BLOOD OF THE MOTHER By BertaS
Chapter 12
Description: Snape has an unexpected reaction to the removal of the compulsions.
It all belongs to JKR
Lost Compulsions
Harry woke to the unfamiliar sensation of a hand brushing his hair back and resting on his forehead. He opened his eyes and found himself looking at the concerned face of his potions professor.
Within seconds of Harry's eyes opening Snape had snatched his hand back as though it had been burned and the concerned look changed to embarrassment as the mans cheeks turned pink and he stepped back from the bed.
Harry was surprised by this display of emotion from the normally reserved potions master. Looking out the window trying to guess the time. "What time is it? How long was I out?" he asked hoping the older man would get himself under control.
Snape cleared his throat; "It is nearly 9am would you like me to see about breakfast, my Lord?"
Harry who had just put his feet on the floor, stood abruptly and shouted angrily, "Don't ever call me that again."
Snape's reaction was immediate and astounding, at least to Harry.
The older wizard was on his knees forehead on the floor, his hands where also on the floor palms up. This was one of the most vulnerable positions Harry had ever seen anyone assume. The words the professor was babbling at first made little sense to the young man, but as Harry recovered from his anger and shock he was able to put together some of the phrases Snape was saying:
"I'm sorry"
"Don't know what you expect"
"No compulsions, confused"
"I submit to you punishment"
And "I'll be good" where the one repeated most often.
Harry quickly realized the removal of the compulsions was what was responsible for this bizarre behavior. Kneeling in front of the potions master he gently touched his shoulder. "It's alright Professor. Can you sit up for me?"
Snape slowly lifted up and sat back on his heels, head still bowed, hair obscuring his face. In an almost child like voice that was decidedly unlike anything Harry had ever heard from him, Severus said, "I'm sorry, I don't know what I'm to call you."
Harry moved his hand from Snape's shoulder to his chin making him look up, "My friends call me 'Harry'." His other hand moved almost of its own accord brushing the greasy hair back before continuing, "I'd be honored if you would be my friend, Professor."
Severus looked confused as he started to draw into himself "I don't know how." He lifted his arm tattoo up, "Will you put some of them back or make new ones? Please Harry, I'll be good, I just need to know the rules." There were tears flowing down the man's cheeks.
Harry looked at the mark he had left on the man's arm wishing he had been able to remove it completely. Obviously Snape thought it was a mark of ownership.
"No Professor." Harry said softly, "No compulsions." He shook he head, "Friends don't need them. If you really need a rule, how about the Golden Rule?" At Snape's blank look Harry almost laughed, "Treat everyone as you would wish them to treat you."
Snape swallowed and sniffed, "That's going to be more difficult than it sounds, isn't it?"
"Frequently," Harry replied "But it's usually worth the effort. You okay, now?
Snape shrugged and wiped at his face then looked at his hand confused and surprised, "I haven't cried since I was 5, Mama said not to, big boys don't cry."
Harry was shocked he knew some of the spells he had removed where old and in no way really connected to the dark mark, but the man's own mother putting one on when he was 5 years old, seemed to be to much. "It's alright Professor, crying is not bad, just sometimes embarrassing. I think we will need to talk about all the compulsions that were on you, who put them there and why."
At the Professors nod Harry reached out and touched the mark, almost petting the snake, "I told you yesterday that you are free. This mark is a mark of protection; you might call it a symbol of my acceptance of responsibility, not for your actions but for your well being. Do you understand?
Snape nodded again and smiled tentatively "Yes Harry, I think so."
"Good" Said Harry standing and offering his hand to help the older man to his feet. "Why don't you go wash your face? I'll meet you in the kitchen for breakfast."
Chapter 13 – Breakfast – discussions, departures and the Daily Prophet.
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