Stolen
Disclaimer: See chapter 1. Reviews are welcomed, flames are not.
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Chapter 8: It is Only Forever, Not long at all
Harry woke with a start. Sitting up he discovered that he was back in his bed. The teen noted that he was still in the castle and the Goblin King had made himself comfortable, resting against the bedpost, waiting.
"What happened?" a drowsy Harry asked, rubbing the grit from his eyes.
"You had what the humans call a melt-down, Harry. Something you've been needing for some time," Jareth informed him.
"Then it wasn't a dream? I didn't just dream that I summoned the. . . the. . . Oh Merlin, why am I still alive?"
Harry started to tremble again. He couldn't believe he had called up a goddess! One who could wipe him out with a thought if She was offended in any way.
Jareth sighed, snapping Harry out of his funk. "Your need was great enough for Her to act."
He stood, throwing back the blankets covering the teen. "Come. You need to eat before we return to the heart of the Labyrinth. And Harry, you did well. She was pleased with you, never doubt that."
An hour later, Harry found himself back in the Escher Room still mulling over what he had just been told.
"You have to stay here," Jareth told him, sternly. "This is where their quest ends."
"But. . . why are you doing this to them?" Harry asked.
"Both promised to protect you. Both failed, through no fault of their own because a nosy old manipulator interfered." Jareth formed a crystal and rolled it around in his hand. "That is the only reason they still have their magic. They need to realize that and understand."
"No offense but are you sure you aren't doing this for your twisted amusement? After all you are the Ultimate Game Master."
Jareth laughed as he turned towards his Throne Room and his goblins. "There is that. Oh, and Harry?" He tossed the crystal over his shoulder at the teen. "I'd rather you didn't leave here. After all, you are the prize in this game."
A stunned Harry was alone, with only his thoughts and the crystal for company. After a minute or two he decided to climb the nearest flight of stone stairs. If he had to stay here at least he was going to explore.
When Harry tired of climbing stairs he sat and wondered as he looked into the crystal. Who would win? Sirius or Snape?
They were both running the Labyrinth in a bid to be his guardian. Harry knew he really didn't need one, as he was fifteen, almost sixteen. In two years, he would be an adult. If he wanted to, he could petition to be emancipated, but felt like it would be giving up his heart's desire, a family. He knew he was too old for a guardian but still. . .
However, as Hoggle and others within the Labyrinth were fond of saying, "Nothing is as it seems, and don't take anything for granted."
He sighed and continued upward once more. At least in this game he wouldn't be turned into a goblin if both men failed to make it.
Harry made his way up into the Escher Room as high as it would allow. So much has happened this summer. He was so confused on what was happening around him.
He hadn't realized that when he had rescued that small owl under his aunt's rose bushes he would be here in the mythical realm of magic known as the Underground. Would he do it again, even with what was going on now?
Hell yes! He would.
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Severus Snape moved purposely through the Labyrinth. The worm had been right. He was heading straight for the castle on the route with the fewest turns. However, his keen mind was still trying to analyze what had transpired so far.
Albus had finally angered someone that would not put up with his excuses, or his half-truths. The old fool had been warned time and time again, adamantly refusing to listen to anyone that went against his plans.
Severus had recognized the powerful deity the moment he had spied Her. The wild magic rolling off Her could not be denied. His mother's family had been worshiping Her for centuries.
Albus had been trying for decades to eradicate the Old Ways from the Wizarding World ever since he became headmaster. It was but one of the many reasons the pure bloods were upset with him. One does not offend the Powers that gave them magic, that is if they want to stay healthy. . .and magical.
The most surprisingly eye-opening aspect to this whole situation was that the Potter brat had been so desperate to call on Her. Of all people the boy was the last he would've expected to do so. How did he even know how to do it?
And how in Merlin's name did Potter befriend someone that was supposed to be, for all intents and purposes, a myth? The Goblin King was a legend, a myth, the King of Nightmares – the Erlking of Celtic myth. He was another Being that one didn't cross. So naturally Albus had crossed both. Merlin! What a mess!
On top of that before his eyes Severus watched as years of abuse fell off the brat as She blessed him for being pure of heart. Harry James Potter was now taller, healthier, and definitely didn't look like a clone of his deceased father. The teen now looked like a perfect blend of both his parents. Severus could now see many of Lily's features in the boy.
In that moment he realized the amount of damage done to Lily's son. What he had thought was Potter being the perfect copy of his arrogant, toe-rag of a father was nothing but an illusion created in his own mind. Severus realized that for once Albus had been right, he only saw what he wanted to see in the teen. He was guilty of adding to the damage done to the brat.
He hoped Lily would forgive him. Severus knew he never could forgive himself.
Why had Albus lied? Surely he would've known. He'd kept insisting Potter was happy, being spoiled by his 'loving' family and, Merlin help him, he believed it to the point he was blind to the signs of abuse.
One thing was certain. He was going to have a long talk – a very long, over due talk with the brat.
As he entered the Goblin City, Severus couldn't believe such a place existed. The layout made no sense. Small goblins moved hurriedly about him in total chaos. It was worse than strolling into the Gryffindor dorms.
The question being – was he ready to take on the responsibility of a teenager with problems like Potter's? Wouldn't it be best to allow the mutt to win and take it on?
No! Never! His promise to Lily demanded no less than he take over the guardianship and protection of her only child.
He refused to allow that immature, canine fool to beat him at anything. Besides, Black had all the intelligence of a teaspoon and was too damaged mentally to take on an angst-filled teenager that needed careful handling.
This little jaunt had made him, the snarky 'bat of the dungeons', realize that was what Potter was – an angst-filled teenager that was abused for years, if what he witnessed during the ritual with Her was fact.
He hoped and prayed that the Goddess had a very special place for the former headmaster. One thing that the potions master hated more than Potter Sr. and the Mutt was child abuse.
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Sirius turned and where he'd just been was now a wall. Snivelous was nowhere in sight. So much for staying together – oh well, his loss.
Sirius knew that he'd failed Harry many times over, but this time would be different. He would win and regain his guardianship of Harry.
He wished he could change into Padfoot. With his magic sealed he was handicapped. Well, he did survive Azkaban after all, so he can sure as Merlin survive this. 'Wish Moony was here though.' His fellow Marauder had a keen sense of direction.
Walking the maze-like corridors was proving a bit daunting. He'd gone to Hogwarts, so he was used to changing walls, moving stairs and doors that weren't real. Magic could be tricky but also it needed to be respected.
He couldn't believe how often he had failed his godson. That he had to run this maze was very insulting. Harry was his responsibility. Why was everyone trying to keep them apart?
'Harry, I'm coming. Just hang on! Now should I turn right? Or left? Hang on, those two doors weren't there before.'
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Severus walked up the steps to the castle. His black teaching robes billowing behind. The goblins hadn't been a threat. One look at his scowl and, sensing his dark mood, they scattered out of his way like chaff on the wind. Severus smirked, the Goblin King had trained them well.
Speaking of the Goblin King, he was lounging on his throne as Severus angrily strode up the stairs toward the Fae. Frightened goblins and chickens scurried out of his way, scattering in every direction as feathers settled in their wake.
"Well, that didn't take you long," the Fae smirked as he sat up, looking at the clock. "One hour and 30 minutes. Quite the record."
"The worm was very helpful. Now then, you have someone here that I need to talk to."
"Indeed," The Goblin King said as he stood. "First we talk before you see Harry."
"What is there to talk about? I won. I now have the responsibility of a ward."
The tall, blonde fae monarch swaggered around the potions master with a smirk. "You think so? You haven't won yet. You need to go to the center of the Labyrinth where he is waiting.
"Tell me, what do you think of Harry Potter? Do you see him or his father? Do you know who he really is? Do you see his mother in him? Do you really think he is stupid or dim-witted, or do you see only what you want to see?"
Severus scowled as he found himself being weighed and judged. He hadn't liked being played the fool by Albus. Now this Being was asking the same questions he had been asking himself since entering the Labyrinth.
He turned to look the Goblin King in the eye. "I only had the information our 'esteemed' headmaster gave me. I didn't look for myself when I should have. I was a fool and saw only what he wanted me to see.
"I blindly considered the boy a thorn in my side since he entered Hogwarts. Though I have tried repeatedly to protect him, even if he did look like his thrice-damned father. But the headmaster interfered at every turn."
"Is that right?" Jareth came to stand to one side of the potions master. "And now?"
"I find myself wondering. How much of it was my own warped perception, or what the old fool manipulated me to see? I now recognize the abuse the boy has endured, once She healed him. It was always there, but no one wanted to believe their little hero's life was anything but perfect.
"I know now that he is a child desperately in need of an adult to guide him. If he'll have me, I wish to be that adult. For the sake of the promise I made to his mother, and the good of the boy himself."
Jareth stared at the potions master for a long moment with his mis-matched eyes. Severus met those eyes with a piercing gaze of his own. He had stared down two Dark Lords without flinching, this was no different.
"Follow me," The Goblin King ordered, as he turned to walk out, only to be blocked by the huddling goblins around his feet.. "Well?"
Pandemonium ensued as the small creatures scattered once more, leaving a clear path for the pair to walk out.
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Severus looked up and almost had a heart attack.
Harry was sitting on the top tier of stairs, only he was upside down as if he was really sitting on the ceiling!
Reality seemed to have been turned off in this room. For it seemed to Harry he was sitting comfortably on the floor and they were the ones staring down at him from the ceiling.
"Harry, can you come down?" The Goblin King asked, the question more of an order.
Harry stood, dusted off his leggings, walked towards a nearby flight of stairs and made his way back down to the center of the Labyrinth.
Severus, waited with bated breath, watching as the teen weaved through the topsy-turvy archways and stairs as he descended. Several times he had to stop himself from casting a spell to protect the boy as he made his way 'down' to them.
Soon the teen was standing in front of the pair. "So is it over?" He didn't look too happy to see the snarky professor.
Jareth placed a hand on Harry's shoulder. "In a way. Your godfather still has just under twelve hours left and is taking the longer way through the Labyrinth."
"How did he get here so fast?" Harry asked, refusing to look at the man who had made his life miserable at Hogwarts.
"I used my brain and listened," came the answer. "Unlike some I could name."
Harry sighed and looked at The Goblin King. "Must it be him? He hates me."
"Potter, for your information I do not hate you, I hate what you represent," Snape corrected the teen who was refusing to look at him. "I also don't like the fact that you were not held accountable for your actions at Hogwarts. Dumbledore was of the opinion that there would be time enough for 'correction' later."
Harry scowled. "No one ever listened to me, even McGonagall when I would go to her. Her advice when I did so last year was to: 'keep my mouth shut and my head down'. Not one adult has ever listened when I asked for help, until I met him." He looked over at the Goblin King.
"Harry," the Goblin King chided. "He is listening now."
The teen sighed, shrugging as he rubbed the back of his hand. Thankfully, Hilda was able to heal the scarring left from Umbridge. If he was to get along with the professor he better wave the white flag."That reminds me, sir. I didn't mean to look into your pensieve. No one was telling me anything. I was desperate. When I saw THEM in your pensieve..."
"And did you like what you saw Potter?" Severus snarled.
"Not really," Harry shook his head as if to clear it. "I asked Sirius why they did that, and he only said they were 'young and stupid'." Harry looked up into the angry professor's face. "I'm sixteen and I don't act like that. I've been bullied all my life and I would never do it to another. Ever!"
Severus flinched and gave Harry a nod of understanding before turning Jareth. "Are we done here?"
The Goblin King stepped back as he smirked. "Not yet. The other runner is still running and hasn't given up. Until then I suggest you use this time wisely."
Snape glared at The Goblin King as Harry bowed his head. It was going to be a long twelve hours.
"It's Harry," came the teen's voice breaking into the potions master's thoughts. "If we are to talk, you can at least use my name, and not insult me or my father."
Jareth smirked. "I leave you to it then. There is a runner I must check on." And disappeared in a shower of glitter.
Harry shook his head as he turned to walk back up the nearest stairs. Severus pinched his nose and took a deep sigh. Indeed, it was going to be a long day.
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A/N: We realize that not all of our stories appeal to everyone. We know that there are those that hate Snape and will spout all their logic in reviews why this is so. More power to you. We won't debate it. Snape, in canon, is an bitter hateful man. This story is AU and if you want canon stick to reading the books.
However, there are only two chapters left. What happens to Sirius is in the next chapter. Just hang in there.
Until next time. – GF and the Frau
