Speak to Me
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor anything associated with him. He's property of J. K. Rowling and Warner Brothers.
Summary: Hogwarts is has closed for a year, and Harry is thrown in his room, locked from the outside world, forbidden to speak. What happens when he forgets he has a voice? When school starts up again, who's going to teach him to speak?
Warning: Possibly A/U, Mentions of Abuse. OotP Spoilers, HP/SS SLASH (Will be slash later on, much later, because I prefer to work it in, not just jump in. So don't pressure me.), Some bad language. Possible Strong prejudice against Gays, as well as Apathy towards them and nasty remarks.
Author's Note: Yes, I did get the idea for Jackel's looks from Jack Sparrow. Come on, he's dead sexy, I couldn't help it. As for Harry not talking, perhaps the summary didn't make it clear. Harry CAN talk. That's why Snape is going to teach him to talk again. He's forgotten to, forgotten how to. There's not enough motivation there for him to talk, therefore he doesn't, even though he tried. It's a subconscious thing, really. And Jackel can get as mad as he wants to at anything, maybe you didn't notice; He's MY character. I made his personality. You don't know him. I do. Now that that's settled. one last note. There's going to be prejudice against gays in my story, strong prejudice in some cases. Apathy in others. Nasty remarks about gays. I decided in my RoR story I like writing it that way. In this one it's going to be with most pureblood families, simply because gays couldn't exactly carry on the bloodlines unless they found a willing woman ... somehow.
Ch. 4 - Meetings
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'Please don't tell anyone who I am. Anyone at all. I really am sorry, Jackel...'
Jackel read it, and shoved it aside, giving Harry a disgusted look. "Don't worry," He said calmly, his eyes hot with anger, "I wont say a word. Please move."
Harry hung his head and stepped aside, allowing Jackel to leave his room.
--
Harry sat down on his bed and put his face in his hands, feeling a slow, burning pain in the pit of his stomach, slowing rising him to his throat. He felt his throat constrict painfully with unshed tears. He shouldn't have lied. Now, once again, he was left with no one. Why couldn't he have told Jackel who he was in the first place? After Jackel had gotten to know him, it would've worked out fine. He would have known by then that Jackel didn't like him just because of the scar on his forehead.
He removed his hands from his face and laid back on his bed, staring up at the ceiling, the burning not going away. He wanted to be held. He needed to feel cared for. He liked the warmth of friendship, or in the case of Jackel, love. Or was it love?
Harry shook his head, he didn't care. He wasn't going to analyze his feelings. He had failed at this. It was time to move onto something else. Why bother with something that made him feel bad?
He breathed deeply and focused on work. That made him feel good, making his own money, earning his own living. But he only had a few weeks left before he went to school, and less time before he was caught.
The next week and a half went by swiftly, with no sign of Jackel. Mason never mentioned his name, yet watched Harry ominously. Harry got the feeling that Jackel had told Mason what was going on. If he did, Mason didn't say a word. No one had come to bother him yet.
Until now.
Mason had taken the day off, and decided that Ishmael could handle the bar. He agreed, and was pleasantly leaning over his Occulmency book when the worn door of the inn was pushed swiftly open.
Harry marked his place, and swiftly snapped the book shut, shoving it under the counter. The man had brilliant dark green and black robes on, which swirled about him in a way that reminded Harry of Hogwarts. Ishmael quickly turned his back to the counter, pretending to be studying the bottles. What was Snape doing here?
The man took a seat on the stool behind the counter and drummed his fingers. Harry closed his eyes and breathed deeply, reminding himself he had concealment charms on, and that it might no even be Snape.
"Where's Mason?" Snape said, ensuring Harry that it was, indeed, him. Harry didn't move an inch. Harry bit his lip. He'd have to face him. "Excuse me," He spoke, irritation evident, "I demand that you face me this instant."
Harry gulped, put up a mask, and turned to face his potion's master, hoping that he wouldn't recognize him.
Severus studied him for a moment, "Where is Mason?" He said again, narrowing his eyes at the man behind the counter. There was something all too familiar about him.
Ishmael slid the pad in front of the spy, as it slowly wrote in neat penmanship, "He's out."
"Do you know when he'll be back?"
"Three hours."
Snape smirked and leaned back on his stool, kicking his feet onto the counter. He stared at Harry.
Harry forced himself not to fidget. The pad scrawled, "Sir?" But Snape didn't notice. Harry motioned towards the paper.
Severus studied it for a moment, before smirking at him, "I'm waiting for Mason. Plus, you look familiar. I'm trying to place how."
"Perhaps I'm just one of those familiar people. Also, Mason wont be back for three hours. Would you like anything to drink, eat, or read while you wait, Sir?"
So Snape relented, asking for the special; Toasted Cheese sandwiches and Tomato Soup. He got a glass of milk to drink with it.
The next few ours went without event, and very little chatter. Harry hid his face from view whenever possible. When Mason arrived, he immediately ushered Snape into the storage room to chat.
The next few days went without event, and Snape didn't turn up again. Harry never found out what they were discussing in the storage room.
It wasn't long before Harry found himself in his usual form, with his usual muggle clothing and all that usual stuff (except for the bandana which he had grown to love), outside, in the alley near The Unicorn's Horn, all concealment charms off. Quietly pulling a hooded cloak over him, he hung his head and made his way towards The Leaky Cauldron. He wanted to be there when the Knight bus dropped Ron and Hermione off. To get one last look at Jackel. Jackel, whom he missed dearly.
Hedwig had been bringing Harry letters from the two frequently over the past weeks. They corresponded smoothly, Harry writing long detailed letters about the Dursleys, and how they made him get a job, but how it wasn't that bad.
He wasn't sure, he thought he might have professed his homosexuality by accident in the last letter he wrote. Harry may have written that he met a great guy, but quickly lost contact with him. He was sure he did. He wondered how Ron had taken the news.
He shifted anxiously as he heard a loud pop and saw the Knight bus roll up. Keeping his hood up, he moved and stood by the door, eyes downcast.
Jackel slowly moved off the bus, looking slightly furious, but also appearing to have a mask in place. He moved to the other side of the door, Harry having taken his place, and held the door open. He stared curiously at the stranger in front of him.
The Weasley twins got off first, followed by Ginny and the Weasley parents.
"Ron, just be nice to him. He's your friend, you should care about him not matter what his-"
"Don't even say it Hermione. It's disgusting and unnatural."
"Monkeys do it."
"He'll never have a hair."
Ron and Hermione's voice echoed inside as they were soon filing off the bus. The look of agitation increased on Jackel's face, and he stared daggers at Ron. Harry wondered if he knew who Ron was talking about.
"You mean heir. And so what? As long as he finds someone he loves-"
"Hermione," Ron hissed, stepping off the buss finally and letting her off, "He can't fall in love with a guy. It's just not right,"
'You Jackass,' Harry thought, staring angrily at Ron.
Jackel snapped back to reality. "Thank you for riding the night bus. Just give you wand a wave if you ever need us again." With that, the irate man started onto the first step of the bus. Just as everyone, excluding the still silently arguing Ron and Hermione, started to move inside, Harry caught his arm; catching the attention of Jackel and the Gryffindors.
Jackel stopped, "I knew it was you." He said softly and moved back to the ground.
Harry reached into his pocket and placed the magic writing pad in Jackel's hands.
"I miss you," It scribbled, "Please forgive me."
Jackel stared at the writing for a moment, and nodded slightly. "I forgive you... I may have over reacted. I just don't like being lied to.." Then he trailed off, and motioned to the curious onlookers. The two onlookers who strangely haven't moved into the Leaky Cauldron to wait for Harry yet. They were staring suspiciously at the cloaked figure. "Are you ... they.."
Harry nodded, and breathed deeply, slowly lowering his hood, locking gaze with Hermione, and then Ron.
Hermione's eyes widened and she smiled, a sad, sorry smile. Ron's eyes bulged, and he looked form Jackel, to Harry.
"Sick." Was the first word Ron heard, "Disgusting. I couldn't believe it. I was hoping it was some sort of cruel joke. Or maybe you wasn't thinking and wrote it wrong. I would have never suspected. Harry, that's gross, how could you?" Ron took a menacing step towards Harry. Hermione put her hand on Ron's arm.
"Ron, please-"
"Asshole," Jackel snapped, cutting Hermione off, his eyes darkening as he glared at Ron. He started to pull his wand from his robes. "I've been wanting to hex you the entire ride-"
"Unfortunately. I can't allow you to harm him." A deep male voice drawled from the leaky cauldron doorway as Severus Snape stepped through, in swirling green and silver robes that looked incredible on him. "And I'm not sure Mr. Potter here would allow you to, anyway."
Harry stared at his professor for a moment, in unblinking surprise at the effect a change of robes had on the man. She he noticed at the Unicorn's Horn, but these weren't as dark and looked more brilliant. He quickly concluded that Snape must not have heard anything before that. Which was a good thing, since he didn't need Snape pestering him about loosing a friend.
By the time Snape ended his brief speech, his wand was out and pointed at Jackel. Ron had backed away from Harry, and was attempting to glare daggers at both Jackel and Harry. Hermione was quietly trying to calm him, all the while wondering how Harry met a wizard in a muggle store.
"Listen to him. He won't hesitate to harm you. He's the potions master at Hogwarts, very evil," The worlds scribbled quickly onto the parchment that was still in Jackel's hands.
Jackel nodded and slowly lowered his wand, putting it back into his robes. He turned to look at Skeeter, and waved to him in a signal telling him to leave without. The bus was gone in an instant, but not without a few puts and a loud crack.
Snape's eyebrows narrowed dangerously, and the five stood in silence.
"Would any of you care to explain what is going on here?" Severus inquired elegantly, eyes resting on the parchment in Jackel's hands, showing a faint recognition of the object. They moved suddenly to Ron, then Hermione, then Jackel, and stopped on Harry. He studied him for a moment, eyes brushing over the bandana. Then, looking as if he just figured something out, he raised his eyebrows in question.
When Harry didn't respond, Snape glared and hissed, "Speak up, Potter. We need to get inside before anyone recognizes you, or sees you," he smirked, deciding that the young man was very good at acting. How did he manage to leave without the Order noticing?
"Come on, Hermione. I can't be near it any longer. It's making me sick."
"Mr. Weasley," Snape snarled at the boy, "care to share what you're whining about?"
"That!" Ron said, pointing at Harry, glaring all the same.
Jackel went to attack Ron, but Harry's arms went around him from behind, stopping him. Severus stood speechless, though looking mildly amused.
Ron yanked on Hermione's arm. Hermione threw Harry a helpless look, and followed Ron into the Leaky Cauldron.
Harry stepped away from Jackel.
"I'm waiting." Snape said, simply, not looking the least bit disturbed by the display. Only slightly surprised.
"He can't talk." Jackel offered, frowning at the rudeness of Harry's teacher.
"Nonsense. He's only trying to get attention. Speak up, Potter, before I'm forced to-" As he spoke, he stepped menacingly toward Harry, his lip curling. Was Potter stupid enough to give himself away by using the object?
"He can't talk." Jackel said more sternly, crossing his arms and giving Snape a rivaling glare after cutting him off.
"It's rude to interrupt. I suppose he just lost his voice in the past year and a quarter." The potions master said, dripping with sarcasm. His eyebrow raised when Potter nodded slowly.
"You're one to speak of rudeness," Jackel spat.
"Perhaps I'd be more inclined to believe you had your letters indicated this truthfulness of the situation. As it is, I know you're just going for attention. I wont stand for this any longer. You're to come inside, now. Bring your friend with you, as it wont do to have a man running around with the knowledge of Harry Potter's whereabouts." He turned on his heel and strode into the Leaky cauldron, smirking to himself. He'd have fun with this.
Harry put his hood up and followed after him, Jackel bringing up the rear.
Tonks and Moody were awaiting inside near the Weasleys. Everyone looked up as Harry approached them, greeting him. Mrs. Weasley engulfed him in a warm hug. No one glanced at Jackel, except Ron, who was glaring at him, and Hermione, who was appreciating his good looks. Snape was staring darkly at Jackel, too, trying to figure him out.
"Potter," Snape said, catching everyone's attention as Mrs. Weasley released Harry. "Care to introduce your new ... friend?" He spoke, with an elegant gesture towards Jackel. Kill two birds with one stone.
Everyone's gaze went expectantly from Harry to Jackel, but Harry glared at Snape. Harry instinctively, from a month's conditioning, lifted his wand and flicked it, allowing the parchment to move and hover in front of Snape.
"What are you doing here? Don't you have better things to do than torture me?" The pad scrawled in an angry red color.
Severus narrowed his eyes and gave Harry his best death glare. Harry merely countered with a rivaling glare.
"I am here for your protection, Mr. Potter, however you may feel you might not need it." As Snape spoke, puzzled looks came over the faces of the Weasleys. Harry hadn't said a word.
Harry motioned for the parchment to float, so everyone could see it. He wasn't going to argue with Snape right now. it was too hard to hold an argument like that when you can't talk.
"This is Jackel, as I'm sure you know from your ride. I met him over break and we became very good friends." The pad scribbled, coming out in a calm blue color. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley smiled and nodded politely at Jackel, before giving Harry a confused look about the pad.
Severus smirked, saying almost incoherently, "I'll say." He got the distinct impression there was something more than that.
Ron scoffed, "Good Friends? Is that what you call it? Because-"
"Ron!" Hermione said sharply, cutting him off. George and Fred started snickering, and their parents looked shocked at Ron.
Snape looked specially irritated, but somewhat pleased. He meant for Harry to introduce Jackel as what he was to him, what he really was. At least he exposed Harry's inability to speak.
The Weasleys (Excluding Ron), Moody, and Tonks were looking curiously at Harry.
Harry sighed slightly, and the pad wrote, "I can and will explain everything later. Lets just enjoy this first, please."
Mr. Weasley cleared his throat, "Shall we begin shopping, then? Jackel, you are welcome to join us." The pad floated back over to Harry, and he pocketed it.
"Thank you." Jackel said kindly. The group: Jackel, Harry, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Fred and George, Ginny, Ron, Hermione, Snape, Moody, and Tonks, all started out of the Leaky Cauldron. A funny looking lot they were. Snape brought up the rear, right behind Jackel and Harry.
As they walked, Hermione fell back away from the fuming Ron, next to Harry and Jackel.
"How did you meet Harry?" Hermione said softly, smiling gently at Jackel. Maybe Jackel didn't know Harry had lied about it.
Jackel glanced at Harry, who reached into his robes and pulled out the enchanted pad.
"I will explain later, Hermione. When it's appropriate timing."
Hermione gave him a suspicious look and nodded. The entire trip through Diagon Alley, Hermione had given him suspicious looks, and Ron flashed him a few disgusted ones.
As they turned to go into the book store, Snape caught Harry's shoulder. "Potter, we need to talk."
Jackel stopped to stand beside Harry, but Snape sneered at him. "Privately." Harry nodded to Jackel, who turned and moved into the book store.
"I didn't recognize you then, Potter, but I do now. The Headmaster will not be pleased at all."
"Why are you so damned determined to make me miserable?" The pad scrawled in red, and Harry showed it to Snape.
"I don't need my reasons, Potter. You're enough of an excuse. You take everything for granted. The protection of the house you live in, the godlike treatment of your home life, the protection of the order, the unearned admiration of many, including the headmaster."
"You forgot fame." The pad scribbled in a blood red color. Harry was bursting with anger.
Snape shoved him back against the shop's window, his lip curling, "How dare you speak to me in such a way, Potter. You know nothing about me."
"I could say the same about you!" The parchment scrawled quickly. Snape shoved the parchment to Harry's chest and shoved him to the door of the bookstore.
"Get inside."
And so he did.
The rest of the day passed without event, and Harry soon found himself hugging Jackel, and sneaking him a quick kiss after everyone got off the Knight Bus.
12 Grimmauld Place was completely rearranged, even the pictures were gone. Harry was led to the dining table to sit, so they could eat and have a discussion.
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OKAY! I'm done with that chapter. Was it worth the wait? I hope so. I worry It might not have been. I know I don't like the idea of Snape being violent like that, but you'll find out why in later chapters. Much down the road. I had a dream the other night that gave me a great idea. Yeah, I dream about HP, creepy, huh? Only once in a great while. Anyway, I'm sorry about the wait, I've been *VERY* busy.