Save me from your nightmares
By RocketFAN
Disclaimer: Standard disclaimer applies. Do not own this or that and just like to borrow.
Chapter 1: Visions of the past
"HELP ME! NO, PLEASE! NO!!"
The terrified sound of Lily Potter's pleading voice echoed in Severus Snape's head as he violently tossed and turned in his troubled sleep.
"No…," Severus groaned as the horrific images flashed behind his tightly shut eyes.
"Please…no…," he whimpered tearfully as he gripped the sheets and thrashed his head from side to side on his owl feather pillow.
"NO!!" His screams echoed through the dungeons as he woke abruptly to find himself surrounded by the darkness of the late hour. He sat up in his bed and wiped the sweat from his face while trying to calm his fast and heavy breathing. It had only been a dream… a nightmare… another nightmare… another one of Harry's nightmares.
Harry Potter sat with his friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger as they ate breakfast in the great hall. The Gryffindor table was unusually empty as only a dozen or so Gryffindor's joined them for breakfast.
"You had another nightmare last night, Harry," Ron said as he re-filled his goblet with the delicious pumpkin juice that was always plentiful at breakfast.
"Sorry," Harry said softly as he knew he was waking Ron up every night with his screams of terror from the nightmares that had plagued him all his life. However, they had been more frequent and terrifying lately. The images of his mother being murdered and the sounds of her terrified screams filled his dreams and terrorized his mind.
"It's alright, mate," Ron said sweetly as he gripped Harry's shoulder and gave it a comforting squeeze.
"It's gotten worse lately, though. It seems like ever since I started my Occlumency lessons with Professor Snape," Harry said while staring down at the toast triangle on his plate.
"That's strange since it's supposed to help you control your thoughts," Hermione said as she daintily took a small bite of her toast.
"It's such a strange feeling when he is trying to invade my mind. It's like he's peering into my head and forcing me to relive my worst memories," Harry explained the lessons he had been having with Professor Snape for the last week.
"He's trying to help-," Hermione began, but was cut off by Harry.
"He's not trying to help me, Hermione! He's only doing it because Dumbledore told him to! Do you actually think Snape would do me a favor?" Harry shouted angrily as the past several sleepless nights finally caught up to him.
"Harry?" Ron said, surprised at Harry's sudden anger. "Are you all right?" He asked gently.
"I'm fine, Ron! And I wish everyone would stop asking me that!" Harry yelled as he got up from the table and stormed off.
"I'm worried about him, Ron," Hermione said in a hushed voice as she leaned in closer to Ron.
"Me, too. He's been so irritable lately. But I suppose it's from the lack of sleep," Ron said in the same hushed voice as Hermione.
"Yeah, I suppose," Hermione said concernedly.
Harry stomped down the hall and stopped in front of the door that led to the Gryffindor common room. He was breathing heavily and his hands were shaking with mix of anger and exhaustion. Why did these horrific nightmares plague him night after night? Why couldn't he just be normal?
Professor Snape was in his office grading the essays from his second year Potions class. He was having trouble concentrating due to his lack of sleep and inability to rid his mind of the disturbing images. The sound of Lily Potter begging for her son's life to be spared was like a hot knife through his heart. The sight of her being mercilessly struck down by the Dark Lord was almost unbearable to witness. Severus had loved Lily while they were at school together, but he had lost her love to Harry's father, James. This had haunted Severus for the rest of his life and not a day went by that he did not wish he could have had a second chance. He started to nod off when someone knocked softly on the metal door.
"Professor Snape?" Harry's voice was muffled on the other side of the thick, heavy dungeon door.
"Oh, Potter…," Severus scoffed to himself as he looked at the clock on the wall. He had forgotten about Harry's Occlumency lesson and was not really feeling up to it.
"Sir?" Harry said a little louder.
"Ugh, go away, Potter!" Snape groaned while pointing his wand at the door and locking it.
"Um, but Sir… I- I thought I had a lesson… today," Harry's voice was shaky as he questioned Professor Snape's request.
"Consider it cancelled!" Snape's voice was filled with annoyance as he yelled through the door, causing Harry to flinch and jump back slightly. However, after 5 years, Harry had learned not to fear the Potions master anymore. In fact, 2 years ago, they had actually bonded while they were both confined to the hospital wing. Nevertheless, since then, there had been a serious …lack… of tender moments between them.
"Professor? Are you all right?" Harry said as a sense of frustration with Snape came over him. This was the third lesson in a week that Snape had tried to cancel. Harry was considering going to Dumbledore, but quickly thought better of it.
"None of your business, Potter! Go away!" Snape's voice sounded more distressed than angry this time and Harry decided to make a very bold move.
"Alohamora," he said as the dungeon door clicked, unlocked, and flew open.