Chapter 2

The Confession

The next few weeks didn't pass quite fast enough for Harry, but, eventually, Quidditch practice had started. The first game of the year was coming up that Saturday and he focused all his attention on it. Finally there was something he could occupy his free time with and, for a moment or two, forget about the things that troubled him. He could truly be free from his past, present, and future, from the daydreams he's been having lately, and from the odd feeling he got whenever he caught Snape looking at him.

Late one night when Harry was taking one of his frequent walks through the halls of the old castle he came across Snape and Lucius Malfoy talking in the hall. He should have turned and left the moment he saw them but he couldn't resist eaves dropping. Their voices were not much louder than a whisper so he was forced to move closer.

"I understand his inpatients, Lucius, but these things take time. He will have to wait if he wants it done correctly." Severus said seeming slightly frightened.

Lucius shook his head. "I don't want to be the one to tell him this. Give me something that shows you have progressed, please. I would be punished to return empty handed and you don't want that, do you, Severus?"

"Very well. I can give you one of my trial vials." The potions master reached into his robe and took out a small glass container that was filled with a blood red liquid then handed it to Lucius. "I apologize if it doesn't give him the results he desires, but it is only an experimental batch. I don't believe I have gotten the ingredients quite right yet."

The blond gave a slight nod then turned and left quickly not wanting to be seen. Severus' eyes followed him as he retreated , landing on the tip of a shoe. He was only slightly surprised to see it there. After he was certain that Lucius was out of range he shook his head. "Potter, I know you're there so you might as well take off the cloak."

Harry slowly pulled the cloak off and walked towards his teacher. Snape had finally caught him and he knew this would probably get him expelled. He raised his head to look up at the older man and realized he didn't seem angry, which was rather odd for Snape. "How much did you hear, Potter?"

"I…nothing, sir. I swear." Harry wrapped his cloak around his arms trying to avoid eye contact not wanting to give away his lie.

Snape reached out and took the clothe from the boy. "Come with me, Potter, we need to discuss what you saw here, tonight."

They reached Snape's office and Harry took a seat in front of the desk keeping his eyes on the floor. "I swear, I didn't hear anything, sir."

The older man shut the door then took a seat next to the boy. "I'm sure you now believe I serve the dark lord once more, Potter, but you are wrong. The potion I gave Lucius tonight was for him, yes, but I did not brew it as a loyal servant." Severus straightened his shirt to cover his nervousness. "I made a deal with him. If I can make this potion successfully he will leave me be and give me what I want. The dark lord will completely overlook my past betrayal if I figure this out, Potter."

Harry continued to stare at the stone floor. "I told you I didn't hear anything." After a moment of silence he finally looked up. "And, though you may not believe it, I trust you. I know you aren't on their side anymore. What does it do, the potion that is?"

"That's none of your concern." Severus quickly replied before even thinking. He lifted his head and caught the eyes of the young Gryffindor. "I suppose you have as much right to know as anyone else in the Order. I only ask that this stays between you and I until I have gotten further in my work. Can you do that?" Harry nodded. "Very well. It is, what you could call, a permanent Polly juice potion. It will take the essence of one person and put it into another body and eventually will take it over."

"So, it's a potion that makes someone capable of eternally possessing someone?" Harry asked trying to figure out why Voldemort would want something that did that. "And, what is it you want in return?"

Snape dropped his eyes to the spot on the floor where Harry had been looking earlier. "Something I could never get on my own. Something having to do with an emotion. Love, to be exact."

"Love?" Harry tried not to laugh.

"Something funny, Potter?" Snape allowed his eyes to meet with the boys once more.

"No, sir, I just never thought you the type to be interested in something so …pointless." A sharp look from his teacher made Harry quickly regret his choice in words. "Sorry. Who is it? I mean, do you want just anyone to love you or is there someone specific?"

"There is someone specific I desire, however I will not tell you who it is so there is no need to ask." Snape leaned to the side of his chair trying to unnoticeably get closer to Harry.

"Do you love this person?" The Gryffindor asked. Snape merely nodded. "Then why would you want Voldemort to force them to care for you? Wouldn't it be more intelligent to simply tell them how you feel?"

The potions master thought for a moment about his questions. "How would you respond if I walked up to you some day and told you I loved you?" Harry jumped slightly. "As I thought, you would think me insane and laugh at me behind my back for months. I do not want the person I desire to do that."

"No, I wouldn't do that. I just didn't expect you to say that is all. I sort of figured you'd tell me to get out of your sight before you had me expelled." Harry flashed a slightly nervous smile. "I don't believe that love is something to laugh at either. I know you and I aren't exactly friends but you can tell me who it is. Perhaps there is something I could do to help. Talk to this person maybe?"

"That's quite alright. I think I will take your advice and simply tell them how I feel." Snape reached out and placed his hand on Harry's shoulder then pulled the boy closer, placing a kiss on his dry lips. Without moving more than a few inches from the others face he closed his eyes. "I love you, Harry."