A/N: Since I've received such good replies to this, I think I'll continue it. So here you go, the next chapter. Enjoy. *Bows and easies herself gracefully to sit before the keyboard, Slytherin robes fanning out around her.*

Chapter 2- Musings of the Slytherin Mind

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. Must I say more?

Severus Snape glanced up in irritation as the clock on his wall chimed seven times. The Opening Feast. Not that he wanted to attend but neither did he wish to see the disappointed light within the Headmaster's eyes. Severus was capable of many things but he never wished to disappoint the man he would have gladly called father. That was why he cursed the bird (phoenix) that popped from the clock; it had been a gift from Albus at Christmas the year before and he'd been too touched at the time to refuse and it was only later did he realise the slow torture the device was capable of. Clucking at all hours of the night; it had been maddening. When he'd finally spoken to the Headmaster about it the man had come down to his room at once and though the Potions Master did not know what he had done, it had worked. The bird would be silent at night and even cooed in a comforting sort of way when he was not feeling well. He also had a strange suspicion that the phoenix would go to see Dumbledore if something were wrong with him. Though he appreciated the help because no one else would ever do so, he was still irritated by the breach in privacy. Fairly certain was he that Albus did not do that for other professors. To certain extent, it gave him a slight feeling of security and warmth.

He sat his quill off to the side, closing his journal. When he'd returned to his spying duties he'd made the decision to keep it. It was perhaps dangerous, but no one but the Headmaster would ever see it. His reputation was enough to keep most away. The more foolish would find themselves on the wrong end of a curse if they were to dare approach his chambers. And if that said fool mananged to get past his wards.....Merlin help them for they would be in more trouble than they could ever deal with. They should count their blessings if they were to get out with all their limbs attached. If they were lucky.

Stretching like a cat he momentarily contemplated going to sleep, Merling knew he could use the rest. But no, he needed to got to the Opening Feast, if only to please Albus. Though it would likely not please Albus if he were to collapse during it. Rising to his feet he swayed unsteadly for a moment before reasserting his balance. This was certainly not good. He had been without food for two days while on an assignment for the Dark Lord. On his return to the school he had been offered as much as he could eat. Only now that it was offered, the thought of it even entering his mouth made him gag, and he never gagged. But he would have to eat soon or he would collapse and then he would be no good to anyone, Dumbledore or Voldemort.

So with slow, measured steps he began his ascent to the ground level of the school. When he arrived the Great hally was partially full; chattering students at their house tables, the other professors already seated at the high table, also chattering away. He ground his teeth and dearly wished he had thought to bring ear plugs; this insistant buzzing grated on his nerves. But he had not and never would. Not that he would have worn them, he would never voluntarily impair any of his senses. He depended on them and his experience to keep him alive. And they had for many years and would hopefully continue to do so if his luck held. Cruel luck and Fate; many a time he wished he would have just died, just to end what ever agony he had been going through at the time. Never again to feel all the emotions that comprised his life now. Pain, sorrow, guilt and fear. And that was when he was in a good mood! In his foulest of moods came even darker emotions. Hate, pure and undiluted for all those around him, most especially Potter and Voldemort. They made his existance on this Earth all the more unpleasant. But with a sigh he had to admit, though only to himself, that he did not hate Potter. His father, James Potter, yes, but not the boy. No, the Gryffindor had not done anything more than rouse disdain and annoyance, even anger but never true hate. Yet. Though he found it difficult to seperate the boy from his father as when he saw him, James's damned smirking expression super-imposed itself over the teenager.

Speaking of Potter....where was the Golden Boy? He passed directly by the Gryffindor table, scowling at any student who haplessly obstructed his path. Seating himself on Dumbledore's left, he gave a curt nod to the Headmaster as a greeting. The twinkle within the cerulean blue eyes increased greatly as a smile spread across the ancient face.

"Hello, Severus, so good of you to join us." He said the same in every year past and though the Potions Master thought he should fave been annoyed by it, he found immense comfort in its routine. He gave his usual reply.

"Of course, Headmaster. Though there are other and better ways to spend my time." The man chuckled and passed him a small wrapped object. It was all Severus could do to keep himself from pouncing upon it, thereby losing all dignity, and liesurely pick it up, unwrapping it slowly. When the purple wrapper fell away, the Potions Master allowed himself the smallest of smiles. Chocolate; the Headmaster knew his weakness well. He had barely placed it in his mouth when he had to clamp a hand over the opening to keep from expelling it. His concentration on this was so deep that he nearly lept in the air when a hand touched his shoulder.

"Severus?" The name was pitched solely for his sensitive hearing. "Did you not think you might be carrying extra curses when you came back to Hogwarts?" The Potions Master shook his head slowly, not trusting himself to speak. The chocolate was beginning to melt and the urge to vomit was increasing by the second. A small smile reached his ears. "It is all right, Severus, spit it out. You need to come to my Tower later and we will see what we can do about getting rid of them. Then, perhaps, you can eat." Again this was answered with a small nod, and Severus slowly removed his hand, spitting the almost dissolved candy back in the purple wrapper. A smally sip of water was enough to wash away his nasueness and allowed him to settle back in his chair. Something was missing, he realised as his gem-like orbs swept over the hall, but what was it.....

.....Potter! He still was not present. This thought made the man sneer. Trust Potter not to show; stupid boy probably missed the train. This susipicion was only confirmed when he viewed the boy's friends' expressions. They seemed to be overwhelmed by worry, or so Snape surmised by their nervous actions. It was then he noticed them glancing frequently across the room. He followed their line of sight and spotted Draco exchanging glances with them! What the hell was going on? The Headmaster must have spotted his raised eyebrow for he nudged him gently.

"What is it?" he whispered. Severus just shook his head as Minerva finished with the sorting and took her place at the Headmaster's right. Unable to ask more questions the older man stood. His commanding presence made the hall quiet in a matter of momments as they turned to him.

"Another year is beginning and I know that some friends are absent," He nodded to all the empty seats in the hall which Snape found slightly alarming. "But we must not allow this to dampen our spirits but rejoice in those who are present. As you all remember what I stated at the close of last term, Voldemort has returned," He allowed the buzzing in the hall to continue for a moment before he held up his hand for silence. "I'm sure many of you have heard from Minister Fudge that this not true but let me assure you, it is. As such, we will take extra precautions to ensure your safety and that means stricter punishments for rule breakers," His gaze wandered in the direction of the Weasley twins who blinked ever so innocently back at him. His threat having been delivered the twinkle returned to his cerulean eyes as he clapped his hands together. "I do believe that covers everything so I believ we should all tuck in." At these final words the golden platters filled with food. Many took the Headmaster's advice and dug in but Severus did not. He stared at the roasted turkey and chicken with disdain and sniffed, turning his head away, contemplating leaving. But this action was stalled when two Gryffindors approached the staff table. he looked up and sneered: Granger and Weasley. They must be here because of the absent Potter. Granger's next words proved him correct.

"Professor Dumbledore, we're worried about harry. We couldn't find him on the train and he hasn't shown up for the feast." Beside her Weasley nodded, worry creasing their faces. Snape's eyes narrowed. Surely Potter would not hide from his own friends.....

"But he is in the castle," the Headmaster commented, his expression thoughtful.

"Sir?"

"He is in the castle," Dumbledore repeated firmly, "I can feel him." This statement earned him several startled looks; Severus adopted a thoughtful expression.

"What do you mean, Albus?" McGonagall asked, now joining the conversation. It was the Headmaster's turn to be confused.

"Do you mean to tell me that none of you sense the boy in the castle?" There were negative murmurs and shaking of heads all around when a deep voice suddenly spoke up.

"I do." Collectively the teachers turned the the Potions Master.

"Severus?" Albus prompted when the man fell silent. Black eyes glittered strangely as the man lifted his dark head.

"I sense him as well, Potter is in this castle." Silence fell over them as they traded puzzled looks.

"Well, Miss Granger, Mr. Weasley, as long as Harry is in the castle I don't believe their is anything to worry about. If he does not show for breakfast tomorrow then come to me but until then you should eat something or you will regret it later." He shooed them back to their house tables and they went reluctantly. Peace returned to the hight table with their exit. This feeling, however, did not see fit to extend itself over a certain Potions Master.

When Severus had attempted to understand what the Headmaster was speaking of he found it almost immediately. In his mind's eye he saw the boy sleep, surrounded by a strange golden aura, tainted black and red. Tremendous power lay dorment within that small body, waiting to be awakened. Curiosity piqued he carefully reached out to touch, not considering how or the consequences. Instantly he was sucked in and felt as though he were drowning. He clawed his way to the surface, fighting to take a breath. Another light, this one an unsoiled white, broke through and Severus grasped at it, using it as a lifeling. It had only been then that he had been able to answer. Now hat the others were gone, he was able to sink deep into his own thoughts as to why this had happened. No matter how much he wracked his brain he could not come up with an answer. To the casual observer, the seeminly relaxed posture and closed eys would have suggested sleep, but it was not so. The Headmaster knew, but let him brew alone, content with the knowledge that he would break the circling thoughts later.

Eventually thoughts of the Potter mystery shifted to a more worrisome subject: his spying duties. Not that he was encountering any difficulties, quite the contrary, he had been accepted back fairly quickly. That was what worried him; it was a fairly safe assumption that his loyalty was being tested in ways he was unaware of. So far, he'd apparently given them no reason to doubt but he was all too aware of the consequences if he were found as a traitor. He might make it back to Hogwarts; in how many pieces was a good question. So he had toed the line and came home with the same wish every time; that life would return to normal. But, always with a wry smile, he would wonder what 'normal' was supposed to be.

"Severus? Severus. Child, it is time to go." Albus's kind but commanding voice pulled him from his world and into the present. With a slight nod he rose gracefully and almost fell back into his chair as a wave of dizziness swamped his senses. Two strong hands helped him remain upright as he waited for the spots to clear.

"Not so fast, I have got you," the older man assured as the Potions Master blinked repeatedly.

"Then who has you?" Severus groused as the image of the man continued to dance before him. A soft chuckle was his answer as he was led to some destination. When he had no success in quelling the dizziness he shut his eyes tight, allowing himself to be led away. He was in no shape to resist as it was.

"Easy, Severus, sit down. That's it." Instead the Potions Master found himself laying down. He registered soft brushes against his skin and realised he was bare of clothes from the waist up. He knew he should protes but he say no point, he was in good hands. Now if he could only remember who's hands. He hissed and jerked away, however, when those hands found a sore spot.

"Ah." He heard murmured followed by a brief incantation. The pain slowly receeded as thow it were being bled from him.

"All right, Severus, you're going to have to sit up so you can eat." Food. The Potions Master complied immediately, all but licking his lips and trying not to salvate too badly when the succulent smells reached him. His expression must have been amusing because the voice chuckled which increased to a full blown laugh when he inhaled the food.

"Slow down, child, you're going to choke yourself." But no heed was paid to the warning as he continuted. Finally, when he could take in no more, he layed back, shivering against the room's chill. A downy soft quilt found itself around and he accepted its warmth gratefully. The voice came again, though it seemed distant.

"Sleep well, my child, I will watch your dreams."

***End of chapter***

A/N: *Stretches her swore back muscles and is grateful when Severus appears and begins to work on her shoulders* You know, at times, it's good to be on his good side. *Winces when he finds a particular knot* Very good indeed. Well, I believe we have all three elements, lets see how they interact with one another. *Takes up a cup of hot chocolate and stares out the window* This should be very interesting indeed.

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