Chapter Text
Chapter 24
When Severus’ eyes snapped to him and narrowed too subtly for most to notice the second he and Luna stepped into the Great Hall, Harry turned to leave. Only, Kingsley was behind them and remained solid, sending Harry into the hall with crossed arms and a raised eyebrow on his stern face. Harry huffed, silently cursing the Auror for not fully healing him and sending him to dinner anyway. Sitting at Gryffindor table with Luna, who easily ignored the stares she immediately received for not sitting at her own table, under Severus’ less than impressed stare, Harry found he’d much rather have missed dinner all together if it meant he didn’t have to feel the man’s sharp gaze picking out every visible injury. He could only imagine the trouble he would be in for being late to dinner and injured after an encounter with Malfoy.
He sighed and turned away from the piercing gaze to begin filling his plate. Leaving Severus, he spotted the new face at the staff table, a young, beautiful but sharp-looking redheaded woman sitting next to Severus and talking to the Potions Master who seemed to be forcing himself to respond and do so pleasantly, almost familiarly. They clearly knew each other to some extent. He also glanced over at the Slytherins, immediately finding Malfoy who was sitting near the end of the table with a plate of food in front of him that he was staring at, just barely moving his fork enough to poke whatever food item was closest. The blonde looked frazzled and wild despite his clear attempts to look cool and disinterested.
He groaned quietly and closed his eyes briefly when he was wracked by an electric shock of the magic filling the Great Hall breaking through his walls, in an instant slamming into his head and chest temporarily. Images flashed, emotions swam, and magic sizzled while the slickness of the horcrux fought to wrap around his spine from where he’d relegated it back to its shadowy place in his mind with great difficulty. Giving it those few moments of reign had reenergized it, had fed it power it desperately wanted to consume.
“Are you alright?”
Luna’s quiet voice broke through the noise and pain, allowing him to get his mist back into place and push his magic down until his chest ached. He grimaced at the pain, opening his eyes to look across at the Ravenclaw. He gave a small nod.
“I’m okay. Everyone’s just a little much all at once like this and those things on the train bloody hurt,” Harry replied. “What were they again?”
“They’re actually called faeu,” Luna told him, “but most people call them will-o’-wisps.”
“I thought those were forest sprites that help guide lost travelers and play harmless pranks?” Harry wondered, chewing a few pieces of broccoli.
“There is one type of faeu that are like that. They’re called lucens or ‘guiding light’ in a loose translation,” Luna explained. “I think they became synonymous with will-o’-wisps because they exist naturally in the world and are more common though still quite rare.”
“What are will-o’-wisps then?” Harry asked curiously. “The ones on the train?”
“They are Dark creatures made of fractured souls,” Luna said and Harry’s eyes widened slightly. “They are in the same family as Dementors, both created by wizardkind.”
Harry frowned with slight confusion. “What do you mean? Dementors didn’t always exist naturally?”
“No, they came into being as manifestations of human torment and despair,” Luna replied, shaking her head. “It happened in a small wizarding village in the sixth century. There was a Dark wizard named Raczidian who demanded this village give him a young woman named Eliana to marry. When the village refused, Raczidian attacked and terrorized the village for thirty days and thirty nights. Eventually, the despair in the village became so strong and mixed with Raczidian’s Dark magic, and Dementors came into being, feeding off the despair Raczidian continued to inflict. On the last night with the village overrun and Raczidian close to getting Eliana for himself, another villager found strength: Illyius. He was in love with Eliana and used that love to conjure a little mouse of light that repelled the Dementors.”
“The Patronus Charm,” Harry realized and Luna nodded.
“Some dissipated upon its touch, but others fled and Dementors remained in the world as they can always find a source of despair to feed on.”
“Merlin,” Harry mumbled. “Will-o’-wisps are similar then?”
Luna nodded again. “They are also created by humans, but they do not exist naturally in anyway. They are created with a fractured soul, the part of someone’s soul that is only their fear and despair, and it has its magic replaced by the creator. They cause despair and cold the same way Dementors do, but it is not what they feed on. They feed on magic. As they had their magic stripped, they look for magic. They also search for pure and powerful magic to try and replace the Dark magic that created them, only it is impossible and never works.”
“So, what? Voldemort made these things out of the souls of people he’s killed? He’s torn their souls apart?” Harry questioned, feeling a little ill at the thought of how else Voldemort had managed to violate the human soul.
“Yes. By stripping them of all purity, leaving behind only their despair and giving them his magic. It is why they don’t want magic like his and want its opposite instead.”
“It’s why I heard screaming,” Harry said in realization. “When I connected to them, I connected to his magic and to what he made them so I heard what they are. It’s also why they stopped attacking when I connected to them with the horcrux.”
Luna just looked at him sadly.
“So, Malfoy brought them and sent them after me to get you?”
“I don’t think it was him, Harry,” Luna argued gently. “He seemed genuinely confused when you mentioned them and, again, he didn’t harm me. I think he meant it when he said he only wanted me unconscious. He had plenty of time to do far worse and he didn’t.”
“Then who? Voldemort wasn’t exactly on the train,” Harry said.
“Only the one who created them can control them or someone that shares their blood and magic,” Luna told him.
“Which is why I could,” Harry replied, getting another nod from Luna.
“There are also rumours that a talisman could be created to allow someone else to control them.”
“So, either someone else has Voldemort’s blood and magic or the talisman exists,” Harry said thoughtfully. “But why? So I would be distracted while Malfoy knocked you out?”
“I honestly don’t think he was involved with the faeu at all,” Luna said. “And I don’t think it was to get you out of the way. Because faeu cannot absorb the magic they feed on, they store it instead. Their creator is able to take that magic and use it.”
Dread filled Harry as he understood. “Voldemort’s trying to find out about my magic.”
When a small scroll of parchment appeared in front of him and unrolled itself, interrupting their conversation, Harry blinked in bewilderment. At least, until the short, blunt message was revealed, then he groaned.
My office.
There was no signature, no further details or identifying information, but he knew who it was from. Not only did he know the writing, he knew that tone, even in writing. The parchment disappeared as he looked away to the staff table where Severus was just leaving, walking through the staff entrance. He sighed and, taking one last bite of mash, got to his feet.
“I have to go,” he said to Luna.
“Don’t be too hard on him,” she said vaguely and he looked at her, first in confusion, then in astonishment.
“On him? It’s me you should be worried about,” he replied.
“He is,” Luna said. “He has a lot to worry about for you and I’m not sure it’s something he’s used to.”
Harry let out a small huff and rolled his eyes to the ceiling, knowing she was right. With her knowing smile following him, he left the Great Hall and made the trek down to Severus’ office in the dungeons. He ignored the glares and looks of suspicion Slytherins shot him as he passed, looking for the plain door with wood so dark it was nearly black. Arriving, he waited until two sixth year Slytherins walked by before knocking, arching an eyebrow at their gleeful smirks. They clearly thought he was in trouble already…not that they were terribly wrong.
He'd barely finished knocking when he found himself being yanked into the room by the front of his shirt and tie, making him yelp loudly. The door was closed behind him and he was pushed against it, held there as he met the unimpressed glare of Severus. Harry couldn’t help but gape as he realized what the man was thinking, feeling his magic pulse with angry fear.
“Oh, come on, you—” Harry started to argue.
“No,” Severus interrupted sharply and Harry spluttered.
“Sev—”
“Do not,” Severus interrupted again. “You could try the nerves and patience of a monk, Potter.”
Harry’s spluttering stopped, replaced by an annoyed scowl. “Well, good thing you’re a Death Eater then, no bloody morals to offend.”
Severus’ eyes flashed, narrowing into a glare. “Potter, I swear—”
“You can’t honestly think this is my fault,” Harry demanded.
“I wanted one thing,” Severus said sternly.
“I was attacked!” Harry exclaimed. “Someone sent goddamn will-o’-wisps after me which apparently aren’t just happy little forest sprites.”
He saw a flicker of amusement in the dark eyes and felt the pulsing settle as a whisper of that amusement fluttered the man’s magic.
“Language,” Severus muttered and Harry just gave him a dry stare. “And, no, they are not. How did you deal with them?”
Harry shifted slightly under Severus’ hold, making the dark eyes narrow once again. “I let the horcrux connect with them when I realized they felt similar to the Dark Mark. They stopped attacking me when they recognized Voldemort’s magic.”
Severus’ eyes drifted shut and his magic pulsed with frustration again. “Harry…”
“I didn’t know what else to do! I just acted on instinct,” Harry argued. “It’s fine. I got the horcrux back under control.”
Severus looked at him searchingly. “Do you?”
“Yes.”
“And what of Mr. Malfoy?”
“He took Luna while I was being attacked so I went after them. Found them on the back of the train. He said he was just going to knock her out,” Harry explained. “Luna believes him.”
“And you don’t?” Severus questioned, finally releasing Harry and guiding him through the office to a door in the back left corner. They followed the short corridor, passed through something that felt like a curtain and tingled, and stepped through another door into what was obviously Severus’ private quarters. Harry was gestured to remain standing in the sitting room as Severus walked through an archway in the back right, returning only seconds later.
“I’m not sure I know what I believe about Malfoy,” Harry told him. “There’s history and his father, but I also know what I saw this summer.”
Severus hummed as he proceeded to spread a paste on each of the small burns left behind by the will-o’-wisps. “It would serve you right if I left you to suffer with these.”
“It wasn’t my fault!” Harry protested.
“I told you not to engage with him.”
“And I said I wouldn’t unless he went after Luna which he did. Besides, I didn’t even do anything to him.”
“You are a menace. You both are, quite frankly,” Severus muttered as he continued applying the paste. “You said ‘someone’ sent the faeu after you. You do not believe it was Mr. Malfoy?”
Harry shook his head. “He didn’t seem to know about them when I accused him.” He moved to flop on the sofa when Severus finished treating his burns, propping his feet on the coffee table. Severus scowled.
“Please, make yourself comfortable,” Severus drawled, tone dripping with sarcasm.
Harry grinned, crossing his arms over his chest. “Thank you, I will.”
Severus rolled his eyes, moving to an adjacent wingback. “I suppose it would be unlikely the Dark Lord would entrust him with a talisman.”
Harry blinked at the man. “Wait, they exist?”
Severus gave a tight nod, his magic suddenly buzzing and turning sharp. Harry cocked his head as he felt the guilt and shame.
“You made it,” Harry said, not making it a question.
“Yes,” Severus confirmed shortly. “It was originally meant to be for my use. He wanted me to gather magic and find a way to synthesize it in a way that would allow him to absorb it and gain mastery over different types and levels of magic.”
“So, what happened?” Harry asked.
Severus looked at him oddly. “You destroyed him.”
Harry didn’t respond, unsure what to say, and just returned the steady look.
“He must be after the same goal once again,” Severus added after a few seconds.
“Or it has to do with the horcruxes. He wants them back for some reason,” Harry suggested. “What are the chances he wants them and my magic at the same time?”
“I suppose,” Severus said. “Speaking of your magic, how are you feeling?”
Harry shrugged. “I mean, you weren’t lying, it sucks. It hurts. I’m fine, though, I can manage.”
“If you ever feel you cannot before we meet for training, come to me and we will do some exercises,” Severus told him.
Harry nodded. “So, any idea who he may have given the talisman to?”
Severus was silent for a few moments as he thought. “Keep your distance from the new Defence professor.”
Harry frowned at the seemingly random answer even as he understood that the warning was clearly Severus thinking the new professor could be the threat. “Why, who is she?”
“Astrid Dahlia,” Severus replied.
“You clearly know her,” Harry said, his face scrunching as thought. “Bloody hell, did Dumbledore hire another Death Eater?”
Severus arched an eyebrow.
Harry rolled his eyes. “Oh, shut up, you know I didn’t mean you.”
Severus gave an amused little huff. “No, she is not a Death Eater, but she has been a long-time…associate.”
“Ah, so Death Eater Adjacent,” Harry said lightly and Severus furrowed his brow.
“Excuse me?”
“You know, like Narcissa. Not a Death Eater, no Mark, but runs in the circle,” Harry explained simply. “Death Eater Adjacent.”
A muscle in Severus’ jaw twitched. “I suppose you are not…incorrect.”
Harry grinned, amused by the man’s clear reluctance to accept his absurd term as ‘not incorrect’.
“In any case, stay out of her attention. She is extremely gifted with magical manipulation and control. She has conned her way into many high-ranking positions on the Dark Lord’s orders,” Severus told him. “She can be very dangerous.”
Harry sighed. “Brilliant.”
“You should head up to your tower,” Severus said after another brief silence. “It is getting close to curfew.”
Harry nodded and left the sofa, walking to the door. He started to open it, but paused and turned back to Severus who had sat forward to sort through the various papers and parchments on the coffee table.
“Question,” Harry said, holding back a smirk. “How am I supposed to avoid the professor of one of my classes?”
Severus turned to him with a deadpanned expression. “You’ve plenty of experience to draw from, you insufferable brat. Get out of here.”
Harry snickered. “Night, Sev.”
Still laughing at the sheer exasperation he felt in the man’s magic as he left, Harry made the journey up to Gryffindor Tower. By the time he arrived, he’d convinced himself to study the Marauder’s Map; there had to be shortcuts and secret passageways.
He greeted the Fat Lady and gave the password, ducking into the common room. It had been loud with chatter until he stepped in and it all stopped, everyone turning to stare at him. Harry’s jaw tightened as he fought to keep out everyone’s pity, curiosity, awe, and fear. He shook his head and made to just head directly to his dorm only to be stopped by a call of his name.
“Heya, Harry.”
Not expecting Seamus to talk to him, Harry stopped and looked at the corner where Seamus, Dean, and Neville were sitting together, a deck of cards on the small table and Neville holding a book. He couldn’t help the furrowing of his forehead as Seamus stood and walked over to him.
“How was your summer?” Seamus asked, slightly awkward.
“I’d watch myself if I were you. Keep your distance.”
Harry sighed and turned his head to look at Ron who was sitting nearby with Hermione. He returned the glare the redhead sent him.
“What are you talking about?” Neville frowned from where he was still sat with Dean, waiting for Seamus to return.
“Going Dark, he is. Got something sick inside of him and been cozying up with Death Eaters,” Ron snapped. “He’ll get you killed if you stick around. Just look at what’s happened to everyone that’s ever gotten too close.”
“You’re still here,” Neville pointed out.
“Barely,” Ron spat.
“Come off it, Ron, you can’t be serious,” Dean said with a huffed laugh of disbelief.
“Just telling you what I’ve seen,” Ron said, his face twisted in anger and disgust.
Harry glanced at the others, tense as he waited for them to turn on him, to look at him with fear and disgust and betrayal, like Ron and Hermione, and to walk away…like Ron and Hermione.
“Think we’ll take our chances,” Seamus eventually said, putting his hands in his pockets as he stared at Ron. Harry let his magic trickle out, wanting to feel. The Irishman’s magic spun like a whirlpool naturally, but was also rippling gently with confusion and very slight uncertainty.
“Your funeral,” Ron sneered and he turned away aggressively, mumbling to Hermione.
Staring at the back of Ron’s head for a few seconds, Harry eventually looked back at Seamus questioningly, eyes flicking over his shoulder at Dean and Neville.
He hadn’t expected the support of the Irish boy. After all, Seamus hadn’t believed him the previous year and had been quite vocal in his stance, and that wasn’t to mention all the other times Seamus had turned on him with the rest of Hogwarts. He became infinitely more curious when Seamus began to flush lightly, shuffling awkwardly.
“I didn’t believe you last year and it didn’t work out very well for me,” Seamus said in way of explanation or maybe justification. “Figure I should give trusting you a shot this year.”
Harry blinked, unsure what to say.
“Hey, Harry.”
He and Seamus looked over at Dean who held up the deck of cards.
“Rummy?”
Seamus looked at him, silently repeating the invitation. Hesitating just a moment, Harry eventually smiled and nodded. Receiving large smiles in return, Harry followed Seamus over and sat. Picking up his dealt cards, he allowed himself to ignore all that was wrong in his world, at least for a little while, and finally feel like he’d returned home.