Disclaimer:  Any characters or fictional locations previously mentioned in a Harry Potter book or accessory belong to (her majesty) J.K. Rowling.  Everything else belongs to reality or myself.

Warning: Slash.  Dark.  Also child abuse, violence and language.

Rated R here, but NC-17 scenes will be posted at my yahoo group One Eyed Witch.  There will be notice given for these scenes and a link when necessary.

Summary: Progressive story over several years.  Harry and Severus, eventual slash romance, but not while Harry's a student. W.I.P.

Returning, Relearning, Regaining

By Maven Cree

Prologue: …And Now…

"Harry!  Harry, stay with me!

"Harry?!

"Mr. Potter! 

"You WILL NOT die this day!

"Do you understand me? 

"YOU WILL NOT DIE!!!"

*~*~*~*~*

"Scream for me, Potter!  I want to hear you scream!"

*~*~*~*~*

Harry Potter bolted upright in his bed, sweat slicking his chest, back and forehead.  His breathing was rapid and his heart was threatening to break through his chest.  He had only just registered where he was when the bedroom door burst open.

"Harry?" Ron questioned.  "Are you alright?"

Harry watched the silhouette of his best friend in his brother's doorway.

"Fine Ron," he said after a calming breath.  "Just--just a bad dream."

Ron came forward quickly and Harry could see the concern on his face as he stepped into the slight moonlight shining through the small window in Percy's former room.

Harry shook his head.  "Just a regular bad dream Ron.  He's gone.  I won't be getting those kinds of nightmares anymore."

"You're okay though?  Want me to get mum?"

"No.  No you'll only worry her.  And she doesn't like my leaving tomorrow as it is."

"You don't have to, you know. "

"I do Ron.  I have to start my life."

Ron nodded ruefully.  It was an argument he'd been loosing for the last ten days.

Harry had been residing at the Burrow for the past five months, the first month and a half spent recovering from near fatal injuries.

Voldemort was dead.

…And now…

"Right then," Ron said.  "Long as you're okay.  See you in the morning."

"Nite Ron," Harry said as his friend closed the door.

Harry lay back into the pillows.

He had to get on with his life.  It was true.  The Weasleys had been wonderful.  They cared for Harry during his convalescence, protected him from the media and the Ministry when he was better.  Percy had married his school sweetheart Penelope Clearwater the year before and so Harry was given his former room as his own.  Two days earlier, Harry had awoken to the entire Weasley clan singing a very loud, very off key version of Happy Birthday, in celebration of his nineteenth.  It was the first time Harry truly felt he was part of a family for the first time in his life…

…But something was missing and so he had to leave.

Harry let out a puff of air and stared blindly up at the dark ceiling.

He opened his mouth and quietly asked the darkness, the one question that had been haunting him form months.

"Where are you Severus?"

*~*~*~*~*

To Be Continued.

A/N: New story.  I'm still working on Spirit Within, but I'm having some creative difficulty with Chapter 5.  So in the meantime, this (RRR) has been sitting on my hard-drive for a while.

Feedback please!

Enjoy!

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