Author's note: Not much to add...Just enjoy, have fun and leave a review?! vbg I'll try and be more forthcoming with the other chapters…although I have learned over the last 2 months that I better not make any promises! It comes when it comes…
Title: Untold Past, Unknown Future
Author: Dagmar De Meyer
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, that is the property of J.K. Rowling. I only borrowed what she started and had them play in my mind twists. One character however will be of my own creation, you'll soon find out.
Rated: Better make it PG although I still think it is G. Don't want to offend anyone with certain expressions.
Reviews: Oh, yes please… For better or worse I suppose.
Summary: My take on 'Severitus's challenge'. What if Severus Snape is Harry's father?! Voldemort is still on the loose and who is the lady with the violet eyes!
Untold Past, Unknown Future Chapter 11By Dagmar De Meyer
Barely conscious he felt himself being dragged outside. Well away from the house, surrounded by the green mist they let him drop. Now it would come, he was sure of it.
Whether an hour had passed or just minutes, he didn't know and didn't care. They had finally left him alone. He tried to laugh, but his swollen face did not allow it and only a strange muffled sound came out. So this is it, here I shall die. Strange and I who always thought I'd go out with a bang. Or at least the Avadra Kedarva…not like this.
A strange humming reached his ears and through his eyelids a strange sort of light filtered in, shades of violet mixed with green. Slowly fighting the pain that had him in a grip he tried opening his eyes. Not an easy task when both were caked over in blood. There it was again, the humming and the light! Where was it coming from? Suddenly to his own surprise, one eye snapped open. Stiffening a scream he tried to make out his surroundings. Night had fallen over the Riddle House that was looming half a mile away. On the ground he lay, hidden from view by the ever-present mist. Then he saw it, the source of the light. There on his hand, the scar he had made for Harry was glowing brightly and as he sat there watching it, with a detached fascination, he felt the magical energy inside himself grow, his strength slowly returning. Pushing himself to a sitting position he watched the light slowly die out leaving only a scar behind. Using the energy he knew had come from his wife and son he apparated.
* * * * * *
"496, 497, 498, 499, 500!" Harry sighed. This was ridiculous; counting the cracks in the ceiling would not help the turmoil inside calm down. Hours had passed since he first woke up.
"NO…" He screamed to himself inside his mind. He would not think of that. No matter how hard he tried, how many times he started recounting the cracks it always came back. Leave him alone…DAD. Why had he said that? Over and over he asked himself that question.
"1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6…" And of he was again, silent whispers filling the Hospital Wing.
Long ago all had gone quiet, after he had watched through half closed eyelids Hagrid bring in the still form of Professor Snape, followed by Dumbledore and a frantic Madame Pomfrey. He felt rather then saw Professor Evans, Violet, his aunt…his mother? Leave her seat and join Dumbledore at the foot of Snape's bed. The only thing he heard from her after that was a slight intake of breath. Closing his eyes fully and rolling onto his side he listened to the voices drifting through the drawn curtains. But no matter how hard he tried they where mere whispers and he couldn't make them out. He must have fallen asleep after that because when he woke the Hospital Wing was deserted and not a sound was heard.
And now here he was counting the cracks in the ceiling for the 10th time, fighting thoughts and feelings he didn't want to deal with.
Harry felt so alone… The stress and adrenaline from the previous hours, hell the previous days was slowly catching up with him. He had been relieved to see that no one was there when he woke up and for the first few moments he thanked for the quiet loneliness, now he wasn't so sure anymore. Professor Evans, urgh there we go again, what should I call her? And Snape... A heavy sigh escaped his lips, for he knew not how to deal with his own emotions and own thoughts. All he wanted to do was run, run like the wind, run from everything and everyone.
Harry sighed again, looking up one last time at the ceiling he knew all too well. Pushing himself to a sitting position, he waited for his head to stop spinning; he swung his legs over the side of his bed and placed his bare feet on the cold floor.
Maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all. Harry thought as he watched the chair next to his bed multiply by ten and do a dance. Finally the dizziness stopped and he walked to the end of his bed and picked up his Quidditch clothes. Quietly he drew the curtain back a few inches and peeked out into the Hospital Wing.
Making sure Madame Pomfrey, or anyone else for that matter was nowhere insight Harry slipped out and tiptoed carefully not to make a sound to the doors.
A muffled cry made him freeze in his tracks. Harry, curiosity getting the better of him, turned around and looked out into the room. There it was again, a muffled scream of pain. It could only have come from one person, Snape!
His mind in ever battle whether he should or shouldn't, Harry walked back to the only other bed with its curtains drawn.
Nerves shooting through his entire being Harry slowly walked up to the foot of the bed. His hand outstretched, he grabbed hold of the white curtain and pulled it back. There, before him lay Professor Snape, his father. Immediately his heart squeezed together and fear took hold. Closing his eyes he willed himself to calm down. When he opened them vivid green locked with obsidian black and he felt himself tense up even more, his heart raced… The last thought entering his mind before he bolted out of the hospital, "He hates me."
* * * * * *
"He hates me…"
Snape watched as Harry ran for his life.
"He hates me and it's my own bloody fault."
Closing his eyes he tried to recall what had happened before he woke up. It didn't take long as he remembered all too well the events of the previous days.
Skipping his time at the Riddle House he searched his memory for what happened after.
"Argh…" Snape gritted his teeth. This was going nowhere fast. He was going to end this once and for all. No more excuses, no more interruptions. He would talk to Violet and no matter what happened or how bad it was he would get her to tell him the truth.
His entire body protesting he pushed himself to a sitting position, doing his best to ignore the pain.
"Now, now Severus…are you really going to put Poppy through this yet again?!"
The chuckle in the voice betrayed him, Severus knew and actually had expected the man sooner but continued to ignore him as he placed his feet firmly on the floor and tried to keep his head from spinning.
"Besides, I already let young Harry leave and we can't have both her patients disappear now can we."
He felt the mattress move and knew Albus was sitting next to him, blue eyes twinkling out of their sockets.
"You saw that hm!"
"Yes, I did."
"He hates me." As he said it a laugh escaped him and echoed through the room. "My own bloody fault of course, I know that very well. You do not have to remind me."
"I was not going to and Harry does not hate you Severus."
"Ha…now I know…"
"He is afraid of you. You should talk to him."
"Talk about what Albus? Hi Harry, I'm your father. Sorry I didn't know…Come and give me a hug!"
"Sarcasm will not get you anywhere."
Snape sighed and for the first time he looked into the face of his friend. Was it pity he saw?
"I'm well aware of that."
Silence filled the room, as both men were lost in thought. Dumbledore studied the young wizard beside him. For Twenty-three years he had know the man, had seen him grow from a shy little boy into a tormented man. Oh how he hoped that with the return of Violet and Harry he would once again see the man he had hoped to see grow out of the boy, the man that had only been allowed to shine for too short a time. He was still there fighting to come out but the incredible guilt Severus carried made it impossible.
"How did the meeting go?"
"Really Albus, I'm sure you can imagine that for yourself."
"Yes, still I would like to hear I from you. Providing you are up for it.
Snape sighed, " I will give you a full report later, the only thing that you should know is that he knows about Vi."
"Malfoy?"
"Most likely."
"I am sorry to hear that."
"He ordered me to bring her to him."
Dumbledore didn't answer and stared out in front of him to something he only could see.
Snape continued not noticing the older man's quiet.
"He seemed afraid of her in some way. He hid it very well, still … Albus what do you think?"
When an answer was not forthcoming Snape glanced sideways to the man next to him. Dumbledore wasn't looking at him but at the white curtains inform of them. The shinning blue eyes had turned ice cold. Snape felt a chill run down his spine. He had only see it once before, 14 years ago, when he had delivered the news of what Voldemort had planned for Lily and James.
"You know something…" Snape whispered, trying very hard to control the panic and anger he was feeling.
Ignoring the pain he abruptly stood. Taking advantage of his height, he looked down at Dumbledore his eyes ablaze with an angry fire.
"What is it you are not telling ME?" He spat the last word, hands balled to fists trembling beside him.
Dumbledore looked up, it seemed as if he had aged 10 years in mere seconds.
"When Violet came to me a few months ago she had a very interesting story to tell. I expected that as soon as Voldemort learned of her return he would demand this of you."
"Why didn't you tell me this before?" Snape hissed. "Oh, no wait, I know…my performance needed to be convincing."
"I could not tell you things when I only knew half of them. I had a feeling then and the last few weeks only strengthened it, that there was and is much more to her story. Parts that she would, could not share with me. So I urge the both of you to talk. No matter how painful." When Dumbledore spoke he didn't look at Snape but at something behind him. When he finished it was not Snape who answered.
"I know Albus and I am sorry." Vi whispered.
Snape whirled around coming face to face with a very nervous looking Violet.
Taking his cue, Dumbledore stood and silently walked to the doors. Halfway there he turned. " Oh, Severus, do check in with your Slytherins, I would like to be able to end the game or I fear Minerva will hide my lemon drops."
* * * * * *
Unlike popular believe Hogwarts was full of life even at night. Making his way through the deserted corridors he felt the castle all around him, showing him how alive it really was. The trip to Gryffindor tower went without as much as a ghost passing by. Shaking of the feeling of loneliness Harry increased his pace and soon found himself in front of the portrait of the fat lady, guardian of Gryffindor's house.
Harry chuckled as a small snoring sound reached his ears. He cleared his throat and watched as the painted eyes fluttered open.
"Euh, sorry to wake you, but could I please get passed." Harry asked, shifting slightly from one foot to the other under the glare he got.
"Where have you been young man?"
Not really in the mood for a lecture Harry started to say the password when he realized had probably changed already.
"Lancelot," he tried, the portrait didn't move.
"Camelot, Arthur, Merlin…." Racking his brain he tried to remember Professor Bims lessons. Not an easy task considering that most of the time he fell asleep.
"Excalibur…" You never know.
Smiling as he saw the portrait move he stepped through and silently whispered "Goodnight," before the portrait closed behind him.
Climbing the stairs to the fifth year dormitories his thoughts returned to things he'd rather forget. No, not now… he hissed to himself. Silently he opened the door and crept to his own bed, the only one with the curtains not drawn. Crawling underneath the sheets he soon fell asleep. A sleep filled with dreams and nightmares that would not go away.
* * * * * *
"Game? What game?" Snape asked to the closing doors not getting an answer.
"Quidditch."
"Quidditch? That was 5 days ago!"
"Yes, but apparently neither team has been able to catch the Snitch."
The tension around them could be cut with a knife. Unable to meet his eye, Violet occupied herself with the clothes at the foot of the bed.
"Urgh…these you can throw away for sure." She said, anything to break the silence.
"They went through a lot." He answered as he stared at her, his nails digging into his palms.
"Severus…I…we…"
"You don't say…" He snapped. Slowly he stepped up behind her, placing his hands on her shoulders. He felt her shiver, was it fear or…? He dared not dwell on it, focusing his mind he turned his own thoughts back to things at hand. Feeling her move he tightened his grip and pulled her back.
"You're not going anywhere Violet. I have a 'right' to know and I will have you tell 'me'."
"Let go of me."
She tensed up; he could almost touch the anger emanating from her.
"I will tell you, and I KNOW you have a right to know. Not here…" That said Vi stepped away from Snape.
"Sit down…" Snape hissed, "I'm tired of running after you, tired of all the interruptions. You will tell me now Violet…by Merlin I swear you will tell me now."
* * * * * *
"Harry, Harry…. HARRY!" A voice yelled in his ear.
"Wh…wha...what…" Harry bolted upright, wand in hand, glasses askew, hair a mess.
"Wow … Harry mate, slow down, it's me Ron." Ron said, taking a step back eying Harry's wand nervously.
"Oh, hi Ron." Harry answered sheepishly, "Sorry…just don't scare me like that."
"What's going on here? Really Ron you should get a move on, we're going to be late." Hermione said as she walked into the dorms. Immediately getting a reaction from Neville who jumped back under the covers trying to hide himself.
"Hermione, this is the boys dorm." He squeaked.
"Yeah, Mione …boys only, boys only…." Fred and George, who had entered behind Hermione, started singing.
"Very funny, really you guys get a move on, the sooner you end this stupid game the sooner we can go back to class. Honestly I don't understand what Dumbledore is thinking. 5 days of Quidditch, please." Hermione finished her lecture above the noise made by the twins.
"Oh, we'll get it now Hermione, Harry's back so it won't be a problem!" Ron smiled.
"Harry? HARRY…" Hermione squealed and leaped onto the bed knocking Harry over. Soon followed by the twins, Ron, Seamus, Dean and Neville…
"You guys…. GET OFF OF ME." Harry screamed.
Startled by his sudden outburst, his friends backed off. Clutching his chest Harry tried to breath. It wasn't that he didn't want to see his friends or have fun, he was still very weak and the pain had returned.
"Harry, are you alright?" Hermione questioned as she took a seat next to him.
"Yes, I'm fine, just not ready for such enthusiasm."
"Where have you been mate?" Fred questioned.
"Yeah, you gave us quite the show a few days ago." George added.
"Especially Snape." Neville continued, trembling slightly at the thought of the feared potions master.
Harry cringed but was curious none the less… "Snape?"
"When you fell of your broom he jumped after you. Grabbing your Firebolt in mid-air…for a while there I feared he'd be too late. We all dived after you, but right before you'd be a pancake the greasy git caught you. Ignoring everyone and everything he carried you to the hospital wing. That was the last thing we say of you or him!" Ron finished, looking at Harry who was sitting with his mouth wide open.
Soon he became aware of two things, first his jaws were hurting and everyone was staring at him. Shutting his mouth he cleared his throat and asked, "what is this about Quidditch? You're still playing?"
"Unfortunately," Hermione mumbled. "They have been playing for the last 5 days."
"5 days?" Harry exclaimed, not believing his ears.
"5 days Harry." Ron confirmed.
"Why?"
"We can't find the Snitch."
"Now that you're here that will change though." Six smiling faces looked at him expectantly.
"What about Malfoy?" Harry tried.
"Pffff, Malfoy, yeah right that'll be the day." Dean snorted.
As the boys went into a very animated recount of the previous days Hermione had time to study her friend. Something was definitely wrong… He was in pain she could tell, his arm wrapped around his stomach he tried very hard to hide the grimace from his face. Also his two bandaged hands seemed to tremble. What had happened, she wondered.
* * * * * *
For the first time in he didn't know how many years he watched the sunrise. The night had come and gone, a night he kept wishing had never happened and yet he was glad it had. It hurt, it hurt so much but he was no longer alone. Oh, they had a long way to go and it wouldn't be easy. Harry comes first, she had said and although to her face he had agreed he only meant half of it. Harry did come first but he was damned if he'd let her go in the process. She had already resigned herself to her fate, not if he could help it. He'd find a way to reverse the curse or he would die trying, he wasn't going to loose her again. Besides he had no idea how to be a father especially not to Potter, Harry… he needed her there, for Harry.
Harry, how on earth was he going to deal with him, his son?
The person next to him stirred and he looked down. The first rays of sun dancing on her face and hair making it glow like fire. He felt his heart leap and he pulled her closer, gently as not to wake her. She was weak; he could feel it.
His voice barely above a whisper, "You took them from me once before, not again. They are your weakness but my strength. Just you wait Tom Riddle."
Slowly his eyes closed once more and sleep claimed him.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
To be continued
Author's note 2: OK, this is not a cliff, this I would call a hill. I did my best to end on a more subdued note, since a lot of you are apparently dying when reading the story?! Even my mother and best friend threatened to kill me if I didn't get a move (write) on. No, not really…still…
Let me know what you think…oh and Severitus! Where's yours?
Groetjes
Dagmar