Disclaimer: I own nothing other than the plot and anything you don't recognize. If you sue, you will get little more than pocket lint.
Rating: M
Summary: Harry Potter is 16 and beginning the summer between his 6th and 7th year. He is found to be in danger and some crazy events change his life forever.
Pairings: SS/HP hinted RL/SB
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prologue: The Worst Summer Ever
Take me on a trip upon your magic swirlin' ship,
My senses have been stripped, my hands can't feel to grip,
My toes too numb to step, wait only for my boot heels
To be wanderin'.
I'm ready to go anywhere, I'm ready for to fade
Into my own parade, cast your dancing spell my way,
I promise to go under it. – Bob Dylan "Mr. Tambourine Man"
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Harry Potter paced the room, angered at the fact that no one gave him any freedom. Before he had been allowed to go outside, play Quidditch, hell; even go to the Dursley's. Now, he was waiting for a group to come and take him back to Hogwart's for the summer. He was sick of not being able to live his own life. He was human, not just some tool for the wizarding world to use.
Finally, bored of pacing, Harry threw himself onto his bed only to stare at the ceiling. Hedwig cooed softly from her cage, hoping to be let out to fly and stretch her wings. After several minutes of intense silence and thought, several 'Pops' were heard from the downstairs signifying the end to Harry's freedom. He sighed before standing up only to be greeted by Remus Lupin, Tonks, Moody, and several others. That's when he noticed him, Severus Snape.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Severus Snape hated the task that had been assigned him. He hated the boy that Albus had deemed necessary to retrieve and bring back to Hogwart's. He stared at the boy, no, man that now stood in front of him. He scowled as Remus stepped forward, examining him and his things.
Severus had noted the change in his student last year. He had lost the excitement of life along with any other emotion. He was no longer the immature child but the emotionless drone. 'Very teenager indeed,' Severus had thought to himself, but after the first three months when his mood had not improved, Severus had realized that there was more to it than that. Severus broke his train of thought long enough to allow him to search for Potter, who was now making his way down the stairs followed closely by the rest of the team. He sighed and followed at the end knowing that he would be seeing enough of Potter very shortly.
The assignment had not only included the escort back to the school but private lessons that were to begin the next day, if they happened at all. He knew that he was going to hate this summer to his very core. It was going to be a very long summer.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Harry knew exactly what was happening during the summer, more training. He hated the fact that he was thought of as only a tool that needed to be sharpened before fighting the last battle. Too make matters worse; he was training with one of his least favorite people.
Dumbledore had arranged this plan. According to him, Snape was the only one who could adequately train him for he knew exactly what to expect from the Dark Lord. Harry had highly doubted that this was Snape's choice. Though, it did rise a question in the young man's head, what if it had?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Severus watched Remus grab Harry's trunk, shrink it, and then place it on his broom. He grabbed his own although, this was not the way he preferred to travel, and sighed. He was to stay beside Harry through the entire trip, the closest to the boy, while the rest of the team surrounding them. Severus hated the fact that he was to be stuck with the brat, but, seeing as he had no choice, he would obey to the order.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Remus stood in front of everyone assembled to retrieve Harry. He hated speaking, but as the one in charge he needed to get things going.
"We need to get going. Harry, you have your broom and Invisibility Cloak?" At this Harry nodded so Remus continued.
"Then you all have your assignments. Let's go," he said as he approached the front door, opening it to the cold night air.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Harry kicked off and was soon surrounded by a pack of people, Snape being the closest beside him. He watched the man fly, remembering the Quidditch match that Snape had had to referee to try and protect him. Harry frowned, knowing that he was paying to much attention to him. It was also bothering Snape, something that Harry did no want to do so soon.
He went back to just flying, hoping to reach Hogwart's soon.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A/N: Hope you liked it. Time to read and review! The more reviews the sooner I update so send 'em.