Author's note: To my surprise another month has passed since my last update. Argh… Yes, more then a month. It's amazing how time flies. Actually it is a bit of a miracle that I got this thing typed and uploaded. Don't you just love computers!? Half a crash later, only half of this thing works. This is why you get my version. When I get my computer back in proper working order I'll ask Zardi if she's still up to beta my mindtwists. I'm just incredibly impatient and I needed to get this chapter out! As I mentioned at the end of my previous chapter, this one would be kind of an in between. Although my muses took me on a few D-tours, I got there in the end and I'm ready to continue with answer to a lot of questions.
I hope you enjoy this chapter (I not sure, but what else is new.) Have fun!
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!
Madame Padfoot : Your wish is my command! Thanks for your idea, it got me thinking and helped me with the Quidditch mess I got myself into. The game is one for the history books and one Ron is not likely to forget.
Parselmouth : Ik kan het inderdaad lezen Evelien, hoewel ik wel iets zuidelijker zit. In het Vlaamse land. Nog veel lees plezier (hoop ik) en ik ben blij dat je het leuk vindt.
Amy2k : I was in such a mess! I can assure you now Amy, no one cheated. Go and find out…just don't kill me. We haven't heard the last of that Quidditch game!
Zarra Rous : Thanks and I do my best… argh you are all so gonna hate me.
Saerry Snape : Join the club! That coin of yours was flipped so often I got confused … vbg I had to let fate decide!
Alamarang : Here you go…sorry my muses took so long.
Charma1219 : At your service! Thank you!
Arinya : Oh, I enjoyed that myself. Had a grin on my face when writing it!
shona 3000 : I tried…
Kazza : Now this was a great idea… I had forgotten about that! Shame on me…
GrayFox : See, what kind of a mess I got myself in.
jliles2001: It took me longer then expected!
BlancheMalfoy : I'm getting there!!!
Avide Reader : I got a bit distracted, OK a lot of distractions to deal with. But I'm doing fine now!
? : More… You want more? Here you go! More…
Bryanna Dumbledore : I'm blushing… Thanks for your review! I hope you'll stay to the end, for I'm not finished just yet. Too much fun to come…
Tinne : Different, yes! Better, no! I'm enjoying yours a lot to! vbg So now you make sure you continue aswell!!!!
Ryannaenthallia : Luck?! Yes, I need lots of that… I said before I got myself into a big mess. I still know (yes I do) where I'm going and where everybody is supposed to go! A muse is an infuriating thing though… They make me do D-tours all the time. Vi's curse will be revealed, don't worry! As for my cliffhangers… argh I love them so! I'll try to make the less…
Untold Past, Unknown Future Chapter 13By Dagmar De Meyer
With utter slowlyness November made room for December. Winter cloaks came from the bottom of the student's trunks; the giant squid dived deep to unknown depths and warmer water. Slowly the colours of autumn disappeared and were replaced by white of winter.
Hogwarts' castle was buzzing with life as students ran from class to class, or just relaxing in the Great Hall or their common room. Life was normal, well as normal as it could get in a school for witches and wizards.
The blazing fire in the fireplace filled the Gryffindor common room with a warm glow, but for a while now not even the warmest fire could clear away the chill that had descended on the lion's house. No one would ever willingly admit it and although it had happened every year, this year the break up of the Gryffindor trio was felt harder then all the times before. Hermione buried herself in the library every change she got. Ron spent his time with his brothers working on Quidditch strategy as they had sworn never ever to lose against 'those snakes' again. They had taken their defeat pretty hard. Especially Ron, who had spent the following week kicking and screaming every time a Slytherin dared pass him. The Weasley trio sat huddled in a corner slaving over a new tryouts flyer. Dumbledore had agreed to let each team start with a reserve team of players. He had never felt it necessary but after the last game, he thought it wise and had agreed with the boys.
And Harry? What about Harry?
The young wizard seemed to have all but disappeared. Now and then someone would catch a glimpse of a head of black hair, round glasses and green eyes. Eyes that seemed to grow dimmer each day. Not even the tirade Ron had gone through made the boy react. He had just shrugged his shoulders, apologized and climbed the stairs to the dormitory. Ron was too angry to notice the change in Harry; he did his best to ignore his friend.
"He's the one that should apologize Hermione. He let us down… the entire team." Ron had shouted for everybody to hear.
Hermione did see the change in her friend and didn't like it one bit. Burying herself in her books she continued the search she and Harry had started. Her head filled with Glamourie and Polyjuice and a lot of frustration. Sometimes Harry joined her, not saying a word. Still he was there and Hermione refrained herself from pushing.
Not only Hermione had noticed the changes in Harry attitude. Soon concern over the precious boy-who-lived was heard from every teacher.
Mr. Potter is in class, yes. Hands in his homework, yes. But he just sits there and stares straight ahead not hearing a word you say.
More concern arose when Harry stopped coming to diner, followed by breakfast and lunch. A shadow of his former self the boy spent his time going from class to class during the day and disappearing when night settled over Hogwarts. No one knew where he went. No, not true, someone did. Two to be exact watched him like hawks, always from afar reaching out to their son. Both of them knew however that this was something they could not help him with. They watched and waited…and hoped.
* * * * * *
An ice-cold wind blew across the Quidditch pitch. The moon cast an eerie glow on the frozen grounds below and stars twinkled into the night sky.
A lonely figure could be seen, a boy on a broom. Going up, going down, round and round he went. Concentration clearly written on his face, Harry practiced his Quidditch moves. Every night the same routine, until he could feel his hands no more and he was practically frozen to the broom. Unaware he was being watched Harry charmed yet a new ball and sped after it, catching it without trouble.
* * * * * *
High above in the Astronomy tower Severus Snape paced up and down. Ever so often he walked to the edge and looked down at his son. His son…
"Severus, please," Violet sighed. "Sit down. I had a rather stressful day unhexing 4th years, I'm not up for … this." She pointed her wand and moved it from left to right indicating the path Snape had been following.
"He's been down there for more then 3 hours." Snape mumbled under his breath.
"Your point being? He's been doing this for the last four weeks."
"I am well aware of that Vi. So have we."
Snape turned when he heard his wife chuckled.
"Pray tell, whatever is so funny."
"You are." Violet smiled and stood. She walked to him and stepped into his embrace.
"He needs time Sev."
"How much time? I can't understand you sometimes. Don't you…" Snape stopped mid sentence. Harry had come down and walked across the field back towards the castle.
"Don't you want to…talk with Harry?" He continued as he led his wife to the warmth of the tower, leading her down the spiral staircase. He felt her shiver and pulled her a little closer.
"I want so much Severus. We both do… I want to run to him, hold him in my arms and never let go. You and he kept me sane. My heart breaks each time I look at him and see his pain. We cannot push him. He has to come to us now."
"What if he doesn't?" Snape whispered, not really wanting to say it out loud.
"Pray he does… I hope he will."
Silence settled between them as they walked the deserted halls of the castle, both lost in their own thoughts.
The last few weeks had been rather hard, emotionally that is. Something Snape was not accustomed to. It was still a puzzle to him. Where were all those feelings were coming from? How was it, that he was unable to just block them away like usual? The feelings he thought had died all those years ago seemed to just pop up without explanation. Although he knew that neither he nor Vi was ready for anything other then support and comfort. He would take what he could get. The last month had been wonderful and painful at the same time. He was afraid for so much that in ways in prohibited him from truly enjoying Vi's company. The fear of losing her was all to real, just like the time that was slowly slipping away from them. He had yet to come up with a way to help her. Not to mention Voldemort's order. A game Snape played with the Dark Lord. A summoning had yet to come. He knew Voldemort didn't expect him to come on his accord. No, 'the Snake' would have to force him. When the time came, it would be interesting indeed.
For his own comfort he pulled her closer to him as they continued their walk.
And then there was Harry. Harry, who had stopped being 'Potter'. The pain and fear concerning him were another part that weighed dearly on the Potions Master's heart. Pain for the past and all that had been lost. Fear, that his son would never come to accept what had happened and who he really was. Still, it was the guilt that made Snape cringe. How had he treated the boy? His mind filled with accounts of his behaviour towards Harry. Would he ever be forgiven for that? Would he forgive himself?
They had arrived at the first stop of the evening. A knowing looked passed between them as Snape stepped forward gently tickling a peer, the only way to get into the kitchens. Without a sound the entrance revealed itself and the smells and noises associated with a kitchen drifted into the hallway. Snape and Violet spied around the door and looked at the goings on, careful not to make a noise and not to be seen by the occupants inside.
* * * * * *
Skipping breakfast, lunch and diner and then three hours on a broom can make a person hungry.
As he did every night now for the past four weeks, Harry left the Quidditch pitch after his daily practice session and went straight for the kitchens. Knowing Dobby was waiting for him with diner especially prepared for him. To finish, a chocolate cake sat in front of him daring him to take a bite. Dobby was the only house elf still working, making sure Harry Sir had everything he wanted.
A small smile played around Harry's lips as he watched his small, strange, energetic friend bounce around recounting all the interesting things that had happened that day. How he had helped Hagrid Sir with a surprise for the First year students! No, no he was not going to tell Harry Sir. It was a surprise.
Finishing the last bit of chicken he pushed his plate away and started a staring contest with the cake. The cake won of course. Reaching out to slice of a piece, Harry suddenly dropped the knife as a searing pain ripped through his arm. Gritting his teeth Harry tried not to scream. His vision blurring he tried to focus.
"Not again, not again," he hissed.
As suddenly as it had begun, the pain disappeared. The last couple of days the pains had returned. Growing in intensity each time.
Slowly Harry pushed himself up and away from the table and quietly left for Gryffindor tower and his bed. Leaving behind the untouched chocolate cake.
* * * * * *
Having made sure their son was fine; Snape and Violet resumed their course. In doing so they missed the attack Harry experienced and didn't know of his pain. Something still a bit of puzzle to them as it was inconceivable Harry had been without pain for so long. Since his first attack on Halloween neither had heard or seen any sign of the 'Alternatum Personum' taking its toll.
"I'll give him three more days, and then I am going to talk to him. Whether he likes it or not." Snape said.
"Yes," was the only answer he received, one he barely missed since it was only a whisper.
Stopping Snape turned Violet to face him. "He needs to know." He urged.
"Don't you think I realize that!"
"Harry is not the only one hiding from the truth."
Her head shot up, eyes blazing with anger looked at him. Just as quickly the fire died and guilty filled the violet pools.
"We both have been doing it to. From him and from each other."
Slowly Snape lifted her chin and their eyes locked. Bending down their lips met halfway and he placed a gently kiss on her soft lips. They could not see it, but felt the electricity between them built, sparks flying. Startled by this Snape stepped back, emotions clearly written on his pale face.
"I am sorry… Forgive me." Snape turned around and had to stop himself from breaking out in a run as he glided through the halls of Hogwarts, his head spinning.
Violet stared after the retreating figure that had only minutes before made her fly.
"Argh…why can't you just let it go? Do you really want him to suffer so badly?" Violet grumbled to herself.
"Don't be so hard on yourself." A voice from behind her said. Startled Violet turned and come face to face with the painting guarding the entrance to her room.
"Bittersweet." Violet said stepping forward, not in a mood to discuss her feeling with a painted picture.
The portrait swung on its hinges and opened, revealing the darkness that lay beyond; a lonely darkness.
* * * * * *
His robes billowing behind him, Snape made it in record time down to the familiarity of his dungeons. A dark mood had settled on him and he was in constant argument with himself. Even the four students he had caught out of bed after hours could not lighting his current mood.
Certain he had another sleepless night ahead of him, Snape entered his private potions lab and started on Lupin's Wolfsbane. Concentration taking over he was oblivious to the passing of the hours and soon a new day appeared on the horizon.
* * * * * *
"Late, late, late… oh, I'm going to be so late." Hermione repeated over and over as she raced through the deserted halls down towards the dungeons. Her early morning trip to the library had run a bit long and now she would surely be late for Potions. Correction, she was late for Potions.
"There go 20 points from Gryffindor. Or should we make it 50, Miss Granger?" Hermione could just imagine the sneering face of Professor Snape looking down on her, enjoying every minute of it.
Why, oh why, did she have to get so obsessed with this?
A puzzle for the mind! A challenge! To find a way to help Harry! Her mind kept telling her.
Sure, but why do you have to do this the morning we have POTIONS. She argued right back.
So lost in her own mussing, Hermione wasn't really paying attention to were her feet were taking her or where she put them for that matter. Suddenly she had the strangest sensation of fly. All appeared to be happening in slow-motion as she felt her arms go up in the air, her book bag and books passing, papers everywhere. It felt like forever, which only lasted seconds. The ground was merciless as she smacked onto it quite painfully.
On her hand and knees Hermione sat gasping for breath, she bit her tong at the same time, trying not to scream. Pushing herself to a sitting position she took stock of the damage. Bloody knees and scrapped palms…nothing she couldn't fix. Oh, but it stung.
Reaching in her robes' pocket a thought struck her and she swiffetly turned her head around. Her eyes scanning the corridor for the obtrusive thing that had caused her fall.
Her eyes landed on a heap of black fabric in the middle of the corridor. Fabric? Robes!
Quickly Hermione whispered a healing spell on her scrapped knees and hands, stood and carefully etched closer to the black heap on the ground.
Coming closer she realized the heap of robes was much more and a person was certainly beneath them. With the tip of her wand Hermione pushed the fabric away to reveal the person. A stiffeled scream escaped her as she recognized the head of black hair and the round glasses.
"Harry…" Hermione dropped to her knees and took her friend's hand. It felt ice-cold to the touch. His eyes were closed, still she could see them moving frantically beneath his eyelids.
What happened next made her blood turn cold. Right before her eyes Harry started changing. His hair growing longer and then changing back. His face, eye shape, nose, chin all seemed to be remoulded before her eyes. It was much the same as Harry had told her what happened when he had taken the Polyjuice potion she had made in second year. This was different however. The pain accompanied with this transformation was clearly written on her friend's face. His entire body seemed to twist and turn underneath his very skin.
A voice calling her name, she heard it from a distance. It wasn't until she felt herself being shaken that she snapped back and looked into grey eyes.
"Pro… Professor Lupin," Hermione stuttered, seeing the one time professor standing there with Harry in his arms.
"Go Hermione, go and get Severus. Tell him he needs to get to the Hospital Wing. NOW!" Lupin yelled sending Hermione on a dead run towards the potions class, himself into opposite direction … Hospital Wing.
* * * * * *
Running as fast as she could Hermione raced through the dungeons. Far away she heard Lupin yell, "Get Professor Evans, NOW!" probably to another student. Then she was there, pushing the door to the classroom open with all her might, the tremendous sound it made as it was banged against the wall echoing throughout the dungeon classroom, startling the 5th years students as they froze above their bubbling cauldrons.
Hermione ignored them all as she came to a halt before Professor Snape.
* * * * * *
Lupin raced towards the Hospital Wing, dogging students and professors alike, Harry held tightly in his arms. The boy was trembling and as he looked down the battle between potion and charm was played out before him, on a boy that didn't deserve any of this.
* * * * * *
"Miss Granger…" A venomous voice whispered, though everybody had heard, crystal clear.
Her Gryffindor housemates anxiously looking at what would happen next. The Slytherins just as anxious only trilled that their Head of House would not let the Mudblood survive this.
"What…" Snape started to say when the panting girl before him interrupted.
"Harry…Lupin…Hospital Wing…go…fast…pain…NOW!"
For a moment Snape regarded her furiously. What was the girl babbling about? How dare she interrupt him like… Then it hit him and he felt his heart squeeze tight. His mind reeling he all but ran to the door. Just in time he took control of his emotions and turned towards the startled students.
"Finish your potions and bottle them up. We will continue this next lesson. Miss Granger, 20 points from Gryffindor for your conduct. Be sure you all finish this potion correctly, " he said looking straight at Longbottom, who in turn shrunk back behind his suspiciously bubbling cauldron, "or you'll be loosing more then points."
And then he was gone, leaving two rivalling houses alone.
Draco Malfoy stared after his professor, an unreadable expression in his pale blue eyes.
* * * * * *
Snape and Violet stormed through the open doors of the hospital wing, a bone shilling scream greeting them.
The scene that unfolded before them was one of panic and confusion as Remus stood frozen at the end of the bed, Madame Pomfrey joggling bottles of potions and her wand, and Harry trashing wildly in his bed. Fingers digging in the mattress beneath him, his back arched, pearls of sweat gleaming on his forehead, his lighting bolt scar blood red.
Both hesitated a few seconds, rooted to the spot. Severus was the first to react and in two strides he found himself next to his son's bed. Violet not far behind went around to the other side; fear clearly written in her eyes.
"The second part?" Remus finally managed to ask.
"Yes." A voice behind him spoke. "It was to be expected. That it took so long is a curiosity, although I believe it was Mr. Potter's fighting against it that resulted in its prolongness."
Lupin regarded Dumbledore for a minute before looking back towards the young boy.
Harry had calmed down a bit and only the soft moans and whimpers told of the boy's pain.
"Should we do something? Can't we do something? Anything?" Lupin asked. "Like the first time, that blood binding spell, or whatever it was?"
"No, not this time. It would cause more damage then good. Harry will have to do this on his own. He'll have to find the balance between fighting what needs to be fought and what needs to be let to its own accord. Let nature take its course. It has been tampered with before and truth, eventually, will always find its way."
The words wise if not cryptic hung in the air. Silently Dumbledore left the Hospital Wing, all they could do now was wait and see what Harry's decision would be.
* * * * * *
Day and night dragged on for the people anxiously waiting in the Hospital Wing. It had taken hours but finally Harry had calmed down and fell into a deep sleep. Keeping watch by his side Snape and Violet seemed oblivious to the world around them.
In the east the sky lightened as the sun rose over the horizon, a new day. Vi stared out not really seeing the beauty of it, lost in thought. A single tear rolled down her cheek. Swallowing hard she tried to push away more building up, watering her eyes.
Turning away from the window she watched her husband pace up and down the ail; something he had been doing for most of the night. She was about to say something to him when a soft mown caught her attention. Snape had heard it as well as he stopped in mid stride. Their eyes locked only for a second, immediately focusing on the boy in the bed not far from them.
The sight that greeted them was not one they were expecting.
Pushed up on his right elbow, leaning heavily on it, Harry sat up watching them like a hawk. His hair plastered to his pale face, his eyes blood red but determent.
Snape was the first to recover his voice and control over himself. Stepping forward he whispered, " Harry…"
"No…" Harry spoke through gritted teeth. "Don't Harry me." His breath came in rapid succession as he fought the pain. His arm no longer able to support him, he let himself fall onto his back.
"I…will…listen…now. Tell…me…the…truth."
"Please…"
* * * * * * * * * * * *
To be continued
Author's note 2: Voilà, that's that… Hopefully it provided a few minutes of pleasant reading. Well it was Slytherin who eventually won. (Hiding from the Gryffindors in the room, myself included.) How could you, you ask? It wasn't easy, I can tell you that. Went through several story lines before settling for this one. Slytherin won indeed, but how? Even Harry doesn't know that part yet.
For you who are asking me to reveal Vi's curse…it is slowly being written out. vbg I tease, I know. I promise the coming chapters will involve Vi's curse. You'll see, you'll be wishing I never started it! Thanks to all who reviewed and a thank you to all who will do so again! vbg
Groetjes
Dagmar
p.s. Saw COS… Alan Rickman was again 'bloody brilliant'! Too bad he's featured so little…