A/N:- It's been pretty long since I updated...sorry.

Warning for the Chapter: None.

DISCLAIMER:- I don't own anything from the Harry Potter world.


The Light In The Darkness

Nine

The next morning Harry was furiously embarrassed. He wasn't sure why at first. But he knew that he wasn't in a good mood when he dressed angrily, nearly tearing his shirt.

When he went to the mirror to wash his face, he saw faded tear-tracks. He instantly remembered what had happened last night-Snape had seen him crying and had tried to offer him comfort or something like that. Why was his life so humiliating?

How could he face the man today after what had happened? Harry screwed up his face and tried not to think about it. His luck was the worst in the world; it was only better to get used to it as quickly as possible.

When Harry was ready, he hesitated a little, wondering if he was allowed to step out of the room. Then, on an impulse, he opened the door and made his way to the dining room.

He went up to his seat and sat on it, determinedly. Snape was not the boss of him and it was his right to have food. Not that Snape had withheld that from him...yet.

When Snape saw him, he looked faintly surprised.

"Up early, I see,"

Harry ignored this greeting. "I'll be up in my room the whole day today-can I have some breakfast?"

"You have breakfast everyday, Potter. And you need it too, seeing that you look as if a little wind could knock you away."

Harry's temper rose. "Why do you need to insult me on the smallest thing?"

"Oh, forgive me, Potter, for stating my concerns about your health," Snape said, suddenly looking angry. He walked out of the room without another word.

Concerns? Ha! Harry was not buying the bat's excuses to torment him.

Soon, Snape came back, bringing him some food-a glass of milk, porridge, and some buttered toast.

Harry ate quietly, trying not to keep too much eye contact. Snape made it easy-he didn't stay in the room and when he came back in, Harry had already finished.

He took the plates away and Harry was glad, if a little disheartened, by the little talk. He went up to his room and closed the door. He took out his school books and started to read. Now, if all of the summer passed peacefully like this, Harry would be able to go to school and say that he'd survived the summer with Snape.

Should he tell anyone? Why should he? Ron and Hermione hadn't even sent him any letters. Obviously they'd forgotten all about him. Well, whatever, as if he cared!

He did care. A little.

No, he cared a lot.

Sighing, Harry turned the pages of his book resolutely. If they didn't find him worthy enough to talk to, then Harry didn't either.

...

Harry contemplated on life with Snape. It had taken him quite a while to honestly decide if it was awful, so-so, or wonderful. It wasn't wonderful, not at all, but Harry had to admit that it was marginally better than th Dursleys.

It wasnt awful awful. Bearable. His stay with Snape was decidely so-so, not too good, not too bad.

But Snape was so mean to him sometimes. Well, Harry was used to that. But not just sneering mean, the vindictive, malevolent type. Harry didn't know what he had done to deserve such hate; his father and Snape had been enemies, true, but surely Snape couldn't hate him so much just because of that?

Harry knew that Snape was in a foul mood. He had seen that on his way downstairs for water. The man had been at his desk, working as usual. It seemed that he had talked to somebody and was not happy with the conversation. Harry wondered who he had spoken to.

When Harry had edged past Snape quietly, the man had looked up instantly and had demanded what mischief he was up to this time, and whether he was looking for another punishment.

Harry had been surprised and insolently answered that he was just having a drink, if it was allowed. Snape had told him to go away and let him work in peace.

Harry was happy enough to do that. But he knew that it would be suicide to antagonise Snape when he was in such a temper. Seeing the man's old-fashioned and strict methods, he would probably be lying on his stomach for the whole summer.

Harry shuddered.

...

Harry began to feel awfully depressed all shut up in the room. Sighing, he stared out of the window, wondering what Ron and Hermione were up to and whether they had spared him a few thoughts at all this summer. If not Hermione, then Ron. Hermione probably lived somewhere in the Muggle world; it would be harder for her to get an owl. But Ron lived in a large wizard family-he could borrow a owl, couldn't he?

One thought was poisoning Harry's mind right now-he wanted to run away. He wanted to escape this house and run away to Ron's house like his red-haired friend had promised.

If Ron wanted him there.

Should he run away?

It would be easy. He just needed to slip out of the door, grab his stuff, and run for his life...

Harry sighed and, suddenly annoyed, looked for his wand. He reached under his bed, where he kept all of his belongings.

He could only see his trunk, with all of his books and assignments. Where was his broomstick? Harry began to panic. He pulled his trunk out and searched it thoroughly. His wand and broomstick were missing!

Harry flushed angrily. Had Snape taken his stuff? How dare he!

Standing up, he walked to the door, hoping Snape hadn't done anything to his broom or wand. Or Hedwig.

Heading downstairs, he saw Snape working. He walked up to him, frowning.

"Do you know where Hedwig is?"

"Excuse me?"

"Did you take Hedwig?"

"What is Hedwig?"

"She's my owl!" Harry replied, hotly.

"Manners, Potter," Snape glared at him, dark eye-brows raised. "Your owl is on the study table, of course," He pointed to another table some distance away. Harry looked at Hedwig foolishly. She was eating some food but she looked disgruntled and lonely. Her cage was shining.

"I fed it, since you seemed to have forgotten about it," Snape sneered, returning back to his work.

"It's a her," Harry mumbled, but Snape appeared not to have heard.

"And my broomstick?"

Snape looked annoyed and a flash of anger glinted in his dark eyes. But Harry had a feeling that it wasn't just for being interrupted again.

"Do you wish to fly in the house?" Snape asked snidely.

"No! But its mine, I need it,"

"I have kept it in your wardrobe for safe-keeping," Snape said. "You cannot leave a broomstick under the bed like that,"

"Okay, fine," Harry was getting a little annoyed. "And my wand?"

There was a little pause.

"I have it," Snape said, coolly. "Why?"

"What?" Harry's eyes were wide. "Why do you have it?"

"You are not allowed to use magic out of school, Potter," Snape snapped, now truly looking disturbed. "Will you leave me in peace?"

"I want my wand back! It's mine!"

"I see no reason why you need it. I will return it to you when the semester starts," Snape looked as if he was going to stand up.

"I can keep it for safe-keeping with myself. You have no right to rifle through my stuff-"

"Excuse me?" Snape had stood up now. Harry refused to be intimidated.

"Look," the boy said with forced calm. "I just want my wand. I won't do any magic, honest."

"I said no," Snape looked at him closely.

Harry's face flushed with annoyance. "I hate you," he gritted out.

Snape's eyes flashed, as if he was going to slap Harry. But he merely took hold of the boy's arm and yanked him closer. "One more word out of you, Potter," he whispered. "And you'll find yourself weeding the garden for the entire summer. Now go," he pushed Harry away and sat back at his desk.

Harry stared at him in cold fury for a few moments and then turned around and stomped back up the stairs.

He was so angry that he was feeling reckless. Let Snape keep his bloody wand! He was running away, and the first place he would go to would be Hogwarts, to Dumbledore's office. Snape was being a git!

He went upstairs, grabbed his broomstick from the wardrobe and hauled his trunk downstairs, very quietly. Sneakily, he also managed to grab Hedwig without being noticed. And then, very slowly, Harry creeped towards the door, turned the handle softly, and walked into the sunshine.

Freedom! Harry's spirits began to lift.

He walked as quickly and quietly as he could towards the gate and then beyond, onto the streets.

He was just walking on the street when he heard a strange noise. Harry turned around in fright.

No one was there. Breathing a sigh of relief, Harry hobbled along the road, thinking of where to go.

It was all going to be alright; Snape would never realise that he had gone, and if he did, it would serve him right!

Harry was going to find Hogwarts, or maybe even Diagon Alley. He was going to be more than fine.


Ending Notes:- So, what do you all think? And now you know that I'm still alive :D