*ducks under rotten tomatoes* So sorry! My AN is at the bottom! Hope you haven't forgotten about this story :)

Previously...

"I can take you to him. The Dark Lord, that is."

Snape turned to face Barty Crouch slowly, his face shadowed in the dark of the cavern. "Why the change of heart, Crouch?"

"Because you passed my test, Severus," he retorted nonchalantly. "Congrats, it's your lucky day. Now let's get out of here, this place smells like Pettigrew." He got to his feet, twirling his wand in the hand, and eyeing Snape carefully. "I'm doing this because I used to trust you Severus. Don't make me regret this."

Severus nodded slightly at his fellow Death Eater and old friend as he followed him out of the building. Hidden in a dark alley, Barty grabbed his arm firmly, and an instant later, they were gone.

They landed in a graveyard, and Severus Snape observed his surroundings with narrowed eyes. The handsome, dark-haired man beside him smirked.

"Thought you'd feel right at home here, Sev," the man sneered.

Snape ignored his comment, instead fingering his wand as he stared at the towering manor. "Where are we, Crouch?" he asked coolly.

"Riddle Manor," Barty Crouch Jr. answered with a twisted smile.

"And the Dark Lord?"

"Inside, with Pettigrew."

Snape stopped walking, facing Barty with a look of disgust. "Pettigrew is here?"

Barty's face reflected the Potion Master's own expression. "`Fraid so," Barty answered.

Snape sneered and turned back to face the manor. He continued on with vicious strides as if they were never interrupted. Barty hurried after him, barely avoiding colliding with his back as they made it to a side door. Snape raised an eyebrow at Barty, who rolled his eyes.

"Follow me," Barty hissed as he opened the door.

They walked in silence through the darkly lit hallways, the shadows hiding the once-beautiful interior. They walked up a winding staircase, with Barty a few steps ahead of the Potions Professor. Snape remained expressionless, but he was inwardly fighting a rare bout of nervousness. Barty stopped at the first level, stepping to the first door, and Snape watched him carefully. Glancing at the emotionless Snape, Barty knocked on the door.

"Enter," a voice hissed, sending shivers down Snape's spine.

Barty grinned at his companion, opening the door wide.

"After you, Severus," he said.

Snape hastily reinforced his occlumency shields before he moved into the room. His eyes flickered around the poorly lit room, searching for the Dark Lord. What he saw shocked him.

He had known the Dark Lord was not at his full strength, but to see him so deformed and weak was astonishing. The small bundle on the chair was obviously the Dark Lord from the way Nagini hovered protectively. Snape could not make out much of his features due to a black cloak wrapped around him. The Dark Lord raised his head, but it was hidden by his hood. Pettigrew cowered in the background, watching them closely.

"Severus," the figure whispered menacingly. "I must admit I am surprised to see you…. Alive."

Snape slowly lowered himself onto his knees, his eyes unwavering from his weakened master.

"Barty is most gracious as always, my lord," Snape murmured.

The Dark Lord turned to observe the other kneeling man. "And why is that Barty?" he asked, fingering his wand.

"I was planning to kill him Master, if he was truly a traitor," Barty answered with clear devotion, his gaze unmoving from his master.

"And he is alive." The Dark Lord titled his head to examine Severus. "I thought you were Dumbledore's little pet."

"Only on your orders, my lord," Severus said quietly.

The Dark Lord did not answer, and Pettigrew flashed him scared looks as Nagini slithered around the chair.

"Why have you returned, Severus?" the Dark Lord finally spoke, breaking the silence.

"My lord-" Snape broke off, steeling himself. "My lord, I have reason to believe Harry Potter should be left alone."

Even in his weakened state, the occupants in the room could feel the Dark Lord's powerful magic choking them. Amber eyes narrowed from behind the hood.

"And why would that be, Severus?" he hissed. "Why would I ever spare Harry Potter?"

Snape did the only thing he could to convince him. He dropped his occlumency shields and met the most powerful Dark Lord that ever lived directly in the eyes.

"My memories are yours, my lord," Snape whispered.

The effect was instantaneous. The memories flew by. The injuries littering Potter's body when Draco and the other Slytherins levitated him in…. The memory of Potter torturing itself on Dumbledore's orders… Potter's horrifying nightmare…. The scene at breakfast with Potter's submissive behavior….

The Dark Lord pulled out viciously, and Snape grabbed his head in pain. Amber eyes stared at the Potions Master with shock.

"My lord, he has been abused and manipulated," Snape said quickly, trying to persuade his lord. "We already have begun turning him-"

"I will leave him alone, Severus," the Dark Lord interrupted softly.

Both Barty and Snape looked at him in surprise.

"Thank you, my l-"

"On one condition, Severus," the Dark Lord interrupted again.

Snape waited warily, knowing there had to be a catch. There always is with the Dark Lord.

"Bring him to me."

Severus eyes widened in surprise but he bowed his head, not even bothering to argue. "As you wish, my lord."

"I will inform you when I wish to see the boy." The Dark Lord paused briefly. "My plans must be altered now that Potter is in your care." He turned to Barty. "Your position in Hogwarts is now unnecessary. But posing as Alastor Moody still proves to be useful. Remain in your position for now."

"Of course, Master," Barty murmured.

Snape stared at Barty with narrowed eyes. "You are posing as Moody?" he questioned incredulously.

Barty grinned. "Constant vigilance."

Snape smirked slightly. "I should have realized."

"Severus?"

Snape turned to face his lord, expectant.

"I will call you again soon," the Dark Lord informed him. "We have much to speak about."

Severus nodded. "I am always in your service, my lord."

Amber eyes regarded him momentarily. "Return to young Mr. Potter, Severus."

Severus got to his feet and bowed low, before quickly striding out of the room. Once he was out of the manor he exhaled in relief, knowing he could have been killed if his lord had not believed him. His eyes were still fixed on the old Riddle Manor as he disapparited.

A week had passed by with Harry in the Malfoy's care. Snape stopped by occasionally, usually for dinner, and Harry found his presence both reassuring and upsetting. To Harry's pleasant surprise, his Potions Professor rarely insulted him anymore. Despite this, Harry wouldn't dare look him in the eyes, still recalling how he could enter his memories like the Headmaster. Draco had informed him that that was called legilimency, and he needed to learn occlumency to prevent such acts.

That was another surprise to the young Gryffindor. His rival was also toning it down, and Harry almost thought they could be becoming friends. He still found the blonde insufferable and pompous, but at least he was honest and actually rather witty. They were even on first name terms, although more often than not they would resort to rude nicknames and surnames.

Draco has been updating them all on the happenings at Hogwarts, as was Snape. The official story was that Harry was taking leave due to the unexpected death of a relative. Snape had explained earlier that Dumbledore did not want the general public to know of Harry's disappearance. Dumbledore, however, was in a rage to find his missing martyr.

Harry had asked the Malfoys if he should send a letter to the Headmaster or something, and they immediately shot that down. In their eyes, the less Albus Dumbledore knew the better. Harry was still having trouble accepting that Dumbledore truly didn't care about his well-being, but he accepted that the man was not as much as a saint as he had previously believed. While he didn't see why their training was so wrong, he was beginning to understand how manipulative the man was.

Harry shifted on his comfortable king-sized bed and reached for the occlumency book on his nightstand. He had been staring at the ceiling for a few hours, thinking everything over, but his train of thought was starting to become wearing. Instead he delved into the pages of one of the many occlumency books that he had borrowed from the Malfoy library. The idea of being able to block his mind was wonderful, and he had spent hours pouring into the texts on the subject. The problem was, however, that his attempts to build up his mental defenses were futile unless a master of the arts were to train him. Draco had told him that his father practiced occlumency but was not a master in legilimency. Snape, on the other hand, was quite skilled in the art.

Harry knew that he should ask the Slytherin Head of House to assist him in learning occlumency, but the thought of the professor being in his mind was terrifying. It was hard enough that he had already seen some of his most private thoughts, more would be impossible to bear. Yet… Harry did not want to ever be defenseless again, and the man had already seen all of his deepest secrets.

He would ask the professor tonight at dinner, he decided. With that determined he leaned back on the bed and continued to research the mental arts.

Dinner came faster than he anticipated, and the Gryffindor would admit he was not thrilled to ask Snape of all people for help. Draco was sitting next to him, with Narcissa and Snape opposite them. Draco separated Harry from Lucius, who sat at the head of the table as expected. Harry was still unsure how he felt about Lucius. The man did take a vow insuring that he would cause no harm to him, but Harry was still having trouble training himself to not expect punishment for every little thing. Narcissa, however, was much easier to open up to. While in public she hid behind a cold, polite mask, she was a very compassionate and warm individual.

"So, Potter, how'd you waste away your life today?" Draco asked him, smirking.

Harry's gaze shifted to Snape for a split second, before he faced his peer. "Well, believe it or not, I was reading."

"Oh? The golden boy is turning into a Ravenclaw," Draco sneered, looking amused.

"Well what did you do today, pretty boy?" Harry retorted quickly, smirking back at him. "Stare at a mirror for a few hours, style your hair, then repeat?"

"I wouldn't expect you to understand," Draco said, running a hand through his hair lightly. "After all, it's obvious you didn't look in a mirror today."

"My beauty comes naturally, as does my quidditch skills. You would know better than anyone else, right Malfoy?" Harry retorted, grinning.

"It's not fair that you have the Potter genes," Draco told him haughtily. "It is merely an unfair advantage. And even you have to beat me in something Potter, although it is the only thing."

"Defense Against the Dark Arts," Harry reminded him.

"Potions," he retorted.

Harry's face contorted. "Yeah, I'll give you that one Drake."

Draco spluttered indignantly at that. "Drake?" he repeated in a low, deadly tone.

Laughter erupted from around the table at Draco's expression, and Harry glanced up, startled. He had forgotten in his banter with Draco that the adults were there as well. Harry froze, but was shocked to see they were all smiling and looked, dare he say it, amused.

"I had no idea the two of you were so amusing," Lucius said, smirking, as he sipped some of his champagne.

"Yes, please do not stop on our account," Snape added in, also smirking.

Harry relaxed slightly but remained silent while Draco grumbled to himself, glaring slightly at his rival. The Gryffindor ate quietly, listening to the interaction between Lucius, Severus, and Draco as they conversed over different potion experiments. Narcissa, however, was watching Harry.

"What are you thinking about Harry?" the blond witch asked him softly.

He stared at her in surprise, and the other conversation ended abruptly. They all turned to stare at him and Harry attempted to stay emotionless and calm.

"I want to take occlumency lessons," he said quietly, forcing himself to stare directly at Snape.

Snape, who had not been oblivious to the teenager's occasional glances his way, did not look surprised. "You realize this is a very demanding and strict art, do you not?"

"I'm prepared, sir," Harry told him boldly.

Snape's lips curved up ever so slightly. "I dare say you are, Potter." He regarded his student for a few more moments before nodding his consent. "Very well Mr. Potter, I shall instruct you."

Harry let out the breath he was unconsciously holding, relieved. "Thank you so much, sir," he said swiftly. "I won't make you regret it."

Snape inclined his head. "We could even start tonight if you are agreeable," he said slowly, his dark eyes unreadable.

Harry looked at him in surprise, but nodded his consent quickly. "Of course sir, thank you sir," he said quickly.

Snape raised his eyebrows. "I'm assuming you have studied literature on the subject?"

"Yes sir," Harry told him softly. "I have read 'Occlumency, the Art', 'Protecting the Mind', and I have started 'The Mental Arts'."

Snape nodded his approval. "Very good, Mr. Potter. That should be a good start."

Harry was shocked by the compliment, and nodded shakily back at the professor.

"Well, if you are done with dinner then we may retire to one of the studies," Snape suggested.

Harry nodded, and got to his feet. The Potions Master followed his movement and led his student out of the room into a nearby lounging area. Snape closed the door behind them, motioning for Harry to take a seat on one of the comfortable looking couches. When Harry did so jerkily, Snape sat across him in a chair.

Harry eyed Snape somewhat anxiously. He hadn't been alone with his professor since after the nightmare incident and the man still scared him a bit. Despite this, he was excited to learn, although he was terrified of the man entering his mind.

"I am sure in your readings you have learned about setting up a mental shield."

Harry nodded in agreement.

"Once you establish your mental shields you must also focus on clearing your mind of anything but your mental defense," Snape instructed him. "Your mental defense must also be powerful and often its strongest when emotionally based. It is different for everyone so you will have to think of the best shield for you personally."

Harry nodded, having already thought through on what his defense might be.

"Now close your eyes," Snape said briskly, "and start forming your defense in your head."

Harry shut his eyes hesitantly and started imagining a huge stone wall. It was simple, but Harry thought it would serve its purpose and offer good protection. Slowly he opened his eyes after having established a good enough mental picture.

"Your shield is ready?" Snape asked him, eyeing the Gryffindor critically. At his nod, Snape continued. "Very well, then I am going to attempt to enter your mind." When Harry stiffened, Snape sighed. "Stay relaxed Mr. Potter and concentrate on focusing on your mental defenses. Don't let your mind waver to the fear of your memories."

Harry nodded uncertainly, trying to remain composed and prepare himself.

Snape raised his wand slowly, whispering "legilimency."

Snape was pulled into Harry's mind, and was immediately greeted by the stone wall, but it did not deter the accomplished legiliems. He reached the stone wall, eyeing it critically. He scanned it until he noticed a few cracks in its form. Snape reached towards it, pushing, and Harry felt the pressure. The wall opened, and Snape was tugged into the memories.

Harry was running from dementors…. Tom Riddle was mocking Harry… His uncle was whipping him… Dumbledore was holding him under the cruciatus curse…

Snape exited his mind abruptly, horrified. He stared at Harry who was on the floor panting and would not look Snape in the eye. After a few minutes of silence Harry heaved himself back onto the couch, defiantly facing him.

"What was the memory in the chamber?" Snape finally asked, surprising Harry by not instantly lecturing him on Dumbledore. "Was that the Tom Riddle from the diary?"

Harry nodded slowly, confused by his question.

"And the first?" Snape continued. "That was in your third year?"

Harry nodded again, now glaring at Snape, daring him to comment or insult him.

"I heard you battled off the dementors, but I had no idea how many there were," Snape told him seriously. "That is very impressive." He paused, taking in Harry's shocked expression. "But moronic and foolish," he added, it attempts to lessen the compliment.

Harry was taken aback by the compliment, but smiled at the insult at the end. "Thank you, sir," he said.

There was silence for a few more moments before Snape continued his questioning. "And the third memory?" he asked softly.

"I blew up my Aunt on accident the summer before because she was insulting my parents," Harry said quietly. "He was angry."

"That behavior was inexcusable," Snape stated.

"I know. I'm sorry. I should have controlled my magic better. I know I deserved-"

"You misunderstand me," Snape intervened seriously. "I meant that your uncle's behavior was inappropriate, regardless of your actions. You by no means deserved the abuse."

"I wasn't abused," Harry told him quietly, looking away.

Snape regarded him solemnly. "What was it then, Mr. Potter?"

He didn't answer, and Snape sighed.

"You didn't move from your position and you made no sound," Snape continued, changing the subject slightly. "I take it that you were trained on how to take the beating."

Harry nodded hesitantly, his eyes unmoving from his hands on his legs.

"Was it the same with Dumbledore?"

Harry tensed, and his eyes flew up to meet Snape's.

"Did he also whip you? Or did he prefer magical means like in your last memory?"

"He was training me," Harry told him quietly, with a desperate edge to it.

"For what?" Snape asked him coldly. "For torture? For slaughter?" Harry flinched and he continued viciously. "If Dumbledore had really cared he would have taught you powerful magic and trained you to be a strong dueler." He leaned in, his eyes intense. "Mr. Potter, what he did was wrong. He is a perverse, sick, twisted bastard-"

"He was training me," Harry repeated hollowly, wrapping his arms around his torso protectively.

Snape's eyes hardened. "He was going to send you off to the Dark Lord as a teenager when he or other capable adults should instead be dealing with it." Snape gripped Harry's arm tightly, showing a rare case of concern. "He did not deserve your trust Harry. He was wrong to do what he did. Your uncle was wrong to do what he did. I was wrong to treat you in such a manner in the past."

Harry stared at the professor in shock, amazed by the use of his first name and the apology.

"Trust me, Harry, with this," he said quietly. "Even if you do not trust me in anything else, at least accept that you do not and did not deserve to be put through so much pain."

Harry was so confused. First Draco, and then Lucius, and even Snape of all people informed him that the training was wrong. It was all he had ever known, all he had ever lived for, and he couldn't believe it had all been misguided. It was a nightmare to even consider it. Yet… Harry found himself starting to believe it. He had had similar thoughts throughout the last few years when he had gotten less and less naïve. But he had trusted Dumbledore blindly, accepting the pain even if he inwardly knew it was not really for his own welfare.

Snape withdrew his hand, clearing his throat. Harry gazed at his professor, still overwhelmed with all the information.

"We can continue this lesson another time, Mr. Potter," Snape told him quietly, and Harry noticed that he reverted back to his surname. "I've given you much to think about," he added.

Harry nodded aimlessly.

"I must go." Snape stood up, eyeing his student carefully. "Keep on reading your textbooks, Mr. Potter. I'm sure you will find success in our next lesson." He turned and left the room after that, leaving Harry alone to his thoughts.

Harry sat in silence for the next hour, mulling everything over. He replayed the conversation with Snape over and over again in his mind, wondering if the professor could be right. He sat alone, lost in thought, until his scar flared with agonizing pain. Harry gripped his head and fell off the couch onto the floor, screaming.

Nearby, Severus Snape and Lucius Malfoy gripped their left arms, shocked.

They all knew one thing for certain: Lord Voldemort had risen again.

AN: My deepest apologies! I was super busy and then I had huge writer's block. Anyways, I hope you are satisfied with this chapter. The next will include a Death Eater's meeting and probably Harry's meeting with the Dark Lord! I hope all the characters were well in character, especially Snape. He uses Harry's name awfully quickly but that is primarily because of the situation. It will be clear next chapter that it'll take a while for Snape to ever use Harry's given name regularly. Anyways, I'll try to update quicker next time! I don't deserve any of your reviews but I would LOVE them anyways! Happy reading :)