A week before the return to Hogwarts
He clutched the parchment, eyes widening in surprise at its contents – the only visible response from the tenebrific man. He looked to the culprit. The young man gave a vague shrug in response.
"Are you sure this is what you want?" The enigmatic man voiced his concerns. A sure nod of the head from his young charge. "Then, what is it that you would have me do?" He was seriously questioning the lucidity of the young man before him.
"I would like you to advise me further on the plans proposed; perhaps they can be refined to your satisfaction. Could you make it legally binding, like a contract? Both wizarding and muggle, of course. What do you think?" The young man paused, awkward. "Also, the last bit of the parchment is my response to your previous enquiries. I hope the answer is reasonably satisfactory."
The austere potions master returned to his perusal of the parchment in hand. Shocked, he glared at his charge, unable to restrain his legendary temper.
"Harry Potter! What in Merlin's name are you thinking!?" He gesticulated wildly. "Are you insane?" He paused to stab the parchment viciously with a finger. "This… this is an atrocity, that's what it is! An atrocity! How can you even consider it!? We cannot be sure of his allegiance as yet!" He snarled. "Don't you think this move far too risky? Or has your Gryffindor tendencies overridden your senses!?"
Harry calmly replied. "We are both no longer children with petty squabbles. I believe he would have made his (definite) choice. Should he decide otherwise, there is a contingency plan of action for that as well." He paused beside the rigid form of his godfather. "Severus, we cannot let this matter drag-on indefinitely. It has to be done – you said it yourself. We need to know his response before we can implement the other plans."
The potions master sank tiredly into the nearest vessel. A worn armchair. Staring unseeingly at the parchment still in his hand.
"He will soon realize you were a spy. You have to get to him before it happens to explain yourself. Make him understand; then perhaps the chances will be higher for us." Harry knelt beside the armchair. "I'm sorry to have to rush you into this; I'm sorry that you might have to make a choice between us. I'm sorry… for everything." He got up swiftly and ran out.
"Harry!"
But the boy was gone. Severus Snape cursed himself. He should have known. Everything linked itself to his past; to the mistake he made at 18. Wearily, he looked at the parchment. 'The be-all and end-all move. How appropriate.' Images of a solemn, dark-haired emerald-eyed boy and an ash-blonde, grey-eyed smirking boy plagued him throughout the night.
"Harry? Are you in there?" Remus poked his head around the half-closed door.
"M'here, Remus." Soft words from the darkest corner. The weary werewolf staggered into the room, sinking gratefully into an armchair. Briefly, he closed his eyes, allowing his cool eyelids to soothe his bloodshot eyes, while he collected his thoughts. 'Something must be wrong with Harry, for him to be seeking solace in the darkness.'
"How are you? I've come straight from my last assignment. Hardly got any rest." His voice, warm though weary, broke through the enveloping bleakness of the young man's fears. "Harry?" Amber eyes opened in concern to look at the darkened corner.
A small sigh, then, "I'd given Severus my drafted plans. He will probably revise it."
"I don't suppose that's all, Harry? What is troubling you?"
"Remus… do you think it will come to a choice? For him to decide between Draco and me? I… I'm not sure if I want him to choose." The soft voice trailed off. "What if my plans go wrong? What if…"
"Harry!" Remus interrupted his ramblings. "Come here."
Shuffles, then the sight of a mop of messy hair atop a slender, vulnerable form. Far from the form of a self-assured young man, the expected savior of the wizarding world, the boy-who-lived. The boy sat down beside his knees, leaning into the side of the armchair.
Remus lightly ruffled the boy's hair. Distraction tactics. "Harry, don't play with 'what ifs'. What will happen, will happen. But don't worry. I don't think it will ever come to that. You know that Severus cares for you a great deal despite his snarkiness."
"That's just it! I don't want him to have to give-up on Draco if things go wrong. I'll understand if he chooses Draco, but I don't want to deprive Draco of his Godfather, even if he is a Malfoy. I don't want Draco to lose Severus… like I lost Sirius." A broken whisper.
"Harry…" Remus started. "It won't happen. Stop thinking those depressive thoughts. Sirius loved you. Severus cares for you. And don't you dare forget I'd promised you that I'll always be here for you." He smiled at the young man, placing a calming hand on the boy's shoulders. He slyly continued. "Even if you have grown fonder of Severus this past month, more so than me." He trailed off and made a show of mock indignant outrage.
"Remus!" A small smile crept onto Harry's face. "Thanks, Remus." He stood up to give the exhausted werewolf a brief hug. 'Trust Remus to make me feel better.'
"Why don't we go find a scrap to eat? I could do with some warm food." The older man moved towards the door, turning around to hurry his younger companion. "Come on, Harry. I hope Molly has some good stuff."
The young man only shook his head with a wry grin etched upon his face, worries cast aside for the moment.
Three days after the ceremony
"Young man, pay attention!" Severus Snape snarled, pivoting around to face his distracted student. Robes flaring dramatically as he did so. "What have I said before, about the Essence of Belladonna?"
Harry gulped; face rapidly paling as he figured-out his error. "Umm…"
"Eloquent as usual, Mr Potter." Sigh. "Pay closer attention to your potion." Rolling his eyes heaven-wards. "Honestly, what has you so distracted? You are performing worse than Longbottom's usual standards today." He studied the youth with a narrowed gaze. "You have read the theory in preparation for this class, have you not?"
A nod of affirmation.
Picking up the ladle, he stirred the simmering potion, watching his charge from the corner of his eyes. "Well?" He looked towards the boy, arching an eyebrow in askance. "I'm waiting."
"Nothing, sir. Nothing at all. I'm sorry."
"Nothing? Then, how can it be so distracting?" He gave the boy his patented 'evil eye'. "The truth, Mr Potter."
"I…" His eyes downcast. "I… They came to me, demanding answers. I couldn't answer." He kept his eyes lowered. Not daring to look into the face of his newly-acquired Godfather. A forbidding man, even if he has a caring side. Taking a deep breath for courage, he continued. "Ron, he… he accused me of wanting to be a hero, wanting to be in the limelight, wanting to be better than them. He said I did not show support for their entreaty to join the Order. He called me a traitor." The last sentence whispered brokenly.
"They want answers. I can't. I wasn't ready. I am not ready." His breath hitched; eyes stung. He fought valiantly to contain his tears.
As he listened, the minacious potions master grew gradually exacerbated. 'Fools! Damn the lot of them. This is the last thing he needs at the moment. I'll have words with Molly later!'
Restraining his escalating temper, he put out the fire beneath the cauldron, and approached the boy gently. Looking at the boy, maintaining direct eye contact, he spoke clearly. "Harry, you are not at fault here. It is your choice, when and who to tell, if you choose to tell. Weasley is still an immature and foolhardy child who does not understand the current situation in our world." He placed a hand on the boy's fragile shoulders for comfort. "Do not take his words to heart. What of the others?"
Harry hesitated before answering. "Hermione did not push, though she is curious. Ginny… Ginny joined Ron in his tirade. The twins congratulated me…" He grimaced. "They asked me to recommend them to the Order for initiation. They did not push for answers, much."
"Harry, do not be bothered by it all. Remember, they care, that is why they push. However, that does not mean they are dealing with the situation in a mature manner. Ms Granger is commendable in her effort to curb her curiosity, being considerate for your feelings and privacy. I will speak to Mrs Weasley about it. No doubt she will want to know why they have explicitly disobeyed her." The potions master wore a diabolical smirk. 'Oh, he could just imagine the punishments in store!'
"Go on, finish the potion, and clear up the workbench." He headed for the door, stopping to look back just before stepping out. "I'll be back to start your Defense lesson shortly." He quirked an eyebrow. "I trust you will not blow up the room in my absence?" At the young man's nod, he swept out, robes billowing ominously.
A few days later
"Harry?" A hand shook the curled-up ball in bed. "Wake up. Snap out of it." Remus spoke worriedly, glancing to his companion for help.
"Lupin, he can't hear you." The menacing form snapped. "Harry Potter! Get your arse up this instant!" The ball unfurled and jumped to attention by the bed, eyes opening, swirling in confusion at the two other occupants in his room. He almost collapsed, but gentle arms caught him and sat him on his bed.
"Harry? How are you feeling?" Remus glanced at the Potions Master. "You were having a nightmare. I couldn't wake you."
The potions master watched as the boy drew-in a shaky breath before replying to the werewolf's enquiries. "I'm fine now, Remus. Really. Thank you." Refusing to meet the eyes of the two adults. He narrowed his eyes, studying the teenager closely. Disheveled hair, pale face, rivets of perspiration, still panting heavily.
"Harry." The boy reluctantly looked up. "Do you need anything?" Eyes widened at his words. "Dreamless Sleep Potion, perhaps?" The boy hesitated before nodding. Severus handed him a small vial, watching as the boy gulped it down. Lupin handed the boy a glass of water, helping him back into bed and tucking him in like a small child. Severus held back a snort at the sight, yet, he noted that the boy seemed to relish in the werewolf's ministrations.
As the small form in bed grew drowsy, they made to leave. Lupin reached the door, turning back to check again before leaving. Severus watched a moment longer, before turning to leave. As he crossed out of the room, he heard a soft "Thank you, sir". He stopped, giving a curt nod to acknowledge having heard the boy, then swept out imperiously, closing the door softly behind him. He had to talk to the damned werewolf!
A week later
"Legilimens!"
He could feel the dark mist seeking entry into his mind. Gritting his teeth; he needed to get rid of the foreign invasion. 'Wall up!' His mind's eye saw a wall being erected, stout and solid defense, cutting off the probe from the jumble of images starting to appear.
"Good." The probing sensation withdrew. "I see there are some improvements. Did you get adequate rest last night?" A small nod for the tinge of concern in the dulcet tones. "Have you had any visions?" Hesitation. He could see the young man's silent deliberations. "Harry? I promise not to berate you for it. What is it?" Hoping his more-tender-than-usual approach would help build-up on the fragile trust between them.
The boy gave an inaudible sigh, then sat down on the floor, back to wall, hugging his knees and perching his chin atop them. Emerald eyes glazed over; seeming to see scenes no one else was privy to. "I don't know if it's a vision or just a collection of nightmares. They seem so real." Voice soft and trembling slightly.
"What happened?" Soothing tones. Moving to settle himself beside his charge. An undignified position, seemingly uncharacteristic for the clandestine potions master and spy extraordinaire. Providing much needed comfort to the young man in his own fashion.
"I saw the Dursleys."
The potions master tensed minutely at those words; before forcing his countenance to relax. "Go on." Encouraging his god-brat. Memories of his recent encounter with those dreadful muggles seeping darkly into his thoughts.
"Death Eaters had found them. They thought I was still there. They brought down the wards, intending to capture me." He took a deep breath, plunging ahead. "They tortured the Dursleys for information." The boy was now trembling visibly.
Severus was sure the boy had edited his narrative. He fidgeted, unsure of what to do. 'Image be damned!' Wrapping an arm loosely around the small shoulders beside him. Feeling the boy unconsciously leaning into the comfort offered. Silence.
"Then the image changed. I saw them questioning Mrs Figg. Then, they came." A gulp of air, almost fanatic. "They followed several Order members, and pieced together information with the help of Mrs Malfoy." A violent spasm. In monotones, "Then, a huge confrontation. So many injured; so many fell." Tears flowed unchecked. "I saw you. Remus. Tonks. Professor Dumbledore. Mrs Weasley. You fell." Desperation. "You left me alone…" Sobs racked the distraught young man. Severus tightened his hold on his charge, allowing the boy to cry away his grief.
As the sobs gradually died-out, Severus spoke. "Harry, do not worry. I will notify the others as a precaution, but I can assure you that nothing will happen. This place is secure, and heavily warded to reduce the Dark Lord's influences. We will send people to check in on Mrs Figg and the vicinity of Privet Drive." He looked at his young charge. "Will that make you feel better?"
Harry nodded, feeling silly for his earlier breakdown, but it was nice to be reassured. It showed Snape took the position of being his Godfather seriously. 'He just comforted me; he took my words seriously.' Internally wowed by his revelations. 'He's trying, as he promised.'
Several weeks later
The elegant black form stood staring out the window, into the glittering darkness beyond. Long black hair pulled back into a low ponytail, showing off his sharp, aristocratic features. Thin lips set in a grim line as he contemplated the past weeks.
A soft touch at his left arm startled him from his reveries. He turned, just stopping short of snarling at the intruder. The young man stood there calmly; gaze wandering out amongst the nightscape. With an exasperated sigh, he resumed his previous occupation; much of his thoughts dwelling on the quiet young man just arrived.
"Couldn't sleep?" Concern forced the words out before he could stop himself.
A small nod.
Flicking his wand, he summoned the two armchairs over from the fireplace to resettle by the window. Gesturing to the youth to take a seat, he sank gracefully into the comfortable, worn velvet. They sat, each deeply immersed in their own inner workings, in comfortable silence for several hours.
Finally, "Sir?"
He shook cobwebs of thoughts from his mind, turning to face the enigma of a boy. Raising a brow. His customery habit. An invitation to speak.
"Will you be telling Malfoy about our, erm, change in situation?"
The potions master was impressed. The brat had actually considered their circumstance. He wondered if his newly-claimed godson was ready for the answer; he decided to be frank. He had an inkling of the Gryffindor brat appreciating honesty.
Studying the youngster, he gave a curt nod. "It has to be done. We cannot hide this new development from Draco indefinitely. Don't you think it unfair to him, if we were to do that?"
There was no visible response; the calm indifference on the young face hinted of expectations of such an answer from the potions master. "Will this," the brat gesturing vaguely about him, "put you in danger when Malfoy finds out?"
The question shocked the older man. He had not considered the boy concerned for his welfare! His Slytherin cunning detected an unasked question. "I do not know how he will react to this new situation. If you are asking about his allegiance, all I can say is that he is not as bad as he seems; he has a certain… obligations… as a Malfoy heir. Deep down, he is not evil."
The young man gave an empathic nod. The nights spent contemplating Draco Malfoy's character showed a myriad of complexity and contradictions. The young man's view of the world was no longer a clear-cut black and white, good and evil. He had learned to see the shades of grey in existence, as well as circumstantial situations. 'So who was he to judge Malfoy?' His inner self grinned at the anticipation of anarchy, when the blonde discovered the new relations to himself.
"Harry, speaking of relations… How do you want to deal with the outstanding situation with your… muggle relatives?" The sneer unmistakable at the word relatives, yet his eyes carefully watched the young man's every reaction.
"I have not decided; will I have to decide soon?" The young man did not want to think about the Dursleys at all.
The older man gave a small nod, saying, "Best to have your answer ready at the end of the holidays. We will need a bit of time to sort things out with them." Seeing the young man cringe almost unreceptively at his words, he continued. "But, you need not be present if you choose so. As long as we have a definite decision from you, we can get the required administrative work done. You need not see them ever again."
The young man gave a tight smile; memories of the past month still fresh in his mind. No, he would not want to see the Dursleys again. Of that, he was certain. "Thank you, sir." Appreciating his godfather's understanding in these matters.
The enigmatic man gave a curt nod; mentally readying to take a huge step forward in their relationship. He said it in barely a whisper. "You may address me as Severus. Dispense with the formalities in private; I am your godfather after all." Suppressing a smirk, he noted the brat's stunned expression.
Hi everyone, this is Gekisou, fanfiction co-writer for HP and the Beginning of the End. Azer and I are great fans of comics and have decided to create a readers section in which we (well I anyway) will answer and at least address certain questions fans of our story have, just like in comics. So, keep those reviews coming.
So, up first is…
Ethtele Kalla-Silya: An interesting start... Dumbledore appointing Snape as Harry's godfather, definitely an interesting concept. Looking forward to seeing how this will progress.
Gekisou: Yes, well, I wish I could take the credit for that but it was actually Azer's idea. I just helped with how they are got there. If you've followed the story so far, you can tell that we like screwing with the characters somewhat. (Cue evil laughter) Oh, by the way, nice name. :)
wowsergirl: I really really really like it, I also want to figure out what happened at the month at the dursleys! ok, so add more asap
Gekisou: Thanks for the nice words. Actually, the fate of the Dursleys are hinted in Chapter 4 (my problem because Azer just does not want to write about the Dursleys… well neither did I but being the guy of the team has its disadvantages.) And in chapter 6, you find out what happened to them.
Moonlady: I can't believe that this is actually... It... It's good... And it fits the ending of the 5th book... And Severus is actually gonna get closer to Harry! runs around in circles in a little happy dance stops abruptly I'm very interested in seeing what the heck is with that snake. And I like what you did with Harry. I've seen a lot of fanfics where they've got him all sobbing and whatnot and just can't picture him like that since he's too stubborn to cry in the books. Great story. UPDATE SOON!
Gekisou: Are you still dancing? In this chapter, Harry gets closer and closer in his relation with Snape. The snake was my creation and you will find that there is more to it than will ever be expected. Even Azer does not know what I am up with it so you can see how secretive I am about it. Harry does some crying but very much offscreen. We agree that he is too stubborn to cry but you will find out in Chapter 6 why he has behaved like this. About the update soon part, two people with two different styles of writing can cause a lot of problems but… we're getting there. At least Azer has someone to proofread for her. I have no one!!!! Need gf…
Mikee: Am intrigued by Harry touching Severus' arm twice. Look forward to more about that. And what is with the snake. Is it one of Voldie's snakes.? Is it a snake that seeks to harm Harry... or help him.?
Gekisou: Yes, the hand touching thing. I thought for a second this would end up a 'slash' fic, but with me onboard, it is not happening. I should let Azer deal with this one. Azer? Ah, ignoring me. Okay… The snake is… nah, that'd be telling. :p
?: ::claps and whistles for author:: nice story so far. but whats up with the cliffie? thats not very nice ya know. please keep up the good work and update soon. Very Soon. ;-)
Gekisou: Hey! There's 2 of us you know. The cliffies are because we are working on a lot of flashbacks. Once we go into the main story which is happening in Hogwarts, we promise less cliffies… not it could get worse. Ha, ha, ha.
athenakitty: Some intense fighting? Did something nasty happen to the Dursleys? If the Dursleys are still living will there be punishment?
Gekisou: Oohhh… I like cats… anyway… the Dursleys' fate were decided so early in the series that we haven't addressed it earlier but you know, it is more fun to keep you readers hankering for more. Yesssss? Intense fighting is coming your way in chapter 6.
spacecatdet: I found it a bit hard to follow in places because it jumped around a bit, but I look forward to reading the rest of it and seeing how it comes out. What was the snake doing and is it Harry's friend?
Gekisou: Yes, I guess if someone just came into our fic, they'd go mad. Our plan is working. Bwahahahahaha! Actually, the real reason for this is because Azer and I are dealing with two separate stuff for this first arc. Azer moves us forward (the odd number chapters) and I write flashbacks (the even number chapters) with very little forward movement. That will end once we have established the events and moved into Hogwarts.
n6uoss: the way your are going about telling this story sucks
Gekisou: Everyone is different.
That's it from me. Take care and keep supporting us and sending those reviews.
- Gekisou
Cast in the name of God, ye not guilty
