The Truth

Harry followed his professor down to the dungeons, and subsequently Severus' quarters, where they were met by a sleepy, confused Draco. "What's going on, Uncle Sev? Harry?" The bleary eyed boy looked between the two, rubbing the sleep from his eyes and trying to figure out why Harry was in his godfather's rooms at one in the morning. Had something happened?

"Sorry to disturb you, Draco," Harry whispered apologetically, still trying to find a way to get himself out of the mess he'd somehow got himself into. But how could he explain what had happened away, especially to Snape? The man was so eagle-eyed and all-knowing, it was a wonder his last name wasn't 'Dumbledore'. Snape would know straight away that he was lying, and then what? Maybe he should just tell the truth. Nobody would believe him, anyway; they'd just think he was making it up because Draco was getting more attention than he was.

Snape's voice brought Harry out of his reverie, stating to Draco that both he and Harry were staying with him for now, until he could figure out a way to fix their respective situations. "Har- Mr. Potter will be staying here with you for the time being, Dragon. Is that alright with you?" At Draco's bemused look, he continued, explaining what had happened, seemingly with no regard to Harry or his - already somewhat wounded - pride. "-And so here we are," he finished and, recieving a nod from Draco at last, bid the two boys a good night, walking into the furthest room down the corridor from the living room, and shutting it behind him with a snap.

Harry and Draco sat in silence for a moment, before Draco broke the silence. Shuffling around on his bed - transfigured from one of the silken sofas - to face his enemy-come-friend, he propped himself up on an elbow and looked at Harry, surprised to find the other boy heading for the door.

"Where are you going? Uncle Sev said you were to stay here. You'll be in trouble if you leave, Harry." Draco moved to stand but a hand on his shoulder stopped him. Looking up to find Severus standing above him, he let himself settle back down under the duvet. His godfather would deal with this.

"Mr. Potter, where, pray tell, do you think you are going?" The low voice held a warning that both boys were very attuned to, but Harry chose to ignore it this time. He didn't need protecting, especially by someone who had tormented him for over two years. He had always done just fine on his own. Why should that change now, just because someone suspected something?

Turning to face his teacher, a hand placed on the door handle, ready to open it should anything not go his way, Harry answered. "I'm going to the Room of Requirement, sir. It's quiet and safe, and I'd feel infinitely more comfortable there. Now if you would excuse me..." He made as if to pull the door open, but Snape was too quick, wand out and shooting a locking charm at it before Harry could even pull the handle down fully.

Harry's face turned red, infamous temper returning full force. "Open the door, Snape. I don't need your buggering 'protection', I'm fine. Now do me a favour and get your big nose out of my bloody business!" For good measure he slammed his fist into the door, a dull thud resounding around the room.

As if he'd apperated, Draco was in the farthest corner from Harry, huddled in on himself with his hands wrapped protectively around his knees as he rocked, a faraway look in his eyes. His lips moved as though he was saying something, but no sound came from them. The only sound in the now deathly silent living area was the soft creak of the floorboards as Draco rocked back and forth over them.

"Look what you've done, boy!" Severus bellowed, directing his anger at Harry. "Do you honestly think that was a good idea, around Draco, no less?! Damn you. Get out of my sight!" With a flick of his wrist the door was unlocked, and Harry bolted through it, running as fast as his legs could take him. He didn't know where he was headed, all he knew was that it was his fault and Uncle Vernon was coming for him. He had to hide, but where?

He somehow made his way onto the grounds of the school, not truly seeing his surroundings, nor in his right mind, and pelted his way towards the Forbidden Forest. After running for what seemed like forever, the pounding footsteps of his furious uncle stopped, and he found himself alone, in the dark.

He was in the cupboard under the stairs. He'd hidden there, hoping his beefy uncle wouldn't find him, but no! He was here! Harry could hear his heavy breathing now, and he knew he was in for it. Oh Merlin, he was going to die.

-0-

As soon as the door shut, Snape turned to face his godson, taking deep, calming breaths before kneeling to bring the child out from his own personal hell. He was having a flashback, and all he knew was that his father was angry. He was going to pay - for what, he didn't know - just that he would.

"Dragon, you're safe. You're in my quarters, nobody here but me. Open your eyes, child. Come on, that's a good boy," Severus coaxed and praised as the boy came to.

"W-what happened?"

"Potter. He punched the bloody door, causing you to have one of your memory episodes. He's gone now; I told him to leave."

Draco's eyes widened. "You didn't shout did you, godfather?" He asked, worried that the same thing may have happened to Harry. After all, he knew about Harry now, too.

"I... May have raised my voice a little. Why?" Severus confessed. Why was Draco so worried about Potter when the blasted boy had scared him so?

"Damn it! We need to find him! Can you use a tracking spell please? I'll gather out outer coats, in case he's found his way outside. Merlin, he's probably terrified." He sent a reproachful look at Snape, knowing full well that Harry didn't like to be out of control, and that his godfather had taken that from him. Draco knew Severus did it for Harry's best interests, but Merlin did he go the wrong way about it!

Gathering their cloaks and checking the tracking spell Snape - who was suddenly feeling very guilty - had cast, Draco headed out of the door, his godfather hot on his heals. After finding their way to the entrance hall, and seeing the silvery line that led to the forest, Draco took off at full speed, intent on finding Harry. The forbidden forest was no place for anyone, especially someone who was most probably having a flashback of their own.

Severus signed and pinched the bridge of his nose before taking long steps to follow his Gryffindorishly impulsive godson, and finally they found the boy, sat with his back against a weathered old tree, muttering something that couldn't be heard from where he stood.

-0-

"Please, uncle. I'll be a good boy. I won't do it again, I swear! Please don't! No! NO!" Harry was trapped in a terrifying altered reality, at least because it wasn't happening right now, and his uncle was coming and he had his belt, buckle side out, and oh god he was gonna die oh god oh god oh-

"Harry!" The shout brought his shaking hands above his head, tears spilling from the corners of his eyes as the footsteps got closer until suddenly - suddenly nothing happened.

He opened his eyes, confused by his surroundings. This wasn't his cupboard. And why was Draco there, and Snape? Memories of the last 45 minutes came flooding back and he stood, backing away. Snape was mad. Damn. Maybe he was going to die after all.