Chapter 47.5- Doom Days

It took what felt like an eternity for him to gain control of his body enough to speak. “What in the hells was that?”

“The wards, Sirius. Once we were attacked, I used my powers as the Headmaster to bring the wards up at full power. When I took ou the compass to look for young Harry, I felt someone bounce against the wards and since the compass said he was in this direction— more or less where the wards would deposit someone who ran afoul them— I figured that he was there and would be fine. After bouncing off the wards, the wards impart a magical charge of sort. No magic can affect him without serious backlash on the caster, and as you got to experience first hand, it’s much the same for physical contact” Dumbledore explained, looking mightily pleased with himself.

“You knew that would happen” Sirius accused.

“I did caution you to be patient” he defended poorly. Was the old man even trying?

“You could have explained things to me.”

“It did not seem wise to divulge details about Hogwarts’ protections in front of so many and with who knows who listening. Now, if my ears do not deceive me, you should be able to stand now.” Sirius looked a him like he was insane, because the man just had to be. What did his ears have to do with Sirius being able to stand. But against all odds, when Sirius tried to move, he found his bod fully compliant. He rose to his feet in no time, and looked over to see Harry still on the floor.

“How long is he going to be like that?” He asked pointing at his godson even as he felt worry begin to creep in . Harry would not have attempted to apparate inside Hogwarts of all places if he had been thinking clearly and that could mean anything. He needed to examine him, to tell he was alright.

“Do you know anything about how he is?”

“Well, I can tell you he’s in far from a good state” Dumbledore said, taking out the compass again. From this angle, Sirius could now see that while the device was shaped like a compass, it was everything but. There were so many charts on the small thing that he wondered how Dumbledore was managing to read them clearly.

“Details please” He asked.

“Nerve damage from what has to be continuous cruciatus exposure is the most worrying sign” the gasp Sirius let out was entirely involuntary but completely appropriate because what the actual fuck? Harry was just a kid. What kind of sick bastard would torture a kid? He had a name on his lips but he just hoped it could not be so. It could not be true.

“What else is there?”

“A badly healed cut on his arm, symptoms consistent with poisoning. From this, I suspect manticore venom but it could be anything really. And then there is the matter of all his vitals being unusually low.” Sirius felt his blood boil hotter and hotter with every word that the Headmaster spoke.