Gah!! I'm sorry this has taken so long! I been sick!!!! But Oh my! So many reviews! I didn't expect such a response! Now you get one back. Hee! 12 reviews in the course of two days?! I'm rather astounded. Ya see, if I don't write after I get all these reviews, I'll feel guilty, so I am currently writing upon the day I got them all *grins* You know you love me! Due to requests I've gotten to make the chappies longer, I'm going to try my best to write quicker so you can have longer chappies on time. That last one was rather long, you know...Sooo...sorry if this one is a little late...
*smites self upon forehead* I'm such a fool! No more typing for me past midnight! You see what happens when you don't get any sleep? You screw up royally! I have profaned that great author by the name of JKR!!! *uses Avada -KEDAVRA- on self* ......
*is smacked to life by a cold clammy hand* GAAHH!! Oh, it's only Snape...I thought the grim reaper had come for me *receives trademark glare* Okay, well, thanx for alerting me to my screwup everyone. Hopefully it won't happen again. *crosses fingers*
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Chapter 18- The Plot Thickens
a.k.a. Resumed Training
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Dumbledore's voice materialized from the fireplace Snape stood before. "I am alone now, Severus, if you wish to speak with me." His voice quieted as Snape entered the warm violet flames and disappeared from his office.
Happily sitting in a plush chair whilst sipping his tea was the Headmaster. He offered some to Snape, who shook his head no, and took a seat.
"So what brings you here once more this morning, Severus?"
"Potter."
"Young Harry again?" The old wizard looked amused. Snape, however, most certainly did not.
"I believe the Clarification Potion worked better than I'd thought. It's taken heavy affect within the hour."
"So it's helping the boy already. I suppose you're pleased that he'll be able to concentrate with more clarity now during your lessons, my boy."
"It's much more grave than that, Headmaster. He's seeing things in his mind once more. Somehow weighing the odds of different possible outcomes of a scenario, as it were, and apparently living them. And he's doing it with incredible speed. From what he's admitted me, I draw that he's under a sort of time-turner influence of the mind. He saw a possibility at one moment, lived it, and was then sent back to reality, as it were, with knowledge of the event but nothing having changed from the current conscious world. I believe this has more so to do with those creatures he speaks with than any potion I can create, and I believe something holds some sway over those visions."
Dumbledore sat pensive for a moment and sipped his tea. This opened up a whole new range of problems.
"What kind of vision did he have, Severus? How was it brought about?"
"He said he was angry. Very angry. He visualized himself killing one from my own house; Draco Malfoy."
"Do you know how he did it, Severus?"
"He said he used the killing curse."
This wasn't good news. According to Harry just that morning, he wanted him and Draco to become friends, and he wasn't the type to go over the deep end like that. From Snape's tale, Dumbledore suspected something more sinister at work.
"That doesn't sound like Harry at all. He wouldn't be able to perform such a curse, even in a possible present reality. And I doubt his new affections for Mr. Malfoy would allow him such a thing."
"I think the same, Headmaster."
"Then I think we can both agree that Mr. Potter is going to need his training more than ever, for the stakes are rising too high." Snape nodded solemnly. "I believe, in combination with your Clarification Potion and the Dractnox creatures themselves, that the gift of foresight has been bestowed upon young Harry. His anger may be the key factor to controlling this sudden gift. The emotions he bears are strong, and that may be the key to turning it on and off. But he's going to need your help, Severus, for I believe that we are not the only ones who have some knowledge about Harry's new gift."
Snape's eyes took on a ice cold look. One infamous name came to mind and he was suddenly very serious. "What do you wish me to do, Headmaster?"
Dumbledore's eyes took on their stately twinkling and he smiled at the Potions Professor.
"I want you to do what you do best, Severus." The Potions Master frowned. "I want you to teach the boy. Teach him the skills he'll need to handle this new ability and apply them in your training sessions. Things have changed over these past few days, and now the risks are greater than ever before. Harry must gain control over his mind, and learn to defend it."
"I understand, Headmaster. We're resuming the training tonight."
"Wonderful idea. I believe that Harry may be in over his head in this. I also have a suspicion that there is more to this than we have considered. I believe that Tom Riddle may have a part to play in all of this, although I'm not quite sure." Snape nodded in agreement. "Harry is currently incapable of using such a curse, or producing such power necessary for bringing it about. Even in a vision. And Voldemort currently has the crystalline part of the Omnivieve Glass. With his link through Harry's scar, I believe that we may soon be up against formidable odds. We do not know how much he knows, and we should find out."
With this said, Snape swept out of the office in the same manner he had arrived.
Dumbledore finished his tea and sought out the silver piece of the Omnivieve Glass. He extracted it from the red-velvet case in which it had been stowed inside of a bureau. It was slightly gleaming scarlet with a pulsating glow. //So he's searching for it already. Then he knows...how much?//
***********
Harry was sitting in front of the Gryffindor fireplace staring into the flames. The numbing feeling of the warmth upon his face made everything around him vanish. Everything...except his problems. Not even the cleansing flames of the common room fire could stop them from plaguing his mind.
This way and that thoughts darted through his mind. He was afraid to acknowledge them, or to even think. If he thought too hard, or even felt anything, he might experience another vision of sorts, and he didn't want to do that anytime soon. That was what was keeping him from seeking out Hermione or Ron. If he felt anything strong towards either of them, he might have another vision, or might be compelled to do something.
Something like he had wanted to do to Draco.
And what of the day? It all seemed to be going down hill. He and Draco were no longer at odds, but now he and Ron were...as well as Hermione...and just about his whole life. He had even attempted to kill Draco. //And I might have gone through with it...but I did go through it already...in one way...But I didn't really, did I?//
He didn't trust himself, and hated not being able to. He couldn't trust himself around anyone. It was obvious his friends were put to risk, and this time not only by Voldemort, but also by himself.
//I'll just sit here until my session with Snape. As long as I don't do anything, everything should be fine//
Harry sat in front of the fire for a long time. He didn't show up in the Great Hall when it was time for lunch, and he didn't plan to show up for dinner either. The guilt and anxiety building in him made up for the little amount of food he had eaten at breakfast. He wasn't in the mood for food ever again, and he was sure his stomach wouldn't accept any anyways.
He hadn't even noticed when Ron and Hermione had exited and re-entered the common room for lunch. Ron still looked sullen, and Hermione had her head in a book, but Harry hadn't noticed either of his friends. He had left his mind to wander amongst the flames in the fireplace, trying to forget until the needed time. As the old adage goes, ignorance is bliss.
***********
"Harry..." Poke.
"Harry..." Poke-poke.
"Harry, you awake?! Or alive?" A solid hand was shaking his shoulder, rousing him from his trance-like state.
"What?" Neville was staring at Harry through concerned eyes.
"It's time for dinner."
"Oh. Is it?"
"Where have you been? Mars?"
Harry looked around the common room and noticed only he and Neville in it. How long had he been staring at the flames?
"I guess I didn't notice..." Harry made no move to get up.
"Well...are you coming?"
"You go on ahead, Neville." Harry looked back towards the flames. He would be meeting with Snape soon.
Neville stood in place, not attempting to go anywhere. "Are you alright, Harry?"
"Yeah..."
//No, I'm not...//
Something inside of Harry wanted to tell Neville everything. To scream and shout it and have someone else be responsible for all the knowledge he currently held in his care. But no. He could never be afforded such a luxury.
"Go on ahead, Neville. I'm sure Ginny's waiting for you."
"Oh...oh yeah. She probably is."
"See ya, Neville."
Harry stared back into the flames. Neville stood for a moment, then left seeing that Harry had decided that the conversation was over.
//Snape will be expecting me soon...//
Harry got up from his couch and exited the common room. He headed towards a less traveled route to the Hogwarts courtyard for a little air to clear his mind. The last thing he wanted was to go psycho on a student in the hallways should some inclination take over his brain.
***********
Harry sat in the courtyard on a bench in the night air. He was all alone. In silence. He looked to the stars for some sort of solace, or at least to calm his raging thoughts. There were so many possibilities to what he could do now...to people or otherwise. And what if he did something he couldn't take back? //What if I hurt someone? Permanently? All of this mess in the course of one day...What a nightmare this has been//
Harry put his head in his hands and stared at the grass. Whatever he was going to do, he had better do it soon. Otherwise, terrible things might happen...and he had to protect his friends from a lot now, including himself, but how one went about doing so, he didn't know. Hopefully Snape could help with that.
//Oh if I could only start this day over...This accursed day. All my plans to make things different...to live balanced without petty hates...what's happened?//
Harry heard a rustling in the bushes and he watched for a few tense moments, his nerves on edge. He withdrew his wand and cautiously approached the bush, embracing whatever may have had the gall to venture forth alone towards him on the safety of the Hogwarts grounds.
Harry tensed and spread the bushes apart, scaring a white rabbit from the underbrush. It hopped a little distance away and stared at Harry for a moment before returning under another bush.
"Hmph. If I let a harmless rabbit get to me, then I'm gonna loose it."
//And I'm talking to myself...//
Harry sat back down and listened to the noise of the night for a bit longer. He watched the white rabbit pull itself cautiously from under the bush and go back to it's original place. It seemed rather unfair that the rabbit had no troubles to worry about. No fight against good or evil, no worries about his friends. The rabbit had it damn good, and as silly as it seemed, Harry envied it a bit.
He heard it scurry about in the brush. //It must have a burrow there someplace...// He saw a flickering of a white tail and then it disappeared. It was rather funny how a rabbit had calmed his mind. //I'll bring it carrots next time// he mused.
Harry heard voices from somewhere in the halls behind him and realized that he should get going to see Snape. He didn't know for how long he had been out there, but he knew that dinner must be getting over with.
Harry got up from his bench and headed back to the castle. He glanced over his shoulder to see if he could catch another glimpse of the rabbit, but it was gone from sight.
***********
Harry barely made it down to the dungeons in time for his training session. He burst through the door so suddenly that he slipped on the cold stone floor, colliding with somebody. He heard a rather familiar yelp in reply to his intrusion as he made contact with his fellow classmate, ending up as a heap on the floor.
"Ah! You're on my leg!"
"Sorry! Get off my hand!"
"Ow! My fingers!"
Harry tried to get out of the entanglement of limbs and pain as he realized that it was Ron that he had collided with.
"Ron?"
"Harry?"
"What are you doing here?"
"I could ask you the same thing."
"What is all this commotion about?!! POTTER! WEASLEY!"
Both boys grew quiet as Snape's ominous presence filled the entire room. Ron seemed to shrink two sizes.
"Sorry sir, I slipped and fell into Ron..." Harry admitted dolefully. "It was my fault..."
"Ten points from Gryffindor for clumsiness!" Ron made a face at this which Snape regrettable caught. "And another ten points for being obtrusive, Weasley." Ron held his tongue, but Harry clearly saw just how much he wanted to say in response. And Snape apparently wasn't done either. "And I believe that you're late for your...detention, Potter. That's another five points."
Ron openly gaped at Harry. He knew nothing of Harry having detention with him, and he hadn't expected to be seeing him so soon either. But he supposed that serving detention with Harry would make things a little easier, if not help the time pass. But much to his surprise, Snape let him go.
"You're dismissed, Mr. Weasley. Your detentions are to resume again tomorrow, and do not be late."
Harry raised an eyebrow at Ron. He had forgotten that Ron had received a month's detention of cauldron cleaning with Snape. And until that was replaced with another month of detention with Filch, Harry supposed he'd be seeing Ron every evening. And that was at least something good to look forward to...that is, if he could ever get close to his friends again.
Ron gave Harry a puzzled look and got up off the floor, quickly exiting the room before Snape changed his mind. Harry picked himself up off the floor also and brushed himself off as Snape magicked the many cauldrons that were out back to their respective places.
"Sir, I..."
"We'll begin in a moment, Potter. Be patient."
Harry was being patient. He was worried, that was the problem. As much as he hated the man right now (Gryffindor being twenty-five points poorer) he didn't want to hurt him, with his mind or otherwise, and he was afraid of what he was capable of.
"Sir, it's not that," Harry started determinedly. He was going to make Snape listen for once whether he wanted to or not. He had to express his concerns even if his Professor didn't care to hear them, and that in itself was difficult. "About everything I've seen today...or done today...I...I'm scared...and I'm not sure what I'm capable of anymore, or if I can even have basic control over my mind..." "You'll have it, Potter. We're going to practice the same skills originally planned, plus more I've felt will make adequate your newfound skills so long as you obey me and do not question my orders."
Was he going mad or was that meant to be a comforting statement from Severus Snape?
"Is that clear?"
"Yes, sir." Regardless, Harry felt better. He trusted the man for some insane reason, and Snape's words gave him new hope. //Maybe I'll be speaking with the Dractnoxes again soon...//
Snape's voice jarred Harry from his musings as he was told to stand opposite the Potions Master. He took his stance and removed his wand from his robes.
"First we're going to try a little bit of Occlumency, Potter, and then progress from there."
Immediately, fear seized Harry. He froze up as Snape hit him with the spell and gained access to his memories. He was shown a memory, much to Harry's chagrin, when his cousin, Dudley, made him eat dirt and bugs when he was five, and another time when he was six when he had to hide in a smelly dumpster to escape bullying from Dudley's friends at school, and yet another time when Harry was seven when he had his clothes stolen by Dudley's friends and was made to run home crying, barely-clothed, from the park. Here Snape stopped. The boy had many painful memories, and yet he wasn't attempting to stop Snape from viewing them.
"What are you doing, Potter?! Why aren't you stopping me?"
Harry slowly slid to the floor from the exhaustion the spell caused and sat there trembling with fear. He felt so stupid and so helpless, and he hated himself for not attempting to stop it and for being too scared to do so, and appearing so weak in front of Snape.
"Answer me, Potter."
"I-I'm too-"
"Speak up, Potter."
"I don't want...to...hurt you."
Snape was taken aback at those words. First of all, any other student would have jumped at the chance to take a shot at him. Even members of his own house. Second, Potter?! Of all people?! Had the world been turned upside down?
"There is nothing you could possibly do that would ever hurt me, Potter," Snape assured Harry with the utmost arrogance to hide his concern. Truly, he didn't know what the boy was now capable of, but there was only one way to find out, and if he got hurt, so be it. Sometimes people had to get hurt to get results. It was the same way with making new potions; you just had to trust that things would turn out okay.
"But...what if I...do something irreversible...I'm just...scared..."
"You should be scared, Potter. If you weren't scared, there would be something wrong with you." Harry raised his eyes to Snape, who was suddenly made aware of just how much fear the boy's eyes held. He was afraid of what else was there, too. Was it concern? "Do you really believe that the Dark Lord would take pity on you in a moment of fear? You experience nothing else in seeing him, so you had better overcome it and stop me."
"But..."
"I thought you said you'd obey my orders, Potter! Now do what I say and stop me!" He immediately put the spell into effect once more, not even allowing Harry to get up off the floor. He felt it working and was soon inside the boy's mind.
But Harry wouldn't allow it.
"Get out of my head!" Harry said adamantly. Snape's suddenness had taken him by surprise, and he couldn't believe that the man would just attack him without warning. Without meaning to, he had countered it and pushed Snape out of his mind.
Both were panting and stared at one another. Snape was leaning over a desk catching his breath, while Harry was standing, but just barely that. He had a look of contempt on his face, while Snape's countenance held one of satisfaction. His attempt had worked and he had made Harry counter.
"You-! Why did you-?! I could've done something terrible!"
"And you've just proved you didn't. Again, Potter."
Snape cast the spell again, and again Harry countered it, and not just countered, but attacked. He did it in half the time of the last, throwing a binding spell at Snape, which he quickly removed from the Potions Master. Little to say, Snape was pleased.
//The boy has become more powerful and his reaction time is quicker. He is definitely changed//
Harry was, in fact, better than he had been before, or had ever been for that matter. Little to say, he skills were impressive.
But Snape had to be sure that it wasn't just some fluke in his spelling against Harry. He had to see if Harry could throw off the others, but he wasn't going to tell him which mind spells he would use.
"Again, Potter."
Harry was hit with spell after spell as Snape decided to really test out the boy's skill and endurance. With each spell thrown at him, with each type of difficulty and level, Harry countered with a spell of it's kind to match it in a sort of beautiful harmony that even Snape had to admit was amazing. He didn't stop until he had thrown five spells at the boy, all of which were successfully thrown off with grace and skill, and only then did he cease.
Both were breathing hard and on the cool stone floor of the dungeons. Harry's wand hand was shaking as he tried to hold onto it, and he didn't think he could handle one more spell thrown at him.
He wasn't sure what he felt. Perhaps anger towards the Potions Master, or was it relief? What kind of madman was he to throw so many spells in succession at Harry? A wave of emotion engulfed him as he realized that he was okay, and that Snape was left unhurt by him, and that things would be alright now. After everything Harry had just been put through, none of his fears came to life. He didn't do anything he shouldn't have, and everything was okay. He almost cried it felt so good to know he was alright in his head. But instead of crying, he felt sick and nauseous and wanted to throw up and get rid of those terrible feelings he had had. `He supposed this was what true victory felt like.
"Once more, Potter."
"What?"
"Again."
Snape hit Harry with yet another curse, this time with Crucio. Harry writhed and screamed in pain for a moment at the impact of the Unforgivable curse. What was Snape doing hitting him with such a thing? Truly, it was easy for Harry to throw it off. But then he threw the same curse right back at Snape.
The man was on the ground screaming in pain and torment as Harry stood and caught his breath from the spell. He was going to quickly remove it, but something inside him wouldn't allow it.
//-Finish it-//
Memories of intense hate for Snape resurfaced in Harry's mind, including the most recent taking of points from Gryffindor. Why shouldn't he finish it?
//-Finish it. You know what to do-//
Harry raised his wand and walked over to the screaming man before him. He grimly smiled and started to say the spell that would end the Potions Master's life.
"Avada-"
"No! You-you -don't realize- what -you're doing!" Snape yelled between pain-filled screams.
//Yes I do//
"Kedavra!"
//NO! NOT THI-!//
***********
"NOIWON'T!"
Harry was screaming out, clutching his head trying to stop what was happening in his mind. He felt like he was on fire, and trying to make everything stop was unreasonable.
He felt two strong arms suddenly wrap tightly around him and felt the smooth glass of a potions vial at his lips. He could feel cooling liquid being poured down his throat, and he swallowed, coughing and sputtering. He gasped for air and the arms around him relinquished their hold slightly as his breathing was returned to normal and his eyes began to grant him their normal power back.
He was still gasping and panting like he had just run a marathon, and it took a few moments before his breathing fully returned to normal.
"Are you alright, Potter?" Snape's voice was filled with concern, worry, and even a little fright. He still had his hold on Harry in case he should go into another fit of sorts, but with the potion he had given him, that wasn't likely.
Harry looked up to the man that the voice belonged to, and upon seeing that it was Snape, wrapped his arms tightly about him like a little child. He couldn't believe that the man was real, and that what had just transpired wasn't. But how could he be sure that this was the reality, and that the other was not?
"Are you real?! Are you actually alive?!" Harry half-sobbed through Snape's robes.
The Potions Master didn't move. He was actually at a lose for what to do. These kinds of situations weren't everyday occurrences to him, and when was the last time he had a sobbing Gryffindor holding him so closely scared within an inch of their lives? He had an inkling what Harry was mumbling about, but just that.
He was shocked to find that he was rubbing the boy's back soothingly, trying to calm him. He didn't know he had it in him. As the sobs subsided and Harry calmed, Snape questioned him. He had to get answers.
"What did you see, Potter?" he asked. Neither moved from their position on the floor for fear of seeing the other one's face. What did one do in such a situation?
"You..."
"Me?"
"You threw a curse at me...Cruciatus...and I threw it back at you..."
Now that didn't sound so terrible. He'd had to endure that curse every time he went to a dark revel. And if anything, they should both be proud that Harry could so easily throw off such a thing. It was unheard of for the Cruciatus to be thrown off by anyone but it's master. This, if anything, was cause for celebration.
"Good. I hope you are able to do the real thing."
"No!" he spat out. This was not good. "I...was told to...finish it..." he admitted painfully. "And...I did..." Harry started to shake again, and Snape unwittingly tightened his hold on the trembling boy.
//So he used the killing curse again, did he? This time on me? That's fine, he can't really. But who told him to finish it?//
"Who told you to finish the job, Potter?"
"I-I don't know...It was- different this time...I was going to hurry and remove it, the spell, but then I was told to finish it..."
Snape gently pulled away and made Harry look him in the eyes. There was pain there, and a great torrent of emotions swirling about. He hoped that Harry would be able to give him a straight answer.
"Who told you to finish it, Potter? Who do you think it was?"
"I don't know...It was in my head...I think I told myself to finish it..."
//What does that mean?! Are those creatures responsible for this, or is He?!//
"Severus?" A kind old voice intoned. Snape inclined his head towards the old man in his doorway. Dumbledore exited Snape's office, and it was only now that he smelt the unmistakable smell of floo powder. The old wizard was a sneaky one.
"Headmaster." Snape addressed Dumbledore with an air that refused to acknowledge the peculiarity of the situation.
"I just dropped in to see how the training was going. Well I'd wager?"
Snape picked himself and Harry up off the floor, keeping a hand on his shoulder. Harry kept his gaze on the floor.
"Harry, I believe you have an appointment with Madam Pomfrey which I'm sure you'd like to keep."
"Yes..."
"I was just headed there myself. Care to escort an old man?" Dumbledore held out his arm and Harry left Snape's side. All three walked into Snape's office, and Dumbledore let Harry exit through the flames first so that he could have a few words with his Potions Master.
"I knew you had it in you, Severus." Dumbledore's eyes were twinkling with pride as he smiled at Snape. He knew the man could show compassion when he wanted to.
"If you tell anyone I'll deliver you to the Dark Lord myself," he snapped.
Dumbledore grinned and stepped into the flames. "We can talk all about it tomorrow." In a whoosh of warm air, he was gone.
Snape collapsed into his desk chair. Not much had been solved tonight, and he felt that things were getting progressively worse.
He rubbed at his temple in frustration and slammed his fist against the table.
His reputation was shot if Dumbledore talked.
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Was I able to pull off the same trick twice? Nah, I didn't think I could either. But whoa, what was that all of a sudden? Snape gettin' a little tender on us, is he? *is smacked repeatedly over the head by the man in question* OKAY! I take it back! But ya know, Harry does look up to Snape, whether he wants to or not. Not so much as a father figure, but I think things would definately be weird without him around for Harry...afterall, he's saved his ass so many times...
Sometimes I think, "Wouldn't it just be so funny if I just ended the fic at any time with: 'And Harry woke up. It had all been a fantastic dream.' I could just end it with the dream cop-out." Well, no worries, because that's the cheap way out, and I'm too into writing this sucker to do that. I just thought I'd share that with ya. But wow!! So many reviews! I'm simply in awe of it all! I've been writing my butt off even though I've sacrificed my Econ grade, so you know I love you all! And I've been so ill *cough cough* that it's been difficult for me to get on here without hallucinating. *hears Snape snickering in background* You have something to do with this, don't you? I'll bet he does...damn him.
~And now to get to those that whom without this story would be impossible~
PhoenixPadfoot89: *quotes you...and Captain Jack Sparrow* "That's interesting". Yay! Go me! But yes, Harry was going a bit nuts, but wouldn't you if you had the weight of the world upon your shoulders? All this crazy crap is happening to him and he can't really control it, eh. Harry would never kill Draco...unless he had to, but that shouldn't happen in this fic, so cheers!
Arizosa: Steven Spielberg, eh? Yay! If my writing seems that good, then maybe my films will be up to par some day. I wanna be a filmmaker:) But yes, I'm glad you thought it was cool, I was afraid it would turn you guys off this fic. EXCELLENT. I wanted ya'll to think that he really killed Draco, but he didn't. No worries. Oh yes...the twists indeed *goes off to ponder* *Snape wipes tomato pieces off his face* He's not very pleased with me at the moment...
Katani Petitedra: Yay! Nothin' was thrown at me...by you. *Snape glares* Okay, well stuff was thrown at him, not me, sooo....okie dokie, I'll update as long as I escape your wrath...hee hee hee...
mrs-osbourne's-class: I'm utterly blissful that I've made you happy....hee =^..^= I'm doin' a good job, you think? Oh boy Oh boy! And I can't believe you -still- think I'm doin' well with this. I thought I'd lost the fire awhile ago...well, apparently not if you think it's well written (take that eleventh grade english teacher!) Well, as long as it stays inventive and has a sense of humor, I guess I'm happy. I must quote you for my ego's purposes "you're very talented!" YAY!!! And I've addressed the Avada Kedavra thingy...It just proves I'm only human...and helluva sleepy when I was polishing off this chappie:) Always happy to have your reviews, they make me so...so...*whips out thesaurus and tries to find another word for happy* umm...YAY!! *big smiles and hugs* *Snape gives you a rootbeer* Wow, the drink of choice. He must really like you *receives another glare* Okay, appreciates you. *Snape seems satisfied* Whatever.
ParanoiaIn2005: Snape may not be happy about the party hat, but he knows he looks helluva sexy in it *dodges a well placed curse* You're very welcome! But he can deal...he's such a whiner *watches one's back* I was hoping to get that kind of reaction outta my readers, and it's apparently worked *grins* Don't worry, everything's kewl:) And I'd never leave you guys hanging! I'm already sacrificing my AP Economics grade, so you -know- I must be dedicated *puffs out chest with pride* *Snape rolls eyes* He really -is- a greasy git, *Snape whips out wand* but we love him for it, of course *puts it away* Dumbass. Anywho, nice to know you won't chuck stuff at me. I'm getting better at dodging, though:)
Drizzt of the 203-SAW: Too late. *grins* I'm glad this was brought to my attention. It proves the fact that I should pace myself when I write:) Sorry to confuse you! I'll try to make the chapters longer, that is, if my stingy parents let me on this thing...
Phoebe-H: Hey, thanx a lot and welcome to our hap-hap-happy family *Snape shows FireValkyrie a rather rude finger* Yeah, well, he's still pissed at me...Thanx for reviewin'! I'll update for ya!
Molly Morrison: Yay! I have interesting concepts! Go me! Glad I gave ya a fun read! You're talkin' to the Queen of Procrastination here! Sunday night papers= A's! HA HA HA HA! How many people can pull that off? Yeah well, I couldn't kill Draco, not now. It would just be wrong...But what I do believe is right is that you spent your hours reading me! I just love hearing stuff like this! It shows I have some spunk! Yay! Thank you very much for the review and determination!
Charmed-103: We love you here! *forces Snape to give a hug* *he feigns sleep* Hey, pay attention or I might not write ya in, ya bugger! *snaps to attention* That's better. I've actually started writting more quickly because of the flood of reviews I got! I couldn't believe it! Wowie! Anywayz, thanx a lot! Your praise means a lot to me!
PRONGSLOVER: YAHOO! An excellent fanfic under my name! Take that....um...other writers! I'm loved so ha! *Snape extends a hand of thanks* Wow...he's never done that before. I wonder if he's feeling alright? *hand is smacked away from his forehead* I'm so glad you like Snape in this fic and that you like his character! It's another victory for him to have someone like him...yes...*whispers* he is pretty apathetic to his followers...little blighter...
Anne: Hee hee...I tricked the lot of you with that one. Sorry to have freaked you out, but I do like knowing I have the written power to do so *MUHUHAHAHAH!* Yeah, he loves me so he does what I ask *gets icicle glare from Snape* but not always perfectly. Git. You really liked my description of his anger, eh? Thanx for tellin' me that! Now I know what my good skills are! I'm a little weird myself *is given veritaserum* Okay, I'm helluva weird, but I think I may be happy if a stranger did crash a plane in front of my mobile home in a storm...very sexy settings...mmm...with a certain potions master...*Snape's eyes bulge out and he's suddenly disappeared* Where are you my darling? heh heh heh...
MarsIsBrightTonight: Thanx. I've addressed the problem:)
*smites self upon forehead* I'm such a fool! No more typing for me past midnight! You see what happens when you don't get any sleep? You screw up royally! I have profaned that great author by the name of JKR!!! *uses Avada -KEDAVRA- on self* ......
*is smacked to life by a cold clammy hand* GAAHH!! Oh, it's only Snape...I thought the grim reaper had come for me *receives trademark glare* Okay, well, thanx for alerting me to my screwup everyone. Hopefully it won't happen again. *crosses fingers*
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Chapter 18- The Plot Thickens
a.k.a. Resumed Training
*********************************
Dumbledore's voice materialized from the fireplace Snape stood before. "I am alone now, Severus, if you wish to speak with me." His voice quieted as Snape entered the warm violet flames and disappeared from his office.
Happily sitting in a plush chair whilst sipping his tea was the Headmaster. He offered some to Snape, who shook his head no, and took a seat.
"So what brings you here once more this morning, Severus?"
"Potter."
"Young Harry again?" The old wizard looked amused. Snape, however, most certainly did not.
"I believe the Clarification Potion worked better than I'd thought. It's taken heavy affect within the hour."
"So it's helping the boy already. I suppose you're pleased that he'll be able to concentrate with more clarity now during your lessons, my boy."
"It's much more grave than that, Headmaster. He's seeing things in his mind once more. Somehow weighing the odds of different possible outcomes of a scenario, as it were, and apparently living them. And he's doing it with incredible speed. From what he's admitted me, I draw that he's under a sort of time-turner influence of the mind. He saw a possibility at one moment, lived it, and was then sent back to reality, as it were, with knowledge of the event but nothing having changed from the current conscious world. I believe this has more so to do with those creatures he speaks with than any potion I can create, and I believe something holds some sway over those visions."
Dumbledore sat pensive for a moment and sipped his tea. This opened up a whole new range of problems.
"What kind of vision did he have, Severus? How was it brought about?"
"He said he was angry. Very angry. He visualized himself killing one from my own house; Draco Malfoy."
"Do you know how he did it, Severus?"
"He said he used the killing curse."
This wasn't good news. According to Harry just that morning, he wanted him and Draco to become friends, and he wasn't the type to go over the deep end like that. From Snape's tale, Dumbledore suspected something more sinister at work.
"That doesn't sound like Harry at all. He wouldn't be able to perform such a curse, even in a possible present reality. And I doubt his new affections for Mr. Malfoy would allow him such a thing."
"I think the same, Headmaster."
"Then I think we can both agree that Mr. Potter is going to need his training more than ever, for the stakes are rising too high." Snape nodded solemnly. "I believe, in combination with your Clarification Potion and the Dractnox creatures themselves, that the gift of foresight has been bestowed upon young Harry. His anger may be the key factor to controlling this sudden gift. The emotions he bears are strong, and that may be the key to turning it on and off. But he's going to need your help, Severus, for I believe that we are not the only ones who have some knowledge about Harry's new gift."
Snape's eyes took on a ice cold look. One infamous name came to mind and he was suddenly very serious. "What do you wish me to do, Headmaster?"
Dumbledore's eyes took on their stately twinkling and he smiled at the Potions Professor.
"I want you to do what you do best, Severus." The Potions Master frowned. "I want you to teach the boy. Teach him the skills he'll need to handle this new ability and apply them in your training sessions. Things have changed over these past few days, and now the risks are greater than ever before. Harry must gain control over his mind, and learn to defend it."
"I understand, Headmaster. We're resuming the training tonight."
"Wonderful idea. I believe that Harry may be in over his head in this. I also have a suspicion that there is more to this than we have considered. I believe that Tom Riddle may have a part to play in all of this, although I'm not quite sure." Snape nodded in agreement. "Harry is currently incapable of using such a curse, or producing such power necessary for bringing it about. Even in a vision. And Voldemort currently has the crystalline part of the Omnivieve Glass. With his link through Harry's scar, I believe that we may soon be up against formidable odds. We do not know how much he knows, and we should find out."
With this said, Snape swept out of the office in the same manner he had arrived.
Dumbledore finished his tea and sought out the silver piece of the Omnivieve Glass. He extracted it from the red-velvet case in which it had been stowed inside of a bureau. It was slightly gleaming scarlet with a pulsating glow. //So he's searching for it already. Then he knows...how much?//
***********
Harry was sitting in front of the Gryffindor fireplace staring into the flames. The numbing feeling of the warmth upon his face made everything around him vanish. Everything...except his problems. Not even the cleansing flames of the common room fire could stop them from plaguing his mind.
This way and that thoughts darted through his mind. He was afraid to acknowledge them, or to even think. If he thought too hard, or even felt anything, he might experience another vision of sorts, and he didn't want to do that anytime soon. That was what was keeping him from seeking out Hermione or Ron. If he felt anything strong towards either of them, he might have another vision, or might be compelled to do something.
Something like he had wanted to do to Draco.
And what of the day? It all seemed to be going down hill. He and Draco were no longer at odds, but now he and Ron were...as well as Hermione...and just about his whole life. He had even attempted to kill Draco. //And I might have gone through with it...but I did go through it already...in one way...But I didn't really, did I?//
He didn't trust himself, and hated not being able to. He couldn't trust himself around anyone. It was obvious his friends were put to risk, and this time not only by Voldemort, but also by himself.
//I'll just sit here until my session with Snape. As long as I don't do anything, everything should be fine//
Harry sat in front of the fire for a long time. He didn't show up in the Great Hall when it was time for lunch, and he didn't plan to show up for dinner either. The guilt and anxiety building in him made up for the little amount of food he had eaten at breakfast. He wasn't in the mood for food ever again, and he was sure his stomach wouldn't accept any anyways.
He hadn't even noticed when Ron and Hermione had exited and re-entered the common room for lunch. Ron still looked sullen, and Hermione had her head in a book, but Harry hadn't noticed either of his friends. He had left his mind to wander amongst the flames in the fireplace, trying to forget until the needed time. As the old adage goes, ignorance is bliss.
***********
"Harry..." Poke.
"Harry..." Poke-poke.
"Harry, you awake?! Or alive?" A solid hand was shaking his shoulder, rousing him from his trance-like state.
"What?" Neville was staring at Harry through concerned eyes.
"It's time for dinner."
"Oh. Is it?"
"Where have you been? Mars?"
Harry looked around the common room and noticed only he and Neville in it. How long had he been staring at the flames?
"I guess I didn't notice..." Harry made no move to get up.
"Well...are you coming?"
"You go on ahead, Neville." Harry looked back towards the flames. He would be meeting with Snape soon.
Neville stood in place, not attempting to go anywhere. "Are you alright, Harry?"
"Yeah..."
//No, I'm not...//
Something inside of Harry wanted to tell Neville everything. To scream and shout it and have someone else be responsible for all the knowledge he currently held in his care. But no. He could never be afforded such a luxury.
"Go on ahead, Neville. I'm sure Ginny's waiting for you."
"Oh...oh yeah. She probably is."
"See ya, Neville."
Harry stared back into the flames. Neville stood for a moment, then left seeing that Harry had decided that the conversation was over.
//Snape will be expecting me soon...//
Harry got up from his couch and exited the common room. He headed towards a less traveled route to the Hogwarts courtyard for a little air to clear his mind. The last thing he wanted was to go psycho on a student in the hallways should some inclination take over his brain.
***********
Harry sat in the courtyard on a bench in the night air. He was all alone. In silence. He looked to the stars for some sort of solace, or at least to calm his raging thoughts. There were so many possibilities to what he could do now...to people or otherwise. And what if he did something he couldn't take back? //What if I hurt someone? Permanently? All of this mess in the course of one day...What a nightmare this has been//
Harry put his head in his hands and stared at the grass. Whatever he was going to do, he had better do it soon. Otherwise, terrible things might happen...and he had to protect his friends from a lot now, including himself, but how one went about doing so, he didn't know. Hopefully Snape could help with that.
//Oh if I could only start this day over...This accursed day. All my plans to make things different...to live balanced without petty hates...what's happened?//
Harry heard a rustling in the bushes and he watched for a few tense moments, his nerves on edge. He withdrew his wand and cautiously approached the bush, embracing whatever may have had the gall to venture forth alone towards him on the safety of the Hogwarts grounds.
Harry tensed and spread the bushes apart, scaring a white rabbit from the underbrush. It hopped a little distance away and stared at Harry for a moment before returning under another bush.
"Hmph. If I let a harmless rabbit get to me, then I'm gonna loose it."
//And I'm talking to myself...//
Harry sat back down and listened to the noise of the night for a bit longer. He watched the white rabbit pull itself cautiously from under the bush and go back to it's original place. It seemed rather unfair that the rabbit had no troubles to worry about. No fight against good or evil, no worries about his friends. The rabbit had it damn good, and as silly as it seemed, Harry envied it a bit.
He heard it scurry about in the brush. //It must have a burrow there someplace...// He saw a flickering of a white tail and then it disappeared. It was rather funny how a rabbit had calmed his mind. //I'll bring it carrots next time// he mused.
Harry heard voices from somewhere in the halls behind him and realized that he should get going to see Snape. He didn't know for how long he had been out there, but he knew that dinner must be getting over with.
Harry got up from his bench and headed back to the castle. He glanced over his shoulder to see if he could catch another glimpse of the rabbit, but it was gone from sight.
***********
Harry barely made it down to the dungeons in time for his training session. He burst through the door so suddenly that he slipped on the cold stone floor, colliding with somebody. He heard a rather familiar yelp in reply to his intrusion as he made contact with his fellow classmate, ending up as a heap on the floor.
"Ah! You're on my leg!"
"Sorry! Get off my hand!"
"Ow! My fingers!"
Harry tried to get out of the entanglement of limbs and pain as he realized that it was Ron that he had collided with.
"Ron?"
"Harry?"
"What are you doing here?"
"I could ask you the same thing."
"What is all this commotion about?!! POTTER! WEASLEY!"
Both boys grew quiet as Snape's ominous presence filled the entire room. Ron seemed to shrink two sizes.
"Sorry sir, I slipped and fell into Ron..." Harry admitted dolefully. "It was my fault..."
"Ten points from Gryffindor for clumsiness!" Ron made a face at this which Snape regrettable caught. "And another ten points for being obtrusive, Weasley." Ron held his tongue, but Harry clearly saw just how much he wanted to say in response. And Snape apparently wasn't done either. "And I believe that you're late for your...detention, Potter. That's another five points."
Ron openly gaped at Harry. He knew nothing of Harry having detention with him, and he hadn't expected to be seeing him so soon either. But he supposed that serving detention with Harry would make things a little easier, if not help the time pass. But much to his surprise, Snape let him go.
"You're dismissed, Mr. Weasley. Your detentions are to resume again tomorrow, and do not be late."
Harry raised an eyebrow at Ron. He had forgotten that Ron had received a month's detention of cauldron cleaning with Snape. And until that was replaced with another month of detention with Filch, Harry supposed he'd be seeing Ron every evening. And that was at least something good to look forward to...that is, if he could ever get close to his friends again.
Ron gave Harry a puzzled look and got up off the floor, quickly exiting the room before Snape changed his mind. Harry picked himself up off the floor also and brushed himself off as Snape magicked the many cauldrons that were out back to their respective places.
"Sir, I..."
"We'll begin in a moment, Potter. Be patient."
Harry was being patient. He was worried, that was the problem. As much as he hated the man right now (Gryffindor being twenty-five points poorer) he didn't want to hurt him, with his mind or otherwise, and he was afraid of what he was capable of.
"Sir, it's not that," Harry started determinedly. He was going to make Snape listen for once whether he wanted to or not. He had to express his concerns even if his Professor didn't care to hear them, and that in itself was difficult. "About everything I've seen today...or done today...I...I'm scared...and I'm not sure what I'm capable of anymore, or if I can even have basic control over my mind..." "You'll have it, Potter. We're going to practice the same skills originally planned, plus more I've felt will make adequate your newfound skills so long as you obey me and do not question my orders."
Was he going mad or was that meant to be a comforting statement from Severus Snape?
"Is that clear?"
"Yes, sir." Regardless, Harry felt better. He trusted the man for some insane reason, and Snape's words gave him new hope. //Maybe I'll be speaking with the Dractnoxes again soon...//
Snape's voice jarred Harry from his musings as he was told to stand opposite the Potions Master. He took his stance and removed his wand from his robes.
"First we're going to try a little bit of Occlumency, Potter, and then progress from there."
Immediately, fear seized Harry. He froze up as Snape hit him with the spell and gained access to his memories. He was shown a memory, much to Harry's chagrin, when his cousin, Dudley, made him eat dirt and bugs when he was five, and another time when he was six when he had to hide in a smelly dumpster to escape bullying from Dudley's friends at school, and yet another time when Harry was seven when he had his clothes stolen by Dudley's friends and was made to run home crying, barely-clothed, from the park. Here Snape stopped. The boy had many painful memories, and yet he wasn't attempting to stop Snape from viewing them.
"What are you doing, Potter?! Why aren't you stopping me?"
Harry slowly slid to the floor from the exhaustion the spell caused and sat there trembling with fear. He felt so stupid and so helpless, and he hated himself for not attempting to stop it and for being too scared to do so, and appearing so weak in front of Snape.
"Answer me, Potter."
"I-I'm too-"
"Speak up, Potter."
"I don't want...to...hurt you."
Snape was taken aback at those words. First of all, any other student would have jumped at the chance to take a shot at him. Even members of his own house. Second, Potter?! Of all people?! Had the world been turned upside down?
"There is nothing you could possibly do that would ever hurt me, Potter," Snape assured Harry with the utmost arrogance to hide his concern. Truly, he didn't know what the boy was now capable of, but there was only one way to find out, and if he got hurt, so be it. Sometimes people had to get hurt to get results. It was the same way with making new potions; you just had to trust that things would turn out okay.
"But...what if I...do something irreversible...I'm just...scared..."
"You should be scared, Potter. If you weren't scared, there would be something wrong with you." Harry raised his eyes to Snape, who was suddenly made aware of just how much fear the boy's eyes held. He was afraid of what else was there, too. Was it concern? "Do you really believe that the Dark Lord would take pity on you in a moment of fear? You experience nothing else in seeing him, so you had better overcome it and stop me."
"But..."
"I thought you said you'd obey my orders, Potter! Now do what I say and stop me!" He immediately put the spell into effect once more, not even allowing Harry to get up off the floor. He felt it working and was soon inside the boy's mind.
But Harry wouldn't allow it.
"Get out of my head!" Harry said adamantly. Snape's suddenness had taken him by surprise, and he couldn't believe that the man would just attack him without warning. Without meaning to, he had countered it and pushed Snape out of his mind.
Both were panting and stared at one another. Snape was leaning over a desk catching his breath, while Harry was standing, but just barely that. He had a look of contempt on his face, while Snape's countenance held one of satisfaction. His attempt had worked and he had made Harry counter.
"You-! Why did you-?! I could've done something terrible!"
"And you've just proved you didn't. Again, Potter."
Snape cast the spell again, and again Harry countered it, and not just countered, but attacked. He did it in half the time of the last, throwing a binding spell at Snape, which he quickly removed from the Potions Master. Little to say, Snape was pleased.
//The boy has become more powerful and his reaction time is quicker. He is definitely changed//
Harry was, in fact, better than he had been before, or had ever been for that matter. Little to say, he skills were impressive.
But Snape had to be sure that it wasn't just some fluke in his spelling against Harry. He had to see if Harry could throw off the others, but he wasn't going to tell him which mind spells he would use.
"Again, Potter."
Harry was hit with spell after spell as Snape decided to really test out the boy's skill and endurance. With each spell thrown at him, with each type of difficulty and level, Harry countered with a spell of it's kind to match it in a sort of beautiful harmony that even Snape had to admit was amazing. He didn't stop until he had thrown five spells at the boy, all of which were successfully thrown off with grace and skill, and only then did he cease.
Both were breathing hard and on the cool stone floor of the dungeons. Harry's wand hand was shaking as he tried to hold onto it, and he didn't think he could handle one more spell thrown at him.
He wasn't sure what he felt. Perhaps anger towards the Potions Master, or was it relief? What kind of madman was he to throw so many spells in succession at Harry? A wave of emotion engulfed him as he realized that he was okay, and that Snape was left unhurt by him, and that things would be alright now. After everything Harry had just been put through, none of his fears came to life. He didn't do anything he shouldn't have, and everything was okay. He almost cried it felt so good to know he was alright in his head. But instead of crying, he felt sick and nauseous and wanted to throw up and get rid of those terrible feelings he had had. `He supposed this was what true victory felt like.
"Once more, Potter."
"What?"
"Again."
Snape hit Harry with yet another curse, this time with Crucio. Harry writhed and screamed in pain for a moment at the impact of the Unforgivable curse. What was Snape doing hitting him with such a thing? Truly, it was easy for Harry to throw it off. But then he threw the same curse right back at Snape.
The man was on the ground screaming in pain and torment as Harry stood and caught his breath from the spell. He was going to quickly remove it, but something inside him wouldn't allow it.
//-Finish it-//
Memories of intense hate for Snape resurfaced in Harry's mind, including the most recent taking of points from Gryffindor. Why shouldn't he finish it?
//-Finish it. You know what to do-//
Harry raised his wand and walked over to the screaming man before him. He grimly smiled and started to say the spell that would end the Potions Master's life.
"Avada-"
"No! You-you -don't realize- what -you're doing!" Snape yelled between pain-filled screams.
//Yes I do//
"Kedavra!"
//NO! NOT THI-!//
***********
"NOIWON'T!"
Harry was screaming out, clutching his head trying to stop what was happening in his mind. He felt like he was on fire, and trying to make everything stop was unreasonable.
He felt two strong arms suddenly wrap tightly around him and felt the smooth glass of a potions vial at his lips. He could feel cooling liquid being poured down his throat, and he swallowed, coughing and sputtering. He gasped for air and the arms around him relinquished their hold slightly as his breathing was returned to normal and his eyes began to grant him their normal power back.
He was still gasping and panting like he had just run a marathon, and it took a few moments before his breathing fully returned to normal.
"Are you alright, Potter?" Snape's voice was filled with concern, worry, and even a little fright. He still had his hold on Harry in case he should go into another fit of sorts, but with the potion he had given him, that wasn't likely.
Harry looked up to the man that the voice belonged to, and upon seeing that it was Snape, wrapped his arms tightly about him like a little child. He couldn't believe that the man was real, and that what had just transpired wasn't. But how could he be sure that this was the reality, and that the other was not?
"Are you real?! Are you actually alive?!" Harry half-sobbed through Snape's robes.
The Potions Master didn't move. He was actually at a lose for what to do. These kinds of situations weren't everyday occurrences to him, and when was the last time he had a sobbing Gryffindor holding him so closely scared within an inch of their lives? He had an inkling what Harry was mumbling about, but just that.
He was shocked to find that he was rubbing the boy's back soothingly, trying to calm him. He didn't know he had it in him. As the sobs subsided and Harry calmed, Snape questioned him. He had to get answers.
"What did you see, Potter?" he asked. Neither moved from their position on the floor for fear of seeing the other one's face. What did one do in such a situation?
"You..."
"Me?"
"You threw a curse at me...Cruciatus...and I threw it back at you..."
Now that didn't sound so terrible. He'd had to endure that curse every time he went to a dark revel. And if anything, they should both be proud that Harry could so easily throw off such a thing. It was unheard of for the Cruciatus to be thrown off by anyone but it's master. This, if anything, was cause for celebration.
"Good. I hope you are able to do the real thing."
"No!" he spat out. This was not good. "I...was told to...finish it..." he admitted painfully. "And...I did..." Harry started to shake again, and Snape unwittingly tightened his hold on the trembling boy.
//So he used the killing curse again, did he? This time on me? That's fine, he can't really. But who told him to finish it?//
"Who told you to finish the job, Potter?"
"I-I don't know...It was- different this time...I was going to hurry and remove it, the spell, but then I was told to finish it..."
Snape gently pulled away and made Harry look him in the eyes. There was pain there, and a great torrent of emotions swirling about. He hoped that Harry would be able to give him a straight answer.
"Who told you to finish it, Potter? Who do you think it was?"
"I don't know...It was in my head...I think I told myself to finish it..."
//What does that mean?! Are those creatures responsible for this, or is He?!//
"Severus?" A kind old voice intoned. Snape inclined his head towards the old man in his doorway. Dumbledore exited Snape's office, and it was only now that he smelt the unmistakable smell of floo powder. The old wizard was a sneaky one.
"Headmaster." Snape addressed Dumbledore with an air that refused to acknowledge the peculiarity of the situation.
"I just dropped in to see how the training was going. Well I'd wager?"
Snape picked himself and Harry up off the floor, keeping a hand on his shoulder. Harry kept his gaze on the floor.
"Harry, I believe you have an appointment with Madam Pomfrey which I'm sure you'd like to keep."
"Yes..."
"I was just headed there myself. Care to escort an old man?" Dumbledore held out his arm and Harry left Snape's side. All three walked into Snape's office, and Dumbledore let Harry exit through the flames first so that he could have a few words with his Potions Master.
"I knew you had it in you, Severus." Dumbledore's eyes were twinkling with pride as he smiled at Snape. He knew the man could show compassion when he wanted to.
"If you tell anyone I'll deliver you to the Dark Lord myself," he snapped.
Dumbledore grinned and stepped into the flames. "We can talk all about it tomorrow." In a whoosh of warm air, he was gone.
Snape collapsed into his desk chair. Not much had been solved tonight, and he felt that things were getting progressively worse.
He rubbed at his temple in frustration and slammed his fist against the table.
His reputation was shot if Dumbledore talked.
*********************************
Was I able to pull off the same trick twice? Nah, I didn't think I could either. But whoa, what was that all of a sudden? Snape gettin' a little tender on us, is he? *is smacked repeatedly over the head by the man in question* OKAY! I take it back! But ya know, Harry does look up to Snape, whether he wants to or not. Not so much as a father figure, but I think things would definately be weird without him around for Harry...afterall, he's saved his ass so many times...
Sometimes I think, "Wouldn't it just be so funny if I just ended the fic at any time with: 'And Harry woke up. It had all been a fantastic dream.' I could just end it with the dream cop-out." Well, no worries, because that's the cheap way out, and I'm too into writing this sucker to do that. I just thought I'd share that with ya. But wow!! So many reviews! I'm simply in awe of it all! I've been writing my butt off even though I've sacrificed my Econ grade, so you know I love you all! And I've been so ill *cough cough* that it's been difficult for me to get on here without hallucinating. *hears Snape snickering in background* You have something to do with this, don't you? I'll bet he does...damn him.
~And now to get to those that whom without this story would be impossible~
PhoenixPadfoot89: *quotes you...and Captain Jack Sparrow* "That's interesting". Yay! Go me! But yes, Harry was going a bit nuts, but wouldn't you if you had the weight of the world upon your shoulders? All this crazy crap is happening to him and he can't really control it, eh. Harry would never kill Draco...unless he had to, but that shouldn't happen in this fic, so cheers!
Arizosa: Steven Spielberg, eh? Yay! If my writing seems that good, then maybe my films will be up to par some day. I wanna be a filmmaker:) But yes, I'm glad you thought it was cool, I was afraid it would turn you guys off this fic. EXCELLENT. I wanted ya'll to think that he really killed Draco, but he didn't. No worries. Oh yes...the twists indeed *goes off to ponder* *Snape wipes tomato pieces off his face* He's not very pleased with me at the moment...
Katani Petitedra: Yay! Nothin' was thrown at me...by you. *Snape glares* Okay, well stuff was thrown at him, not me, sooo....okie dokie, I'll update as long as I escape your wrath...hee hee hee...
mrs-osbourne's-class: I'm utterly blissful that I've made you happy....hee =^..^= I'm doin' a good job, you think? Oh boy Oh boy! And I can't believe you -still- think I'm doin' well with this. I thought I'd lost the fire awhile ago...well, apparently not if you think it's well written (take that eleventh grade english teacher!) Well, as long as it stays inventive and has a sense of humor, I guess I'm happy. I must quote you for my ego's purposes "you're very talented!" YAY!!! And I've addressed the Avada Kedavra thingy...It just proves I'm only human...and helluva sleepy when I was polishing off this chappie:) Always happy to have your reviews, they make me so...so...*whips out thesaurus and tries to find another word for happy* umm...YAY!! *big smiles and hugs* *Snape gives you a rootbeer* Wow, the drink of choice. He must really like you *receives another glare* Okay, appreciates you. *Snape seems satisfied* Whatever.
ParanoiaIn2005: Snape may not be happy about the party hat, but he knows he looks helluva sexy in it *dodges a well placed curse* You're very welcome! But he can deal...he's such a whiner *watches one's back* I was hoping to get that kind of reaction outta my readers, and it's apparently worked *grins* Don't worry, everything's kewl:) And I'd never leave you guys hanging! I'm already sacrificing my AP Economics grade, so you -know- I must be dedicated *puffs out chest with pride* *Snape rolls eyes* He really -is- a greasy git, *Snape whips out wand* but we love him for it, of course *puts it away* Dumbass. Anywho, nice to know you won't chuck stuff at me. I'm getting better at dodging, though:)
Drizzt of the 203-SAW: Too late. *grins* I'm glad this was brought to my attention. It proves the fact that I should pace myself when I write:) Sorry to confuse you! I'll try to make the chapters longer, that is, if my stingy parents let me on this thing...
Phoebe-H: Hey, thanx a lot and welcome to our hap-hap-happy family *Snape shows FireValkyrie a rather rude finger* Yeah, well, he's still pissed at me...Thanx for reviewin'! I'll update for ya!
Molly Morrison: Yay! I have interesting concepts! Go me! Glad I gave ya a fun read! You're talkin' to the Queen of Procrastination here! Sunday night papers= A's! HA HA HA HA! How many people can pull that off? Yeah well, I couldn't kill Draco, not now. It would just be wrong...But what I do believe is right is that you spent your hours reading me! I just love hearing stuff like this! It shows I have some spunk! Yay! Thank you very much for the review and determination!
Charmed-103: We love you here! *forces Snape to give a hug* *he feigns sleep* Hey, pay attention or I might not write ya in, ya bugger! *snaps to attention* That's better. I've actually started writting more quickly because of the flood of reviews I got! I couldn't believe it! Wowie! Anywayz, thanx a lot! Your praise means a lot to me!
PRONGSLOVER: YAHOO! An excellent fanfic under my name! Take that....um...other writers! I'm loved so ha! *Snape extends a hand of thanks* Wow...he's never done that before. I wonder if he's feeling alright? *hand is smacked away from his forehead* I'm so glad you like Snape in this fic and that you like his character! It's another victory for him to have someone like him...yes...*whispers* he is pretty apathetic to his followers...little blighter...
Anne: Hee hee...I tricked the lot of you with that one. Sorry to have freaked you out, but I do like knowing I have the written power to do so *MUHUHAHAHAH!* Yeah, he loves me so he does what I ask *gets icicle glare from Snape* but not always perfectly. Git. You really liked my description of his anger, eh? Thanx for tellin' me that! Now I know what my good skills are! I'm a little weird myself *is given veritaserum* Okay, I'm helluva weird, but I think I may be happy if a stranger did crash a plane in front of my mobile home in a storm...very sexy settings...mmm...with a certain potions master...*Snape's eyes bulge out and he's suddenly disappeared* Where are you my darling? heh heh heh...
MarsIsBrightTonight: Thanx. I've addressed the problem:)