Not quite as long as the last chapter but I hope you enjoy it all the same :) Hopefully this quick updating schedule will continue for me and I will have the next chapter up soon. As always, please feel free to tell me what you love or hate about it...kindly :) Enjoy!
"You assured me that he was safe," Snape hissed in a outraged tone. He would have liked to yell at the old man until he was blue in the face but he was all too aware that every student was watching him intently. The last thing he wanted was to embarrass Harry.
"I thought that he was Severus," Albus replied in a gentle voice. "I promise you that I thought he was. I never imagined that this would occur."
"I warned you repeatedly that hosting this blasted event was a mistake," Snape retorted. He felt a gentle hand on his arm but he shook it off without taking the time to see who it was. "Now my child is in danger!"
Snape felt the gentle touch once more this time accompanied by a quiet voice.
"Perhaps it would be best to continue this privately," Minerva said in a hushed tone. "Away from the entire student body."
"He is not competing," Snape stated in a voice that left little room for argument.
"In private," Minera repeated in a much more forceful tone.
"In my office," Dumbledore agreed.
Harry looked up at the familiar scarred face as he was led down the long hallway that led to the staircase to the dungeons.
He had never seen the man look as he did now. Harry instantly noted that he didn't look angry - he looked scared. Harry had been hoping to find some comfort in the man's face. The look of fear was making his own anxiety worsen.
He had no doubt in his mind where they were headed. He was thankful that it hadn't been Snape that had grabbed him and led him out of the Great Hall. He was sure that he would have died of embarrassment if that would have happened. As it stood he wasn't sure that he wasn't going to keel over with shame in the next day or so. He knew what he had seen. Snape was charging towards Dumbledore when he had left. Harry was sure that every person in the Great Hall had heard whatever Snape had said to the man.
Harry felt his cheeks prickle with warmth at the very thought of it all.
Under normal circumstances it was hard enough having a guardian that was the most feared Professor in the school. Harry was sure that every time he yelled at someone in class that student pictured how Snape must treat his own child. And these circumstances were far from normal.
The whole school was already probably talking about how he had to be led out like some baby while his guardian yelled at the Headmaster for pulling his name. Harry could only imagine what Malfoy would have to say about it all.
He forced himself to push Malfoy out of his brain as he walked into the familiar parlor.
Harry watched as the Professor withdrew his wand. He held his hands up and muttered softly as Harry strained to hear what spell he was saying.
A moment later the man's hands fell to his sides as he turned to Harry. "You will be more than safe here until Severus arrives."
Once again Harry noted that the man didn't seem angry in the least, just scared or maybe even concerned.
"Remus," Harry said softly. "I didn't put my name in there. I swear I didn't."
Remus gave the boy a small sad smile. "I never imagined that you did," he replied gently. "And I assure you that every adult in this castle is currently working to discover who did." He paused for a moment. He didn't want to leave the child. He was sure that Harry was scared out of his wits. Still he couldn't stay. "I have to go now, Professor Dumbledore is expecting me. As I already said I promise you that you are safe here and Severus should be down shortly."
Had it been Snape that he was talking to Harry likely would have begged the man to stay. The last thing he wanted was to be alone. But he couldn't do that with Remus. He was far too old for such behavior and he would never want the man to view him as such a child.
"Okay," Harry settled on.
"I highly suggest that you stay down here in Severus' quarters," Remus cautioned as he headed for the door. "I do not think that he would be happy if he found that you ventured off."
"I'm not going anywhere," Harry promised as he sat down in Snape's armchair. Once again he found himself feeling the desire to be close to his guardian regardless of how he accomplished it.
"I shall see you tomorrow in class," Remus promised as he walked out of the parlor, closing the heavy door behind him before Harry could respond.
Using only his feet to assist him, Harry pushed his trainers off of his feet and let them hit the floor with a dull thud.
He brought his knees to his chest, hugging his legs tightly.
None of this made any sense.
Snape had told him a dozen times how tight the age line was around the Cup and how impossible it was for anyone to put a name in other than their own. It didn't make any sense that another student had done it as a prank. Even if pinning this on Malfoy would have been satisfying.
But then who would have done it. Harry couldn't imagine a teacher doing such a thing.
The thought of his guardian entered his mind. Snape had been angry. Angrier than Harry had ever seen him.
The sudden fear that the man wouldn't believe him entered his mind and Harry felt a new panic take over. He did not have a doubt in his mind what his punishment would be if Snape thought that he put his name in. It had been spelled out for him plenty of times. The threats would be over this time and Harry was sure of it.
He was determined to do whatever he had to do to make sure that Snape believed him. He just had to.
Harry was in the midst of trying to think of what he would say to Snape when his legs shot out straight as he suddenly found himself wincing in pain. His head felt like it was going to explode right off his body.
Without his consent the fingers on his right hand went to his scar as if covering it would somehow stop it from throbbing.
He closed his eyes tightly as he let out a moaning sound from the sheer pain.
Then just as quickly as it had started hurting - it stopped.
Harry could feel the sweat dripping down the back of his neck. He was breathing heavily. His head was throbbing. His stomach was upset.
His scar had never hurt so bad before in his life.
Harry sat completely still for a moment as he forced himself to calm down. One thing was certain, he wouldn't be telling Snape about his scar.
"The issue at hand is obviously how his name was entered in the first place," Minerva said in a grating tone. "I know that Harry has had his moments of disobedience but I do not believe that he would enter his name."
"Nor do I," Remus agreed softly from his position in the armchair in the far corner of the office.
"I am inclined to agree with you both," Albus spoke from where he stood next to his desk.
Snape remained silent. He was boiling with anger. After everything he had said, all the warnings he had given - Harry's name had been pulled. He knew the rules. He knew that they were protected by very old, very powerful magic. He also knew that he would not rest until he was sure Harry was not involved in this mess.
"I assure you Severus that everything will be done in order to attempt to remove Harry from the Tournament," Albus said in a sincere voice.
"Attempt to remove him?" Snape asked in a sarcastic tone. "There will be no attempting to remove him. He is removed as I have done so. As his parent I am forbidding him to compete!" Snape was practically yelling now.
"We all care for Harry," Remus said gently. "Surely you must know that none of us want to actually see him compete."
"Mark my words," Snape replied angrily. "You will not see him do so. I will do whatever it takes to make sure of that!"
"The contract is binding," Albus reminded the man in a kind voice. "Harry is now a representative of Hogwarts. Although I will certainly do everything in my power to have him removed I must confide in you that I would be amazed if I were to succeed."
"He is far too young to compete!" Minerva interjected heatedly before Snape had a chance to respond. "Surely that must mean something!"
"Perhaps," Albus agreed. "I will need time to go over the contract and see if I am able to discover a technicality in the rules."
"Time is something that we have very little of," Remus pointed out. "The first event is two weeks from today."
Once again Snape felt his anger boiling over. He wanted to yell - to scream at the top of his lungs - but he settled for speaking in a considerably low voice. He did not have the energy left in him to scream. He was sure that he had never felt more emotionally drained in all of his life.
"You assured me that this would not happen," his eyes narrowed in on Albus. "You promised me - you fucking promised me." He paused as he forced his body to calm down before he gave into his urge to rip someone's head off. "Now my fourteen year old has been put in a horrible position. He will not compete. That is absolutely final."
"Severus," Minerva said in a nervous tone. "I think it would be best if…" She trailed off as Snape held up his right hand silencing her.
"I have heard more than enough. My mind is made up. I do not care what the bloody rules state or what sort of magical contract has been formed. Harry is not competing. Now if you will all excuse me I have a fourteen year old to deal with."
Remus watched with bated breath as the man stood and stormed out of the room. For a moment he debated going after him, talking to him about Harry and the fact that the boy claimed he was innocent. However, Remus decided against it. He had known Severus since they were just eleven years old and Remus was sure that he had never seen the man as angry as he was this evening. He didn't take well to being told what he should do in regards to Harry under normal circumstances, he certainly wouldn't tonight. Aside from that, Remus knew that he had to trust in Severus. He had to have faith that the man knew Harry well enough to know what to do.
Harry glanced up at the large clock on the mantel sighing when he saw the time. It felt as though he had been sitting waiting for Snape for hours when in reality it had only been twenty five minutes.
The last ten of that twenty five minutes had been spent praying with all his might that Snape would believe him that he did not know how his name got into the Cup.
Unfortunately there had been many times since he had come to stay with Snape that he had been punished by the man. Although in the beginning Snape had a tendency to punish him much more quickly than he did these days, Harry did had to admit that his guardian had never punished him unjustly. Even if in the moment Harry felt like he didn't deserve to be in trouble, he always had. If he had actually put his name in getting a strapping would be one thing, it would be warranted - earned. Getting one for something he had never even done would be horrible. He was sure that it would change everything between him and his guardian. Harry didn't want to know how he would feel about the man if that happened. The thought alone scared him.
Harry hugged his knees tighter to his chest.
His scar was still aching dully but it was nothing compared to the unbearable pain that had seared through it twenty minutes earlier.
His thoughts wandered to his friends and the other students of the school. He could only imagine the things that were being said about him. He was sure that Malfoy hadn't stopped talking along with Crabbe and Goyle and likely every other person in the Slytherin house. Then there was the way Ron's face had looked when his name was called. Harry was sure that his best mate was furious that his name had been pulled. He was sure that Ron was probably worried about his safety and Harry felt terrible that he was putting him through it.
He was so deep in thought that he didn't even hear the door to the parlor open and Snape walk in. It wasn't until the man slammed the large door shut loudly that Harry was even aware that he was there.
The slam of the door caused Harry to jump to his feet. In the time that he had spent with Snape Harry had slammed his door only once. It was the beginning of the summer and he had been sent to his room for being too cheeky. His guardian had appeared in his room so quickly that Harry was sure that he had flown. The whack that he had received on his bum and the verbal lashing that he had gotten had made him swear to himself that he would never slam a door again if Snape was around. And now here the man was slamming the door so loudly that Harry was sure that the castle was going to come tumbling down around it.
Harry looked up at his guardian. He was about to open his mouth and throw himself at Snape's mercy when Snape walked across the room. Harry watched as the man took off his black cloak and threw it angrily onto one of the wooden kitchen chairs.
Harry was absolutely sure that he was done for. Any moment now Snape was going to take off his belt - Harry was sure of it. More than that though, he was sure that he wasn't going down without a fight. Not when he was innocent.
"Snape!" He said in a desperate voice. "Snape I promise! I swear! I really swear! I don't know how my name got in the Cup. I didn't put it in there!" Harry paused for a moment as he attempted to collect his thoughts. His guardian's hadn't made any move to turn around and face him but he also hadn't made any attempt at taking off his belt. "I know that doesn't make any sense and I don't have an explanation only that I swear I didn't do it! I wouldn't do it. I know you probably don't believe it but I told you all along that I don't want to compete and I really meant it - I still mean it. Snape I swear! You have to believe me!"
Snape sighed softly as he turned around to face his son. "Calm down," he instructed in the mildest voice he could muster. "I'm not angry with you. I know that you did not put your name in the Cup."
"I didn't…" Harry started quick to continue defending himself. Snape's words washed over him. "Wait what? You do?"
Harry felt a wave of relief rush over his body.
"Of course I do," Snape replied. "The magic that it would take for you or one of your friends to get your name into that Cup is far too advanced for you."
Despite the fact that he was thrilled that his guardian believed him - that he wasn't about to be on the receiving end of his first belting - he couldn't help the scowl that took over his face at Snape's words.
"Oh for Heaven's sakes," Snape said in an exasperated voice. "A moment ago you were begging me to believe you and now you are offended that I do? You are quite brilliant Harry but not yet at the level where you can outsmart magic as powerful as the Age Line that surrounded the Cup."
By the time he had finished speaking he sounded a lot less annoyed. He sounded slightly amused by the thought.
Harry shrugged softly. "No, I guess I'm not offended. I'm just glad that you believe me."
He watched as Snape walked past him, stepped over Harry's trainers as he raised an eyebrow at the manner in which they had been discarded on the parlor floor, and sat down in his armchair.
Harry heard his guardian sigh loudly. A blind man could have seen that he was plenty angry. Harry was just thankful that he wasn't angry with him. Still, Harry knew that he needed to tread lightly. Snape was angrier than Harry had ever seen him. Given past experience Harry knew better than to do anything that could annoy the man.
He slowly walked into the parlor, stopped in front of his guardian and picked up his trainers, and sat on the couch placing his trainers on the floor next to him. "Sorry," he offered in regards to his shoes. "I meant to put them in my room."
Snape nodded in reply but made no attempt to speak.
"What did Dumbl- Professor Dumbledore," Harry quickly corrected himself, "say about it all?"
Another loud sigh escaped Snape's lips. As much as he would have liked to protect Harry and assure the child that everything would be fine, he could not lie to him. Morally he could not allow himself to do so. Aside from that, there would be no point in it. Harry needed to know the truth. Despite that, Snape did not feel that the teenager needed to know that he would have liked to wring Albus' throat.
"As you know, the rules state that your name was pulled therefore you must compete. These rules are protected by very powerful and very old magic," Snape explained. "That being said, rest assured that I will see to it that you do not compete. No child of mine is going to be put in such a dangerous situation. I will not stand for it."
Harry felt himself breath a sigh of relief that he hadn't even been aware that he was holding on to. "You really think I won't have to?"
"No," Snape replied confidently. "I know that you will not be competing. I promise you Harry that I will do whatever it takes to keep you out of that Tournament."
Harry noted that the man still sounded plenty angry. He found himself wondering what Snape had said to Dumbledore. He wished he knew how to ask without annoying his guardian further.
"Before Remus left he did a spell," Harry informed the man. "But I'm not sure why."
"He was concerned that whomever put your name in the Cup was still lingering in the castle," Snape confided in his son. "I however believe that the person is long gone. This castle is highly protected and you are safe here regardless of what happened this evening."
Harry let Snape's words seep into him. He had to admit that even with the night's events he didn't feel unsafe. That may have been naive of him but he was sure that regardless of what happened, Snape would protect him.
"I know," he replied after a moment. He selected his next words carefully. The last thing he wanted was to cause Snape's anger to be directed towards him. "What do you think everyone will think of me not competing? I'll look like a coward won't I?"
Snape raised a stern eyebrow at the words. "You will look like someone with a brain in their head," he replied in an irked voice. "What others think is of absolutely no concern to me nor should it be to you. Participating in the Tournament because you are worried about what others may think would be foolish at best. I will not hear anymore talk of it!" By the time he had finished speaking he was yelling.
Harry was silent as he forced himself to bite his tongue. He wanted to ask Snape if he never worried about what others thought when he was a student at Hogwarts but he was sure that doing so would not end well.
"Sorry," Harry said in a sincere voice. "I didn't mean it like that."
Snape felt his heart hurt at Harry's words. He had not meant to speak so harshly to the child. It had been an innocent enough question. He could have answered kindly. He did not have to take his anger out on his child nor had he meant to.
Snape shook his head before he closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. A moment later his eyes opened to find his son watching him intently. "I am the one who is sorry. I did not mean to take my anger out on you. Please forgive me."
"It's okay," Harry instantly replied. He was touched that Snape had apologized and he wasn't about to deny the man forgiveness. After all, Snape had never denied it to him. "You're upset," Harry justified the man's actions.
"My being upset is not an excuse to take it out on you," Snape said. "A lesson I have had to remind you of more than once. I can hardly hope to teach it to you if I cannot remember it myself."
"Maybe you should stand in a corner," Harry dared to reply hoping to lighten the mood. The moment that the words left his mouth Harry found himself holding his breath hoping that Snape didn't scold him for his cheek - or worse.
Snape couldn't help the grin the spread across his lips nor could he help the loud chuckle that escaped his mouth. For the first time in over an hour he felt something other than pure anger.
Harry felt himself let out a long sigh of relief.
"I assure you Harry that in my youth I spent plenty of time doing just that," Snape said through his light laughter.
Harry raised his eyebrows at these words. He knew that Snape's father had been abusive. It was a realization that he didn't like to think about. He had never imagined the man receiving punishments like he had though. He wondered if his father had made him stand in the corner or if it had been his mum. He pushed the thought out of his mind. He was sure that now was not the right time to ask.
"So what now?" Harry questioned.
"Now it is time for you to go up to your dormitory and go to bed. Tomorrow you will go to your classes as you normally do."
"Everyone is going to be talking about it," Harry was bold enough to reply.
Snape swallowed hard willing himself to remember that it was not Harry he was angry with. In all honesty, he could understand the boy's concerns. He knew all too well how it felt to be the topic of conversation at Harry's age. Snape's thoughts instantly went to Draco and how he knew the Slytherin could act.
Once again Harry found himself holding his breath. Sometimes he truly couldn't believe how stupid he could be; how much trouble his mouth could get him into.
"Perhaps they will," Snape replied calmly. "And while I am sure that their doing so may be difficult to endure you will not engage in any arguing or fighting as a result of this. Despite my reaction moments ago I do understand and sympathize with your situation. I certainly know what it is like to be the topic of conversation. That being said Harry make no mistake that if I learn of your indulging in any inappropriate behavior you will sorely regret it. Walking away will prove you to be the more intelligent person involved. Fighting back will only result in you nursing a smarting backside. Are we clear?"
"You want me to just let people talk about me?" Harry couldn't help but ask. If he had gotten away with everything else he had said to Snape he didn't have much fear of getting himself into trouble for debating his guardians words. "To my face even?"
"Yes," Snape replied once again willing his temper to remain at bay. "That is exactly what I want you to do. I want you to hold your head high and walk away. If you feel as though it is excessive or violent you will tell a Professor or myself and it will be handled."
"I'll look like a baby," Harry mumbled.
"A wiser choice than looking like a heathen fighting in the halls," Snape said sternly. "There will be absolutely none of that and that is final. As I said, if there is your behind will pay the price as will your social life. Now once again, are we clear?"
"Yes Sir," Harry answered in a defeated voice. His shoulders slumped. He could feel his face sag.
"I am sure that your friends will stand by your side and walk away with you," Snape reminded him in a much gentler tone. "I am also sure that once you are officially removed from the Tournament the chatter will die down."
Harry shrugged in reply and Snape found himself resisting the urge to scold the boy.
"Now," Snape continued, "as I have already said it is time for you to head up to your dormitory and go to bed. You are in my Potions class tomorrow morning and I will not have you yawning over your cauldron."
"Can I stay down here tonight?"
Snape felt a familiar warmth take over his body at the boy's request.
"You may," Snape agreed. "However on second thought I am sure that tonight's events have left you feeling quite awake. A dose of Dreamless Sleep would do you a world of good."
"You'll flavor it right?" Harry asked as he picked up his trainers and then stood up.
"Peppermint as always," Snape nodded. "Go on and change. I will be there in just a moment and I expect to find you in bed."
Harry walked past his guardian and then stopped and turned. He walked back into the parlor. "Thanks," he said in a genuine tone. "For believing me I mean."
"You are very welcome," Snape replied with a small smile.
Harry grinned back before heading to his room once more.
Snape sighed softly before closing his eyes and running a hand down his face. Perhaps a dose of Dreamless Sleep would do him well also.
TBC...