July 18, 2011

I'm back! Sorry for pretty much waiting a month to update. I have had this chapter written for some time but could not find time to sit down and type it. Please forgive me. This one is shorter than the first, but I have another chapter written that I plan to type tonight and tomorrow. So be patient a bit longer. Thanks to everyone who reviewed and added me to their alerts. =) Read & Review.

Love,

Mysterygirl220

Friday, November 2

(SPOV)

Since Harry told Draco and me what he overheard, I have begun to surreptitiously watch the three. Granger and Weasley were constantly staring at the boy. They gave each other looks every now and then, making sure their scapegoat stayed in line. Harry, meanwhile, had to continue like nothing was out of the ordinary.

I also watched Albus. He seemed to be the same man I have always known since I began 'spying' on Tom, a manipulative, power hungry fool. He never realized that the people he has sent to Azkaban were people Tom turned down to be on his side because they were weak willed with the potential to switch to the Light. All Albus has ever wanted was total domination over the wizarding world, the exact image of the Dark Lord Voldemort. He created the persona in order to have an alibi in case any evidence was found at a Death Eater attack that pointed to him.

I broke out of my reverie as all the students had begun leaving the Great Hall. Harry and the other two idiot Gryffindors were some of the last to start walking to class. As I watched Harry, I noticed something was off about the boy. He seemed to playing his part too well. Upon a closer inspection, Harry's eyes were slightly glazed. I suddenly had a terrible thought. Thinking quickly, I got his attention. "Mr. Potter," I drawled, "need I remind you that being out in the halls after curfew is not allowed. Since you broke this rule last night, you will be serving detention with me tonight and all weekend. Do not be late."

Harry wanted to argue but stopped. Something must have shown on my face that alerted him. "Yes, professor."

"Good day." I went back to my classroom, ready to watch dunderheads ruin potions on a daily basis and figure out what charm or potion Harry is under.

After the fifth year potions with Gryffindor and Slytherin, I held Draco after class. "You wanted to talk to me Uncle Sev?"

"Yes. Meet me in my private chamber tonight at 7:30. Potter is under the effects of a curse or potion. I will need you to help keep Harry from bolting."

He nodded. "Of course I'll help. Why wouldn't I?"

I smirked. "Just asking. Now get on to Charms."

I watched him walk away. Ready to have the family back together after all these years.

8:00 p.m.

At eight on the dot, I heard knocking on my door. "Come in." Harry stepped through. I indicated him to follow me into my potions lab.

Once he stepped through, I quickly began scanning for any curses or potions, while Draco blocked the only way out of the room. "What are you doing, Snape!"

"I am testing to see if you are under the influence of potions, curses, etc." Draco locked the door and held Harry still long enough for me to run the scan. After I was finished, I was shocked at what Albus has put the boy through: loyalty and lust potions, compulsion, obedience, and repulsion charms, slight traces of the Imperious curse since he first came to Hogwarts, and his magic had been bound since he was placed with the Dursley's. What have you done, Albus?

I began to search for the antidotes for the potions, while Draco led Harry to the living room. "Let go of me, Malfoy! Get your slimy hands off me you git!"

"Mr. Potter, please calm yourself. We are doing this to help you, not to harm you."

"Like I'll believe…" When he opened his mouth, I quickly poured the two antidotes down his throat, knowing the combination would have no ill side effects. We watched as Harry calmed down, his eyes losing some of its glazed appearance. "Severus, Draco, where am I?"

I gave a small sigh of relief. He remembered last night. "You are in my private chambers, Harry. You were behaving strangely today, and I was led to believe you had been administered potions and was under the influence of charms and/or curses. I was correct in my assumption. I have given you the antidotes for the loyalty and lust potions. Now I need to remove the charms and curses placed on you."

He looked at me in disbelief. "How did I not notice what was going on?"

"I'm not sure. We will figure it out though. I promise."

Harry looked weary. "Alright. Remove this mess from my body."

I began removing the charms one at a time. They were so deeply applied that it was hurting him as I removed them. I could barely stand to hear his pleas for me to stop. By the time I had removed all the charms and curses, he was sobbing and crying with such pain underlying them. I wrapped him in my arms, rocking him back and forth to calm him. Draco handed me a sleeping draught and a pain relieving potion. "Take these, Harry, and go to sleep. You will feel better in the morning." He took the drinks and slowly fell asleep.

I carried him to my bedroom where Draco had pulled the covers back for me to lay Harry down, "Is he going to be okay," my godson asked as I tucked Harry in. Draco was falling back into his role as big brother quite easily.

"Yes, he will be fine. Might be a little sore in the morning, but that is all."

Draco nodded and studied Harry for a moment. "He looks like a miniature of Uncle Tom."

I smiled softly. "Yes, yes he does. Now off to bed, Draco. We will be visiting them tomorrow."

"Alright. Goodnight, Uncle Sev."

"Goodnight, Draco."

He left, and as I was walking out of my room, I whispered softly to Harry. "Sleep well my nephew. Sleep well."

(?POV)

I awoke to the sound of my cell door opening. I looked at the man I loathe with a passion. He killed my sweet baby boy and my loving husband, all because he wants power. "Good morning my dear. How are you this morning?"

"How should I know? If you let me out of here, I will tell you know how I feel you monster!" I spat at him.

"That is no way for a lady to act."

"And yet, this is not how a lady should be treated," I growled.

"We shall see if going without food and water for a bit will make you learn your place: beneath my feet." With that, he marched out, slamming the door in his wake. Waiting till I could no longer hear his footsteps, I broke down crying once more in this dark, desolate cell, thinking of the life I could have had with my family.