Eye of the Storm

Chapter 11- In Separate Directions

Severus stood in the presence of the Dark Lord for almost an hour with his fellow death eaters. Voldemort had called a meeting when he learned of Pende's capture. There was a sense of anxiousness in the air as they waited for their master to speak. When he did, everyone shivered.

"One of my most loyal followers has been captured. I want her out of Azkaban." He said looking at Lucius Malfoy.

The man bowed, "I will get her out my lord."

"Very good. If you do so you shall be rewarded. However, if not, you will be punished."

Lucius nodded and shifted slightly where he stood.

Severus had his eyes closed, praying that he would not be called upon.

"Severus, come here."

The bottom of his stomach dropped to his feet as he came closer to the dark lord.

"I need more potions. Strong potions. Make them for me."

"Yes my lord. I am at your every wish and command." Snape added the last part for emphasis.

Voldemort simply nodded "Good, get out of my sight."

Severus stood, bowed low to the ground, and went to stand in his previous spot.

Voldemort looked at his followers. All were loyal to him in his eyes and losing one made his hate grow for Dumbledore.

"Crucio."

He would teach his followers to keep each other out of the ministry and Dumbledore's way. Even if they learnt it the hard way.

"All of you out of my sight. I want to go forwards not backwards. Well, what are you waiting for? Go!"

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Harry was sitting at the kitchen table the next morning when Snape came in. His potions professor looked terrible. His robes looked loose and his face was drawn in. Harry tried to catch his eye but Severus didn't even glance his way. Harry found that odd, usually Snape was saving a nasty look for him even if it was from across the room.

Molly came rushing in when she was done packing. Seeing Severus sway slightly she went over to him.

"Sit down Severus, I will get you some breakfast."

"Don't bother, I have some important things to do for the headmaster so,"

"I don't think so. Sit. Eat." She said glaring at Severus. Harry found it funny when he did sit and waited to be fed. Mrs. Weasly was only a few years older then him and they both attended Hogwarts at the same time.

"Harry dear, do you want milk or juice with your breakfast?"

"Juice is fine Mrs. Weasly thank you." He said and was surprised to find Snape looking at him, a blank expression on his face. Harry looked away and concentrated on a small hole in his pajama sleeve.

"When you're done eating gather your things and put them by the fireplace." Snape said off handedly as he relieved Figg's owl of the Daily Prophet.

"Why?"

"Don't ask Potter, just do."

Harry was going protest but Mrs. Weasly sat a plate of food in front of both of them, silencing the talk.

Snape barely ate and then stood up to leave. Molly watched as he left, scowling at his plate.

"That man will be the death of himself. He needs to take better care of his needs."

Harry looked back at his own plate and found that he lost his appetite. Standing up, he walked toward the stairs to gather his stuff like Snape said.

"Harry you come sit and finish your breakfast." Molly said, pointing to his empty chair.

"I'm not hungry Mrs. Weasly, honest." Harry said looking her in the eye. She turned to clean the table off.

"Okay dear, but please eat a good supper."

Harry nodded, promised her he would, and left the kitchen. He took the stairs slowly, wondering where he could possibly be going. Dumbledore hadn't told him they were moving to a new headquarters. Maybe it was just him leaving. Maybe they were sending him back to the Dursley's, but that didn't make any sense either, he could easily walk. Opening the door to the room he shared with Ron, he saw that his friend was packing as well.

"Oh good, I thought I was the only one leaving." Harry said, feeling slightly better.

"I'm going with my mom to some island, I think. My dad and the rest are going to Egypt. I think Dumbledore is coming with us."

Harry was confused, why would Dumbledore split up the Weasly's? He was about to ask what else Ron knew when the door opened and Hermione came in, her trunk following her.

"You're leaving too then?" Ron asked, only to point out the obvious.

"Yes. McGonagall is coming with me back to my house. She's going to put wards on the house and explain to my parents what's going on."

Harry was eliminating people right and left. Dumbledore and the Weasly's will be in different countries. McGonagall will be in muggle England with the Granger's, and he was sure other members would be busy with other projects. Maybe they thought he didn't need protection. Or maybe he was right to begin with. He was going back to the Dursley's.

As if to answer all questions Snape appeared in the doorway.

"Ready Potter?"

Harry looked over at his trunk, he hadn't taken anything out except for a few clothes.

"Almost professor."

Snape looked at him then opened his mouth to speak. "Hurry up. I don't have all day."

When Snape was out of earshot Ron looked at Harry, a pained expression on his face. "Sorry mate, I didn't know you would be staying with that greasy git. Maybe I can owl you once or twice before school starts.

Realization crossed Harry's face. "Snape? I'm staying with Snape!"

Ron and Hermione didn't know what to say. Without thinking about it, Harry packed his trunk, grabbed Hedwig's cage and went downstairs. Snape was waiting for him by the fireplace.

"Finally ready Potter? Took you long enough, get in. Don't worry about your trunk, I'll send it along after you."

Harry didn't say anything and grabbed a handful of floo powder. "Um, professor? Where are we going?"

Snape rolled his eyes "My manor."

"Oh." Harry said and threw the powder saying 'Snape Manor.'

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Harry shot out of the fireplace and landed in a very well furnished room. After brushing the soot off his robes he moved aside, waiting for his trunk.

Moments later his trunk came flying out of the fireplace. Harry sat it up and dusted it off. Looking back at the fireplace, he wasn't expecting to see Snape standing there.

"Follow me."

Harry obeyed and followed Snape up some stairs and down a long hallway full of doors and portraits. Finally they stopped at a door toward the end of the hall and Snape opened it. Harry stared in shock at the large bedroom that he was staring at.

"Put your things in there. I will come get you in an hour and show you the rest of the house. Tell you where you can and cannot go. Be ready."

Harry sat his trunk down and looked around the spacious room. It had dark blue wallpaper with black trim, the windows had long thin curtains and the floors were wooden. A bed sat against the wall with comfortable looking bed sheets, a desk and chair sat on the opposite side. Other furniture consisted of a dresser, a lounger chair, and a lamp. Harry took another look around and noticed how bare it actually looked, even though all of this wouldn't have even come close to fitting into his room at the Dursley's. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad, if Snape left him alone for the rest of the summer.

For some reason Harry highly doubted it.

TBC