Unleashed Shadows : Chapter 13

Disclaimer: I do not own, or claim to own Harry Potter or related characters. These belong to J.K. Rowling.

A/N: Okay, it's been long and I have absolutely no idea how you did it, but you did. You convinced me to continue, and I have to say thanks again at all reviews. You people are wonderful.

To Linra, a special apology to the spoiler-for-book-five matter, though I can assure you that the similarities I have been complaining about are greatly exaggerated and probably not much else is comparable in the sense of being the same. But I agree, I should've had a warning before that. Sorry!

To everyone who spent time in talking me back into writing, especially, thank you so much. It's nice to know someone likes your writing, and its nicer still when they tell you that they do. What sweetness.

But enough of me babbling. This is the next chapter…

***

Severus Snape could've been mistaken for an overgrown bat as he raced to the Head Master's Office in a squirl of black. Barely pausing to catch a breath, he approached the gargoyle and straightened himself.

"Toffee Apple."

The man didn't even wait for the gargoyle to entirely step aside before he had stepped onto the staircase and was on his way up. The solid oak door in front of him was almost intimidating and as he turned the griffin doorknob he felt a sudden sense of foreboding.

"Severus." Dumbledore said, smiling ever-so-slightly. "Please sit."

Snape didn't bother with questions. He sat, clasped his hands together and proceeded to give an account of the events that had been happening since Dumbledore had last advised him to tell Harry of their relationship.

"This isn't about the father-son issue Albus. This is about those damned premonitions he's been having."

"Premonitions now Severus? If I am to recall properly, were you not the one to say these were – "

"Delusions? Yes, but that's hardly fair now that we know the truth."

"And that truth is?"

"That Harry's visions may be a key. And to whose advantage we already know. Already he says, he's 'gotten used to them'. What is that supposed to mean? That he's had them on a regular basis? Not only is that a danger to him, but it's also become a danger to the Wizarding World."

Albus leaned forward and frowned slowly, as if he were thinking. "In what way?"

Severus lowered his voice, though he knew they were alone. "He knows about my betrayal. The Dark Lord knows I am a spy, and not for him."

"Through Harry?" Albus sat back, and watched Severus intently as he asked the question.

"Yes." Snape said firmly. "Though I can hardly admit that I know the whole story, and unless we can force a confession out of -- " (At this point, Severus almost said 'Potter,' but stopped himself just in time) " – Harry, I can only report on what I here. One main article being Grindelwald's Mark and its association with the Dark Lord's at the moment."

"Grindelwald's Mark? I'll have to see about that one Severus. But for the meanwhile, I'm asking you two things. One, to keep an eye on Harry, on both his progress in the image reversion and matters on both scar and visions."

Snape stood up at this moment, well aware Dumbledore had not finished. But he knew what the Head Master was going to ask, and he knew he couldn't agree to it.

"And two, that you will sever all connections and bonds to Voldermort. And take the potion I recommended to lessen the effect of the Dark Mark."

But Severus Snape was no longer listening, in fact, he was only partially inside the room. Waiting at the door for the old wizard to finish his sentence, Snape had not left only out of respect. When Dumbledore did finish though, all Severus gave in response was a short inclination of the head, before he turned and drifted back down the spiraling staircase.

*

The crowd cheered as both Slytherin and Gryffindor Seekers dived in a flash of red and green. Headed straight for the grass field, the snitch was almost an arm's length away, but both boys knew that letting go of their two-handed grip on their broom at this point in the dive would most likely prove fatal.

Harry pulled out of his dive only a second before Draco Malfoy did, but nonetheless, his broom scratched the ground. With Draco, the damage was a couple of twigs from the back. Harry heard Draco swear in annoyance, but paid little attention as his eyes he kept on the snitch. It fluttered fast then slow, and a flash of gold would appear here and there every now and then. His main goal at the moment was to make sure he didn't lose it.

Somewhere in the back of Harry's mind he heard the faint sound of cheering, probably someone who had scored a point. Harry just hoped it wasn't Ron who'd let it in.

"Hey Potter, seems like Weasley's not living up to standard."

So it was Ron.

"Shut up Malfoy," Harry let slip before he focused all concentration back to the snitch. Malfoy, on the other hand had no trouble whatsoever, in fact, all the boy was doing was tailing Harry. And this gave Harry an idea.

Harry waited for the snitch to change position once again, and it did – to the left. Swerving fast, he stretched out his hand and turned right. Malfoy, sensing a challenge, also spun right, and Harry could see his expression grim as his eyes searched frantically for the snitch. Harry let Draco pass, and did a 180 degree turn, every part of him wishing the snitch had not moved too far.

It seemed luck was with him and before Draco could react, Harry had already caught sight of the snitch and was racing towards it. Without competition shoving into his back every few seconds, the grab was surprisingly easy, and it was like his ears started working again and the crowd's cheers finally registered. It had been a feint.

Floating down back to the ground, Harry looked at his teammates, all of whom were grinning and tired. Hermione and Ron approached, and Hermione hugged him. "Great game Harry." At this moment, Harry forgot all about Snape and Voldermort and whoever else may have been on his tail or plotting to kill him. At the moment he was just Harry, and he was doing what Ron had joked he did best – beating Slytherins.

***

I know that was pretty short and even parts of it pointless, but I needed to steer away from the plot for a little while. So I wrote about Quidditch.

The next chapter will be up soon, and I can promise it'll be longer. Again, thanks, and: Please review.