An Unexpected Guest

He just closed his eyes to rest a little. Slowly his breathing became increasingly deeper, falling into the land of nod. Everything is so dark. "Lumos." Harry's wand lit up showing a narrow hallway. It was a dull sort of place. The hallway just seemed to go on forever. Some candles were hung on the walls giving the place a dim light. Just a little further…I know something must be here….The light started to grow stronger with every step. Harry knew he was about to get somewhere.

...

Just about there. "GET UP!" Harry sprung up off the couch, unsure of his surroundings. Standing in front of him was a lad dressed in black. Upon further inspection he recognized the sour expression of Professor Snape. Thinking nothing could possibly go worse, Harry glared at a long time enemy of his. "Training will start tomorrow." Harry not quite believing he was really awake decided to sit back down. Maybe I will wake up in a little while. "Be ready by 7:00 tomorrow morning. I will not tolerate tardiness." Harry looked up at Snape, "Why should I do anything you say?" Thinking that dreams don't usually last that long, Harry began developing a sick feeling in his stomach. "This is real?" Snape smirked, "Always noting the obvious, aren't we Potter?"

Harry realizing the extent of the situation reached for his wand. He knew he wasn't quite ready to take this on, but he couldn't let him by with it. He just couldn't. Scanning his memory for a spell…frapper mortamus…douleur blesser….no that won't work…"ETEINT OBSCURITE!" A flash of orange light exploded halfway across the room. "Potter! You arrogant little brat! You can't possibly expect to achieve anything when your enemy knows what spell you are going to use!" Harry lunged at Snape. Hoping to at least bruise or cause some damage to the older man. If spells won't work. Snape quickly knocked Harry to the floor. Harry was no match. He stood no chance. "Training starts in the morning." With that Snape made his exit.

Harry watched in dismay as Snape's robes whipped around the corner and disappeared. With that, Harry decided to pay a visit to Dante once again. Harry walked out of the house and down the street to where he first made his escape. He decided that he should knock on the back door since that was were he last saw the old man. Clunk. Clunk. "Enter if you wish." Harry pulled the big wooden door open and stepped inside. Dante was sitting in an old armchair by the fireplace. "I've been expecting you. I'm sure you have many questions. I'm afraid I may only answer one however." Harry was willing to do anything at this point. The old man gestured to another armchair just opposite his, "Have a seat." Harry sat down hoping for some answers. Anything. "Have you thought about what I have said earlier?" "About who to trust?" The old man displayed his crooked smile, "Why yes, that would be it. It's very important you know."

Harry looked down at the floor, noticing a spider crawling towards its prey. "I don't know who to trust." "Ah, I think you do. Deep down you know. But what I'm most interested in is who you trust the least. Someone you know as Professor Snape." How does this guy know so much? Well I guess it's not such uncommon knowledge. Everyone knows about what Snape did. But why bring him up? Why did he show up at my house? "Why do you hate him?" Harry shifted forward resting his elbows on his knees, "He killed, he killed Dumbledore." The man showed no change in expression. "Yes, that is a good reason to hate someone isn't it? Now tell me. Why is it that you hated him before these circumstances arose?"

Harry jumped to his feet in disbelief, "He is evil! He is a Death Eater, he doesn't care about anything but power!" "Evil is such a strong word….A Death Eater…yes. He has remained loyal to our side my boy." Harry couldn't believe this. Did someone brainwash him? "Listen, Dumbledore was a good friend of mine. I've stayed well informed of what has been going on. Tell me, has he ever tried to harm you? I think you will remember that he has saved your life more than once. You have been wrong about him before you know. He is not quite so bad. Have some tea. I fear this will take a while." Harry moved over to the table and poured some tea into a cup. He didn't even really like tea, but he thought it would be rude to not take it. I may have been wrong about Snape before, but that doesn't change the fact that I don't like him. That doesn't change the fact that he killed Dumbledore. "Do you remember how you hardly ever saw the Headmaster? How he only showed up for your lessons. Did he seem at all rushed?"

Harry sat back down, "Well yea, I guess he was kind of in a hurry. I just thought he was really busy though." "Yes, he was both busy and in a bit of a rush. And what of his condition? Would you not say he was under a lasting effect that grew progressively worse?" Harry stared at the man, wondering if he knew what happened. "I think you are following me so far. I shall continue then. His condition was growing worse. He was already bidding his time. He drank that concoction while the two of you were retrieving the horcrux, correct?" Harry not really liking where the conversation was going, "Yes, that's right. What does that have anything to do with it though?" His eyes grew somehow whiter than before, Harry wished he would blink. It was really eerie to look at. "It has a lot to do with it. What he drank that day would have killed him in a short time. He of course knew this. Very bright man, Dumbledore."

"So he would have died anyway? Couldn't it be reversed? The horcrux wasn't even real!" "It was most unfortunate yes. Many things played against him, Harry you must understand that. Snape was not one of those factors. The circumstances…." Harry couldn't be sure, but he thought he just saw the man turn into…static? Just for a second. "My time is short. You must try. Try to trust him! It's very important! If not for me, do it for Dumbledore. It's what he would have wanted. I'll see you in another lifetime perhaps." The man then faded out of existence. Harry walked out of the house and yet again headed back home. Looking back one more time…he soon discovered that the house faded out much like the man. Truly a mystery, or a really weird dream.

I don't know what to do. Harry ran the rest of the way. Back inside he found a bed and went to sleep.

...

A dark hallway….What is this place? Harry headed towards the light once again. This time he neared a great big round room. It was the type of place royalty would hold a ball. The room was surrounded by chairs covered in red velvet. The walls. The walls were covered in a gold gilt. It seemed so…majestic.

...

"You're late." Harry sat up and rubbed his eyes. Waiting for them to come back into focus - though he already knew what he would see. Professor Snape was standing at the foot of the bed, looking very impatient. "Today we will practice endurance. Be downstairs in ten minutes." And within four strides Snape left the room.

Harry slowly began to prepare for his worst nightmare. He changed into some new clothes and grabbed his wand. Not quite sure what to expect Harry walked as quietly as he could downstairs. Just as he walked around the corner…THUMP. His Potions book went flying across the room. "What was that for?" "I can assure you that no one is going to inform you when they will attack. Now go get two chairs." Harry went to the kitchen and brought back two chairs from the table. Snape then placed the two chairs facing each other and a board across the two. "Stand on the board." Harry climbed up on the board, unsure of how good it would stand up to his weight. "Now stand on one foot, and stay there until I tell you to move." Harry stood on one foot, feeling a bit ridiculous.

Snape stood across the room with his arms crossed. Harry's leg quickly began to hurt. He had to admit he was pretty weak. He would never let Snape know that though. As long as it takes, I won't give in. It's becoming a lot harder to keep my balance now. "How much longer do I have to do this?" "As long as it takes." Well that's just great. I can't even get a straight answer from him. Harry's leg began to shake a little. This is really hard. How is this supposed to help me? "Switch legs now." Okay, whatever. Harry stood up on his other leg this time, relieving his burdened leg from the weight. It went on like this for a long time. Eventually Harry collapsed and fell to the floor. It had an even greater impact from where he was standing up higher. Both his legs were sore.

Snape handed him a big pile of books. "Take these upstairs." Harry did as he was told, afraid of what the consequences would be if he did otherwise. He could barely lift his legs up over the steps after the grueling exercise. The books made it feel like gravity had just tripled itself. One more step…there. I finally made it. Harry sat the books down on the floor and flopped down in an armchair nearby. Snape walked in soon after. "Those are your new school books. As you will not be attending Hogwarts this year, you will be schooled here. The pace will be increased, and it will be very hard. I will be monitoring your progress, and we will do daily exercises. These will test both your mind and your physical abilities."

Harry just slid further into the chair. He didn't know how much more of this he could take. All he knew was he was tired. "There's food in the pantries - take what you want. Also the water is running, so I strongly recommend that you take a shower. I will be taking residence across the hall. Do not disturb me unless it is an emergency." With that Snape left the room before Harry could even argue with him. I don't know if it's because I'm so tired right now or what, but I just really don't care anymore. Nothing ever seems to work out right. Deciding to get away from it all, Harry left the house.

Even if it's only temporary, I have to go somewhere else. Maybe I can find some way out of this. It's not fair. Why couldn't Lupin or someone else show up at my door? Why Snape? Harry walked to an empty playground where he sat on a swing. He never really got to do this kind of stuff when he was little. Dudley and his gang made sure of that. Harry sat and watched the sun set. The sun is the one thing you can rely on. It comes up everyday. But the moon…the moon never really goes away. Well I guess the stars are always there too…you just can't see them in the light…."Out a little late. Aren't we Potter?" Harry nearly fell out of the swing. "Eh…" When did he show up. And am I really seeing Snape on a swing? "We need to talk." Harry looked up at the sky, "I don't want to talk to you." "Then we will wait until you do." That's typical.