.:Problems in the bloodline:.
Summery: When Harry gets abused, and suffers from the memories of his fourth year, Harry starts to feel like he no longer CAN feel. Harry gets help from his friends, and one Severus Snape. But when Harry finds out the truth about his blood line, nobody can help him, except his worst enemy. HP/HG DM/GW RW/LB.
This story is written by two different people, (we take turns writing chapters). We joined together to make this story, (thus the plural in Hot_Gurlz) . Please look up our other screen names: Guardian Angel of Wolves, And Mekare070389, THNX!!!!!
Spoilers: 1-4, some minor details from OotP might be referred to in our chapters, as background info. (we started this before OOTP came out, so in this story Harry is in his 5th year.)
Disclaimer: We don't own anything, except the plot, which'll be a good one, if we say so ourselves. ;)
This chapter is written by Guardian Angel of Wolves.
********
.:Of Slimy Snape, successes and troubles.:
+:ONE WEEK LATER:+
Severus Snape, respected and feared potionsmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry was worried. Worried because it had been three weeks since he'd last been summoned to a meeting of the Dark Lord. Three weeks since he'd had anything to report to Dumbledore about the plans of the Dark Side.
It had become quite obvious by now that he did no longer have the Master's thrust and, were he ever to find out something of the Dark Side's plans, he'd have to gain it back. To gain the Master's thrust, however, was a nearly impossible achievement.
There were but a few Death Eaters, who could say they had His thrust. One of those select few was Lucius Malfoy, who was free to serve his master best as he could; others - like Bellatrix Lestrange or Antonin Dolohov- were locked up in Azkaban, waiting for their master to come free them and reward them for their unwavering loyalthy, or so they hoped.
Oh yes, Snape was worried, for so many reasons.
Now that the Dark Lord had returned it would only be a matter of time before he would kill Potter. Why did it have to be that stupidly brave and damned curious Harry Potter? Snape knew of course that Harry had stood up against Him one too many times. Snape understood Albus' concern for the boy's well being. What he did not understand was that he began to feel concerned about the boy as well. It was ridiculous! He -the cold hearted slytherin git, as most of his students called him behind his back- concerned about a boy, whom he'd hated with passion for four years! If the Dark lord ever found out, then he -Severus Snape- was a gonner. He was astonished how rational and calm Dumbledore took all this.
Even more astonished then he'd been when the old headmaster had once (3 years ago) told him he was worried about certain similarities between Voldemort and Harry Potter. Snape had laughed out loud.
// Flashback//
"Similarities? Between the most evil dark wizard of our time and the famous Harry Potter?" He'd said. "That's like saying one can see similarities between Lucius and his House-Elves!"
Dumbledore, however, had merely waited for Severus to regain his composure.
"You can't be serious, Albus! I'll grant you that Potter may be as arrogant as the Dark Lord and that -like Him- he thinks rules are beneath him, but I can't imagine the brat as a killing person who'd love to take over the wizarding world."
"You misunderstood me, Severus. I wasn't talking about similarities between Harry and Voldemort - I was referring to certain connections I can see between Harry and Tom. It is unsettling how much they are alike. If I hadn't known Voldemort has transferred some of his power to Harry that night, I could have sworn they were related."
Severus snorted.
"What is it exactly that concerns you, Albus?"
"Like Tom, Harry has never had guidance, has never been loved at home. He'll need someone to lean on -someone other then his friends. I'd love to be that person, but if Voldemort ever finds out about his link with Harry. The reason I've asked you to come, Severus, is that sooner or later Harry will have to learn defensive tactics of magic and mind, and I cannot be the one to teach it to him."
Comprehension dawned on the potions master.
"You want me to do it." It wasn't a question, it was a statement.
"I want you to promise me you will teach him when the time comes."
Albus downed another cup of tea and took a biscuit. All this time silence ruled, then -
"Fine," Severus growled. "I will teach him. When the time comes, no sooner."
Albus smiled.
"When the time comes." He beamed.
// End flashback//
Severus knew the time had come now. He would start training Potter as soon as the boy was up to it, which was hopefully within a fortnight. Harry had been recovering remarkably well. Miraculously no permanent damage was done, thanks to Madam Pomfrey nothing but a few scars would remain. Physically Harry was almost a good as new and he should be released from the Hospital Wing in a day or two. But whether he would mentally get over what the Dursleys had done to him… So far the topic of the Harry's blood relatives had been avoided with the utmost care, Molly, Poppy and Hermione had seen to it. Yet, the boy would have to face the facts sometime and better sooner than later. The past was easier to burry once you'd faced it and had spoken about it, Snape knew so from experience.
Still, he'd hoped Dumbledore would do the talking bit. What Snape didn't knew was that the old headmaster was speaking with the Boy-Who-Lived at that very moment.
**
"- So you'll have to stay here for the remains of the summer Harry. The Weaselys and Hermione will have to go home tomorrow, Harry. As much as they care about you, they have lives of their own. If you need anything you can always come to me."
The moment he said that, the headmaster could hex himself. How in Merlins name could he make such a promise to the boy? He would be too caught up in work and in coaching the Ministry to believe Voldemort was back. And even if he'd have the time, could he risk bonding with Harry? He was so proud of the boy he was looking at. So proud. He'd give anything for the Harry's happiness and well-being, but he failed him every time it seemed. Oh, if only - Dumbledore caught himself on time. It does not do well to live in dreams, to dwell on what might have been. One must stay focused on the present and the future.
"Poppy will be here for you too, Harry. And it'll be hard to keep sirius from your side."
//Yes,// Dumbledore thought relieved. //Sirius and Poppy will help him, Severus will teach him. It may be well after all.//
Harry smiled and nodded. "Thank you sir."
"Goodnight, Harry."
"Goodnight sir."
**************
** Riddle Manor, other side of the country **
"We have it, Master."
"About time too. Perhaps you aren't so stupid after all, Avery. You and Lucius will be rewarded."
Spider like hands held the source of information he'd been seeking for two months. Snake like eyes read every written line, absorbing every detail, confirming his suspicions. He laughed. It was a could laugh, but not so harsh as usual.
"Excellent, excellent. Lucius, round up some fateful followers. You are to attack Privet Drive Number 4 this night. Avery, if you'd be so kind to let an owl deliver these," He paused, retreating a piece of parchment from within his silver-green robes. "to Severus I'd be most pleased."
Avery wondered why the Master would have him Owl instructions to the potionsmaster rather than just summon the man here. Nevertheless the Master was in a good mood -a very rare occasion- and Avery would not be the one to ruin it while it lasted. Both him and Lucius nodded, thanked the Dark Lord, bowed to him and left his side.
"Wormtail!"
"Y-yes, master?"
Voldemort cackled, Wormtail shrunk back in fear.
"My dear Wormtail, you have to honor of a most noble task."
Wormtail squealed. His last noble task had cost him his right hand, after all!
"Wormtail you may be the bait."
*
That night Harry's dreams were haunted by Death Eaters who attacked privet Drive 4. As his family no longer lived there, there were no casualties and Harry could fall into a pleasent dreamless sleep.
***
The next morning found Harry Potter strolling through Hogwarts' halls in the company of Snuffles, who wanted to keep an eye on his godson. Each were lost in their own thoughts. Until Harry spoke up that is.
"Did you know, Sirius, I dreamt about Death Eaters last night. It was really vague, I can't remember it very well. But I'm sure no one was injured or killed. Weird isn't it?"
Snuffles nodded in response.
"I suppose they're gathering up their courage to report that to Vol-"
Harry gasped, his right hand pressed against his burning scar. Panicking Snuffles transformed and kneeled beside his godson, who was now on his knees.
"Harry? Harry! Can you hear me?"
"He's - he's royally pissed off." Harry panted. "Wormtail is to go immediately to - I didn't catch that. Lucius is punished and- and Snape better get there soon if he knows what's good for him!"
As suddenly as the pain had started, it ended. Looking up at his godfather Harry noticed that Sirius looked as sick as he himself felt.
"What was that all about?" Sirius asked.
"I'm not sure. It means trouble."
"Come on, I'm taking you to Poppy."
In all the commotion neither of them had noticed the rat with a silver paw watching them from within the shadows of a dark corner.
***************