Chapter Eight

Back To School

ONE

Harry's visions were getting more frequent and violent as the time passed. He didn't tell Snape the extent of his pain, but Snape wasn't stupid.

Harry was lying on his bed around mid-day one week before the start of the new term. He'd just had a vision in which Voldemort had killed a Muggle. Harry was shaking violently, his whole body feeling as though it had been ripped apart and then sown back together.

"I hate my life," Harry muttered irritably. He was breathing deeply in an attempt to control the shaking in his body long enough to drink a pain potion. To his utter dismay, someone replied to his comment.

"And why is that, Mr. Potter?" Snape asked from the hallway. He came into the room and stopped short. "Bloody hell." He came to the bed.

"Hello, s- sir," Harry said.

Snape rolled his eyes. "Why didn't you cry out for me?" he asked.

"Didn't think of it," Harry said sarcastically.

Snape was rummaging in Harry's night table and didn't reply. He straightened up holding a red potion and then helped Harry into a sitting position.

"Thank you sir," Harry said. Snape helped him drink the potion and Harry fell asleep soon after.

When Harry woke up several hours later, Snape was sitting in a chair by his bed.

"Feeling better?" Snape asked dryly.

"Yes," Harry replied. "Thank you, sir."

"I have spoken to the headmaster about you," Snape said. "We have decided on a way around this annoying habit of yours."

"What habit?" Harry asked.

"Suffering in silence," Snape replied. "We think it would be best if I cast a bonding spell on you."

"What?" Harry asked, sitting up.

"Calm down," Snape said calmly. "It wouldn't be a lifelong thing. It would only be strong enough to tell me when you're in pain."

"Oh," Harry said. "And how long would we be – er- bonded?"

"As long as necessary," Snape replied. "It will be removed once we pass this particular hurtle."

"What about the Curse Blocking Potion?" Harry asked. "Do you think it'll work?"

"It should," Snape said slowly.

"But?" Harry asked.

"It will take two months to brew," Snape replied.

Harry had a horrible sinking feeling in his gut. If he couldn't stop what was happening, he most probably wouldn't be able to attend classes.

"But what happens when school starts?" he asked.

"You are ill," Snape replied. "If something happens during class, all the other students will see is a normal seizure."

"Epilepsy?" Harry asked. "The rest of the school is going to think that I have epilepsy?"

"Something like that," Snape said.

Harry sighed. He supposed that it was better than telling them the truth.

"What do you mean, they'll only see a seizure?" he asked.

"The spell I'm going to cast on you will only allow those who already know what is happening to see the real thing," Snape said. "You have a tendency to repeat what you are seeing, and it wouldn't do for the rest of the student body to think you were mad."

"Oh," Harry said. He cast around for a change of subject. "Has Professor Dumbledore hired a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher yet?"

"Yes," Snape replied, suddenly looking annoyed. "Her name is Dolores Umbridge and she's from the Ministry of Magic."

"She works at the Ministry?" Harry asked, very surprised.

"Yes," Snape replied. "She's the Senior Under Secretary for the Minister of Magic."

"If she works for Fudge, what's she doing here?"

"I believe that she has been sent here to spy on Professor Dumbledore," Snape said distastefully. "Fudge thinks that Dumbledore is trying to overthrow him. He still doesn't believe that the Dark Lord has returned. Perhaps I cold take him to one of my meetings," he added thoughtfully. "That would change his mind right quick."

Harry stared at Snape for a moment. He couldn't be certain, but he thought that Snape was picturing just what Voldemort would do to Fudge should the two ever meet.

TWO

The next night Harry had one of his worst visions yet. The spell had not been cast yet, but Severus could hear the screaming from the Great Hall. Harry was coughing up blood by the time it was over.

"I can't," Harry said very weakly from his place in Severus' arms. "Just let me die."

"Nonsense!" Severus snapped, still attempting to feed Harry the painkilling potion. "Take the potion, Harry. It'll help."

Harry drank most of the potion, but had a coughing fit just as the last of it entered his mouth. He'd already taken a potion to stop the bleeding and was quickly falling asleep.

As Harry finally drifted off into a fit-full sleep, Severus gently placed him on the bed and tucked the covers around him. Severus thought about the Curse Blocking Potion bubbling away in a large cauldron next to his bed. A sharp rapping on the outer chamber door roused him from his musings. He opened the door and found Umbridge on the other side.

Delores Umbridge was a short, portly woman with very little neck, large protruding eyes, a wide face and a long mouth. She had short, very curly hair in which she had perched a large turquoise bow at the top of her head. To Severus she looked very much like a large ugly toad.

"What do you want, Delores?" he asked shortly. "I am trying to attend to the needs of a very sick child."

"Oh," said Umbridge in a very high pitched, girly sort of voice that reminded Severus of Pansy Parkinson, one of his fifth years. "I only want to have a word with Mr. Potter." She smiled in what would have been a sweet manner, had she been someone else.

"He's sleeping," Severus said. "I'm not about to wake him up just to speak to you. Good night." He started to close the door.

"Hem, hem," said Umbridge.

"What?" Severus snapped, turning to face her again.

"I'd like to have a look at him," Umbridge said, still smiling.

"Why?" Severus asked. "Do you think you can do more for him than the best Potions Master in Britain?"

"Of course not, Severus," Umbridge replied with a simper that made Severus feel sick. "I am merely concerned for the well-being of one of my future students. I wouldn't dream of stepping on your toes."

Severus repressed and angry growl and allowed Umbridge entrance to his private quarters.

"Make sure that you are quiet," Severus said coldly. "I've only just gotten him to sleep."

"He won't even know I'm there," Umbridge said with a smile, revealing a row of ugly pointed teeth. Severus led her to Harry's bedroom, one hand clutching his wand.

Umbridge stood in the doorway observing Harry quietly. Harry was tossing and turning in his bed, making indiscernible noises in his sleep. Severus was almost certain that Harry was reliving the events of last June.

"As you can see, Delores," Severus said sharply but quietly. "Harry is not well. If you'll just go, you may speak to him another time."

"He just seems to be having a bad dream," Umbridge said sweetly. "Perhaps if we just woke him up?"

"I've already told you that he's only just gone back to sleep," Severus said, starting to lose his patience. "You may speak to him another time." His tone said plainly, 'get out now'.

The two professors walked back to Severus' sitting room.

"What is wrong with the child, Severus?" Umbridge asked.

"He has a very rare form of epilepsy," Severus replied calmly. "He's been placed in my care, and I am afraid that I cannot allow anyone, not even you, to disrupt what little sleep he gets."

"I see," Umbridge replied. "And why couldn't his family have taken care of him?"

"Because Muggles do not have effective treatments for epilepsy," Severus replied promptly. One thing he had learned from his years as a spy was to always be prepared for anything. "As a Potions Master, I have been able to develop a potion that will help him. Unfortunately, it takes two months to brew, so he'll be somewhat… unreliable at the start of the year. If he is late for one of your classes, assume that he was ill and with me."

"But I'm afraid that gives him a reason to be frequently late, and I cannot allow that. Oh, no, no, that won't do at all."

Harry moaned loudly and painfully from the other room.

"I believe," Severus said, "that that was your queue to leave."

"Very well," said Umbridge. "You will send him to me when he wakes?"

"Only if he is well," Severus replied, standing up and opening the door. "Good night."

"Good night, Severus," Umbridge said sweetly. She left and Severus went straight back to Harry's room. Harry was still sleeping, but he was tossing more violently than before, muttering in his sleep.

The week passed rather slowly, Umbridge popping up several times in attempts to speak to Harry. Severus had instructions from Albus to keep her away from Harry.

THREE

During the week, Harry had little to do but read his textbooks. Snape had gone to Diagon Alley for him, leaving Harry with McGonagall for the day. Snape returned that evening having bought far more parchment, ink, quills, and potions ingredients than were necessary. By September 1st, Harry was keen to start the new year.

The night of the first, Harry stood at the entrance waiting for the horseless carriages to bring the students from Hogsmeade Station. As Harry watched, the carriages came into view. Harry stared as he saw that the carriages were no longer horseless. They were being pulled by strange creatures that looked like half-horses, half-dragons. He couldn't see them clearly from this distance, and as he squinted to see them better, the students now disembarking from the carriages completely hid the horse-like creatures from view.

"Harry!" Harry heard Hermione calling before he saw her. He saw her mane of bushy brown hair just as she threw her arms around his neck in a big hug, nearly knocking him over.

"Hi, Hermione," Harry said laughing. Ron came up behind her and smiled at Harry brightly.

"Hiya, Harry," he said with amusement. Ron was very tall, looking to Harry as though he had grown at least three inches over the summer. He had a head of shocking red hair, long limbs, a long nose, and lots of freckles. His brown eyes were sparkling with laughter.

Hermione had grown also, but not nearly as much as Ron. She had a great deal of bushy brown hair, brown eyes, and was smiling at Harry brightly.

"Hi, Ron," Harry said, also smiling. The three friends began walking into the Great Hall with the rest of the students.

"Hagrid wasn't on the platform,' Hermione said, scanning the teacher's table with her eyes.

"That's because he hasn't come back yet," Harry said.

Ron and Hermione looked at him. "Has he been writing to you?" Hermione asked.

"No," Harry replied. "But Professor Snape said not to worry about him."

"Since when do you care about Snape's opinion?" Ron asked incredulously.

"Snape's been watching over me," Harry replied as the three friends sat at the Gryffindor table. Hermione's eyes were scanning the staff table curiously.

"Who's that woman next to Dumbledore?" she asked.

Harry looked where Hermione indicated. "Her name's Umbridge," he said distastefully. "She's the new Defense teacher."

"She looks like a right old hag," Ron said. He looked as though he had just smelled something very nasty.

"She is," Harry agreed. "She keeps coming around, asking questions about why I'm here. She doesn't believe Snape's explanation at all."

"And what is Snape's explanation?" Hermione asked, eyeing Harry warily.

"I have epilepsy," Harry said matter-of-factly.

A few heads at the Gryffindor table turned in Harry's direction.

"Oh no, Harry!" Lavender Brown exclaimed. "That's terrible!"

Harry felt himself turning red. He hadn't meant for anyone else to overhear.
"Oh, er, I'm doing well though…" he stammered.

"Harry, I had no idea that you were sick!" Parvati Patil exclaimed.

"Who's sick?" Neville Longbottom asked, sitting down across from Harry.

"Harry's got epilepsy," Lavender said sadly.

"I didn't know that," Neville said, turning to look at Harry. "Why didn't you tell me you were sick?"

"I… I didn't know until this summer," Harry replied. "Look, it's nothing, really! I just…" Harry became aware that the Hall had grown very quiet. He turned and saw that the Sorting Hat was preparing to sing. He wasn't sorry for an excuse to drop the argument. The students around him kept giving him nervous glances throughout the Sorting.

Once the feast was underway, Harry kept his eyes on his plate. He hadn't expected the news of his 'sickness' to start spreading the moment term started. Already people all along the table were starting to whisper and look at him. Some looked curious or sympathetic and a few looked down right smug. Harry groaned and lowered his head over his food, trying to ignore them.

FOUR

Severus sat sulkily at the High Table watching as the students filed in. He had not wanted Harry to attend the feast, but Albus had insisted that Harry be allowed to come. Harry was still weak and frequently had fainting spells during his waking hours. Although the spells had already been cast, Severus doubted that Harry wanted the whole school to find out about his 'sickness' on the first day back.

As his eyes roamed the Hall, Severus noticed that students were whispering quietly to their neighbors. Some were pointing discretely toward the Gryffindor table. How could the students know already? Harry wouldn't have told them, but Harry was still sitting at his table indicating that he hadn't fainted.

Severus fixed his gaze on the Gryffindor table, saw that Harry seemed to be very interested in the food on his plate, and wasn't talking to anyone. Severus decided that he needed to talk to Harry as soon as the feast was over.

Severus turned his attention inwards as Albus stood up to make his usual speech and Severus decided to use the time to contemplate Harry's situation. Harry had probably been explaining his situation to his friends and been overheard by some rumormonger like Lavender Brown or Parvati Patil. Said rumormonger spread the tale to the nearest person who in turn told the nearest person to them and so Hogwarts' legendary rumor mill was thrown into action. His musings came to a screeching halt when Umbridge stood up and cleared her throat with that annoying little cough of hers.

"Hem, hem," she said loudly.

Dumbledore, who had been ready to dismiss the students, gave Umbridge a surprised look and sat down composedly.

"Thank you, Professor Dumbledore," Umbridge said in her horrible simpering voice. "Well, it is lovely to be back at Hogwarts, I must say!" She smiled, showing off her pointed teeth. "And to see such happy little faces looking back at me!"

Severus scowled heavily at the tiny woman, wishing that he could drown her in one of the toilets in the men's lavatory. Severus felt his irritation rising as Umbridge patronized the students about being her friends. She went on to tell the students about the Ministry's point of view on education. Well, Severus didn't need to hear her little speech to know that she was nothing more than a meddling Ministry spy. She was saying something about 'progress for progress's sake' when she was interrupted by a loud shout.

"Harry!" a girl's voice shouted with fright. Severus looked around quickly at the sound of Harry's name. Hermione Granger had jumped from her seat and disappeared behind the table. Ronald Weasley was peering over the edge of the table apprehensively.

Severus sprang from his seat and began moving to the Gryffindor table. Students quickly sank back into their seats after receiving cold glares from the furious Potions Master. When he reached Harry, Severus saw that concerned classmates surrounded the boy.

"Move out of the way!" Severus barked and the circle sprang apart immediately. Severus knelt next to Harry, who was twitching and mumbling non-stop. Severus bent to hear what Harry was saying.

"No, no, no, my dear Muggle friend," Harry wheezed. His eyes were rolled back into his head and he was twitching violently, his body covered in a cold sweat. "I won't be letting you go today. No, you are going to help me, or you are going to die."

Severus was preparing to lift Harry when Umbridge arrived.

"What are you doing, Professor Snape?" she asked sharply.

"I've told you before that this boy is not well," Severus snapped. "I am taking him to his room."

Umbridge chuckled nastily. "Oh no, I think not," she said. "One does not just develop epilepsy. It is my belief that he's making it up."

"I do not have time…" Severus started angrily but Harry cut him off.

"AAAHHHH!" he screamed. "WHY AM I SURROUNDED BY IDIOTS? YOU WILL DO AS YOU ARE TOLD! YOUR OPINION IS WORTHLESS TO ME! CRUCIO!" He started screaming and writhing in Severus's arms, clutching his forehead in pain so that Severus had great difficulty holding him. "MAKE IT STOP!" Harry screamed in agony.

Umbridge was still in Severus' way, trying to block him from leaving. "I want him taken to Madame Pomfrey so that I can talk to him," she said calmly.

"Get out of my way, fool woman!" Severus sneered dangerously. Several of the students nearby looked nervously at Umbridge.

Umbridge made to say something, but Dumbledore had arrived. "Severus is capable of taking care of him, Delores," he said calmly. "Your concern for Harry's well-being is admirable, but right now Severus needs to take care of him."

Umbridge stared disbelievingly as Severus swept passed her, a very still and quiet Harry Potter in his arms. "Blast that woman!" Severus muttered irritated. Harry stirred slightly in his arms, groaning softly in pain.

"What…" Harry asked.

"We're almost there, Harry," Severus said gently, turning into the corridor leading to his rooms. He opened the door and took Harry to his room. He placed Harry on the bed and moved to the night table, removing potions from the cabinet.

He gave Harry a calming potion, the Inhibiting Potion, and a painkiller. Harry groaned again.

"What is it, Harry?" Severus asked.

"It hurts," Harry said so quietly that Severus almost didn't hear.

"What hurts, Harry?" Severus asked.

"I don't know," Harry replied.

Severus sighed and forced himself to remain calm. "I cannot help you if I don't know what's wrong," he said softly.

"Everything hurts," Harry said quietly. "Make it stop. Please?"

Severus felt a curious pang around his chest, but chose to analyze it later. "What kind of pain is it?" he asked.

"Aching."

Severus thought quickly. The painkiller should have gotten rid of whatever ache was left after Harry had taken the Inhibiting Potion. He thought back to the Great Hall. Harry had been screaming for longer than usual. The Dark Lord had sounded very angry about something. Severus made to stand from his knelt position by the bed, but Harry's hand shot out and grabbed Severus'.

"Where are you going?" Harry asked.

"I'll be right back," Severus said gently, prizing Harry's fingers away. He went to his own room and began rummaging through his cabinets. He found a small jar containing a greenish paste. "I really must organize this place," he muttered as he turned to go back to Harry's room.

"What's that?" Harry asked when Severus opened the jar and the smell of mint filled the room.

"It's a muscle relaxant," Severus replied. "I'm going to give you massage."

"Okay," Harry said. Severus removed Harry's clothes, leaving his underwear, and flipped him gently onto his stomach. Severus draped a sheet over Harry's middle and then scooped some of the salve from its jar. Harry groaned as Severus began massaging his shoulders.

"Just listen to my voice, Harry," Severus said, rubbing Harry's shoulders firmly. "Don't expect to do as poorly in Potions this year as you have in previous years." As he spoke, he couldn't help but notice how smooth Harry's skin was under his hands. He shook his head to clear it and continued speaking. "You have shown great aptitude by helping with the Curse Breaking Potion. I'll not have excuses about why you can't." He was now on Harry's lower back. "I know that you can make potions correctly and I will not accept anything less from you."

As Severus began on Harry's long legs nearly thirty minutes later, he heard the telltale slow breathing of sleep. He finished the massage, cleaned Harry and then left the boy to sleep. It had been a long day and Severus needed sleep.

Author's Note: So I didn't update yesterday. Shoot me. I'd like to thank Victoria Ennis for her hard work here. Thanks also goes to…

LeeLeePotter: I'm glad I could provide some nice dreams for you.

Volume: Trust me, this is not my usual. The only reason this is updated so quickly is because it's fully written. Waiting for updates on one of my WIP is not fun at all.

Mariana: Thank you

Shiemi Shimabukuro: Hehehehe. Wait for it… wait for it… Draco is yet to have his say. We shall see…

Sliver of Melody: I've gotten a bit of that. I hadn't realized that people liked chapter 7 so much. Thanks though.

Ktoddhim: No worries. Reviews make me smile, even if they are the same every time.

Shadow Eclipse: No problem, m'dear

Jenni: You'll just have to wait and see, love.

Christina: Why thank you. I'm glad Snape hasn't strayed too far.