Disclaimer: I still do not own Harry Potter (I'm working on it!)

A/N: It's the Christmas holidays tomorrow :D Only one day left of school and then two weeks off! So expect multiple updates a day as I have nothing better to do with my life ;)

tazzledmuch you really are an amazing person! You'll have to wait and see how Snape turns out ;) He's such a fun character to develop!

To all the people that followed and favourited, I give you my thanks :)

Anyways onwards with the story!


Got a secret

Can you keep it?

Swear this one you'll save

Better lock it in your pocket

Taking this one to the grave

If I show you then I know you

Won't tell what I said

'Cause two can keep a secret

If one of them is dead

The Pierces - Secret


"Mr Weasley? Do tell why you are wandering at this hour?" Snape's eyes were narrowed, his arms folded across his chest in an authoritative manner. Why did teenagers have to be so exasperating? Maybe when the whole battle was over he'd resign from teaching and open his own potions shop. It could be called 'Severus Snape's Brew and Bake', that sounded good, sort of. That was if Dumbledore even allowed him to leave, the man knew too much and Snape wouldn't put it past him to use some information against the potions master. Refocusing on the redhead that always seemed to be one of the main focus points if Potter got himself in trouble. Were they somehow clued into each other's actions even if they were apart? It sure seemed that way sometimes.

Ron shifted under the man's harsh gaze, not quiet comfortable with being in the spotlight. He had hoped to stay hidden, but Snape would definitely tell his mother, and then he'd be on gnome duty for the rest of the Summer. "I was looking for my dad?" He could tell instantly that Snape didn't buy it, it had sounded so convincing in his head. Bowing his head to wait for the rant that the Professor would no doubt deliver as he had so many times before in his lessons, but none came. Peeking up at the dungeon bat, Ron's shoulders slumped. "I wanted to find Harry, I've been following Hedwig but I lost her in the storm."

The Proffesor nodded in the direction of the castle, a scowl present on his face. "Your father's in the castle, tell him I sent for you to help with the search, and stay indoors!" Watching as the teen scampered off, Snape slowly shook his head. He was getting too old for this.

When Harry woke after a few unrestful hours, his whole body ached, and blood had dried around his nose from yet another nosebleed. He could try to find a nearby potions shop, but he wasn't sure exactly how they would affect the Leukaemia, and anyway that'd put him out in the open and he really didn't want that. It wouldn't be long before he could return to his true home anyway, and then he'd have an entire year before he would disappear again, maybe to a warmer place. That's if he wasn't dead by then. It was morbid to think about, but it was definitely a possibility, it always had been. Ever since he was first diagnosed it had been lurking in the shadows, just as the disease itself had been for years. Lying dormant, waiting for just the right moment to strike. At least this time he wouldn't be trapped in a hospital ward with other children that looked at him as if he was an alien, at least this time he'd have visitors. That was if Hermione and Ron even still wanted to be his friend, hopefully they would though. Stretching off his stiff limbs, he tucked into another meal of stale crackers, grateful they had at least stayed dry. Just a few more weeks and he could eat properly again. Just a few more weeks and he'd be home.

How Hedwig knew where he had taken shelter from the storm was anyone's guess, but Snape couldn't deny he was more than happy to see the owl, wherever she was, Potter couldn't be far off. She was restless, and quite intent on causing Snape as much pain as possible until he followed back out into the rain, once again subjecting himself to the chilling temperature. He would definitely be making Potter buy him ingredients for the truck load of pepper-up potions he would need after the damn search. The boy was certainly in for a lot of homework when they returned to the school, Snape would make sure of that. The other's would probably fuss over him, something Snape knew wouldn't help the situation at all. It would make Potter think that running was acceptable, which it most definitely was not. He would just have to speak to the child before anybody else could influence his beliefs, it was after all for the best.

Thunder. So loud yet so comforting. It mirrored the conflict raging inside the small thirteen year old's mind, something no one should have to go through, let alone a child. Harry would never bring someone else into his crumbling world though, not now, not after all he had seen. One slip of the tongue and someone he cared about could end up in a hospital bed, barely hanging on to life. He'd witnessed it once before, and the thought of it happening again was too much to bear. No, he'd just wait it out in silence, as he had done for years, it was the much safer option. Wiping away a tickle of blood from his frozen nostrils, he slid deeper inside his shelter, his gaze trained on the pounding rain. The call of an owl pulled him from his thoughts. Hedwig?

Why did he ever think following an owl would be a good idea? They'd been moving for at least an hour, and Snape's boots squelched uncomfortably with every step. If they didn't find the boy soon, he would definitely be frying up the bird for a campfire meal. The animal hooted, flying with more determination towards a small mountain cave. Would the boy really be hauled up in that? Lengthening his strides, the man attempted to keep in close proximity of the bird, hoping Potter was in this location. If not, he didn't know what he'd do. Shaking droplets from his hair as he reached the cave mouth, he audibly sighed, anger flashing through him at the teen in front of him, the child's face void of any emotion. "Mr Potter where in god's name have you been all this time?!"

Harry brushed away a small tear, flinching back into the rock, would Snape really hurt him? Something deep in his mind made him doubt it, a distant memory made him recall a gentle Snape, one that would never harm a child. But could he be trusted? Nobody else had ever been able to take the burden of such a harsh truth, but maybe this man was different? He certainly seemed to have a harder shell, not quite unlike Harry's own exterior. But was the interior just the same? Was he troubled as well? Though Harry couldn't quite believe it, the thought sent a surge running through his system, telling one person wouldn't hurt, right? And anyway, Snape looked far tougher than Vernon and his friends. Making up his mind, he took a deep shuddering breath. "Sir? Can you keep a secret?"


A/N: Like? Or hate? ;) Your thoughts are valued and appreciated so let me know what you think!

I know this one's also short, but it is harder to write when the characters are all over the place, so when they return to Hogwarts it should get longer.

The next chapter should be up tomorrow!

Seeya soon, nicholosaur