Harry awoke with a start, his head was pounding, once the pain was gone he looked around him. It all came back, Severus leaving him here. Harry could feel anger and sadness mix together wrap around him, why, why would Severus do that? But the professor had told him about The Dark Lord, then why would he take him in from the start? Harry got up from the bed and made his way down into the common room, he wasn't alone, some other Gryffindor's were sitting at the studying table whilst some were sitting by the fire. He smiled at some of them before moving to the portrait, only to stop when the portrait opened, revealing the headmaster. Harry didn't know if he should be angry or happy with the headmaster.
"Harry by boy, you're awake, come with me".
Dumbledore turned and made his way down the stairs and Harry followed quickly, "sir, what am I to do?" Dumbledore looked at Harry as they both descended the stairs, "you will be back to our usual ways Harry, what made you think any different?"
"I don't know... I just...".
They stopped at the bottom and Dumbledore turned to Harry, "I know you're upset with Snape leaving you here, but it's the best, after what had happened".
"But, if it happens again, who's going to look after him".
"I had asked him myself, he does have a house elf".
He could see the defeat on the boys face, "I guess he didn't want me at all", Dumbledore sighed and they continued walking, "he cares for you dearly, that's why he's put you in here, so that you will be safe. Who knew if The Dark Lord would come to Snapes house whilst you were there, that would've have gone so well". Harry tried to hold back his tears, all these reasons that he couldn't go against were pissing him off. He had to get out of here, maybe not to Severus, but away from here, he was going to prove that he didn't need protecting, then when he defends himself he could prove to Snape that he can do anything.
They both reached the Great Hall, where a lot more students were there, from different houses, "we've got some food up the front if you're hungry", Dumbledore said as they walked up the isle towards the front, "thanks, I'll eat a little later", Harry said and the headmaster smiled at him. But later wouldn't come, Harry was gonna leave tonight, he didn't care about the others, he wanted to prove people wrong.
After the dinner Harry had said his goodnights and strode out of the hall, only to make sure no one was watching him before going out into the courtyard, again making sure no one was watching. He checked to make sure he had his wand and moved across the grassy plane until he reached the bridge. The forest past Hagrids hut was dark and gloomy, his heart began racing as he moved towards the forest.
Harry didn't know how long he had been walking, the forest was getting colder and colder as he trudged on. Stopping a few times after hearing a twig snap. It was only until the fourth time did he actually pull out his wand, the sun had gone, so he had to use lumos. He moved around a bit, the strong light showing the way.
"What is a boy like you doing in here?"
Harry spun around to become face to face with a black mist, he backed away in fear as the black mist floated around him, "who're you?" Harry asked, trying to keep his composure. The black mist began to glow softly as it spoke.
"I don't have a name, people don't tend to remember me after I'm done with them. I feed off wizards for their magic".
The words sent a chill down Harry's back as he backed away slowly, only to realize that the mist was around him. "You can't escape me", was the last words Harry heard.
·
Severus looked up when there was a loud snapping sound, his wand at the ready, he checked the hall, only to relax when he saw Narcissa, she was crying. "Severus", he heard her raspy voice as he fell forward. He lunged forward and caught her before her body hit the floor, "Narcissa, are you hurt?"
"No, I'm sorry".
"No need to be, you had to do".
"I never chose you".
"I know, he did, to test your loyalty and mine, nothing new, you are to expect that from him".
She sobbed into his shoulder, "don't worry Narcissa, you'll be fine, if it happens again you know what to do", he whispered. He had brought her into the kitchen before getting the kettle ready, "why don't you just do it with magic?" Narcissa asked and Severus sighed, "because I feel like it", was all he said, "I heard", her voice echoed through his mind, "heard what?"
"About the boy, you were looking after him, but then... You gave him back to Hogwarts... Why?"
"I had to, after what had happened before, though he healed me, I really don't think it was necessary for him to go through such a thing".
"The boy will be facing The Dark Lord later, what makes you think he can't handle what had happened to you?"
Severus knew she was right, but he couldn't right now, he was trying to sort out his feelings, at first he loathed the sight of the boy, but since he was with the boy, things had changed. "You're having seconds thoughts aren't you?" He heard Narcissa say and he looked down at the kettle. He felt her hand on his shoulder, he hadn't even heard her get up, "you could bring him back after the school is done, to redeem yourself".
"I suppose –".
There was a crack and Narcissa pulled away from Snape, both looked to the hallway door, Dumbledore was there, "where's Harry?" His voice was calm but worried, "he's not here" Severus said with a frown. "He wasn't in the room, we used the map everyone, but he's gone", Severus swore under his breath, this kid could be the death of him, "how long before you realised he was gone?"
"About an hour, we've got the teachers patrolling the area".
"I'll help, you can use me as bait or something".
Albus smiled at the professor, "come, we mustn't dawdle". Severus threw a sad glance towards Narcissa who waved him off, she could talk to him later.
"He said he was going to have a rest, but when I went up to check if he was there, I couldn't find him". Severus could see that McGonagall was almost losing her sanity because of this boy, "the thing is, if he wasn't as important as what he is now, I'd bet if he ran away, we wouldn't show so much concern", Severus said and McGonagall glared at him, "we must hurry, we don't know if The Dark Lord would have him by now".
"If he had gotten to the boy, then I would've been summoned ages ago".
Severus noted ruling out such a suggestion, if they couldn't find him on the map then this was going to be another long night.
·
Harry's body was numb, he opened his mouth, but something was stopping him, "don't think you'll have control of your body". Harry's heart skipped a beat when he heard the Dark Mists voice, he felt his body began to move. The Mist had control of him, it was as only his conscious was there but not physically, "what're you thinking of doing?" Harry was surprised that he could even talk to the Mist, he heard nothing for a few minutes and watched as his own body began to move through the forest, I know the school is over there, all the wizards will be there and I can feast". Fear erupted into Harry's stomach, "no, you can't hurt them, just take me for god sake!" He heard the Mist chuckle and Harry's body moved onward out of the forest and past Hagrids hut. Then Harry stopped, two people were coming down the hill, oh god no, now McGonagall and Severus! They were in deep trouble. It was Severus who noticed the boy, "Harry, there you are, you don't know how many people you've worried you insufferable –". Harry watched as Severus stopped, he sensed something already and Harry could feel the Dark Mist reacting to the sense of magic that emanated from McGonagall and Severus. Harry felt his body taking a step towards them but the potions master stopped McGonagall, his wand was out and before he knew, he too had his wand out, pointing it at Snape.
"Harry, are you alright?"
Severus asked, though he spoke firmly, "I've never been better" Harry heard the Mist say, but Harry wanted this to stop, he didn't want anyone to get hurt because of his silly move, he wanted out, "please don't hurt him!"
"And why shouldn't I?"
Good, the Mist was talking to him distracting him, "they are very close to me and I don't want to lose them!" The Mist chuckled darkly, "Does it look like I care?"
Severus could see that the boy was in a daze, his eyes were quite dark as well, it was a work of dark magic, he knew it, even McGonagall figure it out and had her wand out, Harry hadn't moved from his spot, he stared at the empty space that Severus was just standing, he moved up to the boy, but before he could do anything the boy seemed to snap out of his trance, "get away from me!" Harry screamed before throwing a curse at Severus who effectively blocked it. Harry's eyes were completely black, this wasn't Harry at all. He had distracted the boy enough to get McGonagall behind him, she cast a binding spell on him and Severus watched as the boy thrashed around, trying to break free. His shrieks weren't high pitched, but were deep and unknown, something was inside the boy. They had to get him to Madame Poppy quick.
The medic witch was sitting at her desk when McGonagall and Snape came barging in with Harry screaming his head off, "what on earth?" The medic witch sprung up from her desk in pure shock, "something is possessing the boy, he came out of the forest past Hagrids hut", Severus said to her and Poppy came to the screaming boys side. "I think I might know what it is, I need assistance though".
"I can do it".
Severus had stepped forward, there would be a need for potions no doubt, "thank you, now, we need Aroglande, I don't know if you –".
"I do, I stored it away, hold on".
Severus had apparated into the potions lab, looking through the shelves, and there it was the purple potions, he returned to Poppy's side and watched as he gave the drink to the boy, but he refused, "If you refuse, it won't down well with you", Poppy said harshly, but she wasn't talking to Harry, no, she was talking to whatever was possessing the boy. Severus turned away, trying to block out the protests, a few seconds later he could hear spluttering and them obscene words were spat out. Though Harry had sworn before, he had never said theses words to insult someone, this wasn't Harry. The next thing he knew he was by the boys side, forgetting it was Harry and grabbing his by the neck, shaking him a little, "listen here you mangy fucker, get out of him or I will show great power towards you that not even your dark magic can handle!" The boy convulsed in his grip. But he could see some sort of mist escaping the boys mouth, "you really think you scare me?" Harry's voice was deep and Severus kept his grip, his eyes boring down into the demon in front of him.
It happened so, the boy had broken free from the ropes, but Severus was still holding him around the throat. So when Harry's body flipped, he brought the potions teacher onto the bed, now he was pinning the man under him. McGonagall and Poppy shrieked in fear as their bodies were flung back from the push of dark magic that emanated from the boys body. Severus stared up at the boy, his wand had fallen out of his pocket and was lying useless on the ground about a meter away, "finally!" He heard the rough voice come from Harry, "I can feast!"
Harry was shaking with absolute resentment, but fear creeped alongside when he was now staring into the confused eyes of Severus, "please not him, anyone else but him!" Harry closed his eyes and tried to push the Mist out of his mind.
Severus frowned when Harry began coughing, black mist started to wisp out of his mouth, his dark eyes were fading, the boy was fighting the dark magic. The boy still had a good grip on Severus so he couldn't move, "come on Harry!"
Harry opened his eyes in shock to hear his potion teacher call his name, he knew it wasn't him, he knew something was wrong from the start. A jolt of happiness overflowed him and Harry suddenly convulsed, hearing the Dark Mist scream out in agony.
Severus watched as Harry screamed and slide off Severus, trying to claw at his face, Severus had quickly grabbed the boys wrist in order to stop him.
Harry closed his eyes once again and pushed the Black Mist out, he didn't think he could do it, probably because he was so frightened, now, well, now he was downright pissed! Then suddenly his stomach lurched and Harry hurled over, throwing up more mist than ever before. Startling Severus who almost fell off the bed.
Severus gasped as he watched the boy spew out the ghastly contents, "do you really think you can stop me?!" The Black Mist had formed around Severus and Harry, who was knocked out, "I can feed off you without having to go into ones body. I was merely using the boy to get inside the school!" Severus heart sank, if this mist were to attack all the students. Hen there was a flash of bright light and the Black Mist was encased with white light. Severus covered his ears, trying to block out the piercing scream. It was minutes before the black mass was no more and in front of Snape was Dumbledore, "are you alright Severus?" Albus's soft tone could be heard and Snape couldn't recall anything after that.