-113 - Taking A Leave Of Absence
Harry had just jumped off his firebolt and had been feeling like his old self once again, that is until he saw the look on Snape's face.
Snape had been standing on the edge of the rolling lawn by the elaborate water fountain with his arms folded in front of him. His face showed a stern look which Harry had come to recognize as trouble.
"Potter I require a discussion with you," Snape said in clipped tones.
The invigorating firebolt ride had been good for Harry's self confidence. If he couldn't even face his potions teacher how was he supposed to face Death Eaters? While on his broom he had decided that he was going to rescue Hedwig at all costs and face down his revolting Uncle as well, if it came to that. After much debate he thought he would let Snape in on the plan and see if he might help.
"Follow me into my laboratory," Snape said as he assessed the boy. Harry's coloring looked better then it had since before he left for the summer. He actually looked healthy or as healthy as you could look after the ordeal he had been through. Snape noticed the boy eyeing him with trepidation. He thought he would put him at ease.
"How did you find your ride Mr. Potter?"
"It was brilliant! If I get to play Quiddich again this year, this broom will be my secret weapon," Harry exclaimed, still feeling the adrenaline from his ride.
"What do you mean 'if you get to play this year'? Why wouldn't you play?"
"Erm … you do know I was banned from ever playing again, don't you?"
"Mr. Potter you will find that there will be …shall we say … certain "advantages" to becoming my ward. And one of those advantages is that future Dark Arts teachers will have to face me if they choose to treat you unfairly," Snape said with a curled lip and look of indignation. How dare that ridiculous woman tell his ward what he could and could not do!
Snape almost felt like smiling at the look Harry was giving him. Perhaps the boy will begin to trust a little more.
"But what about Umbridge's ban, Sir?"
"Umbridge? Do you honestly think Umbridge is in any position to uphold that ban?" sneered the Professor.
"I-I don't want you to get in any more trouble because of me," Harry said but still hoped for the best.
Snape stopped walking and looked Harry in the eyes. "I will not have you sitting on the side lines while someone with fewer abilities on a broom claims your position. As far as I am concerned Umbridge's ban means nothing. If you want to play, then you shall play. I will not allow a puffed up bat to tell me what my … my son may or may not do!" With that said Snape walked ahead of Harry with robes billowing behind.
YES! Maybe Snape wasn't going to be such a bad guardian after all. Harry was already planning his first secret move on getting the snitch against Malfoy.
As they descended down the stone steps the air became cooler and smelled slightly damp. Snape opened the door to his lab and allowed Harry to walk through before closing it once again.
The professor walked over to his work bench and turned on his heel to face the boy.
Harry looked up at the professor and saw that he was holding a small vial in his fingers. He bucked up his courage and decided to go through with confiding his plan.
"Erm, Professor, I need to talk with you too."
Snape held a hand up and said, "Wait Potter, I must speak first." He uncorked the calming draught and finished off the last of it. He did not want to cut Harry off but he did not want to take any chances of losing control before he had a chance to tell the boy about the curse. The effects were immediate as he began to relax.
Harry shifted his weight and dropped his gaze, losing a little of that Gryffindor bravery.
Snape spoke in a cool collected voice, albeit a little slower than usual due to the calming draught. "Potter, I have just discovered that I am indeed under a curse. I am not sure which one it is but I am in the process of finding out." Snape held his wand out to Harry, "Take this Potter."
Harry hesitated; it was unheard of for a professor to hand his wand over to his student.
Snape grabbed Harry's hand and placed the wand in it. Harry tentatively held the wand, almost as if it were a live snake.
"You see Potter; I cannot control my anger towards you. At the slightest provocation it is set off like wildfire. I do not wish to harm you. That had never been my intent when I decided to take custody of you ... that is why you must leave." Snape looked at Harry's eyes and saw the confusion and betrayal.
"But, wait! I can try harder ... I'm not sure ..."
Snape abruptly cut him off, "No Potter, it is not your fault. Do you not understand? It is a curse and I have no control over it. I have imparted my wand to you lest I lose control and harm you further. If you see that I am unable to control my emotions you must place me under a body binding spell and floo call Dumbledore immediately."
Harry didn't know what to say. He pocketed Snape's wand and hoped it would never come to that. But was this all true? Or did Snape just get tired of taking care of him?
"I am trying to get you out of here as quickly as possible but the Headmaster has not returned my floo call. I cannot floo call anyone else without being detected by the ministry. We are really in quite a quandary, as it were." Snape folded his arms in front of him keeping his eyes on Harry. The boy's emotions were so readable. He could tell Potter was blaming himself once again.
"Sir, what if I promise not to make you angry again and …" Harry begged, dignity long forgotten.
Once again Snape cut him off, "Stupid child, are you not listening?" He spun on his heel facing away from his young charge and placed his hands flat on the workbench. Was the boy trying to be obtuse or was he really ignorant of the facts just explained to him?
Harry's heart sunk but he tried not to let his face show how he was feeling. It hadn't taken long for Snape to tire of him too. What was all that talk about 'the advantage of becoming his son' about? He felt so stupid; of course Snape didn't really want to follow through with the adoption.
In a quieter tone Snape continued, "Harry you must understand that you are in danger."
It all sounded like a big joke to Harry, the Professor seemed perfectly fine right now. Why didn't he just come out and tell him to get out. He didn't need to go through this game.
Harry took a deep breath and wished that he had had time to make the invisibility potion before.
"Sorry Professor, I'll leave when you want. I should go up and pack ... or-or do you wish for me to leave the clothes you bought behind," Harry had whispered the last part and was looking down at his shoes, now feeling completely pathetic.
Snape felt the boy still hadn't appreciated his intent. He turned back around and saw the boy's shoulders slumped and head hanging. He merely wished the boy to leave temporarily, just until the curse was under control.
Harry suddenly looked up into Snape's eyes and saw the false concern. He had enough of this game and gave a little smirk. To hell with Snape! He didn't need all those clothes or anything else from the man.
"I really didn't need all that stuff anyways. I mean I think it's pretty ridiculous to have ten pairs of pajamas when I sleep in a t-shirt and sweatpants. I hope you don't get mad but I gave those pajamas to your house elf. And some of those jumpers look like something my Aunt Petunia would wear," Harry spat out with anger.
"Potter it is obvious you have not understood this conversation." Snape bent his head and pinched the bridge of his nose. What's wrong with the boy?
"Oh yeah? I'm not as dim as you think I am Snape!" Harry was getting tired of this roller coaster ride with the professor. What kind of trick was this anyway?
Snape wanted to explain again but felt the calming draught had not worked as well as he had anticipated. He began to feel on edge and worried that he might lose control if he spent much more time with the boy, "Pack whatever you wish. Just go!"
Harry looked towards the workbench trying to eye the potions book. If he just had that potion then maybe his plan to save Hedwig might still work.
Snape saw the direction the boy's eyes had flicked and remembered the little talk he had planned for Harry regarding the invisibility potion. "Potter, I truly hope you are not so dimwitted as to make an illegal potion. Whatever ridiculous scheme you might have planned … will-not-work."
Harry had had enough! First the Professor wanted to kick him out and now he was calling him names and shooting down a plan that he knew nothing about. "You know Professor if you wanted me to leave, you just needed to come out and tell me. And as far as my ridiculous scheme, you would know nothing about saving a friend because you have never had one!"
How dare the boy talk to him in that manner. Insolent, impertinent boy! Snape could no longer focus on the words that were said but only on the surge of heated emotions coming from within himself. The anger coursed through him stronger than before and much quicker this time. The anger overtook the professor before he even had time to warn Harry.
Snap lunged at the boy grabbing him by the collar of his shirt. Harry hadn't moved quickly enough and the professor now had hold of him and had just raised his fist in the air. Harry grabbed the wrist of the hand holding his shirt collar. The professor froze as he looked into Harry's eyes. Emerald green eyes.
"Severus … don't do this ... please." Harry looked directly into Snape's foggy eyes.
Snape felt a tiny connection to the boy through the dark magic that almost completely overtook him. Snape harshly pushed Potter away from him and growled out one word, "RUN!"
Harry flew back and slammed against the wall but held his balance. He kept his eyes on Snape and couldn't hide his look of absolute betrayal. Turning and running up the stairs taking two at a time and out the dungeon door, he stormed through the kitchen and out the backdoor. He headed straight to the only place he felt at peace ... his Firebolt. With or without the invisibility potion he was going to save his constant companion, HedwigWhy did he ever trust the man?
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After several moments without Harry in the room, Snape used his occlumency skills to pull himself back to reality. He took several deep breaths and felt he might be under control once more. He had almost lost control again! The boy must be sent away! He sat down heavily in the closest chair and dropped his head into his hands. Why, why did this have to happen now … when he was so close to gaining the boy's trust? The look on the boys face would haunt him for days.
He decided to continue on with the potion to detect exactly what curse this was, before seeking out Harry againHe wasn't cut out for this teenage angst. The boy could probably use some time to let the words he spoke to him sink in a littleIt seemed to Severus that Potter hadn't fully grasped the conversation correctly and might be feeling hurt. Maybe with some time and especially after this latest display he might work through it and come to realize he was telling the truth.
Severus began the potion. Just as he was adding the last ingredient in the potion, the floo turned green.
About bloody time Dumbledore.
Severus made his way to the fire and knelt down before it. He saw the Headmaster's head in the green flames.
"Severus are you alone? I only have a few minutes as the floo is being watched closely."
"Yes. The boy is brooding outside as we speak," Severus mocked, angry the Headmaster had taken so long to get back to him. He could see Dumbledore's mouth turn down with disappointment.
"It seems that the ministry is still being pushed by a very powerful wizard to have Harry returned to the Dursley's," Albus stated, getting right to the point.
"How can that be Professor? Hasn't the public been outraged by Potter's circumstances?"
"Yes Severus, very much so, but the ministry still wants to get control of Harry. Hogwarts is crawling with officials and every floo is under high security. Even the Granger's and Weasley's have had their floo's monitored and owls intercepted. Do not apparate out of the safe zone; they will detect that as well."
"Professor that puts us in quite a conundrum then," Snape didn't know how to tell the professor about the curse but in the end decided to just give it to him straight. "After careful research I regret to inform you that I have found myself to be cursed with an old Dark Arts blood curse that at this moment is running through my veins. If Potter provokes me in the slightest I lose control of my ability to hold back my anger. It is as if the flood gates have opened and I cannot stop them. It is imperative that Mr. Potter leave my presence immediately!" Snape tried to control his voice but failed. He needed to impress Dumbledore with his desperate plea to get Harry away and quickly.
"Severus have you harmed the boy?" Dumbledore's voice had an angry edge to it. He knew that Severus had problems controlling his emotions towards the boy but now with a curse on top of that, the situation was grave.
"At this point, not beyond repair, but I can make no promises the next time it happens."
"That is very grim news indeed," Dumbledore paused before saying, "Is your Aunt still residing with you?"
"Yes, the old bat has not yet tired of my company," Snape said with sarcasm.
"Well, then you must hand Mr. Potter's care over to her, until this problem can be rectified."
"Hah! Professor Dumbledore, you obviously do not know my Great Aunt. She would just as soon lock the boy in his room and throw the key away. No, she mustn't have control over Potter."
"Severus we are in desperate times here," Dumbledore had more bad news to convey,
"Severus at this time the lands surrounding your manor are crawling with ministry officials and as of last night … Death Eaters as well. Several of your neighbors have been targeted and the Dark Mark has been seen. They have honed into the area you are in and are desperately trying to find you. Unfortunately both sides are looking for you and most especially for Harry. It is impossible to move Harry or even to have him pass through the floo undetected." The Headmaster looked bleak as he was beginning to think of a solution.
"Severus do you think you could keep from hurting Mr. Potter again?"
"Do I have a choice?" sneered Snape.
"Unfortunately I wish I could offer you assistance but it is not possible to move Harry."
"I've already exhausted my supply of calming draught to keep from harming him anymore and that only gave me a few extra minutes before I lost control. I really can not be in the same vicinity as the boy. I suppose I will have to lock myself in the dungeon until I find the antidote," Severus said as he silently calculated the time it would take to brew the potion.
Dumbledore hesitated before asking, "Severus have you spoken with Harry about the night you found him at the Dursley's yet?"
"No, I did not feel he was up to that particular horror as of late."
"Well, you must discuss the abuse he suffered at the hands of his relatives with him. Our only hope is to bring formal charges against the Dursley's in the Wizard court or they will get custody. We must prepare Harry to speak about the atrocities he suffered to the Wizarding Child Protective Services. If he decides not to tell about the events that took place at the Dursley's then we risk the chance of losing him Severus."
"Albus, I-I can't take the chance of losing him. I've grown rather … attached to the boy," Severus said. He'd be damned if he would let the Dursley's get their hands on Potter again!
"Well then, that should give you incentive to find the antidote for that curse of yours and then get Harry to open up to you." Dumbledore was trying to sound much more optimistic than he felt.
"Yes, I will not sleep until I fix this." Snape said as he thought about the look of betrayal Harry had given him earlier again.
"Fine, I will contact you as soon as possible. And Severus, good luck with the task at hand," Dumbledore said and then disappeared from the fire.
Severus walked back to his potion, knowing that he truly would not sleep until he solved this mystery. He picked up the ladle and stirred it three times counter clock wise. He then rolled up his sleeve and picked up a sharp knife. He pricked his arm with the knife and slowly blood dripped into the cauldron. It began to bubble as he watched with concentration.
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Harry ran out to the lawn area and jumped onto his firebolt. He was determined to leave this place immediatelyHe kicked off and soared up in the air. Slow down and get control. He knew exactly where he wanted to make his exit from. As he headed towards the edge of the safety zone he began to hear a chime. What the hell was that ringing that could suddenly be heard? He moved back towards the manor and the chimes stopped. It must have been some sort of warning signal. As he flew towards the edge of the safety zone he began to see a pink glow and looked around and noticed it was the protection barrier that Snape had cast. He hadn't seen it earlier but then remembered that he hadn't flown that close to the barrier. He circled the entire perimeter hoping to find an opening that did not ring. The last thing he needed was a demented Snape on his tail.
After a good hour of circling the estate he finally came to the conclusion that he would just have to fly right through the barrier and out to freedom. He decided to fly out over the rolling lawn, over a clump of trees and tall hedge. He aimed his broom and headed straight for the barrier. The closer he came to freedom the louder the ring. Whatever that ringing was, it was not going to stop him from saving Hedwig. He picked up speed and was heading straight for the pinkish glow. Faster, faster he sped through the air until he could hardly catch a breath, his body hugging the broom. The pink glow was getting closer, Harry shut his eyes as he was about to pass through, the bells ringing incredibly loud now in his ears. Slammm!
Harry never knew what hit him. The barrier not only kept people out but it apparently also kept people in as well. He flew back off his broom and hurtled out of the sky towards the ground. He suddenly remembered Snape's wand and cast the same spell Dumbledore had when he had fallen off his broom at a Quiddich game.
"Aressto Momentum!" The Gryffindor yelled in a panic as he pointed Snape's wand at himself.
The spell slowed him down enough so when he landed into a large hedge it was just enough to buffer against serious damage. He sat up warily and tried to asses the damage to himself. His arms and legs had deep scratches but other than that he was remarkably okay. Now what? He made his way out of the hedge and felt around the grass for his glasses, finally finding them broken and bent. Great now he couldn't even find his way back!
He searched for the broom holding the broken eyeglasses to his eyes and saw it hanging in a tree.
"Accio Firebolt! " Harry held out his hand and the broom flew into it. He looked at his new firebolt and wanted to cry in frustration. The beautiful broom was crumbled into several pieces. He had even managed to ruin a gift from someone who had actually liked him for who he was. Remus had always been so kind. Then he thought about Snape and his lie to get rid of him. Bloody hell why hadn't this worked out? Why did he have to ruin everything!
Harry dropped down to his knees on the grass, holding onto his broom. The impact of the barrier to his head had made him dizzy. He began to take deep breaths to stop the spinning but that wasn't working. He tried to stand up but the spinning worsened and he fell back down to the grass finally losing consciousness.
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Severus was watching the cauldron carefully and waiting for the color to change. Finally after several minutes it turned a putrid green and yellow smoke billowed upwards. He opened up the dark arts book and found the answer he had been looking for.
The curse was beyond any evil curse he could have imagined. He read what the curse entailed:
Familila Destructo - A curse that must be made by a family member against a blood family member. The curse begins the day a child is born or an adoption is to take place. The person cursed will be provoked by the slightest anger which will be multiplied by hundreds, thus giving the cursed family member an uncontrollable urge to harm/kill the child. The curse is given by drinking the blood of the curser along with a potent hex that will be in the blood stream for life. The only known antidote is a complicated potion that must be brewed within the first month the curse takes effect. This curse is usually cast to keep an inheritance from being …
Snape stopped reading and sat heavily on the stool. No, No I can't believe it! He opened the book again and searched out the complicated potion and began to gather the ingredients. His heart was racing and he was still in shock. How could his own father do that? Did he really hate him so much?
His head was still spinning as he began to prepare the ingredients. He worked methodically while trying to push his feelings for his father away, failing miserably. Who had his father planned to leave the estate to? Blasted man, why didn't he just disinherit him instead of casting the curse?
Severus thought of Harry and what he had almost done to him. The thought concerned him more then he would have liked. He was actually starting to have 'real' paternal feelings for the young Gryffindor and didn't want anything to stand in the way of the adoption. The potion bubbled and an awful metallic smell began to fill the room. I've smelled this metallic once before, but when?
Suddenly, the barrier alarm went off, filling the dungeon with the sound of a shrill bell. Snape took the cauldron off the fire and reached for his wand. Where the hell was his wand? Then he remembered … I gave it to Potter.
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