The Stuff of Nightmares
None of the characters belong to me, if they did Sirius Black, Lupin and Snape would never have died, that sucked big time!
But please enjoy and review.
Chapter 1
Harry was 15 years of age, he had gone through so much in his life but he had struggled to keep his normality for the past five years. But now it was all starting to get too much for him. All his life he had been beaten and abused, he just couldn't take it anymore.
"Boy down here now!"
Harry sighed wherever he would be, he would never get away from his past. No matter how hard he fought or tried to forget it, it would always come running back. So now he took a deep breath and built up his courage to face whatever his uncle had in store for him.
"Hello Poppy, what can I do for you?" Albus said smiling with the little twinkle in his eyes.
Poppy however never smiled but stood toward the door with a grim expression on her once so care free face, which now look worn and old.
"How much longer will you let this go on? It's destroying him, bit by bit Albus." Once stated Albus lost the smile and his twinkle.
"He won't listen to me Poppy, you should know that by now. No matter what I say to the boy he refuses to stop and it breaks my heart along with yours and Alastors. I cannot do anything..Please Poppy do not blame me. Blame Voldermort he is the one endangering your son."
Poppy stood their knowing it to be true.
"I do know Albus, but sometimes it is so much easier to blame you. But I wish not too."
"I understand Poppy, now go to him. He needs you."
Poppy nodded and rushed from the room, but closing the door quietly. Albus smiled. But the twinkle had yet to return.
"Oh god!" A silky voice shouted. "Argh"
"It's alright son, let it all out."
Alastor held his adoptive son to his chest, not wanting ever to let him go.
"God it hurts too much."
"I know, but Poppy will get you sorted out, don't worry. Just stay still, and try not to move."
"But I have to report to the headmaster, he has to know about..."
"Severus snape, you will do no such thing. You..."
"Poppy the medicine please, he's in so much pain."
"I know I heard him all the way down here. " Poppy stated sadly, tears sprang to her eyes.
"At least he's in his own room. Whatever he did to him, it seems to have past." Alastor said looking now at the sleeping snape.
"Yes but for how long can we keep this up. How far will it go so that he doesn't return one time?"
Alastor had no answer for that, so he did the next best thing...he kept quiet.
Harry sat back against the wall grimacing. His once green eyes now dull looked out across the space of the garden before him. Harry's back stung like hell, but he could do nothing about it. He couldn't even defend himself against his uncle's beating. Somehow, even if he had been given a chance, he wouldn't even if he wanted to do. In his mind what was the point in beating something that had already beaten you. So now here he was, moping, god he hated when he did that. He had no right to mope. Harry then got up but swayed suddenly. He had to grab onto the nearest wall for support. This wasn't good, but it didn't matter anyhow. It usual went away after a few weeks.
Silently and quickly he went inside the house, he was lucky as everyone else was in the living room watching the news or something. He then went up the stairs into his bedroom. This is where he found his snowy white owl Hedwig holding onto some letters.
"What have you got their girl? Anything good." She hooted softly in return. She dropped them and silently went to her cage, where she snuggled and went to sleep.
"Ah this one's from Ron." It read.
Dear Harry,
Hope your are okay mate. I'm glad the muggles haven't been too hard on you, and are finally giving you your own personally space. Anyway just to tell you mate, that unfortunately we are going away to see Charlie in Romania. He's been injured by one of his dragons. I swear he's Hagrid in his second life or something. But were going out there to be with him.
Hopefully I shall be back before we start school again. So I'll see you then,
Give the muggles hell for me!
All the best
Your mate
Ron.
"Oh well no chance of a rescue, but god I hope Charlie will be alright." Harry whispered, he had met Charlie only twice in his life time and he was a good man. He was just like the twins. But much calmer. Harry then looked at the second letter, he recognized the writing instantly.
"How is that possible...he's gone, dead..." He said sitting down heavily onto his bed, face pale. And with shaking hands he opened the letter.
Severus opened his eyes slowly and groggily. He started to check his body, by first moving his fingers and making his way along his body. Thankfully nothing seems broken, and everything was there, he didn't really feel pain. However he did feel achy. Like a pile of rocks had been laid on him.
"Hello Severus, how are you feeling today?"
"I'm fine Poppy no need to fuss, oh okay I feel better then the last time. Does that help?" He said with his famous sneer.
But Poppy was having none of it.
"Severus don't you dare turn your lip up at me, you've been unconscious for two whole days. You've had Alastor worried sick and he has never left your side. Oh Severus, why do you keep doing this? I can't watch you do this to yourself anymore. Every time you go to one of the meetings, I'm worried that you're never going to come home to us alive. And then me and Alastor will have to look after your dead body..."
"Poppy?"
"No son, please..." She cut off tears slowly running down her face.
"Poppy my love, he's fine and he's right here. Right now Severus is safe and sound. Leave it at that Poppy. We can talk later." Alastor said announcing his presence. He went over to his wife and hugged her tightly. He then let go of her and went straight to his son.
"You sure you're alright? And please no lies." He asked.
"Yes, seriously I have been better, but I also remember that I have been much worse." Severus stated very truthfully. He tried to sit up to speak and winced, he was sore. Alastor saw as much and helped him up. Severus nodded in appreciation. "I'm just sore and achy, the Dark Lord was much lenient then usual, and so I must be doing a good job of deceiving him...so far."
"Well now that you're up, I'll go get the headmaster, you wanted to speak to him did you not?" Poppy asked.
"Yes, it's important that I tell him something." And with that she went swiftly. "I've upset her haven't I?"
"Think nothing of it lad. She's very worried for you. We both love you dearly, all this talk and your double life, it's started to get to her a bit. Severus, I know that it is your job, and that you always feel that you have to do this. But you really don't. Whatever happened to Li...?"
"Don't! Please keep her out of this, please Alastor don't bring it up. I beg you. And she's not the only reason I'm doing this. Harry is part of this, more then we will ever know."
"If only he knew how you felt about him, I bet his life would be a whole lot better then it is now. He turns 16 in a week's time." Alastor said looking sadden.
"Yes, but I suspect he'll be going somewhere to celebrate."
"I doubt it Severus, after all he has nowhere to go, not now that Sirius died."
Severus looked down at his hands. "Yes the boy had just lost his godfather and I bet he blames me in some way, not that I shouldn't be blamed. If only I had gotten to Albus earlier, Sirius would have never been able to leave the house in time...NO! Stop it Severus, Albus and Lupin has already discussed this with you. Nothing was your fault, not for the man's death. It was his own doing, and his alone. No-one else's.
"Severus, the headmaster is here to speak to you. Are you up for talking?"
"Yes Poppy, bring him in." Severus said not hesitating.
Oh my dearest God-son,
If you are reading this letter then I am not longer on this earth. And for that I am sorry, no doubt it was of my own doing, so please place no blame on yourself. I have always been too adventurous for my own good. Somehow I couldn't help it in the slightest.
Anyway I just wanted to wish you a happy 16th Birthday as now I won't be there for it.
I don't usual write letters, but I have felt for a long time now that I wouldn't survive this war, so much has happened in my life that I deeply regret, one of them mistake would be chasing after Peter and getting myself arrested, then sent off to Azkaban for a crime that I didn't commit. But I suppose that was always going to be the way that my life turned out. James always kept me in line whenever I did something rash or stupid. I'll always thank him for that. But when I saw him and Lilly...it will be something that I will never forget, even in death. Harry I lost myself at that moment, nothing would have stopped me going after Peter, I just wanted him to die, I wanted to feel his blood on my hands. But some part of me is thankful that Peter escaped when he did. Because Harry you know that I am innocent and that means the world to me. And because of Peter, I wanted to escape and get my revenge. But instead it brought me to you, and for that I am also thankful.
Anyway I didn't write this letter to babble on, I wanted to give you some advice, that I wouldn't have been able to face to face; it would have been too painful.
You have to trust Severus Snape, even though he is a greasy haired and long nosed git. But he is on our side, and he is doing a really good and important job. Whatever I say to you know is extremely important.
Severus Snape is a death eater but a one that changed sides a year after you were born. He had done a many of bad things, but I hope for the right reasons. He is now a spy for Dumbledore and it is a very dangerous job. Severus gets hurt a lot, and he needs a lot of care. But for years I have changed my opinion of him, what he has done for the order is astonishing. But I do fear he has a death wish, whenever he goes to a meeting, I don't think he ever thinks he may survive but he always does. Then he goes back for more.
Don't ask where I got this information from, you really don't want to know my boy, but let's put it this way, you hear talk in Azkaban, and nearly all of it is true.
All I ask from you is to be carefully this year, I understand it is getting more dangerous for you every year, this one may not be different. But if you have any dreams or visions please go to Severus he can help, I also want you to resume your occulmency lesson with him. Trust me if will help an awful lot.
Anyway I believe I have taken up about 3 pieces of parchment and half a bottle of ink, Remus will kill me, but it's for a good cause aint it Harry Lad.
Again I'm truly sorry if I have gone before you're birthday, I'm just going to take the time and tell you that I am extremely proud of the boy and man you have become. I couldn't wish for a better God-son, I'm sure your Father and Mother are extremely proud too. I'll say hi for you.
We will all be together again, but hopefully not too soon. I'll always watch over you my boy. But for now I say good-bye.
Love always
Sirius
Xxx
"Thank you Sirius." Harry said through smiles and tears. He read through the letter again, then folded it up and put it in his bedroom drawer under a lose bottom. He made sure that it was secure then sat back down on his bed. A few minutes later he heard the Dursley's go to bed. He did the same.
Stuff of Nightmares
Chapter 2
"Severus I'm glad you are feeling better." Albus smiled. "Now what is so important that you can't wait to tell me?"
"The Dark Lord gave me vital information about Potter." He smiled knowing that he had gotten the attention of the headmaster.
"And what would that be my boy?"
"He has started to delve into the boy's mind again. He wants him to experience the visions again. He also told me that he wants Harry to remember his parents and Sirius's deaths all over again. Albus he wants Harry to go insane with the pain and the guilt."
"I knew this was going to happen. Why can't he leave the boy alone? Hasn't he put him through enough of his twisted hell?" Albus thundered, never in all his life had Severus seen the headmaster this angry. "There is no other way. Severus I know the history between you and Harry, but this time I am begging you. Please help him in Occulmency, he needs to be able to close his mind. And I pray that this helps and thwarts Voldermort plans for the boy."
"Yes headmaster, I'll teach him. For I do fear for him as well. I already know of his history with these nightmares and visions. He'll need to keep his mind."
"Thank-you Severus, you're a good man at heart. Just show you're true self too Harry, he's needs someone to talk Severus, you may be what he needs."
"Maybe's Albus, Maybe." Severus said with a yawn.
"Yes, well I think that is my cue too go. Get well soon my boy, term starts in two weeks. But for now get all the rest you need." He nodded to Severus who had already succumbed to the need for sleep. He also nodded toward Poppy and Alastor. "Good night to you both. I wouldn't worry too much." And he quietly left.
Poppy turned to her husband.
"Alastor could you do me a tiny favour?" She smiled sweetly.
"What is it Poppy?" He said clearly not liking the way she smiled at him.
"I worry for Harry, could you be a dear and just check on him for me. You have no reason to approach him, just watch him for a couple of hours. He didn't exactly leave my care, looking great. I also would like you to look out for him when he gets back to this school." She smiled again.
"You really don't have to ask. I care for Harry as well. And I'll head on over tomorrow morning, but for now it is late and we need our sleep. Severus will yell for us if we are needed love."
Poppy didn't want to, but she agreed. She hadn't had much sleep since Severus was hurt. But now she found that she was extremely tired and could do with a good rest.
"Okay." And with that they both left hand in hand and shut their son's door quietly. They never saw that Severus's eyes were open and he pondered with a slight frown on his features. Nor did they know what secret he was hiding.
He sat up a scream wanting to burst from his lips, but he swallowed it down, instead he sat there gasping with sweat pouring off him. A sob tore from his throat but he wouldn't allow him to wallow in his emotions. God that had been so vivid, never before had his dreams ever been like that. Memories maybe's but...what he had just seen or whatever had been so...no he didn't want to think about it. Harry got up out of his bed and opened his door, the Dursley's didn't lock him in the room anymore. I mean where could he go. With that he tip-toed to the bathroom but didn't turn on the light. He reached for the glass that he knew was there. With that he turned the tap and filled his glass with water. After he was done he went back to his bedroom and sat back down on his bed. Taking sip after sip of water.
Harry knew that he would not get anymore sleep tonight, so he turned on his bedside lamp and took the book that was underneath his pillow. 'The successful way of making Potions'. Harry smiled. He had no idea why he had chosen this particular book, but somehow he found himself enjoying this bit of light reading. It also helped him forget everything that was going on, if only for a few hours. So with this little plan in mind he started reading. Meanwhile Hedwig hooted softly looking worriedly at her master.
Severus moaned in his sleep, sweat glisten on his brow, his body shook as rivulets of pain went up and down his spine. He twisted and moved around violently. There never seemed to be any release, all he could feel was pain, his mind seemed too focused on the pain...
"AAAAARRRRGGGGHHHH!" A scream was finally torn from his throat, his eyes rolled to the back of his head. He felt someone kneel beside him on the bed, he felt pressure on his arms which meant that it had to have been Alastor holding him down. He started to thrash more violently, he needed to get away from the pain...when suddenly the pain was no more and he felt himself losing his hold against the darkness.
"What was that all about?" Alastor asked removing himself from Severus's side.
"I don't know love, but something was diffidently causing him pain, I just wish I knew what." She said sadly.
"Poppy you go back to bed, I'm going to stay here for the next few hours."
"Alastor..."
"No Poppy you need your sleep. I'll stay with him tonight. You can stay with him all day if you want. But I need this Poppy. I need to be with him now."
Poppy looked at her husband tenderly. If you had looked at Alastor Moody, you would never have guessed he was a feared Auror. She smiled and left the room.
"Severus, please be alright. I'm going to be by your side for the rest of the night. If you need me please ask me son." Alastor spoke a bit desperately.
"I'm fine Alastor, just go back to bed." Severus spoke groggily.
"No chance lad. I'll be fine, not you. Go back to sleep my son. I'll be here when you awake in the morning."
Severus nodded not really listening, he was already halfway back to sleep.
Harry awoke suddenly, he couldn't believe he had fallen asleep. He glanced around and noticed that sunlight had made itself know in his room. But with sudden panic he realized that it was morning. But how early was it really. Turning and holding his breath he faced his alarm clock. 08:45. Damn! He was 15 minutes late for making the breakfast. Harry jumped out of bed and raced to find some clothes to put on. But unfortunately it wasn't quick enough. He was just finishing putting on his sweater when his Uncle came crashing through the door.
"What is the meaning of this you idiot boy. You should have been up half an hour ago." Uncle Vernon shouting the vein in his neck protruding.
"Sorry Uncle Vernon but my alarm clock didn't go off this morning." Harry said keeping his eyes on the floor.
"Not good enough." He shouted and Harry felt the blow of his uncle's meaty hand backhand him across the face. "Now you get down there you freak, and make my breakfast. Then you will go out and mow the lawn and pull up the weeds. Remember it's my day off and I will be watching you. Now go." And with another backhander to his face Harry hurried off down the stairs, to do some hard working chores. Hi s uncle followed him downstairs and down to the kitchen. When Harry got started he finally left and Harry was able to breathe a sigh of relief. Soon after his Aunt came in, but she never once looked at him. Nor did she speak to him. But he was used to this by now. She had only come in to make herself a cup of her fine expensive tea, and then she left him to do the breakfast. Once the bacon and sausages were done, he plated them up and took the plates out to his guardians. When he was left again empty handed his uncle told him to do his chores without eating. It would make an example of not being late down again.
"Just another day in the life of famous Harry Bloody Potter, if only Snape could see me now." He said when he got to the garden shed and stated to haul the lawnmower out from its hiding place. He then had the job of untangling the wire, which by the looks of things would take him a while. So he sat down on the ground and got to work.
What was this boy doing? He was out in this sweltering heat and mowing the lawn. And in all the time he was watching him, Harry had never had a swig of water yet, and that was about 2 hours ago. Was this boy stupid? Did he want to get dehydration? Alastor shook his head, he had done what Poppy had asked but at this moment in time he wanted to get back to Severus, but he was also worried about Harry. From what Severus had told them, Harry was in trouble and not the trouble he will enjoy. But he knew that Harry was no stranger to danger. But right about know nothing he had seen had worried him. However Harry did have a bruise on his cheek, and it looked about the size of a handprint. He would mention this to the headmaster but everything else seemed to be intact. So Alastor having enough for today, turned his back on the boy and apparated back home. He would be back tomorrow at the same time, just to make sure he was alright.
"Boy! What the hell do you think you are doing sitting down sunbathing?" Vernon shouted from the front door. "Come here!"
Harry keeping his head down did as he was told. Knowing that what to come wouldn't be good.
"Yes uncle Vernon."
"Don't yes me you little piece of filth. Have you finished your chores?"
Harry shook his head.
"Then what is the meaning of sitting down doing nothing?"
"I was tired." Harry said starting to lose his temper.
"Tired! And that makes it a good enough excuse does it?"Uncle Vernon waited for an answer. "Well does it boy!" He roared grabbing hold of Harry's collar he swung Harry around so that he was holding him tightly pressed to the wall. Harry's head swung back and hit the wall making his vision distorted for a second. As it cleared his uncle was in his face shouting at him.
"Answer me boy or do you want more punishment?"
"No Uncle Vernon it doesn't. I'm sorry."
"Sorry isn't good enough you little freak. After you do the weeding, you're going to paint the fence. Then you're going to go to your room without anything to eat. Do your understand me. When we have finished eating dinner. I'm going to come into your room and deal out a punishment. Do you understand?!" His uncle roared shaking him.
"Yes Uncle Vernon, I understand."
"Good now finish with the lawn. I don't want to come out here again. But if I catch you lazing around, I will punish you then and there." Harry nodded and went back to wedding the garden. Thinking all the while that he only had to endure a couple more days, and then he would be back where he belonged.
He could live here for just a little longer. He could endure it for a little longer.