Crimson Ink

The Dark Heart

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The goblin that ran in stopped and looked from Vesta to the growing tree in the roof cell and sneered, "We have an issue. I might have blown up a student."

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"Bloodtear ... you were only meant to confirm that an illegal exorcism took place. How could that possibly result in a death?" Goresnare asked in complete disbelief.

The goblin scoffed, "That's not the right word. When I followed the lotus map and performed the scanning spells screams came from down in the Great Hall. One student started freaking out and suddenly collapsed. My team found the medi-witch strangely unsure of what to do. My team took the ... boy, and said we'd get him medical attention."

Goresnare tapped a claw against his slim glasses, "What is the real issue?" Instead of answering Bloodtear led to the hall where the crumbled remains of a golem were laid on the floor. "The medi-witch and professors were panicking, you say?" Bloodtear nodded, a smirk on his face. "You sure they couldn't see this?"

"I'm sure. The other students were, of course, freaked out because the professors didn't seem to know what to do. Shall I search for the real boy?" Bloodtear asked as he plucked a hair from the crumbed clay golem.

"It would be the responsible thing, as representatives of Gringotts, to do. If you happen to be led to Dumbledore's office then check everything." Goresnare said with a devious smile.

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Harry rested on his bed just trying to recover, but his mind wouldn't let him. Of course, it didn't help that they were so close to putting Dumbledore away and his shoulder was aching. Plus, he was wondering about that golem he saw Dumbledore release into the school.

"Can't sleep?" Tom asked as he came in with Severus and Lucius. Severus had a plate of food with him and he set it down on the side table.

"Not even a bloody wink." Harry muttered as he carefully sat up.

'I'm not surprised. I find relaxing tricky with Sirius Black here." Severus said as a half hearted joke and was pleased to hear Harry give an amused chuckle. "You should eat something. It'll, at least, distract you."

Harry raised an eyebrow as Severus sat next to him, "Distract from what-" he winced as Severus started unwrapping the bandages. "I can tell that it hasn't healed." He muttered as he took a buttered roll from the plate.

Lucius frowned when he saw the concerned look on the potion master's face, "Really?" He asked as he moved onto the bed. "Dear Merlin, all that ointment did nothing."

"What?" Tom gasped as he too crawled onto the bed behind a shirtless Harry. The handprint was still carved into his back and surrounded by an ominous black bruise. "It looks better than when he first got here, but ... this just isn't normal. Was there anything odd about the rune?"

The Lord of the Malfoy family thought back, "No. It was just a rune to hide the loyalty spell he put on Harry. I think the dead magic was stuck between the spell and runes, but why this happened to Harry instead of Remus isn't clear."

Harry rolled his eyes as his lovers fussed over his back, "It sounded like Remus didn't have a rune and he's a dark creature so it might be different for him. Also my magic may be a bit sensitive after years of not having dead magic near it." He said pointedly and took a bite of the buttery roll.

"You did have dead magic in you once before." Lucius muttered as he glanced at Tom who looked a little embarrassed at the reminder. "It might be your magic overreacted, but the flesh should still heal."

After taking another bite of his buttered roll he hummed and swallowed after a few chews, "I think Nagini might've had a point with the venom comment. It could've damaged the tissue just like venom would or some leaked into my bloodstream before Vesta could get it. Just a little can cause problems, but I bet neither Vesta or a whomping willow can get it if it's deep in the flesh. Since I have no clue how to drain it like Dumbledore does we need something else and I think a purification spell might work." He said with a slight smirk.