(A/N: Ok, Ok, I'm sorry for the cliffy! I'm glad to see other two new readers: hermione potter 14 and TCD! Thanks for reading the story all in one day! Of course, I need to thank all the others faithful readers, who are still following me in this wonderful journey! Did you want to know, if Harry is still alive? Here we are then!)
Chapter 32. BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH
...
I don't know with whom you are
I don't know what you're doing now
But I know for sure
What you're thinking about.
This town is too big
For two people like us
Who don't hope but
Are still looking for
Each other...
...
"... and I'm thinking of you" by Lucio Battisti
Hermione watched the entire scene in horror. "Harry!" she screamed as she ran to him. Her heart started
beating faster and faster in the hope of finding him still alive.
Hermione knelt at Harry's side and, with trembling hands, grabbed his shoulders and turned him over. Although the young wizard was unconscious and his face was pale, he was still breathing. Hermione had just felt a wave of relief in her heart when suddenly she saw a small trickle of blood flowing from the corner of Harry's lips. The blood then started flowing profusely, forming a red pool on the ground.
"Oh no! MURDERERS! You've killed him, you've killed him!" she cried out desperately, hugging him tightly in her arms and hiding her face in his chest.
"You're going to pay for this!" Fred shouted, trying to free himself. "Come on! Take off these ropes and you'll see what we can do!"
George was still petrified in horror.
"What were you thinking? The Dark Lord wanted him alive, understand? ALIVE!" thundered Malfoy to Bellatrix. "Now we're going to be punished, and it's your fault!"
"Potter would have died anyway! Our Master will be satisfied just the same!"
"You're a raving, crazy witch! Let's get out of here, before it's too late!" Malfoy made a sign with his hand to the other Death Eaters; one by one they disappeared with a resounding crack!
"What're we going to do with the prisoners?" asked one of them.
"Leave the two Weasleys here. Mark will come with us."
The Death Eater lifted Mark Evans and disapparated with him. Malfoy and Bellatrix were the last ones to leave. Throughout the square returned the quietness of the night, broken only by Hermione's sobs, muffled by Harry's cloak. Her eyes were wide in shock and her face was streaked by tears as she held Harry's motionless body in her arms.
Fred and George slowly stood up and moved toward her. "Harry's still breathing! He'll survive, I'm sure of it!" said George, trying his best to comfort her.
Meanwhile, Fred was forcefully trying to get Ron to regain consciousness. "Wake up! For Merlin's sake, Ron! We need your help here!"
Hermione felt an awkward emptiness inside; even though she knew that Harry was still alive, this time she wouldn't be able to help him. Her mind was upside down, unable to make any rational decision. All the while Harry was losing more and more blood. The only thing important to her was to remain by his side until the end.
In that moment, a tall hooded figure emerged from one of the side alleys, heading toward them with quick steps. George rushed in front of Harry and Hermione; even though his arms and legs were still bound, he frowned at the newcomer, challenging him. "What else do you want? Leave us alone!"
"Step aside Weasley, if you care about his life!"
George widened his eyes in surprise, having recognized the voice. "P-professor Snape?"
Snape took off his black hood with a quick motion and bent toward Harry, examining him with a worried look in his eyes. "It's the Sanguinem Curse! We don't have much time left!"
With a quick flick of his wand, the magical ropes disappeared from the twins' bodies. He then took an old quill out of his cloak and handed it to George. "Use this Portkey to return to Headquarters."
"Y-you're coming with us, right?" asked Hermione, wiping away her tears with the sleeve of her shirt.
"No, I'm not! I'm taking Potter with me to a much safer place!"
"W-what are you talking about? I'm coming with you!" Hermione protested, but the Potions Master didn't reply. He lifted Harry up and carried him over his shoulder, giving the young witch a stern look.
"Miss Granger, I haven't time for your silly hysteria. You'll get news about his condition through the Headmaster. Goodbye." Snape disapparated, taking Harry with him.
***O***
When the group of young wizards arrived at Grimmauld Place, they found Mrs. Weasley, Tonks, and Mad-Eye Moody ready to welcome them.
They had appeared in the middle of the kitchen, the force of their Portkey landing made them collapse to the floor.
"Oh, Ron, Fred, George! How are you, my dears? And you Hermione?" Mrs. Weasley rushed to them and hugged her sons tightly in turn.
"Professor Snape just informed us. It's a real miracle for you to still be alive!" Tonks spoke with a trembling voice. Hermione stood up abruptly and turned to her.
"Do you know anything about Harry? How is he? Professor Snape took him away, but we don't even know where he went!"
Nymphadora Tonks placed her hands on Hermione's shoulders and stared at her with sympathy. "Don't worry, I'm sure that Severus will do all that is possible to save Harry's life. Now, if you'll let me have a look at your wounds, I may..."
"Tell me where Snape took him! Harry needs my help, I can't leave him alone!" Hermione cut Tonks off, raising her voice. She wanted desperately to reach Harry and be by his side when he woke up.
"NOW STOP IT!" Moody scolded her strongly, "Professor Snape knows what to do and no one has the right to interfere, not even a silly little girl like you! The best thing for you to do now is to stay here and don't give us any more trouble, understood?" The old Auror then turned toward Ron, trying to revive him.
Hermione felt her blood boiling in her veins. Though she was tempted to reply, she chose to remain silent. She just clenched her fists in anger and then rushed out of the kitchen, slamming the door.
"Poor girl! I know how she's feeling at the moment," commented Mrs. Weasley bitterly.
Hermione climbed the stairs two at a time and when she reached her bedroom, she locked the door behind her. She remained there a few minutes leaning against the wall, staring into space, the image of Harry lying unconscious in a pool of blood still in her mind.
Warm tears ran down her face. Outside the window, the sun was rising in the sky, lighting the room with its rays, but Hermione wasn't aware of it. Her only thought was to be with Harry again, to talk to him, to gaze at his sparkling green eyes and sweet smile.
The young witch felt the weight of that horrible night burdening her shoulders. With no more strength to stand, she slipped down to her knees, covered her face with her hands, and burst into silent sobs.
***O***
The ancient manor of the Snape family stood in a lost valley, surrounded by sharp mountains. It was a solitary place, where nature had taken over. The house was dark and gloomy, like the wizards who had lived there for ages. From the outside, it could very well have seemed like the typical haunted house, what with pointed roofs, broken windows, and a swinging gate that squeaked when pushed by the wind.
In the old cellar of the house, in a cold room with stone walls, Severus Snape was deeply concentrated on a magical potion that would help to save his young guest's life. The professor was moving quickly around the smoking cauldron. He poured in a red powder and mixed it three times clockwise; he waited for the color of the potion to become as black as night and then added a drop of a crystal-like liquid, which caused a low burst of smoke.
A bead of sweat trickled down his knitted forehead; even the slightest mistake could cost the boy's life.
Snape waited a few more minutes until the concoction had taken a red color and then, with a large spoon, he took some and poured it into a small vial. Wasting no time, he left the room and climbed the stairs.
Snape reached the third floor, headed to the last room at the end of the corridor, and then entered. Harry was lying on the bed, unconscious. He had lost a lot of blood; his clothes were completely soaked in it. Snape leaned over him and, with his right hand, he lifted Harry's head and made him drink every last drop of the potion in the vial.
The professor laid Harry's head back down on the pillow and sighed deeply. He had done everything possible to save him. Now, he had to wait and see. Even though he wasn't bleeding anymore, Harry's face was still very pale and motionless. Snape grabbed his hand and felt that it was freezing, even though his heart was still beating.
Snape asked himself why he was helping this boy, but he couldn't find a good explanation. Because Dumbledore had asked him to? Maybe. Because he was felt pity? That too. Undoubtedly, there was something more. Whatever was binding him to Harry Potter was strong enough to push him to risk his own life to save Harry's.
Snape slowly moved to the window; the sun was already up in the sky. He closed the curtains, preventing any rays of sunlight from lighting up the room. He gave a last glance at the boy unconscious on the bed, turned to the door, and exited the room with a swish of his cloak.
The bedroom remained dark and silent; suddenly, a tiny jewel of light appeared on Harry's side, its shining rays growing until finally it took a human form.
A beautiful woman wearing a white robe was now standing there; she had long red hair and gorgeous green eyes. She stared for a few minutes at the boy with compassion and love in her eyes; then she stretched out a hand and gently brushed his face. "Harry, Harry!"
Hearing her sweet voice, Harry slowly opened his eyes and gazed at the ethereal figure in front of him. He wasn't feeling any pain, as if he has been miraculously healed of all his injuries.
"Mum, it's you!" Harry spoke, but then he realized he hadn't moved his lips. He was able to speak with her just with the strength of his mind.
"It's time to go, my son." Lily gave him a wonderful sensation of love and happiness, which warmed his heart. He suddenly felt he wouldn't be able to live without her anymore. He sat up on the bed without any difficulty, his body feeling extremely light, and then got out of bed and stood up.
Harry was still staring at his mother unbelievingly as she smiled at him with joy. With a slight movement of her hand, Lily summoned a tall gate made of shining light and laid an arm on Harry's shoulder. Together, they moved a few steps toward the lighted path.
Harry didn't know yet where he was going; he just wanted to follow his mother everywhere.
"Are you ready?" Lily asked and Harry nodded.
Before being swallowed by a flash of light, Harry gave the room a last glance. For a brief moment, he saw his body still lying on the bed, motionless. His eyes widened in surprise, but the scenery around him had already changed.
***O***
That day at Grimmauld Place, time had passed by surprisingly slowly and tediously. Thanks to Moody's help, Ron had regained consciousness, even though he was still feeling extremely weak. Mrs. Weasley had told him to stay in bed for the whole day and Ron had insisted on knowing everything that had happened the night before.
Fred and George explained everything to him, including the reason for their presence in Knockturn Alley; they had stayed late in their shop when they heard someone shouting. Then rushed out into the street and then the two Death Heaters caught them.
The twins spent the entire evening in Ron's bedroom; every ten minutes Mrs. Weasley came in to check on them.
Lying on the bed, Ron stared at the ceiling, his face tired and worried; suddenly, he turned to his brothers. "Any news from Hermione?"
"She's been locked in her room the whole day, and didn't even come for dinner!" replied George, sadly.
"If someone doesn't tell us something, I'm going to scream!" said Fred with anger, beating his fist on the bed.
No one had given them even the slightest news about Harry's condition. The weight of this terrible fear and doubt was crushing their hearts like a boulder.
Suddenly, the door opened and Mrs. Weasley entered carrying a tray full of pastries. "How are you feeling, dears? I've brought you dessert." She laid the tray on the table and stared at them with a forced smile on her face.
"Any news?" asked Ron worriedly, and Mrs. Weasley's smile faded away.
"Harry's condition is stable. The hemorrhaging has been stopped, but he isn't out of danger yet. Professor Snape is doing his best to..."
"Can you tell me what the bloody hell Snape is doing with Harry?" shouted Ron furiously, "We could've taken him to the hospital or maybe to Hogwarts!"
Mrs. Weasley kept her placid attitude, despite her son's behavior. "Dumbledore thought that it would have been too risky. The Headmaster trusts Severus, and you should trust him as well!"
Ron had always had serious doubts about Snape's loyalty to Dumbledore, and wasn't at all happy that his best friend's life depended on their Potions Master. Nevertheless, there was nothing he could do to change this situation, so he folded his arms and hoped that Harry would make it through the night.
"I think I'm going to see if Hermione is OK. Poor girl, she won't open the door to anyone!" Mrs. Weasley sighed deeply and slowly left the room.
"What can we do? I feel so useless!" George laid down on the bed, staring at the ceiling.
Ron closed his eyes and tried to visualize his best friend's face in his mind. Hold on Harry! Please, don't give up, mate!
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