Squib On The Run (sequel to Squib In The basement)

53. Snake Suprise

"What was dad even doing at the Ministry at this time of night anyway?" Asked Ron.
"He was on Order business, that's all you need to know" answered Sirius.
"So, he gets injured working for the Order, but we aren't even allowed to know what he was doing" frowned George.
"You are not in the Order, so there is no way we can tell you what he was up to... Your father knew the risks, and he understood that there are some things worth dying for" admitted Sirius.
"That's easy for you to say, you're safe in here. You're not out there risking your life".

"Alright everyone, we need to calm down. Shouting at each other is not going to help anyone. George, Sirius risked his life every single day during the first wizarding war. The number of missions he was sent on is far greater than any your father has completed thus far. So, I don't want you insinuating that my brother a coward... I know it might not be easy, but there is nothing we can do right now except sit and wait for news" announced Cassiopeia.

No one seemed willing to argue with her any further, so they all sat down in silence at the kitchen table, trying not to think of the worst outcome.
Molly did eventually send them a letter, but the words "Arthur is still alive" didn't fill anyone with hope, as it made it sound like his life was still in the balance.
Sirius tried to suggest that the children went to bed, but they all shot down this idea, wanting to wait until Molly sent better news.

Molly eventually arrived at 12 Grimmauld Place around 3 in the morning, and the happy look on her face made everyone sigh in relief.
"He's going to be alright. He lost a lot of blood, and the healers are going to keep him in St Mungo's over Christmas. But he is going to be OK" announced Molly.
Cassiopeia got up and hugged Molly tight, "I'm so happy for you".
"Thank you Cassie. It was touch and go for a while, but he's doing better. Bill is with him now, and I'm going to return later with some of Arthur's things" informed Molly.

"Please stay here over Christmas Molly, so that you can be close to Arthur" pleaded Sirius.
"Are you sure it wouldn't be too much trouble?" Asked Molly.
Sirius shook his head, "I would be honoured to host you all for Christmas".
"Well then, it's settled. The children will stay here and get some sleep, and we will all go to visit Arthur later today" replied Molly.
"You heard your mother, off you go to bed. You can stay in the same rooms you did during the summer" instructed Cassiopeia.

Molly ushered her kids out of the room, leaving Harry alone with Cassiopeia and Sirius.
"Can I tell you something, before we all go up?" Asked Harry quietly.
"You can always tell us anything" insisted Cassiopeia.
"Well, there is a part of the story that I didn't tell everyone earlier... I wasn't just observing Arthur being attacked. I was seeing it through the eyes of the snake. I was the one hurting him, I was the snake" revealed Harry.
"No Harry, that is not true. You did not attack Arthur. You were in your bed at Hogwarts during the incident. You are not responsible for the things you witnessed".

"But I didn't just witness them, I truely felt like I was the snake. And afterwards in Dumbledore's office, I felt the snake rise in me again. I felt like I was going to attack Dumbledore" informed Harry.
"I'm sure that was just a lingering feeling left over from the traumatic vision" reassured Sirius.
"No, it was more than that. I felt like the snake, I felt evil, I felt like him!" Announced Harry.
Cassiopeia didn't have to ask who Harry was refering to, as she knew that Voldemort was one he was talking about.

"Harry, you are not Voldemort. You are nothing like Voldemort, and I want you to remember that. There is a goodness in your heart, that is not in his. He will never feel love like you do... The two of you are connected by dark magic, it's true, but that doesn't mean you are alike in anyway. This is not the first time you've had dreams of what Voldemort is up to, and it's unlikely to be the last. It seems to me like Voldemort was possessing his snake, so that he could snoop around the Ministry, after hours. Your mind is connected to Voldemort, so your mind joined his inside the snake. But you are not him, and you are not a snake" insisted Cassiopeia.

"I don't know. This vision just felt different and more real than the ones I've had before" admitted Harry.
"Probably because you were not in Voldemort's body this time, you were inside a snake. And Voldemort was using dark magic to put his consciousness into his snake, which probably had some effect on you. But none of what happened tonight was your fault. Not to mention that if you hadn't had that vision, Arthur may not have made it, as he wouldn't have been found for several hours, and by then it would have been too late to save him. So, you saved a life tonight Harry, and that is a good thing" reassured Cassiopeia.

"I guess I'm just afraid to go bed, in case I have another dream like that" Harry said quietly.
"That is not going to happen. You don't have life changing visions every night, so you should be fine for quite some time. Besides, the Black family home is protected by such powerful magic that I don't think your mind will be able to link up with Voldemort's while you are staying here" lied Cassiopeia.
"I guess that's true" replied Harry, smiling for the first time that night.
Cassiopeia leaned forward and kissed his head, "Now go and get some sleep. We'll come wake you in a few hours for breakfast".
Harry nodded and ran off upstairs.

"Lying to him like that might come back to bite you" warned Sirius.
"I was just trying to make him feel better, I want him to get a good few hours sleep. And he won't if he thinks Voldemort is going to fill his head again" replied Cassiopeia.
Sirius sighed, "We should tell Dumbledore what Harry confessed to us about how he is feeling".
"I think Dumbledore already knows. It's why he's been distant to Harry all year. He's expecting Voldemort to try and possess Harry some time soon. If tonight is anything to by, I'm worried about what Harry's future holds" admitted Cassiopeia.

"Harry needs to be told of the danger he is in" insisted Sirius.
"Dumbledore doesn't see the point in worrying Harry. And I have to agree with him. Besides, if Harry knows that being possessed by Voldemort is a possibility, then Voldemort will know that too, as he has access to Harry's thoughts" reminded Cassiopeia.
"Does it not worry you, that Voldemort may see us through Harry's eyes? That any time we spend with Harry, is spent with Voldemort as well?" Questioned Sirius.

"It does worry me. But I'm not about to stop spending time with my godson, when he needs me most, just because of something that might happen. Dumbledore may choose to do that, but I will not" informed Cassiopeia.
"I guess we just have to wait and see what happens next then" yawned Sirius.
"Yes, we do. And I just hope that Dumbledore comes up with a better plan to protect Harry, because what he is doing so far, is not good enough" replied Cassiopeia.
"No, it's not" agreed Sirius.