Chapter 10 - Insomnia

'Big Up' to my 100th reviewer (and all the rest) for inspiring me to soldier on. You will note that original chapter 9 was torn down and replaced with something worth reading! Sorry for the drivel I posted initially, I was wrong and I know it! If I mis-write the Weasleys, please forgive me – I never write Weasley fic – they are far to normal for me to handle! The thumbscrews are tightening……..

"SO, he tried to kill himself Dad?" Ron's blue eyes grew wider than average, and he put the handful of crisps back in the bowl. "That's bloody unbelievable, isn't it? I mean, it's Harry! He's a star seeker, the girls at school are really on to him, he's always in the paper, and he's got really, really great friends"

Ron sat back in his chair, face scrunched up in concentration. Mr. Weasley put a hand on the boy's shoulder and gave him a reassuring hug. "Sometimes, Ron it appears that one can have everything and yet feel left with nothing. I think perhaps the stress of the last two years has been hurting Harry more that any of us knew. Know we can only help him as best we can, and offer support, friendship, family and love to him."

"It was those damn Muggles, wasn't it Dad? Do you remember in our second year, when Fred and George and I had to go and rescue him in the car? Did you know that they fed him only a tin of cold soup a day? That he was locked in his room the entire time? His uncle was always threatening him… Dad, how could Professor Dumbledore allow this to happen?"

"I don't know Ron. I wishI had all the answers." A sudden shriek followed by loud wailing from upstairs signaled that Molly had told Ginny of the near-death of Harry Potter. Arthur ran his hand through his hair, and said "I truly think that this comes as a shock to all of us. Poor, poor Harry. So many things make sense now."

Fred and George entered the room, appropriately cowed under the circumstances. Sitting down on the davenport, they stared at Ron expectantly. Taking a deep breath, George spoke first, looking tremendously serious.

"So, you're not going to try and off yourself now are you, Ron?"

"Yeah, I mean, you must feel guilty. He was your best mate after all."

"Is his best mate, Crikey! But, you must be feeling some guilt for being jealous of him all these years, and then to find out that he was being abused… "

"and suicidal…"

"it's really got to eat at you, being a bloke's best friend and then…"

"And as your older brother.."

"Brothers!"

"Brothers, sorry mate. We don't want to see anything happen to you."

"You know you can talk to us, right Ron?"

"Yes, really, we are here for you man!"

"Honestly, I don't know how you can just sit there like that…"

"Don't you even care man! I mean, a man almost DIED!"

"BOYS! That is more than enough!" Molly Weasley's shrill voice cut the twins banter down instantly. "How DARE you? At a time like this, a little SUPPORT is needed!"

Blushing as bright as their hair, eyes to the floor in shame at their thoughtlessness both Fred and George immediately apologized. Ron was indeed looking near tears, and his freckles stood out horribly his skin had gone so pale.

"I wasn't thinking."

"It was the shock really, I mean, bloody 'ell!"

"Didn't mean to sound like I was coming down on you, really..."

"Couldn't think of a better best friend, you basically saved his life first year!"

"And if it hadn't been for you, he wouldn't have been rescued second year…"

"But then we wouldn't have been grounded, mind."

"Well, there is that. But still…"

"WE BOTH THINK IT'S A DAMN SHAME!" In unison.

"That will do, boys. Harry will need those who he is close to around him. As the Dursleys are about to be handled by the ministry, that means us! We will need to go to Snape Manor tomorrow to see Harry, and to remind him of his real family, here with us. He will have a long recovery, I would assume, and perhaps we could help brighten his perspective." Arthur Weasley's quite and authoritative voice silenced everything but Ginny's sniffling. All around him nodded in agreement, and Molly pulled the twins close into a hug.

"I'm going to make some hot chocolate, and then we should all try to get a little sleep. This is a huge shock for all of us. Your father and I both expect you all on your best behavior tomorrow at Professor Snape's home. We understand that your relationship with him at while at Hogwarts is, well, rather negative, however we shall be in his home, and respect is required. Bear in mind that he is an important member of the Order, and that were is not for Severus' involvement with Harry over the last week, he most likely would not have survived."

Everyone filed into the kitchen, lost in thoughts as to what tomorrow would bring.

Back at Snape manor after what Severus thought of as "the-redundant-meeting-with-the-headmaster-that-did-more-damage-to-my-digestivetractthan-1,000-pots-of-coffee-could", Severus was preparing a brandy for himself and another custom concoction for his charge. Although he had expected Albus to desire Harry stayed in Hogwarts' infirmary, he was stunned when the request came that he continued to care for the boy. Physically the boy had improved since arrival, but his psychological state had deteriorated to a point that was frankly frightening.

Unsure of where to progress, Severus had asked Dumbledore for help, and not surprisingly, gotten a cryptic answer that "riddles are meant to be solved". Had the circumstances not been so dire, Severus would have followed this statement with his favorite bad joke 'actually, Riddle is meant to be killed!" This had seemed in particularly bad taste, and as such, he had kept this to himself.

Arranging the last ingredients of Harry's Stabilizing Potion, he was aware of the appearance of a house elf in the room. Without looking up, he questioned "yes, Ninny?"

"Master Severus, here is a letter for you. It is from a very annoying small owl that will not stop moving. Here you are, Sir."

Taking the envelope and nodding to the elf in a small black dress with a white apron, he began adding the shredded hippogriff hoof to the mixture, stirring counter-clockwise as he did so. Leaving the cauldron to boil for a full 10 minutes, he slit open the envelope, noting the Weasley family seal in blue wax on the back. Being that it was from Molly Weasley, Severus was pleased that the envelope was NOT red and did NOT contain a howler. Pulling the letter from in, he read.

Dearest Severus;

Thank you so much for your attentiveness to Harry. Your selflessness and kindness in this matter is much appreciated. Professor Dumbledore informed us this evening of the situation, and we should very much wish to see him at your convenience. Ronald in particular is most anxious about his friend.

Please let me know if tomorrow is too soon.

Warmest Regards,

Molly and Arthur Weasley.

With a loud groan, Severus took a sip of his brandy, noting that no one said no to Molly Weasley and lived comfortably to tell the tale. He stirred the final ingredient into the waiting potion, which had turned an admirable shade of puce, and removed it from the heat. Placing a cooling charm over it, he knew he would be up all night prepping a fresh batch of Calming Draught, as the last of it had been used upon their return from the Headmasters Office. Harry's meltdown had intensified to the point where he had begun retching, and his system was fragile enough that to allow the boy to dehydrate at this point would be a critical error. The boy had quietly accepted the potion, and had resumed his favourite activity of ceiling-staring.

Severus pondered how to best reply to Molly's letter. Should he warn them of how serious the boy's condition was, or did they already know? Should he limit the number of family members? Should he tell them all to bloody well bugger off, which is what he most wanted to do? And should he warn the boy of their impending visit, or leave it as a surprise? Or shock, as the case would most likely be. As he remembered the Weasleys, they were loud, raucous and overwhelming. Just what a recovering suicidally depressed disassociative teenager needed in his life! Severus snorted into his brandy snifter and picked up a quill with a deft movement.

Messer and Mrs Weasley;

Tomorrow will suffice. Please arrive at Snape Manor no earlier than 1pm and no later than 1"15. The floo system will only be open during that time, as I am sure you will understand I am being cautious about security measures. I will debrief you and Harry will be prepared for your arrival. The elves will have aperitifs prepared for your enjoyment.

With regards,

Professor Severus S. Snape.

Content with what he had written, Severus took a chunk of black wax, placed it into a silver ladle and melted it over the small flame normally reserved for his private cauldrons. Pouring a blob of said wax onto the envelope, he firmly pressed the Snape Family Crest into it, and then handed the letter to Ninny.

"Attach it to Poe, and he will deliver it. I do not trust another family's owl."

Bowing deeply, the elf thanked him and retreated from the room, leaving his to a long evening of potion brewing and worry.