OK Yall! I am getting so excited about the ½ Blood Prince! WE are having a big party here in Vancouver BC – a place called KidsBooks - ,000 dress up, meet at midnight on the 16th of July, go to Gringotts to retrieve our first copy of the book! Too cool, no? I am excited about finding out WHO the ½ Blood Prince is! A year is a LONG time between books, for speed-readers, isn't it? Big love to all my readers, fans and reviewers, who have waited far too long for an update – we will finish this soon, I promise! Writing Fanfic is harder once you turn 30 – real life sets in! Thanks everyone, you keep my inspiration fired up!

Dedication

Chapter 14

His return was more painful that he could ever have imagined. The pressure returned tenfold, his entire body rebelling in agony against him. Noises were overly shape; the usually dulcet tones of Professor Snape ringing painfully shrill and shapr against his ears. Straining hard, he shut his eyes against the offensive glare of the fire. It shot daggers through his brain and his stomach threatened to revolt against him.

"Potter?" More softly yet, "Harry?"

A wand raised was carefully run over the length of his body and back again. He could feel the magic penetrating his skin, searching, searching through his very being … Harry forced himself to breathe in a slow and controlled rhythm, although he felt periously close to a panic attack. His chest, well, ached. He couldn't move about freely, his largest fear being confinement and an inability to exert any control over his life was now coming true.

A long thrumming pain radiated from his core, persistent and unrelenting. An exhaustion so complete threatened to take over his mind, and draw him back to the dark nameless place where nothing mattered. Something in the Potions Masters tone encouraged him to overcome the exhaustion, and attempt to deal with the inevitable discomfort of conciousness. He wondered if he might regret his next actions later, but felt obligated to try.

"Professor Snape, Sir?" The words nearly tore his lungs out from beneath his ribs. Harry reeled from the effort of the spoken word. He wished desperately that he could kythe with the man who had saved his life repeatedly. As soon as he thought it, a flash enlightened his mind – Why don't you try? You might be surprised at the outcome, young Potter.

The words were not his, and Harry's eyes rolled back once again under heavy lids as he realized that he could communicate without spoken word, without significant effort or energy, with the man he viewed as one of his greatest enemies for the last five years of his life. Some things were too difficult, too confusing to bear.

'Well, Hells inglorious Bells. He's bloody well unconscious again. He asked for the silent communication, and I gave it to him. This boy is never satisfied! Just like his Fucking father!' As soon as the last thought crossed his mind, Severus immediately regretted it. 'Lilly, forgive me. Your blood flows much stronger through his veins. James wouldn't think twice about social responsibility, his role in the great picture, nor his impact, positive or negative, on those around him. Lilly, your quiet concerns lie in your son's blood, your firey disposition rules him. He cannot control himself, and it might well destroy him. He is wrought with insecurities; something James would never understand. I have acted unfairly towards your only child; forgive me!' Tears scrolled down Severus' face as he sent his last thoughts up like a prayer. He honestly felt his had dishonoured her memory, disrespected all She had stood for, and had been callous and jaded in his actions. Had he been able to read his mind right now, Severus was certain Albus would have fainted dead away. Much like Potter had.

Running another diagnostic charm over the boy's frail body, Severus prepared to administer another dose of the Deadly Nightshade Concoction which formed the base of the Heart's Constitution Potion. It had saved the boy thus far, Severus' quick thinking and knowledge of the abstract had guaranteed this. Poppy had healed the infection, but clearly the extensive blood loss, psychological instability, and malnutrition had led to Potter's deteriorated state. He had no muscles left on his body what-so-ever, (had this boy not been a STAR quidditch player?) He was simply skin and sinew – nothing more. Severus held onto the bare hope that underneath all the trauma, abuse and overwhelm Harry's mind might still be intact. Fat chance! A voice in his head howled back to him. You looked into his eyes, or, rather, attempted to. Nothing left to read, the slate has been wiped clean. Even if you succeed in saving him, he will be nothing better than a school janitor like old Argus Filtch; the world's biggest loser!

"Fuck You:" Severus said out loud.

"Oh, yes master! Ninny will be Fucking Herself off, right now:" The House-elf made to disappear from the room, and Severus quickly stopped her actions.

"Ninny, Ninny, no, don't leave right now. It is a figure of speech, I was Speaking to…. Well, my negative thoughts." He answered weakly. It sounded pathetic, even to his own ears.

The house-elf clearly felt he was lying to her. It was not the first time she had heard those words, and she understood their meaning entirely. The look on her face clearly portrayed this inner conflict.

"No, I mean it. I command you to stay here, Ninny. Lords only know when I will need assistance."

Giving her master a most piercing look, the house-elf resumed her guard by the door.

Walking over to the poster bed. Severus placed a lean hand on the coverlet. Feeling the consistent rise and fall of his wards chest. Reassured for the moment that the boy was not dying, he resumed his vigil in the old burgundy leather chair near the bay windows. Resting his head heavily upon the back, he was near a moment of respite when the heavy chiming of the Floo network sounded. Starting abruptly, he found that Harry was still resting quietly and Ninny had made herself scarce.

The Floo network sounded again. In his chagrin, Severus rose , longing for a cup of extremely strong tea, and began the ardurous task of heading across the chamber to the room. At that moment a knock sounded, and the timid voice of Ninny announced " The Family Weasley has arrived, Sir!"

Resting a hand against the foot poster of the bed, Severus realised that the last 24 hours might indeed be a picnic in comparison to the next 24. running a hand through his ragged hair, he instructed the house-elf. " Please ensure that they all receive tea and refreshments. Divert their attentions so that I can prepare Harry and myself to receive them.'

"Yes sir, right away sir!" Squeaked the diminutive creature through the heavy oak door.

Severus was relieved to note that a steaming cup of black coffee now sat at the bedside table, as well as the necessary supplies to make Harry appear presentable.

"Circe be at my side for this ordeal." He prayed as he gulped down the boiling brew and prepared to clean up his charge.