A/N: I couldn't get this chapter how I wanted it to be. I thought it was too "fluffy", so I had to go over the emotional scenes lots to try to make it less "fluffy".. Keepin the characters in character. Sorry for the delay, and eventually, all the confusion will be cleared up. Just bear with me a moment.

Need more friends with wings

All the angels I know put concrete in my veins

I always walk home alone

So I became lifeless just like my telephone

Nothing to Lose- Billy Talent

It rained all day, while Damon was out cold. Pale, and in a sense, a mirror image to myself. It stormed that evening, when I mustered all I could to go to the Headmaster's office. He was more a father to me than my own father had been. I needed his words more than anything at this time.

The rumours had started up early that morning. I heard them all. I had been lucky there were no classes this day, for I would have put all the houses into the minuses before lunch.

Then, of course, there was always the walls. What the students truly saw. They all believe he had done it, which in a sense, is a possibility, but for some reason, I believe he wasn't to blame.

Blood on the walls on the second floor. Smeared letters spelling out a familiar warning. It gave chilling memories to those of the school who recalled the attacks and the near shut down of all of Hogwarts school.

Enemies of the Heir, Beware

Fitch came to clean up the mess as soon as it was discovered, as McGonagull was sent to investigate the abandoned washroom. She found nothing out of the ordinary. Moaning Myrtle even said she had not seen anything. The person responsible for the mess was in the school.

Dumbledore was a wreck when I saw him in his office. Staring into his pensive, lack of sleep written across his face. Worry as well, for the boy downstairs in the hospital wing. I did not feel the need to worry. The boy had been through worse things.

"How is he?" Dumbledore asked, already knowing the answer.

"Stable. Poppy induced a coma to let his body cope." Severus answered, sitting down in the chair in front of the desk.

Dumbledore's sparkle in his eyes was lost, he was silent. He was usual for words between the two; Severus was not one for talking. Dumbledore usually helped Severus in the way he could not help himself. Finally, Dumbledore spoke, "Perhaps it was too soon to let him to a meeting.. too much pressure on him."

It was as if that was the whole reason he had done that unkind act to himself. I doubted that he had done that because of the meeting.

The silence between the two men just seemed to fit. Though, Severus had gone there for words of advice, or explanation; the calm silence was enough to bring Severus to a sigh.

Relief. At least the boy was alive.

He had left for the night, and took a sleeping draught before bed. He did not want any dreams to haunt him tonight. He was already haunted.

Damon woke up to see Draco sitting there with an impatient look to him, he was aware Damon was waking long before he opened his eyes, and he said, "What the hell were you thinking?!"

"Huh?" Was all Damon could respond.

"Cutting yourself!" Draco said, snatching Damon's wrist, showing him a heavily bandaged mess.

"I didn't-" Damon began to speak. He had been sleeping!

"Your father said he did not even know how to deal with you, Damon!" Draco informed him. "He's furious! He has not come to see you since he brought you in here!"

Big loss. Damon thought to himself. "How long was I out for?"

"A day. They put you into a coma so that your body would re-coop its self so you would not try to do it again." Draco explained.

"Huh." He thought for a moment.

"Again.. Damon.. what the hell were you thinking?!"

Damon opened his mouth, "Can you bring my father here? I need to speak with him."

"He's speaking with Dumbledore." Draco answered.

"Oh." Damon said, pulling the layers of blankets back. "In Dumbledore's office?"

"Yea, I'd assume so.. where do you think you're going?!"

"To see my father." Damon answered already out the door. He needed to explain. He needed to ask what was going on.

The meeting between Dumbledore this day went rather well to what Severus had expected. Dumbledore was concerned that the boy had done this in an act of who he is and what he is to become. Dumbledore's first instinct was to pull the boy out, and bring Harry Potter back. It was too complicated. They left the meeting unfinished, when he felt his mark burn. The new ones were coming...

As far as he knew, the Dark Lord had been informed of this act of violence upon Damon. Draco had spoken to his father about it through fire. So, he was told. He would peek in on the boy on his way to his office. He glanced in and saw no one there. Nothing.

"Poppy!" He called. "Where on Earth is your patient?!"

Poppy looked at the beds, "Your son is much like you, Severus." She cast Severus a glare, "Won't spend a moment longer in this place than needed."

Severus glared. He was furious with the boy now, as he headed to his office to snatch a portkey, and be transported away.

"Professor!" Damon burst into the Headmaster's office, breathless, having ran up the whole way to try to rid Draco. Dumbledore almost looked amused at the sight of Damon. In a hospital gown, breathless, his green eyes searching the room. "Professor, where is Snape?"

"Professor Snape." Dumbledore corrected generously, "Have a seat, Damon."

Damon did as he was told. He was in no position to oblige, seeing as he had escaped the Hospital Wing. "Where's Professor Snape?" He asked almost instantly.

"He's at a meeting." Dumbledore said casually, "Lemon drop?"

"No, I-" Dumbledore placed the candy dish under his nose. Damon took one, and popped it into his mouth.

Dumbledore asked with curiosity, "Why are you so eager to speak with your father?"

Damon did not flinch when he said that. He answered, "He needs to understand.." Damon looked to Fawkes. "I didn't cut myself. I swear, I didn't."

Dumbledore leaned back, "All right, Damon.. I am listening. What happened?"

"I was sleeping." Damon started. "Except, with that had gone on at the meeting, all I had learned... I forgot to clear my mind before bed like Snape- Professor Snape- told me to do."

Dumbledore gave a nod, "That's understandable, Damon.. continue."

"I was dreaming.. just normal stuff at first. Then.. it changes.. to this voice.." Damon remembered the voice talking to someone. "It was talking to someone.. said they had to finish what they started.. but the other person did not know what it was, or something.. and then my arm started to burn, it went numb and I woke up."

The older man mused, "Let's think about this, shall we?" He then leaned forward, "Let us say Voldemort unintentionally sent this to you through your connection.. this would mean.. somewhere in this vast world.. someone too was inflicted in a damage like your own. Wouldn't you think that someone would have reported to a medic?"

"Precisely why I wanted to tell someone!" Damon said.

"Yes, but Damon.. there is the chance that Lord Voldemort intentionally sent this to you- to Harry Potter- to see if he was alive."

He's not taking this seriously! "But Professor!"

"What we can do, Damon, is merely wait for another to be reported. Other than that, it's just a dream."

Damon rose to his feet, "And I'm suicidal, then? Is that what you're saying?" His anger rising.

"I never said that." He said quickly.

Damon snapped, "Fine." He went to the door, and slammed it on the way out. Stomping back down the halls.

The door opened, then shut quickly. "Vance." Severus said, having a cruticus curse put on him for not taking his son or Draco to the meeting. "It's Vance." He let himself to a chair.

Dumbledore questioned, "Vance? Emmeline Vance? The spy?"

Severus replied, "Dare I say, she has not spoke a word of my loyalty.. Nor will she."

"Oh?" Dumbledore rose a bushy brow.

"The Dark Lord killed her tonight." Severus explained. "He had expected her son. She had been avoiding bring him for months- I have been told." Severus gave a sneer, "More a mother than a servant. The Dark Lord was not pleased." And that would have been my fate if I chose to avoid bringing him.

Dumbledore leaned back, almost like reading Severus' mind. "Your son was here today."

"Oh, and what did 'my son' have to say?" Sarcasm heavy in his voice. Not much curiosity or interest.

Dumbledore took a lemon drop, and said, "Actually, he was looking for you."

Severus scoffed, but his eyes shone with mild interest only Dumbledore was able to pick up on. As if the boy would be looking for me, after what he had done to himself..

"He seemed intent to speak with you. Having to settle for myself, I do not believe he took to that. Has not much trust for me since Sirius passed.." His voice trailed.

Oh hurry, old man, what did that boy say?! Some of us endured pain tonight, we want rest! "Trust is for the foolish." Severus replied.

"And yet you trust me." Dumbledore pointed out. "Damon he briefly told me what was on his mind. Not in too well a mood, either. Something about his dreams.."

I had seen some parts of his dreams. The ones he was foolish enough to leave open. Strange voices, that was it, it'd seem. "And?" Severus asked, wishing to be in his soft bed, the calming potion in his veins....

"I say, his dream is rather peculiar." He then said, "The voice said they had to finish what they started. How ironic that last night we had an incident all too familiar to us on the walls.."

Severus' idea for sleep left him. "Does he know..?"

Dumbledore answered, "When I spoke to him, I do not believe so.. but that was hours ago." He replied, "I expect Draco told him when he forced him into the Hospital Wing once again."

Severus rose, his destination obvious, at the door Dumbledore said, "For what it is worth, Severus, he is more like you every day now." Severus left without a word.

Instead of usual long strides, he walked slower. Tiredness was a main factor to this, but another was Severus wanted to think.

He is more like you every day now..

He tried to go to him.. instead of McGonagull or Dumbledore.. he looked for him.. Surely that meant something. Perhaps the boy wanted to try. Perhaps..

He arrived at the Hospital Wing, and Poppy gave him a look. She said nothing, as he went over to the bed he had left the boy a day ago at.

There was clear evidence Draco had been there; the boy had been friends with him for two days, and yet out of duty the boy came with smuggled food from the kitchens and clothes for Damon. Draco seemed starved for true friendship, now finding someone worthy of his friendship; he clearly did not want to lose that. Severus respected that in Draco, he was a loyal boy, but very closed off. Much like himself. Perhaps it was time to open up a little bit, if of course the boy would want that.

He was sleeping, green haunting eyes shut in a peaceful way. It was much like looking in a mirror twenty-five years ago. Severus felt old in that sense. He watched the boy a moment now out of curiosity.

Of course, he would never admit it out loud; in a sick way, he wanted a son. He knew the risks; he knew what would become of his first born child- his only child- but he always secretly wanted someone to relate to. Now, he had a son. And not just any son.. The-Boy-Who-Lived..

Oh, how I had tormented the boy over his fame, his father.. Severus wished he could almost take it all back. How could the boy want to even open up or want to help someone who had been so cruel?

Severus put his face in his hands. How could the boy ever forgive me? Even if I wanted to start new, there was no possible way I could get over the guilt of what he had done in the past. I do not deserve a second chance.

He looked up, thinking to leave. His eyes caught the now scarring over wound. On the very same hand a scar read 'I must not tell lies'. Sadistic.. Why would the boy carve that into his arm?

Severus dared himself to touch the older scar. He's asleep. Severus touched one slender finger to the scar. It was slightly indented to the boy's pale skin. He moved to bring two fingers to the scar, but the boy moved. Severus pulled away almost fearful. The boy gave no evidence of stirring. Severus felt relieved.

He did not know how long he stayed there, or how long he dared himself to move that stray strand of hair out of the boy's face.. he had just remained there. In a state of tiredness, he almost seemed asleep with his eyes open.

"Professor?" He heard. It snapped him from his state, and he looked to the boy. After spending the whole night watching the boy, he had almost wished the boy would call him 'father' or 'Dad', anything other than Professor. It reminded him he was the strict, tough, hidden away Potion's professor; it reminded him he was out of character sitting there at whatever time it was, instead of sleeping.

The boy repeated, as if he had not heard. It made him flinch. He had hoped.. Why let your hopes up, anyway?

"I was informed you wanted to speak to me..?" Severus said, his usual malevolence gone.

The boy easily picked up on it, but instead of taking a risk, he did not speak of it. "I had a dream last night." Severus gave a nod, urging him to continue. "And there was that voice.. it was talking to someone.. kept calling her 'my Angel'.. said they had to finish what they started, but she did not know what it was about.. and he said not to play games with him.."

I watched the boy as he was trying to relive it just to tell every detail to me. "Go on."

"All of a sudden.. my arm felt like it was burning.. like acid or something, then it was numb, and I woke up. I was bleeding." He said then. "I didn't cut myself. I just forgot to clear my mind."

He was trying to get me to believe him. I did. My son would not make up things like that. My son? Since when did I consider him my son? At about three in the morning? Why did it matter? Say something! "How'd you get that scar? 'I must not tell lies'?"

The boy looked to his wrist, seeing the scar, and then said, "Detention with Umbridge last year."

As if that explained it all... "Why did you have detention with her?"

The boy shrugged, "I get detention quite a bit, surely you know that."

"Why did you have detention with her?" I repeated.

He finally said, "I could not hold my temper with her. She was teaching without wands! She thought there was no reason we would need to use them! I said we needed practice because of Volde- the Dark Lord. She said I was lying that he was back."

"Why did you not report anything?" The boy had been through so much.. I doubt even Dumbledore knew that.

The boy said with a shrug, "No one would have believed me if I had." He changed the topic. "You met the others this evening, didn't you, Professor?"

Remembering the meeting made him grow tired, and reminded him he had to put his guard up once more. "Yes, I did, and you will do the same tonight." He rose, his dark robes falling into place.

"Professor?"

"Yes, Damon?" He responded with a sigh.

Damon said, "Why didn't you tell Dumbledore about Kreacher?"

Severus replied tiredly, "If I had been in your position, I would have done the same." He then asked, "Would you have told Dumbledore if you were in my position?"

Damon replied, "No."

Severus said, "As well, I do not believe you intentionally had done that. Thus why I had given you a drought to minimize your powers." He then started to leave.

Damon said, "Night, Professor."

Severus stopped, had he truly said that, or am I dreaming? "Good night, Damon."

Damon lay there for hours after Snape left, thinking of their conversation. He had let his guard down for a moment there. He had been "human".

Damon's green eyes burned over time, so he shut them. They continued to burn, and his head now was pained. A headache.. great.. Damon shut everything out, concentrating.

My Angel.. How do you feel?

Do not call me that.

Ahh, you feel fine.. Excellent.. Tonight is Hallow's Eve, My Angel.. You know what that meanss.. you do remember..

I won't do it.

Do not disobey me.. you know what happens when you disobey me.. Crucio

A thousand fires, a thousand pin pricks, ran through Damon's body. He screamed out, thrashing. His scar was aflame. He bit his tongue.

"Calm down, Damon." A soothing female voice. She placed a hand to his forehead. "You're temperature!" She magicked a cool cloth, and went to a medic cabinent.

I won't do it.. I won't kill her..

Crucio!

Damon felt himself injected with something. He relaxed, shutting his eyes.

You will do it tonight.. my Angel..

Damon woke to see Draco, sitting there eating a bun. Chewing slowly, watching him. "They said they are letting you out today.. your father came in here like a mad man when he heard of your thrashing last night. Said Promfrey did not know what she was doing, and that he could take care of you better." Draco swallowed, "Want to go to the Great Hall? Lunch is just about over, and I'm afraid I ate yours."

Damon changed into his robes, and followed Draco out of the hospital wing. Walking by the Gryffindor table, he heard whispers. There he is, it's him.. the heir.. Damon looked to Draco, slightly confused. Damon let his eyes to Hermione, a flash of regret passed him; he had not told her who he was, not could he. She held the gaze, and Draco asked loudly, "Wonder where the young Weasel is?"

Hermione looked to her friend Ron, who had been holding his tongue. Harry would have to write to them soon.

Sitting with pen in hand, in History, supposed to be taking notes, Damon started writing his friends a single letter.

Ron, Hermione,

I am fine and alive. I know you worry about me, but you do not need to, I have some good people looking out for me. I planned to have my cart crash so that I disappeared; so that Lupin could not oblige to my leaving him all of Sirius' belongings. I suppose I do not have much else to say right now. I do not know when I shall be returning to school or when I can write back, but I would like to hear from you.. see what has been going on. HP

Damon folded the letter up and Draco looked over with curiousity. "What's that?" He mouthed.

"Nothing of importance."

That evening, instead of going to the feast, Draco went to "patrol" the building, being a prefect, as Damon sent the letter off and went to his dorm. In reality, the two were preparing to be called.

Draco came by my office, asking of the last meeting. If his father was angry he had not came to the meeting. He was also sharing his concern that he did not think Damon should attend the Hallowe'en bash, considering what has happened to Damon in the past few days.

"You seem awfully concerned for someone you have only known for mere days." Severus said.

Draco replied, "Finally Slytherin has someone who has his priorities straight- someone who is worthy of friendship. A true Slytherin, I'd say." I thought of the irony of the conversation, and responded with a nod. Draco continued on, "Isn't it true, you are of Slytherin blood?"

"Are you implying Damon had something to do with what was on the walls?"

"No, of course not, Professor!" Draco replied quickly. Changing the subject slightly, "Damon does have his priorites straight, however. Keeps the Gryffindors in check."

Perhaps one day, Draco would be told that Damon was in fact Harry Potter, and his true Slytherin pal was originally sorted a Gryffindor..

"Despises the Weasleys. I'm sure he would give Potter a run for his money.. of course, he has good reason, Weasley never seems to shut his mouth about Damon."

"What of the other Weasley? She behaving? Or shall I deduct points from Gryffindor because of her, as well?" Severus asked lazily.

Draco smirked, "Oh, she's behaving nicely.."

In a strange sense, I felt the need to inquire about that, but I was tired from not sleeping, and at that same time my mark flushed with pain.

Severus said to Draco, "It's time.."