Title: When Harry Left Severus

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

Chapter 11 - Continued Entrapments
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.



Life rarely went smoothly Harry reflected as he sat down to dinner with Hermione. He'd worked most of the day in the dungeons hardly speaking. To be fair Hermione was busy teaching and finals were coming up the following week. Now they sat in less than companionable silence because the only conversation they managed to have dredged up his behavior in France.

Strangely, France with Vachel was very smooth. He missed his lover! For the hundredth time that day he wished the thin French man was sitting next to him instead of a frizzy-haired witch.

Hermione was still angry about being deserted in a wide variety of bars. Multiple times. Harry had gone off with new friends and left her. Of course, several times she'd gone back to the hotel only to find him in a variety of inconvenient stages of undress with some of those friends.

Not that Ron had acted much better. He'd left many times and done much the same thing. Too bad they hadn't co-ordinated better and inconvenienced Hermione on different nights. But for some reason she had taken the most exception to his cavorting with friends before he'd told Snape about no longer being interested in their relationship.

He knew Hermione was brilliant. He just didn't know she was a bloody prude as well.

It was Hermione's final act, making him write Snape to say he was seeing other people before she'd stomped back to Hogwarts to resume teaching. He'd never actually sent the parchment. And Harry had been stupid enough to tell her that just that afternoon. He didn't even know why he told her! He'd been talking about Vachel and then Snape and then, after laughing a long time about Snape's reaction to seeing Vachel face to face, wondered aloud what he would have looked like if he had sent that parchment.

He idly stirred his barley soup, his attention diverted from thinking about Snape and Vachel in the morning room very quickly. Maybe he should tell the Healer about the headache that kept coming and going.

Harry's attention was drawn to the back of the great hall. Dumbledore was coming into the room and he had several people with him. As they drew closer he realized that he knew two of them: Molly Weasley and her son Bill. A third wizard looked vaguely familiar, but he couldn't place him.

As they moved closer he saw that the Headmaster's face was still stern. In fact Bill and the unknown wizard looked his way with less than happy expressions. But Molly caught his eye and gave him a warm smile. Harry nearly burst into tears.

The three wizards sat down at the far end of the staff table. Molly walked passed them and came around to the empty chair next to the young wizard. She opened her arms and drew him into a tight hug.

Harry, I'm so glad to see you again! the older witch said warmly. When she finally released him, again with that same accepting smile, she reached over and touched Hermione.

Professor Granger! Molly gushed mischievously. My nephew
can't say enough wonderful things about your class! Hermione's eyes twinkled in delight and she flushed slightly.

Well, then, I'd best reconsider that fail mark! she teased right back. The two women shared a chuckle.

Harry settled happily between the two witches who now conversed about both Hogwarts and the Burrow as they ate. He didn't feel compelled to join in much, although it was very soothing to listen to the calm chatter. It also kept him from thinking too much about Vachel.


Dumbledore kept a watchful eye on Harry. He was truly appreciated Molly Weasley's ability to accept the young man was not himself. He had trouble with dealing with that knowledge. He could not believe Harry had been that easily snared.

He sighed. He'd become too jaded since the death of Voldemort. Watching the hoopla and minor riots of fanatics chasing after many of the of the great war. Watching his own child tossed aside. It really was time to retire.

But to where? They'd have to tell Snape about his manor. Perhaps they could find a new place to live. Snape did have his family fortune squirreled away in Gringotts and Dumbledore himself was not by any means poor. He decided he'd have to convince Snape to start over at the least. Share a household was even better.

And probably with Lupin and Black. He had to admit, if only to himself, they did both care for Snape. In fact they'd put together quite a nice wardrobe for the ill wizard. The clothing had been sent with Dobby to be washed along with their own new things.

Turning back to his companions he considered what he'd heard from Bill and the Weasley's physician, Dr. Atterly. It seems Ron was suffering from the same set of spells and potion blend as Harry. He did not have any memory blocks in place. The younger Weasley had continued traveling alone after his friends separated. He'd only recently joined Harry at his country home.

Ron was now sequestered in his own small suite sleeping under Winky's watchful eye. Dumbledore had convinced Molly and Bill, who was at home recuperating from an accident at Gringotts, to come stay at Hogwarts until the mystery surrounding Ron and Harry was cleared up. Arthur Weasley was completely tied up at the Ministry and would stay in London with his twin sons.

The Headmaster hoped the poor wizard would be safe with those two pranksters.




The Headmaster was very pleased that Snape had slept the night without pain or nightmare. It didn't bother him, much, that Jeffrey had allowed Lupin and Black to tuck him in their bed. Now the ill wizard was curled once more on the lounge tucked under Dr. James' chin being pulsed with healing energy.

All the swellings were down and the bruises had for the most part become brownish yellow reminders of the abuse. IVs were done and the collection bag was gone. Now they'd start on the emotional turmoil the wizard was suffering. Snape was dangerously close to slipping into depression. Accepting a refill from Black the Headmaster turned back to his breakfast.

So, what do you want us to go shopping for today, Albus? Black mischievously asked as he flashed the debit card.

Oh, yesss, Albus! I've never had an unlimited Visa in my
life! Lupin chimed in with a grin. Dumbledore shook his head ruefully.

Perhaps I was a bit energetic in dismissing you both
yesterday, the Headmaster began. But I am very
concerned about Severus!

So are we, Lupin said softly. Dumbledore carefully looked both men over.

I know you are, Remus, but it's hard for me. No one's cared
about Severus for years, the Headmaster grudgingly admitted.
Well, Dr. James and Jeffrey do. It's just that you have
talked so often about joining Harry. And now it looks as if
Harry is going to soon be back to himself. He left the conclusions alone. Black and Lupin both glanced at one another uncomfortably. Yes. Harry would soon be all right again. But Black had no desire to go live with the young man any more. Oh, he wanted to be able to see him often, but the need to be with him daily had diminished.

I will be happy to have my godson in control of himself
once again. But I can't see us living with him, Black commented.
He has his own life to lead and I would be much too over
protective.

I have noticed a slight tendency to be over-protective, Lupin murmured stifling a smile. Dumbledore was about to make his own comments about the territorial animagus when a sharp *CRACK* split the air and a very distraught house elf materialized in the middle of the breakfast dishes.

Beryl! What's wrong? the Headmaster immediately had his teacup dashed from his hand as a terrified elf dove onto his lap, burying his hands and face into the wizard's robes.

oh oh oh oh! he cried out, Master Harry is going to kill
Beryl. Master Harry is going to kill Beryl! The poor creature was starting to set up a wail when a second *CRACK* sounded and a second house elf appeared on the table.

Headmaster! Mr. Potter is angry. Mr. Potter is coming to
hurt Beryl! Dobby chattered in great agitation.

Um, you did remove Harry's wand? Black asked with concern.

Yes, we did, Dumbledore managed to get out, now two elves were clinging to him.

Dobby? Dobby, come here. The Headmaster has enough
on his hands with Beryl, Snape called. Much to Dr. James disapproval the Potions Master had managed to sit up and break out of his hold. Now the wizard was moving across the room towards the breakfast table.

Dobby abandoned the Headmaster and went straight for Snape. But the elf did not jump on him or knock against him as everyone in the room had feared. The elf simply stood leaning against his leg wrapping arms around his knee. The Potions Master slipped into a chair near the table to quietly talk to the trembling elf.

But even this lull didn't last long for suddenly the office door swung open with such force two portraits fell off the wall with a *thump* thoroughly waking the snoozing headmasters within.

BERYL! GIVE ME THAT PACKET NOW! SO HELP ME MERLIN
I'LL RIP YOUR FUCKING HEAD OFF! Harry Potter stormed into the room his face dark with anger. Black and Lupin rose from the table and moved to shield the elf still trying to hide in the Headmaster's robes. Dr. James simply drew his wand and moved by Snape.

Harry, what is the matter? Black tried to catch his godson's attention.

That damned elf took a package that Vachel sent me! the young wizard fumed.
AND I WANT IT NOW!

Harry, Albus probably asked him to collect all your mail, Lupin inserted reasonably.

He can't do that! I'm not under arrest! I DEMAND MY MAIL! Harry raged moving closer to the Headmaster and elf in question.

Harry, all mail coming into Hogwarts is screened at some
level, Black tried again. In his fury Harry swung around to face his godfather and caught sight of Snape. If anything the wizard became even more irate.

I understand now! He's here! Snape's gone and had that,
that disgusting creature steal my things! Harry hissed. Behind him Molly Weasley came through the door slightly out of breath. She'd chased him through the castle from the Great Hall.

she panted, Harry, calm down!

I WILL NOT CALM DOWN! I DID NOTHING WRONG! YOU CAN'T
KEEP ME HERE AGAINST MY WILL! Harry's voice was beginning to break under the exertion.

I DID NOT HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH SNAPE'S GETTING
BEATEN! he shrieked, Although it was well deserved, the
goddamn bastard! Snape blanched slightly but did not react otherwise. Dobby quivered uncontrollably as he clung tighter.
And contrary to what you all believe I had nothing to do
with HIS GOD DAMN HOUSE GETTING BLOWN TO DUST!

Now several things happened. But the major movement belonged to Molly who swept across the room and slapped the very out-of-control wizard across the face completely derailing his tantrum. He stared at her, stunned into silence, the color draining from his face as well as his anger as he fingered his reddening cheek.

Harry Potter, whether you believe us or not you
have been ensnared by this Vachel creature. You are not
in control of yourself and you won't be until the potions
he used have left your system. And you certainly won't
know the extent he's used you until those memory blocks
have been removed from your mind, Molly said firmly as she squared herself in front of Harry.
You will apologize to these men and elves and then
YOU WILL GO TO YOUR ROOM AND STAY THERE UNTIL I SAY
YOU MAY LEAVE!

If a pin had dropped the noise would have deafened the occupants of the room. Harry's mouth had flopped open and he stared at the fiery red head in front of him. He'd never, never seen her so upset and it was all directed at him. gods, he was going to cry just from the shame of upsetting her so.

I'm, I'm, I'm, sorry, Harry eked out, throat raw from all his yelling. Tears started to roll down his cheeks and he had not broken eye contact with the formidable witch. She reached out and pulled him close.

I know you are Harry. Let's get down to your rooms and
have you rest, Molly moved carefully and walked slowly out the door. The stunned silence hung over the room as the door softly closed behind the retreating figures. Both Lupin and Dumbledore let out the breaths they'd been holding as Black sunk back in his chair.

My gods, that poor child, Dumbledore began as he rocked the shaking elf. Dobby crept over to make sure Beryl was ok.

The potions create compulsions toward the ensnarer, Dr. James explained.
He's gone nearly three days without Vachel and he's
near his breaking point.

Well, he's also about cycled through so if he can hold out
another day or so he'll be fine, Black added.

They were so shell shocked from the raw display of anger they all missed Snape slipping out of the room. He simply walked into Dumbledore's bedroom and closed the door without a sound. Continued to walk until he came to the wizard's immense closet and opened the door, walked in and closed that. Moved as far back into the dark and curled up into a small ball against the back wall.

His home? His home was gone? Harry had said it was blown to dust. He knew of very few dark spells that could completely destroy a structure of stone and heavy wood such as his. Few, but effective.

Deep down he knew it was the same group that beat him into the mess he was now. When they were stopped from beating him to death they did the next most horrible thing they could. All that he had, all that he treasured, was gone.

Worse, was there a worse? There was nothing he could do about any of it. He couldn't retaliate. No one at the ministry would bother seeking any sort of justice. Not for the disgusting Severus Snape. He'd be lucky if he could even go to Gringotts to withdraw enough for renting a room in Hogsmeade without being laughed out of the Leaky Cauldron.

And he couldn't even stay here with Albus because he was retiring. Retiring and there was no place for him to stay. Well, the wizard did still have his beach house and Snape was certain that there were more than enough magical folk who'd take the great Dumbledore in for as long as he needed a place to stay.

But not Severus Snape.

He sat in his own despair for a very long time.