Chapter 4
Not long after the attack and the letter Hermione and Ron started acting very strange. Ron was sneaking around and was surprisingly even-tempered. Which was very strange in itself, since anyone who knew him knew his temper was anything but even. Hermione withdrew into herself and stayed out of Harry's business and that was even more strange since she was always into Ron and Harry's business.
Harry had decided to follow Ron one night to see where he went. So tonight Harry slept in the Gryffindor dorms and followed Ron out of the tower into the Forbidden Forest. Harry had suspicions that Ron was under some sort of curse. He told Draco and Severus about his theory. Draco insisted on going with Harry just in case something happened and he needed back-up.
They followed Ron and he met up with Neville. Harry didn't even know that Ron and Neville were friends. Neville had always seemed like a timid boy who had unusually bad luck in classes. Severus had always said that Neville was more like a squib than a true wizard.
Draco was getting annoyed. He was positive the Weasel was breaking some rule, somewhere. He wanted to find out what he was doing so he could finish his potions essay. If they didn't hurry up they'd get caught.
Harry tried Legilimens and got into Ron's brain. Ron's brain was the epitome of empty-headedness. His head was filled with Quidditch,Hermione, and Harry did see;however, was Neville with a Dark Mark casting the imperious curse on Ron when his back was turned. Harry pulled away from Ron's mind and he pulled Draco to the castle. Once they got inside the castle, Harry took off running for the dungeons. He burst into Severus' office where he was grading Third year essays.
"Severus!" Harry exclaimed as he ran into Severus' study. Severus jumped up at the frantic tone his mate was using.
"Harry,what's wrong?where's Draco?" Severus asked.
Harry paused to catch his breath then said, "Draco's behind me,and we have information."
As he was saying this Draco huffed and pushed his way into the room.
Harry told Severus about using legilimens to get in Ron's head. Severus looked shocked an amused. So he told them that Ron remembered Neville having a dark mark and casting the imperious curse on him and Hermione. Severus was mad.
Severus asked, "How can he seriously follow the Dark Lord,didn't he order Longbottom's parents tortured?"
Harry nodded and said, "I don't think he's exactly sane anymore,he probably hasn't been for a while.
Draco nodded and said, "i knew he wasn't bright but insane? I saw him cast a patronus the other day."
Harry looked sheepish and said," I taught him that and a lot of other spells too."
Draco looked shocked and said,"When?Where?Why?"
Harry looked down. "Fifth year,the room of requirement,to learn DADA."
Severus was amused when he asked,"How exactly did you do that when it was prohibited?"
Harry sighed and said, "We recruited on Hogsmeade weekends, and Hermione created fake gallons so that we could tell members when the next meetings were. Hermione talked me into teaching spells so they could defend themselves against multiple attackers,and offensive spells like firendio which causes the victim to feel like every bone in their body was on fire so the caster could escape."
Draco asked," Did you create it? I've never heard of it."
Harry nodded and said, "It doesn't actually do any damage to the victim.I found a way to make them think they were in pain,so the caster could escape if necessary,or heal themselves. It's more like using the power of suggestion than attacking. Before Sirius fell through the veil I'd been teaching the patronus charm.I figured that it would be good to be able to fight off dementors if they were attacked"
Severus looked said," your slytherin side is showing again."
Harry giggled and sat on Severus' lap with Draco holding his hand. Harry yawned and wandered off to Severus' bed.
(A Few Hours Later in Harry's dream)
Voldemort walked into the room Harry was sitting in. Harry was stuck to his chair.
Voldemort looked pained and whispered, "help me, I can't fight him anymore."
Harry whispered, "Who? Why?"
Voldemort trembled and his skin fell away to reveal the body he'd had at school.
Voldemort whispered," Dumbledore cursed me. I'm not really evil like this. I need help. I can't fight the curse anymore. Please Help Me!"
Then he was gone.
(In reality)
Harry sat up, breathing heavily. Severus, ever the light sleeper, sat up with Harry while Draco stayed peacefully oblivious.
"Harry, what's wrong?"
Harry was trembling and leaned into Severus. "I dreamed about Voldemort. He was begging for help. He said, 'Dumbledore cursed me. I'm not really evil like this. I need help. I can't fight the curse anymore. Please Help Me!' then he vanished." Harry whispered
" Do you think Dumbledore really cursed him and that's why he's like this?" he asked.
"It's possible," Severus mused.
Harry lay back down and pulled Severus with him.
"It's no use worrying right now, I can't help him if I'm too tired." Harry pointed out.
Severus nodded and they fell back asleep. Neither noticed the eyes looking out from the fireplace.
