Disclaimer: Alas, I do not own any of the characters in this story. They
were all created by the wonderful author, J.K. Rowling. The only
characters that are truly mine are Angeline, Lyle, and a few lesser
characters that will pop up from time to time.
A/N: Oodles and oodles of thanks to all those who are reading, and bunches more thanks to those who review! =)
~Chapter 11~
The day had finally arrived. Harry picked at his breakfast, and as usual, Ron and Hermione urged him to eat. It was the same every year. Although the room was relatively silent, everyone could sense the excitement in the air. After breakfast, everyone headed out to the Quidditch field.
The rain was beating down furiously. Although it was morning, the sun was completely hidden by dark clouds which cast an eerie green tent on the field and the surrounding mountains. The wind howled as the stands were filled by teachers and students with the Imperious Charm that sent water repelling in every direction.
Angeline was sitting in the faculty's section next to Professor Sprout and Professor Flitwick. Snape sat down behind her but said nothing to her. He had wanted to apologize for being rude at the last match, but Angeline had been surrounded by people each time that he had approached her. He found it disturbing not to be able to apologize outright, but he did not want to chance a rejection in front of the other teachers. He had worked hard to maintain his privacy at Hogwarts, and he was not willing to compromise that privacy. Snape noticed that Angeline had on one of the Gryffindor pins that Hermione had enchanted to flash the team name flying on a broomstick with intermittent gold snitches flying around.
Madam Hooch walked out onto the field and the players moved to their places. "There is to be no rule breaking this year." She gave both sides a warning glance and released the quaffle into the air. Both teams raced to the center, causing water-soaked robes to flail about in the wind. Gryffindor obtained possession of the quaffle and headed across the field. Seconds later, "Ten points for Gryffindor!" was heard over the rolls of thunder.
Harry sought desperately for the snitch. Several times the wind had set him veering off course as he flew in search. "Ten more points to Gryffindor!" Harry looked over his shoulder and saw Fred knock a bludger toward the Slytherin captain, but it was blown off course immediately. When Harry looked back around, he saw the snitch about thirteen feet in front of him. Malfoy was across the field and up much higher than Harry, and he knew Malfoy would not make it to the snitch before him.
Harry turned and raced forward, a feeling of victory rising within him. Just as Harry closed in on the snitch, the Slytherins shrieked in terror as both bludgers slammed into Malfoy and sent him dropping to the ground. Harry made a split-second decision. If Malfoy hit the ground from the height he was at, it would kill him on impact. Harry abandoned the snitch and shot straight toward Malfoy as fast as his broom would take him.
Snape had sprang to his feet, a look of worry on his face. He, like everyone else on that side of the field, had seen Potter abandon the snitch. It had taken a moment to realize why. Angeline held her breath and clasped her hands in front of her mouth. Snape gripped the side of the stand hard. Even Dumbledore had stood in concern. Unfortunately, Quidditch rules strictly forbade anyone to use magic to influence anything or anyone in the game.
Harry focused hard as he navigated against the wind. Several lightening bolts shot around the field. Two seconds later, Harry had hold of Malfoy's arm. The sudden force of catching someone his own size caused Harry to go slightly off balance. He slid but gripped tight to his broom. Malfoy squirmed around enough to grab hold of Harry's broomstick with his other hand as Harry flew after Malfoy's broom. The wind sent the broom towards the ground. As Harry approached, Malfoy let go and dropped onto his broomstick. Harry turned his attention back to the snitch, which Malfoy was now racing towards. Just as Harry began to accelerate, a bolt of lightening shot from somewhere near the opposing side of the stadium. It slammed straight into Harry, knocking him to the ground quicker than anyone could blink. Harry didn't even have time to cry out in pain. He saw the snitch, and then nothing at all.
Malfoy grabbed the snitch, winning the game. He turned and realized Harry was no where near him. He felt pleased until he looked down and saw Harry motionless on the ground. He had won, but it didn't seem all that great at the moment.
Angeline and Dumbledore pushed through the crowd. Harry laid motionless in the mud. There was a large burn in his Quidditch robe where the lightening had struck him. The hole in the robe still had smoke rising from it when Angeline dropped to her knees in the mud next to him. Snape pushed his way through the crowd and watched as did Lyle. Angeline began her magic without any objections. Seconds later, Harry opened his eyes and sat up.
Rain hit hard up against his face. The faces around him were blurry, but he soon realized it was because his glasses had been knocked off his face. "Come, Harry. Poppy will want to have a look at you." Harry knew Dumbledore had said it, but he could only make out a fuzzy white smudge where a face should have been.
"My glasses," Harry felt around for them but with no luck. Dumbledore helped Harry to his feet and led him to the medical wing. Several students and teachers stood watching Angeline for a few moments before walking inside and whispering amongst themselves.
Snape stepped forward to help Angeline to her feet, but Lyle beat him to it. Lyle gave his sister a concerned look and she assured him that she was alright. Angeline turned to look at Snape. Her fiery red hair was hanging across her eyes because of the wind and rain. Snape opened his mouth to say something, but Lyle ushered her inside and out of the rain before Snape could begin. She looked back and gave Snape an understanding and apologetic half smile.
"Lumos," Snape said and used his wand as a light to find Harry's glasses on the dark field. After a few moments, he found them, picked up the broom, and headed inside to his office to change into some dry robes.
Harry laid down in the bed in the infirmary as Madam Pomfrey scurried from the cabinet to the bed and then off to tend to another student who sounded sick to his stomach. Harry knew that Ron and Hermione were standing next to him although he could only discern them by hair color at the moment. "What happened?" Harry questioned, still not quite sure of what happened to his glasses, or the game for that matter.
"You got hit with lightening… and Malfoy got the snitch," Ron added the last part with difficulty.
Harry's head hit the pillow and his stomach lurched. Snape stood at the door and watched them for a few moments.
"We lost, and it's all my fault." Harry thought about the look of disappointment that must have crossed Alicia's face.
"It's not your fault, Harry," Hermione looked sympathetically at him. "You don't control storms…and you're lucky to be alive."
"I've turned into a walking bad luck charm."
"Stop it, Harry. You know that's not true." Hermione crossed her arms defiantly.
Harry was completely disgusted with himself. He laid there in silence and ran through a stream of events in his head. "Yes, it is true. Do you realize how many times I've been to the medical wing since I've been at Hogwarts?"
"So, what difference does that make?"
"That's just the start of a long list. I've let my team down more times than I can count, I'm constantly getting someone into trouble-"
"Harry, stop. You know that's not true-"
Harry's frustration grew and he continued as the rage built inside of him. "Wake up, will you? Did it ever occur to you that Cedric… and Mr. Crouch and…" Harry swallowed hard and fought the burning sensation in his eyes, "and my parents would still be alive if not for me? Now if all that doesn't scream cursed, I don't know what does!"
Harry's last comment had left the infirmary silent. He wanted to get out and be by himself, so he swung off of the bed and headed out the door. Snape moved out of the way as Harry bumped into the wall and ran towards the stairs. Hermione watched him go but did not run after him. Ron looked considerately at Hermione and whispered, "He didn't mean anything by yelling like that. He just needs to be alone a little while, that's all."
In the hall, Snape watched Harry retreat down the stairs, wiping spastically at his eyes and sniffing all the way. Hearing Ron's words to Hermione, he thought to himself, "No. Being alone is the last thing that boy needs right now."
Snape headed into the room and looked silently down a the children. He held out Harry's broom and gave it to Ron. "I trust that you know where this belongs," he said. He then turned and walked silently out the door, his robes billowing behind him.
"Let's go," Ron urged Hermione out the door and back to the Gryffindor common room.
Snape spiraled down the staircase toward the dungeon. As he glanced out one of the doors, he saw a tiny figure back out on the field sifting through mud in search of his glasses. Snape remembered feeling like that many times throughout his life. Some mornings he still had trouble looking at himself in the mirror because of things he had done in his past. He stepped back into the rain and was immediately soaked again. "So much for dry robes tonight," he thought to himself. "Mr. Potter," Snape looked calmly down at Harry.
Harry jumped. It was impossible to hear anyone walking on the field with all the wind and thunder. He looked up and saw a smudgy, dark outline. "You shouldn't leave your things lying around," Snape said coolly as he handed Harry his glasses.
Harry put them on gratefully and mumbled, "Sorry, Sir." Harry's world came into clear focus. He looked up at Snape and expected a scowl. Instead, Snape looked concerned. It scared Harry a little.
"Come with me, please," Snape turned and Harry obeyed, although reluctantly. Snape led him down the stairs to his office in the dungeon. Once inside, Snape motioned for Harry to sit down in a chair in front of his desk. Harry had only been in the room one other time, but only briefly. He sat down and watched Snape silently. Snape pulled a kettle from his fireplace and poured its contents into two small tea cups on his desk. He gave one to Harry and took one to his seat across the desk. He replaced the kettle in the fire and picked up a blanket that was draped across a chair near the window and handed it to Harry who accepted it gratefully. The dungeon was cold and damp all year round, but today it seemed colder than usual to Harry who had water and mud dripping from his Quidditch uniform.
Harry looked down at the floor, not wanting to meet Snape's gaze from across the desk. He noticed the burned spot and the hole on his uniform.
"Is there anything you would like to tell me, Mr. Potter?"
"No." Harry didn't feel like talking, especially to Snape. He knew there must be some ulterior motive to Snape's kindness since Snape seemed to always be seeking to catch him doing something he wasn't supposed to be doing.
Snape could sense Harry's lack of trust, but he could not blame him. It was true that he was extremely hard on his students and they often saw him as cold and cruel. "You'll find that I am a lot less threatening when my students do as they are told and obey the rules. As, for a change, you have broken no rules and caused no disturbances, I think you'll find it easier to talk to me."
Harry thought a moment, keeping his eyes on the floor. "Is it possible for someone to be born a bad-luck charm?"
"Although some individuals are constantly finding themselves in the midst of mischief and turmoil, no, there is no such thing as a walking bad- luck charm. It is a muggle-bred myth." Snape sipped his tea and watched Harry fidget uncomfortably. "Consequently, Cedric, Bertie Crouch, and your parents did not die because of anything you did."
Harry met Snape's gaze. He realized Snape must have been at the door of the infirmary when he had yelled at Hermione and Ron. "But it was my fault." A flood of memories came rushing back over him. "Cedric died because I was in the Tri-Wizard tournament. And if I hadn't had that map, Crouch's son would never have known where Crouch was, and…" Harry tried to stop, but he couldn't, "if I hadn't have been in the room my mother could have ran from Voldemort! Instead, she had to stay and protect me, and for what? Just so I could grow up with the Dursleys and make everyone's lives miserable. I shouldn't even be sitting here now. Voldemort should have killed me when he had the chance!" Harry stood and bolted for the door. He felt completely out of control. It was unlike anything he had felt before. With every word, he grew more and more angry at himself. Snape stood and grabbed Harry by the shoulders to keep him from running. "Let me go! What do you care, anyway? You hate me, and you know it! Me and my parents!"
"That is not true, Mr. Potter. Now please calm yourself." Snape held on to Harry who was slowly wearing himself out. Snape noticed a small, green scar where Harry had been hit with the lightening. He immediately dragged Harry up to Dumbledore's office, while Harry kicked and tried to run the entire time. "Butterbeer," he muttered to the gargoyle, and it jumped out of the way. Dumbledore and Angeline turned just as Harry decked Snape square across the jaw.
Warm blood ran down from Snape's lip as he gripped Harry's arms tighter. "Severus, what is going on? Harry, calm yourself," Dumbledore stood and approached them.
"Sir, that was no regular lightening bolt that struck Mr. Potter." Snape pushed Harry forward and into a chair. Harry struggled to get away. He no longer even thought rationally about the situation. Snape noticed that Angeline did not seemed surprised by his remark. "There is a green scar where he was hit. Someone in the stands must have known a noitome curse. This one seems to be a cross between anger and guilt."
Dumbledore examined the scar as Snape held Harry as still as possible. "We will have to perform the counter curse immediately before his conditions deteriorates."
Angeline looked a bit confused at that point. "What is the counter curse?"
A potion formed from the tear of a dragon, the hair of a tarantula, snake's tooth, and the blood of a friend with whom the person has had a recent confrontation." Snape needed to go get the ingredients, but was reluctant to leave Harry free to dart about the office. In his present state, he was dangerous to himself and those around him.
"I'll go to your office and gather the ingredients…but what about the blood?"
"Bring Ms. Granger with you. She shall suffice."
In a matter of minutes, Angeline had returned with everything, including Hermione. Hermione looked timidly around the room. Angeline had not yet explained what was occurring.
Snape relinquished control of Harry to Dumbledore while he prepared the potion. Angeline watched his every move, intent upon memorizing the potion.
Hermione was growing fearful. Harry was thrashing about wildly and she could not comprehend why she was required. Finally, Snape turned to her and spoke in a calm voice. "Ms. Granger, Mr. Potter is not well. At the Quidditch match, the lightening bolt that hit Potter was a noitome curse. It causes extreme and progressively uncontrollable emotions; in Potter's case, anger and guilt. The counter curse is the potion that I am preparing. The final ingredient depends upon you. I need the blood from a person with whom Mr. Potter has had a recent confrontation."
Hermione nodded her head. She had never before heard of a noitome curse and decided quickly that it must be in the restricted section. "Of course I'll help."
Snape knelt down in front of Hermione with a black handled dagger in his hand. "Your hand please, Ms. Granger."
Hermione held out her hand as Snape prepared to cut. Angeline gripped Hermione's other hand in support. Snape gently cut Hermione's hand and held it over the potion allowing several drops of blood to fall into the cauldron. Hermione had kept her composure rather well. Snape released her hand and she let go of Angeline's hand to hold her cut hand. Angeline pointed her wand at Hermione's hand and whispered, "Ferula manus," and the hand was bandaged and all of the pain had fled.
Snape placed the potion on the scar and waved his wand over the area. The potion was immediately absorbed into the scar. Dumbledore let go of Harry who sprang to his feet to escape. Before he was half way across the room, he stopped and placed his hand to his head. The room spun around him and before he knew it, he was falling. Snape caught him and helped him to the chair.
Angeline looked inquisitively at Snape who had moved back to observe Harry. "He will be fine once he's rested. The sudden drop in adrenaline caused the dizziness."
"Professor Atwood, would you please take Harry back to his room? Hermione, make sure that you and Ron keep an eye on him until he's better." Angeline took Harry by the arm and led him out of the office. Hermione followed quietly behind them. When the door was securely shut, Dumbledore spoke. "We have a serious problem on our hands, Severus."
"I agree."
"Do you have any suspicions as to who among us could have cast that curse?"
"Off hand, no. The only people who could have been capable of such a curse are Death Eaters, and not all Death Eaters have the capability."
"Which Death Eaters could have conjured it?" Dumbledore gave Snape a serious stare.
"Lucius Malfoy, Richard Burman- but he is in Azkaban… myself, and Voldemort." Snape thought for a moment as he wiped at the blood that was dried on his chin. "It troubles me that Professor Atwood seemed unsurprised when I mentioned the name of the curse."
"Angeline has dealt exclusively with the dark arts, Severus. As a matter of fact, prior to her transfer here, she had been doing undercover work for the Ministry. It seems that Angeline is very well versed with not only healing charms and healing magic, but also with dark magic."
Snape raced through several notions brewing in his mind. "That makes sense. Voldemort and I are the only ones who know the cure for the noitome curse. With the new wave of Death Eaters, I am sure that Voldemort has been teaching the old curses and spells at a more advanced rate than when he was first in power. Anyone could be a suspect."
Dumbledore nodded in agreement. "I have my suspicions, as I am sure you and Angeline do as well. She recognized the noitome curse immediately but elected to discuss it with me before seeking a counter curse. She seemed to know that you would watch after Harry, so she felt not angst in leaving him unguarded in the infirmary." Dumbledor's eyes twinkled. "For now, we must keep all suspicions quiet. I do not want unwanted strife without supported evidence."
"Of course not, Headmaster," Snape nodded and turned to retreat to his quarters to change out of his wet robes for the second time. Before he left the room, Dumbledore spoke up.
"Severus, you and Angeline are turning out to be quite an intriguing couple."
A look of extreme shock and confusion shot across Snape's face. "I beg your pardon, Sir?" His irritation was beginning to surface.
"I think you would be a much happier person if you would try and be yourself around her and not worry about what she will think."
Snape turned, speechless, and left the room. He thought it unnerving that Dumbledore seemed to be able to see straight through everyone's exterior. Not only that, but he could go from being very serious to smiling and joking in the same setting. "Disturbing," he mumbled to himself as he walked down the stairs feeling pensiveness, irritation, and embarrassment rolled into one.
***************************************************************
A/N: Thanks for sticking with me! I hope that made up for the shortness of the last chapter. =) Oh, and by the way, noitome spelled backwards is emotion. I know, it's a bit corny, but I'm not very creative when it comes to making up new curses.
I know that not many explanations are being offered right now, but I assure you that they will come! I have already completed this book and am now working on the second one. Right now I am just combating school, work, and daily life in order to put up new posts.
Again, thanks bunches!!!
A/N: Oodles and oodles of thanks to all those who are reading, and bunches more thanks to those who review! =)
~Chapter 11~
The day had finally arrived. Harry picked at his breakfast, and as usual, Ron and Hermione urged him to eat. It was the same every year. Although the room was relatively silent, everyone could sense the excitement in the air. After breakfast, everyone headed out to the Quidditch field.
The rain was beating down furiously. Although it was morning, the sun was completely hidden by dark clouds which cast an eerie green tent on the field and the surrounding mountains. The wind howled as the stands were filled by teachers and students with the Imperious Charm that sent water repelling in every direction.
Angeline was sitting in the faculty's section next to Professor Sprout and Professor Flitwick. Snape sat down behind her but said nothing to her. He had wanted to apologize for being rude at the last match, but Angeline had been surrounded by people each time that he had approached her. He found it disturbing not to be able to apologize outright, but he did not want to chance a rejection in front of the other teachers. He had worked hard to maintain his privacy at Hogwarts, and he was not willing to compromise that privacy. Snape noticed that Angeline had on one of the Gryffindor pins that Hermione had enchanted to flash the team name flying on a broomstick with intermittent gold snitches flying around.
Madam Hooch walked out onto the field and the players moved to their places. "There is to be no rule breaking this year." She gave both sides a warning glance and released the quaffle into the air. Both teams raced to the center, causing water-soaked robes to flail about in the wind. Gryffindor obtained possession of the quaffle and headed across the field. Seconds later, "Ten points for Gryffindor!" was heard over the rolls of thunder.
Harry sought desperately for the snitch. Several times the wind had set him veering off course as he flew in search. "Ten more points to Gryffindor!" Harry looked over his shoulder and saw Fred knock a bludger toward the Slytherin captain, but it was blown off course immediately. When Harry looked back around, he saw the snitch about thirteen feet in front of him. Malfoy was across the field and up much higher than Harry, and he knew Malfoy would not make it to the snitch before him.
Harry turned and raced forward, a feeling of victory rising within him. Just as Harry closed in on the snitch, the Slytherins shrieked in terror as both bludgers slammed into Malfoy and sent him dropping to the ground. Harry made a split-second decision. If Malfoy hit the ground from the height he was at, it would kill him on impact. Harry abandoned the snitch and shot straight toward Malfoy as fast as his broom would take him.
Snape had sprang to his feet, a look of worry on his face. He, like everyone else on that side of the field, had seen Potter abandon the snitch. It had taken a moment to realize why. Angeline held her breath and clasped her hands in front of her mouth. Snape gripped the side of the stand hard. Even Dumbledore had stood in concern. Unfortunately, Quidditch rules strictly forbade anyone to use magic to influence anything or anyone in the game.
Harry focused hard as he navigated against the wind. Several lightening bolts shot around the field. Two seconds later, Harry had hold of Malfoy's arm. The sudden force of catching someone his own size caused Harry to go slightly off balance. He slid but gripped tight to his broom. Malfoy squirmed around enough to grab hold of Harry's broomstick with his other hand as Harry flew after Malfoy's broom. The wind sent the broom towards the ground. As Harry approached, Malfoy let go and dropped onto his broomstick. Harry turned his attention back to the snitch, which Malfoy was now racing towards. Just as Harry began to accelerate, a bolt of lightening shot from somewhere near the opposing side of the stadium. It slammed straight into Harry, knocking him to the ground quicker than anyone could blink. Harry didn't even have time to cry out in pain. He saw the snitch, and then nothing at all.
Malfoy grabbed the snitch, winning the game. He turned and realized Harry was no where near him. He felt pleased until he looked down and saw Harry motionless on the ground. He had won, but it didn't seem all that great at the moment.
Angeline and Dumbledore pushed through the crowd. Harry laid motionless in the mud. There was a large burn in his Quidditch robe where the lightening had struck him. The hole in the robe still had smoke rising from it when Angeline dropped to her knees in the mud next to him. Snape pushed his way through the crowd and watched as did Lyle. Angeline began her magic without any objections. Seconds later, Harry opened his eyes and sat up.
Rain hit hard up against his face. The faces around him were blurry, but he soon realized it was because his glasses had been knocked off his face. "Come, Harry. Poppy will want to have a look at you." Harry knew Dumbledore had said it, but he could only make out a fuzzy white smudge where a face should have been.
"My glasses," Harry felt around for them but with no luck. Dumbledore helped Harry to his feet and led him to the medical wing. Several students and teachers stood watching Angeline for a few moments before walking inside and whispering amongst themselves.
Snape stepped forward to help Angeline to her feet, but Lyle beat him to it. Lyle gave his sister a concerned look and she assured him that she was alright. Angeline turned to look at Snape. Her fiery red hair was hanging across her eyes because of the wind and rain. Snape opened his mouth to say something, but Lyle ushered her inside and out of the rain before Snape could begin. She looked back and gave Snape an understanding and apologetic half smile.
"Lumos," Snape said and used his wand as a light to find Harry's glasses on the dark field. After a few moments, he found them, picked up the broom, and headed inside to his office to change into some dry robes.
Harry laid down in the bed in the infirmary as Madam Pomfrey scurried from the cabinet to the bed and then off to tend to another student who sounded sick to his stomach. Harry knew that Ron and Hermione were standing next to him although he could only discern them by hair color at the moment. "What happened?" Harry questioned, still not quite sure of what happened to his glasses, or the game for that matter.
"You got hit with lightening… and Malfoy got the snitch," Ron added the last part with difficulty.
Harry's head hit the pillow and his stomach lurched. Snape stood at the door and watched them for a few moments.
"We lost, and it's all my fault." Harry thought about the look of disappointment that must have crossed Alicia's face.
"It's not your fault, Harry," Hermione looked sympathetically at him. "You don't control storms…and you're lucky to be alive."
"I've turned into a walking bad luck charm."
"Stop it, Harry. You know that's not true." Hermione crossed her arms defiantly.
Harry was completely disgusted with himself. He laid there in silence and ran through a stream of events in his head. "Yes, it is true. Do you realize how many times I've been to the medical wing since I've been at Hogwarts?"
"So, what difference does that make?"
"That's just the start of a long list. I've let my team down more times than I can count, I'm constantly getting someone into trouble-"
"Harry, stop. You know that's not true-"
Harry's frustration grew and he continued as the rage built inside of him. "Wake up, will you? Did it ever occur to you that Cedric… and Mr. Crouch and…" Harry swallowed hard and fought the burning sensation in his eyes, "and my parents would still be alive if not for me? Now if all that doesn't scream cursed, I don't know what does!"
Harry's last comment had left the infirmary silent. He wanted to get out and be by himself, so he swung off of the bed and headed out the door. Snape moved out of the way as Harry bumped into the wall and ran towards the stairs. Hermione watched him go but did not run after him. Ron looked considerately at Hermione and whispered, "He didn't mean anything by yelling like that. He just needs to be alone a little while, that's all."
In the hall, Snape watched Harry retreat down the stairs, wiping spastically at his eyes and sniffing all the way. Hearing Ron's words to Hermione, he thought to himself, "No. Being alone is the last thing that boy needs right now."
Snape headed into the room and looked silently down a the children. He held out Harry's broom and gave it to Ron. "I trust that you know where this belongs," he said. He then turned and walked silently out the door, his robes billowing behind him.
"Let's go," Ron urged Hermione out the door and back to the Gryffindor common room.
Snape spiraled down the staircase toward the dungeon. As he glanced out one of the doors, he saw a tiny figure back out on the field sifting through mud in search of his glasses. Snape remembered feeling like that many times throughout his life. Some mornings he still had trouble looking at himself in the mirror because of things he had done in his past. He stepped back into the rain and was immediately soaked again. "So much for dry robes tonight," he thought to himself. "Mr. Potter," Snape looked calmly down at Harry.
Harry jumped. It was impossible to hear anyone walking on the field with all the wind and thunder. He looked up and saw a smudgy, dark outline. "You shouldn't leave your things lying around," Snape said coolly as he handed Harry his glasses.
Harry put them on gratefully and mumbled, "Sorry, Sir." Harry's world came into clear focus. He looked up at Snape and expected a scowl. Instead, Snape looked concerned. It scared Harry a little.
"Come with me, please," Snape turned and Harry obeyed, although reluctantly. Snape led him down the stairs to his office in the dungeon. Once inside, Snape motioned for Harry to sit down in a chair in front of his desk. Harry had only been in the room one other time, but only briefly. He sat down and watched Snape silently. Snape pulled a kettle from his fireplace and poured its contents into two small tea cups on his desk. He gave one to Harry and took one to his seat across the desk. He replaced the kettle in the fire and picked up a blanket that was draped across a chair near the window and handed it to Harry who accepted it gratefully. The dungeon was cold and damp all year round, but today it seemed colder than usual to Harry who had water and mud dripping from his Quidditch uniform.
Harry looked down at the floor, not wanting to meet Snape's gaze from across the desk. He noticed the burned spot and the hole on his uniform.
"Is there anything you would like to tell me, Mr. Potter?"
"No." Harry didn't feel like talking, especially to Snape. He knew there must be some ulterior motive to Snape's kindness since Snape seemed to always be seeking to catch him doing something he wasn't supposed to be doing.
Snape could sense Harry's lack of trust, but he could not blame him. It was true that he was extremely hard on his students and they often saw him as cold and cruel. "You'll find that I am a lot less threatening when my students do as they are told and obey the rules. As, for a change, you have broken no rules and caused no disturbances, I think you'll find it easier to talk to me."
Harry thought a moment, keeping his eyes on the floor. "Is it possible for someone to be born a bad-luck charm?"
"Although some individuals are constantly finding themselves in the midst of mischief and turmoil, no, there is no such thing as a walking bad- luck charm. It is a muggle-bred myth." Snape sipped his tea and watched Harry fidget uncomfortably. "Consequently, Cedric, Bertie Crouch, and your parents did not die because of anything you did."
Harry met Snape's gaze. He realized Snape must have been at the door of the infirmary when he had yelled at Hermione and Ron. "But it was my fault." A flood of memories came rushing back over him. "Cedric died because I was in the Tri-Wizard tournament. And if I hadn't had that map, Crouch's son would never have known where Crouch was, and…" Harry tried to stop, but he couldn't, "if I hadn't have been in the room my mother could have ran from Voldemort! Instead, she had to stay and protect me, and for what? Just so I could grow up with the Dursleys and make everyone's lives miserable. I shouldn't even be sitting here now. Voldemort should have killed me when he had the chance!" Harry stood and bolted for the door. He felt completely out of control. It was unlike anything he had felt before. With every word, he grew more and more angry at himself. Snape stood and grabbed Harry by the shoulders to keep him from running. "Let me go! What do you care, anyway? You hate me, and you know it! Me and my parents!"
"That is not true, Mr. Potter. Now please calm yourself." Snape held on to Harry who was slowly wearing himself out. Snape noticed a small, green scar where Harry had been hit with the lightening. He immediately dragged Harry up to Dumbledore's office, while Harry kicked and tried to run the entire time. "Butterbeer," he muttered to the gargoyle, and it jumped out of the way. Dumbledore and Angeline turned just as Harry decked Snape square across the jaw.
Warm blood ran down from Snape's lip as he gripped Harry's arms tighter. "Severus, what is going on? Harry, calm yourself," Dumbledore stood and approached them.
"Sir, that was no regular lightening bolt that struck Mr. Potter." Snape pushed Harry forward and into a chair. Harry struggled to get away. He no longer even thought rationally about the situation. Snape noticed that Angeline did not seemed surprised by his remark. "There is a green scar where he was hit. Someone in the stands must have known a noitome curse. This one seems to be a cross between anger and guilt."
Dumbledore examined the scar as Snape held Harry as still as possible. "We will have to perform the counter curse immediately before his conditions deteriorates."
Angeline looked a bit confused at that point. "What is the counter curse?"
A potion formed from the tear of a dragon, the hair of a tarantula, snake's tooth, and the blood of a friend with whom the person has had a recent confrontation." Snape needed to go get the ingredients, but was reluctant to leave Harry free to dart about the office. In his present state, he was dangerous to himself and those around him.
"I'll go to your office and gather the ingredients…but what about the blood?"
"Bring Ms. Granger with you. She shall suffice."
In a matter of minutes, Angeline had returned with everything, including Hermione. Hermione looked timidly around the room. Angeline had not yet explained what was occurring.
Snape relinquished control of Harry to Dumbledore while he prepared the potion. Angeline watched his every move, intent upon memorizing the potion.
Hermione was growing fearful. Harry was thrashing about wildly and she could not comprehend why she was required. Finally, Snape turned to her and spoke in a calm voice. "Ms. Granger, Mr. Potter is not well. At the Quidditch match, the lightening bolt that hit Potter was a noitome curse. It causes extreme and progressively uncontrollable emotions; in Potter's case, anger and guilt. The counter curse is the potion that I am preparing. The final ingredient depends upon you. I need the blood from a person with whom Mr. Potter has had a recent confrontation."
Hermione nodded her head. She had never before heard of a noitome curse and decided quickly that it must be in the restricted section. "Of course I'll help."
Snape knelt down in front of Hermione with a black handled dagger in his hand. "Your hand please, Ms. Granger."
Hermione held out her hand as Snape prepared to cut. Angeline gripped Hermione's other hand in support. Snape gently cut Hermione's hand and held it over the potion allowing several drops of blood to fall into the cauldron. Hermione had kept her composure rather well. Snape released her hand and she let go of Angeline's hand to hold her cut hand. Angeline pointed her wand at Hermione's hand and whispered, "Ferula manus," and the hand was bandaged and all of the pain had fled.
Snape placed the potion on the scar and waved his wand over the area. The potion was immediately absorbed into the scar. Dumbledore let go of Harry who sprang to his feet to escape. Before he was half way across the room, he stopped and placed his hand to his head. The room spun around him and before he knew it, he was falling. Snape caught him and helped him to the chair.
Angeline looked inquisitively at Snape who had moved back to observe Harry. "He will be fine once he's rested. The sudden drop in adrenaline caused the dizziness."
"Professor Atwood, would you please take Harry back to his room? Hermione, make sure that you and Ron keep an eye on him until he's better." Angeline took Harry by the arm and led him out of the office. Hermione followed quietly behind them. When the door was securely shut, Dumbledore spoke. "We have a serious problem on our hands, Severus."
"I agree."
"Do you have any suspicions as to who among us could have cast that curse?"
"Off hand, no. The only people who could have been capable of such a curse are Death Eaters, and not all Death Eaters have the capability."
"Which Death Eaters could have conjured it?" Dumbledore gave Snape a serious stare.
"Lucius Malfoy, Richard Burman- but he is in Azkaban… myself, and Voldemort." Snape thought for a moment as he wiped at the blood that was dried on his chin. "It troubles me that Professor Atwood seemed unsurprised when I mentioned the name of the curse."
"Angeline has dealt exclusively with the dark arts, Severus. As a matter of fact, prior to her transfer here, she had been doing undercover work for the Ministry. It seems that Angeline is very well versed with not only healing charms and healing magic, but also with dark magic."
Snape raced through several notions brewing in his mind. "That makes sense. Voldemort and I are the only ones who know the cure for the noitome curse. With the new wave of Death Eaters, I am sure that Voldemort has been teaching the old curses and spells at a more advanced rate than when he was first in power. Anyone could be a suspect."
Dumbledore nodded in agreement. "I have my suspicions, as I am sure you and Angeline do as well. She recognized the noitome curse immediately but elected to discuss it with me before seeking a counter curse. She seemed to know that you would watch after Harry, so she felt not angst in leaving him unguarded in the infirmary." Dumbledor's eyes twinkled. "For now, we must keep all suspicions quiet. I do not want unwanted strife without supported evidence."
"Of course not, Headmaster," Snape nodded and turned to retreat to his quarters to change out of his wet robes for the second time. Before he left the room, Dumbledore spoke up.
"Severus, you and Angeline are turning out to be quite an intriguing couple."
A look of extreme shock and confusion shot across Snape's face. "I beg your pardon, Sir?" His irritation was beginning to surface.
"I think you would be a much happier person if you would try and be yourself around her and not worry about what she will think."
Snape turned, speechless, and left the room. He thought it unnerving that Dumbledore seemed to be able to see straight through everyone's exterior. Not only that, but he could go from being very serious to smiling and joking in the same setting. "Disturbing," he mumbled to himself as he walked down the stairs feeling pensiveness, irritation, and embarrassment rolled into one.
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A/N: Thanks for sticking with me! I hope that made up for the shortness of the last chapter. =) Oh, and by the way, noitome spelled backwards is emotion. I know, it's a bit corny, but I'm not very creative when it comes to making up new curses.
I know that not many explanations are being offered right now, but I assure you that they will come! I have already completed this book and am now working on the second one. Right now I am just combating school, work, and daily life in order to put up new posts.
Again, thanks bunches!!!