Disclaimer: I'm not J.K. Rowling.
Rating: Pg-13 for this chapter.
Pairing: HP/SS
Author's Note: Hey people! I'm back! A huge thanks to my reviewers! I got a shock when I saw that I actually had reviews. My previous stories' response was honestly terrible. And if you felt that the 'torture' scene wasn't elaborated properly, I apologize 'cause I found that I don't have the stomach to write it properly. Ok, enough of my crap, it now on to the replies and then the story!
The Red Dragons Order: Thanks a lot! I really enjoyed your stories too. Is Love and War updated already?
Lady of Arundel: jeez, thanks! I wrote their conversation with slight trepidation and I was also wondering if Sev or Harry was ooc…really glad that you liked it. Ah the mysterious new arrival…I'll spoil the fun if I tell you now, read on and see!
Moonlight: The person who came into the room is someone that we all know well! Oops…I think I've given out too much. Go on, read it and you'll find out.
Ice Lupus: Thanks loads! ::grins:: I'm so very sorry about that mistake and I've corrected it. Thanks again for informing me!
SilverMoon: ::taps chin:: hmm…I can't tell you that! But I can tell you quite safely that both will live. Thanks for reviewing and I hope that you will enjoy this chapter too.
JaimeyKay: Sorry about that mistake…I didn't realize about it until you guys informed me. I've corrected it already and thanks for alerting me. Thanks for not finding my 'torture' scene too pathetic, I'm terrible at them and it was actually my 1st try. You're right, it is a student and you'll find out who is he in this chapter.
Last warning: If you are homophobic or this pairing simply irks you, the back button is there for a purpose!
Right Perfection Wrongly Disgraced
By izean
"Professor Snape."
~*~*~*~
Chapter 2
Snape looked up in shock. It wasn't because of the voice he heard. He could recognize that lazy, drawling voice of his godson anywhere. It was because of the fact that he found Draco here; he never expected to find the young man here, deep in the place where Tom Riddle currently resided at.
"Jeez, he's sleeping. Hey Severus! What are you thinking of?" It was the second time in a few hours that his musings were disrupted by someone's voice. He glared at Draco. The boy – or rather, young man – in question was not at all intimidated. Instead, he just snickered and said, "What do we have here? The golden potty (sorry couldn't resist) and Severus Snape?"
Glowering, Snape removed his hand from Harry's shoulder and said in a low, dangerous tone, "Dray, I'm warning you…" The threat was all the more hazardous when left unsaid. Draco sat down on the floor, facing Harry and Snape, his legs crossed in Indian-style. Almost sitting down on Snape's broken leg in the process. Snape bit back a wince and hissed at Draco. "Would you mind watching where you sit next time, Draco?"
Eyes narrowed with concern, Draco asked, "Is your leg broken?" Rolling his eyes, Snape replied, "Oh, of course not. In fact, I feel so good that I can go and run a couple of miles now." Sarcasm. Muttering something that sounds suspiciously like "stupid git" under his breath, Draco pulled out his wand and tapped Snape's leg, whispering "Ferula". He watched as a sling (is this the correct word?) spun itself into existence right in front of his eyes.
The gray eyes locked with black ones once again as he looked up. "Anywhere else?" Snape nodded and pointed to his right hand. Efficiently, Draco reached over and repeated the earlier process. Sitting back again, Draco asked quietly, "Why did you risk your life so that you can save Potter? You could very well be killed. You should know that well." Snape gave him a wan smile. "He's my responsibility."
Before Draco could open his mouth again, Snape evaded swiftly. "What about you? Why are you here as well? I certainly don't think that I am someone that you should risk your life over." Draco looked a tad indignant. "But…" He trailed off, seeing that Harry was stirring. Snape looked at Draco and realized that Harry waking up. He gave Draco a look and shook his head, indicating that their conversation should be saved for another day.
Harry lifted a hand and rubbed his eyes. Opening his eyes slowly, he caught sight of a pale delicate neck that was almost completely covered by high-collar and long strands of black hair. Fully aroused (awake, what are you thinking of) in an instant, he quickly removed his head from the shoulder and gave the Potions Master an apologetic face. The older man rolled his eyes in reply.
"Finished with your beauty sleep or are you finally willing to grace us with your attention?" Harry scowled at his school rival and sneered, "Why, your father decided to throw you in here too? This shows how much he loves you." Cheeks now tinged with pink, Draco growled, "At least I have a father, unlike someone."
Throwing out his left hand, Snape barely managed to pin Harry against the wall. Sending the Death Glare at both teenagers, he hissed, "Do I have to remind the two of you that you are at the end of your sixth-year, not three-year-olds? And we are in a cell, for Merlin's sake!" He glanced at the teens; both of them had the grace to look ashamed and were keeping quiet. Snape fought the impulse to smirk; he did not realize that his chiding would work on those two brats.
Removing his hand from Harry's chest, Snape turned to Draco and questioned formally, "What are you doing here, Mr Malfoy?" Draco's head shot up when he heard that he was being addressed and he answered truthfully, "I'm here to save the two of you." Hearing that, Harry regarded Draco with a skeptical look, much to Draco's chagrin.
Blatantly ignoring Harry, he removed two more wands from his robes and handed them to Snape. The latter's gaze moved from Draco to the wands and then back again. Draco could clearly see the astonishment in Snape's features. Smirking, the boy turned his attention to Harry and said, "Enough proof now?" For once, Harry nodded meekly and muttered a "thanks" under his breath.
Draco reached into the pocket of his robes again and pulled out a map and handed it to Snape. "Professor, this is the map of my house. The black dots are the people, gray are the ghosts and the others are the house-elves. I believe that you know that you are now in the dungeons?" Snape gave him an affirmative nod and was promptly in possession of a silver pendant in the shape of a dragon that Draco just removed from his neck.
Speeding through his lecture, Draco continued briskly, "This is a portkey. When you are ready to use it, just tap it and say 'Severus Snape's rooms', it will then be activated. However, you can't use it here, as the manor does not allow the use of portkeys and Apparition. So the only way is that you have to get away from the Death Eaters. All right, I'm leaving now. Just give me a few minutes before the two of you leave." He nodded and then proceeded to walk out.
Harry was suddenly on his feet. He touched the blonde's shoulder tentatively. Draco wheeled around, surprised. He found that Harry had extended his hand to him. He stared at Harry's hand with trepidation. Conflicting thoughts were now running quickly through his mind. Should he take it? He would have his revenge now if he refused to take it, just like what Harry did in their first-year. On the other hand, he would have a friend, a real friend, one that he never had since he was young.
Bright green eyes gazed steadily at Draco. Harry wasn't sure if Draco would take it. After all, he started it when he refused to take his hand when it was offered to him. As an equal. Now Harry was doing the same thing, though he honestly doubted that Draco would accept it. As he began to lower his hand, Draco grabbed it and shook it before dropping it. Harry looked up and grinned at him and Draco can't help but to return it. Then he was gone.
Harry pivoted and faced Snape. And found that the man was smiling at him too. The effect was tremendous. The gaunt face seemed to be fuller and the usually cold or emotionless eyes were twinkling in a way much like Dumbledore's eyes does. Harry stared at Snape's face, mesmerized by the multitudinous changes. A questioning eyebrow shot into his hair as Snape realized that Harry was staring at him. Harry blinked and then turned red.
Snape shook his head and chuckled. "Shall we go now?" Harry looked back at him and nodded determinedly. He walked towards Snape and offered him his hand. Snape took it gratefully and got up slowly. His world spun as he stood up. Leaning back on the wall, his left hand went to his temples and he massaged them gently. Harry was by his side in a moment. Lying a hand on the older man's shoulder, he asked, "Are you ok?"
Snape realized that Harry would probably not believe him if he said that he was fine, so he settled on not replying at all. It did not work. He felt his fingers being pried from his head and he scowled at Harry. Not coerced at all, he asked again, urgently this time. "Severus! Are you ok?" Snape sighed and answered, "Dizzy, probably from the punch to my face just now."
Harry racked his brains for a spell that he heard Hermione tell him before. His eyes lit up as he remembered it. Turning back to Snape, he asked, "Do you trust me?" Snape eyed Harry warily. "What is it?" Harry gave him what he hoped to be a reassuring smile. "It's a spell that I found out from Hermione which will get rid of your dizzy spells." A questioning eyebrow shot up into Snape's hairline again. "But you are not sure of it." Harry hung his head. "Go on." Harry's head shot up. "Huh?" Snape made a tching sound in his throat. "I said go on."
Harry's emerald green eyes widened. "But…" He trailed off, studying Snape's face. Snape gave an exasperated snort. "Harry, where has your Griffindor courage gone to? Come on, have more trust in yourself, just like me having trust in you." Harry nodded and pointed his wand at Snape, muttering an incantation beneath his breath. Harry cast a worried look at Snape. It did not seem that he did anything wrong. The man still looked all right to him.
Tentatively, he asked, "Do you feel weird or anything?" Snape rested his weight gingerly on his broken leg and took a step forward. The world stayed firm on its feet. He took yet another step forward and turned to favor Harry with another smile. "You succeeded, Harry." Harry returned the smile with a wide grin of his own. He very nearly went to hug Snape. Fortunately he stopped himself in time.
The smile disappeared as Snape became serious again. He beckoned Harry towards him. Harry stood beside him and listened eagerly as Snape told him of his plan. Snape pointed his wand at Harry and whispered a spell quietly. Harry disappeared right before his eyes and he heard an excited voice say, "Hey cool! Can you teach me that someday?" Snape gave Harry a cool stare. "Ok, I get the picture."
In an attempt to hide the smirk on his face, Snape quickly cast the spell on himself. Harry's voice came from the left of him, asking him of his location. "I'm here. Don't move." Snape reached out and felt hair. Moving his hand down slightly, he soon had his arm around Harry's shoulder. "Now, put your arm around my waist." Harry obeyed without comment; they already agreed that this had to be done so that they will not lose each other and Harry could also support Snape.
Harry felt his face flush and was thankful that he was under an invisibility spell. 'What the hell is wrong with you, Potter?' He castigated himself mentally. 'You didn't feel weird when you were near Severus in the past. So what's the problem now?' He shook his head slightly and followed the older man out of the cell that had been in for the past few hours. Studying the map thoughtfully, Snape said, "We will see two Death Eaters once we step out of this place. Be vigilant."
Harry nodded before realizing that Snape can't see him. He quickly replied and then he was told to open the door slowly. They were a strange sight. Although others could not see them, they could clearly see the map hovering in 'mid-air'. They squinted their eyes due to the sudden light before Harry caught sight of the two Death Eaters that Snape told him about. Swiftly, he pointed his wand at the two of them and said calmly, "Stupefy."
The Death Eaters went down like a rock. "Let's get out of here. The spell wouldn't last long." Snape whispered softly into Harry's ear. Harry shivered and found that he couldn't find his voice. Instead he tightened his grip slightly on Snape's waist, suggesting that they should carry on. Their journey went on with Snape hobbling along and telling Harry the position of the Death Eaters. Harry cast the stunning spell and full body bind on them competently.
"I see Lucius Malfoy. Harry, do not curse him." Harry looked up in shock. "Why?" once again whispering, Snape said, "He will send people after us if he knows that we are out here." The two of them stood with their back pressed against the damp dungeon walls as they watched Malfoy Senior walk past them. Heart pounding madly, Harry felt fear and excitement coursing through him. Finally, Malfoy sashayed past them, Crabbe and Goyle Senior walking behind him.
Harry and Snape let out a sigh of relief simultaneously. "Be glad that it wasn't Voldemort." Harry agreed with Snape. Slowly, they continued their way towards the flight of stairs that will lead them to safety, leaving stunned Death Eaters in their wake. The fact that they could make their way to the stair so rapidly was proof that they were great partners. Snape sucked in a breath as he looked at the map again. "There are many Death Eaters in that place. Be very careful and don't try to curse all of them. Just as long as we are able to leave the dungeons."
As they neared the stairway, Harry could barely suppress a gasp. To say that there were many Death Eaters was some kind of vast understatement. That place was practically swarming with Death Eaters. "Jeez! You call that many?" Snape rolled his eyes and said, "The invisibility spell is wearing off. I certainly don't wish to suddenly become visible in front of all these people. Even though I know that all of them are imbeciles, they would still pose a problem to us." Snape folded the map and put it in his pocket. "Let's go."
Moving close to the groups of Death Eaters, Harry sent curses at them. Snape was right; they were indeed imbeciles. Each time one of their comrades fell the entire group of Death Eaters would surround him and check his problem. Harry bit back a laugh. He realized that they were probably junior Death Eaters; the more senior ones most definitely did not do such stupid things, save for a few of them.
Suddenly, a roar of anger interrupted his happiness. "Where are they?!" Malfoy's face was twisted in anger, his cold gray eyes staring at everyone. "I said, where are they?!" Snape nudged Harry, "Quick, before he figures out where we are." Harry nodded, "Ok." Walking out to the main hall of Malfoy Manor, Harry had to blink several times before he could see properly. Snape steered Harry to his right. "Here."
Harry followed quickly, wanting to go back to Hogwarts. He suddenly realized that his friends would probably be worried sick. One thing he hated was to hurt others. "Touch this." Harry blinked. "Come again?" Coal-black eyes were staring at him. Shocked, Harry looked around him and at himself. He was so lost in his cogitation that he did not even realize that he was already out of the manor and the spell had too wore off.
Snape sighed, "Harry?" The boy flushed, "Sorry." Snape shook his head, tutting slightly. "It's all right. Just touch this and we'll be back in Hogwarts." Harry obliged, putting a finger on the silver pendant. Snape narrowed his eyes and said, "I can't use my wand, remember?" This time, Harry responded immediately. Tapping the pendant, he said succinctly, "Severus Snape's rooms."
It felt just like the other times when Harry used a portkey; he felt like a hook behind his navel had jerked him forward and no matter what he did, he could not get his finger off the pendant. Suddenly, he slammed into something soft. Opening his eyes, he could only see dark fabric. Looking up, he could see one Severus Snape. He felt his heart speed up again. 'Oh gods, I'm lying in his bed, pressed up against his chest. Not a good situation. Definitely not a good situation."
Clearing his throat, Harry sat up and said, "Er…I'll help you sit up then I'll go and fetch Professor Dumbledore and Madam Pomfrey ok?" Snape nodded, his face expressionless. "Thanks." Harry smiled as he helped the older man. "Just rest. I'll be back in a few minutes." He felt eyes trained onto him and met the gaze steadily. Snape's voice cut in. "You don't have to…" Harry brushed his hair out of his face, revealing the lightning bolt scar for a moment. "You're right. I don't have to but I want to. Just rest ok?"
Snape nodded and then he heard the sound of Harry walking out of his room. Finally he was alone. It wasn't that he did not like Harry's company but for some reason he felt that he did not deserve a friend like Harry. He waved a hand and the curtains closed around his bed. Flashes of what happened to him earlier came back to him. A body pinned him down to the ground and pulled his trousers off. Almost immediately, he felt a cock ram into his arse. He leaned back against the headboard and closed his eyes.
Another flashback. Those bloody brutes took hold of his right hand and broke it almost effortlessly. He heard screaming and laughter as they broke every single bone in his right hand. He did not even realize that he had been the one screaming. He vaguely remembered thinking of how he was going to make his beloved potions in the future. The next thing that struck him was that there was no longer a spy for the Light. Many more innocents' lives would be claimed; just because he failed in his duties as a spy.
He did not realize that he was crying until he felt gentle fingers brushing them away. He opened his eyes and looked warily at Harry. Had he been so lost in his thoughts? He supposed he did. Otherwise he would probably have heard Harry coming back in. He closed his eyes again and ignored Harry.
Harry conjured a damp washcloth and cleaned the tears and bloodstains away. With another flick of his wand, the washcloth was gone. "Professor?" Snape's eyes remained stubbornly closed. He couldn't explain it but he felt sad that Harry was addressing him by his title again. A sigh from Harry. Snape opened his eyes in shock when he felt Harry cup his cheek lightly. "Severus, please. It's nothing to be ashamed of. Everyone has a right to cry, especially what you've gone through."
Obsidian eyes peeked out from long eyelashes and regarded Harry. How is it possible that a sixteen-year-old boy could make him feel like he was much younger and more inferior? Harry's hand, which was stroking Snape's hair idly, dropped to the man's hand and squeezed it. Harry smiled and said, "I should be going now. It's after curfew. Take a good rest and be that mean bastard again. I'll miss him dearly if he's gone. And yes, thanks for being my pillow just now." Just then, Harry did something that surprised both of them; he bent forward and kissed the man's cheek. A grin and then he bounced out of Snape's room.
Albus Dumbledore and Madam Pomfrey came into the room a minute later. Snape was now looking just like he did usually. Dumbledore smiled at him and then commented, "I think Harry has been spending too much time with you." That quizzing eyebrow shot into his hair again. "I believe that I've just been given a rather peremptory dismissal by the boy himself." As Madam Pomfrey went into nurse-mode, Snape smirked at his friend.
~*~*~*~ (wow, isn't this long?)
"…Professor Snape, I assure you, is definitely a spy for us and is no longer a Death Eater. His formerly grouchy behavior, " Dumbledore gave a meaningful look to Harry, "is due to stress from maintaining his pretense as a Death Eater." The students in the Great Hall were silent, not knowing not to say. "All right, you may dig into your food now." The chatter began at those words. Most students believed Dumbledore's words but on the other hand didn't believe that Snape would become a kind teacher.
"I don't think that he would become nice to us overnight." Ron commented as he stuffed his mouth with food. "I think he will continue being nice to his precious Slytherins." Hermione stared at her boyfriend, disgusted by his eating habits. "He's a good teacher and will you stop bad-mouthing him?" Harry grinned at his best friends. They could be quarreling now but a few minutes later, they will be holding hands again.
His eyes wandered to the Head Table. He stared into the eyes of his Potions Master and smiled. The man was recovering quickly due to the care of Madam Pomfrey although he would never admit it. Harry looked around, thinking that he would miss this place in the months he will spend in Dursleys' house. He did not realize that he would be back in this place much sooner than he thought.
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Tbc…
Author's Note: Please review and tell me if this chapter is ok and if the characters are out of character. This would probably be one of the longest chapters as I didn't know where to stop. Once again, please review!!