Innocent Pain

Disclaimer: I do not and never will have the pleasure of, owning Harry Potter of any of the other characters.

Notes: It seems that people like my story, and I plan to continue writing it. As of now I'm on break from school and since every time I close my eyes I am in a living nightmare I have plenty of time that I would normally be sleeping. Also there were a few questions in the reviews…and I am not going to answer them. That would spoil the surprise, so yea, enough of that and more with the story.

Few changed from last chapter…

People's thoughts are still in italics.

Change here though, when Harry and Slyssa speak Parseltongue to each other it will be in bold italics.

Snape finished the potion before Harry was anywhere near the land of the living. Snape found himself rather bored as he waited for the small boy to wake so his ails could be healed.

Looking closely Snape noticed that Slyssa was curled up around the top of Harry's pillow hissing softly. Still a little scared of the little snake that could kill him with one bite Snape decided that he would never voluntarily hold the snake unless if was necessary.

oOo

It was late in the afternoon when Harry finally woke. Opening his eyes he found his glasses on the side table and quickly put them on. Looking around he noticed he was in a room her had never seen before. There was a door, slightly ajar, to the right and Harry could see a fireplace in the room that it led to. The floor was a very plushy carpet of a deep red color and Harry felt compelled to get to his feet just to feel the rug under him. He looked back to the bed; it was a full size bed, making him look very small in it with red and black sheets and covers. The headboard was a dark stained wood as was the nightstand and the dresser. Harry noticed there was another door on the other side of his room, and being as he didn't know where it led he decided that he wasn't going to mess with it.

Hearing Slyssa wake on his pillow Harry held out his hand so the little snake could hitch a ride. Harry didn't really like being in this room alone, being how he didn't know where he was anyway.

Wondering where Mr. Snape was Harry moved out of the room trying to tread carefully as to not jar any of his injuries. Finding Snape in the same room as the fireplace Harry wasn't sure if he should approach him or if he should wait to be noticed. He didn't have to wait long because Slyssa's hissing made Snape do a one eighty.

"Good Lord Mr. Potter I had thought that your deadly snake was on the loose, please just alert me of your presence next time you enter a room," Snape said.

"Sorry sir, I d-didn't want t-to bother you," Harry stuttered. Snape just nodded and stood up; he went into another room and came out with a few bottles full of weird colored liquid. Harry sat on the couch trying to alleviate his pain that had made its way up his ribs. Snape had to scowl at the picture, Harry should have never been put in so much pain, it was so wrong what they had done to him and Snape for one, was happy that they were rotting in prison.

"You should drink this Mr. Potter, it will heal mostly everything, you should feel better after drinking this," Snape said handing Harry the first of many potions. Knowing that Harry was going to object over the taste of the potions he had, in his spare time, added flavoring to all the potions that Harry would have to take.

Harry downed the first potion and he almost immediately felt something happening and his body just felt so much better. The next thing Snape handed him was a clear looking liquid and Snape looked guilty about this one.

"It won't taste good, I couldn't put flavoring in it or it would compromise the effects. Drink it quickly and then you can drink this, it's just juice, sweet juice and should take some of the bitter aftertaste," Snape explained, Harry downed the potion and then the juice. Harry almost threw up after the taste but held it down as he felt his bones re-arranging. It was almost painful and his face tightened in pain. Snape just sat by him allowing him to take it all in.

After the last two potions Harry was feeling a considerable amount better. There was still and unfamiliar tightness in his chest that was uncomfortable making itself known. Snape noticed that Harry seemed uncomfortable but he wasn't sure why.

"Sir, it's h-hard to b-breathe," Harry said taking another deep breath trying to get air into his lungs naturally.

"I was told you have asthma, I'm not sure what it is so I really couldn't give you a potion to fix it. But they did give me medicine for it; I left it in the potions lab. Sit tight and I will be right back with the bag," Snape said getting up and quickly disappearing into a room after whispering to the door. When he came back he had a small bag that was clearly from the hospital walking over to the couch he sat down next Harry who was still struggling with his deep breathes.

"I don't know what's what in here, you know more about muggle medicine then me, can you find what you need in here?" Snape asked Harry, Harry nodded having seen kids with asthma at school and knowing what they used to stop it.

Harry took about three minutes to find the right thing but he finally pulled out a light blue inhaler triumphantly. He looked at it, puzzling for a moment trying to figure out how the teacher had used it and eventually it started to come back to him. He started to shake it and Snape couldn't help but noticed that Harry had begun to wheeze when he inhaled.

Slyssa had also noticed her friends troubled breathing as well as started to worry.

Why can't you breathe snake-speaker, did that man do anything to you?

Harry's attention was turned to Slyssa when she spoke and he stopped shaking the inhaler. Snape, realizing that he was now absorbed with his snake, decided to resume the shaking and figure out how the device was used, luckily it wasn't too complex for the potions master.

It's a complication of what my uncle did to me; he did something to injure my lungs

I wish he was still here, I would bite him

Thanks but he is far away from me now and Mr. Snape wouldn't let anyone hurt me, he told me

Can you trust this dark man, do you know if he speaks only truths?

No, but he has been far kinder to me then anyone else I have ever known. With him I just feel safe and almost loved

Slyssa was confused with the information that Harry had just handed out to her. Why had he never been loved before, surely he had parents who loved him, everyone's parents loved them…right? Maybe not this boy's parent, but she would care for him and he would always be kept safe for as long as she lived.

Do not fear little snake-speaker, I will love and care for you, and so will this man, if he wants to live

Harry couldn't help but laugh at her protective sentence. Snape looked over at Harry hearing his laughter. It was a good sound and Snape hoped to be hearing more of it while Harry stayed in his care.

"Come, let's take this now," Snape said handing it over to Harry. Harry took a deep breathe in and blew it all out, placed the inhaler in his mouth, pushed the top down, and took a deep breathe in. Holding his breathe for ten seconds Harry then slowly breathed out and relaxed as he regained control of his lungs. "Better?" asked Snape.

"Much s-sir," Harry said.

"Harry, do you stutter when you speak to Slyssa?" Snape asked, this child's stuttering problem was getting on his nerves.

"No," Harry said he couldn't understand it either; it was just different when he spoke Parseltongue to her. Maybe he thinks I am annoying, Harry thought with a bit of fear.

"Well I'm sure it can be fixed," Snape said quickly after seeing Harry tense up at his question. "After all, I believe that after you start to feel safe with me then you will stop stuttering," Snape reasoned. Harry nodded and turned back to Slyssa.

What do you think, I'm I acting weird

No, not at all you have had tough times in your life, I can feel it, but this man has had tough times as well, you will help each other though these times and then everything will be alright

Harry thought about what she said and wondered what had happened to Mr. Snape in his past. Just looking at Harry Snape could tell that Harry had a question to ask him, he just didn't know that this would be one question he wouldn't want to answer.

"Sir, Slyssa said t-that you had t-tough times like m-me, I was w-wondering what t-they were," Harry said, he had a bad feeling about this question.

"That Mr. Potter is entirely none of your business, don't ever ask me about my past ever again, I'm going to go work on potions, don't touch anything. If there is one thing out of place I will know," Snape said threateningly. Harry was frozen to the spot, he had made Mr. Snape very mad and now he was going to hurt him like uncle Vernon did. Snape turned on his heals and went into the potions lab which closed behind him without a word.

Even after he was gone Harry didn't move. He didn't dare after the threat that Snape had made. He heard Slyssa hissing rapidly to him and decided to turn his attention to her rants and raves.

How dare he, that terrible man, let me bite him and he will be out of your life forever. He had no right to yell at you like that

Its okay, I deserved it, this is why uncle Vernon had a no questions rule where I lived before

But that was wrong; you should ask questions it's the only way for you to learn

It's odd that you would say that, he said that too

Who, the dark man?

Who is the dark man? Harry had to think about that one, eventually figuring that it was Mr. Snape things started to click for Harry again.

Yes the dark man as you call him, his name is Severus Snape

Harry had to marvel at the way that Mr. Snape's name sounded in the snake language. It just rolled off his tongue, if he ever got another snake he would call it Severus he decided.

I don't care what his name is, he hurt you, badly, and he should pay

No, no one should ever be hurt because of me, I'm not worth it

Yes, yes you are worth it snake-speaker. Rest for now, I will keep watch, no more men shall hurt you on this night

Harry had to admit all those potions made his feel like sleeping and since he knew he could trust Slyssa with his life he closed his eyes and curled up on the couch. Slyssa started to hiss a song softly and though it took some time she hissed Harry to sleep.

oOo

Snape was muddling though his potion feeling a mixture of guilt and anger. Normally when he was making a potion he was calm and completely absorbed in it but not now. He knew that he shouldn't have reacted so violently but he had worked hard and no one but Dumbledore knowing his past and this boy and the audacity to just come out and ask about it.

Feeling this guilty really was working against his potion, looking down at what was suppose to be a blood-replenishing potion Snape sighed. He knew he had to apologize and explain to Harry that the one question was not allowed to ask.

Damn it, all my hard work with the boy, convincing him it was alright to ask questions, it's all ruined now, Snape thought bitterly. Realizing that the potion was going no where Snape cast a scouring charm and left the lab.

The first things Snape noticed when he exited was that Harry had stuck to his word and not moved at all since he left which was, a half-hour ago. Seeing the tear tracks on the boys face made Snape feel like and even worse kind of person.

Walking over to Harry fully intending to brush the stray strands of hair away from his face was met with a very angry and eager to use its poison snake. Harry's little snake was hissing and snapping at Snape with an irate look.

"Down snake, I'm not going to hurt Harry," Snape tried to reason but it didn't seem to be working Slyssa wouldn't let Snape hand near Harry. "Damn it potter wake up and control your snake," Snape all but yelled.

Don't you dare wake Harry up; I just got him to sleep

Snape had no idea what she said but had a feeling it wasn't terms of endearment because when he went to touch Harry again he narrowly missed very sharp fangs. This crazy snake is going to bite me, I can't get near Harry, Snape thought, a little worried, if something were to happen to Potter how would he help if he wasn't allowed near him?

"Listen I'm sorry for how I acted to Harry, please let me check to make sure that everything I alright with him, that he healed well," Snape tried to reason with the snake. Slyssa didn't understand a word he said and hissed at him. "Well were not going anywhere are we now?" Snape said sarcastically.

Finally coming to the conclusion that there was no use in himself and the snake trying to communicate Snape went to a small chest in the corner of the room and brought back a blanket. He noticed that Harry was shivering from the dampness of Snape's dungeon home. Hoping that snake wouldn't hurt him Snape carefully draped the blanket over Harry. Slyssa's head followed Snape's movements and later decided that the blanket was a good idea for Harry was shivering like mad.

Feeling that Harry would be fine for the moment Snape sat on the arm chair a few feet away from the couch facing the fireplace and tried to read a book. He really couldn't concentrate on what he was reading but to an onlooker it looked like he was totally absorbed.

So absorbed in his book that he didn't noticed when the Headmaster entered his rooms and was practically standing right in front of him.

"Severus I am glad that the boy seems comfortable," he said sitting in the arm chair opposite Snape.

"Sir, the damn snake won't let me near Harry," Snape said obviously ticked off by this.

"Slow down my dear boy, what is this about a snake?" the headmaster said becoming interested.

"Albus, the boy is a Parselmouth; he speaks to snakes and has decided that this very poisonous Coral snake is his new best friend. Even better yet the bloody snake won't let me near Harry," Snape said exasperated. Albus smiled at the outburst, glad the two boys were bonding.

"Now Severus, does the snake have a grudge or did you do something to merit the treatment?" Dumbledore asked knowing the answer.

"It was my fault headmaster, Potter was inquiring about my past so I yelled at him," Snape said, he really did regret it.

"Yes, yes, a bad course of action in deed. Well if this snake has decided to protect Harry until Harry can speak for himself you have to respect the snake's wishes. For now just make sure that no other force comes close enough to get bitten, including yourself," Dumbledore said with a smile. He knew that with an administration of bezoar would cure him being bitten by a poisonous snake is never a pleasant experience.

"Sir, I'm not sure if this is a good idea, I mean now I can't even get close to the boy. How am I supposed to care for someone who won't let me in, or near him," Snape said dejectedly.

"Severus, it took me time with you but you seemed to turn out all right, I have faith in you to care for Harry," Albus said, and then he stood and made his leave.

"This is going to be the longest last three weeks of summer that I have ever had to live through," Snape finally said getting back to his book.

oOo

Three hours later Harry was still sound asleep and Snape was getting there, the book turned out to be rather boring. All of a sudden Snape's ear picked up sounds from the portrait that led to the door to his chambers. Being careful of the hissing snake Snape covered Harry completely with the blanket and hid him among some pillows. Then he traveled to the door and was very relieved to find his little godson standing outside of it.

"Draco, how is my favorite godson?" Snape asked problems with Harry all but forgotten.

"Uncle Sev, I'm your only godson, but I am great anyway," Draco said with a laugh walking past his godfather and into the older man's living room.

"I know Draco, what brings you here to Hogwarts, your fathers business again?" Snape asked, he had to be careful, with the great Harry Potter in his care he didn't want that to slip out yet. There were still some dark lord followers that blamed the boy and he would be in danger if everyone knew where he was.

"Yep, talking to Headmaster Dumbledore again. What have you been up to Uncle Severus?" Draco asked starting to snoop around his godfathers chambers. Seeing the pillows and blankets looking so inviting on the couch in front of the fire Draco went to jump on them.

Snape lunged and just caught the boy in time; Harry's snake would have bit Draco over ten times had the boy jumped on Harry.

"What was that for?" Draco asked as Snape placed him in the chair he had been occupying before.

"I have a guest and he is sleeping, you almost woke him up," Snape said.

"Who is it?" Draco asked. This child is far too inquisitive, Snape thought.

"A boy, he's your age actually, he was hurt so I gave him some potions and he fell asleep," Snape said hoping it would curb his godson's curiosity.

"Is he going to wake up soon? Can I meet him, can we be friends?" Draco was like drilling his godfather.

"Maybe, yes, and hopefully no," Snape said just as quickly though Draco didn't quite get that Snape didn't want them to be friends.

"Okay," the little boy said sitting on the chair swinging his legs back and forth as if waiting for Harry to wake up. Please, please let him sleep until Draco's father comes to get him; don't let him wake up, Snape pleaded with who ever would listen. However, no one was home and Harry's blankets started to shift and then, he screamed.

oOo

I know short, but I'm busy and you wanted another chapter, I need to think too, the last chapter took a long time to write…not two years but a long time none the less.