*rubs head in pain* Whoa, I think I started new years celebrations too early and finished them too late...Where's Snape at? *looks under various upturned pieces of furniture* *finds Snape with lampshade on his head, passed out under a table* heh heh...he was the life of the party! And now he's all tuckered out...but what the hell were we drinkin'? *finds empty bottle of fire whiskey in Snape's hand* Oh. Well then. That'll do the trick then, won't it? Okay, while I try to wake him, you can all read this...
Chapter 19- Atlas
*********************************
Harry was tired. Very, very tired at best. After he saw Madam Pomfrey and taken his potion the night before, he was assured by Dumbledore that things would be okay. They hadn't returned to quarters for an hour at best, and all the while Dumbledore had been trying to reassure Harry that things would get better.
It was cold for a Sunday morning, and Harry was the only one in Gryffindor tower still in bed during the afternoon. But he didn't mind. Just being back in his house tower, in his own dormitory in his own bed, made him feel all the safer and sound. He felt that if he avoided his fellow Gryffindors, and really, anyone, he and his classmates would be safe from him until his next sessions with Snape.
Despite what Dumbledore had told him, Harry felt he was dangerous. There was the obvious point Dumbledore had tried to sway Harry with, that he hadn't done anyone harm yet. Nevertheless, he was still scared. And fear might lead to more strange visions, and that was something he did not wish to risk.
Harry closed his eyes in thought. Nothing was as it seemed anymore. Harry was at odds with Hermione and Ron, Draco was now...an ally? He himself was now dangerous, despite what anyone else said.
And then there was Snape. The man was an enigma, and Harry had no way of figuring him out. Who knew that the callous, cruel Potion's Master had a compassionate side? Well, either Hell finally froze over, or Harry had gone mad. Of course, he'd never tell anyone. Who would believe him? As far as he was concerned, the whole incident could remain hidden and never spoken of again.
Harry turned over and sighed. Maybe he could see Snape about an earlier training session today. Something didn't feel quite right in his head, and whatever it was was making him edgy. He felt something creeping about in there, like a strange extension of self, looking for something. And whatever it was looking for, Harry couldn't wait for it to find it.
In the darkness of the closed bed-curtains, Harry could make out the glowing eyes of a Dractnox intently watching him. Their behavior had certainly changed with the recent events. They'd been watching him lately, as opposed to showing a certain indifference until he'd address them. And they'd been showing more emotion than they should be. They were becoming more human, in at least their mannerisms. That is, if big syrupy shadow globs had mannerisms. And what was he to make of it?
"I wish I could talk to you," he said quietly. He didn't risk trying to mentally contact it. The Dractnox narrowed its eyes, giving Harry the impression that it was more looking through him than at him. "What are you searching for? Is it you in here?" He tapped his head with his finger, but the Dractnox made no attempt at answering him. Either that, or it was unable to.
"Harry?" Ron's voice came through the curtains. Harry thought he had been alone in the room. "Harry?" Ron asked again, this time with a pleading tone in his voice. "Are you awake in there?"
"Yeah...Yeah Ron, I'm awake."
"Are you okay in there?"
"I'm fine, Ron."
There was silence. Neither boy said anything; barely breathing; just listening. Harry was growing nervous. He couldn't see what was going on outside the bed, and didn't know if only Ron was out there or if there were others with him.
"Are you alone, Ron?" Ron said nothing for a few moments, and it was making Harry frantic.
"Yeah, I'm alone..."
"Oh...okay."
"You were talking to them, weren't you?"
"...to who...?"
"You know who I mean..."
There was another long silence, and Harry waited to see if Ron would just leave. He didn't want to risk anything. He heard footsteps, and then they stopped. He figured Ron had gotten back into bed or something.
Suddenly, Ron poked his head through the curtains, momentarily blinding Harry with sunlight. He climbed in and closed his makeshift door, sitting opposite Harry.
"Ron, you shouldn't be anywhere near me..."
"Why? Are you contagious or something?" Ron half smiled, but Harry didn't see as there were still colorful spots floating in front of his eyes.
"Ron, I'm...dangerous...just keep away, alright?"
"Harry, listen-"
"Just trust me, okay?"
"No, not okay. What's up with you, Harry? What's happened to the Harry Potter I knew?"
"A lot of things are different now, Ron."
"I know...we both know. Why won't you tell us?"
"Did Hermione put you up to this?"
"She knows nothing about me being here, Harry. It doesn't take Hermione for me to know something's wrong with you."
"Ron, just please, go." Harry urged.
"No, Harry. I know something's going on, and until you tell me, I'm going to be your shadow."
Harry thought for a moment. Ron would indeed stay with him if he had to. "Don't you have places to be?"
"No."
A thought struck Harry. "Don't you have detention with Snape?"
"Don't you?" Harry bit his lip. "I know you haven't been having 'detention', Harry. That was made clear to me last night. Since when does Snape let me go just so he can have a special detention with you?"
Harry was speechless. As scared as he was of possibly harming Ron, he was very amazed. Ron was more clever than he had thought.
"Ron, you're-"
"And, since when do I find out you have detention from the source itself and not a bunch of snickering Slytherins? I'm not daft, Harry. Either you tell me what's going on, or you're stuck with me. If I have to cast a sticking charm, then I will. I really will."
"Ron...it's too...I could hurt you. Both you and Hermione. And not just by what I know now."
"Harry, whatever it is, for the love of God please tell me! Don't look at me like that! Let me worry about the consequences for once. You can't carry the weight of the world upon your shoulders, mate."
Harry held his breath, trying to make the ultimate decision. He closed his eyes and flung open the curtains, causing Ron to shriek in blinding agony. Once his eyes adjusted, Harry checked the room for anyone else. He couldn't really afford Ron hearing this, let alone someone else. Satisfied, he climbed back into bed and cast a silencing charm, as well as warded the bed. He didn't want anyone finding out what he had decided to tell Ron, and even walls had ears.
*********************************
Sorry that was so incredibly short. Let's call it an interlude, shall we?
ParanoiaIn2005: What a lovely review! Oh yes, he's a wonderful father figure. At least when he thinks no one's looking. He's going to be very good to our children. *receives horrified glance from Snape* Heh heh...And we wondered whatever would scare the great Potions Master. *Snape curses both you and me into oblivion* GAAHHH! He'll pay for that! Hey buddy, ya better watch it, we're all ya got! *shows Snape anti-Snape sites* *he gives something resembling an apologetic glance* Yeah, well, he does risk his arse for everyone, yet no one ever gives him credit because he's a bastard about it, and that's fine by me. We know he's a good guy *receives glare* Yeah, I'm ruining his reputation. Glad you didn't think he was OOC, although I think he is. *Snape nods in agreement* Oh shut up. But I do hope I handled the situation well. I'd never abandon you guys!! I love you all way too much to risk a boycot! Where would I get my un-needed ego boosts then? *is suddenly struck by wandless magik of some sort* GAH! My hair! Severus! Fix this! *hair is turned back to normal, and Snape has a strange grin on his face* What? *still grins...rather sexily I might add* Okay, I'm just gonna go take care of a few things....
PhoenixPadfoot89: *Snapes curses you* Yeah, well, he's doin' that to a lot of people today...Don't worry, it'll grow back...I think...I guess that's what I get for makin' Snape so luuu-uuving *gives Snape big cushy hug* *is suddenly unconscious* ........
Drizzt of the 203-SAW: Yeah, they're damn stingy...actually it's only mum...dad couldn't give a rat's ass. Yeah, I'm tryin' to make 'em longer and go faster, but, you know, stingy parents and all...But I'll do my best.
Anne: So very many people call me crazy that I will officially say it as truth:) But thanx:) Hee hee hee...I guess I got ya there, eh? tee-hee...*FireValkyrie smacks Harry as well* How did you get into my reviewing section?! How dare you raise your wand against my reviewers! *Harry points a finger at Snape* Yeah, well, he's different...*Snape looks smug* He's normally a jackass *Snape tries to curse her, but it is deflected back to himself* Ha! That'll teach him. I'll try to write asap.
PRONGSLOVER: Oh no! Did Snape make you sick? I'll show him! *Snape cowers looking incredibly innocent* Wow, i didn't think he could pull that look off. Okay, well, I guess I can let him off this time...only because you think he rox...I love to see this kind of persistence from my readers! YOU rock!
Katani Petitedra: *Snape chucks the lollipop at you* Not the evil frying pan of destruction! Oh I'll show you! Get 'er Snape! *Snape curses you, rather pissed at being given a lollipop* hee hee
Chapter 19- Atlas
*********************************
Harry was tired. Very, very tired at best. After he saw Madam Pomfrey and taken his potion the night before, he was assured by Dumbledore that things would be okay. They hadn't returned to quarters for an hour at best, and all the while Dumbledore had been trying to reassure Harry that things would get better.
It was cold for a Sunday morning, and Harry was the only one in Gryffindor tower still in bed during the afternoon. But he didn't mind. Just being back in his house tower, in his own dormitory in his own bed, made him feel all the safer and sound. He felt that if he avoided his fellow Gryffindors, and really, anyone, he and his classmates would be safe from him until his next sessions with Snape.
Despite what Dumbledore had told him, Harry felt he was dangerous. There was the obvious point Dumbledore had tried to sway Harry with, that he hadn't done anyone harm yet. Nevertheless, he was still scared. And fear might lead to more strange visions, and that was something he did not wish to risk.
Harry closed his eyes in thought. Nothing was as it seemed anymore. Harry was at odds with Hermione and Ron, Draco was now...an ally? He himself was now dangerous, despite what anyone else said.
And then there was Snape. The man was an enigma, and Harry had no way of figuring him out. Who knew that the callous, cruel Potion's Master had a compassionate side? Well, either Hell finally froze over, or Harry had gone mad. Of course, he'd never tell anyone. Who would believe him? As far as he was concerned, the whole incident could remain hidden and never spoken of again.
Harry turned over and sighed. Maybe he could see Snape about an earlier training session today. Something didn't feel quite right in his head, and whatever it was was making him edgy. He felt something creeping about in there, like a strange extension of self, looking for something. And whatever it was looking for, Harry couldn't wait for it to find it.
In the darkness of the closed bed-curtains, Harry could make out the glowing eyes of a Dractnox intently watching him. Their behavior had certainly changed with the recent events. They'd been watching him lately, as opposed to showing a certain indifference until he'd address them. And they'd been showing more emotion than they should be. They were becoming more human, in at least their mannerisms. That is, if big syrupy shadow globs had mannerisms. And what was he to make of it?
"I wish I could talk to you," he said quietly. He didn't risk trying to mentally contact it. The Dractnox narrowed its eyes, giving Harry the impression that it was more looking through him than at him. "What are you searching for? Is it you in here?" He tapped his head with his finger, but the Dractnox made no attempt at answering him. Either that, or it was unable to.
"Harry?" Ron's voice came through the curtains. Harry thought he had been alone in the room. "Harry?" Ron asked again, this time with a pleading tone in his voice. "Are you awake in there?"
"Yeah...Yeah Ron, I'm awake."
"Are you okay in there?"
"I'm fine, Ron."
There was silence. Neither boy said anything; barely breathing; just listening. Harry was growing nervous. He couldn't see what was going on outside the bed, and didn't know if only Ron was out there or if there were others with him.
"Are you alone, Ron?" Ron said nothing for a few moments, and it was making Harry frantic.
"Yeah, I'm alone..."
"Oh...okay."
"You were talking to them, weren't you?"
"...to who...?"
"You know who I mean..."
There was another long silence, and Harry waited to see if Ron would just leave. He didn't want to risk anything. He heard footsteps, and then they stopped. He figured Ron had gotten back into bed or something.
Suddenly, Ron poked his head through the curtains, momentarily blinding Harry with sunlight. He climbed in and closed his makeshift door, sitting opposite Harry.
"Ron, you shouldn't be anywhere near me..."
"Why? Are you contagious or something?" Ron half smiled, but Harry didn't see as there were still colorful spots floating in front of his eyes.
"Ron, I'm...dangerous...just keep away, alright?"
"Harry, listen-"
"Just trust me, okay?"
"No, not okay. What's up with you, Harry? What's happened to the Harry Potter I knew?"
"A lot of things are different now, Ron."
"I know...we both know. Why won't you tell us?"
"Did Hermione put you up to this?"
"She knows nothing about me being here, Harry. It doesn't take Hermione for me to know something's wrong with you."
"Ron, just please, go." Harry urged.
"No, Harry. I know something's going on, and until you tell me, I'm going to be your shadow."
Harry thought for a moment. Ron would indeed stay with him if he had to. "Don't you have places to be?"
"No."
A thought struck Harry. "Don't you have detention with Snape?"
"Don't you?" Harry bit his lip. "I know you haven't been having 'detention', Harry. That was made clear to me last night. Since when does Snape let me go just so he can have a special detention with you?"
Harry was speechless. As scared as he was of possibly harming Ron, he was very amazed. Ron was more clever than he had thought.
"Ron, you're-"
"And, since when do I find out you have detention from the source itself and not a bunch of snickering Slytherins? I'm not daft, Harry. Either you tell me what's going on, or you're stuck with me. If I have to cast a sticking charm, then I will. I really will."
"Ron...it's too...I could hurt you. Both you and Hermione. And not just by what I know now."
"Harry, whatever it is, for the love of God please tell me! Don't look at me like that! Let me worry about the consequences for once. You can't carry the weight of the world upon your shoulders, mate."
Harry held his breath, trying to make the ultimate decision. He closed his eyes and flung open the curtains, causing Ron to shriek in blinding agony. Once his eyes adjusted, Harry checked the room for anyone else. He couldn't really afford Ron hearing this, let alone someone else. Satisfied, he climbed back into bed and cast a silencing charm, as well as warded the bed. He didn't want anyone finding out what he had decided to tell Ron, and even walls had ears.
*********************************
Sorry that was so incredibly short. Let's call it an interlude, shall we?
ParanoiaIn2005: What a lovely review! Oh yes, he's a wonderful father figure. At least when he thinks no one's looking. He's going to be very good to our children. *receives horrified glance from Snape* Heh heh...And we wondered whatever would scare the great Potions Master. *Snape curses both you and me into oblivion* GAAHHH! He'll pay for that! Hey buddy, ya better watch it, we're all ya got! *shows Snape anti-Snape sites* *he gives something resembling an apologetic glance* Yeah, well, he does risk his arse for everyone, yet no one ever gives him credit because he's a bastard about it, and that's fine by me. We know he's a good guy *receives glare* Yeah, I'm ruining his reputation. Glad you didn't think he was OOC, although I think he is. *Snape nods in agreement* Oh shut up. But I do hope I handled the situation well. I'd never abandon you guys!! I love you all way too much to risk a boycot! Where would I get my un-needed ego boosts then? *is suddenly struck by wandless magik of some sort* GAH! My hair! Severus! Fix this! *hair is turned back to normal, and Snape has a strange grin on his face* What? *still grins...rather sexily I might add* Okay, I'm just gonna go take care of a few things....
PhoenixPadfoot89: *Snapes curses you* Yeah, well, he's doin' that to a lot of people today...Don't worry, it'll grow back...I think...I guess that's what I get for makin' Snape so luuu-uuving *gives Snape big cushy hug* *is suddenly unconscious* ........
Drizzt of the 203-SAW: Yeah, they're damn stingy...actually it's only mum...dad couldn't give a rat's ass. Yeah, I'm tryin' to make 'em longer and go faster, but, you know, stingy parents and all...But I'll do my best.
Anne: So very many people call me crazy that I will officially say it as truth:) But thanx:) Hee hee hee...I guess I got ya there, eh? tee-hee...*FireValkyrie smacks Harry as well* How did you get into my reviewing section?! How dare you raise your wand against my reviewers! *Harry points a finger at Snape* Yeah, well, he's different...*Snape looks smug* He's normally a jackass *Snape tries to curse her, but it is deflected back to himself* Ha! That'll teach him. I'll try to write asap.
PRONGSLOVER: Oh no! Did Snape make you sick? I'll show him! *Snape cowers looking incredibly innocent* Wow, i didn't think he could pull that look off. Okay, well, I guess I can let him off this time...only because you think he rox...I love to see this kind of persistence from my readers! YOU rock!
Katani Petitedra: *Snape chucks the lollipop at you* Not the evil frying pan of destruction! Oh I'll show you! Get 'er Snape! *Snape curses you, rather pissed at being given a lollipop* hee hee