Disclaimer: I own nothing. Harry, Hedwig, Severus (as much as I love him), and everyone else, all belong to JKR and whoever else is in the long list of Harry Potter owners. Tidmag owns the basic plot as he/she (?) gave me the idea for this story. Also, this is another answer for Severitus' challenge. This story has no relation to my other story written partly in answer to Severitus' challenge because there is no Saerry (except for yours truly). I also do not own Lifehouse or their lyrics.
Summary: Fifth year and Harry finds himself changing. But are they for better or for worse? And what secret lurks behind these changes? A secret only Remus Lupin seems to know.
These Dreams-Saerry Snape-
*To See if You're Human After All *
~*~
Could you let down your hair
And be transparent for a while
Just a little while
To see if you're human after all
~*~
Snape stumbled out of bed as the knocking at his door slowly mixed with the pounding of his head and became an annoying song. He fumbled across the main room to the door and jerked it open. Dumbledore drowned at him and said, "Bed, Severus."
Snape frowned at him then spat, "Well then open the damn door yourself and don't make me get up." Turning, he stalked (or more accurately, stumbled) back into the bedroom, collapsing on the bed. Dumbledore followed him and Snape sneered.
"Going to tuck me in, Albus?"
Dumbledore frowned and replied, "No. I have a move –grave– matter to discuss."
Snape arched an eyebrow and waved a hand weakly in a 'go on' gesture.
"It's about Harry."
The effect of these three words was instantaneous. The color (what was left of it) drained out of Snape's face and he croaked, "What about Harry?"
"He has tried once to kill himself by jumping off the Astronomy Tower. And Poppy has informed me that Hermione Granger brought him up to the Hospital wing covered in blood and with cuts on his writs."
Snape dully said, "What did Ms. Granger say it was?"
"Cut from exploding glass."
"She lied?"
"I believe so."
Snape closed his eyes for a moment then asked, "How do you know he jumped off the Astronomy Tower?"
"There have been charms set on the tower to set off an alarm in my office if someone jumps off. And I found these at the bottom." Dumbledore pulled out a pair of smashed black glasses from his robes. Snape took them in shaking hands then looked up into the dull blue eyes.
"There's more isn't there?"
Dumbledore nodded and said, Harry threw Draco Malfoy off the tower just a half-hour ago."
Snape as about to leapt to his feet when there was a feeble knock at the door. Dumbledore went to open it and Snape heard him say, "Ms. Granger. Is there a problem?"
There was a pause then he heard Hermione's teary voice choke, "It's Harry, professor. He's – he's not himself."
"Come inside, Ms. Granger, and tell me everything."
The door clicked shut then Dumbledore reentered the bedroom, pushing Hermione in front of him. The girl had tears streaming down her face and was twisting a scarlet handkerchief in her hands. Her eyes widened when she saw Snape, looking paler than usual, sitting on his bed in the same robes from yesterday, which were torn in several places. She ducked her head and muttered, "I should go."
Dumbledore placed a hand on her shoulder and said, "Stay, Ms. Granger. You came here because you are afraid for Harry?"
Hermione nodded dully and looked up at Snape. She sniffed then said, "Harry's angry with you. He – he doesn't believe you're his father." She pause then looked away, eyes closed, and continued, "But you are. I sat it."
Snape was at a loss for words and simply stared at her while Dumbledore asked, "What do you mean, Ms. Granger?"
"I can show you." Hermione sniffed again then reached into her robes, pulling out a thin book. She handed it to Dumbledore and said, "My sketchbook."
Snape, finally finding his voice, sneered, "What does that have to do with anything?"
Hermione said nothing but Dumbledore did.
"Look, Severus."
He held out the sketchbooks and Snape took it, spinning it around so he could see.
And he gasped.
Looking up with wide, frightened eyes, he breathed, "He – he…" His voice trailed off as he looked back down at the sketch.
Hermione whispered, "He looks just like you."
Snape look at her and nodded.
"How did you draw this?"
"The Veritas spell. I thought it was rather strange that Harry would look like James rather than you, professor."
Snape was lost for words again but he found them long enough to ask, "May I keep this, Ms. Granger?"
Hermione nodded. "As long as you like, professor."
Snape nodded his thanks then Dumbledore said, "Thank you, Ms. Granger. Perhaps you should head back to Gryffindor Tower now."
Hermione nodded numbly and turned to leave. She paused in the door and turned back.
"Professor?"
Dumbledore arched an eyebrow.
"Yes, Ms. Granger?"
"Sir, what are you going to do about Harry?"
Dumbledore smiled and said, "Everything we can, Ms. Granger. Everything we can."
Hermione nodded then said, "Goodnight, Professor Dumbledore, Professor Snape. And good luck." With that she left. As the door clicked closed behind her the two men looked at each other and both said the same thing.
"Now what?"
~*~
Honesty is a hard attribute to find
When we all want to seem like
We got it all figured out
Let me be the first to say
That I don't have a clue
~*~