Disclaimer : I do absolutely not own Harry Potter and co. I merely borrowed them. Kirara is borrowed from Inuyasha.

For once, even the plot bunny isn't mine, I adopted it from bleedingstargoddess.

You can go to http/ groups. /group/ HarryxLucius. in the challenge and plotbunnies file to try to find one for you. (HarryxLucius yahoo group if the adress doesn't come out well)

Warnings : AU, people out of character all over the place... And strange sentences since I'm French.

Chapter un-betaed!

/bla/ Harry-cat's mewing

WARNING!

Near the end of the chapter, Harry will have a disturbing vision. I won't retell it in details, but it is suggestive.

The vision will be in italics and marked with /-/-/-/-/ at the beginning and the end, if you want to miss it, feel free to do so.

Severus Snape will have a slight Stark (From the TV show Farscape) moment.

Excuses : Sorry for the long wait, but it is because :

1) chapter growing way out of length, again

2) real life interference

3) I've been mobbed by plot bunnies. I'm not sure I'll have time to write them, though. If you want a description of them, mail me.

4) hesitation about whether or not putting the vision, or merely mentionning it.

So, without further ado, enjoy!

Chapter 8 – Repercussion and presents

It took a few minutes, but the three Slytherins finally shook their shock enough to be fully functional again. Their first course of action was, of course, to carefully and covertly look around them, in case somebody else had been inconscient enough to follow them in the depths of the forest and witness their discomfort.

"Where's The Brat?" Draco's enquiry brought them all to a stop as they descended from Kirara's back. They stared at each other before hurying to the edge of the forest, Draco blinking when he heard his habitually stoïc godfather swearing worse than a drunken sailor. He came out of his stupor to glance at his father who elegantly shrugged a shoulder before following his friend. He noticed his father's index, as if of its own volition, was lightly caressing his lips.

Draco cursed under his breath as he suddenly realised he was the only one left with Kirara, whose shoulders were suspiciously quavering. He abandonned all pretenses of aloofness and rushed after the adults Slytherins. He caught up with them in the gap ending in a path leading to the castle.

He sighed happily at being out of the oppressing forest, and blessed the luck which had allowed him to catch up with his father and professor before being spotted, coming out the Forbidden Forest by himself. The perfect ending for his disastrous morning would be to get a detention for going to save Harry The Brat Potter, not that he needed it, of course.

"Hagrid!" barked the Potions Master as he closed in on the gaping half giant. Fang whined, and, its tail tucked between its hind legs, seeked refuge from the enraged professor behind Hagrid's tree like legs.

"Where is the menace to society known as The Brat?"

Hagrid's mouth opened and closed, not a sound emanating from it. Fang whined. Beyond irritation, Severus Snape was now fuming with anger, which made his voice all the more deadlier. "Where did Potter went from here?" he carefully enonciated.

"To the castle, he went. Was making a weird noise, scared Fang, he did."

Snape rolled his eyes and, turning on his heels, departed to the castle's doors at a near run.

Draco blinked for a second or two before turning to his father. He was the first to voice his thoughts. "Should we go and rescue Potter?"

His father smirked. "No, but it should be fun to be witness to him being embarassed for once." They hastened after the Potions Master.

Once alone, Hagrid relaxed from the at attention position he had assumed when being interrogated by the scary Slytherin. Fang stayed a good minute hiding behind his legs to be sure that Severus Snape would not come back to torment him.

As soon as they were nearing the Slytherin part of the castle, both Malfoys had only to listen to the echoing roaring ire of the Head of Slytherin to guide them.

"Well, Severus sure has a good pair of lungs." Lucius commented as they stepped through the Slytherin dormitories' entrance.

Draco worked on refraining from snickering, but it was made all the more difficult by the scene they had stumbled upon. Severus was towering over a yawning teen-cat who had obviously been disturbed from his nap, and was rubbing his eyes with the back of his left paw.

The claws of his right one were firmly planted in the nearest of the fire couch's fabric, as were his back paws' ones.

His anger blinding him, Severus wrapped one of his long arms around Harry's waist and tugged sharply. Harry, anchored by thirteen small sharp hooks did not move an inch. Disgusted, Severus gave a last tug to no avail.

Harry, disgruntled at having his nap shortened in such a rude manner, grumbled something under his whiskers before leaning to rub his cheek against the very irate professor's chest, pushing the folds of the fabric this way and that till he was satisfied with his work. He then transferred his right paw's claws to the left shoulder of Severus Snape, allowing him to make himself comfortable on his least liked professor's chest. He then went boneless in sleep, purring, not caring at all that he was hanging half of the couch.

Severus' shoulders went even more rigid than before as he was stunned speechless by the impudence of the bane of his existence.

It was a muffled snicker which drew Draco's attention to their audience. Crabbe and Goyle were staring, mouthes agap, as the Gryffindor Golden Boy was desecrating their beloved Head of House. Seated on a sofa to the left were Blaise Zabini and Pansy Parkinson, who was hugging a cushion to her mouth to stiffle her snickering. Straining his ears, Draco listened to what Blaise was telling her. He was puzzled to hear. "Trust in his sheer dumb luck, detention for at last three months."

Pansy, having regained her cool, contered. "Stupid Gryffindor thoughtlessness. But the Headmaster won't let it last this long. One month." They nodded to each other, shook hands and placed one galleon each in an enveloppe they sealed close.

Draco shook his head. He couldn't believe his housemates were betting on Potter's detention. He morigenated himself for losing track of his surroundings and glanced back to the drama at hand in time to see his godfather marching Potter to the door by the mean of his tail, which he had clutched in his fist.

Harry was flailing his arms about, trotting to keep in step with his Potions Professor's longer steps, all the while protesting the abuse his tail was enduring.

The two blond Malfoys walked leisurely after them, curious as to where the dark haired Slytherin was taking The Brat. It wouldn't do, afterall, to have him off the Saviour of the wizzarding world in a fit of rage. They were reassured when they noticed that they were being led into the Potions Master's office. After a quick ingestion of healing potions to cure their wounds, a blood resplenishing one for Severus, and the judicious application of an anti burn cream, as well as an healing charm to Lucius' knee, they were as good as new.

All the time it took, Severus kept a tight grip on the Wandering Menace's tail to keep him near.

"We're going to the Headmaster's office Potter, and I don't want to hear a peep from you." Severus warned him.

Lucius, the corners of his lips quivering up, stopped Draco from following them further. "Don't bother. Go and get some sleep, you must be exhausted after this trek. I'll make Severus tell us anything, anyway. I'm going to excuse you from your morning classes, and get a little bit of sleep myself. I'll come and wake you up in time to eat."

Draco nodded gratefully to his father and made a hasty retreat to his bed. He succumbed to the call of sleep with a smile on his lips, and the image of Severus dragging Potter along by his tail.

Severus and his reluctant charge had reached the gargoyle guarding the Headmaster's office without encountering anybody, which relieved Severus a lot. He was already dreading having to explain the situation to biased students while they were attacking him from all sides attempting to rescue their precious boy wonder.

With a last shiver at the scenarii his over active imagination was suggesting him, Severus outglared the stubborn stone guardian. Once they had stepped on the revolving stairs, Severus released the Menace's tail. He made sure that Harry was in front of him and maintained him there by a hand on his shoulder.

The boy-turned-cat protested but quickly clutched his abused tail between his paws and proceeded to lick flat the disturbance Severus' tight grip had let on his fur.

Severus sneered at him behind his back. Harry continued to cheerfully ignore him. 'I must be mad. That's the only logical explanation I can find. Why else would I be going to propose to house The Brat in my own quarters?' his thoughts took a tangeant. 'Maybe the Dark Lord will agree to my retirement on the base of insanity?' He slapped the hand not holding the primping menace's shoulder on his face. 'He will bring me to an early grave!' He glared at the oblivious teen's back.

They were greeted upon entrance by a twinkling eyed Headmaster who offered them tea. Snape refused for them both, seeing as Harry had went to sat in front of the fire for a full primping session.

Severus began to explain the situation to the Headmaster with a lot of gesticulations, enhanced by his robes. Harry watched him, entranced. He discreetly bat at the pirouetting robes each time his professor's pacing brought him near the fire.

Like a good procuror, Severus detailed each and every offense Harry had commited in all his scholar career, year by year as a prologue. He then moved on Harry's greatest offense yet. Dumbledore was impressed, and couldn't help to think that Severus would make a great Shakespearian actor.

Half way through his rant, Harry lost interest and went to pounce on a sun ray reflected by the many shining knicknacks the Headmaster had accumulated through the years.

Severus ended his indictment of Harry by informing Albus Dumbledore of Potter's new housing arrangements.

Harry was sulking; Dumbledore, in his humblest opinion, had relented a tad too readily to his professor's wishes, and so Harry's move has been decided. Tonight he would sleep for the first time in Severus Snape's guest bedroom. Dobby had been sent to retrieve Harry's trunk and belongings from Gryffindor's tower and to bring them to his new room.

The only concern the Headmaster had and voiced was that a special ward be put on Harry's door, so that nobody could gain entrance should Harry not allow it. The rumors that could arose got all the blame, as if Severus would condescend to touch The Brat in such an inappropriate maner! First, he had no wish to ever visit Azkaban again, thank you very much. He may not be a nice man, but a child molester he was not. And secondly, it was Harry bloody Potter, for Merlin's sake!

As if sensing what his employee was thinking, Dumbledore, his eyes twinkling like mad, added "Well, I'm sure you are irreproachable, but you know how rumours go. If I remember correctly, in your last years, there was one stating that you were in an happy relationship with James Potter, and that he had to win a duel against professor Slughorn for the right of courting you!"

Harry, who had abandonned his game as the sun had been covered by some cloud, had instead focussed on his Slytherin's facial expressions. They had ranged from righteous anger (as he related Harry's last stunt) to total fury intertwined with loathing as Albus had evoked the possibility of the world at large thinking that the stern man would touch Harry in such a manner.

All this had faded into a look of unmistakable horror and incredulity, complete with gaping mouth, when the Head of the Pride, no the Headmaster, Harry corrected himself as he blinked at the new surname his subconscient decided to bestowed on the old professor, mentionned that particular rumour.

The Headmaster waited patiently for the immobile man to come back to his senses as he sipped his tea and entertained both Harry and himself by producing coloured sparks from the tip of his wand for Harry to bat at.

They both turned to look at the Potions Master when they heard him splutter. Dumbledore put his wand on his desk and steepled his hands as he peered at the flustered man who didn't seemed to know what emotion to settle on.

Scorn at such a ridiculous rumor, horror and disgust that Albus found it worth remembering, really, him and Potter senior, who would believe it... and something he couldn't quite identify.

With an inarticulate growl, Severus grabbed Harry's wrist and made a diplomatic retreat lest he forget himself and murdered his employer.

Dumbledore chuckled as the door to his office slammed. For a man of such intelligence, Severus Snape was deceptively easy to rile up. All you had to do was mention James Potter, and off he went...

Harry was running to keep in pace with his Severus, who was nearly running himself, as if the more distance he could put with the frightening conversation he had with the Headmaster, the earliest he would forget it. Harry had taken to made a little jump and let Severus' tug carry him farther ahead before touching floor again from time to time. He eyed the incoming stairs with excitement. Just as the Potions Master's long legs were descending the stairs two by two, Harry reached the top landing. He carefully put enough strength in his jump and leapt. 'Weeeeeeeee! I'm flying like a kite! Now, how could I guile him into doing it again?'

His plotting came to an abrupt halt as the tip of his paws made contact again with the ground, unbalancing him and sending him to crash into his professor. Wincing, he closed his eyes tightly, waiting for the verbal abuse to begin. But his Severus surprised him by manhandling him instead in front of him and covering the delicate furry ears with both large hands. Harry opened his eyes a sliver and noticed an amused looking Lucius Malfoy to the side. He groaned when Lucius glanced at the stairs before looking back at him again. 'Damn! Why did the Death Eater had to witness this? I'm never going to hear the end of it!'

Severus must have spoken a password because the portion of wall before them grinded back, allowing them entrance into the Potions Master's quarters. Severus moved his warm hands from the boy-turned-cat's ears to his shoulders and marched him into the sitting room of his quarters.

Harry stopped dead in his tracks as he caught a sniff of his new obsession. He squirmed around the hands weighing on his shoulders, trying to guide him into a precise direction. He even batted at the air in the direction of a smug Lucius, all the while emitting small mewls of excitement, to Severus' utter puzzlement.

They went into a little procession through the sour man's quarters, Severus keeping a good grip onto a reluctant and pouting Cat-Who-Lived's jacket to avoid him jumping on Lucius who was trailing behind, smirking at something only him seemed to know and delighting in this.

"So, Severus, why were you so in a hurry to bring Potter to your quarters that he felt necessary to do a fairly good imitation of a flying kitten to follow with you?"

Severus nailed him with The Ultimate Death Glare. Lucius smirked but desisted with his questioning. He had known Severus for long enough to know when to give the man a little peace.

They had arrived to Harry's new room, and Severus stopped, wondering how he would managed to make the boy enter without hurting him, with all the flailing around he was doing.

Lucius stepped to the rescue. He fished something from the inner pocket of his robes. "I ordered an Elf to make this. It should make all of our lives easier. Let him go when I tell you."

Severus, for lack of a better solution, nodded. Bearing a superior smirk, Lucius waved the object nestled in his fist around. Harry followed with great attention Lucius' movements, his head jerking left and right in pursuit of Lucius' fist. His mewls began to turn imperative. With a last twist of his wrist, Lucius threw the mysterious content of his fist inside Harry's room.

The dark haired Slytherin was astounded to see Harry wrenching himself from his grasp in his haste to enter his room. Blinking, he peered inside of the room to be confronted with the sight of his student rolling on the floor of his room, something small and brown clutched between his paws while his hind paws were scrambling madly. Shuddering, Severus wasted no time in closing the door firmly. He sighed when the wards hummed to life.

He goggled at Lucius for a good five minutes before finding his voice. "What was that, Lucius, that had The Brat's tail in a twist?"

Lucius added a touch of evilness in his smirk. "Why, Severus, curious? Don't worry, it is nothing dangerous. Just a customised cat toy." He rolled his eyes when Severus frowned at him. "Just a leather mouse stuffed with catnip, I swear on my magic, it's nothing else!"

Severus turned on his heels with a suspicious snort. To whirl right back when Lucius muttered "mother hen". He pointed his wand right between Lucius' eyes and grounded between his teeth, his eyes flashing death. "What?"

"Moisten. I need to moisten my face with hot water before I shave or I'll irritate my skin."

"Whatever."

Lucius waited for Severus to have left to the bathroom before he sighed loudly. He slumped against the wall. 'That was a little too close for comfort. But how could I guess that he would react so strongly? No taunting on this subject then. But it will bear further investigation.' Lucius straightened himself and went to knock at the bathroom door. "I'm going to see to my personnal hygiene. I'll join you in the Great Hall for beakfast. Oh, and don't wait for Potter, a little bird told me that it is highly improbable that he should join us at all today." He left without waiting for an answer.

After a hot shower and a shave, Severus felt human again. Enough, at least, to swoop on late students and scare them half out of their wits. That reassured him. Dealing with Potter hadn't softened him up at all. With a new spring in his step, he made his way towards his seat. He even afforded himself to sneer in the Gryffindor table's direction, enjoying the reactions he got in response.

Severus' monday morning was peaceful. No Harry Potter to annoy him with his existence. Neville-I-should-never-be-allowed-near-a-cauldron-even-empty Longbottom was letting the know-it-all Granger do all the work, so no risk of explosion. His only regret was that Draco beeing absent, he couldn't flaunt his excellency at potion in the Gryffindor's face. Well, a man had to take his pleasure where he could, and even him, Potions Master extraordinaire, couldn't always obtain what he wanted.

Back in his quarters at the end of the day, Severus knocked on The Brat's door. Draco had joined the student populace for lunch, ready to bask in his housemates' admiration for his heroïc participation in Potter's "sauvetage", all the while sending superior smirks to a baffled Gryffindor table's direction, revelling in knowing something they ignored concerning their Golden Boy.

Nobody had seen neither tail nor whisker of the Cat-Who-Lived all day.

Irritated by The Brat's lack of answer, Severus banged against the door and decided to taunt him into opening the door. "Still alive in there, Potter? I wouldn't want your corpse stinckening my quarters. It's time to go to dinner, don't you want to reassure your adoring fans that I don't have you chained to the wall or dissected to use as potions ingredients?"

He was nearly smacked into the face when the door opened. Seeing him, Harry squealed and instantly squatted down to bat at the hem of his robes. Counting to ten slowly in his head in all the languages he had mastered, Severus took the opportunity to look into Potter's room. It was a total war zone. The covers, as well as the sheets, had been bunched in the middle of the bed around the pillows, leaving the matress bare and forming a comfortable nest. The trunk had been knocked down on its side, its contents strewn across the floor. A sock had even landed on the candle placed on the nightstand. Potter's schoolbooks were peeking from under a shirt big enough to fit Hagrid, at least in Severus' opinion.

Being such a net freak, Severus was beyond horrified. He bent to grab Harry under the armpits to bring him to eye level. "I will not tolerate such untidiness in my quarters. You will not turn my quarters into a pig's den. You will not go to dinner till everything is in its rightfull place. Do you understand?"

Harry glared while his stomach grumbled.

Severus decided to bring the big guns in. "Do it or I'll confiscate your catnip mouse."

Harry gaped at him and squirmed to be let go. Once on the floor, he turned to face his room. With a simple wave of his hand, the trunk set itself on its foot, the clothing folding itself and landing in perfect order inside of it. The books climbed along the desk's legs and piled themselves perfectly. The parchments ordered themselves by subject and the inkwell settled near with a quill, ready for use.

Harry turned towards his bed and waved his hand. The pillows went back to the head of the bed, the sheets and covers smoothering themselves. Harry smirked smugly, the times he had spent at the Burrow helping Mrs Weasley in her house chores had been put to good use.

He frowned as he remembered his professor's menace and mewled "accio". A small brown object flew in Harry's direction. He craddled it protectively between his paws and his chest, glaring at his Potions professor, and carefully edging his way around the looming silhouette near his doorstep.

Severus recited his new mantra of 'Must. Not. Kill. The. Boy.' a few time, adding 'too bad I can't even hurt him a little. Ah well, there is always the detentions and point taking. At least he is considerate enough to give me a few excuses to take some points off…'

"Potter" he sighed, "could you skip the theatrics, please? Let go of the damn toy and go to dinner. I'd like to have some food left, if you don't mind."

Harry shook his head negatively, squeezing the toy harder against his chest. He took a small sniff of it and smiled beatifically.

Severus was quickly approaching the last border of his patience. "Potter, enough is enough!" He whipped his wand. "Accio cat toy!"

The little mouse extracted itself from Harry's grasp and flew towards the professor. Just as he was getting ready to catch it, Harry jumped and grabbed it back, twirling around his professor gracefully like a torero evading a charging beast.

Aggravated, Severus followed him out of the room at a more sedate pace. He tried again. "Potter! Aren't you too old to bring your toys to dinner?"

Harry turned to face him, eyes tearing up and lower lip quivering in a pout. /But Lucius gave it to me/ he pleaded.

Severus stared hard in disbelief and Harry took that as his cue to disappear to dinner, grinning.

"What was that?" wondered Severus. A thought occurred to him. "The little pest! He made me forgot that he is not supposed to roam the halls by himself! Wait till I find him!"

The fuming Potions Master hastened to dinner, looking for the brat wonder along the way. Harry, conscient of the state his professor was in, had decided not to push his luck and had ran directly to the Great Hall. The smell of food luring him in with equal force as the want to made himself scarce for a while. No need to aggravate his case, after all.

Severus strode in the Hall, his robes billowing angrily behind him. His first glance was to look for Harry. Seeing his mop of hair poking from behind the taller frame of the youngest Weasley boy, the dark Slytherin took his place at the Head table, near a smug Lucius.

Lucius looked into Severus' dark eyes before glancing in The Brat's direction. Again and again he continued until Severus got his drift and looked for himself. His glare sent the Weasley boy recoiling on the bench, giving him an unobstructed view of Harry Potter, munching on small bites of steak, mewling something between each mouthfull.

Severus groaned when he noticed the mouse's brown and round leather nose peeking from the breast poket of Harry's vest. He wanted to groaned anew when he noticed the amused looks the Granger Know-it-all was giving an oblivious Harry. No doubt she had recognised the toy for what it was, being used to deal with her bad tempered excuse for a cat. She was probably the one to place it in the pocket too. 'At least it won't be dirtied' a part of the Potions Master's brain thought appropriate to tell the rest of his brain.

He scowled when he spied Draco sneaking on the occupied teen-cat, one furry ear swivelling in the blonde's direction the only parcel of attention Harry deigned to divert from his meal for Draco. The Potions professor noticed, in passing, that The Brat had stopped mewling between each bites and seemed to blush a little, though it was hard to tell with those whiskers. He went on dividing his attention between the food and the confrontation he could see looming as the Weasley boy began to redden and stand up.

"Relax, weasel, I'm just here to remind to your friend, here, that he is not permitted to walk on his own anymore. He now has to wait for either myself, professor Snape or my father. Unless you want to aggravate your case, scar head?" He let the sentence trail as he did a double take when he noticed the mouse. "By the way, I like the new attachment, Potter."

Harry's entire head whipped towards the blond Slytherin, his lips pulled back to reveal menacing tooth, which bore a very good resemblance to fangs. His eyes darkened and narrowed, shooting an entire gunsmith's stock at the slight blond.

Draco held both his hands, palms up, towards the hissing teen. "Relax, I'm just making conversation. Where did you get it?" His charming smile looked a bit strained.

He had apparently said the right thing because Harry stopped hissing. He grinned innocently.

/Why, Ferret boy, your father gave it to me./

Draco hid his shock by blinking rapidly several times. "How…nice of him."

/Yes, I thought so too./ Harry was warming up to the subject, his mewling gaining in speed./He had it customised especially for me, too. He even ordered his Elf to make it for me/ He lifted his shoulder to bring his new treasure into biting range to lift it out of his pocket. He then delicately settled it, almost lovingly, on a clean spot of the table. He proudly showed it off.

/It's all leather, and not too thin, too! And it's soft! It is self repairing, so I can nibble on it all I want, too! And it's stuffed with catnip/

Draco nodded, appearing impressed. 'I bet Father did it for the sake of his favourite pants.'

Harry sudenly turned to glare suspiciously at Draco. /You're not going to steal it, are you/

"In front of the whole school and my father? Even I am not that stupid, Potter."

They were interrupted by a sudden howl. Harry flattened his ears against his skull.

"What! You accepted a gift from Malfoy! Are you mad, Harry! It could be a portkey to get you to You-Know-Who!" Ron Volcano Weasley had erupted. Draco wondered idly if maybe his grades would improve should he be kept in a constant state of angerness. He came back to awareness just in time to notice Weasley advance his hand to try and take Harry's mouse away.

Harry swated the offending hand away, all claws out. Ron screamed, falling to the floor and clutched at his bleeding hand.

"Harry, why did you do that for?" he wailed.

/My mouse, mine/ Harry warned him, snarling, tail whipping left and right.

Hermione quikly went to her fallen friend and helped him to stand. "Ron, you should have those looked at, they are pretty deep scratches! Really, you should know better than to try and take Harry's mouse. Cats don't like thieves…" The rest of her speech was muffled as they stepped out of the Great Hall to go to the infirmary.

Draco smirked. 'I can't wait to see their reaction when they are told that Potter must now room with Snape!'

He slowly and carefully neared the irate teen-cat, and made a show to pick the leather mouse up, shivering slightly under the close scrutiny he was under. He kept the toy on his open palm, being careful to let Harry see it at all time, and slipped it into Harry's breast pocket. He patted the slight bulge. "There, all safe. Niow, how about a game of chess before I fill you in on the lessons you missed?"

Harry nodded and bounded after him, his tail flicking leisurely behind him, outburst forgotten for now. He paid absolutely no mind to all the stares trying to burn a hole in his skull, or his befuddled friends trying to make head or tail of his behaviour.

Both students were so engrossed into their transfigurations revisions that they did not, at first, notice Severus' presence. It was only when he reached over Harry's shoulder that they realised he was with them. Harry gave a little squeal of surprise and jumped on the table, squatting low and scattering their books and parchments. He settled on an half snarl, his tail moving left and right with the regularity of a metronome.

Severus' only sign of interest was a raised eyebrow as he turned the object in his hands to observ it from all angles. "What is this thing supposed to be?"

Draco shrugged as Harry jumped lightly from the table and, putting his chair back on its feet, sat in it. Draco fianlly commented "I have absolutely no idea. A cross between a cup and an inkwell, I'd say. Potter's slight linguistic problem is interfering with the results."

The eyebrow climbed a few more degrees towards its proprietor's hairline. "And what was it originally?"

"A quill."

The eyebrow hesitated between 'you're joking' and 'I'm surprised and a tiny bit impressed.' "Yes, I see how that could be a problem. I'll add it to the list of Potter's oddities. For now, it's time to go back to your common room, Draco."

Draco nodded obediently and gathered his school belongings. He walked to the door. Just before going out, he turned back to the two people left in the room. "Potter, would you agree to join the Slytherins' study groups in Transfiguration and Charms, and tutor us in DADA?"

/But given the reputation of your study groups, the only subject I would be good enough in to join is DADA.../

"You need to give yourself more credit, Potter. You could be quite good if you applied yourself, and didn't let Granger do all the work."

And that was then that Harry Potter surprised both Slytherins, for the second time this day.

/And what would I get in exchange/

Draco raised an eyebrow while Snape, who had more experience, covered his surprise with a much practiced frown. 'It seems like an anathema, hearing those words coming from Potter's mouth...' the traitorous part of his brain commented.

Draco finally answered. "Name your price." He was waiting for an answer like 'leave my friends alone' or 'stop sabotaging my potions'. For those, he was prepared. But it seemed to be a day of surprises for the two Slytherins.

/Tutoring./

"In?"

/Potions. Politics. Wizzarding history and customs. The whole shebbang./

"Alright, Potter, we'll devise a schedule tomorrow, if you're still alive, that is." Draco winked at Harry, nodded at Snape and closed the door softly.

"He'll inform the Slytherins. Go to your room. The candles are charmed to extinguish themselves at ten."

Left alone, Severus settled himself comfortably in his favourite armchair with a stiff drink, his eyes never leaving the strange and tormented object that had began its life as a quill. Time passed, but the transfiguration hold.

He had just eased himself into a light doze, precursor to a deeper sleep when he was suddenly woken up by a scream, soon followed by another, an another, which could have been just an echo... It was hard to tell as they seemed to be just an uninterrupted one. Severus shivered in the dimly lit room, goosebump raiding his body while he tried to reassemble his scattered thoughts, his heartbeat resounding in his ears, drowning the sudden and deafening silence.

Gathering his scattered wits, he gradually came to recognise his surroundings. He had fallen asleep, again, in his armchair. Had he been the one to scream like that? He couldn't remember having a nightmare though. And his experience in the Death Eater fold had ensured that he had planty of folder for real looking nightmares, which he always made a point to remember, as he felt that was part of his penance.

He was beginning to master his reflexive fonctions again, and he understood that he couldn't have been the one to scream as his throat didn't felt as is it had been scrapped raw by sandpaper.

He nearly jump out of his skin at Potter's sudden apparation. The boy had tears flowing down his cheeks and was running towards his professor's chambers. He could only stare unblinkingly as Potter skiddered to a halt and turned towards him, ear first.

For a few seconds, he stared at a stunned Severus before rushing to jump on his Slytherin's lap. Without losing any time, he slid his paws back and forth along his professor's arms and chest, as if to reassure himself of Severus' corporal reality. Once satisfied that this was no illusion, he locked his arms behind the professor and hid his face in his neck, furry ears tickling the professor's jaw.

Severus was taking a deep breath, ready to push the irritation-made-boy to the floor the hardest he could but the feeling of a growing dampness just below the collar of his shirt detained his hands.

He grabbed the boy by his shaking shoulders and pulled him away enough to look at him. He winced at the wet patch adorning his shirt. The Brat continued on crying, sniffling to avoid letting his nose run. Harry's breath was hitching and he was whispering /alright, you're alright/ between great gulps of air and new sobs while clinging to his professor.

Seeing him in no way able to speak, and not wanting to wait till the boy was calm enough to speak rationally, Severus decided to resort to Legilimency.

The scene he suddenly found himself visioning rendered him nauseous.

/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

The Dark Lord was standing in front of his followers, torturing two muggles.

The first one he boiled alive, the second he made her heart explode in her chest.

Once the bodies had stop jerking he turned towards the Death Eaters with a wide grin.

"And that is how all muggles should be treated, my Death Eaters. At least the useless ones. They do put a good show while dying, don't you think?"

The smarming crowd agreed noisily.

Voldemort stepped finally away from the mangle remains of his lastest preys and signalled for two bulking masked wizzards, that Severus identified as Crabbe and Goyle seniors with ease, to dispose of the bodies.

They incinerated them with glee.

Voldemort smirked chillingly. Severus felt like ice had been poured down his back. He knew what this special smirk meant. The Dark Lord was very pleased with himself, and more by the turn the event will take in a few seconds.

He thundered "Bring the traitor forth, let us play with him a bit."

Four men entered, a single emaciated chained up form being levitated between them. From the state the man was in, it was certainly not the first time he had been 'played' with, but he still held his head high proudly as he defied his torturers with his glare.

Voldemort glided to him and cupped the naked man's cheek with mock affection. His eyes swept over the bleeding scratches and the darkening bruises with delight.

"Lower your eyes, traitor!"

The man's glare only intensified in response.

Vodemort punched him in the jaw, sending him sprawling to the floor. He looked down on the captive.

"Finally in your rightful place. I'll leave you one more chance, my stubborn traitor. Where are the Order's headquarters? Where is Potter?"

Severus Snape stared mutely at the ceiling.

Voldemort cackled with pleasure. "That's what I like about you, my stubborn traitor." He turned to the men who were eyeing the sprawled man with lust shining from their eyes.

"He is yours to play with, but remember, don't hurt him too much, he provides such delicious untertainment." He bent to whisper in the prostrated man's ear. "I will see you broken, my proud traitor. I can still give the counter-order if you start speaking now. You would be healed and feed. Of course, you'll still have to pay for your treachery. Malfoy and the others have so much fun with you, I think it only fitting to reward my faithful followers. You do make a superb courtisane. Malfoy has already volunteered to properly train you…" He trailed, waiting for an answer, which never came. The glaring Potions Master only spat in his face.

Voldemort growled and stepped back, letting the circle of his minions closed in on the chained man. But, no matter how many men forced themselves on him, hit or hexed him, Severus Snape never screamed, plead or begged. And that angered the Dark Lord greatly.

Voldemort stopped the proceedings with a wave of his hand. He circled the bleeding and panting man slowly.

"How many times will we have to do that again, Severus? Stop being so Gryffindorish, it doesn't suit you. Last chance before Malfoy's training, Severus, and don't think this to be an empty threat. Where is Potter? Where are your sons?"

Still no answer.

"Well, seeing as brutal force left you indifferent, we will try another form of torture. Perhaps that a life of degradation and shame will do the trick. Lucius, take him away. I'll visit you in a fortnight to see what progress you'll have accomplish."

Smirking excitedly and leering at Severus, Lucius bowed deeply in front of his Master before portkeying the shivering captive away.

/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

Severus reared back from the vision. He now understood what had Potter so frazzled.

He blinked to try and dispel the last fragment of the vision, shuddering with disgust. He knew that Voldemort was evil, but that… went far beyond what he could have imagined. And Lucius had been so eager to hurt and defile him… His mind went back to the detail that invalidated all the vision. The detail that didn't fit.

"Potter?" Severus was very proud of the fact that his voice didn't crack or wavered. 'Of course it's only one word. Let's try for a complete sentence before we congratulate ourself, hum?' his mind reminded him. Severus was glad to welcome his sarcastic side back.

'Now, next topic in order. Shake the damn brat off, pour a dreamless sleep draught down his throat, tuck him so tight that he won't be able to stand up alone, and off to enjoy my hard-earned rest I am.' Severus nodded decisively, pleased with his decision.

He sighed as he lowered his gaze to the teenager who was currently clinging to his chest like a mussel to its rock.

"Potter, let go of me!"

Harry shook his head in denegation and tightened his grip. /No, you'll disappear/

"Potter, don't you understand? This was a fake vision!" He enunciated the following words slowly, articulating carefully. "I. Do. Not. Have. Children."

Misted green eyes peered at him owlishly. /You sure/ he mewled.

"I think I would remember it if it was the case, Potter. Now release me and go back to sleep."

Harry didn't move.

"Potter, before you were merely annoying. Now you are bordering on hurting me. Stop molesting me ! Let. Me. Go. At. Once!"

Potter yawned and rubbed his cheek on his professor's chest. / Safe./ he mumbled at least.

'Must. Not. Kill. The. Brat' had became the professor's new mantra. Seeing as he was not sure he could dislodge the Annoyance-Made-Flesh before morning without suffering great damage due to the boy's claws; and longing for the comfort of his warm bed, Severus came to a conclusion. It was not a very good idea, and Severus was sure he would regret it come morning, but it was all he could think of at this time of the night.

He shook Potter's shoulder. "Potter, we can't sleep here."

Harry sprung up, his eyes holding a touch of panic. /Now, you'll disappear/

"Potter, stop being childish! I will certainly not disappear. However, I am under no delusion that you will let me go to bed any time this night, so, to appease your little Gryffindorish mind, I will, and for tonight only, let you share my bed."

Harry reran his professor's sentence in his head to be sure he had caught and understand all of it.

"So, tonight, and tonight only" he stressed the last word, "you will share my bed as I can't be bothered to shake you off. Though I warn you now, any snoring or cuddling will get you thrown out faster than you can spell 'disapparate'. Am I clear enough for your miniscule brain?"

Harry nodded and got up, taking great care to keep an hand on his professor at all times. He meekly followed his professor, still rattled by his vision.

In the bedroom, Severus pointed to a side of his bed. "Your side." He pointed to the other "My side."

He glared at Harry. "My side, your side. My side, your side. My side, your side. Do not trespass."

Harry nodded sagely.

Snape sighed and snapped. "Well, what are you waiting for? Get into bed!" he ordered.

Harry scrambled to obey. Once settled, he felt a warming charm taking effect. Tired, he yawned but struggled to keep his eyes open. As soon as his professor was settled, with much grumbling, he scurried the nearest he could to the middle of the bed.

Severus woke up at dawn, a purring brat curled on his chest as if he was a pillow. He briefly toyed with the idea of expelling The Brat from his bed, but fatigue won and he shrugged and went back to sleep.

'I could get used to that.' Was his last coherent thought before he sank into deep sleep once again, a man voice's murmuring "I am so proud of you, Severus Snape" in his ear. Severus felt his heart warming in his chest.

In a burned down mansion, on a miraculously intact portion of wall, a tall mirror blinked with light thrice before disappearing.

Its reapparition on a stone wall went unnoticed by the two silhouettes curled under the covers.