head when Bill whispered something to him, he fully planned to get what in Merlin's name was going on out of someone. How was the question, though. Fred and George were the obvious ones for that. However, he was damned sure that they wouldn't give it up. Like they wouldn't fill him in on some areas the night before. That just meant he might have to work a tad harder. Either that or get it out of Lucius, as the man seemed to know what was going on. He fully planned to know what this was before the day was out, all there was to it.

Focusing on Lucius when he made sure he had all their attention, he waited to see what he had to say as the discussion was about this mess.

Glancing around the table, Lucius said, “Remus and I are going to meet with all the 'couples' individually this morning to get a more detailed view of what is going on with the bond. Some manifestations appear as though they are bond specific, which means we need to sort through what might come for all of us. We're keeping a running record of what we have so far. The more information we get, no matter how insignificant it seems to you, can only help.” Seeing nods from around the table and everyone seeming to focus, he pressed on.

“Narcissa is going to take on researching the bonds. We're also going to try to get a copy, picture, something of each individual one so she can start looking. They have to mean something, so that might be the best way to find out to give us a hint what it might mean. From there, she's going to help research some of it. We're also going to try, when we can as things settle, to get everyone together and talk out what is going on. Some are experiencing areas that can only help all of us. However, before we can do that, we have to get some of it settled so we don't set off an all out war. That we don't need. The reaction with Narcissa and Fleur was enough to tell all of us that we have to tread cautiously with so much. It's bad enough that external sources are causing issues, we don't need it amongst ourselves.”

Jumping in, Remus said, looking around the table, “Keep in mind, that some of what you say to each other, when it comes to those you aren't bonded with, can set off a nightmare among us in the house. It's best that we all curb impulses. I realize plenty of us around this table don't have the best relationships. And the old impulses to poke each other are there, but that won't help. If what we know of the incident with Fleur is any indication, we can't do that as all out war will erupt. That won't help anything and will just make what is going on all the worse. Please, for all our sakes, curb those. Most of us here are grown adults. We're capable of that. Even the two that aren't, are as close as we can get to considering them that. We need to handle this with maturity. External forces that we can't control are bad enough. Setting each other off will make it worse.”

After seeing nods, Narcissa, who was seated as far away from Lucius and Remus as she could get, said, “I have a suggestion.” Seeing nods, she pressed on, “How about, rather than me doing everything via messages by elves, we set up one of the 'couples' for me to go to. While Remus and Lucius would be perfect as they are the ones gathering everything, it might make it easier if I have another place to go that has a copy of everything. That way I can sit down and talk to them. The same with going to others when a problem arises or I need clarification.”

“I think that's a damned good idea,” Sirius said, looking around and seeing nods. “We aren't having problems with Cissy or some of the issues the rest of you are, so we can probably take it on.” Glancing at Bill and Harry, he saw the two of them nod.

“We'll go with that,” Lucius said firmly. “Remus and I will make sure the three of you have all the information as we get it. As we're not having problems meeting with you three, we can easily pass on what Narcissa needs.”

“We'll also put privacy spells on everything to make sure that information that might be deemed as personal won't be shared outside the passing it between those that need it,” Remus added.

“That's something we can easily deal with,” Bill nodded, knowing some of what was bound to be discussed would not be something some would want out there.

“I was able to find a couple so-called tracing spells last night. It was my thought that those would work to get a copy of the bond marks. If we have all of you do it on your bond mate or mates, there shouldn't be issues triggering the reactions. Once I have those, I can start looking. I'm sure we can have Albus get us every book there is on bonds and other related reactions,” Narcissa imparted, looking around.

“We'll do that as well,” Lucius told his former wife, pleased with this.

“I do want to add here that we think, maybe, we have a clue on how to make this easier. We'll impart that when we talk to everyone alone,” Remus said, looking around, pleased with how well this was going. “Also, I want to add if you think you have something that can help, tell us. We'll find a way to figure out if it's bond specific or not. If it isn't, it can only help everyone else.” Seeing more nods, he said, “We're going to start with Bill, Harry and Sirius after breakfast then get with the rest of you after that. Once that's done, we'll work from there.” This was good. At least they were getting the basics of what they needed in place.

Looking at the almost completely shut bathroom door, where Sirius was, from where they were sitting in the room by the bed where Bill and a dozing Harry were, something on the complete opposite side of it, Remus then glanced at Lucius, who was seated by him, and shook his head. These three had a tether unlike everyone else. If he and Lucius tried to shut the door that much, they would get yanked together.

Glancing from the door to where Bill was perched on the bed, holding the dozing Harry between his spread legs, Lucius said, “We need to figure out how to get a tether like this. The past relationships may factor in here, but there must be more to it.”

“I don't know what it is,” Bill said honestly, rubbing Harry's back. The younger man had taken something for pain, as it was raining and he was really hurting, so he was sleepy from it.

“Let's wait until Sirius joins us. Severus, Fred and George came up with something last night that might be a clue. It may factor in,” Remus said, wondering if the acceptance and cooperation might be the key.

“And we have something set up for Harry. This is important to handle as fast as you can,” Lucius said, looking at the sleeping Potter.

“Something has to give there because this can't go on,” Bill said firmly. “He's hurting, badly, which tells us it's probably getting worse.”

“We agree,” Remus nodded. “Health issues take precedence over the bond. Don't worry, Lucius set up something for today to start dealing with that.” He then looked up when the door to the loo opened fully and Sirius came out. Good, they could get started.

Settling down on the bed by Harry and Bill, Sirius reached out and rubbed Harry's head then asked, “Alright, what have you got?”

Quickly, Remus and Lucius walked them through the cooperation and acceptance bit. Looking between the three, Remus then asked, “How much do you think this is playing in with what's going on with you three?”

Looking at Sirius, who was glancing at him, Bill said, softly, “I think quite a bit. Probably more than the rest.”

“Yeah, it's a big part,” Sirius admitted with a nod. “I don't like it as I think Harry and Bill should have the chance to be together without me being tossed in, but I've accepted we can't do a damned thing about it and am going from there.”

“Which means we have to work on that with the others as well,” Lucius said firmly, arms crossed over his chest. “Even if it doesn't play a big part, it can only help with many areas.”

“We'll pass that along when we talk to them,” Remus said firmly. Quietly, he added, glancing at Harry, “The protection instincts of both of you with Harry might play in as well. I get they are different, but that has to factor in as well.”

“I bet it does,” Bill admitted. “We both admit we are, just in different ways. In fact, Harry says it's a similar reaction from the both of us.”

“And we'll add that to the pile as well,” Lucius told them firmly. “I'm not sure on that one, though, when it comes to the rest of us. We'll see, however.”

Sighing softly as he thought over the mess, Remus said, “We'll work from here and see what we can do until all of us can get together without someone setting off a nightmare. Once we get with everyone else, we'll send you what we picked up so you can pass it on to Narcissa. Also, try to get the pictures of the bond marking so she can start on that.”

“We'll do that once you go,” Sirius assured him. “Having that to compare can only help, so I'll make sure you get a copy as well. The more of us working on this, the better chance we have of figuring something out that can help.”

“I think all we're pushing for right now is to have the kind of tether you three do,” Lucius admitted honestly. “None of us are close.”

“Why not see if you can find out the major issues going on with the other two groups? That might help you narrow it down. Well, other than with Severus as we can all guess what's going on there,” Bill snorted, grinning just a little.

“Let me work on Severus,” Lucius said with a smirk, knowing Bill was right.

“You may have to work on Draco as well,” Remus suggested softly, hoping not to anger him so they didn't end up in an argument over it.

“I would guess I have to, yes,” Lucius sighed, knowing that his son was bound to have problems as well.

“I'll take on Fred, George and Charlie. To at least see what's happening there and what I can manage.” Remus added.

“If there's a way, I need to get with my brothers and warn them about something that's coming,” Bill told them. “They need a heads up because not only is Dad not happy, but what else is coming won't be good either.”

“Yeah, we do,” Sirius added firmly, not going any further than that.

Groaning, Remus admitted, “I'm not sure that's possible, honestly. Severus and Draco—they'll probably have to be there.”

“We don't need that,” Bill told him with a shake of his head. “Those two—and no offense, Lucius—what I have to say will give them plenty to torment Harry with, something they are known to do, among other things. We don't need that. Some of this is plenty personal and they don't need to use it to poke. We also don't want parts of it getting out. The family bit—that's not their business and I don't want them using it to torment anyone.”

Sighing, Lucius thought it over then said, “Let me see what I can manage. Draco—I think I can work with that situation. I don't know. At the very least, impress upon him that he will only make matters worse if he does. Severus—that's one I'm not sure about. I can try, that's all I can promise.”

Thinking it over, Remus finally asked, gently, “How bad is this going to get? It takes a lot to rile Arthur. I assume that Molly and the others are involved in it, thus are part of the problem.”

“You have no idea,” Bill groaned, shaking his head. Sighing, he said, “Remus, it's going to take time to explain, a lot of it. And it's highly personal.”

“I can assure you that it will go no further,” Remus told him firmly. “Right, Lucius?”

“Absolutely,” Lucius agreed without even thinking about it. “If we're talking something that's going to ignite a nightmare, we all need warned. Shan't go any further until or unless you say otherwise.”

Looking at Sirius, Bill asked, “What do you think?”

“You need to tell them,” Sirius replied. As Bill hadn't fully gone into it with him either, it would be his first hearing it as well, something he needed to know anyway. Shaking his head, he added, “This is coming. You and Harry, both, have said that. So they need warned. Remus and Lucius might be the only 'couple' not directly affected, but it's going to result in everyone in this damned house getting involved in some way.”

“Yeah, it is,” Bill admitted, thinking about Draco and how if he got involved that Narcissa and Lucius would get yanked in whether they liked it or not. And if Lucius did, Remus would as well. Groaning, he said, “Alright, this is going to take time to explain.” Seeing nods, he pressed on and explained the whole mess the best he could. When he finished, he added, “The firestorm coming from this could end up worse than what happened with Fleur. I guarantee that Mum won't be nice about it, no matter what anyone says to her. Ginny, Ron and Hermione—they start on Harry, Sirius and I, both, are going to have problems.”

“No, we won't have the problem, they will,” Sirius snarled. “Not their business and I don't give a shite what plans they have or their opinions on whatever. They can keep it to themselves.”

“Bloody hell,” Remus breathed, eyes overly wide. Nothing said was anything he knew. What he observed in the past, he apparently misread. Looking between the three, he said, “Merlin, I don't know what to do about this!”

“I do, and we won't be able to manage it,” Lucius snarled, standing and starting to pace. “Keeping them away. We all know that won't happen.”

“And every single one of us will end up involved if it kicks off,” Remus shook his head.
“Part of what we're worried about,” Sirius admitted, looking between the two.

“We need to. All of us,” Lucius snorted, pacing faster.

“You're right, Bill; we need to figure out some way to get your brothers alone so you can warn them. I know your Dad talked to them before he left yesterday, so I'm sure he got across some of it. They need to hear this from you, though,” Remus sighed.

“And how to do that is the problem because we don't want Severus and Draco knowing parts of it.” Glancing at Lucius, he added, gently, “No offense, but this is what I meant by using it to poke.”

Getting that now, Lucius nodded. “Understood. Let me see what I can manage with the two. Or Remus and I can come up with some kind of muffling charm that the bond won't have kneazles over so you can talk privately. Something.”

“We'll find a way. Let's wait until after we talk to them today to see what we can manage. I don't know. And we need to impress upon Albus in the strongest of terms that your Mother and the brood need to stay away.” Remus added.

“Hopefully, he listens,” Bill sighed, though he wasn't counting on that.

“We'll see what we can do,” Remus assured him. Seeing nods, he pressed on, “Lucius managed to get Harry an appointment with a private Healer for today. The paper for that came in early this morning before breakfast.” Looking at Lucius, he waited for the man to explain.

“He knows that he's dealing with someone well known and made arrangements for more discretion than normal. You'll be going tonight right at five. He sent along a private Portkey that takes you straight into his office. The only one that will be there besides him is his Medi-Witch as it's after official office hours. Like all Healers, he took the standard oath and will keep it quiet. With the bond, the two of you are Harry's guardians so you can sign for whatever is needed. I've given him a bit of the issue, that it's arthritis, so he's at least got an idea of what to expect.” Lucius explained.

“Good,” Sirius breathed, nodding.

“We're going to make sure that if someone does come over, to say you're all up here or something. For those in the house, we'll just say you had something private to attend to,” Remus told them. “Once you get a feel for what he has to do, we'll make arrangements.”

“At least we can do something. Because this can't continue,” Sirius said, pleased that Lucius had managed to get an appointment for Harry.

“We'll go from there when we find out what he has to do,” Remus assured his old friend. Sighing, he shook his head then imparted, “Alright, let's see what Lucius and I can manage with the others. If you come up with anything, let us know.” Seeing nods, he stood to go deal with the other two problem areas in the house, hoping to do some good and get some kind of hints as to what they could all work with to make their lives easier than they were now.

Keeping half an eye on where Remus was sitting with the twins at the end of their tether with Severus, Lucius nodded. His bondmate was talking to the two about what Bill had brought up, keeping his voice low enough that they couldn't hear. Good. What he needed. They had filled them in on parts they had learned from Bill and Sirius and were now taking on the other matters. He was just trying to formulate the best way to deal with Severus on the topic.

Brow furrowed as he looked at the three across the room, Severus asked his old friend, keeping his voice down, “You know more than what you both imparted, don't you?” He was sure of that, but wanted confirmation.

“I do and I won't tell you what it is yet,” Lucius told him firmly, folding his arms over his chest. This would be the touchy part and he didn't want to argue with Severus over it.

Snarling internally at once more being kept in the dark, Severus sneered, “And just what is it going to take for you to tell me what it is? I have a right to know, Lucius.”

“You do, I admit that,” Lucius conceded. “However, the others involved also have the right to not end up tormented by you over it. If that happens, you're going to set off a nightmare for all of us, Severus.”

“What do you mean by that?” Severus hissed, eyes narrowing as he glared at Lucius.

“We both know that you won't keep it to yourself, Severus!” Lucius shot right back. “There are some things you just can't help yourself with and will use it to jab them. You do that and we all have a nightmare in the offing.”

“And if I swear I won't?” Severus huffed, crossing his own arms over his chest.

“I won't believe it,” Lucius told him honestly. “One loaded remark from you is going to ignite an all out war in this house. We all know you can't leave some things alone. Couple in the past problematic relationships and there are issues.”

Guessing that Lucius was referring to Black and/or Potter there, Severus groaned and rubbed a hand over his face. He would admit that he lobbed plenty in those directions. And there was cause for wariness over it. Eyes locked on the three across the room, he asked, quietly, “How much does what you know affect what is going on and will help with this mess?”

“Plenty,” Lucius admitted with a sigh and shake of his head. “There is also a foreshadowing you need warned about. However, I'm not telling you anything until we are damned sure you won't poke the issue or people involved.” Before Severus could snarl at that, something the man was looking like he was going to do, he added, “And I'll be having this same discussion with Draco, Severus. Self control is needed, and looking at the bigger picture of how it affects everyone in this house. Until I'm sure both of you won't fall back on old habits, I'm not talking.”

Quickly dissecting what Lucius said, Severus' brow furrowed at parts of it. Quietly, he asked, “The foreshadowing—I take that as something bad in the offing?”

“A nightmare waiting to happen. It's coming,” Lucius admitted quietly.

“How big of one?” Severus asked, mind all over the place as to what that could mean.

“It'll make what happened with Fleur look playful,” Lucius told him firmly.

“Then I need filled in, Lucius,” Severus imparted as forcefully as he could.

“And I'm not going to until we're sure you won't make it worse,” Lucius lobbed right back. “The only way I can see telling you now will include you agreeing to a Silencio if you even start to dance close to your normal habits of poking people!” Softening his tone, he said, “Severus, as stressful as all of this is, you're apt to not realize you're doing it as a way to deal with the nightmarish situation we've all found ourselves in. You won't mean to, that I can guess, but it'll happen as you use that behavior to handle problematic areas. My suggestion is that you work with Fred and George. They know what's coming. Or will have a good idea after Remus is done with them. Bill wants to talk to his brothers, all three of them, soon, so they can get fair warning. If you can come up with something between the three of you to make sure it doesn't happen, I’m sure they'll all let you listen in.” Lowering his voice even more, he added, “You need warned, Severus. This is—you have no idea. With the bonds affecting everyone in this house, we are all going to end up pulled in. Think about that and work with the situation. It can only help because I can guarantee we're going to need your help in dealing with the ramifications. We can't have you making it worse.”

Though he sure as hell didn't like what was said, Severus' mind was working on the cryptic comments made, wondering what they meant. And he understood that Lucius meant something huge was coming. That he needed to know. “How much do you know about all this mess? As in what's really going on.”

“Plenty,” Lucius said shortly. “And I won't impart it yet. Severus, for all our sakes, calm down and try to adjust. None of us like it. I can guarantee that. We need your head in the game, Severus. You are one that can help plenty because of your intelligence. You may see something the rest of us don't. That we desperately need. What we don't need is the infighting. That helps nothing.”

Foot starting to tap on the floor, brow furrowed, Severus thought that over. “If I ask for parts of what you two have with the research, I can get it?”

“Of course,” Lucius assured him. “We're getting copies of all the bond marks as well. That I can give you, too. We need all the help we can get with this.”

That Severus liked as it meant that he might be able to figure out parts of it on his own. “Do that. I'll see what I can manage.”

“Have Fred and George help you. They know plenty as well,” Lucius poked gently. “The more you work together, the better off all of you are. It can only help.”

“That I can do as well,” Severus nodded.

“And if you work it right with those two, what you know of potions can make you a fortune,” Lucius smirked, hoping to add a little light at the end of the tunnel. “Think of all you know about those areas and what products for their shop you could come up with that would just cause havoc in the school. As I doubt you're going back to teaching, you won't have to worry about the chaos such items cause.”

“There is that,” Severus said, smirking slightly. As he hated teaching, that was a plus side. Creating havoc among the population that had caused him so many headaches was something he would like doing.

“One just has to find the upsides, Severus,” Lucius told him, smirking himself.

Listening intently to Remus, though his eyes were flitting over to where an animated, red-faced Draco was talking to Lucius, Charlie shook his head. Quietly, making sure that the other two couldn't overhear, he finally said, “I need to get with Bill, Remus. Fast. Mum—Dad's not going to hold her off from coming over. You got most of it across, but I know what to ask about.”

“We'll try, Bill, that’s all we can manage,” Remus told him softly. “We're just worried about Draco setting off hell.”

“I'll employ that damned shut-up bit if I have to,” Charlie told him firmly. “I don't care.”

Thinking that over, Remus gave a slow nod. “I don't like that, obviously, as you're taking away Draco's free will, but it might work.”

“This needs done, fast,” Charlie told him seriously. “What I managed to get from Dad is enough to tell me I need to talk to Bill. Let me worry about Draco. I'll manage there. He won't like it, but that’s his problem.”

“Let me see what Lucius says. He's trying with Severus as well. It would be better if all of you could manage at the same time,” Remus imparted gently.

“It would, I admit it, as we're all seeing only parts of it. The more we can work together, the better off all of us are going to end up.” Charlie admitted.

“How about you give us a couple days to see what we can manage. That and you work with Draco when it comes to the bond,” Remus suggested.

“The couple days is fine. It's the Draco part that is the nightmare,” Charlie groaned, shaking his head and running his hands through his hair. Seeing Remus about to ask, he admitted, “I've had it with him, Remus! He's a spoiled brat I can't stand! He acts worse than Ginny, Ron and Percy combined. If I don't do just what he wants, he gets pissy, whiny and nasty. I don't need this shite!”

Rubbing a hand over his face, Remus shot a surreptitious glance at the other two in the room. This he didn't know how to handle. Quietly, he said, “You need to put your foot down in some way. Though I don't know how and not have all out war like the twins and Severus had. This is a two-way street and he needs to understand that.”

“And he doesn't,” Charlie sighed, shaking his head. “He wants what he wants and doesn't care about anything else. I'm not here to entertain him or be forced to do something he wants.”

“I agree,” Remus nodded. “Let me talk to Lucius. Maybe I can get it across gently and he can help.”

“Something needs to change or I'm going to end up using stunning spells on him. I didn't put up with this from the ones at home unless I was forced to. Even then, I got out as fast as I could manage. I'm sure as hell not putting up with it from him!” Charlie imparted.

“Let me see what I can manage with Lucius,” Remus told him. “Until then, though I doubt it'll do any good, talk to Draco. Lay it out for him. That way you have a base to build on. Just give me a couple days to see what I can arrange.”

“Alright,” Charlie said with a resigned sigh, shaking his head. “Just—hurry. That and the bit with Bill.”

“I'll do what I can,” Remus assured him, clapping him on the shoulder and standing. Oh, he planned to. They didn't need another of the factions having issues just when they got one of them calmed slightly.

After casting another Tempus and seeing it was after nine at night, Remus looked at Lucius, concerned. This was taking way too long, which meant there was something really wrong with Harry. As planned, the three had left for the Healers right on time. There had been nothing heard from them since. With all that was going on, that left plenty of room for concern.

“Does anyone care to tell the rest of us where Black, Potter and Bill went unescorted?” Severus asked, trying to keep the sneer out of his voice. “They've been gone a long time and that's a reason for concern.”

“It's personal, but nothing that would put them in danger,” Lucius assured the man. “I set it up.”

“And any foray out of this house has risks, Lucius,” Severus shot right back.

“This is true,” Lucius admitted with a nod. “However, in this case, I made damned sure that it was as safe as I could get it. And it is unavoidable. Just give it time.”

“It's been four hours,” Charlie said softly, wondering what in Merlin's name was going on.

“Yes, it's been a fair bit,” Remus admitted, starting to worry.

Just as Lucius was about to say something, they heard the door open. Straightening up, he waited, brow furrowed.

His eyes widened as Bill and Sirius helped the very out of it Harry in. Shaking his head, seeing Harry drenched in sweat, pale and trembling, he asked, “Anything we can do to help?”

“Someone get him something light to eat so he can take the pain killing draught,” Sirius said, helping Bill get Harry over to the table so he could sit down.

Sending an elf off, Lucius asked, taking in Harry's appearance and what he knew was a temporary pressure point cast on the teen's wand hand. “What did he say?”

Making sure Harry was seated leaning against Bill, Sirius plopped down on the other side of him and shook his head, looking at Lucius and Remus. He wasn't sure if he wanted to say anything in front of the rest.

“Do you care to tell us what was so important that you risked plenty to go out?” Severus asked, sneering slightly.

“A Healer's appointment,” Bill snapped at the man, glaring. “Don't start, Severus. This wasn't a lark or a romp to have fun. We wouldn't have risked it if it wasn't imperative.”

Sobering up at that, Severus looked at the pale, trembling Potter and asked, “What's wrong?”

“Merlinic Arthritis,” Sirius muttered, rubbing his face before slipping an arm around his godson.

“No,” Remus muttered, eyes wide. Of all the forms of arthritis Wizards could develop, that was the worst and could end up crippling.

“Oh yes,” Bill sighed, pushing the sandwich an elf brought in front of Harry after making sure it was cut into pieces so he could easily eat it. “That idiot Lockhart unleashed it when he vanished the bones in his arm. As he's descended from a Pureblood line, I’m sure you all know that it's almost a guarantee he carries the gene for it. He does and the vanishing of his bones activated it. It just took another event to fully unleash the effects of it. That happened. Now it's working its way through the bones in his hand.”

Looking at Potter, shaking his head, Severus asked, “What did they do? I know the standard treatment is vanishing the bones and then regrowing them in adults. At least those affected while trying potions to halt the progression and deal with the symptoms.”

“They can't start the bone vanishing yet. As he's had it done once, they won't chance it again because he's still growing and it could stunt the bone growth in his hands or mutate how they grow, thus deforming them.” Sirius sighed, keeping an eye on Harry while pulling out the pain killing draught they were given. “They'll start that when they confirm his growth plates have completely sealed.”

Shaking his head, looking dour, Lucius asked, gently, eying the obviously in pain Harry, “What did they do?”

“Sliced out the small affected parts of the bone and overgrowth then started regrowing them with something milder than Skele-Gro. And he can only have it done this once until they confirm that he's done growing,” Bill sighed, shaking his head.

“Bloody hell,” Charlie breathed. He knew that had to hurt like a right bitch.

“The bones won't be fully done regrowing for another two days. Until that's finished, he has to have the cast on,” Sirius explained. “We have something for the pain until then. After that, we have plenty he has to take to not only work on the pain he gets, but slow the progression of the disease and help minimize symptoms so that it doesn't affect him using his wand for as long as we can manage.”

“We also have to work with him to get used to using his left hand to wield his wand as he's eventually not going to have enough dexterity to do it with his right. He confirmed that the disease is already starting to migrate and is showing the first signs of it in his wrist,” Bill sighed.

Looking at the pale twins, as both knew what unleashed this nightmare, Sirius asked, “There is a small apothecary down from your shop. We've set up an account there pick up the potions he needs. For now, we're good. We have a two week supply. After that, can the two of you pick them up for us so we don't have to go out until we need to?”

“We'll handle it,” Fred said with a nod.

“Just let us know and we'll pick them up,” George added, tone firm.

“What did they give him to take?” Severus asked, curious, as he knew this was a disease that required a lot of potions to tend to it.

Pulling out the list as Harry leaned on Bill after finishing eating, and having taken the draught, Sirius sighed then rattled off the longish list. Shaking his head, he added, “Most are every day. Others are only as he needs them. And this is just the start of them. As it grows worse and migrates, he's going to pick up more. We have another appointment in a week so they can start the standard blocking spells to halt the progression the best they can manage. Those will trap it right where it is for now. On the upside, they have good treatments for this now. Once he gets used to the potions, he should be fine and they work far better than they did in the past. Adding the other treatments and spells they’ve developed and it's not going to end up as crippling as it used to. It just won't be fun with some of it.”

Taking that in and shaking his head, Severus asked, “Does Albus know?”

“No,” Bill snapped. “And we don't want him to. Just—we leave it amongst ourselves for now.”

Brow furrowed at that, wondering why, Severus didn't know what to say. That was fishy and he wondered why the strong reaction from Bill.

Looking down at Harry, who was now dozing, Bill said, “We're going to take him upstairs. He'll probably be out for the rest of the night from this.”

“Let me send an elf up with some extra pillows so he can prop his hand up,” Narcissa offered. Seeing her cousin nod as he stood, she summoned one and sent the creature off.

Standing, Sirius helped get the now really groggy Harry up, he waited for Bill then began to lead him out.

Watching the trio go, Severus asked, quietly, “What's going on? And why keep Albus out of the loop? He can help.”

“I think you should honor their request, Severus,” Lucius said pointedly.

Looking at the man, Severus' brain began working. This was all tied in somehow, he just had to figure it out. Which meant he had to work on the twins. That he would do. Because he wanted answers and would get them. One way or another.
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Hidden Truths