Disclaimer:Lets see, I do not own Harry Potter, Severus Snape, Albus Dumbledore, Poppy Pomfrey, Voldemort, Lucius Malfoy, Godric Gryffindor, Lily Evans Potter, James Potter, Dudley Dursley, Petunia Dursley, GSFI, Ankha, the Cruciatus Curse, sound, light, a million dollars, a big screen T.V., a horse, any magical abilities (at least not that I know of), or even the nice room with padded white walls I am in at the moment. That is sad, but I do own Rose, I am Rose, I feel better now!
Harry stared curiously at the large doors in front of him. They were covered with elaborately carved vines and leaves, and seemed out of place because of the faint glow penetrating through the cracks at the top and bottom. To the left and right of him was complete darkness, as though the world dropped off just passed his feet. With a crack that seemed to echo through the nothingness, the door opened. Harry couldn't see what was inside the room, as he was blinded by the sudden brightness; although the darkness around him seemed to absorb it, keeping the hall in darkness. He turned his head aside and just made out a tall, omnious figure coming toward him. The man's footsteps, slow and deliberate, reverberated off the invisible walls. As the man came closer, Harry saw hate filled red eyes. Harry crept into the room as Voldemort walked passed him. It had to be a vision, but why wasn't his scar hurting? He didn't have long to contemplate this as standing before him was Lucius Malfoy, looking particularly proud of himself, and at his feet lay a large black lump. Upon entrance, Voldemort glared at the lump before taking his 'throne' on the other side of the room. He motioned to Lucius, who picked it up. From behind, Harry saw black hair fall onto the person's shoulders. He slowly moved around the person to see their face. The person's once black robes were covered in dirt, and in many spots darkened by blood. Their face was cut up and covered with forming as well as old bruises. Despite the pain the person was obviously in, the person still had a sneer on their face. The person was staring Voldemort straight in the eye. Harry looked at Voldemort, who was grinning.
"Severus Snape, you are charged with spying for the light, how do you plead?" Snape just stared him down. "We can do this the easy way..." he nodded to Lucius who immediately dropped Severus, "or the hard way." Severus pulled himself off the ground, with much difficulty, and stood as tall as his height allowed. He then stepped forward and spat at Voldemort's feet. This earned him a swift kick in the ribs by Lucius. Voldemort pulled out his wand and pointed in at Severus' chest. "So, you are a traitor." A smile formed on Voldemort's lips. He stared straight at Severus and said, 'Crucio'. Severus withered on the ground, but not a sound came from him. The room began to fade into darkness; the last thing Harry saw was the body of his feared Potions Master curled up on the ground.
Dumbledore sat at his desk answering his endless stack of owls. He tried his best to concentrate, but soon gave up the effort and went to sit by the fire. He just could not understand how he could have let Harry stay in such a household. Sure, Harry was always a little too skinny, but so was James. What was bugging him the most was the signs; before he didn't think a thing about them, but now that he knew it all made perfect sense. Why could he not have seen it before? He should have realized it, especially after with what happened with Severus. Albus remembered it like it was yesterday...
Severus knocked lightly on Albus's office door. He didn't know where else to go and couldn't stay alone, not right now. The Headmaster answered the door and ushered him in.
"Severus, it is good to see you. Please have a seat; I just ordered some tea." At that moment a house elf popped in and set out tea on the table. "Please, help yourself. It is always a treat when one of my former students comes to visit."
"Thank you, Headmaster."
"Please, its Albus."
"Albus." Severus sipped his tea, deliberately stalling what he came to do. Albus sensed something was off.
"Severus, is there something wrong? You know you can tell me anything." Severus put his glass on the table and looked at Albus. He then lowered his head, closed his eyes, and pulled up the sleeve of his left arm, showing Albus. On it was a small skull with a snake protruding from its mouth. The Headmaster sat in a shocked silence. The only thing he could manage to say was 'why?' Severus leaned back in his chair.
"When Lily left me I didn't know what else to do. I completely gave up on life, after that I don't know what happened. My father was always pushing me to join Voldemort. He trained me his whole life for it...with daily doses of the Cruciatus Curse. 'Its to make you stronger' he would say 'no child of mine will be a weakling'." Albus laid a hand on Severus' shoulder.
"Its ok, go on."
"It has been five months now, five months too long. I have murdered people, Albus, defenseless muggles at that. I helped torture two people until they were rendered insane. I cannot take it anymore, it's too much." Severus took a deep breath. "Oh God Albus, he wants to kill Lily and James. He asked me 'if I wanted in on the fun'." Severus buried his head in his hands.
'It does no good to dwell on past events', Albus thought, 'and besides, I have a pile of work that just seems to grow with every passing minute'. Just as he was about to sit down at his desk, a house elf popped in.
"Headmaster must come with Carry, Professor Snape is hurt sir. He is on the castle grounds; Carry couldn't wake him, sir." Dumbledore was out of the door in about the time it took Carry to pop out again. She met him just outside the doors and showed him where Severus was laying.
"Go and get Pomfrey." He told the house elf before bundling Severus up in his arms. He tried to get Severus to wake, but to no avail. In no time Poppy was out and scanning Severus. Soon she had him in the hospital wing giving him potion after potion. After about an hour of medicines, she finally released him to Dumbledore. He supported Severus to his office, stopping occasionally to let him catch his breath. When they finally made it up to the Headmasters' office, Albus laid him gently on the couch while he got Severus' bed ready. He walked to the wall by his desk that supported a large picture of a Godric Gryffindor. He quickly told the painting all the passwords needed before he would open. Gathering up Severus again, Albus brought him in the room. The room contained all the usual accessories that are often associated with a bedroom, but also a separate bathroom and kitchen, not to mention sitting room. The dresser was filled with Severus' clothes, from which Albus selected nightclothes. After undressing and dressing Severus, he brought him to the bed and snuggled him in, Severus being blissfully unaware of anything, thanks to the potions Pomfrey gave him. Hearing a knock at his office door, Albus slipped quietly out and regained his former position at the desk and, making sure everything was in order, asked them to come in.
This seems a little calculated, a little expected, but that's how it was more than fifteen years ago, and so that is how it is now; back to the good old days, huh?
I turn my face from the sunlight. I do not want to face Dudley today. If only I could use magic outside of school. I lay waiting for the inevitable banging on the door and....hold on. Sunlight? Petunia should have woken me up by now. I slowly open my eyes and look around. White walls, potions everywhere. A groan comes from my throat. The Hospital Wing. How did I get here? I try to sit up, but a hand restrains me. I look up to see Dumbledore sitting beside me.
"You shouldn't get up yet, Pomfrey has been fussing over you all morning" he leans toward me, "between you and me, I would rather she stay in her office." Smiling, I lay back down on the soft pillows. Somehow Dumbledore can make any situation seem fine.
"Hello Professor Dumbledore."
"Hi, Harry, how are you feeling?"
"Fine, what happened?"
"When you didn't come to Hogwarts, Professor Snape was kind enough to pick you up from your residence." I look up in shock; Snape? Dumbledore just smiled at me. "I do believe he frightened your relatives a bit, but they won't remember a thing." I rack my mind trying to remember what happened; surely I wouldn't forget something like this!
"I can't remember, Headmaster." He puts a hand on my shoulder.
"Unfortunately, you were a bit ill yesterday and stayed unconscious through it all." At that moment Pomfrey rushed in and shooed Dumbledore out.
A/N:For those of you reading GSFI at the moment, you may hate Pomfrey with all your being, but she is not evil in this story (no matter how much Ankha wants her to be), so do not judge her so. Thanks for the reviews I have gotten so far!
Please leave a review, they make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside! All reviews are welcome, flames will be used to roast my physics teacher, and the superindendent (they are evil, I tell you, EVIL!!!!!!!!), and I guess Fudge should be included, as well as Rita Skeeter, Ankha's Pomfrey, and Spongebob Squarepants!!! ( I read a hilarious story called The Maddness of Spongebob. The summary: *There's a reason SpongeBob Squarepants is banned in the wizarding world. Snape is about to find out why the hard way.* You should read it, it had me and Ankha rolling!)*looks back at list* thats a lot of people, I will need many flames, I hope I get enough...bonfire!!!!! Anyone who sends a flame is invited! ok, enough rattling and on with the thankyous!!!!
Caytin Lowe: I agree *stands aside to show a large pile of wood, topped with Fudge tied to a tall pole* *evil grin* Shall you light it or shall I?
Elektra Joradees Gamblin: You have no idea.
Footmondter: *glares* You can't have Severus, he is taken by.....well, he is taken, you will find out by who sooner or later. Thaaaaaaank you! I will keep updating, I promise, or Ankha will start poking me again. *shivers at the though*
Lee Lee Potter: I assume you know the answer to your question by now, I couldn't have him hear, It would make things entirely too easy!
schizophrenic-and-metoo: interesting name!
Jessica: I will keep it up! And I know what you mean, I thought about finding out my physics teacher was really my dad and...well lets just say I woke up a week later in the hospital suffering from severe mental exauhstion (ok, a little exagerated, but you get the idea)!
Buddy Star: A simple word, yet it can mean so much, and have a great impact *wipes a tear from her eye* thank you!!!!
Lei Dumbledore: Thank you! I feel so special!
he/she that refuses to be named: thanks, and I really love the name!!! Its so deep and reflecting.... *floats off into lala land*