A/N: K, Ive re uploaded this chappy, cos it's the beta read version! Thanks to Katy999
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Harry stopped just around the corner from Severus's rooms, silently listening to Albus and Severus exchanging false pleasantries as the Headmaster left.
"Harry, you can come out now." Harry looked round to see Severus standing with the portrait open waiting for him. Damn that man's sense of hearing, it was not normal!
Harry had his arms wrapped around himself but he wasn't cold. Harry stood, unmoving; he felt evil, dirty under Sev's gaze, all he had cared about was finding his lover but now that he had he felt the need to run again. He wasn't worthy of this man, Severus fought to live, to save other people, but what Harry had done on the battle field was selfish. He had killed out of cold blood and no-one punished him for it but they did hate him for it, and Severus should hate him too.
Harry fell to the floor, his knees buckling. He was a curse. What Tom had said was right: they were so much alike, he would only end up hurting people; he was just like Lord Voldemort, he would hurt the person he loved most… he would hurt Sev.
Severus swooped over, worried about his Gryffindor's sudden loss of control. He picked Harry up and carried him through the portrait and to his bedroom. Harry seemed oblivious, locked in his head, trying to play host to a tea party with too many guests. 'No sixteen year old should have to feel such grief, guilt and regret, it was not fair,' thought Severus. He offered a silent prayer to whoever would listen that his own news wouldn't push the boy over the edge. Still, what he had to say could wait, whatever had happened to Harry today needed to be talked about.
He poured a Dreamless sleep draught down Harry's throat upon finding that there was no way to wake hi. He decided that if Harry must sleep, it should at least be peaceful.
"Shhh, relax, I'm here." The Slytherin head of house brushed the bangs from Harry's face and looked into the terrified green eyes.
"You, you shouldn't be here!" Harry choked out pulling away. Severus was hurt but hid it well.
"Why?"
"I'll, I'll, I'll only end up hurting you." Harry sobbed inching back further shaking violently.
"Why?" A deep frown line etched into the older man's brow. He had been waiting for this; no one could have so much blood on their hands and not react to it, but he had thought Harry would let him be there to help. As it was Harry seemed terrified of him, so he did the only thing he could: kept his voice calm and reassuring and didn't go any closer to the shaken up boy.
"I'm just like him, he said so himself, I'll hurt you. I'm just like him, evil and wrong. I should have died."
"Just like who Harry?" Sev coaxed softly, fighting the urge to kill something, anything. How dare someone hurt his Harry!
"Tom." Harry drew the bed covers around him tightly scrunching himself into the smallest shape he could.
"When did he say that?"
"Today." Today. TODAY! That was impossible; Harry hadn't left Hogwarts… had he?
"Where was this Harry?" he kept the same soothing tome in an effort not to startle Harry's at best fragile hold on his sanity.
"In The Chamber. You, you left and it was so quiet, and so lonely."
"The Chamber of Secrets?"
"Yes."
"Voldemort's down there, he's in Hogwarts?"
"No, his soul is, it's been here for years, but not him."
"And he said you would hurt me?"
"No, he said I was just like him, he killed his family. You're all I have, I don't want to kill you."
"Harry you won't hurt me," Severus slowly made his way over to Harry with painstaking care not to make any sudden or swift movements. "You're nothing like him." Severus decided it was time to share a little of the news he had found out, or at least tell Harry what he needed to hear, the rest of it could wait. "Besides, I'm not all you have left, Black is still alive. Poppy says people will be able to go in and see him soon." Severus decided to skip the part about him being in a coma. "And it sounds like Lupin survived as well, they think he's laying low in the Muggle world at the moment. He's still alive though."
Harry's eyes widened with an innocent pleading look that broke Severus's heart.
"They're still alive?"
"Yes." Severus closed the remaining gap between them and cradled Harry like a child. He was icy to the touch. A quick heating spell fixed that.
"What happened today Harry?" The Boy Who Lived shivered and tensed but started reliving the days events his voice barely above a whisper.
"And then I ran, I cast some sort of spell to pull me upwards, oh God, oh God, oh God, Sev, I, I think it was black magic. I…I…I really am evil." Severus had done his best to bite his tongue through out Harry's story but it was becoming increasingly trying on his Slytherin patients.
"Harry, you are not evil, you are just like every one else. You're just not blinded by restrictions. Powerful does not mean evil, it just means more difficult to control. Most wizards would kill to have that kind of power, and many have, but they weren't strong enough to control it, so it ended up hurting people. You. Are. Not. Evil."
"Why did he say I was just like him then?" Harry's voice was a little steadier but not by much.
"Well, you have very similar traits Harry, you both speak Parseltongue, you are both very powerful, both your parents are dead, but Harry, I could make links like that with anyone. You are just like Draco Malfoy because you are both exceptional Seekers, you are both leaders of your houses, you are both head-strong, it does not however automatically make you blond." Severus ruffled Harry's hair affectionately and was rewarded with a weak smile that made him feel lighter than air. Harry looked amazing when he smiled, Severus would give the world for one of Harry's smiles.
"Harry, you have to forget him, what you have told me is very interesting. I'm sure it will prove vital if I can work out how it fits together." Severus contemplated it for a moment, rather uneasy with the thoughts he was forming and reluctant to share them.
"Do you know what it means?" Harry asked, recognising the look on the older man's face from all the nights he spent helping his Mentor work out a potion or plan the next Order mission.
"Not exactly." Harry frowned but knew not to ask questions. Severus's face softened as he noticed Harry's annoyance. "I was wondering, would you like me to help you put these new powers under control?" Harry instantly brightened,
"Is it even possible?"
"yes, but its rather intense training, and we can't do it inside the castle, it will set off the wards, I do know of a blind spot other than this room we can use in the forest though."
"What do you mean blind spot?"
"As far as I can tell Slytherin created 3 blind spots in the wards while he was here to practice magic the others weren't overly fond of inside the grounds without the wards being tripped: there was this room, his private quarters; The Chamber;" Harry gave an involuntary shudder, "and a clearing in the forest."
"Oh." Well, Harry thought, he supposed that's why Voldemort wasn't allowed in these rooms; having an easily assessable place to practice dark magic would have been somewhat disastrous, but then, why would he need this room if there was the forest and the chamber too? Harry resolved to ask that later. "When can I see Siri?" Severus went a shade paler than his usual ivory if it was at all possible. He didn't want Harry more upset than necessary.
"I'm, not sure, Poppy didn't say when, I'll go and ask her in a couple of minutes if you want." Harry nodded.
"Why don't you go outside and fly while I'm doing that? I know you haven't been out for a long time and with Voldemort currently indisposed I think it's safe." Harry grinned wildly; he had missed flying more than anything. When Voldemort had gotten back to full strength it was deemed too dangerous for Harry to go out and fly so he had all but given up. He missed flying above everything, the wonderful feeling of freedom.
Severus relaxed a tiny bit, it was wonderful to see Harry so happy, he deserved something, and he had made the suggestion in hopes of getting the boy's mind off his godfather. Softly he kissed Harry before letting go of him and walking over the fireplace to summon a house elf to get Harry's broom.
Harry thanked the cringing elf and then departed stealthily from Severus's rooms, watching out for teachers as he crept along the halls. As fast as was possible Harry made his way to the Quidditch pitch and kicked off, relishing the ice cold wind in his face and he dove towards the ground, daring it to hit him.
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A/N Yes yes I know, crappy place to leave it but I'm just so bloody lazy. I tried to make it longer but it was proving too taxing on my little brain.
K, I'm gonna give out virtual lollypops if anyone can guess what's going on with Voldie, question 3 is the biggest clue I think I've given out so far.
Xikum: I'm happy now, I've been trying to keep this kinda cryptic but I promise it'll make more sense soon.
Katy999: I have to say I like chappy 6 best too, I just love Tom Riddle!
Lillie chan: LOL, I'm getting a big head with all this lovely praise, I cant take any credit for the improvement in spelling and grammar though, Katy is the one who makes them legible!
Moraco: Yup! Voldie is only around cos his soul is! Dumbledore's daughter will be appearing soon but she won't be a new character, it is vital to the plot though!
Jliles: Thanks, here it is =)
Snape coolgirl: WooHoo! Another person who likes weird! I'm a big fan of weird personally!
Theladyprimrose: Wow, thank you for reviewing, I wont answer them all cos I'll be here all day! First off, I know how atrocious my spelling and grammar is, the only thing I can do is tell you I am high grade Dyslexic, it totally doesn't excuse me from type O's and such but most of the time I don't recognise what's wrong with my work (spelling wise) so I hope you can forgive me for it? Yep, I know it's redundant, but there was nothing but DECAF coffee in the house and I was really wiped, I'll try to put more effort into it!
Thank you for the comment bout the inhuman bit. I just felt it was a bit to convenient for Tom to be this big bad ugly thing that was easy to hate.
Thanks for your wonderful advice; I'll try to work on the telling trap thing! (Gawd, and this was me trying to keep it short!) I adore constructive criticism thanks again!
Andia: I'm glad you thought this is original, that's what I was hoping for! Thanks, I hadn't though of hadn't Harry was gonna get out, I'll try to slip it in!
LeeLeePotter: Thank you! Ok you guys are all gonna think I'm a complete suck up, but I love the story your writing, cant you hurry up and make it Sunday? I'm dieing to find out how Sev reacts!
As always, I LOVE reviews!
See you guys next chappy!