(A/N): Okay, this is the first chapter of the first story that I've been really excited for in a LONG time!
Setting: 5th Book (probably going to go AU). Starts in an Occlumency lesson with Snape.
POV: Harry's (until I say otherwise)
Warnings: This is rated M for a reason. There will be explicit material as soon as the second chapter. This also contains SLASH, which is male/male action in great detail. Not for inappropriately-aged eyes! If this is not something that appeals to you, turn away now! Also, possible trigger!
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, or anything even remotely related to it. I own virtually nothing (besides this story, but what is that saying?)! If you want to read something that's actually written by the fabulous J.K. Rowling, I suggest looking in your local bookshop, not here!
If all is still good for you, read on!
"Stay out! Get out of my head!" I yelled fiercely. I picked myself roughly up off of the floor, dusting off my bruised knees. I straightened my back, and glared angrily into the cool eyes of my least favorite person in the world.
"Patience, Potter," Snape said smoothly, an unreadable expression on his face. "Have you no control?" He raised an eyebrow at me challengingly.
"I've plenty control! It's just bloody difficult!" I growled at him, and immediately regretted it.
"Ten points from Gryffindor, Potter, for vile language. I recommend you watch your tongue, and control your emotions. We will try again. Brace yourself," He said warningly, raising his wand to point at me.
I nodded sharply, lifting my own wand. I attempted to clear my head, to rid myself of the burning hatred for the man in front of me. I looked into his eyes, seeing the amusement lurking just under the surface of his cool expression.
My blood boiled at the smugness of that look. I tried in vain to rid myself of the emotion, but Snape had already cried out the incantation.
"Legilimens!"
The dungeon in front of me flickered, and the usual movie-reel of memories started in my head. This time, though, a new memory appeared. It was only a vague glimpse of a dark room with two barely-visible silhouettes. There were small, choked sounds of pain coming from the scene. The most remarkable part of the memory was the emotion that came with it. Fear, suffering, anger, horror, and sadness radiated from every aspect of it.
One of the people in the memory cried out, and the illusion shattered suddenly.
I was still screaming when I opened my eyes. I cut off the sound, jerking myself into a sitting position. I could feel my entire body shaking, and I took in an unsteady breath. I pushed a hand through my messy hair, and cautiously looked up at Snape.
He was eying me calculatingly.
"What was that, Potter?" He asked.
"N-nothing, sir," I looked down shamefacedly.
"I expect you not to lie to me. Now, I ask again. What was that?"
I paused.
"It was a memory, Professor."
He snorted, not amused.
"Another ten points for your insolence," he said coldly.
I looked back up into his eyes, silently begging for him to drop the matter.
He sighed.
"This lesson is over. I expect to see you next Monday-"
"Eight o'clock," I finished for him.
He curled his upper lip into a sneer. "Out of my office," He hissed, and jerked his head towards the door in dismissal.
I nodded fervently. "Yes, sir."
I rose from the ground and all but ran from the dungeon. My foot kept catching on the uneven stones of the dungeon staircases, but I pushed forward anyway. When I reached the entrance hall, I checked my watch nervously.
Nine o'clock, I thought to myself wearily. I had to hurry to make it back to the dorms without being caught out past curfew.
I shut down my brain as I ascended the multiple staircases to Gryffindor tower. I let my feet follow the familiar path, and put all of my effort into keeping my mind away from dangerous areas.
When I finally reached the portrait hole, I felt pale and clammy, and I knew my hands were shaking. I managed to stutter out the password, and I stumbled into the common room. The fire was still roaring, and the room was a quarter full. People were milling about, finishing homework, or playing halfhearted games of Exploding Snap.
As soon as my eyes scanned the room for signs of Ron or Hermione, and came up empty, I set off for the staircase to the boys dormitories. Once in my room, I quickly kicked off my shoes, sitting heavily on my bed. I tore the hangings around my bed closed, hoping that I hadn't awoken Ron, Neville, or any of the other sleeping boys.
I yanked off my glasses, rubbing at them furiously with the hem of my shirt. I looked at the still-smudged lenses, giving up and simply dropping them off the side of my bed, where they clattered noisily to the ground. I cringed at the sound, mentally berrating myself for my carelessness. I waited with bated breath, hearing the breathing in the bed next to me stutter.
"Harry?" Ron asked groggily, and I groaned internally.
"Yeah, mate?" I asked, hoping to sound nonchalant.
"Lessons are done?"
"Er- yeah. Snape says it's all going well," I lied through my teeth.
He snorted. "Well that's something new with Snape. Didn't take off too many points, then?" Ron was starting to sound more and more awake. I cursed at myself.
"Nah, just the usual lot. I'm really beat, though. I was just about to go to bed..." I trailed off awkwardly.
Ron suddenly tore open the hangings of my four-poster.
"Bloody hell, who are you, and what have you done with Harry Potter?" He asked jokingly squinting at my face.
"I'm just really tired, Ron."
"To hell you're tired. What's wrong?" Ron sat on the edge of my bed. I prickled angrily.
"Nothing's wrong! Would you just let it rest? I'm tired! Now shove off and go to sleep!" I snapped at him, scowling at my red-haired friend.
His face displayed a very dopey look. I sighed, rubbing my eyes with my palms.
"Look, Ron. Sorry. I just... I'm really tired, and I've got a lot on my mind..."
"It's alright, mate," Ron said awkwardly, standing up. "I suppose I'll just leave you to it, then..." He started walking towards his bed, then turned over his shoulder to look at me. "Don't let Snape get to you. Whatever happened, it's nothing. You're Harry Potter. It's gonna be fine."
I nodded, just trying to get him to leave me alone. I closed my eyes, laying back, fully clothed, on top of my covers.
"It was nothing," I said, more to myself than Ron. I was trying to convince myself. But I knew that it wasn't true.
What had happened, in and of itself, was nothing. But what Snape made me remember was the darkest event in my past.
And that wasn't nothing.
(A/N): Want to know what happens next? Tune in after a few days (or, better yet, press that fancy little 'follow story' button below!) I've already got most of the story figured out, so now I just need to actually write it out (which is by far the most difficult part)! Hope that you liked it! If you did (or, even if you didn't), press that beautiful little button below, and review! No flames, please, but constructive criticism IS welcome!
Review! VVV Review!