Title: When Harry Left Severus

rating: R for adult themes including male/male relationships.

Chapter 8 - Confronting Harry
by: Raven Dancer

disclaimer: All characters belong to J.K. Rowling except for the Drs. Barnes, Daniel Murphy and Beryl. I receive no monetary compensation for these works.


Dinner had been a chilly affair; even Hagrid was not very happy to see Harry sitting at the staff table. Dumbledore had barely nodded.
Hermione managed to make polite conversation with her old friend, but merely polite.

Both his godfather and his mate were missing from table.

There were no introductions, no fanfare that Harry had come to expect nearly everywhere he'd gone. Food eaten and a quiet word from McGonagall that the Headmaster would be down to see him after nine in his room.

Feeling more than sorry for himself Harry walked through the halls towards his rooms, the voices of students hurrying along getting ready for finals and summer vacation filled the air. He wondered belatedly where his godfather was and if Snape was doing better. There was no one to ask.

Hmmmm. Maybe Beryl could get Dobby for him. He was sure the house elf returned here after he left Vachel's place. Dobby would find out about Sirius for him! Maybe not Snape though. He doubted the house elf could stand the Potions Master any more than he could.

With more purpose Harry hurried back to his rooms and rang for Beryl. The elf appeared promptly but was hesitant to fetch Dobby for the wizard.

Dobby not Hogwarts elf. Dobby no work here, the elf explained carefully.

Is Dobby here? Harry pressed. The elf answered a tentative yes.

Well, then, go ask him to come see me. I'm an old friend, Harry explained. The look from Beryl was disbelieving at best. But being a good house elf he agreed to tell Dobby that Mr. Potter wanted to speak to Dobby.

When Dobby finally showed up it was nine o'clock and the elf walked in with Dumbledore. The first thing Harry noted was Dobby was not wearing strange socks or a pillowcase or tea cozy. He was wearing a small dark t-shirt reaching his knees and belted with a length of black cord.

The second thing he noticed was that Dobby was NOT smiling.

Hullo, Dobby! I asked Beryl if you could help me, Harry began. He knew that all house elves loved to help their wizards and Dobby had always loved to help Harry.

Dobby is free elf. Dobby does not helps if Dobby not wants to
helps, the elf sniffed indignantly. Harry was floored.

But Dobby, you always love to help me, remember? Harry said faintly. Dobby simply glanced at the wizard.

Mr. Potter tell Dobby go away. Mr. Potter no need Dobby, the elf threw back in Harry's face. Oh, gods, he had sent the elf away. Vachel had asked him to since there were more than enough house elves in the house already. There was something more, but Harry couldn't quite recall.

Master Severus takes Dobby. Master Severus loves Dobby, the elf said.
Dobby loves Master Snape, Dobby asserted. With that declaration the elf turned and walked out of the room before a soft was heard. Dobby had left for his master.

He, he loves Dobby? Harry stuttered. Snape said he loved a house elf? Snape hated house elves and everyone else! Another movement at the door caught his attention. In walked both Dr. James Barnes and Officer Daniel Murphy.

Why are you here? Harry asked, mostly of the security officer.

We are concerned about your involvement in the assault on
Severus and the destruction of the manor, Murphy stated.

We left! Both Sirius and Remus can attest to that! Harry quickly defended himself.

Yes, they did say you two apparently left the manor, although
both of you had been alone with Severus, Murphy continued.

Dumbledore moved in quickly, we are all concerned
about your involvement with Vachel and his friends. We wonder
if you have been hexed or subjected to a potion. You are not
acting quite like yourself.

This was almost too much for the young wizard to tolerate. He suddenly felt trapped by these three old meddling men. Hexed? Potioned? Ridiculous!

Yes, Daniel, I see what you were referring to. He does have
some of the mannerisms, Dr. James murmured as he quietly closed the door.

You can't keep me here against my will, Harry hissed, teeth clenched.

No, we can't, Murphy asserted, but we can ask you to let
Dr. James perform a series of terminating spells and scan you
for possible potions.

NO! I have not been hexed! I have not taken any potions! Harry asserted. The three wizards watched as the younger jerked and paced back and forth.

I take responsibility, Dumbledore said quietly.

No, I will, asserted Murphy and he turned to Harry.
Mr. Potter, I believe you have been compromised either by
curse or potion. I do not believe you are in control of your
actions. You will subject to a Healer scan and terminating
spells or be taken into custody.

Harry's jaw dropped. He was trapped and all he wanted to do was flee this insane place and get back to Vachel! Vachel understood him! Loved him! Vachel was always there for him.

You have no right to hold me like this, he snarled. Murphy frowned slightly.

Harry Potter, I place you under arrest for the assault on Severus Snape and the destruction of property belonging to Severus Snape, Murphy began, his wand wove a binding spell over the young wizard.
You have the right to counsel...

You've got to be kidding! I HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH SNAPE
OR HIS BLOODY MANOR! Harry screamed. Dr. James stepped up to the youth.

Well, then, if you had nothing to do with any of this, let me scan
you and if you pass I'll have Murphy let you go, the Healer said simply.

I'll be released? Harry demanded.

Of course. Once you've passed your scans, Dr. James replied.

Ok, do them! Harry asserted.

Now haven been given permission the Healer first simply touched the young man's head. He was still bound and attempted to sit still, but the compulsion to get away from Dr. James was strong.

Barnes said, putting Harry effectively to sleep.

What James? Dumbledore pressed immediately. The Healer rubbed his face and turned to the other two wizards.

Memory blocks. Plural. I have no idea what is behind them, he said quietly.

So there is something more here. This Vachel or his companions
have effectively snared Harry, Murphy said.

What else, James? the Headmaster asked.

I need to scan; I just wanted to let you know there are some
complications, and the Healer turned back to his sleeping patient.




Dobby flashed back into the Hogwarts space in the Headmaster's bedroom. The angry cracking noise drew the attention of the wizards present including one that was barely awake.

Dobby! Whatever is wrong? Lupin quietly asked as the house elf agitatedly hunched down by the lounge.

Dobby mads, was all the elf would say. Lupin carefully returned his attention to the ill wizard sandwiched between him and Black.

Another spoonful, Severus, Black encouraged holding the small scoop up to Snape's mouth. The house elves had made a very protein-rich custard for the Potions Master.

It was difficult to feed the confused and sleepy wizard. Snape knew he'd been hurt and was still uncomfortable. But he couldn't figure out what had happened nor was he coherent enough to ask his companions anything.

So Black and Lupin continued to stuff bits of extremely tasty vanilla custard into his mouth. He gave up trying to figure out what had happened and simply accepted bite after bite of the soft, sweet food. He was sleepy, he was snuggled up in nice warm blankets between two people he trusted very much. With a sigh he swallowed one last spoonful and leaned against Black's chest listening to the heart beating within.

So tired, Severus? Have a small sip of juice for me, Lupin pushed the straw between the passive lips and waited as little sips were drawn up and swallowed.
Good Severus, cool juice to keep you nice and hydrated.

The IV swung above them, the tube still bringing potions and saline solution into the wizard. A few gentle circles rubbed along his back and Snape slipped back under cuddled tight against Black.

Now Lupin cleaned up, removing the bowl and mug, wiping the nearly clean face with a warm damp washcloth. Fussing with covers and he kissed Snape's forehead then his mate's responsive lips.

Love you, Lupin whispered with a smile.

Love you, Black managed, stilling one last kiss before Lupin sat back.

Love you, too, Sev, Lupin stroked the sleeping man's hair eliciting a chuckle from his mate.

I don't think he's going to join us in this set of declarations, Black pointed out. Lupin sighed.

He wouldn't even if he were awake. Severus completely cut
himself off from me, from us. He's told me he's glad I'm here,
that he's going to miss us when we leave, Lupin told his mate.

He doesn't know he's back in the loop. That he really was never
out of your heart. That the greasy git has managed to capture
my heart, too, Black murmured as he now kissed the Potions Master. They watched the sleeping wizard resettle into sleep.

We will just have to slowly convince him of our intent, then, Lupin suggested as he looked at Black.

Oh, yes. It will take some time, but we will help him understand
that we both want to be with him, Black replied.