The Semblance of Peace

Chapter 4

The next evening they were back to research as usual. Harry hadn't brought up his new plan for Voldemort's future again; he was well aware Voldemort wasn't the kind of bloke you could force into making a decision. Harry knew he had to be patient, yet he also knew he was right. If Voldemort went on as before, none of them stood a chance in the end.

They sat in their chairs with a pot of steaming tea between them and opened books in their laps. Both Snape and Voldemort were reading, while Harry composed his Charms essay in the peace and quiet of this mind. That way, he only needed to write it down when he returned to his dormitory later.

"My Lord," Snape said, breaking the hour-long silence. "I think...yes, this seems highly relevant."

Voldemort got up at once and stood beside Snape's chair. Harry forgot the last sentence he'd been constructing, and it had been a good sentence, too. Sighing, he looked down to see what all the fuss was about.

"Here, see? A clear reference to binding the three elements of Sekem." Snape pointed at a paragraph in his book. "Lion bile, vulture claws, and," Snape frowned, "elephant dung."

Harry started snickering, but was cut off when Voldemort said, "I believe you are correct, Severus."

"You've got to eat elephant dung?" Harry asked, and laughed.

"Potter, hold your juvenile tongue. These are potions ingredients," Snape snarled.

"Besides, were I to ingest it, it will be through your mouth, Harry," Voldemort said. Harry stopped laughing at once.

"I'll purchase these ingredients and test the potion again," Snape said. "When can you obtain the vessel itself?"

"Whenever you believe the potion ready," Voldemort said. He sat back down. "It's merely a case of collecting it. I know where it is kept."

Snape inclined his head.

"So who was this Sekem bloke, anyway?" Harry asked, in an attempt to show some interest in the situation.

Snape stared at him and released an exasperated sigh.

"Sekem is not a person, Harry," Voldemort said. He obviously had a lot more patience than Snape. "The Egyptians believed the human soul is divided in seven parts. Sekem is one of them, and it represents the energy, power and light of a person."

"Ah," Harry said, feeling just a little stupid. "Is that why you split your soul into seven pieces?"

"And finally he proves he's been paying some attention," Snape said, shaking his head, as if he couldn't quite believe it. Harry glared at him, but as usual it had little effect on Snape, who glared right back at him.

"Yes," Voldemort said. "That is why seven is the most powerful number when it comes to Soul Magic."

"That makes sense." Harry tilted his head and looked Snape up and down. "So can we have a celebratory shag now?"

Snape threw a Potions magazine at him, while Voldemort chuckled in a way that melted Harry's bones, yet hardened his cock.

*--*--*

"Tom?" Harry turned on his back and kicked off his sheets. He couldn't sleep. Now that they were one step closer to getting Voldemort a body, there were so many questions that haunted him.

"Hmm?"

"I was just thinking," Harry said.

"I can tell by my lack of sleep."

"Ha, ha. Seriously. When you get your body back, I don't suppose...er...I mean -- "

"Spit it out, Harry."