Hello! Sorry for the time, I had an inspiration problem.... Which is the explanation of this chapter's length. I think the next one will come up sooner, and lager (or at least I hope!)

Enjoy the reading!

The Tides of Blood

Chapter 3 : The Coldness of the Night

Snape stood up, and put the Diary on his desk. He was still shocked, trying to figure out how it had happened. He looked around him, and managed to smile. This place was his domain, his soul and his spirit. Every thoughts he had were now engraved in the cold stone walls... There were no bright colors in this bedroom, but it didn't matter. Severus wasn't found of those. He preferred the obscure one that would mix themselves into the night....

His eyes went back to the Diary. Just a simple notebook... Who could guess they were so many secrets here ? Dark ones, the ones that weren't good to reveal... He knew Lily was a mysterious and fantastic person, but he had never guessed that... 'Lily, darling... What did you do ?' he muttered in the silent night, only illuminated by the candlelight... He fall back on his couch, his hands tight, his mind in a deep process of thinking. He couldn't believe it, it was such impossibility!

And, if it was true, if Lily was right, he had to expel them from Hogwarts... They were dangerous, too dangerous, especially if they knew each other. But, on the meantime, he didn't know their names or physical appearance... He ran a hand through his hair, and was about to go to Dumbledore's office when someone knocked on his door. He sighed. Only one person in the world could allow himself to see him at that hour. 'Hello, Draco...' he said gently .'Come on in...'.

The door opened, and the golden haired boy appeared. Severus looked at him as he passed the door. He was rather skinny, now. His face had lost all color, and the joy sprinkle that used to be in his eyes had now disappeared... The young man had changed, and he wasn't sure to appreciate it. In fact, he was rather worried about it.... He knew Draco's father wasn't a very kind person, but he wondered how far could Lucius go.... Even with his own son.

Draco crouched over the sofa, his head in his hands. Severus came next to him, and sat on the old, dusty sofa. Experience had taught him to wait : it was better not to push Draco to speak, otherwise he'd just create defenses to protect himself.. What was critical with the teenager was to be patient. Very patient... And it especially was the most difficult part...

10 minutes later, Draco lifted his head up, feeling miserable. 'I can't handle it anymore, Severus.... It's way too hard...' Then Malfoy started to cry.... Severus wasn't surprise by this: the boy was way too sure and too proud of himself not to be sensitive inside of him. The Potion Master delicately put the head's boy on his knees. It was strange to both of them. Draco because he had never been loved, and something deep within him was telling him that was love.... He managed to smile between his tears. Such a wonderful feeling, he could feel warmth was taking possession of him as Snape acted in a very paternal way.

Severus couldn't believe what he was doing... He was acting like a father to his son, like if he knew Draco better than anyone else. Well, in fact, it was the case : he had known him since first year, slowly becoming his friend and confident... But both knew that the boy needed a father, and, in some way, Severus was fulfilling this silent wish. Draco slowly calmed himself. Severus didn't ask him anything : he actually wanted the boy to sleep.

He knew Draco wasn't sleeping very well, but he wasn't aware of the reason, although he had serious doubts. He stayed there for an half an hour, making sure the boy was deeply sleeping. Then he gently lifted him up, and put him on his bed. Severus sighed : he was older than him and he was the one who will have to sleep on this old sofa!

Then he gently removed Draco's tee-shirt, and was about to fold it when he stopped his movement, startled.

Harry and Hermione went to the Astronomy Tower, hidden by the Invisibility Cap. Both needed some fresh air to fully wake themselves up. They laid down on the cold stone, their hands under their chins, watching the starry sky. Harry smiled. He liked watching the star, feeling that he wasn't completely alone, that this immensity was there for him....

But the night... He was afraid of it, of what it was bringing him. A green light illuminating the chaos and darkness, screams filling his ears, blood staining his body. Pain, sadness, horror and guilt... That was night, his nights. And, more than everything, this cold laugh, freezing what was still alive in him...

Hermione turned slightly, as if she knew what he was thinking. She managed to smile, pressing her hand in his. 'I'll always be there for you, Harry... You're not alone.'