Chapter 10
The meeting had been going on for nearly an hour as the Order discussed their plans on how to keep Harry safe until the start of term, which was still a month away. As he listened to those around him talk and plan the teenager became disgusted with what he was hearing and bolted upright out of his seat.
"You're all talking about me like I'm not even here! I'm standing right here! Don't I get a say in what my future is? I don't give a toss what the lot of you have to say, this is my life and from now on no one runs my life but me!"
In a flash Harry turned and ran out of the room, slamming the door behind him. Molly Weasley was the first to get to her feet to go after him, but it was a raised hand by Severus that stopped her. The Potion's Master turned towards Dumbledore and pointed at this throat, giving the headmaster a knowing stare.
"Alright, Severus. Speak to the boy, but he must understand we are doing this for his own good." Albus waved his wand and undid the silencing spell.
Snape massaged his throat for a moment before speaking, his voice sounding somewhat hoarse as he did so.
"You're wrong on this one, Albus. The boy deserves to have a say in this. Don't make the same mistake you did with Jack."
Before Dumbledore could respond Snape turned on his heel and left the room, the group watching him go with dumbfounded expressions on their faces.
Severus moved through the corridors of the drafty old house, stopping when he reached Harry's room. He could hear the faint sound of crying through the door and he raised his hand and began to softly knock.
"Shove off! I don't care what any of you have to say. I meant what I said downstairs. Now, just leave me alone."
The older wizard took a deep breath, then eased the door open and stepped inside. Harry was lying face down on his bed; he sat up realizing someone had entered. He sniffled as he brought his hand up to wipe away the tears he'd already shed.
"I know we've never seen eye to eye on much, Harry, and I honestly don't blame you for shouting at everyone a moment ago." Snape moved closer to Harry, his robes swishing on the hardwood flooring as he came to stand just in front of the young wizard. "but I'm asking you to understand that Dumbledore and the others mean well."
Harry's expression soured. "If you think that then you can piss off too then."
He started to stand and push past Snape, but the taller man took hold of his shoulders and held him in place.
"I blame myself for this, Harry. If I hadn't shown up at your aunt's house none of this would be happening. You'd still have a safe place to live."
Harry jerked himself away from Severus, his eyes wild with anger as he began to shout at the Potion's Master. "Safe! You call living with that fat cow and his wife safe? Getting pounded on nearly everyday by that monstrosity they call a son is safe? You've completely lost your mind! I don't care that you all thought I was safe in that wretched house. I know it was hell and I'd rather die than go back to that again. Whatever protection surrounded that house and kept Voldemort away wasn't worth what I've been through in living there!"
Again the tears fell from Harry's eyes as his anger subsided and he looked up at the man he'd once considered his adversary, but seeing the concern and understanding in Snape's eyes, he wasn't sure what he should consider him anymore.
"I'm so sorry, Harry. I'd take your pain from you if I could." Severus held the shaking boy in his arms for a long moment before they separated, Harry looking quiet haggard and to Snape's eyes far more than his 15 years of age.
***
As Jack cracked his eyes open he felt a wave of dizziness hit him and immediately he closed them once more. The feeling that he was spinning began to fade and he ventured to try and open his eyes once more. Rays of sunlight pierced through the room like a blade as he slowly began to sit upright on the sofa. For a moment he thought he had dreamed the strange woman entering the apartment the night before, but as he turned his head he saw her smiling broadly at him from across the room as she stirred the contents of the coffee cup in front of her.
"Welcome back. We haven't been formally introduced. I'm Amanda." She stood up from the table she had been seated at and walked towards the still groggy colonel with one hand outstretched and the other holding her cup.
"Jack O'Neill, with two L's" He responded rather succinctly as he made it to his feet and tentatively shook the strange woman's hand.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Jack O'Neill with two L's. In case you're wondering Adam decided to head to the supermarket for some food. He should be back in a few." Jack nodded in understanding then curiously looked down at the cup in Amanda's hand. "Ah, care for some coffee? That was the only thing besides beer that Mac left in the house."
"Coffee would be great."
The immortal woman trotted off and returned a moment later another steaming up in her hand and extended it to Jack. He savored the smell for a moment, then took a sip.
"Not bad. I have a friend who is quite the coffee snob and I just bet he'd enjoy this."
Amanda smiled. "Caffeine addicts always buy the best coffee."
"That they do."
The two sat in silence for what seemed like ages as they sipped at their coffee and stared out the nearby window. Finally, once Jack and emptied his cup he turned to the woman next to him.
"So what exactly is going on?" He did little to hide his annoyance when her expression turned to one of confusion as she responded to his query.
"Not sure I follow you, Jack?"
Shaking his head Jack stood up, his icy glare freezing Amanda in her spot. "Bullshit. Why are you here? Who are you really for that matter? And why did you call Adam Methos last night?"
She opened her mouth to speak, but never got a word out as she turned to stare at the doorway a look of concern on her face. The door opened and Adam stepped inside.
"Welcome back, kiddo. You had us worried." The oldest immortal quipped as he approached the kitchen and set the two bags he held in his arms on the counter by the sink.
He noticed the eerie silence in the room and turned to look at Jack and Amanda. "Okay, what did I miss?"
"Someone better tell me what the hell is going on!" Jack shouted as he moved to the opposite side of the room making certain he kept both immortals in a clear line of sight.
"Calm down, Jack." Adam used his most calming tone of voice. "I think we all have a few questions that ought to be answered. How about we sit down nice and calm like and we'll all get the answers we want."
Cautiously, Jack watched as Amanda and Adam moved towards the kitchen table and took their seats. Still unsure the wizard stepped closer until he too took a seat at the table. The three eyed one another for a moment before Jack began to tap on the tabletop with his fingers in irritation.
"Start talking, Adam…or since you didn't answer my question last night, should I call you Methos?"
The immortal shrugged his shoulders a stoic expression on his face. "Adam is fine, though I am curious as to how you could have known that name?"
"I heard Amanda here call you that when she showed up last night."
Methos shook his head. "That's not what I mean. I told you when we met that Adam wasn't my name, but you're acting like this name means something to you. Why?"
"That's a bit complicated to explain."
Less than thrilled with Jack's answer Methos crossed his arms over his chest. "We aren't exactly going anywhere right now are we, Jack? I think we have the time."
Sighing heavily Jack nodded. "I don't know how much Janet told you about me, but the truth is I'm a wizard. I have what some might consider the 'gift'" neither immortal missed the disdain in Jack's voice as he spat that last word out and continued. "of foresight. I have visions of the future among other things. Things come to me in these visions and sometimes in dreams that tell me what's going to happen. I know your name because I dreamt about you, only I didn't know it was you. I only knew your name. You're supposed to be able to take me where I need to be, so I can find what it is I'm looking for."
The two immortals glared at Jack in disbelief for a moment before Methos chose to respond.
"What exactly are you looking for?"
Jack's eyes widened in surprised. "You mean to tell me you believe all I just said?"
"Unless you tell me you're lying, I've no reason to doubt you…even if it does seem a bit farfetched."
The grey-haired wizard shook his head. "I'm not lying, but I'm not willing to tell you what I'm searching for just yet."
Methos nodded as he let his hands come to rest on the tabletop. "Fair enough."
tbc...
Thanks the feedback from the last chapter. As always it is greatly appreciated.