Thanks to the following reviews, not only from myself but also from the other authors who have written so far: Cat, DaughterofDeath, MissCrystalix, snape-potter-me987, Lady S, Arili, Addictedtofanfics, Calani, menecarkawan, dragobrat, Mikee, kizna2, Fuzzy-Bumpkins, Joy Cutting, Corgi1, Anarane Anwamane, c[R]ud[E]dly,

Jaded Angel 8: You aren't the only one interested in knowing about the talisman, I can't wait to see what the other author's make of it. As to Sev, I'm sure he will be wonderful.

bramblerose-proudfoot: I really want Dumbledore to become more of a grandfather figure instead of a mentor and some mystic guide with ambiguous answers. I like seeing Harry take a fall once in awhile, it keeps him on his toes.

Cha-Cha Chica: Thanks, but don't just praise me, praise my beta readers :). As to keeping them in character, I had hoped I had succeeded and your praise warms my heart.

sherdelune: Yes they kissed, but it would have been so much better if it had been a live one :).

xikum: I think, personally, he still needs to play a role even if he is exposed, just so others won't suspect his feelings for Harry.

Previously in Chapter Eight:

He zigged and zagged, but never lost sight of the snitch. He dodged past several near hits by a bludger, and thankfully his team members intervened at several timely moments. He reached out and grabbed the snitch just as Malfoy put on one last burst of speed, causing him to collide with Harry. They tangled in midair and then started plummeting over twenty feet, to the ground.

Harry felt a spell cushioning his fall and looked towards the teachers stands to see that Professors Snape, McGonagall, Dumbledore and Flitwick all had their wands out and were casting spells to help them land with ease. As soon as they were on the ground, Malfoy shoved him away and stalked off, while Harry lifted his hand up that still held the snitch in it's grasp; the three houses roared their approval. He could hear Dean call out the final score, "And the game belongs to Gryffindor with 250, Slytherins 140. Way to go, Harry!"

Harry looked up into the stands again before being tackled by his house and teammates in their victory and saw Snape looking at him intently. After he showered, he still had one more meeting to attend.

Taking Away the Loneliness

Chapter Nine: Detention

For the first time after a match, Harry was glad for the throng of people crowding around to congratulate him. It kept the teachers at bay. After casting spells to slow Harry and Draco from falling to their deaths, they would most assuredly want to check on the seekers to ensure their well-being. Sure enough, Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall were heading their way, but one dark Potions Master was stalking away, looking very cross.

Harry continued to allow the crowd of well-wishers and team members to propel him though the pitch and toward the locker rooms. He finally found himself showering and dressing, all the while with one thing on his mind. Snape. Why did he look so annoyed? Was it because Slytherin lost?

Severus stormed off toward the castle. He was almost grateful Slytherin lost the match, as he would not be expected to go and congratulate the team. He was already getting looks from a few of the students whose fathers were Death Eaters. Having not shown up for a meeting that was designated for his personal torture and eventual death, word was getting around the evil elite that he was a traitor.

Having seen Harry falling from such a height had unnerved him. Severus berated himself for being affected as he had been. It wasn't as if Potter hadn't had many near misses over the years playing Quidditch, not to mention all the other life-threatening activities the boy seemed to get himself into. No, there was another reason.

Severus had never planned on telling anyone he found Potter attractive, least of all the young man himself. But now he knew. God, we almost kissed, twice. The fates never smiled on the Slytherin Head of House. He usually didn't expect anything good, accepting that things didn't go his way. But his mind was filled with thoughts of Potter and the fact that the Gryffindor seemed to feel the same way. Severus was shocked with the unexpected feelings he was having. He found himself occasionally having ridiculous fantasies about what could never be between him and the young Gryffindor.

It was the sight of Harry falling from his broom, which reminded him like a blow to the face, that things never went well for him, and Potter was going to be no exception. The thought of something happening to Harry suddenly scared him. He had always protected him, but for different reasons. Now, he didn't even have the benefit of being a spy to protect the boy… no, man… from the 'inside', should he be captured. Severus was feeling very out of control.

As he arrived to his office, Severus spoke the password with a sigh. He needed to get a grip on his anxiety. Earlier, he had set up this detention so that he could talk with Harry about just what had in fact almost happened. And now, he was stressing over everything else that he couldn't change. Severus opened a drawer in his desk, revealing several vials of potions, and a small flask. He took a quick swig from the flask, and relocked the drawer.

Severus sat back in his chair, taking deep, calming breaths. He wasn't sure what he was going to say when Harry showed up for his detention. What's taking him so long? Severus remembered that Harry would have taken a shower after the match, and still had to get through a mob of fans. Try as he might, Severus' mind kept going back to Harry in the shower. He berated himself for his perversions, but continued with his thoughts of the toned quidditch player soaping up his sweat-glistened body.

Delicious thoughts of a tanned, toned and soapy body were thwarted as said body, now clean and dry, knocked at the door. "Enter," said Severus, straightening his robe, ensuring that his reaction to such thoughts was well concealed. Perhaps he needn't stand up for this meeting. He was immediately grateful to be sitting down as Harry entered the room. Severus had felt an almost uncontrollable urge to wrap his arms around him, reassuring himself that Harry was in one piece.

"Professor," said a hesitant Harry, in way of a greeting.

Severus held back the comment he wanted to make, about Harry's actions on the pitch reflecting that of his life, acting without thinking to obtain his goal. "Congratulations on your victory. Did you practice falling as well as catching the snitch?" said Severus with a smirk. He did enjoy the openmouthed expression on Potter.

"You saw me fall in practice?" asked Harry. His look of surprise turned into a smile. "I didn't know you watched me in practice." The green eyes twinkled.

Severus' smirk was gone instantly as he stood up behind his desk." You fell off your broom during practice?" he asked, alarmed. Harry shrugged. "Did you see Madam Pomfrey?"

"It was no big deal, I didn't fall from that high up. I wasn't going to see her for a bruise," he explained; it hadn't been a big deal. Severus seemed to be studying him to see if he was in fact unharmed. "Sir?" Harry started hesitantly. "Did you really want to talk to me about hexing you? I mean, 'cause I would think that you would be a little relieved you don't have to spy any more, and you didn't have to find out by being beaten or killed. I am sorry I had to hex you, but I didn't see any other way," he said, looking up into dark eyes.

"I did not ask you down here to discuss your hexing me. But, I suppose I should be grateful to you for what you did for me."

Harry thought that was as close to a 'thank you' as he would get from the man. "No problem. I'd been wanting to hex you for years," Harry said with a smirk, pulling his lower lip with his teeth, hoping Snape would be amused by his comment.

"Be careful, Potter," he said, almost a whisper. "I know more magic than you've ever dreamed of." Severus was proud he'd made Harry tremble. "Brat."

Harry chuckled, and licked the lip he'd been biting. It was a sight to see his pink tongue dart out across his red, worried lip. It was all Severus could do not to sweep down and plunder that perfect mouth. He was grateful that he'd remained behind his desk. Had he been standing before Harry, he would surely have kissed him that very moment. He shook his head as if to shake out the lustful thoughts. He didn't give Harry detention so that he could finally finish what he so desperately wanted to start; rather, he had Harry here to talk to him. I should have thought this through more thoroughly.

"Harry, what do you see happening here?" There, I started.

"Besides you threatening me?" he asked sarcastically. He paused, "Did you call me Harry?" Severus looked intently at the floor. Harry thought Severus was having some kind of internal battle, but chose not to comment.

"I'm sorry Mister Potter, if I've become too familiar with you as of late. I had no intention of making you uncomfortable," Severus said, having finally gotten his thoughts together.

Harry ran through that sentence in his mind a few times. Had he meant the usage of his first name, or was Severus referring to the kiss they almost shared? Either way, he couldn't go wrong with an answer that would cover both. "No, you haven't made me feel uncomfortable." Harry licked his lips again, this time consciously trying to make a point. "Not at all," he said, hoping to sound confident.

"It would seem that our roles are changing. Our relationship is not as easily defined as it was before."

"Yes, our roles have changed. It's usually you who saves my life," said Harry, walking over to where Severus was standing. "Our relationship, in my opinion, has never been easily defined."

"I would have thought it cut and dried, until now."

Harry shook his head, disagreeing with his Potions Master. "There are so many facets, it has never been cut and dried. There's the Professor/Student relationship, which runs pretty close with the Head of Slytherin/Gryffindor Golden Boy relationship, both of which are on display for all students to see, with a main goal of making my life Hell. Then there's the Order Member/Boy who Lived relationship, with an objective of keeping me alive even if it does appear to annoy the Hell out of you to have to do so, over and over again. Let us not forget the Insomniac Duo, one bearing an invisibility cloak, while the other slips into the shadows like a spider waiting for an unsuspecting fly."

"Tell me, what is the objective of the Insomniac relationship?" asked Severus, finding Harry's descriptions of their many roles amusing.

"I had always assumed it was House points, at least on your part. As for myself, it began as a distraction. When I needed to get away, I'd go out and about as an escape, from a dream, or whatever. It got to be a game after a while. I sometimes would count how many different places I could get to before you'd catch me," Harry couldn't believe he was admitting this.

"Why do it, if you were sure I was going to find you out?"

"Hermione has a thought on that," he mused. "She is of the opinion that I occasionally purposefully searched you out." Severus raised a brow, and Harry continued. "Hermione noted that on evenings when I was having a particularly hard time dealing with things, that I would almost never be out too long, as I'd always run into you faster on those occasions when I most needed to have someone take me away from my thoughts." He paused. "She said that I would return from a short walk or kitchen run, ranting and raving about you, House points, and detention. Then I was totally distracted from what had set me out in the first place."

"Glad I could be of service to you, Potter," said Snape with an evil grin. "As entertaining as that was, you didn't answer the original question."

Before Harry could answer, Snape was distracted by the sound of someone in his classroom.

"What's wrong?" asked Harry, seeing the man stiffen up, tilting his head to listen.

"Shh!" he snapped, and quickly removed his wand from his sleeve. Snape silently opened the door from his office to the classroom, and crept into the room expecting to catch a student stealing potions. He hoped that was all it was, but with his loyalty now in question… Who was he kidding? They were certain of his loyalty, and it wasn't to the Dark Lord.

At first glance, it appeared the room was empty. Snape caught sight of the door leading to the corridor, now closing. He had just missed them, and was about to run to the hall to see if he could get a look at the culprit, but stopped when he heard a gasp behind him. He had all but forgotten Harry was there, and apparently had followed him.

Harry was now breathing in short gasps, his eyes wide and scared. Snape found himself mesmerized by the wide green eyes and followed their line of sight down to a dart sticking out from his chest. The short gasps quickened as if he was trying desperately to find air to breath. The glazed over green eyes grew impossibly wider when the Potions Master reached over, pulling the dart out as rapidly as possible. "Am I going to die? Gasp… I'm sorry," Harry said, his voice cracking.

Snape swept the young man up in his arms before Harry realized his could no longer stand. He carried him back through his office and to another door, into his private rooms, where he laid him on the bed. Harry's tight hold on the billowing robes was loosening its grip as the glazed-over eyes began to slowly close. "Harry!" yelled Severus, before the young wizard lost consciousness. Blearily, Harry saw the stern face above him. "You're not going to die, not today… Harry!" he barked when the eyes slid closed again, "when you wake up, make yourself comfortable and wait for me. Just relax, and don't leave the room." Harry nodded faintly.

Before leaving, Snape had a thought. "Enervate," he said, waiting for him to wake. He continued to speak when Harry did wake slightly. "Don't do what anyone says but me. Do you understand?" no response. "Harry!" The eyes snapped open, but did not focus. "Take direction from Severus Snape only! Do you understand?"

"Only Severus," mumbled Harry.

"OK, Harry, sleep," he said, and the Gryffindor slept on demand.

Severus hurried back to his classroom once he was confident Harry was secure in his room. He was furious at himself for not having placed stronger wards around his class as soon as he knew he'd been found out as a spy. He knew that what had happened to Harry had been intended for him. He was the one who had come up with the Imperious Potion in the first place. It was the Imperius Curse in potion form; it could not be fought off mentally like the spell.

The person dosed with the potion would answer questions without hesitation, and would do as told. Without a direct order, the person under the influence of the Imperious Potion would act as if nothing was wrong, with inhibitions slightly relaxed. It was a dangerous potion. Snape hated to make it for the Dark Lord, but had little choice. His saving grace was that he didn't make it to last a week, as the Dark Lord had demanded, but less than twenty-four hours, depending on the size of the person.

He would fake it and find out who was trying to control him. After getting a quick note off to Dumbledore, Snape returned to his classroom. He took a deep breath and dropped dramatically to the floor, making as much noise as possible. He continued to lie still, his breathing slow and controlled, and waited. After about ten minutes that seemed like an eternity, the door from the corridor opened slowly.

Two figures cautiously entered the room, looking around to see if they had hit their target. The two Slytherin students kept their hoods up, concealing their faces. One incanted, "Enervate," and Snape 'awoke', looking up with a confused expression. "Stand up." came the command. Snape complied, keeping his face impassive. They continued with trivial commands to check the effectiveness of the potion. After several minutes of foolish demands, from standing on one foot, to making silly faces, the second cloaked person spoke.

"Enough games, idiot," he said to his companion, then turned his attention to the obedient Potions Master. "Do you have to answer my questions honestly?"

"Yes," Snape said flatly.

"Do you know where the Talisman is?"

"No."

"Are you a Death Eater?"

"Yes, I took the Mark on my 16th birthday."

"Then you won't mind killing Dumbledore?"

"No."

"I thought you said he was a traitor?" asked the other boy. "Do we really want him to kill Dumbledore?"

"Shut up, I know what I'm doing. My father said that he would do what he was told, and that's what we're going to do. We can question him later, after he gets Dumbledore. Then we'll tell him to kill himself."

The other boy didn't speak again.

"OK Snape, go kill the Headmaster, and then come back here."

Severus left the classroom and headed straight for Dumbledore's office. Albus already had the other Heads of House in his office, waiting for Severus to arrive. An hour or so later, with a firm plan in place, Snape went back into his classroom.

The two hooded teens waited in the shadows for their Head of House to return. What they did not expect was that he would return with his hair completely mussed and blood spattered on his face. They treaded slowly into the Potions classroom, to find Snape had seated himself at his desk. "What happened?" asked the more timid one, curiously.

"I did as you said."

"Dumbledore is dead?" asked the other, more firmly.

"No."

"What do you mean, 'No'? You are supposed to do exactly what I say!" he demanded.

"You said, 'Kill the Headmaster'."

"Then why isn't he dead?"

"Dumbledore was in London, that leaves Minerva McGonagall as acting Head of Hogwarts. But once she was dead that left Filius Flitwick in charge. Did you want me to continue?" asked Snape. He was glad to see one of the two was shaking.

"You killed McGonagall and Flitwick?" the bolder one asked incredulously.

"Yes."

"Anyone else?"

"Sprout. She was not next in line for Head of Hogwarts, but she tried to stop me from following your orders. I am now the next in line to maintain order at Hogwarts, but could not kill myself, since you told me to come here when I was finished, and that would have been impossible if I were dead."

"Theo, that means he killed three professors, and Dumbledore is still alive. What the Hell are we supposed to do now?" asked the quite shaken student.

"How the Hell do I know? I thought I told him to kill Dumbledore."

"Did you now?" came a calm voice. Albus Dumbledore stood in the doorway. "I think I've heard enough. Your wands please, boys." The Headmaster snapped their wands and handed the two students over to a Ministry official who was waiting in the corridor.

Snape left to check on his charge, while Albus went off with the Ministry officials to tend to the two now expelled students.

With a quick spell, the faux blood was gone, and his black hair was once again poker straight. He paused when opening his bedroom door. It was a sight to see, Harry asleep on his bed, the covers up to his chin. He entered quietly, sitting on the side of the bed, making it slightly droop, causing Harry to stir. Sleepy green eyes fluttered open. A warm smile greeted him, warming Severus' heart. "Are you well rested?" he asked tenderly.

"Yes," Harry answered breathily. "I don't think I've ever slept better," he said with a sigh and stretched.

"Good, then you can get up and meet me in the sitting room, I'd like to talk to y…" Severus trailed off, unable to speak. Harry had done what he was told, and got up to go to the sitting room, completely naked.

Harry was exquisite, his slender, sun-kissed body stood there without a care in the world, doing only what he was told. Oh God, I'm in trouble, thought Severus. "Harry!" he gulped. "Put on your clothes," he said in a shaky voice.

Harry complied, and was dressed in minutes. Snape discovered that turning his head away only proved to show the reflection of Harry dressing, thanks to a mirror across the room. So much trouble, Snape muttered to himself. It occurred to him that Harry would do exactly as he said, so he would have to be very careful with his words.

Snape took a calming potion, and sat down with the still drugged and now dressed Harry, on the sofa in his sitting room. They sat in silence for a few minutes while he got his thoughts in order. "Harry, the dart that hit you was a means of drugging you with a potion that has similar effects to the Imperius Curse." He continued to explain to Harry how the potion worked, and that when he was less sleepy, he would be more coherent and less like a puppet waiting for directions. "The Headmaster will be down to see you as soon as possible. Do you have any questions?"

"Yes," Harry said, but did not continue. Snape shook his head as he realized Harry was still only doing what he was told.

"You may speak freely and ask any questions you have," he said, hoping that would help Harry to be more like his usual self.

"Were you going to kiss me in the Infirmary?" asked Harry, with an innocent look of curiosity.

"Were you?" Snape asked quickly.

"Yes. Are you going to kiss me now?"

Hard swallow, "I don't think that is a very good idea, considering the circumstances. Perhaps we should not speak about this until you've recovered from the potion." Thankfully, Harry did not pursue the conversation. They remained in silence for a little while longer as Severus ran sentences over and over in his head, checking them for possible interpretations, so that they wouldn't get him into trouble.

He settled on a game of chess to pass the time until the Headmaster arrived. Harry's mind still seemed a bit muddled and he was having a hard time keeping up with the game. Severus found that more often than not, the boy, no, man, was looking at him and not the game. He purposely played poorly so as to extend play as long as possible, unsure of what else to do or say while Harry was in this condition. Though his thoughts did wander with the possibilities.

Harry picked up his knight for the third time in five minutes. "I don't know what to do," he said, pointing to the board. "If I move here, you'll get the knight, and if I move there, you'll get the bishop. I'm not sure which piece is more important right now."

While Severus attempted to maintain his patience, it was running thin at the moment. "I don't care, do what you want," he said dismissively. He realized his mistake when Harry's soft lips ghosted over his own. Harry had leaned over, knocking the chess pieces about. His hand was on Severus' chest for balance. Harry licked his own lips as if tasting the other man there.

Severus knew he should push him away, but knew that Harry was only doing as told. He did tell him to do what he wanted. If this was what Harry wanted, who was he to argue? He hadn't told him to do it. His Slytherin reasoning worked to convince himself that this really was not unethical, though others would believe it to be. He held Harry's upper arms, pulling him close again, and kissed him. It was a nice kiss. Their lips pressed against one another, heads tilted and moving as if in slow motion.

Harry had slid around the chessboard, and was now sitting in his lap. The kiss deepened as Severus slipped his tongue past Harry's supple lips. Slowly, he trailed the tip of his tongue along the edge of Harry's teeth, before tangling with his eager tongue. Harry moaned with appreciation. Severus kept his hands tight on Harry's biceps, not trusting his willpower to stop himself from exploring Harry's whole body. They continued to explore each other's mouths until a knock at the door interrupted.

"Harry, you can't kiss me in front of the Headmaster." He thought quickly, trying to think if he'd forgotten anything. "And you have to keep your clothes on at all times, unless you're in the loo," he said as an afterthought.

Severus opened his door to allow Albus Dumbledore in, and offered him tea. He explained that Harry had been hit with a dart intended for him. He described the potion, noting that Harry was being kept there as a precaution.

"May I speak with him?" asked Albus with a smile. He was glad to see the concern in Severus' eyes as he spoke of the boy.

"Yes, of course," answered Severus, glancing up at his bedroom door, not sure why Harry had gone off. He wasn't sure if he should be nervous or not. Without preamble, Albus went off to look for him.

"Harry? It's Professor Dumbledore. Can I have a word with you?"

"Yes, Sir," Harry answered, but didn't come out from behind the door from which his voice could be heard.

"Are you alright? Were you hurt by the dart?" inquired the concerned wizard.

"No," he answered, his voice hitched as he spoke.

"Harry? What are you doing?"

"Masturbating, Sir."

Oh my, Albus bit his knuckle to keep the chuckle muffled. 'Severus did say the boy would answer any question'. He shook his head with amusement. Severus entered his bedroom to find the Headmaster standing by the bathroom door, shaking his head.

"Albus?" Severus gave him a questioning look, as he couldn't place the look on the elder wizard's face.

"Please join us out here, Harry." Albus said, keeping the laughter from his voice. He had no intention of telling Severus what was going on in his loo.

"Only Severus," Harry said cryptically.

"What was that?"

"Only Severus. I only take directions from Severus."

Albus raised a brow at his employee. "Severus?"

Severus groaned. "I didn't know what was going to happen when I went back to my classroom, and I wanted to make sure that he wouldn't take orders from just anyone who happened to come by. Right now, due to the potion, he takes everything quite literally. I believe I said, 'no one but Severus Snape', but he must have not heard all of it." he explained, and looked at the closed door, wondering what could be taking so long. "Come now, Harry." he ordered. "The Headmaster is waiting for…." He trailed off when Harry let out a strangled cry.

Albus was shaking with the laughter he was trying to hold back. His half-glasses slid down his nose as he trembled with merriment, knowing his Potions Master was completely unaware of the command he'd given the boy. "Yes, Harry, do as Professor Snape says," he gasped, and walked back to the sitting room. Snape first had a brief look of bewilderment, then horror on his face after he replayed in his head the last thing he had said.

Harry opened the door and stepped out to find Severus looking pale.

"What were you doing in there?"

"Masturbating."

Raising his hands to his temples, he asked, "Did you, by any chance, mention that fact to the Headmaster?"

"Yes, he asked," answered Harry, as if someone had merely asked his favorite flavor ice cream.

Severus knew he should never have let Albus go in without checking on Harry. "What were you thinking?" he said to himself, but received an answer from his charge.

"I was thinking of you."

~ Lee Lee Potter ~

If anyone else would like to participate in this Round Robin, please e-mail Mandi and Michelle at snarryroundrobin@yahoo.com We will be e-mailing those of you who said you wanted to do another chapter; this is so much fun and we are not anywhere near the end!

Hi everyone. Goldenpaw has begun a Round Robin on Live Journal for anyone who is interested in joining. There are three fics in various stages right now and they are all a lot of fun!!! There is a link on our profile page! Thanks ;-) sev1970 and NymphadoraTonks1