A/N: Hello everyone! Look who's back! Sorry for the delay, but I had a lot on my plate these past few weeks. I have updated the previous chapters, because the relationship of Harry and Severus was progressing too fast. If you have the patience, give them another read! Thanks for the reviews! I'm sorry I didn't reply individually to each reviewer, but be sure, that I'm sending you my love and thanks! Also, a big thank you to @ottogato from Tumblr who gave me great advice for my first chapter corrections. Stay safe!
On with the story!!!
Harry changed into his most comfortable athletic clothes. He took his firebolt in hand and stepped with Hermione in the field. The Weasleys were already there. Ms Weasley waved from the stands. She was sitting there with Madame Pomfrey, Professor Sprout, Hagrid and Flitwick. They were the only left from the school stuff. He waved back at them. He saw that Albus had taken his place as the referee and Mr Weasley was the commentator of the game. On the field, waited Ron, Ginny, Severus, Minerva, Madame Hooch, Fred, George, Bill and Charlie.
"Hey Harry!" The Weasleys greeted him.
"Hey!" Harry greeted back.
"So we are going to split the teams. Harry and Minerva will be Captains. Let's flip a galleon! Head or tails Harry?" Albus asked him. It was almost disconcerting how happy the old man seemed.
"Head, sir." He grinned back. His bad mood from before, had almost disappeared at the happy faces of his friends.
The coin was thrown in the air, Albus caught it and turned it over.
"Head it is! So Harry m'boy you get to choose first!"
"I pick Ron!" Harry high fived his best friend. Ron's position was going to be the keeper's, of course.
"Ms Weasley if you please..." Minerva chose. She knew Ginny's exceptional talent as a chaser.
"Fred" Harry was next. Fred and George had left with a name of themselves as beaters. No one knew the bat better than them. It was quite expected for Minerva to pick George next.
"You can take Madame Hooch and Professor Snape and I'll take Bill and Charlie."Harry suggested to his Head of House.
"I think that it is quite fair..."she agreed, looking suspiciously at the boy, though.
"Ladies and Gentlemen! Welcome to the summer quidditch Hogwarts match!" Mr Weasley sounded.
"On the first team we have Captain Harry Potter as our Seeker, Charlie and Bill Weasley as chasers, Gred or Forge, I can't really tell them apart, will be the beater, and Ron Weasley as Keeper! On the second team, Minerva McGonagall is the Captain in the position of the seeker,Ginny Weasley and Professor Snape will play as chasers... My my I want to see this... Madame Hooch, our Quidditch specialist will be the Keeper, as a beater we have the remaining Weasley twin!"
"You can't even tell our children apart Arthur?!" Ms Weasley yelled at her husband.
"Sorry Molly dear... They are quite identical... Last but not least, in these spectacular robes of his, is our referee and Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore!"
Albus whistled and everyone took their places.
" I want a clean and fair game. I won't tolerate anything else!" He instructed both teams in a strict, but still playful tone.
He threw the Quaffle on the air and the game began.
"The game began! Professor Snape has the Quaffle! Who knew he had skills like that? He and Ginny are heading to the scoring area! Good pass Severus! Ginny has the ball, a bludger is coming right on her from one of the twins! I figured it out! It's Fred! Ginny avoids the bludger! What a maneuver! She tries to score but Ron has taken it into his hands. Sorry Ginerva, you're not good enough for this Keeper!"
"Arthur! Ginny is perfectly capable of scoring!" Molly from beside him, chastised.
"I know dear, she just didn't this time that's all... Uhm Bill with the Quaffle. He gets past the bludger George threw at him. He moves to the rings throws the ball and it's in! 10-0 for team Harry! The seekers in the air are doing circles, neither of them seeing the snitch yet."
Harry was circling around the big pitch with his now almost perfected vision, trying to see the snitch... McGonagall was also focused on her job. Harry wanted to see if Minerva would follow as he took a dive, pretending to have seen the snitch.
"And now Harry starts chasing the snitch! Minerva what are you doing standing there?" Arthur was exasperated at the stands.
"Don't you think I know your little schemes Mr Potter? I've seen you play hundreds of time already..." she told Harry as she flew beside him in a calm pace.
"Was worth a try wasn't it?" he chuckled.
"Game now at 60-80 for team Harry. Oh Merlin! Bill is hit by the bludger... Seems quite nasty... Poppy better go and check on him."
"Merlin Bill! BILL! Are you alright dear?"
"He's fine Molly! Just a small concussion..." Poppy reassured and everyone heard Molly over the microphone say something along the lines of "that blasted, barbaric game, makes siblings purposely harm each other... What if someone gets the bludger to the head? What then?"
Game continued with team Harry short of one player. As it was imaginable team Minerva took the upper hand.
"Scoring now 150-90... Team McGonagall is progressing well with Professor Snape managing 70 points in a row and avoiding at least ten bludgers..."
Harry in the top of the stands saw a flickering and a small golden ball as it dived behind them. He saw McGonagall already grabbing her broom and advancing towards him. He pushed his Firebolt at maximum speed. Thank Merlin he was closer than she was... He took a dive behind the stands, finally seeing more clear than ever the small patch of gold.
He put all his focus on it. The snitch got into the field and then took a dive under it in the wooden floor beneath the stands. Harry followed promptly with Minerva in his tail. He was at arm's length, his fingers almost touching the small devilish creation. He pushed even more further and finally grabbed it in his hand.
"Harry, look out!" Minerva yelled, before he had a chance to celebrate and with all the force of his speed, he hit one of the wooden pillars that supported the stands, as he was moving to the field. He fell off his broom and down the field before anyone could stop his fall.
"Harry!" Albus' voice sounded as he guided his broom to the boy. The rest followed.
"I should have known..." Madame Pomfrey was heard. "Move aside, move aside now..." she run a diagnostic spell on him.
"Concussion and a sprained wrist. Otherwise just fine."
Harry's eyes flattered open and he took the image in front of him. At least a dozen of people were watching over him.
"I got it!" He announced smiling as he opened his fist to show the snitch to the others.
Everybody chuckled as Albus and Snape helped him up and levitated him slowly and steadily to the hospital Wing.
Harry thanked the Weasleys for the incredible match they had and hugged each of them, before they left.
Harry and Hermione, who stayed for a bit longer, ate dinner with the rest of the Hogwarts stuff.
"That was a quick and good catch Harry... Can't wait to play with you again in the future."
"It would be an honor Minerva." Harry smiled at her.
"Almost lost ten years of my life Harry... Don't scare an old man like that again." Albus chuckled lightly.
"I'll try not to sir. Can't make any promises though... Is it alright if we go now sir?" Harry asked for permission, as he ate his last spoonful of pudding.
"You may... I'll see you both in a bit. Please try not to keep Ms Granger's parents waiting for her at home." He reminded them.
"We will be on time Professor." Hermione reassured the Headmaster. They said their goodbyes to the rest of the stuff, and left.
" 'Mione do you trust me?"
"Of course I do Harry!"
"Then, follow me..."
"Where are we going?"
"To the Room of course! I have something planned..." Harry had a devious smile on his face. Hermione just looked at him in disbelief and suspicion. He paced thrice and then the door appeared. Harry opened it reviewing a warm room with a big corner couch and a fireplace. A small table sat in front of the fireplace with some table games. Harry took from his pocket a small box he enlarged it and opened it to show all kinds of candies and treats.
"I had Albus give me some of his stash...I want to talk to you...I have to tell you some things Herm. Get them out of my system. I want to tell Ron too, but I'm not quite comfortable yet. I think he won't understand."
"You can tell me anything Harry... You should already know that..."
"I do... But... this is different... So, you know that the Dursleys never really like me...They didn't feed me well and dress me up and staff... But there's more... I... my uncle, he beat me quiet often and so did Dudley and my aunt...He wanted to get the magic out of me, so to speak, and he thought that was the only way to do it. I have never told anyone, but Snape saw yesterday, at Occlumency. It's hard to process, I know. I haven't learned how to cope with it yet, and Sirius doesn't help at all, but I think you deserved to know, and I know you will be there for me."
"Oh Harry..." Hermione wrapped her arms around him. "I always knew something was wrong... I should have asked sooner... Maybe I would be able to spare you a bit of childhood... I'm so sorry..."
"Don't be... I don't want anyone to feel pity for me. I just want you to be there. That's all..."
"Of course I'll be! And Ron will too!"
Harry just smiled at her shyly.
"Thanks Herm... That's all I ever wanted... So let's get this party started shall we?"
Hermione chuckled as Harry opened the exploding snap and started shuffling the deck.
Class returned as usual, and Harry actually looked forward to it. It was his time to try to be an Animagus. Unregistered of course, but that was for the better. He would have the element of surprise by his side.
"Harry, you'll need to focus. Feel your center. Feel the magic that surrounds it. Now, say the spell..."
"Amato Animo Animato Animagus." Said Harry in almost a whisper. Soon enough, a fury paw appeared. It was white with claws, very close to a dog's paw but not quite the same.
"Well done Harry!" Minerva praised. "We'll see if tomorrow we'll be able to transform more of your leg, to see a better glimpse of your animal."
"Great!" Harry smiled brightly.
Harry would spend a lot of hours with Albus too. The two of them had gotten pretty close.
"We are going to find one of the Horcruxes tomorrow, Harry. Can you think which will we pursue first and where it might be?"
"It's pretty obvious isn't it? Voldemort has a very strong belief about bloodlines. So, he would hide a horcrux to his family home, at the Marvolo Cottage. And I'm guessing it would be something of importance in his family or something of Slytgerin's"
"Do you know you are too smart for your age?" Albus chuckled. "That is my exact guess."
Harry chuckled too.
"Now... I think it's time for you to go, Severus will be waiting for you..."
"I'll see you at dinner Al!"
"I had an idea the other night. I was thinking, that you are an extremely emotional person Potter. It seems quite futile to try and rid yourself of these emotions, that's why I want you to try something else. Build an oclumency wall based on any strong emotion. It might be anger, fear, happiness, love. Anything. I'll give you a moment to think of it." Severus instructed. So Harry tried to think of something cheerful. He closed his eyes in concentration.
"Ready?" Severus asked him and Harry just nodded his head.
"Legilimens!"
Severus got in Harry's mind and he was immediately enveloped by warmth. Severus felt joyous suddenly, and he figured out Harry must have thought of happiness as his emotion. It didn't really make sense, Snape for sure couldn't understand it. How was Potter, after all he's been through in the past few days, his whole life, to be honest, able to feel so much happiness, and build the most powerful occlumency wall he had seen in almost a month, since they started practicing. Severus himself had been through a lot but never had he been able to feel happy with his life. Not since Lily anyway. He probed the wall around but it didn't give out. After about three minutes, Harry felt exhausted and let his guard down. Severus landed back on his office and Harry was surprised to see a glimpse of pride in the usually blanc eyes.
"That was a very nice try Potter. Your best this far. We will have to work on your endurance but that shouldn't be a problem."
Harry just smiled. "Thank you sir."
"I think you deserve a heartfelt dinner. I myself, I'm starving."
Harry's belly rumbled as if on queue and the pair, met Albus and Minerva for dinner at the Great Hall.
Around three in the morning a loud scream was heard from Harry's room. Severus shot up and ran to the boy. Potter was full of sweat, he was thrusting around, his sheets tangled between his legs. He was in obvious distress if Severus had to judge from the deep frown in his face and rapid eye movement.
He approached the boy cautiously and shook him lightly.
"Potter... Wake up..." Harry seemed to stop moving around for a bit.
"Potter it's just a nightmare. Wake up!" He said a bit more firmly shaking Harry harder. Harry shot up from his bed, panting and looking frantically around, to recognize his surroundings.
"You had a nightmare Potter." Snape offered him his glasses.
"Did I wake you up? I'm sorry sir... I'll put on silencing charms the next time."
"Don't be a dunderhead, Potter. You will do no such thing. If you have nightmares I demand to be notified, to say the least." Snape snapped.
"Demand? I can take care of myself sir. I am grateful for your help, but the nightmares are my problem and I can deal with them. It's not the first nor the last time they happen and certainly not the first time I have to deal with them alone." Harry looked angrily at the man. He couldn't understand why Snape thought he could make Harry do whatever he wanted. Harry had been alone for the most part of his life. He had nightmares from the day he was born. Even if his relationship with Snape had improved considerably, it wasn't like Snape was in the place to"demand" anything.
"Listen carefully Potter... If you have nightmares, you WILL report them. Because if you don't manage to"deal" with them, then you'll never be able to master Occlumency and eventually,defeat the Dark Lord. And that will prove catastrophic for us. It's enough having a burden with you here, I don't need to lose more sleep too." Snape's tone was low and like a threatening growl.
"That's why you played nice these past weeks. You want me alive because I am the only chance of winning this war. You don't care about me... You care about you, being free of the Dark Lord... I'm sorry I was a burden,sir. I promise you it won't happen again. I'll be leaving tomorrow morning." Harry got up from his bed and went to the bathroom slamming the door behind him.
Severus was left dumbfounded. That wasn't what he meant. Well, not exactly anyway... Fuck! It seemed that with the boy it was like one step forward ten steps back. Old habits die hard.
He cared, no..., he just was interested, for Potter's life. The boy deserved to be happy. And he had vowed to Lily to keep him alive and well and it seemed that until now he was failing miserably.
Severus sighed. He rubbed his temples in exasperation. Maybe it would be for the best if he and Potter were more distant. Albus and Minerva would be better handling the boy's delicate personal matters. He got up from his chair next to Harry's bed and knocked on the bathroom door.
"You can come out Potter. I won't disturb you any longer. A vial of dreamless sleep is on your nightstand.I'll be in my room if you need anything else." Harry could tell from Snape's voice that the man was regretful. Snape conjured the vial and put it on the nightstand and then left the room, closing the door behind him a little bit more loudly, so that Harry could be reassured he left.
Harry had tears stinging in his eyes. He wouldn't let them drop though. He didn't know why he thought Snape was different now. That he cared, that they were starting to like each other. Harry thought he had finally found the right mentor for him. But his dreams and hopes came crushing down. He was fooled by his impulsive emotions again. Why was he rushing to trust people if thy let him down all the time? He opened slowly the door, his room was indeed empty. He had hoped it wouldn't, to be honest. He had hoped that Snape would stay. Say he was wrong, but that probably was too much to ask for.
Harry lied on his bed, burying his head on his pillow.
He wouldn't take the dreamless sleep. He would just wait until it was around five o' clock and then leave for the Gryffindor Tower.
Sir,
I've moved to the Gryffindor Tower. My stuff were transferred by the elves. I did my morning workout, you won't have to meet me by the lake today. The dreamless sleep is in my room, I didn't need to use it. I'll see you for our Occlumency lesson.
Again, I'm sorry.
H.Potter
Damn the boy! When did he leave? It was only 6:30 in the morning! How could he not hear hi leave? He was up all night! Severus figured the boy hadn't slept at all last night, like he had done. He drank his coffee and the firecalled Albus.
"It is quite early Severus, but how can I help you?" The older man was still in his night robes.
"It concerns Potter. We had a...falling out... last night. He has moved to the Gryffindor tower, by his own will." he handed Albus the piece of parchment Harry had wrote.
The Headmaster looked at him puzzled and then he studied carefully they parchment.
"What kind of falling out would lead Harry to leave from your quarters Severus?"
"The... the kind were I told him he was a burden and that he is the only way to win this war and that's why I accepted to look over him." Severus lowered his head, suddenly the floor seemed quite interesting.
Albus sighed and shook slowly his head.
"You should know better than that, Severus. You've seen what he has gone through. You know what is going to happen to him. For Merlin's shake his not even 17 and yet he will have to die! And he has accepted that and made peace with it like it's something normal. I vowed I'd give everything to Harry. Make him happy. I can't understand why you would say that to him." Albus never once raised his voice but he didn't need to. He tone was criticizing and jeering.
"I do apologize Headmaster." Was all the potions M,aster managed at the angry man.
"I trust you are going to the Tower to apologise to him Severus and no to me. Try and be civil with him." Albus chastised but before having the chance to answer, Severus hissed as a sudden jolt of pain got through his left forearm. He grabbed it with his right hand and squeezed it. He looked at Albus with a knowing look.
"Potter has visions when a meeting is held. And today, The Dark Lord is mad Albus. He'll need help. If his scar hurts give him the pain balm. That should help." Severus said between gritted teeth and the disappearance from the office and ran to the gate to apparate to his Dark Lord.
Albus firecalled Minerva.
"Minerva, meet me at the Gryffindor Tower. Hurry if you can."
"Yes of course Albus!"
After that, he took a handful of floo powder, threw it in fireplace and called loud and clear "Gryffindor Tower"
Harry was lied down to the couch, passed out with a frown in his face, making quite, painful noises.
His scar was bleeding. Albus kneeled next to him on the couch, grabbing his hand.
"Harry... Occlude. Build your wall..."
Minerva who arrived right after him gave a small gasp.
"Fetch some healing balm Minerva, if you please." The headmaster ordered.
"Come on Harry... Like Severus tought you... Occlude..." Harry's face started to relax, and after a while, his eyes opened too.
"Welcome back my boy..."
"Al! Snape! He is with him! Voldemort is cruciating him!" Harry tried to sit up but a wave of dizziness hit him and he fell back down.
"Calm down Harry dear boy! Tell me again what you saw." Albus started applying the balm on the scar
"There was a meeting, just the inner circle. Voldemort knows I'm not in Little Whining. He's punishing Professor Snape for failing to tell him. Albus, we have to get him out of there!"
"Harry... We can't do anything I'm afraid... We don't know Voldemort's whereabouts and we would compromise Severus' position if we went to get him... — after a small pause— ...Is it bad Harry?" The Headmaster was sincerely concerned.
"I don't know... He wasn't... screaming... You could tell he was in pain but..." Harry's voice broke and the tears he tried to hold back, were now streaming down his face. Minerva sat next to him on the couch putting her hand on his knee and squeezing it lightly.
"I got angry with him... That's why I'm here and not in my room... What if he... I'll never be able to tell him thank you or that I'm sorry... I can't let him die for me! Please Albus!" Harry's voice could make a giant cry. Albus looked sorrowful and Minerva wiped one of her eyes.
"I'm so sorry Harry...Let me tell you something. Right before going to the meeting, Severus came to my office to inform me of your fight. He reasoned with himself and told me that he was sorry and would come to apologize to you. And let me stress the fact that Severus rarely if not ever apologizes. It wasn't your fault Harry. Severus went to Tom in his free will. And he'll be back. I know he will."
Harry just nodded.
"I can make a suggestion though... I'll go and wait by the gate. Make sure Severus gets rushed in the infirmary as soon as he arrives here. But you have to promise me you'll take a pain reliever and a calming draught."
"I promise..."
"Good. Minerva will you stay with him?" Albus addressed her.
"Of course Albus! Make sure Severus comes back safe."
Albus just nodded. Internally, he was screaming with sadness and guilt. He too had been harsh with Severus right before he left and he would regret it for the rest of his life if something happened to the young man. He sent a Patronus to Poppy letting her know he would need her at Hogwarts for when Severus returned. Now all he had to do was wait.
Harry with Minerva sat in silence at the Tower.
Harry had taken his Potions like he had promised to Albus.
"Are you interested in a game of chess Harry? It might take our minds off this situation."
"I don't think I'll be a good opponent right now Minnie..."
"Don't worry I won't be either." She conjured a board and asked an elf to bring them some pumpkin juice and biscuits.
It was now time for lunch but no sign of Severus yet. Albus was really starting to get worried. A loud crack sounded and a black bundle of clothes fell in the ground.
"Severus! Thank Merlin you're back!" Albus left a breath he didn't realize he was holding escape him.
He slowly lifted the man up and Severus made a sound in protest.
"Sorry m'boy. Seems like I'll have to lift you." Albus performed the feather light charm and lifted Severus, taking him as quickly as he could to the Hospital Wing.
"Leave him there Albus!" The mediwitch indicated the bed in the far back of the room.
She quickly cast her diagnostic spells on the man.
"Cruciatus, stinging charm, secare maxima, thus the cuts in his torso and shoulder, and confractus oasa that caused two broken ribs and the bruising in his back." She spelled in the man two blood replenishing potions and then started magically healing the wounds. She got rid of his clothes, just transfiguring a pair of pajamas for his lower body, leaving his chest exposed. She then spelled into him the Skele-Grow and wrapped his torso firmly with gauze to help the healing of both the cuts and the ribs.
"I'm sorry Severus dear, I can't give you any Pain reliever because it reacts with the Skele-Grow, but you already know that."
Severus groaned as he tried to adjust himself on the bed.
"Potter?" He asked Albus weakly.
"Harry's with Minerva. He did have a vision but he managed to Occlude and get out of Tom's mind. He did see you getting punished, he informed me and I came to fetch you."
Severus just nodded, his eyes closed.
"He was very upset Severus. I'm going to inform him and Minerva that you are safe and sound. Are you fit for any visitors?"
"I don't want him...to see me like that... He's scarred enough." Severus said in almost a weak whisper.
Albus just nodded and lightly squeezed his shoulder.
"I'll tell him that you are sleeping. I'll be back in a minute."
Severus groggily lied down the bed and closed his eyes, trying his best not the hiss in pain. He was asleep as soon as his eyes closed.
The floo flared and Albus stepped through the common room.
Minerva immediately shushed him.
"He fell asleep. Partly the calming draught and the pain, he was exhausted." She whispered, pointing at Harry.
"Severus is back. He is the infirmary. Voldemort did him a lot of damage but he will recover. Would you tell that to Harry when he wakes up?"
"Of course Al. I will stay with him. You should stay with Severus."
Albus gave a small smile. He loved it when Minerva had a plan ready for every circumstance.
"Did you eat anything?" she asked worried. With the war and all of the concerns on his head, Albus hadn't been eating well and she knew at his age, he shouldn't neglect his meals.
"I didn't have the time. Did you?"
"Just some biscuits with Harry. Neither of us had the appetite. Promise you'll eat while you are with Severus."
"If you promise too..." he said playfully.
Minerva smiled.
"Those boys will be the death of us..." she commented.
Albus wrapped her in his arms and kissed her in the forehead.
"I don't mind if they are the reason I die."
He left the common room and a deeply blushed and surprised Minerva, who was rubbing her forehead just in the spot Albus kissed her.
A/N : Some MM/AD as promised... Please review if you liked this chapter!!! I'll try to upload more soon!!!