I do not own any of this!
Chapter 19
The next morning, as students entered the Great Hall, almost all of them looked up at the Staff table, their eyes scanning its length looking for a glimpse of one of the two people everyone had been talking about. Professor Snape. Many were concerned to find him sitting at his place as normal, the Daily Prophet spread out before him, seemingly without anything on his mind. However, his apprentice was nowhere in sight.
The Hall filled, and still there was no sign of Harry. When Ron and Hermione entered, everyone expected to see a familiar figure break away and walk to the staff table. But there was not even a ghost. Quiet murmurs swept the Hall, and frowns were on the faces of many, particularly amongst the Gryffindors.
When it had just gone half past seven, Snape put down his paper, and swept regally out of the hall, looking neither to the left nor to the right. The gaze of the hall followed his path. Without hesitation, a small group followed. Had the glares of the Weasleys not been so fierce, most of the school would soon have been gathered on the castle steps.
Coming out of the Entrance Hall, The few were greeted by the sight of their friend kneeling as he had done the night before, as if only seconds had passed, not hours.
As they watched Snape advance across the grass towards his apprentice, Ron and Hermione was pleased to note that there was no sign of Malfoy or his cronies. Ron did not think Harry would have been happy if they had had to tell him Malfoy had witnessed his submission.
Harry did not raise his head as his master approached, and made no movement, even when Snape was so close Harry could see the tips of his black shoes poking out from underneath his master's robes. Snape regarded his apprentice for a moment, before reaching down, and murmuring a few words of Latin. Harry felt the bonds on his wrists fall away, though he ignored the pain as the blood flowed back into his hands. Had he moved just slightly, he would not have caught Snape's next words.
'Well done.'
Harry lifted his eyes slowly, still not actually moving. He caught only a glimpse of the pale face above him before the blurring of his eyes forced him to look down once more. The next words were louder.
'Please.stand.'
As he spoke, Snape reached down and gripped the boy firmly but gently by the arm, and helped him begin to rise. Harry looked up into his masters eyes, forcing his cold muscles to move. And, much to his surprise, he saw compassion there. Not anger, or disappointment, or that cold look he was so used to. Rather, there was understanding, warmth, and something Harry recognised as relief.
Finally on his feet, though admittedly feeling a little unsteady, Harry stepped back slightly, not wanting Snape to think him weak. Snape did not stop him, and Harry stood straighter, his shoulders adopting the stance that had become so natural over the past few months. Snape observed him for a few seconds, and Harry saw the skin around his eyes crease for a second, before he spoke hurriedly.
'My lord.'
Snape breathed out quickly, something Harry recognised as signalling his amusement. He did not have time to ponder the question.
'Your friends will be worried. You may tell them what id necessary, then I suggest you get some rest. I will wake you in a few hours.'
Harry eyebrows furrowed for a second, before giving his usual reply.
'Yes, my lord.' He hesitated. 'And. thank you.'
Harry bowed unsteadily, and turned, walking up the gentle slope to the castle, where he was immediately surrounded by his friends. Snape stayed out of the grass until the Gryffindors had disappeared, then followed his apprentice inside, and down the long corridors to the dungeons.
AS Harry slept the morning away, Snape sat in his study, deep in though. Not having any classes that day he was free to think about the topic that occupied his mind often. When he had come into his quarters, he had poked his head around the door into his apprentice's room, and found Harry already asleep on his beg, still wearing clothed damp from the morning dew. He had not woken him, for the room was warm, and the boy sleeping in a peace Snape had come to realise the boy rarely found in the hours after night fell.
As Snape sipped on a steaming goblet, he considered what he knew about the boy. He had seen fear in those eyes last night, real fear. Not of punishment, or pain, but of reliving memories best forgotten. He had his suspicions, and they had been backed up by the events of the night before.
But he would not say anything. He knew from years of bitter experience what id is to have secrets, and he'd be damned before he went delving into other people, especially those of someone he had come to respect, event like.
Snape leaned back. He though of how Harry had stepped back from his help, even though it was offered freely. That was something that he would remember for years to come. To have the inner strength to do something like that after hours of suffering was not something to be lightly though of. It signalled a strength that would seldom be tested, but when used, could shape the future of a world.
Snape looked down at the papers stacked on his desk. This afternoon they would begin work on the crucaitus potion. He knew Harry would appreciate the reason for him choosing today, as well as the implications behind it. Snape was signalling his complete trust, something he did not give freely.
Standing up hours later, Snape went into his apprentice's room, and woke him. It was the first time he had used anything more than a sharp rap on the door and a loud call, and though it would take Harry a few hours to work this out, Harry appreciated it. Coming out of his room ten minutes later, Harry caught sight of the laid table. He stood behind his chair, and gave his usual greeting. As Snape gave him permission to sit, the only obvious reminder of what had happened was the bands of raw skin around Harry's wrists. Though it seemed like day had passed, it was mere hours. They ate in silence.
Dramaqueen -thanks for your review, and a good point made. The idea is the masters is not a secret, but no one outside of the Order can understand it, so in reality, it actually is.
Fire-Mage - Yep, they're just typos. There are probably some in this chapter as well, as I'm putting it up without doing an overnight check, because I promised to have it out as soon as possible. You're curiosity should be very slightly abated by this chapter. By the way, Snape knew about the storm, but it was just coincidence.
Moonlight - Huge thanks for you r long review, or should I say reviews! All you're comment were very helpful, and I hope you liked this chapter, it should have answered some of your questions. And for the most part, things should get easier on Harry, though Gray id going to continue his evil ways.
Phoenix Flight - Thanks for your review, I know exactly what you mean. I'm in the CCF, which is basically the same thing, but for the army. Hope you liked this chapter.
Bill Weasley - Thanks, this chapter does give you a bit more of the compassionate Snape, but one of the major things in the story is the fact that he is in fact compassionate, but that not everyone can see it.
Archimedes - Thanks for your review and the information about yourself, my curiosity had been abated. No Dumbledore is not a ,aster, though he does know quite a bit about them, because of his friendship with Snape, and others. On the Voldemort side, I'm kind of in two minds, so I can't give you an answer her, you'll just have to wait and see.
CassandrAIarwen - thanks for the review, your question should have been answered!
EVERYONE - Thanks to everyone else who reviewed, I owe you all huge thanks, as that was the biggest response for any chapter so far. Hope you liked this chapter, and more to come, though I'm not quite sure when. It leave weekend for anyone who knows what that means, so you might be lucky and get a chapter on Saturday evening, GMT. Thanks for everyone who reviews this chapter - Pose
Chapter 19
The next morning, as students entered the Great Hall, almost all of them looked up at the Staff table, their eyes scanning its length looking for a glimpse of one of the two people everyone had been talking about. Professor Snape. Many were concerned to find him sitting at his place as normal, the Daily Prophet spread out before him, seemingly without anything on his mind. However, his apprentice was nowhere in sight.
The Hall filled, and still there was no sign of Harry. When Ron and Hermione entered, everyone expected to see a familiar figure break away and walk to the staff table. But there was not even a ghost. Quiet murmurs swept the Hall, and frowns were on the faces of many, particularly amongst the Gryffindors.
When it had just gone half past seven, Snape put down his paper, and swept regally out of the hall, looking neither to the left nor to the right. The gaze of the hall followed his path. Without hesitation, a small group followed. Had the glares of the Weasleys not been so fierce, most of the school would soon have been gathered on the castle steps.
Coming out of the Entrance Hall, The few were greeted by the sight of their friend kneeling as he had done the night before, as if only seconds had passed, not hours.
As they watched Snape advance across the grass towards his apprentice, Ron and Hermione was pleased to note that there was no sign of Malfoy or his cronies. Ron did not think Harry would have been happy if they had had to tell him Malfoy had witnessed his submission.
Harry did not raise his head as his master approached, and made no movement, even when Snape was so close Harry could see the tips of his black shoes poking out from underneath his master's robes. Snape regarded his apprentice for a moment, before reaching down, and murmuring a few words of Latin. Harry felt the bonds on his wrists fall away, though he ignored the pain as the blood flowed back into his hands. Had he moved just slightly, he would not have caught Snape's next words.
'Well done.'
Harry lifted his eyes slowly, still not actually moving. He caught only a glimpse of the pale face above him before the blurring of his eyes forced him to look down once more. The next words were louder.
'Please.stand.'
As he spoke, Snape reached down and gripped the boy firmly but gently by the arm, and helped him begin to rise. Harry looked up into his masters eyes, forcing his cold muscles to move. And, much to his surprise, he saw compassion there. Not anger, or disappointment, or that cold look he was so used to. Rather, there was understanding, warmth, and something Harry recognised as relief.
Finally on his feet, though admittedly feeling a little unsteady, Harry stepped back slightly, not wanting Snape to think him weak. Snape did not stop him, and Harry stood straighter, his shoulders adopting the stance that had become so natural over the past few months. Snape observed him for a few seconds, and Harry saw the skin around his eyes crease for a second, before he spoke hurriedly.
'My lord.'
Snape breathed out quickly, something Harry recognised as signalling his amusement. He did not have time to ponder the question.
'Your friends will be worried. You may tell them what id necessary, then I suggest you get some rest. I will wake you in a few hours.'
Harry eyebrows furrowed for a second, before giving his usual reply.
'Yes, my lord.' He hesitated. 'And. thank you.'
Harry bowed unsteadily, and turned, walking up the gentle slope to the castle, where he was immediately surrounded by his friends. Snape stayed out of the grass until the Gryffindors had disappeared, then followed his apprentice inside, and down the long corridors to the dungeons.
AS Harry slept the morning away, Snape sat in his study, deep in though. Not having any classes that day he was free to think about the topic that occupied his mind often. When he had come into his quarters, he had poked his head around the door into his apprentice's room, and found Harry already asleep on his beg, still wearing clothed damp from the morning dew. He had not woken him, for the room was warm, and the boy sleeping in a peace Snape had come to realise the boy rarely found in the hours after night fell.
As Snape sipped on a steaming goblet, he considered what he knew about the boy. He had seen fear in those eyes last night, real fear. Not of punishment, or pain, but of reliving memories best forgotten. He had his suspicions, and they had been backed up by the events of the night before.
But he would not say anything. He knew from years of bitter experience what id is to have secrets, and he'd be damned before he went delving into other people, especially those of someone he had come to respect, event like.
Snape leaned back. He though of how Harry had stepped back from his help, even though it was offered freely. That was something that he would remember for years to come. To have the inner strength to do something like that after hours of suffering was not something to be lightly though of. It signalled a strength that would seldom be tested, but when used, could shape the future of a world.
Snape looked down at the papers stacked on his desk. This afternoon they would begin work on the crucaitus potion. He knew Harry would appreciate the reason for him choosing today, as well as the implications behind it. Snape was signalling his complete trust, something he did not give freely.
Standing up hours later, Snape went into his apprentice's room, and woke him. It was the first time he had used anything more than a sharp rap on the door and a loud call, and though it would take Harry a few hours to work this out, Harry appreciated it. Coming out of his room ten minutes later, Harry caught sight of the laid table. He stood behind his chair, and gave his usual greeting. As Snape gave him permission to sit, the only obvious reminder of what had happened was the bands of raw skin around Harry's wrists. Though it seemed like day had passed, it was mere hours. They ate in silence.
Dramaqueen -thanks for your review, and a good point made. The idea is the masters is not a secret, but no one outside of the Order can understand it, so in reality, it actually is.
Fire-Mage - Yep, they're just typos. There are probably some in this chapter as well, as I'm putting it up without doing an overnight check, because I promised to have it out as soon as possible. You're curiosity should be very slightly abated by this chapter. By the way, Snape knew about the storm, but it was just coincidence.
Moonlight - Huge thanks for you r long review, or should I say reviews! All you're comment were very helpful, and I hope you liked this chapter, it should have answered some of your questions. And for the most part, things should get easier on Harry, though Gray id going to continue his evil ways.
Phoenix Flight - Thanks for your review, I know exactly what you mean. I'm in the CCF, which is basically the same thing, but for the army. Hope you liked this chapter.
Bill Weasley - Thanks, this chapter does give you a bit more of the compassionate Snape, but one of the major things in the story is the fact that he is in fact compassionate, but that not everyone can see it.
Archimedes - Thanks for your review and the information about yourself, my curiosity had been abated. No Dumbledore is not a ,aster, though he does know quite a bit about them, because of his friendship with Snape, and others. On the Voldemort side, I'm kind of in two minds, so I can't give you an answer her, you'll just have to wait and see.
CassandrAIarwen - thanks for the review, your question should have been answered!
EVERYONE - Thanks to everyone else who reviewed, I owe you all huge thanks, as that was the biggest response for any chapter so far. Hope you liked this chapter, and more to come, though I'm not quite sure when. It leave weekend for anyone who knows what that means, so you might be lucky and get a chapter on Saturday evening, GMT. Thanks for everyone who reviews this chapter - Pose
