Chapter 19

Alone in the Astronomy Tower, Severus Snape rubbed his left forearm. Just before dinner Remus had searched him out, handing him a thick textbook. He had merely glanced at the title before rushing straight to the Tower after dinner. Not once had he peered inside the dusty cover. He was afraid. "Always a good place to think- head in the clouds, literally."

Severus froze, "Professor!"

Emerald eyes swept over the dark eyed Slytherin. The cool stared roamed over the trembling figure, taking in every detail. Long black strands of greasy hair had been shoved back into a thick leather band, leaving wide onyx eyes to stand out, even the large nose. Pale, almost translucent, skin was slightly stained, especially around slim fingers. Traditional student robes lay open to reveal a painfully thin body behind overly mended clothing. And Harry was sure if he raised the sleeves, he would find a scarred arm bearing an ugly tattoo of Voldemort's Dark Mark. His trainers had been very insistent that he learn everything about dealing with Voldemort, especially about the Dark Mark. At least what they knew.

Severus shivered, wishing that stare was not directed towards him. He knew what he looked like. He knew what others thought of him, especially his own Housemates. Even as a junior Death Eater, they didn't care much for him. They only cared for his prowess for potions, even his Master. But he wanted nothing more than to leave. It wasn't possible, unless he wished to die. "Did you know that sometimes it's best to play along?"

Severus frowned. What was he talking about? Unless it was something else entirely. "Cheating?"

The low laugh rushed through the student's frame, starting a warm fire at the pit of his stomach. "Only if you get caught. Sometimes it's the only way. I should know. I've used that tactic many times." Harry moved closer to the nervous student, staring out of the window to the stars above, wondering how he had missed this feeling towards Severus. The same feeling he had around one other student but was desperately trying to refuse to act upon, at least for now. He didn't realize his next words fell from his thoughts, "Sometimes it's all you have."

Severus stayed perfectly still. He couldn't remember the last time someone spoke to him like he mattered or at least like an adult. "Thank you."

"It's a few hours before curfew." Onyx eyes widened at his words. "Do come in, Mr. Lupin." Harry began to move away from the stunned Slytherin as he invited the lurking Gryffindor from the doorway. He had already scented the young wizard's arrival just before he even stepped foot upon the stairs leading to the Tower.

"How did you know?" But Remus answered his own question, "I was right."

The same low laugh gave Severus double the thrill and caused desire to flare wildly through Remus. "Did you enjoy the books?"

"Thank you...I think."

The Professor simply gathered his cloak further against his body. "Quite welcome. I know what it's like to not know about who you are. Don't lose them. I do expect you both to be back in your Common Rooms by curfew. I will be checking the Tower by then."

Two pair of eyes watched the dark figure vanish. Remus whimpered with longing. "He knew, Remy. He knew about me, without so many words."

"He knows about me as well, long before I knew of him." Tawny eyes turned to onyx, "You felt it?"

Severus shivered. "He made me feel. Just like you do."

Remus grinned ferally, stalking his mate to the nearest wall, "Then once we finish Hogwarts, we'll make him ours."

"But, Remy, what about?" Severus flickered his gaze to his arm.

"I don't know. We'll think of something. I promise." Then he silenced his mate with a searing kiss.

Outside the Tower door, "What happened? Why did you hate him, Snape? Why did you two leave?" But the whispered words never went further than the owner's ears, fallen deaf upon two occupied males.

Or maybe it didn't. "Shadow?"

Tired emerald met concerned blue as Harry turned at the sound of his name, finding a concerned Albus Dumbledore standing just behind him, "A moment of your time, Albus." Harry didn't bother to ask about the older wizard's sudden decision to appear at this particular place.

And Albus politely ignored the fact he had overheard something quite personal from his young Professor. Instead he led the way back to his office while giving an unneeded answer to the young Vulcan, almost as if Albus knew it was a way of apologizing, "Yes, it is nice to see House rivalries don't matter to those who truly care. My office?"

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Cheery Twizzlers? Useful for such rough nights."

"No, Albus. I simply need a favor." Albus tilted his head, suddenly very curious.

"But of course."

Harry knew Albus was only saying this, acting cheerful. He knew the older wizard was hoping he wasn't placing bad faith into a stranger. "I need a home, unplottable, warded very securely. I need it furnished, able to refurnish itself or be refurnished by its own House-elf."

Blue eyes blinked, solemn and worried, "Shadow?"

For once, Harry lost his composure. "I-I don't know. Simply what I'm told."

Ah, Powers Above. Tricky people they are. Very tricky. Must remember this. "I'm sure I can find the perfect place." Yes, I believe the summer cottage would suffice. Maybe the winter cottage.

"Thank you." Harry quickly stood, "I must go." And vanished.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Shh, Dennis. Colin's safe. We're all safe. I promise. I promise." Ginny gently rocked the trembling, bawling Dennis. She hoped what she said was true. Ever since Dennis had been saved by Harry, Voldemort had taken his frustrations out on them. She couldn't be more thankful for the rings. The stored magic had healed every wound, every bruise, every pain they had, infuriating Voldemort even more.

And that's what led to Colin's predicament. Voldemort had ordered the young boy to be chained from the ceiling. His clothing had been physically torn from his body, allowing the greedy stares to see everything. "Finish it." The few Death Eaters called had continuously tortured the young body once he waschained. And now they would receive the ultimate prize. Adjusting the chains to keep the wriggling body still, they prepared to partake in the sweetest innocence known to man, a child's purity. "Enjoy, my faithful few. Take him how you've longed, how you've desired. Then we shall move on to the sweetness of a Weasley. A Weasley I have possessed before; she is very tasty."

Ginny flinched at those words. She could still feel his overpowering presence in her head, throughout her entire body. But she refused to let him win. "Shh, Dennis. Believe."

Hidden behind a mask, a lone Death Eater wished for interference. Severus Snape had been called, along with the other members of the Inner Circle. Upon his arrival he found two living, breathing students, Ginny Weasley and Colin Creevey, as well as Dennis Creevey. And now he was expected to fully participate in the rape of young Colin. Onyx eyes watched as an eager Lucius Malfoy took up the first position. Pale hands drifted over the trembling figure, uncaring to the river of shameful could only pray he would survive the pain and shame.

"Ahhhh!" Lucius' cry of pain and outrage shocked them all as he jerked away from the young boy's body as if touching him burned.

"Such a shame, Malfoy. And here I thought you enjoyed pain. Oh, I forgot. You enjoy inflicting it, not being a part of it."

Severus' eyes widened. He knew that voice. It sounded a lot like, "Potter!" The Dark Lord wasn't amused.

"Ah, Tommy, my friend." Red eyes flared in anger as they focused upon a shadow figure behind young Colin. They were forced to watch young Potter release, dress, and send the boy back to the safe arms of his brother and friend.

"Crucio!" A beam of light flared through the air, striking and going straight through young Potter. Instead it hit Lucius Malfoy, which caused Voldemort to quickly end it. "Impossible."

"I am the impossible. Or did you forget that!" Harry was tired of playing. But he had no choice. "I grow tired of our little chats, Tom."

"You will never leave Azkaban, boy. Never." But his next words were whispered, meant only for Harry's ears, "They will find you." The Dark Lord refused to admit he couldn't find the boy.

Emerald eyes flared with amusement, willing to play along since his siblings hadn't heard the news. Surely Voldemort didn't want them to know their savior was loose, hunting them down and couldn't be found by anyone, especially an irate Dark Lord, "Just because I'm stuck behind Dementors will not stop me from coming. I promised them," he pointed to his siblings, "that I would come. And come I will."

Something floated through the three trembling figures. Something that told them to hold on. Something that whispered soon, very soon. And they truly believed in those voices. Something or someone was going to take Harry from Azkaban and help him to rescue them. Something was coming, something powerful. And their hopes grew stronger with each promise it made.