Chapter 8 - Suffering of the Potions Master
By: Zero Star (zrostar)
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~ A heavy weight pressed in all around him, suffocating him. He could not see, he could not breath. He was cold, but not aware enough to be frightened. His eyes were open, but there was nothing around him to see. He was unable to move and totally unable to struggle. Yet, somehow he was aware of movement, very slight, as if something were pushing against him, flowing all around him. He was wrapped in soft velvety chains that tugged this way and that. ~
With a crashing thump Harry hit the floor of his dormitory. It took several moments of muffled cries and flailing to realize he was awake, or at least not dreaming anymore. He sat on the floor with a headache, his sheets tangled around him.
Neville seemed to be the only one that awoke at Harry's fit. "Harry, are you alright?" His quiet nervous voice was hard to hear.
That took a moment to determine. Harry was still half asleep. "Yes, Neville. Just had a bad dream. Go back to sleep, I'm okay."
"If you are sure. Wake me should you need anything !" Neville replied worriedly, but was soon fast asleep again.
"Very sweet of you... Good old, Neville." Harry murmured aloud, a small smile tugged at his lips.
Out of habit, Harry looked at his clock. Three in the morning. Had he been thinking clearly, he would have known exactly what time it was, without looking.
'A walk will clear my head.' He thought, finding his cloak.
Had Harry Potter been more awake, he would have remembered the various warnings he had received the past few days. Had he been thinking clearly, he would have recalled running into shadows in the hallway. Had he been paying better attention as he passed by the dungeons, he would have noticed Severus Snape was staggering through the hallway, some distance behind him.
After a moment, Harry did hear faint words being whispered. Words that sounded like curses and snarling.
He stopped his walking, and listened hard. Something deep within the boy was tell him to hold very still and not look behind him. Not taking the risk of being spotted again, he did as his instincts told him.
Snape shuffled by, wearily. It seemed he hadn't changed his clothing since the first night the students arrived. His robes were extremely wrinkled and worn. His black, extra-greasy hair seemed even more stringing and tangled than usual. His dark, malicious eyes appeared hollow and sunken. Something Harry recognized on himself, from lack of proper sleep.
"Blasted dreams will put me in my grave. Dark Lord be damned, but the sender of these nightmares is wicked indeed..." Snape muttered to himself, sleepily, as he slowly stepped by Harry's hiding spot. "Headmaster! I'm coming to confess my many sins, for this is my last night on earth."
Harry wanted to ask him, so badly, if he had been having the same dream. Perhaps the Potions Master was suffering from the same nightmares that haunted him for years. Perhaps his mind was still plagued by images of death eater masks dripping with blood and Dark Marks hanging in the night sky.
It was obvious by his direction and words that Snape was wandering towards Dumbledore's office. He was speaking of his own death. Harry hoped that his slurred threats were sarcasm at his situation and not actual threats of suicide.
Deciding to make sure it was not a valid threat, Harry slowly and quietly followed Snape.
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"Albus! Albus Dumbledore, you waited me out and now I am at your mercy." Snape fell through the door to the Headmaster's office, oblivious to any shiny trinkets, interesting items or even the large fiery bird that appeared to loved him so much.
"Ah, Severus... I thought you would come to me sooner or later." Please have a seat.
Harry slipped in quickly behind Snape and stayed firmly by the doorway, ready to escape behind him again, should one or both leave the room.
Dumbledore had been sitting behind his desk, seemingly waiting for this exact moment. The old man moved to help the Slytherin Head, steadying him while the younger claimed a chair in front of the large, wooden desk.
"These dreams, Albus," he began right away, but as coherent as his words were, the formation of them was slurred and drunk sounding. After a while, Snape started to babble. "are trying to kill me. I'm going to suffocate in my sleep. I've tried every sleeping potion I can make, save the Daught of Living Death, nothing works. These dreams are beyond dreams. Beyond nightmares. In a part of my mind I can't reach!"
"Severus! Please, stay calm." Dumbledore's gentle nature was taking effect. "It is important that you tell me about these dreams. How much have they progressed since they've started? I need to know what you think they mean."
Snape suddenly seemed wide awake. "I can't do that Professor."
"Severus... please, I can't stress how important this is." The ancient blue eyes smiled onto the Potion Master's ragged figure.
Snape was hard pressed between his secrets and his loyalty to the Headmaster of Hogwarts. No doubt in Harry's mind that Snape wanted to storm away, cursing everyone and everything. Yet, a tremble ran through the man, and Snape, in great mental anguish rested his face in his hands and leaned forward. It looked as if he were going to cry.
Albus reach out to comfort him, when Snape stood up quite suddenly. Save for his gaunt features he looked as he normally did, as if his strength returned full force.
"I'll see if I can write it out for you, Sir. These things just can't be put verbally, not tonight at least. But, it will take a few day." Snape stated in a calm confident tone, his voice steady and bold.
"Thank you for your time, Headmaster." A sharp nod of thanks from the Potions Master signaled the end of the conversation. Snape turned easily on his heel and marched for the door.
Harry darted out behind him, just barely able to make it. Not believing the game of charades that his Potions professor had just accomplished. No wonder he was such a good spy.
As soon as Severus had reached the hall, he returned to his near death state, shuffling and muttering. "Damn you for asking." The last audible words from his mouth.
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I'm not sure if I like this chapter or not...
It sort of had a mind of it's own when I wrote it.
For now I think I'll keep it.
Thanks for sticking with me! Oh btw, Wink At J00 and SilverWolf
thank you so much for the suggestions. With your help, I believe
I've figured out what to do. Chap 17, look for it ;)
11-8-02