Time and Sacrifice: Book 1

Hundreds of shields held up by many in the Great Hall were impacted by the falling wall of water. The thunderous pounding of hundreds of gallons of water crashing down was deafening, a roaring tidal wave breaking above all their heads, rendering the screaming of all below silent. The pressure of holding up the charm against the relentless assault felt as though it was grinding Harry’s bones together, straining his tendons until they tore, lighting his muscles on fire. It was a stark contrast to the numbing and piercing cold of the water that slid off their shields. The water puddled around their feet, steadily rising past their ankles and higher. The current grew stronger as the water rose, trying to sweep them away in its icy hold.

It was barely anytime at all before the water level in the Great Hall had risen so dramatically. Students that had taken cover below the House Tables climbed out of their spots, gasping for air. Terrified of getting stuck under the tables and not being able to breathe, in their haste those students nearly bowled over the older ones who had been holding up shield charms. With every student whose shield fell when they were hit by frightened younger years, the weight of the water hailing from above increased significantly on those whose shields remained intact. 

It was becoming too much for all of them. Keeping up the shield against the inescapable and unforgiving assault of the water took a severe toll on many both physically, and magically. Harry could feel himself faltering. After all the emotional upheaval of the day, the debilitating pain he suffered when the seal broke, and now this ruthless barrage, Harry didn’t know how much longer he could hold on. He felt his foot slip from underneath him from the slick stone and ragging current.

It seemed inevitable, his shield faltering, and him falling into the frigid water.

Yet, it never happened.

A strong hand on each of his shoulders steadied him, keeping his feet on the stone floor, head above water, and hand still clutching his wand. His eyes, which had been closed as he braced for his fall, suddenly opened. He saw the faces of Sirius and Remus as they each held him up with one hand as the other held their shields up. Every line in their faces was etched with strain, exhaustion, fear, and determination.

Even with the world seemingly falling on their heads, the ground slipping from beneath his feet, and the current mercilessly trying to sweep him adrift, Sirius and Remus wouldn’t let him fall. They wouldn’t let Harry succumb to everything stacked against him.

Harry wasn’t alone.

He wasn’t alone in anything he had to do.

Resolve strengthened within Harry as he pushed more of his Magick into his shield. He knew the inundation of water was still falling from above, still cascading down and rising around them. It was fighting them from all directions, trying to crush and wash them away.

Harry no longer struggles with it.

It wasn't solely his responsibility to carry the burden of it all on his shoulders. He no longer had to fear being too weak, too powerless to make any type of difference. His strength didn’t only lie within himself, it lay within those around him. Their loyalty, their friendship, and their love.

No fight was ever truly his alone because they were always there, standing behind him, standing beside him.

The water kept hailing down, but Harry no longer felt the immense pressure of it. 

He felt stronger. 

His Magick felt stronger. 

Suddenly, all those around him, slowly spreading to all corners of the Great Hall, felt the weight of the water falling down on them lessen. They could still hear the thunderous sound as the water made contact with their shields, but they no longer felt the overwhelming attack on their bodies and Magick. 

Surprise rose faster than the water, and everyone searched to see what the cause of relief was. 

There they found Harry, his shield stronger, brighter, and more tangible. It was spreading, reinforcing all the others, allowing all a moment to catch their breath. 

It wasn't long before the sound of roaring water stopped, leaving the room filled up to Harry's navel. 

When they were all sure that they no longer needed to fear a lake being dropped on their heads, as one, everyone dropped their shields. As the shields fell there were multiple sounds of something falling into the water around them. 

In front of Harry, a form fell on the Gryffindor Table. In the Great Hall, the water was so high that they were nearly completely submerged except for their face and the peak of their chest.

His eyes could not believe what they were seeing. He had never seen the person before but there was no denying who he was. 

The mass of midnight curls fanned out in the water like an inky halo. Sharp, aristocratic features. 

Regulus Black.

It could not be anyone else, for the resemblance to his father was too striking. 

"REGGIE!" The sound of his father's yell reverberated throughout the room. The emotion it held pierced through Harry, filled with anguish, despair, and a hope so raw and potent it nearly brought Harry to his knees faster and harder than the water falling on top of them. 

Sirius jumped on top of the table, and picked his brother up, holding him in his lap. 

"Reggie, come on little brother, come on. Open your eyes." Sirius tried to coax his younger brother, his voice frantic.  

Harry heard the sound of people trying to tread through water. 

Looking up, Harry saw Narcissa Malfoy had her son’s hand in hers as she dragged him closer to them. As their eyes met, starlight stared into emerald with a question, with so much hope. The woman saw the truth within the gemstones, and emotion overcame her entire being. She doubled her efforts, moving impossibly quicker in water that would have been past her navel. 

Even though there was great surprise in seeing the elegant and proper Narcissa Malfoy née Black lose all composure in trying to reach the still and prone form of Regulus Black that was being held by his older brother, it was that of Severus Snape that surprised Harry most. 

The man who had been at the center of the Slytherin Table when the shields raised up and water came down, did not let the lake that had become the Great Hall, nor the school tables hinder his path to get to where Regulus lay. Stepping on the bench and climbing the table, Snape ran down the length of the Ravenclaw Table. The water was now just a quarter up his calves, making his sprint all the more swift. He had ripped off his long, billowing cloak which had become drenched in the downpour, not wanting it to obstruct his way and make him trip. 

When Snape had reached the front end of the Ravenclaw Table, he jumped over the isle onto the Hufflepuff Table, and finally into the water of the isle between Hufflepuff and Gryffindor, landing opposite Harry and next to Andromeda. 

"He's not breathing." Sirius' words are heartbreaking and desperate. 

"Come on, Reggie, breathe. I need you to breathe for me." The breaking in his father's voice is audible for all to hear.

"Give him to me, Black." Snape's voice trembles, wrought with a series of emotions. All stemming from the person who lies motionless in front of Harry. 

Surprisingly, there's no fight in Sirius as Snape lifts the younger Black brother from his father's lap, gently placing him in his own. 

"He definitely has water in his lungs. I have used all the spells, but none of them worked." The cracks in Andromeda's countenance are more visible than Harry had ever imagined possible in the fierce and noble woman. The worry and terror she's consumed by is tangible. 

"Did you try Spiritus Vita?" A sweet and desperate voice broke in. Narcissa was now standing next to her older sister, eyes firmly locked on Regulus as she cradled one of his hands as Snape muttered scan after scan. 

"Of course." Andromeda's voice lacked any bite as she replied to the sister who had pretended for many years that she did not exist. Her only concern was for her youngest cousin. 

"Spiritus Vita, Nunc Respirare, Spiro In te Vita, I even tried bloody Tanafas Yartafie Aleaysh." The cracks in Andromeda deepened as a few tears escaped her eyes.

"Grandmother's spell?" Narcissa searched her sister's broken expression, soaking in each and every one of Andromeda's features. 

"Yes." The older Black sister's response was barely more than a crack of voice. 

Narcissa's free arm wrapped around her older sister's waist, pulling her ever so close to her side, nearly becoming one. Andromeda did not resist.

"Severus?" Narcissa uttered Snape's name like a desperate prayer, a tragic plea. 

"It's not only water. He's been poisoned. The poison is stopping the spells from working. It's as if he's too weak to respond to Magick." There's a look of tragic heartbreak on Snape's face. It was the look of a man who had a second chance with their one true love before it was cruelly and ruthlessly snatched away. 

Harry couldn't help but grab Fred's hand as he pressed his body against his boyfriend. Needing to remind himself that Fred was there, that he was alive. 

"There was a potion." The croak of a voice had everyone looking at Kreature while the Elf stared at his beloved Master, tears rolling down his cheeks. 

"There was a potion in the cave. Master ordered Kreature." Kreature said brokenly.

"What potion?" The intensity of Snape's voice was physical.

"The Dark Lord had requested an Elf, and Master had volunteered Kreature. Master had told Kreature to follow his Lord's order and to come back. The Dark Lord had Kreature drink the potion. It hurt Kreature. It tore at Kreature's insides with pain. Made Kreature see terrible, horrible things. Kreature screamed and the Dark Lord laughed, making Kreature drink more. When Kreature was done the Dark Lord left and Kreature was so thirsty. Kreature does not know how but he made it to the lake to get water. Before Kreature could drink, the hands pulled him down. Kreature knew he was dying, oh yes, Kreature knew, but Master had ordered Kreature to return so he did." There were horrified looks on people's faces at the pain Kreature had gone through and hearing how Voldemort had only laughed at the fragile looking House Elf.

"Master Regulus saw what the Dark Lord had done to Kreature and grew angry. Master figured out what the Dark Lord had done and vowed to help stop him." Sirius looked proud and heartbroken at hearing how his little brother had turned away from Voldemort.

An act that had cost Regulus his life.

"When Kreature was healed Master Regulus had Kreature take him to the Dark Lord's cave. The potion was there for protection. Master wanted what the Dark Lord was protecting. No Magick worked against the potion. It had to be drunk. Master ordered Kreature to make sure Master drank all the potion, destroy what was the Dark Lord's, and to leave Master." Harry watched as all who loved Regulus closed their eyes in grief at hearing how the young Black took the suffering and cost of betraying Voldemort himself by himself. 

"Kreature did not want to, but Kreature had no choice." Tears slide down people's cheeks at hearing the gutted emotion in Kreature's voice. Feeling the pain that still resides within the House Elf viscerally.

"When Master was done with the potion, the hands pulled Master under the water, and Kreature was forced to flee." A full body sob wreaked through Sirius' entire body as he stared at the still figure of his brother. 

Andromeda was quietly sobbing as she held onto Narcissa. A fear within her of losing her younger sister despite the years of distance. 

Narcissa held onto Andromeda just as tightly, trembling. Seeking the comfort that only an older sibling could offer. 

Even Lucius Malfoy, who stood a few feet behind his wife looked as though he would succumb to tears. 

For Harry, it was Snape's tortured face that was visceral. That caused his lungs to stop working as his heart was ripped from his chest as he tightened his hold on Fred. 

"It's the Emerald Potion. The Drink of Despair." Snape said, eyes filled with agonizing pain as he stared at the face he cradled. 

"It's a potion of the Dark Lord's creation." The horror at what Regulus had endured made itself known at Snape's words. 

And Magick couldn't save him. 

Wait.

Magick couldn't be used because of the potion but what if...

Harry let go of Fred’s hand and climbed onto the table next to Snape.

"Lie him flat on his back." Harry directed Snape. 

"What?" 

"Lie him flat on his back." The professor didn't react, so Harry took matters into his own hands.

Gently, Harry lifted the motionless form of Regulus, swatting away the hands of Snape as he tried to stop Harry’s ministrations.

"What are you doing?" Harry ignored the break in Snape's voice as he lay Regulus flat on the Gryffindor Table and positioned his knees on either side of Regulus' hips, kneeling over the younger Black brother.

"Magick won't work." Harry balled his right hand into a fist, placing it on Regulus' chest. His left hand lay flat, covering that of his right. 

"But this might. Hold his head still so his nose and mouth don't get covered by water." He directed his order to Narcissa who immediately followed without question, although visibly confused with Harry’s actions. 

With that, Harry pushed down and pressed onto Regulus' chest with all his strength using his entire body. The first few compressions were slow and erratic. Soon they grew faster and more rhythmic.

One......two......three....four...five six seven eight nine ten.....thirty. 

After the thirtieth push, Harry stopped and opened Regulus' mouth, took a deep break, and breathed in. Then another breath. 

Checking his pulse there was nothing. 

Another thirty compressions, two breaths, check, no pulse. 

Again. 

Thirty compressions, two breaths, check, no pulse. 

Come on. 

Thirty compressions, two breaths, check, no pulse.

He could feel himself growing exhausted.

Thirty compressions, two breaths, check, no pulse.

Come on, Uncle, breathe already.

Thirty compressions, two breaths, check, no pul...wait. 

It was faint but Harry felt a flutter under his finger. 

Without warning Regulus started violently coughing up the fluid in his chest. 

Harry backed away and let the others that surrounded Regulus help. 

Narcissa was kneeling on the table, running her fingers through Regulus' hair, whispering calming words as he violently coughed up fluid in her lap. Andromeda was rubbing his back, soothing the muscles while also coaxing Regulus to expel everything he needed to. Snape was performing scan after scan, his body relaxing slightly, and amazement filling his eyes more and more after each scan. Sirius lowered his head to Regulus' ear whispering words of love and comfort to his baby brother. 

His father’s words were for his brother, but his tear-filled eyes were locked on Harry. They screamed pure love, adoration, and thankfulness. 

Harry couldn't help but blush and duck his head under the weight of them. 

"Sirius?" A faint and broken whisper came from Regulus when he calmed. The sound of his brother's name was filled with hope and desperation. 

"I'm here Reggie. I'm here petite étoile. Mon petit frere." Harry wasn't sure what half of what his father said, but he knew every word of it was coated in love and relief. 

In a blur, Regulus dived into his father's chest, his face buried in his older brother's neck. He clutched the back of his robe as he held onto Sirius as if his life depended on it. Sirius was holding onto his little brother just as tightly, his cheek resting on the soaked mass of raven curls. 

"I never wanted to....Je n'avais pas de choix...pas le choix...Je savais que tu me détesterais...but I had no choice...I was scared...Je n'étais pas courageux comme toi grand frère...but I figured out what He had done...I had to do something...what would Sirius do...and I knew...Je savais." Regulus' words were half rushed, unfinished tearful sentences. 

"Shhh, shhh, calm Reggie, calm." Sirius whispered into the inky dripping curls. 

Pulling away slightly, Harry watched as his father put a hand on both of Regulus' cheeks, forcing the younger to look into his eyes. 

"I'm here Reggie. I swear to you, you're safe." Silver eyes stared into silver eyes, two stars colliding. Regulus took a deep shuddering breath and nodded his head jerkily. When Sirius saw that Regulus accepted his words as truth, he placed a reverent kiss on Regulus' forehead and allowed him to fall back into his arms.

It was a few seconds later that Harry heard Regulus' voice once more. 

"Sirius?" The voice sounded confused. Sirius hummed in acknowledgement.

"Why do you look different? Why do you look...older?" Regulus' question was met with a bark of laughter. 

"That's a complicated story." Just how were they all supposed to explain to Regulus that he died over fifteen years ago?

"Are we in Hogwarts?" Regulus asked like he already knew the answer but wasn't sure just how. 

"Yes." Was his father's simple reply. 

"How did I get here? Last I knew..." Regulus' voice cut off as his breath hitched in his chest. 

"That, dear little brother, is an even more complicated story." Sirius' answer couldn't be more accurate. 

Today has been a day. 

"Let's just say for now, since at your untimely time of death you were alone, you were brought here." When Sirius had finished speaking Regulus ripped himself out of his brother's hold, eyes wide with terror. 

"Sirius, I wasn't alone." Regulus' voice was a terrified whisper. 

"I was being killed. I was being physically pulled down. Drowned." A look of rage crossed his father's face at the thought of his brother's murderer.

"By whom?" His father's voice was steel. Harry knew he was already planning on doing everything he could to eliminate a threat to those he loved. 

"Not by who. By what." Fear was woven into every letter of every word Regulus spoke. 

A commotion came from the Slytherin Table and Harry watched as Liliya lost her footing on top of the table and went crashing down into the water below. 

Adrian Prucey stepped further into the water without hesitation from his spot on the bench, intent to help his smaller, younger Housemate. He quickly reached the young girl who was struggling to get her feet under her and steady herself as the water came up past her elbows. Quickly steadying her, Prucey reached out to pick the petite girl up and place her back on the table. 

Something forced him to stop before Liliya was even halfway out of the water, before harshly pulling her back down. 

Surprise colored every inch of Prucey's face as an unknown force was playing a sick version of tug a war with him.

"Inferi." Regulus' voice rang out. 

A high, fear-inducing scream echoed around the Great Hall before being brutally cut off as Liliya disappeared under the murky water. 

Harry reacted on instinct.

"HARRY! NO!" He heard his father scream after him, fear, and protectiveness within its depth.

Harry ignored him as he jumped across the House Tables. All around him screams of horror and terror pierced the Great Hall and Harry saw skeletal figures rising from the water. 

He quickly made it to the area where Liliya disappeared and Prucey was searching frantically for the young girl. So busy in his search for Liliya, Prucey failed to notice a figure from nightmares rise behind him, steadily getting closer. 

"Stupefy!" Harry shouted out without hesitation. 

The spell barely stopped the creature at all.

Prucey whirled around and his eyes widened in surprise and fear when he saw the figure that had been sneaking behind him. 

"Find her! I'll cover you!" Harry shouted.

"Immobulus!" The creature didn't stop its movements at all.

Harry started throwing every spell he could think of at it. 

Nothing he tried worked. 

The creature quickly made its way to Harry, wrapping its hand tightly around his throat. He could feel its sharp, brittle nails bite into his vulnerable flesh, and drag him under the water's surface. 

Struggling with the thing and its grip around his throat, Harry tried to free himself. However, he felt another pair of boney hands covered in thin flesh wrap around his right upper arm and pull on it hard. It felt as though his arm was being ripped off as intense agony rippled through Harry. Thrashing in pain, he noticed too late as a third creature appeared grabbing his left forearm, digging its fingers into him painfully. Trying to wretch his left arm free, deep bloody grooves appeared in Harry's skin, the claw-like nails of the monster tearing through his flesh. 

Pain radiated through Harry’s entire body. Black spots were taking over his vision. Lack of oxygen from the hand around his throat and being drowned was making him weaker by the second. The fight was quickly leaving him, his eyes fluttering shut. 

All of a sudden, the hands that were on him released him. 

Wait that wasn't right. 

Harry could still feel them on him but all the power and strength of them was gone.

When Harry opened his eyes, he saw the hands of those horrifying creatures on him, but they were not attached to anything. 

Before he could comprehend anything about the situation, Harry felt himself being dragged by the scruff of his robes. 

Breaching the surface of the water, Harry took a deep breath of the sweetest air he could ever imagine, filling his deprived lungs as he felt himself being tossed onto what he figured was one of the House Tables. 

"Come on, Potter wake up!" Harry heard a smooth voice that was shaken by fear.

He wanted to reassure the person, but he was exhausted and in so much pain he just wanted to sleep. 

"Watch out." A softer, more controlled voice said. 

All of a sudden Harry felt a burning, stinging pain on his left cheek and the taste of copper filled his mouth. 

Bolting up, Harry saw the relieved, and surprised faces of Blaise Zabini and Theodore Nott.

"Did you just slap me?" Harry asked as he rubbed his cheek with his left hand as he could barely move his right.

"Yes. We also saved you." Nott replied simply.

"Thanks for that." And Harry meant it. He knew if he was under that water any longer there would likely be no coming back for him. 

Small, shaky smiles appeared on both their faces. 

It was then that Harry remembered everything that was currently going on.

"Liliya?!" The girl was dragged into the water before Harry.

Did they find her? Is she alright? Please, she has to be alright. 

"Prucey got her just as you went down. She's further down the table." Relief flooded Harry at Zabini's words. 

Barely a moment after Harry felt pure relief, another one of those monsters was close enough within striking distance of the backs of both Zabini and Nott. 

Before Harry could even shout a word of warning, half of the creatures were hit with a force that broke them into pieces, while the other half were violently brought up into the air in what looked like a bubble and burned until they were nothing but ashes. Quickly turning his head in the direction the spells came from, Harry saw his father and Regulus a moment before he was engulfed in a relieved, and painful hug.

“Harry, dear Merlin, I thought you were...” His father ruthlessly cut himself off holding Harry even tighter before pulling back and looking into Harry’s eyes.

“You can’t do that to me.” The ferocity in Sirius’ voice takes Harry back as fear and tears fill the raincloud eyes.

“I thought I had lost you.” There was a brokenness and fragility in his voice that made guilt well up in Harry.

“It’s okay, Siri. I’m alright. Zabini and Nott saved me in time.” His father looked as though he wanted to fight Harry saying he was alright. Instead, he placed a kiss on his forehead.

“We will be talking about this.” Harry didn’t doubt his father about that. Even in the midst of everything going on, Harry couldn’t help but duck his head at the look on his father’s face.

“Thank you both for saving him.” There was no denying the genuineness and thankfulness in his father’s voice.

It seems both were too overwhelmed by the situation to respond but they nodded their heads in acknowledgment.

“Siri, what are these things? Everything that I tried on them, none of it worked.” Harry couldn’t help fight something if he didn’t know what he was fighting or how.

“They’re Inferi. Basically, to put it as simply as possible, they’re the Magical version of zombies. Except they aren’t contagious. The most effective thing to use against them is fire.” His father’s face is strained and looking around Harry can see why. Nearly every adult and older year within the Great Hall was fighting off the Inferi, trying to protect the younger students. They are attempting not to hit students in crossfire, which makes their job of protecting students and ridding them of the Inferi that much harder.

“Using fire isn’t viable because none of you want to hit us or have the flaming Inferi walking around making things worse.” Harry watches as the lines around his father’s eyes tighten.

“Exactly.” He knew he was right but having his father confirm it doesn't make it better.

“Sirius!” Harry hears a voice yell in warning.

Swiftly, Sirius seamlessly turns around on the spot, without any hinderance despite the water at his hips. Before the three Inferi could come within striking distance Sirius moves his wand and they’re enveloped in a sphere of blazing fire twenty feet above their heads. Seconds later, Sirius raises his hand, and the miniature sun is engulfed in water, quenching the fire until nothing is left except steam rising up and away from them.

It wasn’t a moment too soon as immediately after another Inferius made its way closer to them. Harry watched as his father effortlessly shifted as he twirled his wand. The Inferius’ body was put into what looked like a tight cocoon made of water up to its neck, leaving its head free. In amazement, Harry watched as his father took hold of the spell with his other hand. He twisted it around as if he was wrapping rope around his hand, freeing his wand from holding the spell. He then held his wand to the head of the Inferius and lit it on fire. Fire covered its head, but Harry could see how it spread downward, burning the body confined by the water. When there was nothing left of the Inferius, his father ended both spells.

Harry had never seen Magick used the way his father had just used it.

His reverence was broken at the sound of a voice.

“Sirius, we need to get the children to safety.” Regulus said breathlessly after blowing apart another Inferius.

Looking around the Great Hall, Harry notices that the stage the Head Table is on is high enough that it’s only covered by maybe three inches of water.

“Sirius! The stage!” Harry shouted as he pointed in the direction of the Head Table with his good arm.

Sirius looked in its direction and his eyes widened in comprehension of what Harry was thinking.

“GET THE STUDENTS TO THE FRONT!” The power and volume that his father roared with echoed around the Hall.

The heads of nearly all the adults, including both professors and guests, turned to look at Sirius and then at the Head Table. They all quickly understood what the plan was. Shouts and calls for students to head to the front of the Great Hall were ringing out from all directions.

Just then a large group of Inferi ambushed the Slytherin Table. Sirius, Regulus, and the upper years fought as the terrifying monsters tried to drag other students down into the water. It was the first time Harry noticed that he no longer had his wand on him and had lost it during his struggle earlier. Seeing three Inferi closing in on his father’s back, fear and rage tore through every fiber of his being.

Without thinking, Harry did the first thing that came to mind.

Jumping from his spot on the table, instinctively his feet landed on the floor in a defensive stance as he held his left arm out.

“ACCIO WAND!” Faster than lightning, his wand jumped out of the water and into his hand.

So focused on eliminating the threat to his father, Harry missed as nearly every head turned and looked on in surprise as his wand responded to his summoning. 

With his wand now in his left hand, Harry mirrored his father's earlier movements. 

Twirling his wand three times clockwise while raising it slowly minutely, then quickly slashing it upwards diagonally from left to right, and then twirling it counterclockwise four times, Harry watched as the water rose and trapped the three Inferi together up to their chins. 

Harry never felt Magick flow as effortlessly and aid him in a cast so helpfully as now. He felt as if it was made for him as his blood sang. 

"Sirius!" Harry called out to his father, unable to do the second part himself as he couldn't move his right arm.

Coming out of his wide-eyed amazement at Harry’s call, Sirius quickly pointed his wand at the head of the Inferi and lit them on fire. Once completely burned Harry let go of the spell and stared at the spot where the Inferi once were in horrified amazement for a moment before his eyes met those of his father. 

"I KNEW IT!" Regulus shouted out in joyful glee, completely at odds with their current predicament. 

 "Harry...how?" His father asked in wonder. 

"I saw what you did and followed. I couldn't let them hurt you. Not if I could do something about it." Harry refused to let anything happen to his father. 

"He's a Gift! A Gift from Magick herself! Mon cher neveu!" There is an overwhelming amount of joy and pride in Regulus' voice, that even though Harry doesn't know what he means, he can't help but feel warmth spread through him. Never before had he imagined an uncle would speak of him with such emotion. 

 "Aren't you right-handed, Potter?" Harry hears Nott ask in a peculiar voice. 

"Umm yeah. I taught myself to use my left because with my luck I didn't want to become vulnerable in a fight if something happened to my right. As my luck is true, it's a good thing I did." Harry stopped himself from shrugging as he remembered the pain in his shoulder. 

"Mon neveu un vrai Black!" Regulus shrieked gleefully as he performed the spell Harry and Sirius just did. 

"What you just did was amazing, but I need you to bring everyone here to the front." Sirius said and Harry felt indignation wash over him. 

"But I want to fight!" How could Sirius expect Harry to leave him? 

"You're hurt, Harry." His father's words were true. Harry could feel the wear and tear throughout his body but that didn't mean he couldn't help. 

"Give me a second." Harry grabbed his right wrist with his left hand. Quickly and without hesitation, Harry pulled his injured arm forward and straight in front of him. A loud pop was heard, and Harry felt a blinding pain before it slowly receded leaving a dull throb. 

“See, better.” Harry said a moment later.

Sirius stared at him with a pained expression. Guilt carved the features of his handsome face. His chest rose and fell quickly as if he couldn’t catch his breath.

Even with everything unfolding around them, the Slytherin and Ravenclaw students looked at Harry with horrified and commiserating expressions on their faces.

Harry watched as Regulus closed the distance between himself and Sirius with impossible speed as he grabbed his older brother’s hand, violently turning Sirius to face him.

“You wouldn’t?!” It was an accusation filled with fury and betrayal.

“It wasn’t me.” Sirius said brokenly.

Harry could see that Regulus believed Sirius immediately, but his eyes hardened even more.

“Then it was Potter.” His uncle’s voice was harder and sharper than steel.

“No...” Sirius didn’t get a chance to finish before Regulus ruthlessly cut him off.

“J'aurais juré que tu aurais été meilleur que père.” The words were a physical blow to Sirius.

Harry was completely confused by the whole exchange.

They stared at each other until they simultaneously raised their wands and destroyed the Inferi closing in on each other's backs.

Turning back to Harry once the threat of the Inferious against his brother was dealt with, Sirius lifted his face.

“You have done beautifully, Harry. But I need you to lead the others to safety. Please, I cannot concentrate on fighting if I am worried about you. I need you as safe as possible.” Any fight in Harry left at the look in his father’s eyes as he gently stroked his cheek with his thumb.

Swallowing hard, Harry nodded his head, and watched as relief flooded through his father's entire body.

A plan immediately took root in Harry’s mind. Turning around Harry stepped up onto the Slytherin Table. Taking a deep breath to yell out to the D.A., Harry stopped before he opened his mouth.

“Would any of you happen to know how to do the Sonorus charm?” Harry asked the students around him.

Zabini pointed his wand to Harry’s throat and smirked.

“Very trusting of you, Potter.” Harry couldn’t help but give the other boy a dry look.

“If you wanted me dead, I’m pretty sure you would have let those Inferi have me.” Dear Merlin, Harry is very grateful that was not the case.

“Touché, Potter. Touché.” Zabini chuckled, a slight hysterical quality to it at the situation they all are in, before gently tapping Harry’s throat with his wand, and nodding that it worked.

"D.A.! FORM TWO CIRCLES AROUND THE YOUNGER YEARS. OUTER CIRCLE, PUT UP FULL BODY SHIELD CHARMS AROUND YOUR GROUP! INNER CIRCLE, CAST THE WATERFALL CHARM DOWN THE SHIELD WALL! MAKE YOUR WAYS TO THE FRONT OF THE HALL! KEEP PACE WITH YOUR GROUP! DO NOT BREAK THE SHIELD WALL!” Harry nodded to Zabini who then cancelled the spell.

“The shields will stop the Inferi from being able to grab anyone, and the force of the water will push them away.” Harry explained to those around him.

Harry realized that there were no DA members within Slytherin.

“Quickly, everyone gathers into groups. If you are able to cast a powerful Waterfall charm start forming a circle around the others. If you can cast and hold a full-body shield while being attacked, circle around the others. NOW!" Everyone quickly followed Harry’s order.

Immediately several groups formed and casted their shield spells. 

Next to him, Nott cast his Shield charm along with Harry. Zabini was behind Nott, ready to cast the Waterfall charm.

Harry noticed some had raised their shields just in time to block the Inferi from grabbing one of them. 

“When I say go, cast your charms, and slowly start making your way to the front! Keep pace with each other! We do not want to break ranks!” The warning was heard by all.

“On my mark…” Harry can feel the bodies behind him preparing themselves.

“NOW!” All at once, Harry heard dozens of powerful Waterfall charms being cast, followed by the sound of rushing water.

Throughout the Hall there were numerous calls to start.

“NOW!” Came the cry of Adrian Prucey further down the aisle.

"NOW!" Roger Davis was heard further at the back of the Great Hall. 

"NOW!" Cho Chang sounded as though she was only a bit closer than Roger. 

"NOW!" Fred yelled from the Gryffindor side."

"NOW!" Ron yelled from across the Hall. 

"NOW!" Neville yelled with more authority than Harry had ever heard from him.

"NOW!" Screamed Susan Bones. 

"NOW!" Shouted Ernie MacMillan. 

More and more, the call to start was heard. 

Catching a quick glimpse of one of the groups whose shield was being attacked before their second defense came up, Harry saw how the power of the Waterfall charm pushed them back, giving those holding up the shields a break from the relentless pummel. 

"Stay aware of the younger years. Make sure their heads are above water. If necessary, pick them up and carry them. The only way we can make it to safety is together. Look out for one another. MOVE! RIGHT FOOT FIRST!" With that, Harry's group slowly started working their way to the front. 

They were making progress, moving slowly, steadily getting closer to the front of the Hall. The only problem was that with all the Waterfall charms being cast, the water level in the Great Hall was rising. It was slow, incremental, but made a big difference to some of the younger years. Harry heard a splash and knew one of their numbers had gone down. Before he could say anything, there was quick movement and the sound of gasping breath. 

"It's alright, I have you. Hold onto me, I'll carry you. Wrap your arms around my neck. Astoria, and wrap your legs around my waist and don't you dare let go." Harry heard a calming female voice from within the center of the group. 

An echo of the same sentiment reverberated throughout the group. The older and taller students started carrying the smaller ones who were struggling to move.  

Pride and guilt filled Harry in equal parts. He was proud of his group for helping one another. However, shame left a sour taste in his mouth at his past self thinking that all Slytherins were out only for themselves. 

Shoving that aside he focused on the here and now. On getting everyone to safety. 

Finally, they made it to the stage, and broke apart, being helped up by the groups who had gotten there before them. 

"Harry!" Fred's eyes were wide with relief as he held his hand out for Harry to grab. Clasping his hand, Fred hauled him onto the stage. 

Before Harry knew it, Fred crashed his lips onto Harry's, stealing his breath away. The kiss was passionate, desperate, filled with love and relief. 

Harry forgot about everything going on. It faded into the background, not mattering at all. He wanted to stay right here forever in Fred's arms. 

He didn't need air, he only needed Fred. 

Too soon, Fred broke their kiss and cradled Harry’s face with the hand that wasn't wrapped tightly around his waist, pressing their foreheads together. 

"I watched you go down...I thought...I can't lose you Harry...I can't...it'll break me." Fred's voice is filled with painful reverence as he places soft kisses on Harry's face. 

Harry knows exactly what he means. He lost Fred and turned back time because he couldn't live in a world where Fred wasn't alive. 

"I won't ever try to change who you are but remember, there are people who would be devastated if something were to happen to you. I wouldn't know what to do if I lost you." Harry swallowed hard and nodded his head jerkily at Fred’s words. 

One of the many things he loved about the older boy was Fred knew who Harry was better than anyone. His good qualities, his faults, his quirks, his rashness, and everything in between. Never has he ever tried to make Harry act like anything other than himself. Even if it meant fewer heart attacks for Fred himself if Harry could curb certain behaviors. 

"Good." Fred gave him one last gentle kiss. 

Dazed, Harry rapidly blinked his eyes, trying to orient himself. He could hear the sound of fighting bringing him right back to the here and now. 

Looking out over the Great Hall, Harry saw more groups slowly making their way to the front as the adults were fighting off the Inferi. Now that more than half of the students were here, Harry knew he had to make sure that they had a way to ensure everyone stayed safe until the Inferi were no longer a threat. 

Noticing how there were about fifteen feet between the edge of the stage and the House Tables, an idea quickly took shape in Harry's mind. 

As he saw several of the D. A’s strongest members, Harry shouted for their attention. 

"Fred! Hermione! Susan! Neville! George!" Everyone immediately turned to look at him. 

"I want a line formed right in front of the House Tables, across the entire Great Hall, wall to wall. Those holding the line will need to hold up full body Shield charms to create a barrier. Behind them I want another line of people who can take over if they become exhausted or overpowered. We need to make sure that if the Inferi get past the professors and the Order, they cannot get any of the students." Harry directed and the others quickly followed, calling for more people to aid them. 

"Zabini, Nott." Harry called the two Slytherins who were a few feet away and had just finished helping another group get up onto the stage. They gave him twin questioning looks.

"Are either of you good at healing spells?" Harry asked.

"Better than good." Nott replied without hesitation. 

"I've had my fair share of experience and became very well versed." Zabini's eyes quickly cut to look at Nott before focusing on Harry once more. 

"There are bound to be people injured. Ask others to help that you know are skilled at healing spells. Help anyone you see injured that you can." He instructed the boys.

"The younger years are terrified. There should be people going around trying to calm them down." A voice came from just behind Nott and Zabini. Harry recognized it as the voice in his group that first picked up and carried a smaller student to safety.

Daphne Greengrass appeared beside Zabini, still somehow managing to look intimidatingly regal while soaked to the bone. 

"Well, it's a lucky thing you're here. I know you'll find others to help and make sure the younger years are alright." A slight smirk twitched on her pale features as she inclined her head regally.

"Find Luna Lovegood. She'll be able to help with the healing, and Hannah Abbott can help you, Greengrass.

"Sounds like a smart plan to me, Potter." Greengrass said.

"It's Harry." Harry said simply and saw the question rise in their eyes. 

"Don't you know, fighting for your life and near-death experiences are how you make friends in Gryffindor?" Harry said as he gave the three a brilliant, blinding smile before he turned around to check on the others and the shield wall.

He missed the looks of surprise and speechlessness his words caused those in green and silver.

On his way to the shield wall Harry thought of something else when he saw the figures of Prucey and Lee helping students up onto the stage.

"Prucey! Lee!" Harry called out, changing his course as he ran up to the two older boys. 

"How well do you know your House mates? Do you know everyone in every year?" Harry directed his question to the Slytherin whose eyes were confused with Harry’s line of question. 

"It's expected of all sixth and seventh years to know everyone in the House, especially the younger years. We look out for them, make sure they're adjusting to life at Hogwarts, and help them with anything they need whether personal or academically." Wow, Harry seriously wished they had that support system in Gryffindor. There were more than a dozen times he could have used it in his first year alone. His second year too. 

Maybe he wouldn't have felt so alone after it came out he was a Parseltongue. 

Pushing down the sharp pain of 'what if' Harry focused on now. 

"We need to know who made it to safety and who is still missing. When everything is settled, the professors will want to make sure everyone is accounted for. If you two can find someone in Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff who can do a headcount for their House that would help the professors out." Harry watched as both boys nodded along and listened as he explained his thought process. 

"Julianna Fawcett. She has study groups with each year twice a week." Julianna is a Ravenclaw seventh year who is a member of the D.A. 

"Edward Summers, he's a seventh year Hufflepuff." Harry nodded along.

Before he could say anything else, Prucey started talking again. 

"It would be better and faster if we assigned someone from each year in each House and had them report to someone who could keep count. Especially since more people are constantly arriving." Prucey was right, it would be quicker and more orderly if they followed his plan.

"Alright, let's do that. Good thinking, Prucey." There was slight surprise in the older boy’s eyes, but he straightened his shoulders. 

"I'll be the one to keep count. I have experience of keeping track of pure chaos while being yelled at." Harry couldn't help but smile at all the memories of Lee's commentary of the Quidditch games, still keeping track of everything while Professor McGonagall would be yelling at him. 

"I'll get Angelina to wrangle the Gryffindors. She's better at giving orders than I'll ever be." There was no way Harry would ever disagree with that statement. 

"Here." Prucey said before moving his wand in a complicated motion, making a large cauldron appear. Another twist saw a paintbrush now in his hand. Prucey handed both to Lee who looked at them with confusion. 

"I'm aware parchment and quill would be more convenient, but considering we're in a flooded room, parchment doesn't do too well with water." That was a very valid point. 

"Then what..." Lee trailed off in confusion. 

"I don't think you'll get in trouble for a bit of graffiti." Prucey said as he pointed to the front wall covered in the flags of all four Houses' crests. 

"Terence!" Prucey shouted and grabbed hold of a shoulder pulling them over. 

"Higgs is the most proficient with the Levitation charm. He'll keep you steady." Lee looks a bit nervous at Prucey's words and looks to Harry.

"They're like the rest of us. They just want to help, Lee. Trust them." This was a chance to build some bridges with Slytherin. 

"Alright, let's get started." Lee agreed, and they all set off. 

Harry then turned back to his original path and started making his way to the shield wall. Quickly spotting Hermione's drenched curls, Harry relaxed as he recognized a familiar red head next to her. 

Jumping off the stage into the deeper water Harry made his way as fast as possible to his best mate. 

"Ron!" The joy that Harry felt at seeing his first friend was evident. 

Turning around, Ron caught sight of him and saw a wide, relieved smile stretch over his face. 

"Harry!" Ron made his way towards Harry and drew him into a bear hug, reminiscent of his mother. 

"Bloody hell, mate, it's good to see you above water. Don't ever do that again." Harry felt another pair of arms wrap around him and heard Hermione's soft sniffles. 

When they released him, Harry saw tears falling down Hermione's cheeks as Ron quickly swiped at his face. 

"Don't worry, Sirius is already planning on having a long talk with me." It was funny to Harry that he didn't dread it. He was happy to know that someone loved and cared about him enough to scold him about his more reckless tendencies.

"Expect Remus to be in on that talk. The man nearly bowled Snape, the Tonks' and the Malfoy's over had it not been for the Inferi." With everything that happened Harry forgot about how Remus would react. 

Harry cringed from the crawling feeling in his stomach at the thought of Remus' disappointed face being thrown at him. 

Really not wanting to think about it, Harry quickly changed subjects. 

"How's everything working here?" Both his best friends gave him matching knowing looks before thankfully following suit. 

"The shield wall is up. The only time there's a gap in it is when other groups are being let in. If it is safe to do so, we will ensure those holding it up switch with their backup every few minutes. I thought it would be better to counter any possible Magical exhaustion." Hermione succinctly explained. Madame Pomfrey would be happy to know that not as many people will need her tender care.

Hopefully.

"We need to make sure that the injured are getting help, and that we keep track of everyone who made it to safety." Ron followed on right after Hermione. 

"Already on it. Zabini and Nott are going around healing everyone they can. I told them Luna would be a good help with that. Prucey came up with a better plan than me for keeping track. A student in each year in each House are going to track down their House and year mates, report it to Lee who's going to be keeping count." Harry stopped at the look on his closest friends' faces. 

"Zabini and Nott. They're Slytherins. Are you sure you can trust them?" There was a mistrustful look in Ron’s eye that was unmistakable. 

At the insinuation, Harry was irritated more than he cared to admit.

"If it weren't for Zabini and Nott, I'd be dead right now. Either by drowning or having my throat ripped out by the Inferi. They saved my life and didn't have to. I trust them. I don't care if they're Slytherins, they’re good people. You didn't see the way they fought for each other. The way they cared and protected one another. The Slytherins look out for each other. Honestly, when it comes to unity, having one another's back, and being a support system, there's a lot of Gryffindor could learn from Slytherin. I can name more than half a dozen times our House turned their backs on me over the years." He knew he wasn't being fair with both his friends with how fiercely and harshly he had talked to them, but it vexed Harry greatly. 

Seeing the way the Slytherins fought, viciously, brutally, all to protect the youngest of their numbers, made something within Harry's heart ache and burn. The other Houses immediately took responsibility for protecting their younger members, there was no doubt about it. Slytherin was different. Their intensity, their determination, their precision. They were all under attack today, but the Slytherins are constantly singled out year round. How much experience did Slytherins have protecting each other because of the other three Houses just for wearing green and silver? 

Harry didn't notice but just then a group of Slytherins had made it to the point of safety and heard his defense of them. His words would spark serious discussions within the Snake Pit, giving many a third option they didn't think they had. Maybe they didn't have to choose between Voldemort and Dumbledore. One who was a megalomaniac sociopath, the other who actively championed limiting and attacking their customs and culture, all to make Muggleborns feel more comfortable in a World they are now a part of instead of trying to teach them their ways. 

At Harry’s fierce defense of the House that had just saved his life, both Hermione's and Ron's eyes grew comically wide as shock spread across their faces. 

"Oh Harry, I'm sorry...we're sorry...we didn't mean...it's just after everything..." Harry felt terrible at how nervous and hurt he had just made Hermione. He never wanted to hurt his friends. 

"I know, 'Mione, it's alright. I'm sorry. I just...I want to try with them. Heal the bridge between Slytherin and all the other Houses. Stop pushing them away. How many of them started following Voldemort because they didn't feel like they had a choice? How many would've if we weren't sent the books? All because they're looked at with scorn. I want to do better this time. Be better." This is their second chance. Harry is determined to make the most of it. 

"I'm telling you now, it's not going to be easy for me but I'm willing to try. Have patience with me. I would rather you not bite my head off like summer." Harry mocked scowled at the laughter in Ron's eyes at his last comment. 

"Alright, alright, alright, enough of this. Let's get back to work. Is there anyone who needs a backup for the shield wall?" Harry asked, wanting to be doing something to help. 

Hermione gave him the drollest dry look. Harry was surprised to find the Great Hall still flooded. 

"If there was, it wouldn't be you." Before Harry could protest Hermione's words, she gave him a look, making him wisely snap his mouth shut. 

"Harry, you're exhausted. You've had the most draining day imaginable. You nearly died. Several times. You're hurt. It looks like you fought ten rounds with a troll and lost." Harry very much wanted to object to everything Hermione had just said but didn't get the chance.

"That's being kind. I've seen you after every near-death experience, and I've never seen you in worse shape than you are now. You look bloody horrible mate. Hermione's right, you're exhausted, you need rest." He wanted to deny both their words, but Harry felt his body scream in protest, completely worn out by the days ongoings. 

Suddenly a thought came to mind from what Hermione had said. 

The reason he's had the day he had is because of the books that they were supposed to read. In the midst of everything that's happened, he's forgotten about them. He may not be looking forward to reading them, but they were a way to save so many people. 

To save Fred. 

What happened to them?

"Hermione! Ron! The books! Where are they?! The water could be damaging them!" Harry felt panic rise up in him. If they weren't able to save everyone because their future selves ended up dropping a lake on them, he'll never forgive himself. 

"Calm down, Harry. I saw Professor McGonagall banishing them and the letters, including the one Sirius was holding before the water came down. She most likely sent them to her quarters. They'll be safe." And just like that, all that panicked energy that had built up so quickly was sapped right back out making him slump forward in relief and exhaustion. 

Ron quickly caught him before he fell down. 

"Yeah mate, McGonagall wouldn't let anything happen to those books. Remember what she said, they're the way to save all the students under her care." Ron reminded Harry of the words their Head of House spoke earlier. 

"Right." Harry said breathlessly.

"It's not all on you, Harry." Hermione's words have been hitting closer to home today. Harry was starting to learn that not everything is up to him. Old habits die hard. 

"I'm going back up to the stage, keep an eye on the fighting and how we're doing with the Inferi." Harry saw a small smile appear on Hermione's face as Ron nodded at him. He didn't know why but hearing Hermione say that made Harry feel raw and exposed. 

He needed to get his eyes on Sirius, make sure he's alright. 

Harry painfully climbed up the stage to look over the rest of the Great Hall. 

There were still a few groups making their way to the front of the Hall. Those groups who were furthest from the stage had their shields up and the Waterfall charms were pushing the Inferi away, allowing them to continue advancing their way to the front. Those who were closest didn't have any Inferi to worry about as the professors had pushed them away from the students, but those groups weren't taking any chances. They kept their shields up, water running down them as they steadily made their way to the rest of them. 

Harry's eyes then caught sight of his father and he felt like he could breathe again. From what Harry could tell, all the adults were still up and fighting. 

Except for five people

Looking around Harry spotted Fudge and Umbridge cowering in the corner by the Slytherin banner. 

But where were...

There they were. 

Harry saw the forms of the Dursley's huddled together behind the Gryffindor banner. Dudley was poking his face out trying to get a look at everything going on. 

At least they were safe.  

Looking back over the Great Hall, Harry saw that there were only a handful more groups out there. 

Suddenly, the one furthest out, towards the middle of the Great Hall in the aisle between the Gryffindor and Hufflepuff Tables made an abrupt stop. 

Harry felt his entire body tense. 

He heard a shout come from the still group before chaos erupted once more. 

With a loud bang all the students within the group were knocked back about ten feet in all directions, except for two. The first was the figure of Zacharias Smith who was running as fast as possible down the rest of the aisle trying to get to safety. 

The second was a very familiar form with white blonde hair, who flew further back than all the others, close to where the Inferi were. 

"DRACO!" Harry heard twin shouts of terror before he acted on instinct once more. 

With a running jump off the stage, Harry landed on the Hufflepuff Table, making his way quickly further down. 

He was a Black and so was Malfoy. As much as Harry didn't want to think about it, it was an inescapable fact. He and Draco shared blood. He wasn't about to let Draco die. 

"To the stage! Don't stop! Help who you can but keep moving!" Harry shouted to the others who thankfully listened and made their way frantically to the stage, grabbing the person closest to them and dragging them along. 

Swiftly, Harry made his way to the floating, unconscious form of Draco Malfoy. Jumping off the table, Harry grabbed a hold of his once nemesis. 

"Malfoy, wake up!" Harry started to rapidly shake the blonde boy, trying to get him to wake up so they could get out of there. The Inferi steadily made their way closer to the two rivals, trying to circle them. 

Malfoy wasn't responding. 

Harry decided to take a page out of Nott's book. 

Harry lifted his hand, pulling it back. A second later, with all his strength, Harry let his hand fly forward, leaving a loud and painful slap on his pale cheek. Malfoy's eyes immediately flew open. 

"NOTT! How many times have I told you? That's not an appropriate way to wake someone up!" Malfoy's mouth snapped shut when his eyes landed on Harry, then quickly scanned his surroundings. 

Harry knew the moment it all sank back in and Malfoy remembered where they were and what was going on as fear quickly replaced confusion. 

"We need to move. Now." Without fighting Harry, Malfoy nodded his head and started to take a step before stumbling forward, a painful expression on his face. 

"My leg." A grimace covered the pointed features. 

"Wrap your left arm around my shoulders. I'll help you hold your weight up. You'll need your right hand for your wand. We're going to have to fight our way through." Malfoy looked into his eyes, conflicted emotions running through the Black features before nodding and doing as Harry had said. 

Harry felt Malfoy wrap his arm around his shoulder as Harry’s right arm wrapped around the other boy's waist. His wand was now in his left hand as they treaded through the water as fast as possible. 

They were halfway to safety before Harry felt something slam into his side, knocking both Draco and him off their feet and careening into the water. Quickly, Harry made his way to the surface, taking in a deep breath of air. Next to him Harry heard Draco gasping for air.

Turning his head, looking around, Harry's stomach dropped as he saw they were surrounded. 

"Malfoy, get up!" Harry said as he made his way to his feet. Looking back at Malfoy, Harry could see that the other boy was paralyzed with fear. His mouth opened in a silent scream, eyes wide as if looking into a nightmare. 

Harry grabbed the other boy by the shoulders and hauled him to his feet. 

"Listen to me, I know you're scared, and I am too. Right now, you need to be brave, Malfoy. Draco." Draco's eyes focused on him at the sound of Harry using his first name. 

"If we let fear overtake us, we will not survive. The only thing that can save us is each other. We survive by working together." There was shock and something else in those grey eyes. 

"Easy for you to say, you're a Gryffindor." There's no heat behind Malfoy's words. 

"The only time you can be brave is when you're scared, Malfoy. This is terrifying but I'm ready to fight. Are you?" Harry watched as steel made its way down Malfoy's spine as his eyes hardened and he gave a decisive nod. 

"Back to back then." Harry turned around and felt Draco's back against his as they both held their wands at the ready. 

"Remember, fire is the most effective weapon against them." Harry shouted out.

"Just try not to burn the school down." There was a companionable teasing in Draco's voice. 

Harry couldn't help but laugh before they each cast their first spell. 

It was surprising, how effortlessly they worked with one another, taking down one Inferi after another. As they fought, they slowly inched their way closer to the front of the Great Hall. 

Harry should've realized that things were going too well for them. 

All of a sudden, there was a harsh yank on his ankle, and Harry felt himself going down once more. 

"Harry!" There was a shout of alarm and fear from Draco right before he was completely submerged. 

He felt himself being dragged further away from the front. An Inferious had its sharp grip wrapped around his ankle, clawing at his leg. Trying to kick the thing off him Harry watched as it shredded his pants leg from mid-thigh down. Followed by the burning sensation of nails digging deep into his flesh. 

With his wand still in hand, Harry attempted to perform the spell he had watched Sirius do. However, another Inferius came from the side, gripped Harry’s arm, and pinned it to the stone floor. Blinding pain shot through Harry’s arm as he felt the bone snap. Through starbursts in his vision brought on by the pain, Harry blearily saw with its other hand, the Inferius go for his throat. Before it could make contact, a jet of fire hit the Inferius in the chest. The Inferius released its hold on Harry and was knocked far away where Harry lost sight of it. A second stream of fire hit the Inferius at his legs moments later. 

A strong, pale hand appeared in Harry's vision like a lifeline. Harry grabbed the hand and felt himself being pulled up effortlessly. Gasping for breath Harry felt another hand rubbing circles into his back, speaking words of comfort and urgency in a smooth deep voice. After catching his breath, Harry was greeted by the face of Lucius Malfoy. 

The surprise on his face must have been apparent for a slight smirk appeared on the older blonde's face. 

"Believe it or not, Potter, the idea of dead children does not sit well with me. Especially children who risked their own life to save my son's." Harry wanted to ask where that worry was in the graveyard last year but figured now wasn't the time. Instead, he nodded his head, thanking the man. 

"Are you able to move?" Harry put pressure on his injured leg and felt a burning pain radiate throughout but he was able to hold his weight. 

"My leg twinges a bit, but I can walk." Piercing eyes bore into Harry's before nodding.

Mr. Malfoy pushed Harry in front of him and Harry saw both Narcissa and Andromeda holding off the Inferi while he was being saved. Draco was behind his mother, leaning against one of the submerged tables. A look of relief crossed his features when he caught sight of Harry. 

"My parents and aunt are going to cover us while we make our way to the front." Draco said when Harry got close. 

"Sounds as good of a plan as any. Here give me your arm, no, the other one, my right one's broken, I need to wrap my left around your waist." Draco gave him a concerned look when Harry said his arm was broken, but complied with his instructions, nonetheless. 

Once more, they steadily made their way to the front. Without having to fight for every inch, the process was much quicker this time around. 

It wasn't long before they finally made it to the shield wall. A path appeared and Harry felt the adrenaline seep from his body knowing they were now safe. 

Harry heard several shouts of his name as people came running towards him. 

"Wait!" Harry yelled quickly in alarm. He knew his friends and how they would want to bring him into a hug, pushing Draco aside. But Draco was hurt and could barely stand up on his own. Harry didn't want to see the other boy further hurt by his friends' relief and enthusiasm. 

Gently, Harry unwrapped Draco's arm from around his shoulder, and helped both his parents grab hold of him. 

Before he could turn back around to the others, a strong yet delicate hand grabbed and held onto his left forearm. 

The beautiful face of Narcissa Malfoy stared at him. 

"Thank you." The amount of emotion the woman put into those two words had Harry’s throat tighten with emotion as his eyes prickled with tears. Unable to speak for fear of crying, Harry nodded his head at her. 

A small breathtaking smile spread over pink lips before she placed a sweet, tender kiss to Harry’s forehead and both his cheeks. 

Turning her attention back to her son, Narcissa brought Draco firmly to her side, holding him as though he were the most precious thing in the world. Lucius Malfoy wrapped his arms around both his wife and son, taking a deep breath and relaxing at the feel of both of them in his arms. 

Wanting to give the family some privacy, Harry turned around. Before he could even take a step, he was swept up into strong arms, being cradled. 

Sirius. 

Harry felt his entire body fall in on itself from being safe in his father's arms. Sirius took on all of his weight as if it were nothing. As if he wanted nothing more. Even with pain all over his body, and particularly his broken arm, Harry never wanted to leave this very spot. 

"Harry..." He heard his father's broken sob and a more terrible pain stabbed through Harry’s heart. 

He knew what he did was reckless, but he had to. 

Pulling back slightly Harry looked into his father's eyes, desperate for him to understand. Desperate for him not to think that Harry’s not more trouble than he's worth.

"Malfoy was in trouble. We've been rivals since we met but I couldn't let them get him. His mother is your cousin and I know you love and care about her despite everything that's happened. I knew that seeing her in pain from losing her son would kill you. I had to save him. Everyone else was too far away." Sirius stared into Harry's eyes for a moment before kissing his forehead and cradling Harry to him once more. 

"I don't know whether to be proud or angry at you. I need you to know though that as much as it would hurt me to see something terrible happen to someone I love, if I lost you there would be nothing left for me here. You are the best part of me, and I love you with every fiber of my being, Harry." The whispered words were fierce and carried with them more love than Harry could ever remember. 

"Promise me. Promise me you'll remember that." Sirius said as he let Harry go. 

"I promise." Harry couldn't stop a few tears from spilling over. 

The next thing he knew, he was once again wrapped up in long, strong arms. It was barely there but Harry could still smell the faint scent of chocolate. 

"Remus." Harry clutched onto the man with his good arm. 

"Cub." Remus pressed his face to Harry’s head. Inhaling a deep breath, he felt the older man's tight muscles relax slightly before pulling back and looking into his eyes. 

"You're hurt." His whole body felt the truth of Remus' words. 

"I'm pretty sure my right arm is broken." Remus looked at Harry's arm and flicked his wand. He felt a brief beat of pain as his broken arm was splinted and put in a sling. It receded and lessened slightly with Harry no longer having to hold it up on his own. 

"Thanks." He gave the man a grateful smile before being pulled into another hug. 

Harry knew before he had completely turned around who it was. 

Fred.

Harry melted into the older boy as Fred held him close and tenderly. Careful not to irritate Harry’s injuries, but enough to reassure him that Harry was truly safe in his arms. 

Before Harry could even open his mouth to apologize to his boyfriend for scaring him again, Fred cut him off. 

"I know. You're safe now. That's all that matters." Harry held on tighter to Fred, grateful that his boyfriend would always love him despite all the fear he puts him through. 

Harry remembered that they weren't alone and pulled back from Fred, who had a knowing smile on his face. 

Turning back to his father, he saw they were glittering with mirth at Harry’s red face. 

"Where's Regulus?" Harry asked, not seeing his uncle. 

"Right here." A voice said from right behind Harry, making him jump up in fright. 

A sharp pain tore through Harry's leg nearly sending him back into the water. 

It was the quick reflexes and gentle hands of his uncle that caught him in time.

"Sorry." Regulus said genuinely, his eyes filled with guilt at having scared Harry so badly. 

"Should've realized that after everything you've been through, you'd be a bit jumpy and no doubt in pain." The sincerity and regret in his uncle's voice at having caused Harry any pain at all made warmth bubble up within him. 

"No, no, it's fine. I'm alright. Honestly." Harry quickly blurted out as he stared into eyes so much like his father's. 

A soft look took over Regulus' face as the corners of his lips quirked slightly. 

"You're so much like your father." There was so much fondness and love in his grey eyes that Harry felt his cheeks burn as he ducked his head

"The Inferi?" He blurted out to his father, wanting to get the attention off of him. 

It seemed though that Sirius was speechless as he stared at Harry and Regulus, a look of pure happiness on his face.

"A large number were taken out when Narcissa and Lucius Malfoy saw you fall, and Draco was nearly overwhelmed with them. When Dumbledore saw you were safe, he started sending the rest of us here. When it's clear, he said he'd be able to take care of the rest." Remus answered for his friend.

Looking out to where the fighting continued, Harry saw that the numbers of the Inferi had decreased greatly. Additionally, he noticed there were fewer of them still fighting them. The only ones that remained were the Headmaster, the Head of Houses, and three Order members, one of them being Aberforth Dumbledore. 

The Inferi were pushed to the back third of the Great Hall. Harry watched as Dumbledore gave a signal and all the others who were still fighting turned and made their way to the front of the Hall. Dumbledore raised his hand, and the water pushed the Inferi further back. The force of the water was so strong that it was impossible for them to fight it. Turning his head, Dumbledore saw that all the others had made it to safety. Letting go of the spell, he moved his wand in a complicated pattern. The water rose up on either side of the Headmaster, creating a pathway for him to get to the front without any water hindering him. 

Without the additional challenge of wadding through chest high water, Dumbledore quickly made his way to the stage before cancelling the spell. Looking out over the Hall, the Inferi had gained ground once again, but Harry did not have to worry.

Dumbledore raised his wand, moving it in a wide arching circle. Above, whips of fire started to appear, spinning faster and faster, a continuous circle of flame and heat. Lowering it down it looked to have turned into a tornado of fire, ready to consume all in its path. 

The fire circled and surrounded the encroaching Inferi, halting their advance as they tried to get away from the yellow, orange, red, and blue flames consuming their remaining numbers. The flames fell even lower, into the water but they were too hot, too powerful to be put out. Slowly, second by second, Harry watched as the circle of flames got narrower and narrower, until even Harry at his skinniest couldn't fit in the center. It was then that Dumbledore broke the spell. 

"I do believe the Inferi are no more. We're all safe now." A raucous round of applause and cheers filled the Great Hall. Harry felt his body sag in relief and exhaustion. Lucky for him, he was held up by both Regulus and Fred. 

"Let's just hope Potter's future self doesn't drop anymore Inferi filled lakes on our heads." Harry's heard the voice of Draco Malfoy ring out. What took him by surprise was that it lacked its usual hostility and venom, sounding more as if he were joking.

Turning his head, he saw a mirthful light in the grey eyes. 

"Watch your..." Harry quickly cut Ron off before an argument erupted. 

"I'm pretty sure you were there with me, Malfoy. Apparently, you must have thought it was a good idea as well." Harry said with a half smile, half smirk. 

"Touché, Potter." Malfoy gave him a small smile before falling further into his mother's side. 

"I was thinking about that." Hermione piped up next to Harry. 

"I assume that Harry found out how Mr. Black died. Well, Regulus that is." Regulus turned his head sharply to look at Hermione, shock and surprise on his face. 

"Please, just call me Regulus." The young man in question said softly and shyly, still holding onto Harry. Harry noticed that Snape grabbed Regulus' other hand, and his uncle's shoulders relaxed slightly. 

"Right, of course. Harry must have found out how Regulus died, and based on what Kreature had said, Regulus was alone. Or...well...he was the only living person there. It was probably assumed that as the Inferi are reanimated corpses, that the spells and rituals used to bring Regulus forward in time from right before he died wouldn't have worked on them. The location of his death may also have played a role." Hermione finished, only for Regulus to take over. 

"That's extremely well thought out, and I believe you're right about the location." Regulus said softly but everyone heard. 

"Where I...where I died..." Harry wrapped his good arm around Regulus' waist as he looked like it had become hard for him to breathe. Noticing, Snape gripping his hand tightly as well. 

"Where I died was a hiding place for something belonging to the Dark Lord. It was saturated in Magick. His Magick. Dark Magick. Black Magick. Blood Magick. Soul Magick." Horrified gasps and cries rang out. 

"I don't believe Soul Magick would have been used to bring me here, but Dark, Black, and Blood Magick are certainly a guarantee. The Magick used to bring me here must have interacted with the Magick where I died. That's why a small part of the lake, and a small percentage of the Inferi came with me. Even though the Magick brought some of the Inferi along, it also protected us as well. A lot more could've came." Regulus said with a faraway look. Harry saw the look on his father’s face, seeing he wanted to comfort his little brother, so Harry made a gesture signaling for his father to come. Sirius quickly followed suit and took Harry’s place. 

"Small amount? There were at least a hundred Inferi!" Someone shouted out in horror. 

"Where I was it was a lake in a cave in the middle of the ocean. There were thousands of them there. They were everywhere. Dragging me down." Harry recognized the look on Regulus' face and the hitch in his breath. It was what happened to him every time he thought of the graveyard. The feeling of being so close to death, you could still feel its icy grip on you. Breathing faster and faster, scared it's going to be your last. 

"I would have become one of them. An eternal guard for the Dark Lord after betraying him. I would have died to help defeat him, only to serve him forever in death." There's a hysterical quality to his voice that hurts Harry. 

"That's not going to happen. It didn't happen. It was stopped from ever coming to pass. I didn't protect you before, I wasn't there for you, but I'm here now, Reggie." His father's voice is a combination of tortured and determined. Tortured by knowing the fate that had been awaiting his brother, as well as the fate he had already suffered in one timeline. Determined to make sure his brother lives his life this time around.  

"It's not your fault. Besides, I figure I have your son to thank for that. My nephew." A large smile spread over Regulus' face as he talked about Harry. 

"I'm surprised. I know how much you were in love with Bones. I liked her for you. Thought if anyone was to keep you in line and alive, it would be her." Harry couldn't help but look at the beautiful woman in question who looked pleased then shocked at the words. 

"I would have figured if it was any of your friends you ended up with, it would be Lupin. The way you two were together, we had bets going on in Slytherin." The thought of his father and Remus together was one he would prefer never to think of again. 

From a bit away Harry heard a strained voice.

"You and Sirius never..." Tonks seemed unable to articulate her question. 

"Oh Merlin, absolutely not. He's my brother. Affectionate brother, but brother nonetheless." Harry heard the desperate plea for her to believe him. 

"Oh, thank Merlin." The relief in Tonks' voice was clear. 

"Remus is my brother!" Sirius shouted out.

"That's what you said about Potter." There's a smirk on Regulus' face as he stares at his brother's red one. 

"Yet, you two Blood adopt a child together." There were surprised exclamations and Harry felt his face pale. He couldn't help but look around the Hall, stopping when his eyes caught those of Narcissa. The woman gave him a knowing smile. 

She already knew.

But how?

"He looks so much like you did, with a bit of Potter thrown in. The Black features are strong with him. Except for his hair and eyes. But even his hair has a bit of the Black curls in them, and they definitely have the Black color." Harry watched his father close his eyes and take a deep breath. 

"Reggie..." Regulus completely ignored his older brother, his tone taking on a harsher turn.

Regulus was completely unaware that he was currently informing all present what they wished to keep quiet for a bit. 

"Although I would never have expected you and Potter to be like them, you can damn well bet I will be having a talk with Pot..." There's betrayal and disgust in his uncle's voice and Sirius flinched back. 

"Regulus." It seems that Regulus heard the desperation in his brother's voice and snapped his mouth shut.

"James married Lily. Harry is their son. They made me godfather. Voldemort wanted them dead." Understanding lit up Regulus' eyes. 

"He killed them a little more than a year after Harry was born, destroying his body in the process for fourteen years." Confusion coated the face of the younger Black brother. 

"I didn't get to raise him. He was raised in the Muggle World by Lily's sister and her husband. Due to me being indisposed, but not of my own accord." The regret is heavy in his father's voice. 

"He was raised by Muggles?" There's a disturbed look on his uncle’s face. 

"Yes." And a tightness around Sirius' eyes. 

'Are they still...around?' Regulus asked slowly, and Harry knew his uncle was asking something else.

"Unfortunately. It would be against the law..." Regulus ruthlessly cut his brother off. 

"DAMN THE LAW!" Regulus roared in righteous fury.

"Those Muggles abused your son, and you let them live?! You've seen what he did! His shoulder was dislocated, and he popped it back into place! BY HIMSELF! Without any reaction whatsoever!" Harry was reminded of the Hungarian Horntail from the first task as she viciously tried to protect her clutch. 

"For him to be able to do that, you know it would have been horrible for him! You shouldn't have let them live!" Regulus' face was twisted into a snarl.

"Trust me, it was a difficult thing, but that's not something Harry would want. His heart is pure gold, brother." His father's expression was half disgruntled and half pride. 

Regulus deflated at those words and turned to look at Harry. 

"You must get your forgiving nature from one of your other parents. Blacks aren't known to be the forgiving type." Regulus says as he looks at Harry fondly. 

"Oh, that's not completely true. I think Blacks have a large capacity for forgiveness when it comes to Blood." Harry said with a quick glance at Andromeda and Narcissa. 

Regulus looked in the direction Harry had and smiled. 

"Maybe, you're right." Regulus said as the two sisters held each other's hand. 

"Besides, I didn't want Sirius returning to Azkaban." Harry said with a look at his father who cringed slightly and gave his brother a weary look. 

It took a moment for Regulus to realize what he had said. 

"That's true...wait...what do you mean, 'back to Azkaban?!'" A look of horror crossed his face as he stared at his older brother. 

"It's...it's a long story. One for another time." Sirius said quietly as he brought his brother into his arms.

"Let me just savor having you back, baby brother. You have no idea how much I missed you. You'll learn everything, I promise. Just...later." Sirius said as he held his brother close to him. Looking lighter than Harry had ever seen him before, he clutched Regulus to himself. 

Out of nowhere a familiar voice started yelling. 

"ARE WE ALL GOING TO IGNORE THE FACT THE POTTER BROUGHT BACK A DEATH EATER?!" Zacharias Smith yelled, and Harry felt a furious anger rise within him that he'd never felt before. 

"And his godfather, I'm sorry, I mean his father, performed a Dark ritual! BLOOD MAGICK!" Smith pointed an accusatory finger at his father and Harry’s vision started to darken.

"The lot of them should be thrown into Azkaban!" Harry felt his blood light on fire and before he knew it his feet started moving. 

Quickly getting to the spot directly in front of Smith, Harry grabbed the other boy by the collar of his shirt with his good hand, slamming him into the Head Table. 

"MY FAMILY SHOULD BE PUT IN AZKABAN?! WHAT ABOUT YOU?!" Harry felt his Magick rise up in answer to his anger, a thunderstorm ready to make the ocean rise and wash everything away. 

"That stunt you pulled! You could have been the reason your entire group died! You hurt Malfoy so badly he couldn't walk! If Malfoy had died, if any of them had died, it would've been on your head! YOUR FAULT!" Smith's face was white as snow, terror clouding his eyes.

"You're a piss poor example of a human being! Trust me, I would know, I've faced the worst of them." Harry roughly let go of Smith whose face was still devoid of any color. 

With his rage still at the surface, Harry did something he never would have believed himself capable of, even in a fit of anger. 

Harry put his left hand in a tight fist before pulling his arm all the way back. With every ounce of strength still left, putting his entire body behind his force, Harry punched Smith in the nose and heard a satisfying crack. He watched as Smith fell halfway down, holding his nose as blood seeped from between his fingers. 

"And if you ever put my father, or anyone in my family in the same sentence as Azkaban, a broken nose will be the least of your concerns." Harry snarled as he stared down the Hufflepuff boy.

"Mr. Potter, I understand..." The rage was still too close to the surface, and he ruthlessly cut off his Head of House.

"No! There is no way you could ever understand! That anyone could ever understand! I grew up with people that didn't want me! People who never loved me! People who wouldn't care if I were dead! Then one day I found out that I always had someone who loved me! Someone who escaped literal Hell on Earth to keep me safe! I had a chance of having a real family! Then I was forced to watch as hundreds of Dementors bared down on him as they tried to suck out his soul. All because once more, he tried to save me. He spent a year avoiding the Dementors, and because of me he was going to lose his soul. I finally had someone. I finally had family who wanted me, and I was the reason they were going to die. I watched as his soul left his body." Harry started furiously only to end brokenly. 

He remembered the coldness of his father's body lying in the forest as he clutched the man to him. His vision was darkening from the effects of the Dementors, but he could still see it. The bright ball of light slowly rising to meet the Dementors. 

"So, punish me for hitting Smith, but don't tell me you understand when you don't. Not when someone you love is threatened. Not when the only parent you will ever get the chance to know is threatened with the Hell he was in for twelve years. Not when you're the reason he was in there because all he wanted to do was protect you..." Harry was cut off as he once again found himself wrapped in his father's arms. 

Clutching onto the man and burying his face in his chest, Harry felt himself break. 

"Oh, my dear Harry, I'm here. I'm here." Sirius whispered comforting, loving words to him as he held Harry tightly to him, rubbing circles into his back. 

"I've got you, Pup. I love you so much. I'm not going anywhere. I promise." Harry's only response was to hold his father even more tightly. 

"I love you, Harry. Always. Even if you weren't my blood, that would never change." Even though he always wished for someone to love him unconditionally, it was hard hearing the words said out loud. It meant that now Harry would lose so much more if he ever lost Sirius.

"I love you. Nothing that happened to me was your fault. None of it. Do you hear me?" Sirius lifted Harry’s chin to look into his eyes. His father's eyes were filled with fierce love that Harry felt to his core. 

Harry knew Sirius believed his own words. He just wished he could believe Sirius as well. He knew he couldn't.

"Voldemort wanted me dead. You let everyone believe that you were the Secret Keeper to keep me safe. Everything you did was for me, and it got you sent to Azkaban. I'm the reason you were sent to that Hell. Just like I'm the reason my parents are dead." That was the crux of the matter.

All of Sirius' actions were to protect Harry and his parents. The reason they needed any protection at all was because of Harry. Because Voldemort actively sought to kill Harry.

If it weren't for Harry, there would be no need for his parents to be in hiding.

No reason Sirius would have been accused of Betraying their Secret. 

"You can’t blame yourself..." Harry cut his father off.

"Voldemort gave her three chances. He gave my mother three chances to step aside and live. She could have saved herself, but she didn't. Instead, she begged for my life. For him to kill her and spare me. I remember." Harry heard his voice crack as the echo of his parents' death played in his head. 

"If given a thousand chances to do it all over again, they would make the same choice each and every time. They would always choose to protect you. Even knowing it would cost them their lives because you meant so much more to them. Your mother would never be able to live in a world without you. There is no way, in any circumstances, in any life, that she would have chosen to save herself over you. As much as I love your father, as much as I love your mother, and as much as I miss them every single day since their passing, they made the right choice." There was passion in his father's voice, an undeniable truth that Harry felt in his bones. 

Sirius' final words shocked Harry. He knew how close his fathers were. To hear Sirius say that his father made the right choice to save Harry over himself surprised Harry more than words could ever describe.

"Living without them is difficult. Living without you, that wouldn't be living. It would be a fate more terrible than death. A Hell more horrific than Azkaban." Tears slid unhindered down his father's face as he tightened his hold of Harry, pulling Harry closer to him as if scared his voice and fears would materialize, and Harry would be snatched from him. 

"You blame yourself for me being put in Azkaban. Yet, you're the reason I survived. Knowing you were alive, that you were out there, able to experience all that life had to offer you, it got me through each and every day." Sirius grabbed Harry’s face and stared into his eyes, forcing Harry to see the truth of his words.

"You're not the reason I was sent to Azkaban, you're the reason I survived. You're the reason I'm free." Love and conviction were carved into each word his father spoke. 

"So don't ever blame yourself. Not for your parents. Not for me. Do you understand me?" With tears cascading down his face, Harry nodded his head, unable to force any words out. Sirius gave him a smile, kissed his forehead, and pulled him back to his chest, holding him and refusing to let go. 

What seemed far away, Harry heard a commotion nearby but ignored it. The only thing he wanted to focus on was the feeling of love and safety he got from being wrapped in his father's arms. Even waist deep in frozen water, soaked to the bone, Harry felt warm and content. 

Dozing off while still standing and locked in his father's embrace, Harry didn't notice as the professors and Headmaster placed themselves around the Great Hall, draining the water. The Great Hall looked less like a lake. 

Once the water was cleared there was a shout of alarm. 

"Harry!" Remus' panicked and worried cry roused Harry to full awareness. 

Before he realized what was going on, he was out of his father's arms and into a conjured chair, his injured leg propped up. 

Looking at his leg clearly for the first time, Harry saw that it was a lot worse than he originally thought. The wounds the Inferius inflicted on his leg were long, deep, and jagged. Blood continued to spill out of the torn, irritated wounds. 

"That doesn't look so pretty." Harry was pretty sure the wounds were so deep that they cut through muscle. 

"Mr. Potter, you should have said something if you were so badly injured!" Madame Pomfrey harshly chided Harry for his inaction. 

At the same time someone else had something to say but didn't care to mince their words.

"Idiot boy! Why didn't you say anything? Were you waiting until you knealed over from blood loss?" Snape asked as he knelt in front of Harry inspecting the injuries. 

Sirius was standing right next to him, holding his hand, horror in his eyes. 

"I believe Mr. Potter did say something but his exact words were, 'My leg twinges a bit, but I can still walk." Lucius Malfoy said with a disturbed look on his face. 

Nearly everyone close to Harry, both physically and emotionally, gave long suffering sighs. 

Harry didn't know how to feel about that, so he chose to ignore them all.

"It's not like anything could have been done about it just then." Harry knew he sounded sulky but couldn't help it. 

"First we were being attacked by the Inferi. Then we had to get to safety. Then everything else happened and I sort of forgot." Harry finished lamely. 

"Besides, I didn't think it was that bad. I've had worse." The Basilisk venom, nearly being Kissed, and being Crucioed come to mind quickly. 

Harry heard his father whimper and felt guilty instantly. 

A thought then came to mind, and Harry realized that his father, along with everyone else, would be hearing everything that had happened to him. 

Madame Pomfrey was going to kill him.

Professor McGonagall was going to kill him.

He never told them about the Basilisk venom. 

“You didn’t think nearly getting your leg clawed off by Dark Creatures wasn't bad?" Snape looked at him with a look that clearly said, 'don't answer.’

Harry wisely listened.

“Severus, they won’t heal. I don’t understand. Others who were injured by the Inferi were able to be healed. It shouldn’t matter how deep the wounds are." Madame Pomphrey’s mouth is tightly pursed.

“What does that mean?” His father asked, fear coating every syllable.

“Calm, brother.” Regulus took a hold of his brother’s shoulder, gripping it tightly.

Snape’s face did an odd twitch.

“You have a theory, Severus?" Regulus asked, his voice filled with hope.

“Yes.” Snape said, eyebrows scrunched together in thought.

“Today has been a…trying day for Potter, to say the least. With all of the emotional turmoil, the many Magical outbursts, and almost dying several times today, he has nearly exhausted his Magick. It’s not aiding in healing him at all. I have a series of spells that I have created as a counter to a Dark curse that causes wounds similar to these. These spells will undoubtably work, but Potter’s Magick needs help. Without it, he could bleed out before his Magick has recuperated enough to heal himself.”

“What do we need to do to help?” Remus asked desperately.

"Blood Magick," Snape says, strained, and Harry understands the look on his face. Blood Magick was illegal.

“Do it.” A voice said not too far away, and everyone turned to see who had spoken.

The form of Amelia Bones stepped forward.

“Do it. Save Harry.” She repeated herself, steel in her voice.

“YOU CAN’T! Blood Magick is forbid…” Umbridge immediately stopped talking as Amelia swirled and locked her entire focus on the grotesque woman.

“You will find that I can allow the use of Blood Magick. The Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement is allowed to approve the use of certain Magicks, including Blood Magick, as long as there is a viable chance that its use will save the life of a Witch or Wizard.” Amelia’s eyes were piercing, a blazing blue fire of ferocity within them.

“So yes, Madame Umbridge. The use of Blood Magick will be authorized by me to save the life of Harry.” Stepping into Umbridge’s personal space, Amelia lowered her voice, sounding more dangerous, more deadly than Harry had ever heard someone speak.

“And if anything is to happen to Harry due to you causing us to delay these few precious moments, I will personally see to it that the book will be thrown at you. I will charge you with more crimes than you could ever imagine. Including reckless endangerment of a child, aiding and abetting the murder of a child, and gross negligence of a child. Need I continue?” Amelia said, looking like an avenging angel.

Everyone in the Hall watched as Umbridge paled further the longer Amelia talked. It looked as though she was no longer breathing, afraid that if she uttered another sound Amelia would rain down all of Heaven and Hell on her. Instead, she nodded her head and quickly backed away from the Head of the DMLE.

Harry would give the woman a standing ovation, but he felt so weak, even breathing was becoming taxing on him.

“What do you need?” Amelia asked Snape as she turned around to face him, walking over to Sirius who dragged her into his arms.

“Someone who shares his blood will need to bleed into his wounds while I incantate the spells.” Snape explained.

“Me, I’ll do it. Take all my blood if you must, just save him.” Harry wanted to protest, but luckily Snape did that for him.

“No, not you Black. There’s a better match for what we need to heal your son.” Snape said.

“If it is me, I will not object.” A soft, strong voice spoke up and Harry was surprised to see Narcissa Malfoy.

“I owe the young man a life debt for saving my son.” Narcissa said, the relief of having her son with her still clear as day.

Snape shook his head.

“Don’t even think about it being one of us. We gave that boy enough. We won’t be participating in any of this…this…unnaturalness.” The room dropped twenty degrees in the wake of his Uncle Vernon’s words.

“And who are you?” Regulus asked in a dangerously calm voice, every word dripping with malice and venom.

“Uncle Regulus, meet my Aunt Petunia, my mother’s sister, and her husband, my Uncle Vernon. Cousin Dudley is their son.” If Harry’s eyes were open, he would have seen a malicious glint enter Regulus’ eye.

“So, you’re the…family that raised him.” Harry never thought that anyone could make the word ‘family’ sound as vile and cutting as Regulus had.

“I’ll do it.” Even as weak as he was, Harry couldn’t help but turn his head to look at Dudley.

“I know I’m not m..m.. mm..magic, but if I can help Harry I will. It’s the least I could do after everything I’ve done. Especially since he saved me from those Dementor things over the summer, even though there was no reason he should’ve.” Harry was surprised by his cousin’s words and offer. He couldn’t help but feel touched by the thought.

“As thoughtful as that is, the best person to help Harry would be Regulus. Harry’s wounds were caused by the Inferi, and Regulus would have been killed by them had Harry not brought him here. As it was Harry’s Magick that brought Regulus here, Regulus would still have a direct connection to it. They both bear the mark of the Dark Lord on their person. They each survived Magick intent to kill that was cast by the Dark Lord. They’re connected and similar in ways that others will hopefully never be, while sharing the same blood and being closely related.” That was a lot to take in and Harry would try to make more sense of it, when he didn’t feel a combination of his limbs feeling like lead yet trying to float away.

“I do not believe that my nephew would ever be Marked by the Dark Lord.” Regulus' voice was strained and protective.

“Not the Dark Mark. Voldemort hit me with the killing curse after killing my mother. The spell rebounded off me, hitting him and destroying his body until last summer. Left me a scar on my forehead that people just love to point out. It’s the reason why one moment I’m loved by the public, and the next I’m seen as a leper. It’s extremely tiresome.” Harry was much looser with his tongue than usual, and Regulus was giving him a horrified look. Turning to look at Sirius, his eyes quickly searched them, not wanting to believe Harry’s words.

Sirius nodded his head in confirmation and Regulus' face quickly fell before he took a breath trying to put his mask back on.

“We will be having a long discussion about all this after my nephew is healed and resting.” Regulus said moving closer to Harry as he conjures a dagger.

“Tell me what I must do, Severus.” Grey eyes scan his injured leg.

Harry is lost in the explanation. His head feels light and fuzzy, yet heavy and difficult to move. 

Suddenly, an agonizing pain shoots through Harry's leg, and his eyes fly open as he gasps for breath. 

"I am sorry, mon cher neveu." Regulus says as Harry bites down hard on his lip to keep from screaming. 

"Causing you pain is not something I would ever wish to do." Harry can see the truth of the words in Regulus' tear filled eyes.

Nodding his head, Harry wanted his uncle to know he understood. 

Regulus' left hand was tightly wrapped around his mid-thigh, which was where the wounds started and were deepest. He placed his right hand beside his left for several seconds before slowly, painfully sliding it down the length of his injuries. Agonizing pain coursed through Harry. Not wanting to scream, Harry slammed his eyes shut and tried to control his breathing. When Regulus reached his ankle, he wrapped his right hand around it just as tightly as his left hand. 

Then he heard Snape starting to incant several spells over and over again. His casting and voice sounded more like a song, and Harry let the sound of it wash over him.

Slowly but surely, the pain started to recede. It took a few moments but when the pain was at a more manageable level, Harry opened his eyes. Astonished, he watched as his flesh slowly knitted back together. The wounds were no longer bleeding as layer after layer of muscle and flesh grew back.

Finally, when Snape stopped, his leg was healed. The only thing remaining were angry red scars, still tender.

“The scars may fade with time, but I cannot be sure as what created them were Inferi. Scars created by Dark Magick, and Dark creatures often don’t heal as well.” It didn’t bother Harry.

“That’s fine, it's not like they were created in a near death experience. Well, I mean, they were, but it wasn’t like all the other times where I thought for certain I was going to die, was nearly dead but somehow didn’t die. I didn’t even realize that was a possibility until just a short while ago. Besides, it’s not like it’s on my forehead and I’m reminded of it all the time. I didn’t get it from the Killing Curse, being Crucioed, or being forced to participate in a ritual to bring back the evilest Dark Lord in all history who also happened to be the person that murdered my parents..." Harry kept going on not realizing that he had said everything out loud until he noticed how quiet the Great Hall was. Looking up he saw the faces of everyone staring at him, horror covering their faces at everything he had just revealed.

Harry blamed blood loss.

Clearing his throat Harry looked at Professor Snape.

“Thank you, Professor Snape. I appreciate you saving my life. Again.” It seemed the man was too shocked to speak, and instead bowed his head.

Turning his attention to Regulus, whose eyes were wide not in horror but in dismay and confusion.

"Thank you, Uncle Regulus. I really appreciate you doing this. Especially, as you didn't have to since you barely know me." Harry said sincerely grateful to his uncle. 

"You are family, Harry. There is nothing that I wouldn't do for you, mon cher neveu. " His uncle said with love in his voice and eyes. 

Clearing the tight feeling in his throat, Harry looked away.

“So, now that I’m healed…” Harry started to say as he slowly got up and tested his leg by steadily putting weight on it. There was still pain but nowhere near as severe as before. He could definitely make his way to Gryffindor Tower.

“I’m just going to head back to the Tower, clean up, and pass out.” Harry said as he slowly inched his way to the doors of the Great Hall, wanting to get warm and dry, and sleep for ten years. He’d prefer to stay with Sirius, but he wasn’t about to try to push his luck.

“HARRY JAMES POTTER, DON’T YOU DARE TAKE ANOTHER STEP!” Harry stopped before he could even take a third step away. Turning around, Harry faced the irate voice.

“But Madame Pomphrey, I’m fine. Besides others are injured. You should see to them first.” Harry said pleadingly, eyes wide and imploring, begging the matron for freedom.

“You are most certainly not ‘fine.’” Madame Pomphrey hissed, and Harry felt his shoulders drop, knowing she wouldn’t let it go. The glint in her eyes told him so.

“Your arm is still broken, you apparently had a dislocated shoulder, and your throat is a motley of blue, black, and purple. I know you have more injuries that I cannot see, and you can rest assured that I will find and heal them all.” The hospital matron threatened.

“And everyone else had been tended to, thanks to your forethought and having those proficient in Healing going around to help. Any other attention they need can be tended to by Professor Snape.” Snape nodded at her words and Harry gave the man a betrayed look.

Noticing the look, Snape smirked at Harry’s plight.

“Right now, it’s you and young Mr. Black I must focus my attention on.” Madame Pomphrey said with finality.

Regulus was startled when he realized Madame Pomphrey was referring to him.

“Madame Pomphrey, I assure you, I am more than…” Regulus stopped talking at the look the matron was giving him.

“Regulus Black, you better not say that you are alright. You were on the brink of death when you arrived, after having fought for Merlin knows how long with the Inferi. You will be seen to. I would also encourage you to be a positive role model for your nephew and not argue with me on this. It is difficult enough that I must fight him tooth and nail every time he is sent to the Hospital Wing. I do not think you would wish to make my job harder in caring for Mr. Potter." Madame Pomphrey said to Regulus with a stone-face and fire in her eyes.

Regulus quickly glanced at Harry, scanning him over before turning to look back at the matron.

“Of course, Madame Pomphrey. I would be very grateful if you would look and make sure I am one hundred percent.” Regulus said as he inclined his head regally.

Opening his mouth once more to object, Harry was cut off by the sound of his father’s voice.

“Harry, if you agree to be seen to, without giving Madame Pomphrey a hassle, I’m sure Professor McGonagall would be more than willing to allow you to stay with me while I’m here.” Snapping his mouth shut, Harry looked to his Head of House who nodded her head in agreement.

“Alright, fine. You won’t get any more fights from me. Promise.” Harry agreed easily as he sidled up next to his father.

Happy with the fact that he'd be able to stay with his father, Harry didn’t notice the amused looks on the others’ faces. Those with Black Blood, and Remus being the most prominent.

Madame Pomphrey looked equal parts relieved and highly annoyed.

“I always thought the boy was more like you than James when it came to being seen by me. You always were the one to put up a fight even if you were half unconscious with pain.” A sheepish expression crossed Sirius’ face at Madame Pomphrey’s words.

“Now show me where you are staying Mr. Black, I’m not sure Mr. Potter would keep his word if he’s forced to go to the Hospital Wing.” Madame Pomphrey said with a disgruntled and affectionate look at him.

Harry couldn’t help but think that maybe this wasn’t such a terrible deal.