Chapter Ten:
Confessions
Harry followed Snape down the hall and into the dully lit parlor room, where the fireplace was the only source of light. There were two chairs on either side of the fireplace, one with a small table next to it. The chairs were wooden with no cushions, and the arms and feet of the chair were carved to look like claws.
Snape sat in the chair with the small table next to it, and Harry sat across from him. The glow from the fireplace gave Snape an eerie quality— more frightening than normal— with half of his face lighten with orange light, and the other half almost black in shadow.
"Potter," Snape said quietly, and Harry felt fearful that he'd done something terribly wrong. "Mr. Malfoy… He— raped you; did he not?" said Snape. Harry shivered, but not out of fear. He nodded, his stomach knotting and coiling in a strange arousal.
"And you," Snape spoke again, the lines on his brow more emphasized in the dim glow, making him look even harsher as he frowned, "You cut yourself?" Harry swallowed thickly and nodded, shame starting to creep its way into his heart.
"I once did the very same thing," Snape muttered, his eyes downcast. Harry's jaw dropped, and he gasped inaudibly. Snape cringed, and looked up at Harry, looking very frightening with his eyes and his frowning mouth in great shadow. "But Potter— Harry; self harm is not the answer. I should know," Snape said forcefully, sincerely, and Harry saw a tear roll down Snape's contorted face. Then he realized that he, too, was crying.
"I'm sorry," Harry whispered, wiping at his eyes roughly, "I just don't know what else to do. Being in love— it only makes it hurt worse."
Snape starred at Harry for a moment, the tear left untouched, before he asked, "In love, Harry?" Harry nodded and wiped at his face again.
"But I'll stop now," Harry said quietly, "because I think I have a chance. I mean; he had sex with me, right?" Snape looked shocked for a moment, before he scowled harshly.
"In love?" Snape whispered; his voice rough and slightly gravelly, "With Draco Malfoy?"