Sorry so long in posting. I was going to do it at school, but the district
internet was down and I couldn't get past the front page of ff.net.
So..here goes.
Oh, yeah..I'm sorry it took me so long to answer your reviews, but here they are:
Prophetess Of Hearts: Yes, Malfoy needs more than to just be knocked down, I think. Don't worry, he'll get his.
Athenakitty: I don't think Draco will die, although sometimes it would be nice if he would.
Lady Darkness13: It is kind of hard, but things are improving now, so I have more time to think about what to write and post it.
xSnapeLoverx: I know Snape's OOC, I did want him to be. Mostly because the initial shock of seeing Harry with the potion he created to kill himself with. Once he sees that Harry has suicidal tendencies, like him, he would be rather shocked. No I don't think Snape would really say something like that, but he is human, and he wasn't himself, really.
Falling-alone: I admit, the weedwacker thing was a bit..weird. I think I was in a really bad mood when I wrote that, I should go back and fix that soon. However, that took place on Harry's birthday, and if the scars were still there upon returning to school, he would have been able to charm them to disappear once he got on the train. He (in my imagination) wouldn't wear clothing that would expose his scars, with his attitude towards the one on his forehead.
For everyone else that reviewed, thank you for your compliments and comments. Please, keep them up. Your reviews are what helps me with this story.
**************************************************************************** ***********************************************
The weeks passed slowly as the holidays drew nearer. Surprisingly, no more cauldrons were destroyed in Potions. Severus was finally able to get all of the students' essays and paperwork done from October. This made him feel like he'd accomplished something, and he used his free time to torture the student body. He particularly enjoyed scaring the living daylights out of the younger years, especially the first years. He hadn't taken the time to terrify them yet, and he wanted to instill some level of fear in them before they thought of him as just a person who wouldn't bother anyone.
He was walking down a corridor to the library when he heard voices just inside the door.
".I thought Snape was supposed to be some sort of vindictive monster." It was a first year girl, Severus surmised by the tone of voice. He slid along the wall, as close to the door as he could get without them seeing.
"Yeah, well, he hasn't done what the older kids told us he would," said the other girl. He could tell they were both in Hufflepuff; he remembered their voices vaguely. "I think they were just trying to scare us."
Severus decided to say something.
"Do you really?" He said softly.
There was silence. "Did you hear something?" The first girl asked her friend.
"Yeah."
"You know what, forget it. Snape's not really as bad as they say he is." The first girl said resolutely.
"I wouldn't be so sure about that, girls," Severus said, louder this time. The girls peeked around the corner and gasped. He stepped away from the wall.
"Why would the other students lie about me to you?" He asked softly. "After all, They've gone through their share of, shall we say, frightening times with me. Want to talk about me some more?"
"Professor, we didn't know you were here." One of the girls said, as they backed into the wall across from him.
"So that gives you the right to have conversations about someone in a place where they could possibly overhear you." Now they were pressed against the wall.
"Yes, it does," Came a voice from behind Severus, who froze. "After all, it wouldn't be fun to talk behind your back if we thought you wouldn't hear, would it?"
"Twenty points from Hufflepuff for talking about a teacher. Return to your dormitory." They stood there, looking slightly shocked. "NOW!"
As the girls ran off, Severus heard laughter behind him. He turned around.
"Mr. Potter."
"Yes?" Harry grinned, acting as though he had no idea what just happened. Severus thought fast.
"How would you like to know what it's like to die?"
"Ooh, goody. Something I've wanted for as long as I can remember." Harry said, his smile fading. "When will I have the honor of being killed?"
"You really think I'm going to tell you? No way." Harry backed down the hall.
"Well," he said slowly, "If it's going to be you, you'll have to find me and catch me." He took off down the hall, Severus close behind him.
**************************************************************************** *********************************************** Very little occurred in the days before Christmas. Ron and Hermione didn't say much to Harry in class, and he didn't say much to, well, anyone. In fact, he enjoyed having his own peace of mind, but it was getting harder to concentrate on his work with the lack of sleep. He thought he'd gotten to the point where he could go without sleep, but he found himself unable to keep his eyes open in class. His grades were slipping, he was sure, but he was afraid to go to sleep. Unfortunately, he couldn't help it.
One day he fell asleep in Transfiguration, unknown to anyone in the room. They had been turning toads into swans, and he couldn't keep his head up. And of course, he couldn't sleep peacefully either.
"Potter.." He opened his eyes, and found himself facedown on a cold, damp stone floor. He rolled over, and instantly regretted it. He hissed in pain, and looked down at himself. He was covered in his own blood, and it continued to pour out of a wound somewhere in his stomach. "How is it for you?" He looked up, and jerked back in fear, with another hiss of pain. Uncle Vernon held a knife and tweezers, and raised Harry's shirt. "Noooo."Harry moaned. "Please." "Please?" his uncle asked quietly. "Please continue?" Harry shook his head, immediately hit with a wave of dizziness that almost caused him to pass out. His uncle continued to pull up his shirt, exposing the wound. Harry watched in horror as Uncle Vernon opened the wound further and began tugging at the insides with the tweezers, tearing pieces out. He tried so hard not to scream, but when a particularly large piece was pulled out, he couldn't help it. He screamed.
**************************************************************************** ***********************************************
"Severus!"
Severus turned around and saw Professor McGonagall rushing towards him.
"Minerva, I have a class-"
"Severus, I don't care about your class. I need a potion for Potter." She said breathlessly. "He won't stop bleeding, even with Poppy's help."
What little color existed in Severus' face vanished. "Class dismissed." He hurried to his office and started going through his various potions.
"You may want to bring some that you use for those wretched meetings as well, Severus," McGonagall said, wringing her hands nervously.
"What the hell happened?" Severus asked as they left his office.
"I don't know, really. We were transforming toads into swans-don't roll your eyes Severus!-and he started screaming and twitching. When I got to him, I realized he was bleeding and it wouldn't stop. He's still asleep."
"Oh, no," Severus muttered.
They reached her classroom a few moments later, and Severus rushed over to Harry.
"Please, take your things and leave," McGonagall said to her students. "We've got it under control now. Yes, you too, Weasley." She said when Ron hesitated. The class filed out of the room, leaving just Severus, McGonagall, and Madame Pomfrey. Harry was still twitching like crazy and refused to wake up.
"Time for Plan B," Severus said to himself.
**************************************************************************** ***********************************************
"Do you like it?" Uncle Vernon asked Harry, with a mad glint in his eye. "It gets better." Harry struggled to catch his breath as his uncle stopped with the wound. "Roll over!" His eyes widened as he realized what his uncle wanted to do to him. "No," he said, his voice hoarse. "No. I won't let you-" "You haven't got a choice. You're too weak!" His uncle laughed as he sliced the knife through Harry's clothes. "No! Please! Don't do this to me again! NOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!" He was pushed onto his stomach roughly. He felt as something was wrapped around him, tightly, as though never letting him go. He struggled harder, trying to get out. Suddenly, he was unable to move, and he screamed again.
**************************************************************************** ***********************************************
He woke up, but wouldn't open his eyes. He realized that he was being held, and someone was whispering reassuring words in his ear. He tried to get out of the embrace, but when he wasn't able to, he went into a full panic.
"No, please," he moaned. "Let me go, please."
"I can't do that, Harry." The voice sounded so comforting and familiar, but he just wanted to get out.
"Why? Please!" His voice was hysterical, and he was losing it. He knew that he would pass out in fear soon.
"Because I love you."
Harry froze. He'd never heard those words from anyone, at least, not to him. He felt the arms tighten around him, and he realized who the owner of the voice was.
"Severus,"
"Yes, Harry, it's me." He opened his eyes and saw the three of them standing around him.
"Harry." He looked up at Severus. "Drink this, please." He opened his mouth and drank the contents of the vial obediently. It tasted horrible, but it made him feel so much better. Within moments, he ceased his trembling and relaxed against Severus.
"Minerva, Poppy, I think I have this under control," Severus said, rocking Harry slightly.
"Are you sure?" Poppy asked.
"Yes, I'm sure," he replied. Minerva nodded and left with the school nurse. Severus continued to rock Harry.
"What in hell were you dreaming about?" He asked the boy quietly.
"Do I have to talk about it right now?" Harry whined.
"Could you tell me some of it?"
Harry sighed and began his story.
**************************************************************************** ***********************************************
Christmas morning arrived to a nearly vacant Hogwarts school. As usual, Harry was there, but Ron and Hermione were gone with the rest of the Gryffindors. He had the entire tower to himself, and he enjoyed every minute of the rare peace that came with it. The castle itself was peaceful, holding only three students and six members of the staff.
He woke up in an armchair in front of the fire in the common room, surprisingly less exhausted than he'd been in so long. It was the first nights' sleep without nightmares in ages. 'Must be the lack of sleep catching up with my brain,' he thought as he stretched and began up the stairs to change his clothes, 'Maybe my mind is closed off to Voldemort's antics when I'm this tired.' He found his jeans and a green and blue shirt to wear and pulled his robe, leaving it open. He went downstairs and smiled as he noticed the pile of wrapped presents waiting for him next to his chair. He grabbed the first one on top and sat down to open it.
It was from the Dursleys, a piece of yarn and a note asking him to see if he could never come home again. He threw that in the fire and moved on to the next present.
He got a little box with a magical lock and key to put small stuff into from Hermione, a pair of blue and black mittens from Mrs. Weasley, and a snow globe form Ron. There was one present left, and Harry had no idea who it could be from. He picked up the card that had come with it and opened it slowly.
It was written hastily, from what he could tell, and he could just barely make out the words.
Harry,
I know that you probably aren't getting much for Christmas, seeing as though your relatives don't really care, and you've only got the Weasleys and Hermione. I've only just gotten back from Hogsmeade, where only one place is open in the dark hours of Christmas morning. At the last minute, I decided to make your holidays better, as I wasn't sure if it was appropriate to buy you a present.
Please come and see me today, perhaps after dinner or something. It gets lonely down here sometimes.
With love,
Severus
Harry smiled, putting the card down and reaching for Severus' gift. He unwrapped it slowly, relishing every moment. When he got the last shred of paper off, he gasped.
It was a laptop, except it was powered by magic. It had everything Harry had ever wanted on it, all his favorite computer games, the internet, and more. There was a small note attached to the space button, and it read:
Anything you write to me will be automatically sent to mine. I got one, although much smaller than yours. Love Severus
Harry could hardly believe this was real. He took the laptop, climbed out of the common room, and tore down the stairs to the dungeons.
**************************************************************************** ***********************************************
Wow. That took some creativity. But please, tell me what you think!
Oh, yeah..I'm sorry it took me so long to answer your reviews, but here they are:
Prophetess Of Hearts: Yes, Malfoy needs more than to just be knocked down, I think. Don't worry, he'll get his.
Athenakitty: I don't think Draco will die, although sometimes it would be nice if he would.
Lady Darkness13: It is kind of hard, but things are improving now, so I have more time to think about what to write and post it.
xSnapeLoverx: I know Snape's OOC, I did want him to be. Mostly because the initial shock of seeing Harry with the potion he created to kill himself with. Once he sees that Harry has suicidal tendencies, like him, he would be rather shocked. No I don't think Snape would really say something like that, but he is human, and he wasn't himself, really.
Falling-alone: I admit, the weedwacker thing was a bit..weird. I think I was in a really bad mood when I wrote that, I should go back and fix that soon. However, that took place on Harry's birthday, and if the scars were still there upon returning to school, he would have been able to charm them to disappear once he got on the train. He (in my imagination) wouldn't wear clothing that would expose his scars, with his attitude towards the one on his forehead.
For everyone else that reviewed, thank you for your compliments and comments. Please, keep them up. Your reviews are what helps me with this story.
**************************************************************************** ***********************************************
The weeks passed slowly as the holidays drew nearer. Surprisingly, no more cauldrons were destroyed in Potions. Severus was finally able to get all of the students' essays and paperwork done from October. This made him feel like he'd accomplished something, and he used his free time to torture the student body. He particularly enjoyed scaring the living daylights out of the younger years, especially the first years. He hadn't taken the time to terrify them yet, and he wanted to instill some level of fear in them before they thought of him as just a person who wouldn't bother anyone.
He was walking down a corridor to the library when he heard voices just inside the door.
".I thought Snape was supposed to be some sort of vindictive monster." It was a first year girl, Severus surmised by the tone of voice. He slid along the wall, as close to the door as he could get without them seeing.
"Yeah, well, he hasn't done what the older kids told us he would," said the other girl. He could tell they were both in Hufflepuff; he remembered their voices vaguely. "I think they were just trying to scare us."
Severus decided to say something.
"Do you really?" He said softly.
There was silence. "Did you hear something?" The first girl asked her friend.
"Yeah."
"You know what, forget it. Snape's not really as bad as they say he is." The first girl said resolutely.
"I wouldn't be so sure about that, girls," Severus said, louder this time. The girls peeked around the corner and gasped. He stepped away from the wall.
"Why would the other students lie about me to you?" He asked softly. "After all, They've gone through their share of, shall we say, frightening times with me. Want to talk about me some more?"
"Professor, we didn't know you were here." One of the girls said, as they backed into the wall across from him.
"So that gives you the right to have conversations about someone in a place where they could possibly overhear you." Now they were pressed against the wall.
"Yes, it does," Came a voice from behind Severus, who froze. "After all, it wouldn't be fun to talk behind your back if we thought you wouldn't hear, would it?"
"Twenty points from Hufflepuff for talking about a teacher. Return to your dormitory." They stood there, looking slightly shocked. "NOW!"
As the girls ran off, Severus heard laughter behind him. He turned around.
"Mr. Potter."
"Yes?" Harry grinned, acting as though he had no idea what just happened. Severus thought fast.
"How would you like to know what it's like to die?"
"Ooh, goody. Something I've wanted for as long as I can remember." Harry said, his smile fading. "When will I have the honor of being killed?"
"You really think I'm going to tell you? No way." Harry backed down the hall.
"Well," he said slowly, "If it's going to be you, you'll have to find me and catch me." He took off down the hall, Severus close behind him.
**************************************************************************** *********************************************** Very little occurred in the days before Christmas. Ron and Hermione didn't say much to Harry in class, and he didn't say much to, well, anyone. In fact, he enjoyed having his own peace of mind, but it was getting harder to concentrate on his work with the lack of sleep. He thought he'd gotten to the point where he could go without sleep, but he found himself unable to keep his eyes open in class. His grades were slipping, he was sure, but he was afraid to go to sleep. Unfortunately, he couldn't help it.
One day he fell asleep in Transfiguration, unknown to anyone in the room. They had been turning toads into swans, and he couldn't keep his head up. And of course, he couldn't sleep peacefully either.
"Potter.." He opened his eyes, and found himself facedown on a cold, damp stone floor. He rolled over, and instantly regretted it. He hissed in pain, and looked down at himself. He was covered in his own blood, and it continued to pour out of a wound somewhere in his stomach. "How is it for you?" He looked up, and jerked back in fear, with another hiss of pain. Uncle Vernon held a knife and tweezers, and raised Harry's shirt. "Noooo."Harry moaned. "Please." "Please?" his uncle asked quietly. "Please continue?" Harry shook his head, immediately hit with a wave of dizziness that almost caused him to pass out. His uncle continued to pull up his shirt, exposing the wound. Harry watched in horror as Uncle Vernon opened the wound further and began tugging at the insides with the tweezers, tearing pieces out. He tried so hard not to scream, but when a particularly large piece was pulled out, he couldn't help it. He screamed.
**************************************************************************** ***********************************************
"Severus!"
Severus turned around and saw Professor McGonagall rushing towards him.
"Minerva, I have a class-"
"Severus, I don't care about your class. I need a potion for Potter." She said breathlessly. "He won't stop bleeding, even with Poppy's help."
What little color existed in Severus' face vanished. "Class dismissed." He hurried to his office and started going through his various potions.
"You may want to bring some that you use for those wretched meetings as well, Severus," McGonagall said, wringing her hands nervously.
"What the hell happened?" Severus asked as they left his office.
"I don't know, really. We were transforming toads into swans-don't roll your eyes Severus!-and he started screaming and twitching. When I got to him, I realized he was bleeding and it wouldn't stop. He's still asleep."
"Oh, no," Severus muttered.
They reached her classroom a few moments later, and Severus rushed over to Harry.
"Please, take your things and leave," McGonagall said to her students. "We've got it under control now. Yes, you too, Weasley." She said when Ron hesitated. The class filed out of the room, leaving just Severus, McGonagall, and Madame Pomfrey. Harry was still twitching like crazy and refused to wake up.
"Time for Plan B," Severus said to himself.
**************************************************************************** ***********************************************
"Do you like it?" Uncle Vernon asked Harry, with a mad glint in his eye. "It gets better." Harry struggled to catch his breath as his uncle stopped with the wound. "Roll over!" His eyes widened as he realized what his uncle wanted to do to him. "No," he said, his voice hoarse. "No. I won't let you-" "You haven't got a choice. You're too weak!" His uncle laughed as he sliced the knife through Harry's clothes. "No! Please! Don't do this to me again! NOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!" He was pushed onto his stomach roughly. He felt as something was wrapped around him, tightly, as though never letting him go. He struggled harder, trying to get out. Suddenly, he was unable to move, and he screamed again.
**************************************************************************** ***********************************************
He woke up, but wouldn't open his eyes. He realized that he was being held, and someone was whispering reassuring words in his ear. He tried to get out of the embrace, but when he wasn't able to, he went into a full panic.
"No, please," he moaned. "Let me go, please."
"I can't do that, Harry." The voice sounded so comforting and familiar, but he just wanted to get out.
"Why? Please!" His voice was hysterical, and he was losing it. He knew that he would pass out in fear soon.
"Because I love you."
Harry froze. He'd never heard those words from anyone, at least, not to him. He felt the arms tighten around him, and he realized who the owner of the voice was.
"Severus,"
"Yes, Harry, it's me." He opened his eyes and saw the three of them standing around him.
"Harry." He looked up at Severus. "Drink this, please." He opened his mouth and drank the contents of the vial obediently. It tasted horrible, but it made him feel so much better. Within moments, he ceased his trembling and relaxed against Severus.
"Minerva, Poppy, I think I have this under control," Severus said, rocking Harry slightly.
"Are you sure?" Poppy asked.
"Yes, I'm sure," he replied. Minerva nodded and left with the school nurse. Severus continued to rock Harry.
"What in hell were you dreaming about?" He asked the boy quietly.
"Do I have to talk about it right now?" Harry whined.
"Could you tell me some of it?"
Harry sighed and began his story.
**************************************************************************** ***********************************************
Christmas morning arrived to a nearly vacant Hogwarts school. As usual, Harry was there, but Ron and Hermione were gone with the rest of the Gryffindors. He had the entire tower to himself, and he enjoyed every minute of the rare peace that came with it. The castle itself was peaceful, holding only three students and six members of the staff.
He woke up in an armchair in front of the fire in the common room, surprisingly less exhausted than he'd been in so long. It was the first nights' sleep without nightmares in ages. 'Must be the lack of sleep catching up with my brain,' he thought as he stretched and began up the stairs to change his clothes, 'Maybe my mind is closed off to Voldemort's antics when I'm this tired.' He found his jeans and a green and blue shirt to wear and pulled his robe, leaving it open. He went downstairs and smiled as he noticed the pile of wrapped presents waiting for him next to his chair. He grabbed the first one on top and sat down to open it.
It was from the Dursleys, a piece of yarn and a note asking him to see if he could never come home again. He threw that in the fire and moved on to the next present.
He got a little box with a magical lock and key to put small stuff into from Hermione, a pair of blue and black mittens from Mrs. Weasley, and a snow globe form Ron. There was one present left, and Harry had no idea who it could be from. He picked up the card that had come with it and opened it slowly.
It was written hastily, from what he could tell, and he could just barely make out the words.
Harry,
I know that you probably aren't getting much for Christmas, seeing as though your relatives don't really care, and you've only got the Weasleys and Hermione. I've only just gotten back from Hogsmeade, where only one place is open in the dark hours of Christmas morning. At the last minute, I decided to make your holidays better, as I wasn't sure if it was appropriate to buy you a present.
Please come and see me today, perhaps after dinner or something. It gets lonely down here sometimes.
With love,
Severus
Harry smiled, putting the card down and reaching for Severus' gift. He unwrapped it slowly, relishing every moment. When he got the last shred of paper off, he gasped.
It was a laptop, except it was powered by magic. It had everything Harry had ever wanted on it, all his favorite computer games, the internet, and more. There was a small note attached to the space button, and it read:
Anything you write to me will be automatically sent to mine. I got one, although much smaller than yours. Love Severus
Harry could hardly believe this was real. He took the laptop, climbed out of the common room, and tore down the stairs to the dungeons.
**************************************************************************** ***********************************************
Wow. That took some creativity. But please, tell me what you think!