When All is Lost One is Found

Chapter 81: Discovering Golden Cords

When All is Lost, One is Found

Author: Rinoaebastel

Chapter 81: Discovering Golden Cords

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter and gain no profit from this fanfiction other than writing practice. JK Rowling owns Harry Potter.

AN: This story may contain scenes taken from the Harry Potter movies and books, but it's not exact dialogue, just rewording of dialogue or omission. It is not marked.

A shrill followed the words that echoed down the corridor. He broke apart from her and removed his wand from his robe. His body tensed the way it did before a battle, on guard, and ready for a fight.

"Go to my office and stay there until I come to get you," he said and left the room before she could argue with him. He'd hoped she would do what he requested but her light steps behind him told him that she hadn't. "Granger, do what I say!" he yelled but hadn't stopped moving.

With the pounding of his steps, now splashing against water, he couldn't tell if she had listened and didn't have time to care. He followed the stream until he reached the boy's bathroom. Smoke drifted out of it, not enough to completely cover the area, but enough that it needed to be dealt with.

He heard a choked cry and held out his arm, knowing she was behind him without turning. If anyone attacked from behind, he trusted her enough to take care of it. "At least stay there, you reckless witch," he whispered barely loud enough for her to hear.

"Severus, you...your wrist...It's..."

He looked at his wrist and saw golden cords. The implication of it made him swallow and he entered the light smoke, dispelling it as he walked, and crossed into the bathroom. He couldn't worry if it was an attack set up for him or even someone else. He was a dead man if he didn't find out what was happening. With every tinge of gold he saw, the vow was demanding his life.

Potter stood there, wand in hand, staring at something. He directed his gaze in the same direction, and his stomach lurched. His arm tensed and his hold on his wand tightened.

Draco was lying in a pool of blood, the water mixing with it and drifting toward the doorway. Various cuts crossed his chest, ripping the robe and shirt he wore.

It was his curse. How dare that brat use his curse!

His eyes locked with the stunned boy. If he hadn't had Lily's eyes, he would've already been in thousands of pieces.

Like father, like son. Stealing his secrets, his achievements, and using them against him. But this time it wasn't only to humiliate him or use it for his gain. It was to kill. He'd almost killed two people, one of which was his friend. It was almost as if he were trying to make their plans fail. To make everything in vain.

Even his mother's death.

"Idiot boy! What have you done!"

"I... I didn't know that would happen. The book was—"

He took a step. "I want that book back, Potter. You better have it in my office today, or I will make sure you die in such a gruesome manner that even the Dark Lord will tremble when he sees your body."

The boy didn't move, but he had to. He moved over to Draco.

"Just do as you're told for once, Harry," a feminine voice said from the hallway. Granger's voice snapped Potter out of his stupor and he rushed out of the room. He found himself thankful she'd followed him after all.

Snape knelt beside Draco. "Try to be still," he said. He moved his wand to Draco's chest. He froze. If he let this spell kill his godson and himself, Potter would fall. The boy did not have what it took to defeat the Dark Lord.

But others would suffer as well. She would suffer. The lull of death, of escape from under the Dark Lord's finger was tempting, but he couldn't take this way out. For her sake, he had to save his godson and himself for now.

When the boy released a cry of pain, he looked into scared eyes. Too young. His godson was far too young to suffer under a weight like this. He didn't have to look at the eyes long. They closed and his head went limp as unconsciousness took over.

"Vulnera Sanentur," he whispered. He kept chanting it, and watched as it began to stop the bleeding and close the wounds. He would still need to go to the infirmary, but he wouldn't die.

Yet.

When the numerous cuts on the Draco's chest were only scars, he pocketed his wand and transfigured a stretcher for him. He levitated him onto it then levitated the stretcher. He walked out of the bathroom, the smoke long dissipated.

Why was there no one else in the hallway? After all the screaming, he expected more professors and students in the area. His only reasoning could be that Albus prevented it. Did he know what was going on? Even if he were to ask, he probably wouldn't get a straight answer, so the question would forever be unanswered

He looked at the wall to the right and saw Granger standing there with her back against it. She pushed off the wall and walked up to him.

"I will go to the infirmary," he said softly. "I suggest you avoid me today."

She furrowed her brows but nodded. He took a step, but she blocked his path. What was this witch thinking? Didn't she hear what he—She grabbed his wrist before he could yank his arm away from her reach and looked at it, not taking more than ten second to do so before she dropped it and backed away.

He focused ahead and made his way to the infirmary.

AN: Important chapters indeed...and we know how Hermione is as much as Severus...Now they need to deal with the new step in the story and their feelings...Hope you liked it and let me know what you think. I will see you on 9th of June!