A/N I'm back! And you guys won't believe how long this chapter is (Long for me anyway) 5,000 words! :0. I'm really impressed with myself XD. Enjoy! And... Thanks for reading and puleeeez review!

WARNING: In which canon gets thrown completely out the window.

You have been warned.

Chapter 14

Snape

He was going to do it today. He'd put it off for long enough. Sitting in his potion's classroom, his stomach swirled as he watched the 1st years botch up the potion they were supposed to be making. It had been four days since the Weasley girl's outburst, enough time for him to calm himself down. Mostly. He was still holding onto hope that Potter didn't know, although from the girl's outburst it had become pretty clear that he did. Fighting down nausea he dismissed the 1st years and mentally prepared himself for the 6th. A couple of his Slytherins were first inside the classroom, then Draco, Weasley, Granger, and finally a very reluctant Potter. He felt as if he was going to faint.

He gave the instructions to the class, but he felt like he was just a spectator in this. Watching everything that was going on from another body that was not his own. The bell rang and his voice rang out,

"Stay after class Potter." He came rocketing back into his body with a dizzying force. The boy looked at him in alarm.

"I'll write you a pass for your next class." The words came out of his mouth before he had a chance to think. Potter looked furiously from Draco to Granger and then back to Snape. Everyone was gone except for the three of them. He really didn't want to have this conversation in front of those two. But they had made no move to leave, standing firmly at Potter's side. Honestly Severus, even Draco is referring to Potter as Harry now, shouldn't you do the same? Shut it Lily. Swallowing hard he searched for the right words. How did he get rid of those two?

"We're not leaving his side." Granger said as if she had read his mind. Were they determined to make everything ten times more awkward?

"Fine." he said. What else was there to say. He beckoned the three of them to come closer. They nervously edged closer to Snape's desk, his heart felt like it was going to ricket right out of his chest and onto the table where everyone could see the turmoil inside of it.

"I know." Potter's voice rang through the room. "I already know, no thanks to you." It felt like a shot to the chest, and his heart stopped working momentarily.

"But I don't care, not like it changes anything. You hate me, I hate you, not like we can do anything about it." Potter shrugged, eyes on his shoes.
"Harry." Granger whispered.

"It's true. You know it is. He knows it, everyone knows. Snape hates Harry Potter."

"I don't-" I don't hate you, it was your father I hated. Shit. He was his father. And then he fainted. The prospect of being a father to the boy he had relentlessly bullied over the course of several years was too much for Severus Snape.

Harry

Snape's body hit the floor with a thud. The three of them stared at his body in silence.

"Oh my…" Hermione finally said.

"Oh my indeed." Draco muttered.

"What the heck." This was weird. This was so weird. Snape, his dad , had just fainted after he said that he hated him.

"We should get a teacher." Hermione finally said.

"Yeah…" But none of them moved.

"Why'd he faint you think?" Harry finally asked, his voice a little shaky.

"Honestly." Draco spoke. "I have no idea. Maybe being, uh your dad, was too much for him. You know, feelings. His body didn't know what to do with them so he just passed out."

"I guess he does have feelings." Hermione said slowly.

"Just doesn't know what to do with them." Draco said. Hysterical laughter was building in Harry's chest and he did his best to swallow the giggles down.

"He'd probably be mad if we got a teacher." Harry said, a small snort escaped him. And that was enough to send the rest of them careening into laughter. Still giggling they left the classroom and went to the library to begin planning their great break in into Flitwick's office.

Harry couldn't stop thinking about Snape, about how the words "You hate me, I hate you", had caused the man to collapse. Resting his chin on his hand, he thought about this while Draco and Hermione mapped out a plan to break into Flitwick's office.

"Remind me why we have to do this again." Harry said.

"Because Flitwick probably has something on Ghost Charms that the library doesn't!" Hermione said.

"What even are Ghost Charms?" Harry muttered.

"They're myths." Draco said.

"Myths!" Madam Pince shot them a look and Harry lowered his voice.

"We're looking for something that might not even be real?"

"Technically yes, but I'm sure they are. I mean the Chamber of Secrets was real and that was just a myth." Hermione said.

"Logic at it's finest Granger." Draco said.

"Shut up."

"What's the myth?" Harry asked.

"Just that some sort of charm can bring back dead people's memories, and they, I dunno, do stuff." Draco shrugged.

"Memories?"

"They're not actually them, just a memory I guess. Not their real body or anything either." Draco said.

"How would they write letters then?" Harry wondered aloud.

"That's why we need the books." Hermione snapped.

"Right." This really didn't seem like solid reasoning to Harry but since when had anything he'd ever done been based on solid reasoning? His thoughts drifted back to Snape, what had his mom seen in him? Shaking his head a little he desperately wished Snape would just leave him alone for the rest of his life.

"Hello Harry. You seem to be very deep in thought." Luna's voice jerked him out of his thoughts.

"Hey Luna."

"You're wearing the necklace." Luna looked at him with wide eyed amazement.

"Oh yeah." He'd been wearing it… he really didn't know why. He'd gotten a couple odd looks but that was nothing new. He fingered the butterbeer caps, it was a comforting weight on his chest that he didn't have any desire to remove.

"I like it." he said finally. Luna's face glowed with pleasure.

"I knew you would, you're not like the rest of them." He smiled a little.

"Where's Ginny?" asked Hermione.

"She had to finish an essay for charms." Luna said airily. Harry didn't notice that Hermione blanched.

"Oh," he said.

"Did Ginny talk to you about the letters?" asked Hermione softly.

"Oh yes. But I'm not supposed to help with that, although I can if you want me to, I'm supposed to help Harry. And Ginny too." Luna tapped her chin gently with a finger. Hermione raised an eyebrow.

"Come with me Harry." Luna held out her hand for him to take. Hesitantly he took it and allowed her to lead him away from Hermione and Draco.

"Where are we going?" he asked her.

"You'll see. You trust me right Harry?" He had never seen her so serious before, looking at him with an intense gaze. He nodded.

"Course I do."

"Good, I'll stay with you if you want." she said.

"Stay with me…"

"Mhmmm, if it makes you feel better." Harry stopped abruptly.

"Luna, we're not going to see Snape are we?" His heart rate picked up and he resisted the instinct to run in the other direction.

"You said you trusted me Harry." she reminded him.

"I know, but-"

"I'll stay if you want." Luna pulled him down a staircase.
"I don't think this is a good idea." He tried to stop but Luna continued to tug him with surprising force. They were getting closer and closer to the dungeons.

"Harry you have to at least try."

"But I don't want to try!" He realized he sounded like a little kid but he no longer cared. Luna stopped in front of Snape's office and Harry thought he might throw up.

"You may regret not one day…" Luna squeezed his hand. "It's going to be okay." Before he could say anything Luna knocked on the door and Snape's voice came.

"Enter." Harry shook his head.

"No, no. No Luna I can't. I can't." To his embarrassment a lump was rising in his throat and tears were gathering in the corner of his eyes. He was now on the edge of hyperventilating.

"It's going to be okay. Trust me." He was still shaking his head when Luna pushed open the door to Snape's office and dragged Harry inside.

Snape

"Hello professor." Came the ravenclaw's voice. Luna had always been one of his favorite students, there was a special spot in his heart for the girl. To his great surprise, and terror, she was dragging a very panicked Potter into the room with her. The boy looked like he would rather be anywhere else than here.

"I know already." She tugged him over to the seat in front of Snape's desk and pulled one over for herself. She gently pushed Harry into the seat and gave him a small smile.

"It seems you two had a rocky start." She was looking at the vials on the left wall, with a dreamy expression on her face.

"I think it's best you start over. Harry this is professor Snape, and professor Snape this is Harry." Neither of them said a thing. Luna continued on,

"And I'm Luna, but both of you already know that. Neither of you really know each other very well, so I think you should get to know each other." She paused for a moment. "Both of you seem very uncomfortable and rather terrified at the moment but we're just going to ignore that. I like the color blue, especially the color of the ocean. What color do you like Harry?" The boy looked at Luna for a long moment before saying,

"Red. I like red."

"That's nice. What about you professor Snape?" Luna looked at him expectantly.

"Green." He couldn't believe he was going along with this. Luna has more sense than you, she was able to get Harry here. How had she been able to get Potter to come here?

"Green is the color of Harry's eyes." Luna swayed back and forth. Lily's eyes.

"What's your favorite food Harry?" she asked. Snape didn't miss the way she tugged on his sleeve gently.

"Treacle tart." Snape hadn't known that. Of course you didn't. You don't know anything about him.

"And you professor?"

"Truffles." He was getting more and more uncomfortable by the second.

"Dogs or cats?" Luna asked Harry gently.

"Dogs." The boy gasped, he looked on the verge of tears.

"Your godfather, Sirius Black, was a dog." Luna said to Harry. That's right, he had forgotten that Black had died a few months ago. He nodded slowly.

"I'm sorry." Harry just shook his head.

"Dogs or cats?" Luna turned from Harry to look at him.

"Dogs."
"Now you both have something in common." She smiled sweetly.

"What makes you angry?" She asked Harry softly. Potter took a shuddering breath and jumped to his feet.

"People who lie to me! People who make assumptions about me when they don't even know me! Bullies! When someone picks on people just because they can!" He shook his head violently and to Snape's shock he realized that he was crying. Tears were streaming down his face and he wiped them away angrily.

"I'm sorry Luna, but, but- I can't." He left his office in a flury and he was left alone with Luna. She sighed.
"I was afraid that would happen. Don't worry professor, he doesn't hate you, he just doesn't know you yet. But you have to try too." She reached over his desk and squeezed his hand gently.

"I believe in you." She gave him a small smile before running after Harry.

Harry

Great wrenching sobs were tearing their way out of Harry's chest, he was on his knees in the first closet he had seen on his way out of the dungeons. He pushed his palms into his eyes. This was why he had taken away all of his feelings. It was just too painful. I can't believe I cried in front of Snape. I can't believe Snape is my dad. He hadn't accepted it before, just pushed it to the edge of his mind. He didn't need a dad, he had Sirius. Had had Sirius, now he was gone. Because of him. He really was a freak who ruined everything he touched. Gasping for air he leaned his head back on the wall of the closet.

"Harry?" Came Luna's voice. He didn't say anything. The door opened quietly and Luna slipped inside. She sat in front of him, and gently wrapped her arms around him. She didn't say anything, just stayed there with him as the tears kept pouring down his face. Second time in a week. He was turning mushy. After he wore himself out he whispered a thank you, and Luna pulled him up.

"It will all work out okay Harry, I know it." She opened the door to the closet and they walked down the corridor together.

"But I just want everything to go back to normal." he said moodily.

"Sometimes normal isn't what we need." And then she was gone and he was alone again.

He didn't have potions the next day, thank God.

"Potter!" Draco hurried to catch him in the corridor, ignoring the glares from all of the Slytherins. Harry stopped and waited for him to catch up.

"Yeah?"

"Where'd Lovegood take you yesterday?" he asked him. Harry coughed.

"Er… to see Snape."

"What?!" Draco's eyebrows went alarmingly close to his hairline.

"Yeah, she tried to get us to get to know each other or whatever." That had been the most painfully awkward five minutes of his life.

"Get to know each other, bloody hell that sounds horrible." Draco shook his head.

"Basically. Then I… oh shoot here he comes." Snape was indeed walking their way. Both boys froze in panic.

"Don't look at him." Draco whispered to Harry, "Come on, keep your eyes down."

"What?"

"Just do it." Reluctantly, Harry turned his eyes downwards and started walking forwards. Draco right next to him. It was probably quite the confusing sight to see but neither of them were thinking about that at the moment.

"Potter! Malfoy! What are you two doing!" Mcgonagall called from her classroom. Both of them had passed it in their desperation to avoid Snape.

"Whoops." Harry turned and Draco did the same.

"This is why you need to use your eyes when you walk." Harry muttered to Draco.

"Shut up Potter."

Snape

This was bloody ridiculous. Potter and Malfoy teaming up to avoid him. Good grief. And since when did Malfoy help Potter? Since the beginning of the year when Harry was depressed and you did nothing. At least Harry's friends help him. He had been hearing Lily's voice more and more lately. As if she was constantly reminding what a failure he was. This was getting out of hand. He would not stand this anymore, he just needed to talk to the bloody boy without anyone there. Now how he was going to accomplish this was a mystery to him… He thought about it all bloody day, he couldn't think about anything else. How to get Potter alone, but he was never alone dammit!

Just find him alone, while he's walking the corridors. God, Lily that's creepy. But what if it was the only way? Heart beating faster than normal he left his classroom right behind his 2nd year students, searching for Potter in the corridor. Thank goodness he could see over the heads of most of the younger students. Aha. Potter was slowly making his way from the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom. Now came the hard part. Doing his best not to trip over the younger students, he hurried over to the boy. Potter's head was turned to the front, thank Merlin, so he didn't see him coming.

"Potter! The boy froze, then suddenly wheeled around to look at him. For a moment they stared at each other before Snape said,

"Come with me." He half expected him to refuse but instead he sighed and looked longingly over his shoulder. Finally he said,

"Yes sir." Leading the way, Snape led Harry to his office. He opened the door and gestured for Harry to go inside. He closed the door behind him and motioned for Harry to sit on the other side of his desk. Gazing at him warily he sat down.

"I assume you know why you're here." Snape said. Don't mess this up. This might be your only chance.

"Yes sir." The boy was looking in his lap, studying his hands.

"Look Potter, I'm sorry I didn't tell you." Sorry did not come easily to him.

"Okay." He was still looking down. "It's fine."

"No it wasn't. I should have told you right when I found out."

Harry shrugged. What was that supposed to mean? He sighed heavily.

"I know this isn't…" Isn't what? Ideal? Bloody hell of course this wasn't ideal.

"It's okay professor." The boy said. His eyes were still firmly focused on his hands.

"I know you don't want me. No one ever has, I ruin everything I'm near. Bloody hell just look at what happened to Sirius, to Cedric." What? That wasn't what he'd meant. He opened his mouth but Potter kept talking.

"I don't mind just going back to the Dursleys, I'm used to it. Not being wanted I mean. It's fine, really. Who would want to deal with me anyway? I don't blame you, although you probably don't care what I think of you."
"No, that's not-"

"Please. Just let me go. It will be easier for both of us I think."

"I don't…" Don't what? God, where were the right words?

"Please." Harry was looking at him now, bright green eyes wide and desperate. Those eyes, it was like looking right at Lily. Snape couldn't say anything. The boy looked at him for one more moment before getting up and leaving.

Harry

Taking a deep breath he shut Snape's door behind him. He had thought he would feel better now, instead he just felt empty and… unwanted. He climbed in a daze to his dormitory, ignoring Ron and Hermione, even Ginny. It wasn't even time for dinner yet, but all he wanted to do was go to bed. Slowly lifting the covers up he didn't even bother taking off his clothes before falling asleep. When he awoke there was a letter on his pillow, from his mum. Immediately he opened it, ready to take in anything his mother had to say to him.

Dear Harry,

I love you more than words can express. I'm so sorry I cannot be there with you right now, as you grow up into a handsome young man, but someone is there for you. I know you two don't get along so well, but trust me. He's a good person under the snarkiness. I had always hoped you two would have had a better relationship, especially since Petunia and Vernon never showed you any kindness. You were supposed to know if both James and I were dead. I never wanted to keep this a secret from you and Severus. I didn't want you to end up with my sister and I'm so sorry for what you had to endure while you were there. I never imagined she and her husband would be so cruel to you, you deserve the whole entire world love, and never think any less. Please listen, you didn't deserve that. I'm sorry I had to leave you. I love you so much, and I know that you and Severus will be able to make it work. I love you again.

Love,

Mum.

Stuffing his fist in his mouth to keep any noise from escaping, Harry slid to the floor, the letter still clutched in his hands. He bent his head to his knees and remembered all those times his Uncle had shoved him around, pushed him into the cupboard. The times Dudley and his gang pounded him. The times he got hit with the frying pan by Aunt Petunia. He remembered the dark cupboard that he had lived in until he was eleven. He was so immersed in his memories that he didn't hear the chaos erupting all around him.

"Harry! Bloody hell mate snap out of it the castle is under attack!" Ron was shaking him, what had he said? The castle… was under attack? That couldn't be right.

"I got him Weasley." said a familiar voice.

"How do I know you won't just-"

"Don't be thick! He's coming with me and Snape! We have to hurry you blithering idiot!" Was that Draco?

"Potter come on!" Harry looked up.

"Huh?" Draco was shaking him even more furiously than Ron had.

"We have to go! Get your stuff!" Draco pulled Harry up and started throwing his stuff in his trunk. Harry began doing the same carefully placing the letter inside.

"You got-nevermind you can just tell me later."

"Wait, the castle is under attack?" Harry asked.
"Didn't you hear the announcement? Hurry! We're meeting Snape in his office." Harry froze.

"Why are we going with Snape?" Draco closed Harry's trunk and yanked him out of the Gryffindor dormitory, into the common room and out into the corridor.

"Because he's both of our guardians at the moment." Draco said, grabbing his trunk which was waiting for him in the corridor.

"He's your-"

"Bloody hell Potter it's not important right now we have to go!"

"Right, right. But you'll tell me later?"

"Oh my God, yes. Let's go." Draco practically sprinted down the stairs to the dungeons and Harry hurried to keep up. Was it stupid that he was more scared of going somewhere with Snape than staying in the castle when it was about to be attacked? Probably.

Draco

"Don't be ridiculous." He told Lovegood as he tried to walk to History of Magic.

"Oh I get it. You two are pretending that you don't like each other." Luna was walking next to him, rambling on and on about Hermione. Luna was cool, he liked her. But sometimes… she was so honest and oblivious (or was it too knowing?) it was scary. And annoying.

"No. I mean-no. Well yes. But no." He shook his head. "I don't know."

"She did kiss you twice you know."

"Yes, but- wait how'd you know about that?" Luna waved to him, drifting in the other direction. He rolled his eyes. This was frustrating. He'd been spending a lot of time with Hermione lately, sure. But that was all because they were working on the plan to break into Flitwick's office. He didn't look forward to it, Flitwick was one of his favorite professors. Besides Snape, well now… Flitwick probably topped him. Shaking himself he walked into History of Magic and took a nap. He was awoken by a blaring alarm he had never heard before. What in Merlin's name was that.

"...being sent home to parents immediately until further notice" came Dumbledore's voice. WHAT?! He could not go home. The Dark lord would be there, and he hadn't killed Dumbledore, whoops. He tore out of his seat and down to the dungeons, he flung the door open to Snape's office. Snape was already standing, hastily packing his things. Draco opened his mouth to say "Hey, I can't really go home at the moment, so uh can I come with you?" But Snape said,

"You're coming with me Draco, don't worry. Go get your things."

Draco coughed. "Okay, thanks sir." He wanted to ask what the bloody hell was going on but thought better of it. Then,

"What about Harry sir?" Snape stiffened. Well it had been a fair question. Harry could always go back to the Dudleys...or was it Dursley's? Draco shook himself a little.

"Aren't you his-"

"Fine. Go tell Potter he's coming with us." Draco nodded and hurried out. First he threw everything he needed into his trunk and raced up to the Gryffindor dorms. He waited for the door to be carelessly thrown open and then he slipped in. Everything was in chaos so no one noticed him go up to the sixth year dorm. Spotting the door that said SIXTH YEARS, he opened the door, ready to tell Harry they were leaving, but there was no Harry. However there was a Weasley.

"What are you doing here?" He snapped.

"I've come to get Harry," he replied. "Where is he? In case you haven't noticed we're supposed to be leaving...now."

"Harry's coming with me." Weasley snapped.

"No. He's coming with me and professor Snape." Draco snapped.

"Why the bloody hell would he go with Snape?"

"Because he's-oh nevermind! Where is Harry?!" Draco demanded. Weasley looked down, he was standing by a bed that Draco couldn't see over. Weasley crouched down and Draco heard him say, "Harry! Bloody hell mate snap out of it the castle is under attack!" Draco immediately ran over to see Harry crouched beside the bed, head bent to his knees.
"I've got him Weasley." He said.

"How do I know you won't just-"

"Don't be thick! He's coming with me and Snape, we have to hurry you blithering idiot!" Stupid weasel… He looked at Draco for one long moment before hurrying out at his sister's calling.

"Potter come on!" Finally the bastard looked up, startled.

"Huh?" They were going to die, because stupid Harry- I- deal -with -my-feelings -at -the -worst possible- moment- Potter wouldn't hurry the hell up! He shook him.

"We have to go! Get your stuff!" This was ridiculous. Five minutes later when he'd finally got Potter down to the dungeons he stopped, again.

"Wait. So we're actually going with Snape." Draco groaned.
"Yes. And we do not have time for you to freak out right now."

"Uh, little late for that. Hey do you know if Ginny and Ron are okay? And Hermione?" Stupid Gryffindors.

"Everyone's fine Potter, but we're not going to be if we keep standing here having this bloody conversation."

"Yeah… I was just-"

"Stalling. Oh my God I'm so stupid I should've known. Let's go." Honestly. Draco walked the final length to Snape's office and opened the door. Harry was still standing there, stiff as a board. And Snape was behind him. He was going to scare the hell out of Potter when he-

"Potter." Snape's voice wasn't cold, thank Merlin for that. Not kind, either though. Harry practically jumped five feet in the air and whirled around. Called it.

"Yes?" Harry snapped. Was he really supposed to live with this for who knows how long? A groan escaped him. Both of them turned to look at him.

"Come along." After a moment of awkward silence Snape swept in front of them and entered his office.
"Are we traveling by floo sir?" Draco asked him. He nodded wordlessly and gestured for them to grab a handful of floo powder.

"Severus Snape's second residence."he told them. Both of them nodded, Draco went into the fireplace first.

"Severus Snape's second residence." he said, and threw the powder down. He spun around and stepped out at a dusty old flat. In what appeared to be the living room was an old couch, and a rickety looking coffee table. Swallowing he waited for Snape and Harry to arrive. Moments later Harry stepped out, then Snape.

"Where are we sir?" Draco asked. It was pretty obvious Harry wasn't going to say a word.

"A flat." Snape snapped. Draco rolled his eyes. Would it kill the man to give him a straight answer? Probably.
"Follow me." He began walking down the hall and Draco and Harry followed.

"You two will share this room. You seem to be getting along fine so I trust you not to kill each other." Neither of them said anything. Draco had the feeling both of them just wanted to spite Snape.

"You won't come out until I come get you." Snape glared at them.

"Yes sir." Draco said. After a pause Harry said,

"Yes sir." They entered the room and Snape closed the door behind him.

"Did he just lock us in?" Harry asked when the lock clicked.

"Do you always have to ask about the obvious?" Draco looked at the bunk bed in the corner. Snape could not seriously expect him to sleep in that.

"So what happened?" Harry asked, sitting down on the lower bunk.

"The castle was about to go under attack." Draco said plainly. He himself had no idea what was going on as he had slept through over half the announcement but he wasn't about to tell Harry that.

"So you don't know." Harry fell back into the bottom bunk.

"Why do you get to sleep on that one?" There was no way he was going to climb that old ladder.

"Because I was here first." Harry crossed his arms and stared sullenly at the top bunk.

"Oh stop your pity party." Draco snapped.

"I'm not having a pity party." Harry bit back.

"Uh huh, you know Snape isn't that bad."

"That bad! That bad! Of course he's that bad! He hates me!" Harry muttered something else that Draco couldn't hear.

"What was that?" He cupped his hand to his ear exaggeratingly.

"None of your bloody business that's what!"

"Whatever. Move over." Draco tried to push Harry over to the edge of the mattress.

"I was here first."

"I don't care."

"Well I do."

"Move."

"No." Draco flung himself onto the bed and Harry was forced to move over as Draco collided with him.

"I win." he said smugly. He ended up on the floor after that. There were voices from down the hall. He'd thought Snape had left. Interesting. Moving over to the door he pressed his ear against it. Harry quickly joined him.

"Done feeling sorry for yourself?" Draco asked.

"Shut up."

"Two weeks!" "I'm perfectly sane, thank you very" "With two" "Yes. Perhaps." "This is" They only caught snippets of the conversation.

"Who else is here?" Harry asked in a low voice.

"How should I know?"

"I wasn't asking you."

"Sure sounded like-"

The door opened and both of them scrambled back. Snape stood there glowering at them.

Snape

As he stood over the two eavesdropping teenagers, one terrified and angry, the other annoyed and stubborn, he realized...

This was going to be a very long two weeks.