Chapter Five

The trial, what am I going to do? Azkaban… Severus laughed inwardly Maybe I should ask Sirius how he got out. Severus looked to the bed next to him. Sleeping peacefully was the Boy-Who-Lived, everyone's hero. He was happy with the company he had. It felt like he wasn't as alone as he thought he was. Wonder why he didn't want to go home… Come to think of it, he never went home for the holidays…

The boy twitched and mumbled something. Severus laughed inwardly. How normal you are. You deserve no special treatment. Harry was stirring now. His eyes fluttered open and, almost as if mechanically, he reached for his glasses and applied them on. "You didn't sleep," he looked at Severus.

"How observant you are, Potter. What else do you notice? Did you know birds tweet?" Severus was amused by how disoriented one can be after sleep.

"Why do you do that?"

"Asking questions?"

"No, why do you insult me all the time?"

"Why should I treat you differently from others?"

"You don't treat Slytherins like you treat me," Harry replied.

"How about 'I hate you because you remind me of your father'?" Severus sneered.

"But I'm not my father. You can't say I'm my father if you didn't get to know me first." The response had no hint of malice.

Severus was silent. All this time, he had been treating Harry more cruelly because he hated that he had respect because he was born whereas he had been hated when he was born. He hated Harry because he disliked his father, for good reasons too.

"You hated me when I entered Hogwarts. I… I just want to know why," Harry knew he was pushing it.

"You can't expect everyone to enjoy your company," a simple response.

"I'm not a spoiled brat like the one you think I am," Harry confessed, his gaze was at his feet.

"Go to sleep," Severus commanded.

"Why don't you? You need it more than I do," Harry objected.

"Go… to… sleep, Potter."

"No."

Severus produced a wand and pointed it straight at Harry. Harry took his out before Severus could utter a word, "Expelliarmus. Sorry, you taught me this spell."

"I know," Severus muttered, "Just go to sleep."

Harry stifled a yawn, "No." Severus advanced towards him. Harry scooted himself back towards the corner of the bed. "Wha-What are you doing?"

Severus couldn't help but break into a smirk, "Oh nothing…" He was now standing a foot away from his shocked victim. He raised two hands and placed them on Harry's shoulders. "I'll give you one more chance, sleep."

"N-No." Severus' lips curved into a smirk and he leaned in front of Harry, applying pressure on the young man's body. "I said, SLEEP!" He pushed Harry so that his shoulders broke down and his body collapsed under the firm and strong arms. His head slammed back and hit the wall with a dull thump.

Harry groaned and let himself be pushed down by Severus. "What'd you do that for!"

"To make you go to sleep. I won't be that nice next time, Potter," Severus sneered. A next time… There won't be one. Azkaban is next. Alone again. He inhaled sharply and stepped back to his bed. Lying down, he gazed at the looming black all around him. He knew, next to him, there was a young man who would be spared of the agony that tortured him and for that, he was able to sleep restfully. He'll be going back to his family. I will be gone before he wakes… At least he will be happy. His eyes slowly closed and he slept.

Harry was stirring after 8 AM the next morning. His head hurt for some reason he could not remember. What hap—Snape did this! He let down a low growl; ready to hit Severus' head to compensate for his painful headache. He stepped down from his bed to find the other bed empty. The trial. It'll have to wait then. He went downstairs and found breakfast… with a note? He picked up the piece of parchment and read it:

To The Boy-Who-Lived,

You know that I have a trial today. I decided to go early, to prepare for it. I know the chances of returning are slim so I want you to keep safe. You are the Savior of the Wizarding World. As much of a klutz as you are, you have to (somehow) save all of us. Do try to keep yourself safe. If you find Dumbledore, tell him to look after you. I will leave no last wishes as I have no one to address and no one will remember me. Just have my obsidian rose passed on to you, Harry Potter. Your mother gave that to me.

Potions master

S. Snape

Harry didn't touch his breakfast and re-read the letter four times before setting it down. No one will remember me… Surely someone is out there who cares about him! I have no one to address…Nice one, Harry, as if Snape had a heart… Does he? If he is guilty, he will go to Azkaban or – Harry swallowed a knot in his throat. The Dementor's kiss.

"Good morning, Harry," Sirius smiled, "I'm glad you made yourself some breakfast."

"Huh?" Harry looked up, not knowing what just happened, "Hi, Sirius."

"Did you make me breakfast?" Lupin appeared behind Sirius, who was sipping his coffee.

"I didn't make it. Snape did," Harry explained. Sirius nearly spat out his coffee, "Haha, Harry, you're funny, but not credible. Where is Snape anyways?" Harry handed him the slip of paper. Sirius read the paper and gave it to Lupin. Lupin bit his lower lip, "What is he being tried for?"

"I don't know, Umbridge never told him."

"That git deserves it. Always the oddball."

"Sirius, be reasonable! He doesn't deserve this. He's been working for the Order all along."

"I'd say he deserves it," Sirius barked. He deserves to have no one remember him? Harry wondered what to do. Unconsciously, Harry walked outside and looked for Severus. A black owl was perched in a tree nearby. It hooted glumly, with a letter attached to its leg. Harry craned his neck to see whose letter it is.

To: Harry

The owl flew to Harry and held out one leg for him to take off the letter from his leg. Then, it flew off. Harry, instantly, ripped it open.

How predictable of you to look for me. Don't be a hero, go back inside! It's dangerous outside. How Gryffindor of you, Harry Potter.

Watching you,

S. Snape

Harry's eyes lit up. Watching me? Harry whirled around and looked about, finding no one. Stupid letter. Maybe if I… Harry whipped out his wand, "Revelo!" Severus materialized in front of Harry.

Arms crossed, a scowl on his face, Severus Snape walked towards him. "You're not going to heed my warnings?"

"No. I'm going to the trial with you."

"And decrease the chances of walking away innocent that much more? You asked me why I disliked you last night, why do YOU hate me to the point of sending me to Azkaban?"

"I just want to help."

"I just want to live," Severus retorted. He turned and walked off in the opposite direction.

'No one will remember me'… You told me that no one would remember you. "I will remember you," Harry said in a small voice, inaudible to Severus due to the difference of distance. Stay with him…

He cast an invisibility charm on himself and ran with Severus.

Two thousand miles away, Voldemort sat at his throne and saw all of this through Harry's eyes.