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Scarlet Pain

Chapter Five

Draco stood up warily as Severus entered the blonde's new chambers. The Potions Master didn't say a word and for a while the two just stared at each other warily. Finally the younger Slytherin broke the silence.

"Does the Headmaster know you're a Death Eater?"

"Yes."

"So their suspicions are true then. That you're a spy?" Severus nodded slowly. "So then," Draco tried not to choke with fear. "So you're not going to kill me or turn me in as a traitor." Snape stepped forward and knelt in front of his godson, his eyes searching for something.

"How do I know you are telling the truth, Mr. Malfoy?" Malfoy glared at him suddenly.

"I guess you don't do you?" He sneered. "I guess it's possible that I'm trying to trap you, that I could possibly want to spend my entire life being used and tortured by that freaky half-breed – " Draco stopped suddenly, eyes widening in horror. He'd really done it now. Now there was no question…

"Draco, stop. I just needed to check." The blonde nodded. There was a long silence before Snape stood up, mask falling back into place. "Go to bed Mr. Malfoy, you should get some sleep. We will discuss the incident in the bathroom tomorrow."

"Wait, Professor." Severus paused. "I'm," his mouth fought against his net words "I'm sorry for what I did. I don't know how easy it's going to be for me to stop, now that I've tasted it, but I want to try." Snape nodded then turned to leave.

"Wait."

"What is it Draco?" He sounded tired, and the blonde Slytherin wondered if this was really the right time to mention this.

"It's about Har – Potter." Severus stiffened and his eyes narrowed. "I think something has happened to him."

"And why does his welfare suddenly interest you Mr. Malfoy."

"Damnit Professor, don't get all suspicious on me. He stopped me in there; he, for whatever reason…cared, even after six years of torment from me. Even though it was obvious he was terrified, of what I'm not sure, but… Aren't you at all concerned?"

"Why should I be concerned about that spoiled brat?" Snape sneered, knowing that even if he believed his own words, he wasn't acting in accordance with them, something that confused the Potions Master to no end.

Draco stiffened noticeably and whatever emotion that had shown through his silver eyes vanished. "Excuse me Professor for admitting to having a heart, even if it is a small one. I'm going to bed now, goodnight." Without saying another word he turned his back on his godfather, pointedly ignoring him. Severus stalked out of the boy's room, angrier than when he'd found out that Albus wanted him to begin teaching Potter Occlumeny again. Something he had not expected to feel from Draco's words was guilt and a pervading sense of sadness; yet feel them he did. Not wanting to think about the implications of these unwelcome emotions, Severus quickly stripped down and went to bed. Unfortunately for him, however, it was a long time before he fell into a restless sleep.

You can't run from your punishment forever. We will get you, and when we do, you will beg for your death before we're done. You can't run and hide forever…

Harry sat up, breathing heavily, sweat making his pajamas stick to him uncomfortably. Without a sound he grabbed his father's invisibility cloak and crept out of the Gryffindor tower. For a while he just wandered, the events of the summer and the past few years passing through his head. Eventually, he found himself climbing the astronomy tower stairs.

For a long time Harry just stared out of the window, watching as a nearly full moon rose over Hogwarts. The words of his dream flitted across his mind. You can't run and hide forever… It was true, he couldn't. He'd spent the last two months walking in a daze, terrified and in shock. He'd cringed at every shadow, flinched from touch, and pushed his friends away. How was he supposed to save the Wizarding World from Voldemort if he couldn't even pull himself together enough to walk down the halls of Hogwarts without fear?

The events of the summer pulled at his mind. He'd been abused, tormented, violated. He'd had what childhood was left to him stolen…all because of fear. He realized that now. Fear was his enemy, just like Remus had said back in third year, and if he couldn't fight that then he would die. It was so hard, though. Harry tried to stop thinking about how much he wanted help with this, someone to hold him when he was afraid, to sooth the ache that had built in his chest over the past few months. Someone with whom he could just be.

Someone help me, please. He forced the thought away and realized to his frustration that there were tears staining his cheeks. He wiped them away angrily and turned his gaze to his hands.

"Never again," he murmured to the dark. "Never again." The only answer he got was a soft breeze that played through his hair and the far off call of an owl. He put on his cloak and left. Harry didn't see the translucent figure of a tall man with aristocratic features emerge from the wall, followed shortly by the ghost of a rather soft and feminine looking woman. He didn't see their identical looks of sadness as they disappeared back into the depths of the castle.

"I think this is worse than we thought. And I think it's going to get worse if we don't step in soon."

"He's so strong, and he's been through so much."

"We know, but his troubles aren't over yet."

"He's going to need help."

"Albus?"

"Oh really Rowena, for being so smart you can be so very daft sometimes. Have you paid any attention to the events of the past couple of years? Albus may have good intentions but I hardly think he would know how to deal with this. "

"Well then who do you suggest Salazaar?"

"Now, Rowena, I'm sure he didn't mean that to be insulting."

"Could we get back on the subject? We need to find that boy an anchor and fast. Once he comes into his full powers he's going to break without someone to lean upon."

"We know Godric, there's no need to state the obvious."

"How about Snape?"

"Helga!"

"It's who Salazaar had in mind, isn't it dear?"

"Indeed."

"Hmm. Not a bad choice. Brave, intelligent, unerring in his loyalties despite the odds, and cunning. Though I think if you told him he possessed traits from each of our Houses he would be kind of insulted."

"I didn't have him in mind because of his 'balanced' personality. I had him in mind because I think he's the only one who Harry is going to trust in the long run, even if he is kind of an arrogant prat."

"No need to be insulting, love. He is in your House after all."

"Hmph. Whoever said I was being insulting Helga?"

"He does have some of your more, shall we say, charming personality quirks."

"Laugh it up Rowena."

"Well now that we have that settled, lets see what we can do to speed this little alliance along, shall we?"

"Indeed."

TBC