Pineapplehead: Wow, were you people angry. But lookie…I got another out tonight!
Black Rose: I loved your item, and it fit so well. Thanks for the item and the inadvertent idea! And I'm honored to be in the same ranking with Ankha. I absolutely love Gold and Silver, Fire and Ice. I hope she updates soon!
Xikum: Not Sirius, definitely, and yes, it was the same person. We won't know who for a while.
Jordan: Hope this wasn't too long for ya!
Mystic aura: Not long enough? Wow, you are needy. That was four pages in Word, single spaced. Hope this helps! And my cliffhangers are great, just ask anyone!
Emily Snape: It's from "Dogma." I highly recommend that movie for Rickman fans if you don't offend easily.
Minerva-Severus-Dumbledor: Is there a reason the "e" isn't there? Oh well, welcome to the story! My muse is a politically/grammatically correct Gryffindor. It's really quite annoying at times.
Mikee: I'll work the locket into the end somehow, as closure as you said. It will be great and tearful scene, complete with Harry/Severus bonding.
Kateri: Thank you. That's the nicest thing anyone's ever said to me (That I'm a true Slytherin). It's ok, I'm a trekkie too, though I'm a total Voyager.
Charlie YuY: I think I did get you hooked, though it's a really funny story. Glad you liked it.
Lei Dumbledore: Yet another disgruntled reader. Good thing I got this chapter out so fast.
Saimhe: That's why I'm a Slytherin, my friend. Here's some more to help with the withdrawal.
Aenigma Angelus: Interesting name, and welcome. Sorry to torture you…is this quick enough for you?
Little Suzi: Yes, evil me. I've gotten the point by now!
Alecatq: Well, you were 325, but you've already had a chapter and there was no item, so it goes to someone else! Yes, poor Snapey…but I fixed him!
Chaser: Let's see, I've gotten evil (common one), darkness, scary, mysterious, and now creepy. I love you guys!
Radcliffe-Lover: Keeping going! (did that make sense to anyone but me?)
Snape coolgirl: Thank you for the praise! You welcome in advance! ;p
Fanfiction fanatic: I'm glad you read and liked it. Who was your friend? I'll have to dedicate a chapter to him/her! I do so love publicity!
Lovestruck: That's what they're meant for! Sorry you don't like cliffies…no one really does. But they are ever so much fun to write.
Tantz: THANK YOU! I was beginning to wonder! Just kidding. I love your "End" Series (my little nickname for them). Someone from the staff? Hmm…interesting guess.
Anystaza: Because I am evil. I have the reviews to prove it. At least I didn't make you wait to long.
Selke: Lucius-bashing! LOL…that's great. I love Draco, but I hate Lucius. I never liked him. But Jason Isaacs portrays him so well.
Lady Lightning: Hope there wasn't too much agony. Don't want to kill any of my readers!
Sparrow: That's my whole goal! The more of a cliffie, the more I get to hear from you people how evil I am. It's great.
Sev1970: that's ok, at least you've read them. That's what counts. The reviews don't matter as long as my reading entertains and inspires. Hearing from y'all is a great bonus for me!
This one goes to Dracoqueen456, who was on my dedication list from way back when for being so dedicated. I love hearing from y'all no matter what the medium, be it email or review.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Surprise
Your friends are my property,
Your mates are your prize.
You must solve my riddles
If you want them alive.
Pay heed to this warning:
The clock's running down.
Each riddle will lead to
One person you've found.
You have one month's time
To find whom you can.
Then those found will be saved,
And those not will be dead.
Harry read the note one more time, then looked at the black rose. Without thinking, he tore through the halls back to the gargoyle, hoping to find the Headmaster in his office. He bolted up the stairs and pounded on the door.
"Come in, please!" Harry burst through the doors to find the Headmaster and his Head of House discussing something.
"Mr. Potter? Why are you up?" McGonagall demanded. Harry ignored her and thrust the note into Dumbledore's hand.
"Oh my," he looked up at Harry, "Who has he taken?" Harry took deep breaths, trying to reclaim oxygen lost on the run.
"I don't know sir. I found the note and came straight here." The Headmaster looked at McGonagall and handed her the note.
"Minerva, do a bed check. I want to know who from Gryffindor is missing. Check the Ravenclaw dorms as well." Her face went white as she read the note, then rushed out the door. The Headmaster watched her shut the door, then turned back to the teen. "Harry, can you think of anyone who would want to do this? Anyone with the means to carry this out?" Harry sunk into a chair.
"Voldemort would want to, but he can't get inside Hogwarts, right?" The Headmaster nodded. "Lucius Malfoy doesn't like me much, but he's in custody, and Draco's not capable of it."
"Well, all we can do now is wait for the first riddle and hope we get to your friends in time. When you get a riddle, come to myself or Professor McGonagall. We will do all we can to assist you, as well as enlist the help of the staff." McGonagall came back in white as a ghost.
"Misses Granger and Weasley are gone, as well as Ronald and Zabini." Harry nodded. He'd been expecting as much, though Blaise was a little unnerving. He wasn't even a Gryffindor.
"That means a week per person, right?" Harry looked back to the Headmaster, who merely nodded. "Then I guess we can expect the first riddle later this morning." He stood, and McGonagall stared at him in shock.
"I must say, Mr. Potter, that you are taking this quite well." Harry nodded gravely.
"Frankly, Professor, I'm used to it. What time is it?"
"Nearly five-thirty in the morning." Harry nodded again.
"I think I'll go take a shower and go down to breakfast early. I'll be sure to tell you when the first riddle comes." The Headmaster and Deputy Headmistress merely nodded after him.
"That boy is remarkable, Albus."
"Yes, he is. As is his father." McGonagall smiled and nodded, then left, not realizing he had used present tense. Albus chuckled to himself and wondered if she would remember she had complimented Severus when all came to light.
Harry smiled at the Fat Lady as he entered, insuring her he was fine. He trudged up the stairs and threw a sad glance at Ron/Blaise's bed, remembering both his friends. The hot water woke him up, and he took a nice long shower. Grudgingly, he shut off the water at six and dressed. He stopped by the Hospital Wing to check on Professor Snape on his way to the Great Hall, then ordered breakfast from Dobby, who was more than happy to serve Harry before hours.
As he ate in solitude and silence, the doors opened. Malfoy walked in, minus his normal entourage. The blonde Slytherin sauntered over to him.
"Where are your followers Potter? Ditched you for Zabini?" Harry barely looked up from his breakfast.
"I thought the Hufflepuff house came in together Malfoy. What's wrong, not loyal to your own house?" Draco tinged slightly, but huffed up bigger. Harry saw his shot and took it. "Of course, if your father weren't locked up with the other Death Eaters, he might be able to do something about it." Dignity shot, Draco pounced, knocking Harry out of his seat. He threw a punch at Harry's ribs, which Harry took. But he was so used to Vernon beating him that Malfoy's punches were more like pokes. Malfoy took a few more swings at Harry's midsection before Harry shoved up with his feet, sending the Slytherin flying back onto the floor. He stood and brushed off his robes, but Malfoy jumped up and drew his wand.
"Come on, Potter, let's finish that duel."
"You mean the one you chickened out on?" he shot back.
"Aculeatus!" A green flash shot out of his wand, and he smirked as Harry's eyes widened. But Harry's reflexes had increased under Snape's tutelage this summer, and he dove and pulled his wand in one deft motion. Tucking, he rolled and came up on his feet two feet from the Hufflepuff table. He jumped up on it to avoid another curse and Harry pointed his wand.
"Expelliarmus!" Weeks of practice paid off as the spell hit accurately and Draco's wand flew effortlessly into Harry's hand. The Slytherin narrowed his eyes at Harry and pulled out a small stone. Malfoy launched it at Harry's feet, and as it hit, a loud thunderclap resounded through the Great Hall, sending Harry catapulting off the table. He landed on the steps, hitting his head on the stone. The last thing he saw was Malfoy picking up his wand and exiting the Hall, laughing evilly.
The next thing he heard was his father's voice in his head, then when he opened his eyes, the man's face looming over him.
"Do you have to loom over everyone?" he croaked. Snape let out a breath he didn't know he'd been holding and smirked.
"It's a gift," he retorted. Harry tried to sit up, but was stopped by a hand on his shoulder. "Don't even think about it."
"But I have to find out if a riddle came!" he protested. In response, Snape held up a piece of parchment with Harry's name on it.
"This came by owl during breakfast. Who were you fighting with?"
"Malfoy…can I have that?" Snape handed it to him and he tore into it. The Headmaster entered seconds later, glad to see he was awake.
"Harry?" the boy grunted, enveloped in the riddle. "What does it say?" Harry took a breath and read.
"My first is of water,
fluid and fast
Reflective and wanting, ageless I'll last.
My second in time and riddle as well,
I'm the second in difference between heaven and hell.
My third is the first of the serpent's own chord,
Last of the lies at the end of all words.
My fourth is the first in line for the dead,
The beginning of decades and the end of all read.
My fifth is the onslaught of four innocent tears,
The first in omitence of everyone's fears.
My final is mercy and both malicious intent
Last in their forum, reversed where it went."
Severus looked between the Headmaster and his son. Harry looked up into obsidian eyes, and Severus' breath caught in his throat. Harry's eyes held more pain and confusion than he'd ever seen in the boy. Unconsciously, he slid closer to him. Albus quietly slipped out to retrieve Flitwick and McGonagall, leaving the two to talk.
"This is hopeless," Harry muttered.
Oh no you don't. Snape took Harry by the shoulders, forcing the boy to look him in the eye. "Listen to me, Harry, we'll solve these. Whatever it takes, we'll help you; I'll help you, even if I have to cancel classes to do so. You are not giving up this easily, not as long as I'm still here. Where's that damn Gryffindor stubbornness and loyalty to friends?"
Harry sighed. "I'm not ever going to give up on them, I just don't think I can do this alone."
"Whoever said you had to do anything alone?" Severus inquired. "I know I may have been a git in the past, and may even be in the future, but you have to realize something. If there is one thing Slytherin's pride above all else, it's family. And as long as you are in this family, I will not tolerate hearing you give up on yourself or your friends." Harry looked up into his father's eyes and gave the man a true smile. Rather awkwardly, he leaned in, and just as awkwardly, Snape wrapped an arm around the thin shoulders, pulling the boy against him. The silence was uncomfortable, but only for a moment as both relaxed a little, allowing the other in. Something clicked on in Harry's brain, telling him that this was someone he could trust like no other, more than a friend. This was his father. He allowed himself to do something he never did, even in front of his friends. He cried. He'd cried with Snape before, but not of his own accord. This was willing; and willingly, he opened up, allowing his heart to pour out onto the man's robes.
Snape, not knowing what else to do, rubbed the boy's back soothingly (he hoped) and wrapped his arm tighter around Harry.
When the boy was finally rid of pent up emotions, they stayed that way for a while, neither wanting to give up this new feeling so easily. But when Harry did pull away, each found that the feeling didn't go away. Harry looked down at the parchment, then back up at his father, who smiled reassuringly.
So this was what it was like to be loved.