Chapter Two

Severus cringed at the Cruciatus curse. His body shot of pain, every fiber of his being was on fire. The fire consumed him, he bit his lips and drew blood from it. Blood. Severus squirmed about, thrashing his legs all around him. Am I screaming? He didn't know, if he was, he wouldn't hear it. The pain in him filtered everything around him. His sight blurred but he could not faint. The pain would always wake him. Then, as suddenly as it came, the curse ended.

"You may go, and I expect you to be prompt next time," Voldemort's voice resounded in his mind.
"Yes, my Lord," Severus raised to his feet, his knees trembling. When did I fall?

He mustered the last of his energy and Apparated away.

Entering the castle, he hoped he wouldn't have to report to Dumbledore. His muscles still ached of the curse. Let me just sleep… Peeves swept beside him, "Professor Snappy isn't happy. Professor Bumblebee knows what you're doing." Before Severus can call on the Bloody Baron, Peeves pointed his finger towards the end of the corridor. Peeves vanished. Dumbledore was there.

"Severus, may we have a talk?"

"Of course, Headmaster," there was no use arguing.

"Let's go to my office, it is closest. I would also like us to go to the hospital wing afterwards."

He knows.

Severus walked slowly, a few paces behind the Headmaster. Trying to clear his mind to find a suitable excuse for his earlier actions, he found himself disoriented. The pain in his joints, the conversation with Voldemort, and knowing that Dumbledore would give him some sort of warning or even expulsion overwhelmed him. Surely, Dumbledore wouldn't think that I am… But what side am I on?

"Severus Snape wishes to see me?" he heard his former Headmaster say, "I must say that I am surprised, Minerva."

"Yes, Albus, I am as well. He's waiting outside," McGonagall responded.

"Well, let's not keep our young guest waiting, let him in." Within a few seconds, the door swung open, showing Minerva McGonagall's rigid figure. Her nose wrinkled in disgust, "He will see you now."

Severus walked inside and sat in front of the old man. Wonder how old he is. "I believe you are seeking a position as our Defense Against the Dark Arts professor?"

"Yes," he responded, eyes glinting with no emotions. He looked straight at Dumbledore as the elder studied him intently. His eyes didn't bear the same twinkle; it held some sort of spear, a spear that can pierce through Severus' blank stare. After a few moments, Dumbledore smiled. "I believe you are a Death Eater. What made you come back?"

Saying that the question took Severus by surprise would be an understatement for he jolted in his seat. He didn't know the answer to that question. He didn't even know who he should serve. "I just wanted to- to leave that place. It was hard to," he swallowed hard, "To torture all those people for no reason. I assume that I saw sense in this place and none in the other." Again, the piercing stare leveled with his eyes.

Those eyes narrowed and a small smile broke on his face, "You're lost." It wasn't a question, "You don't really know which side you're on." How did he know? "I want to be on the correct side," Severus confessed. Dumbledore nodded, "Then, consider yourself our potions master."

"Potions master? But I-"

"Surely, you realize that we need a potions master, Severus. Professor Ramley isn't nearly as good at potions as you are." The answer was too simple, "You will, in time, know why."

"Severus, would you like some tea?" Severus blinked from his memories, "No." The response was abrupt. Dumbledore nodded, "I will not walk around the issue, let's just get to the point."

"I am under the impression that you added the sting of a scorpion and the fang of a snake to Harry's Blood Replenishing Potion in place of a bezoar stone." The piercing stare returned from its rest in 14 years.

"What is it that you would want me to say?" Severus asked.

"Tell me which side you want to be on."

"The right side"

"Is poisoning a young boy 'right'?" Severus' face was calm and expressionless but his heart was beating like a drum. Of course it is right, Potter is annoying and a waste of space.

He didn't answer.

"Severus, I will not tolerate danger to Harry. I want an explanation to your actions."

"The Dark Lord wanted me to bring him Potter. I thought that putting Potter out of commission can be my excuse for not bringing the boy to him." Brilliant, you useless idiot! He's already out of commission!

"Why did you not tell me this earlier?"

"I didn't want you to be involved for the Dark Lord would know that you are protecting him intentionally due to the information I gave to you." He won't fall for that!

"I am aware of your concern, but please, Severus, that poison would potentially kill Harry. Consult me of every detail after your meetings, Severus. I have emphasized this before."

"Yes, Headmaster."

"Now, I want you to tell what happened at tonight's meeting…"

"Please, no…" Harry whimpered in his sleep. Pushing away noting with his legs, he squirmed about. Severus and Dumbledore had just entered the room.

"Was he administered the potion, Poppy?"

"Yes, Headmaster."

Dumbledore waved his thanks and sat beside the boy. Severus followed.

"Is he well?" Severus tried, trying to rove his loyalty.

"I hope so, Severus," his voice was filled with worry. There was silence. After a moment, it was broken by a moan, "I didn't do it… I swear!" Harry was shouting.

Severus tensed, wondering what he should do. Dumbledore raised his head and looked at the standing figure, "Severus, can you stay here for a while?"

"Where are you going… Headmaster?" Severus wanted nothing to do with the boy.

"I just remembered I had to meet with some people. Do try not to kill him." With that, Dumbledore stood up and walked out the door.

"NO! Stop, please," Harry continued groveling towards no one. Severus sat on the bedside and lay a firm hand on his shoulder. It was uneasy to be so close to someone. Stop shouting, you idiot. You'll wake the entire castle!

"Pot-Harry!" Severus shook his hand a bit. The body below his hand tensed and Harry's eyes fluttered open. Those green eyes, how like your mother's. The vision was a blur to Harry, Severus realized this. He reached over to the tabletop and took his glasses. Bringing it to Harry's face, he noticed the innocence etched across his face.

"Snape?"

"That would Professor Snape to you, Potter," he smirked.

"What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be with Voldemort?" Severus cringed. Does he know about the conversation I had with Albus?

"As unfortunate as it may be, I was assigned by the Headmaster to baby-sit you."

"But I saw you. You were with Voldemort, he-I-he was in my head and he gave you the curse." He needs Occlumency more than I thought.

"I came back." A silence prolonged between them, "Do you often have bad dreams?"

Harry looked up from his hands, "Yeah." How alike you and I are.

"Here," he reached into his robes and took out a small vial, "It's a dreamless sleep potion. It can help."

"It doesn't, not anymore."

"What do you mean?" Severus' eyes fell to his hands.

Harry shifted his hands, "Voldemort always gets into my head."

"Give me your hand," Severus demanded, a bit too rough than he had wanted.

Harry lifted his hand and placed it in his professor's open palm. "Did Umbridge do this to you?" The voice had no hint of concern.

Surprised that he knew, Harry nodded. Why is he so nice? Harry wondered.

A unity can do wonders for you, those words resounded in Severus' mind, and a memory of the earlier conversation with Dumbledore was crawling back into his mind. "Rest," he muttered and swept out of the room, his destination towards Umbridge's office.

"I do not know your intentions for the boy, but I will not permit you torturing him like that. You nearly killed him," Severus said coolly.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Umbridge's false, sweet tone surfaced.

"You know perfectly what I am talking about, bit—Umbridge," Severus was on his last nerve.

"What's that, Snape? You weren't just saying my name. Maybe I should report you to the Ministry? And your Death Eater records would surely back that up."

"No blundering idiot in the Ministry would believe you."

"Is that a challenge?" she smiled.

Azkaban…I can't go back there…A unity can do wonders for you'…No, I won't. "What else would it be?" he leveled a glare, then rushed out the room. What have I done?

The next day came and Harry was let of the hospital. "I wouldn't let you out, but the Headmaster insists that you needed your studies, so be careful. Don't use your hand too much," Madam Pomfrey had said to him. Harry smiled, knowing he can finally be with his friends again. Last night was such a blur. First, the detention, then the weird quill, then Snape, SNAPE of all people, saved him. And then, he is nice. I'll never understand that man! He found Ron and Hermione in the Gryffindor Common Room.

"Umbridge isn't even teaching us!" Ron objected.

"It's all in the book, practice the spells on your own!" Hermione retorted.

"I'd say that she doesn't even know a spell in the book because her brain is in her big, fat – HARRY!" Ron ran to his friend. Hermione whirled about and found Harry standing near the portrait hole.

"Where were you all night?" Ron asked, fervently.

"We were so worried and Professor Dumbledore said you were hurt but we couldn't visit you because it was after curfew," Hermione explained.

Harry sat down and told them the story of the night before, but leaving out the parts that included his nightmare.

"Snape TALKED to you WITHOUT INSULTING YOU!" Ron bellowed, his loud voice attracting blank stares from the other Gryffindors.

"Yeah, keep it down, will you?" Harry whispered.

"That's odd… Snape would never spare the chance of deducting points from you, much less letting you off without an insult," Hermione pondered.

"Maybe he's softening?" Harry said, more to himself than aloud.

"Nice one, Harry, as if Snape had a heart" Ron laughed, "Come on, you missed breakfast and lunch, it's about 5 now. Let's go down for dinner."

"Yeah, and let's see if Snape would be the same or nicer."

Potter is finally out of the hospital. At least I never had to make that potion for him. It was true, he didn't. Madam Pomfrey managed to make one in three hours. Right now, the greasy haired, hook-nosed professor was seated next to a laughing Headmaster and the seat on the other side was empty. Umbridge didn't have the face to come tonight, I bet.

In a minute's time, Dolores Umbridge came bursting into the Great Hall, a parchment clutched in her hand. The entire Great Hall was silenced and all eyes were on the short woman. I stand corrected. She was walking rather quickly, for her height anyways. Though her legs carried her in an awkward position, her face lit a proud and dignified expression.

She stopped in front of Albus Dumbledore and whispered something to him. An announcement. Dumbledore nodded, perhaps out of weariness to deal with her at the moment or curiosity, but whatever it was, he let her do it. She turned to the House tables and cleared her throat:

"In accordance to the Ministry of Magic, I am, hereby, the rightful Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. (Gasps were heard from all around the Great Hall) Furthermore, Albus Dumbledore will step down as Headmaster and leave after this dinner. The authority invested within a Headmaster will be passed unto me as for the right to discharge ANY member of the faculty. (She shot a glance at Severus.) This proclamation will be in effect immediately… And a last note to this is… Professor Severus Snape will be tried tomorrow evening at the Ministry of Magic for the suspicion of previous loyalty to the Dark Lord and the threat to the Inquisitor of the Ministry. That is all, return to your dinners," she allowed herself a satisfied smile.