Chapter eleven
It hurt Dumbledore to have to threaten Harry with removing him the Gryffindor Quidditch team, but damn it couldn't the stubborn boy see that his life was in danger? Oh well, in the end he had gotten what he wanted. Harry had agreed to work with Severus
"You know Harry, I don't like to have to resort to threats." The headmaster explained.
"Yes, well could you please just get on with telling me what else it is I must do?" Harry bit out in an angry teary voice.
"There are some things you need to know about Severus my boy," Dumbledore stated flatly.
"Like what? That he is cold and has no heart," Harry asked bitterly.
"Oh no, it's quite the opposite my boy. If I may be so bold, I wish to offer a piece of advice. Observe Severus from a distance for awhile and see if your views of him don't change, Mister Potter," the headmaster offered cryptically.
"Thanks I'll keep that in mind Professor Dumbledore," Harry answered in a disbelieving voice.
"Secondly, you need to know that your father and Severus were not always enemies, in fact, they used to be quite good friends," Albus went on ignoring Harry's snotty remark. This time the headmasters' words were met by the young man's disbelief.
"My father and Professor Snape were friends? Even if what you say is true, Headmaster, what on earth could have caused them to become such bitter foes?" Harry saw Dumbledore's eyes dull in thought. The old man sighed as he said the words that would forever change the way Harry saw his father.
"It is quite simple my boy, William, that is Severus, fell in love with your father and he told him just that. However, he however did so before James was ready to hear it and deal with Severus' declaration in a mature way. Instead, James broke Severus heart by rejecting him in a none too gentle way," Albus explained as he watched Harry carefully, though for what he didn't know.
Harry felt as though he had been sucker punched in the gut. 'Snape was in love with my dad! No wonder he hates me! I am nothing more than a reminder of the pain of rejection to him. Gee Albus, what else have you got to tell me that will make me doubt myself even more!' Harry thought to himself in disgust.
"Is there anything else you wish to tell me Professor Dumbledore?" the Gryffindor asked this question in a defeated whisper.
"No my boy, however, before you go I must ask a favor from you," the headmaster answered. At the seeker's answering nod the elder wizard reached inside his robes and pulled out a vial of pinkish liquid. "Please take this vial and give it to Professor Snape, Harry. Be sure that he takes it because his very health depends upon it," Albus stated.
"Yes Sir, I will do as you ask," Harry took the potion from the headmaster's outstretched hand. It didn't occur to Harry to question why Dumbledore would give him such an important potion rather than giving it to Severus directly. 'Oh I do hope that this is all I have to do because my stomach hurts and my veins feel as though they're on fire. I just want to go lie down.'
Harry left Dumbledore's office, having received the old man's word that he would be allowed to rest after the package had been delivered. The headmaster was worried about Harry. He was as pale as death warmed over. As Albus watched the boy leave he became lost in thought.
'I hate to deceive you like this Severus, but you and Harry will be mated and if all it takes to make you and he see that a mutual attraction does exist is some tasteless veritaserum, then so be it…'