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In His Place	By : SpeedyTomato Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male > Harry/Sirius Views: 72862 -:- 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
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In His Place

by Speedy Tomato

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, so sad for me, and make no money off this story, even sadder for me.

Summary: Seeing what was about to happen to Sirius in the DoM, Harry takes the spell meant for his godfather. With that, his life changes drastically, giving him challenges he isn't sure he can handle.

Beta'd by the amazing Tenchi. Love you, woman, you're the best!

For update notices for this, or any of my works, you can follow me on Twitter or FaceBook, both links are on my profile. Or send an email to SpeedyTomato_updates@Live.com. Just mention the name of the story you want the notice on or you can request to be updated for all of them. Ensure you include your age or DOB as Rogue is going to ask for that. Make sure you add our email addy to your approved recipients because we're not dancing through hoops to get it approved, folks! Thanks to Rogue for running that for me!

For Pittwitch: who's helped me in many ways since I've known her from research to just having fun talking. Enjoy, PW! And I hope you like it!

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.

Prologue

Screaming Sirius name as he fought Bella on that damned platform that held the veil, Harry started running in that direction when it looked like it was going badly. Dodging Remus when he tried to grab him, his eyes widened as Bella raised her wand and the end of it turned red. Not sure what the spell was, nor caring, Harry dashed up the stairs and knocked Sirius out of the way. Just as his godfather fell sideways away from the veil and he raised his wand to conjure a shield, the spell hit him dead center in the chest. Feeling himself being thrown backwards, he let out a keening sound as it felt like his body was being ripped apart at the joints. That, however, took a backseat to the pain that rocked him when he flew into the stones that made up the archway that the veil hung from. Head and shoulder smashing into them, the whole world seemed to dim and tilt sideways as he tumbled to the stone floor.
Eyes sliding shut, he whimpered, the only sound that he seemed to be able to make. He heard several people, including Sirius, scream his name. He wanted to call to them, but couldn't seem to move. Then an almost liquid fire, one that started at the base of his skull before spreading out to every nerve of his body, ignited. Vision going black at the edges, the world starting to dim more and the sounds becoming muted, Harry wished he could pass out so he didn't feel the pain. There was nothing in his life that had hurt this badly and he wanted it to stop. Twitching, eyes sliding shut as he felt like he was being roasted alive from the inside out, he was grateful for the blackness that finally came, making it to where he didn't feel anymore. No, he didn't like the panicked sounds as people called his name or the fear that seemed to be in their voices, but they didn't understand what he was feeling.
He would open his eyes soon, he promised them, but for now he needed to embrace the darkness. At least until the pain stopped.

Chapter 1

These dreams—they were confusing. Sure, over his life he had many strange dreams, especially in the time before he knew he was a Wizard. These though, they were different, really different, and Harry didn't know what to make of them. Some, well, they made some form of sense to him as they related to people he knew. Like Molly Weasley singing softly to him. She actually had a really nice voice that was soothing. He didn't know the songs she sang, but they sounded good. From what he could pick up, they sounded like children's lullabies, at least a Wizarding version of them. Then there was Arthur Weasley talking to him about some Muggle things. That was definitely normal, that's for sure. At times, Remus seemed to be reading to him from some Defense books about strange creatures and how to defend against them. Ron, Hermione, Fred, George, Ginny, those were normal, too, when he heard them talking to him about all kinds of things. Others, though, weren't.
The first strange one was Snape. That was really weird. Especially since the man seemed to be reading him some kind of bizarre fairy tales. One was about Babbity Rabbity and some kind of stump that cackled. Then there was one about a wizard with a hairy heart. Definitely very strange there.
If that wasn't enough to make him wonder what kind of off-kilter dreamworld he was in, Lucius Malfoy was in the dream. The man talked to him as well, something that seemed like he was explaining Wizarding history and things that he hadn't learned in History class.
Then there was Narcissa Malfoy. That was really out there. In the dream, his head was in her lap as she stroked his hair. It was so real that he thought he could actually feel her long fingernails graze lightly against his scalp, something that tingled and felt good. She seemed to be reading letters from friends, like Neville and Luna, to him. Actually, her voice was really soothing and he liked to listen to it as she read.
However, the absolute limit on strange was that Draco was there as well, talking to him about all kinds of things, including admitting they got off on the wrong foot. There was even a promise that if he woke up that they would start over. Yeah, dreams were strange, that's for sure.
There was one constant in whatever strange dreamworld this was though; Sirius. He seemed to dominate whatever was going on. The man seemed to always be there and talking to him about all kinds of things. Honestly? That was something Harry didn't mind. He adored his godfather and wanted to spend all the time in the world with him if he could. Sirius talked to him about everything and anything, it didn't seem to matter. It went beyond that, though. From what Harry could deduce, he seemed to be sleeping with Sirius as well. There were times he would feel himself being held close, lying down, with Sirius, hearing his godfather snore softly. The smells, like a faint whiff of beer, his skin and clothes, would bombard him because they were so close. Other times, after feeling like he was being floated along by something, he didn't know what, then he would be in the bathtub with Sirius. As his godfather washed him, he talked about all the things they would do when he woke up. It was strange though, because when Sirius talked about him waking up, his voice seemed to fill with emotion and hitch slightly. Then he would always say something like he had to wake up, that was something that would happen. Well, of course he would, it was only a dream! A strange one, but a dream nonetheless.
Other times, though, the dreams took on another weird twist. That veil—it would be pulled back, revealing a hallway on the other side of it. If he counted right, it was seven times he stepped over the threshold of that archway, brushing past the pulled back veil. When he did that, he could always hear voices he recognized, especially Sirius', calling him from behind, telling him to stay or come back. He wanted to look back when that happened, but didn't seem to be able to manage it and just kept going. On the other side of that veil—it was something he liked.
There was peace there, a kind he had never known in his life, something he adored. Not only that, his mum and dad were always there waiting for him. Every single time he would throw himself in his mum's arms and loved how it felt for her to hold him. For a long time, or so it seemed, he would curl up to her, being held by both her and his dad. That felt wonderful and he loved it. They would talk to him about all kinds of things, like what they would finally do together when it was time for him to stay with them. Each time, he begged to stay, wanting to be with them, but he always went back after they told him, looking slightly sad, that it wasn't his time to stay. He relished the time he got to spend with them because he missed them, even if he couldn't remember what they were like when they were alive.
During the times with them, though it was never long enough for Harry, they talked. Both his parents soothed him about the fact that he finally admitted to himself that he liked men, not women. They said that was fine. They didn't care who he loved, as long as the person treated him well. He was relieved by that since he knew many wouldn't react that way to such a revelation. Then he was stunned when they seemed to know just who it was he was falling for. Both of them just smiled at him and told him it was fine. After all, he wouldn't ever hurt him, they told him that plainly. And he would love him in a way no one else in the world would. Harry liked that, a lot.
The last time he visited them seemed like only a short time ago, though he couldn't be sure, not with how dreams were. It was then that they told him it would be the last time until it was time for him to stay forever. That, they told him softly, was a long ways away. During that visit, his mum told him it was almost time for him to wake up. When he did though, she cautioned, there were going to be challenges he had to face, serious ones. He would overcome them, of course, but it would take time. Both of them then made sure to impart to trust Sirius and listen to him, that he knew what he was doing. Harry promised to do that, smiling. After all, that was an easy promise to make.
Leaving them that last time had been hard, harder than the others, since he knew it would be a long time before he saw them again. The walk back to the veil seemed to take forever because he didn't want to go. Stopping just before he would step across that threshold once more, Harry looked back at his parents. They were smiling at him and waving. Though he didn't want to, he knew he had to go. So, with a sad smile and a wave, he stepped back across once more.
That last visit didn't seem like that long ago to him, but he didn't know. Time—it was fluid in dreams and he had no way of judging just how long they took. This time when he returned was different though. Most times, what he heard, smelled and felt was muted, like it was distant in some way. This time they were sharper, like they were coming back into focus somehow. He didn't know how to explain it any better than that. It also seemed he was more aware of some things than he had been, that hazy shifting that had dominated the rest of the dream seemed to be slipping away slightly. Now, he could tell when it was day or night when he couldn't before. The sensations on his skin seemed sharper and he could feel them better. There were a myriad of things that were different than they used to be. He supposed that he was finally waking up. Though he liked the strange dreams in a way because it was peaceful without all the garbage that dominated his life, he wanted to wake up as well, to get back to his routine and his life.
Then, finally, he opened his eyes.
Looking around, groaning as he tried to shift positions, he was confused. This wasn't the dorm or infirmary. It wasn't the Dursley's or the Burrow either. In fact, he wasn't sure where it was. Sitting up, though that took some real effort, he looked around, rubbing his eyes with a hand that wouldn't seem to stop trembling. Blinking rapidly, he shook his head. He had no clue where he was. It seemed familiar, at least in some ways, but he couldn't place it. Looking out the window, he could see it was dark outside, telling him it was still nighttime. That was strange too. The last thing he remembered was that whole Hall of Prophecy thing. Staring at the tree outside the window, watching it whip slightly in what appeared to be a blustery wind, he shook his head. Definitely weird. It was then he realized that he could see very well and he didn't have his glasses on. Alright, maybe he was still asleep. That, though, was pushed aside when he realized how badly he needed to go to the loo and just how thirsty he was. With how badly he was shaking, though, he wasn't sure if he could make it.
Head turning towards the door when he heard the knob turn, he waited to see who it was. That would probably explain where he was.

Sighing, Sirius stepped into the room, holding his plate of food. He could eat downstairs, he knew that. After all, the elves would come to get him if something happened with Harry. He just didn't want to was all. He wanted to be up here with his godson as much as he could. Everyone seemed to understand that and didn't say a word, other than to ensure he got out of the house once in a while. That he understood and didn't fight them over it, well, not much anyway.
Shutting the door behind him, making sure to stay quiet, though he knew it didn't matter to his godson, he turned and looked at the bed. Eyes widening, he dropped the plate he was holding, not even noticing the smashing sound as it hit the floor or how his food coated the bottom of his robe. Rubbing his eyes, making sure he wasn't hallucinating or that it was wishful thinking, he then looked again before a huge grin split his face.
Hurrying over, he crouched down in front of his godson and put a hand on Harry's cheek. Eyes stinging, he said, voice uneven, “Welcome back, Harry.”
“Hey, Sirius,” Harry told him, grimacing as his mouth felt like it was as arid as a desert. Shaking his head, he managed to get out, “I need a drink and to find the loo.” Reaching up, he rubbed his eyes some more, frustrated that he couldn't seem to make his hand stop shaking.
Nodding vigorously, Sirius poured his godson a glass of water from the pitcher on the bedside table. Sticking a straw in it, he held it for him and said, “Take a drink. I think it's best to let me hold it.”
Taking a large drink, Harry then sighed, his mouth seeming to flood with moisture. That was much better. “I need to find the loo, too,” he said, shaking his head. His voice sounded off to him, almost like it was hoarse from lack of use.
“I don't think we're going to try navigating to the bathroom right now,” Sirius told him, grabbing a bedpan out from under the bed. “Just use this. I'll hold it for you.” Putting a hand on Harry's head, he stroked it softly, looking away while his godson tended to his needs.
Though not liking doing it this way, Harry did. It wasn't just his hand shaking, he finally noticed, but most of his body. Yeah, getting up might not be wise.
Sliding the bedpan back under the bed when his godson finished, Sirius stroked his head, grinning bigger. “We've all been very worried about you.”
Looking at Sirius, confused, Harry asked, “Why? I'm lost here.” Glancing around the room, he inquired, “Where am I? Grimmauld Place?”
“Yeah, you're in my room,” Sirius explained. Calling Dinkle and Tinkle, he told the elves when they came in, “One of you go get Remus and the other Snape. Don't tell them why or what you see, just tell them I need them.” Seeing the two nod then pop out, he looked back at Harry and said, “I'll explain it all to you shortly.”
Groaning at Snape's name, wondering what was going on, he shook his head then shifted around, wondering where Sirius got new elves from. Looking down at his hands, he sighed, “I can't stop shaking.”

“I know,” Sirius said, standing then sitting on the bed by his godson. Slipping an arm around him, he pulled him close then kissed him on the side of the head. “I'll explain everything soon, I promise.” Holding him tightly with one arm, Sirius muttered, “I'm just glad you're awake. We were wondering when, or if, you would wake up.”
Shooting Sirius a strange look, Harry didn't know what to make of that. He was about to ask some questions when the door opened. Glancing up, he relaxed when he saw Remus come in.
Eyes wide, Remus quickly shut the door then hurried over before pulling Harry into a tight hug. “Oh, thank Merlin! You're awake!”
Hugging the man back, Harry shook his head. This was getting really strange.
Crouching down in front of Harry, unable to stop grinning, Remus asked, “When did he wake up?”
“He was sitting on the edge of the bed when I came up from grabbing dinner,” Sirius said, holding his godson close. Quietly, he then asked, “What time is it?”
Pulling out the old battered pocket watch, Remus looked at it then chuckled, eyes twinkling, “About an hour after feast ended.” Looking at Harry, he just nodded.
Brow furrowing, Harry sighed then asked, “I missed closing feast?”
Glancing at Remus, Sirius then explained, softly, “Yes, Harry, you did. You also missed opening feast. It's September first. You've been out since that battle.”
Looking at Sirius, then to Remus, who was nodding, Harry groaned. “What happened?”
Sighing, Sirius told him, “We're not really sure, actually. Between whatever spell it was that hit you and you smacking your head on that archway, you've been in a coma since then.”
Looking down at the floor, brow furrowing, Harry had plenty of questions to ask. He was about to when the door opened. Glancing up, he stiffened when he saw Snape come in.
Shutting the door behind him, Severus, clutching onto his bag, stood there and stared at the bed. A smirk forming, he said, softly, “Welcome back, Mr. Potter.” Walking over, he crouched down in front of the young man. Pulling his wand, he began to run some diagnostic spells Poppy had taught all of them over the summer. As he did that, he mentioned, “For once, Mr. Potter, your timing was excellent. Everyone is in the dorms for the night, so the start of term has officially begun. Perfect.” Glancing to Black and Lupin as he waited for the readings, he asked, “No one else knows yet?”
“No one,” Sirius told him with a firm shake of his head.
“Keep it that way for forty-eight hours and you'll be in the clear. There will be nothing Albus can do after that, from what Lucius said,” Snape told him, looking at the readings. Sighing, he said, shaking his head, “The brain activity is still off. Make sure he takes the potions. We don't want another seizure if we can at all help it.” Picking up the young man's hand, though Potter appeared wary, he observed the trembling, shaking his head. “Once the time is up, I think we’ll need to get Poppy involved if the tremors don’t stop. Let's see if they do before we ponder that step. Maybe they will calm slightly. I'll add another potion to what he's taking that may calm the spasms until the nerves heal more.” Looking at the young man, pleased that he was even awake when they weren't sure he would ever come around again, he asked, “Do you know what spell it was that Bella cast?”
“No idea,” Harry said with a shake of his head. “It was red, all I know.”
Sighing, Severus nodded, “Understood. That might narrow it down slightly.” Looking at Black, he said, “Get with him tomorrow and have him explain what he remembers of the effects. We might be able to narrow it down that way. If we figure out what spell it was, we might be able to reverse the effects. Right now, as we have no idea, we are just treating the symptoms.” Looking at the young man, he said, “Take the potions as Black says. I'm not sure they'll calm the tremors, but they seem to be working to stop the seizures. Those we don't need any more of.”
Looking at Snape, then shooting a bewildered glance at Remus and Sirius, Harry nodded, saying nothing.
Quietly, Sirius said, “We've not explained anything to him yet other than he's been in a coma since the battle, so he's a little lost right now.”
“Understood,” Severus said with a nod. Looking back at the young man, he imparted, “Make sure you listen to them about what to take. The smack on the head has caused seizures, severe ones. We've finally found something to make them stop. If you don't take the potions, they'll come back. We don't want that.”
Comprehending somewhat, Harry sighed then nodded again.
“Is the brain activity improving any or is it still way off?” Remus asked quietly, sitting down by Harry and putting a hand on the young man's shoulder.
“It's improving. As is the chaotic nature of his magic. How much more it will I don't know. I don't think anyone can guess on that. It's going to be a wait and see policy here. Even if the activity returns to normal, there is no guarantee the seizures will stop as we can't tell if something is off when it comes to his brain healing itself. Someone else is going to have to determine some of that as it's beyond what I know to check for.” Severus told them with a sigh. Looking back at Potter, he asked, “Are you hungry or not?”
Grinning a little, Harry nodded, “Yeah, rather starved actually.”
“Good. That means the signals are going through correctly.” Snape said, pleased. “If either of you notice anything off, let me know. Hopefully, there won't be.” Standing, he said, “I need to get back. Albus is going to corner me the second I show up. Don't worry, I'll come up with something so he won't question what's going on. I would suggest keeping him up here and saying nothing to anyone in the house for the next two days. After that, you should be home free with that end of the spectrum. As I promised, I'll show up once a day to check on him.” Seeing the two nod, he then smirked at the young man and said, “Again, welcome back, Mr. Potter.” Then he turned and swept out.
Watching the man go, Harry shook his head. “Something strange is going on, isn't it? That's the first time he's not made a sarcastic remark to me.”
“Plenty has changed since that battle, Harry,” Sirius told him quietly. “We'll fill you in, just not right now. Let's get you and me, both, something to eat.” Stopping, he chuckled, “Since mine's all over the floor and my robes.” Looking at Remus, he said, “You may want to get downstairs so if the old man shows up he doesn't think anything is off. He shouldn't, but you never know. Tell those down there we'll fill them in when we can.”
“I will,” Remus said. Standing, he rubbed Harry's head, gently, ensuring he didn't touch the side where the injury had been. “I'll be back up later, Harry.” Seeing the young man nod, he walked out, grinning happily.
Summoning Dinkle, Sirius had the elf clean up the mess then requested food for both of them. Grinning, he told Harry, “I'm just going to have him bring you something you can eat with your hands until you get used to the tremors. It'll still be frustrating, but probably less so than if you try to use a fork.”
“As long as it's food, I don't care,” Harry chuckled, leaning against his godfather.
Holding Harry tightly with one arm, Sirius told him softly, “You scared the living shite out of all of us when you wouldn't wake up.” Kissing him on the temple, Sirius said, “And thank you for saving me. If you hadn't, I probably would have gone through that veil.”
“I don't think I could have stood to lose you,” Harry told him softly, shaking his head. “That's why I did it.”
“I completely understand,” Sirius agreed. “How about this for a plan; tonight we eat and then relax. I imagine you'll go to sleep again soon as the drain of all this on your magic is really powerful. Tomorrow, Remus and I will walk you through what's going on. Work for you, Harry?”
“I guess so,” Harry grinned, nodding. Blinking, he said, “Part of it I already like; the no glasses bit.”
“Yeah, that's a good part,” Sirius chuckled, rubbing his back. “I'll explain that tomorrow, too.”
Leaning heavily against Sirius, Harry just sighed. This was good. Strange, but good.
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In His Place