THANKS FOR THE REVIEWS.

Harry Potter and Co. belong to Rowling

CHAPTER 5. Snape's Turn.

Albus looked around the Forbidden Forest, he had tracked Snape all the way here but looking around he knew how useless it would be to try to locate the ex-Death Eater in a place such as this. The Forbidden Forest guarded it's magical creatures by twisting and confusing the trails of the magical beings within it. He would have a long chat with Severus regarding this little disappearance. The Headmaster was not pleased and was about to apparate when he heard what could only be the voices of Severus and Harry shouting each other.

Shshshshshshshshshshshshshshhshshhshshshshsh

Snape held Harry carefully sensing the boy's confusion at both their behaviors. Snape was by no means a sympathetic person when it came to children. In truth, the only reason he was a Professor was Dumbledore. He sensed Harry was dosing off again, the boy was leaning against his shoulder heavily. Snape opened his mouth to rouse him but thought better of it and instead whispered a sleeping spell over the boy. Snape unconsciously wrapped his arm around Harry, when he noticed what he had done, he swore and ran his hand through his hair in frustration.

Looking at Harry he tried something. Snape concentrated and felt the link that connected them both and with the help some very old untraceable magic spells, Snape branded Harry's magic with his own a necessary step so he could take advantage of Harry's quick access to the Headmaster. After tthat was done he proceeded to enter Potter's mind and established a one sided communication link.

This meant that Snape instead of having to use his powers as a legilimus, which would leave traces in the boy's mind and warn the Headmaster to his intentions. He could instead access Harry's thoughts and feelings through the bond. In simple words Snape would use Harry as a spy and with the information the boy had access to, Snape could better protect them both. The bond inside Snape caused him to feel slightly guilty but the Potion's Master simply ignored the feeling and told himself that he was doing it for their survival. The fact that Albus would be destroyed in the process was an added bonus. He lifted his hand, the brat had bitten it really good. He moved his fingers back and forth and then cast a glamorie over it before he woke Harry, Time to get up and get going.

He was just about to wake Harry up when he noticed a shimmering around the boy's face and remembered something. After several tries he was finally able to remove the glamorie spell Harry had used and got a close look at Harry's injuries, he touched the boy's face his fingers lightly touching the bruises that covered one whole side of the boy's face. Tilting the chin, he noticed the bruising going down his neck. The bond inside Snape roared in anger but Snape checked it in and cast the glamorie over Harry again and then sealed it so it would not be detected by anyone else. "Mr. Potter wake up." He ordered looking at his disguised hand.

"What?" Harry asked groggily, he felt like he had been dragged by the train. He tried to stay awake but failed miserably and snuggled closer to Snape instead.

"Mr. Potter wake up now!" ordered Snape reoared a second time.

"All right I'm awake! I'm awake!" Harry answered leaning away from Snape! Greasy Git! Harry thought.

"Is that so, Mr. Potter?" The thought had come loud and clear through the bond.

"What?" asked Harry confused.

"You know what! Greasy git," Snape hissed silkily.

"How did you?" Harry asked completely taken of guard. Did he read minds? Harry wondered.

"You'll just have to figure it out, won't you?" Snape asked before he got up and pulled his cloak from Harry. Snape was immediately hit by a sensation of cold and pain. Looking at Harry, he saw the boy trying not to shiver.

Harry felt cold and alone. The cold he understood but the solitude he couldn't grasp. He had the biggest headache ever, the bandages around his forehead were damp but he knew the scar was no longer bleeding and he was grateful for that.

He got to his feet slowly and looked around. They were in the middle of nowhere as far as he knew. He hoped the Professor knew how to get them out of there. Harry was straightening his clothes when he felt a shock, which made him dizzy again. He swayed but didn't fall, to his surprise Snape moved to steady him. No more freakiness please! He begged. Snape could hear the boy's thoughts through the link; and frowned at the words.

Snape would play Albus's game as the old Wizard expected him too. He would threaten, sulk, protest argue and rant about the bond while he secretly strengthened it.

"Mr. Potter, are you all right?"

"Yes, I'm just tired."

"Your head. Do you feel any other symptoms?"

He didn't want to tell Snape about his dizziness and the burning feeling in his scar. He needed to talk to Dumbledore. He wanted to go to Hoggwarts. "No, I'm fine." Harry answered instead.

"Well let's get going we need to get to Hogwarts."

"About time!" Harry grumbled.

"Mr. Potter just follow me and keep your comments to yourself.," Snape ordered walking away from him without looking back.

"Wait why can't we apparate from here?" Potter asked walking after him. Snape didn't answer but continued walking forcing Harry to run after him.

"I'm talking to you Snape!" Potter shouted at the top of his voice.

"That's Professor Snape, now, tomorrow, and forever!" Snape shouted back as he increased his pace.

Potter jumped back feeling a deep sense of hurt at Snape's angrily uttered words.

Snape was hit by the hurt coming from Harry and stopped himself from displaying any reaction. Things would have to be played out for Dumbledore. First Snape would act out, and would keep Harry at arms length the whole school year. Potter was vulnerable right now and that would make Dumbledore sure of himself. Not only would Dumbledore think Snape was under his thumb but he would also feel that Harry was too. And Snape would allow him to think that, all the way up to the moment he killed Dumbledore himself. Snape of course would watch out for Potter. He would just not be obvious about it. The brat did get on his nerves, he and his annoying little friends were more than anyone deserved. He would have to keep his side of the bond under control and force himself not to care too much or that could be their undoing. The moment Albus discovered any feeling of affection for Potter he would exploit it. Snape already felt a strong sense of obligation he could not allow himself to feel anything else not just yet.

Snape had been so caught up in his own thoughts that he did not see Potter steadily lag behind until he looked over and did not see him. Panicking he turned around and there was Potter not ten feet behind trying to keep up while he gave him hurtful looks.

"What is it?" Snape knew what it was of course but had to ask. "Well!" he said again retracing his steps until he stood before the boy.

Harry stood unable to move. He felt sad, he hurt and he wanted Snape... to comofort him.. a little. What!!! Looking up he noticed Snape standing close to him and he backed up stunned.

"WHAT IS IT?" Snape managed to get out through clenched teeth.

"NOTHING! JUST WALK PROFESSOR" Harry shouted trying not to lose it.

"I WOULD IF YOU COULD KEEP UP!" Snape accused and resumed his walking. He only managed to walk a couple of feet before Albus stepped through the trees and stood before them.

Snape did everything to keep himself from throwing up as he saw Harry's face light up in supreme naiveté.

"Headmaster," Snape greeted the Headmaster as Harry practically tripped over himself to get to Dumbledore.

"Professor, I'm so glad you are here!"

"As am I Harry. I trust you are well."

"I …." Harry said looking at Snape before he answered. Albus looked at Harry and then at Snape.

"You have had a long day Harry. Let's apparate from here and we can discuss everything after you see Poppy of course. You seem to have hurt yourself a bit." The Heamdaster pointed to the bandaged forehead worriedly.

"Oh, it's just….yes a little." Harry answered not wanting to go into details. Albus only smiled patiently and nodded before he looked over to Snape.

"Professor Snape, you are not hurt I hope?"

"I am quite well Headmaster," Snape answered moving closer to the pair.

"That's good to know. Off to Hogwarts then" He said taking Harry's hand in his own before he apparated the three away.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

They apparated outside the school and then walked to get Harry checked out by Poppy.

Harry protested wanting to speak to Dumbledore but the Headmaster was having none of it and said there was plenty of time for that, for now he needed medical attention.

When they arrived to the hospital wing Madame Pomfrey was with a patient. Three children had been brought in from the train in need of medical care; fortunately, none of the children had serious injuries so she quickly made her way to Harry. Snape had tried to leave but the Headmaster had not allowed it much to Harry's disappointment.

Snape could feel Harry panicking but knew there was no way out of it, he would have to get examined, he prayed the glomourie held for both their sakes. It would weaken Harry if his injures were made public, the boy had enough to deal with.

The Medi-witch took Potter in hand and left both Wizards standing outside in the hall while she examined the boy.

"Well Potter's safe. I have things to do before the sorting," Severus said before he turned to go.

"The Forbidden Forest? Really Severus!"

"I had to make a last minute decision."

"Severus there's nothing last minute about you. See me tomorrow morning at 9:00. Oh and do try to be nicer to the boy. He's practically terrified of you"

Severus stopped at the doorway briefly. His face was a mask of stone. He felt a sudden chill run up his spine but said nothing and walked out.

Albus stayed and waited for Harry.

Mwmwmwmwmwmwmwmwmwmwmwmwmwmwmwmwmwmwmmwmwmwmw

Harry sat nervously as the Medi-witch ran her wand over Harry.

"Well Mr. Potter aside from the bleeding of the scar I see nothing else wrong with you."

Poppy had been told to keep a close look out on the boy. She noticed he hadn't grown much since last year and he still weighed the same but that was nothing she could help. She made a note and gave him some vitamin potions and something for his headache and sent him on his way. The boy was releaved to be out of there and rushed out to speak to the Headmaster.

Poppy returned to her other patients, the first day at Hoggwart's and she already had patients. It was going to be one of those years.

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

Harry walked out of the Hospital wing with two potions in his hand. He looked around and noticing Snape was gone he walked over to the Headmaster.

"Were any other students hurt sir?" Asked Harry worried.

"No, however the conductor and two Aurors died." Harry's face stilled in shock. Albus knew that Harry was a sensitive boy and it was that sensitivity that would be Albus's greatest ally in dealing with him.

"Three people died." Harry echoed.

"Harry listen to me," Albus began placing a hand on Harry's shoulder. "Terrible times are coming and we will all be called on to make sacrifices. Those people that died today did so gladly because they understood the meaning of sacrifice, never forget that and don't be sadden by it. Sacrifice is the most beautiful gift one can give to the world."

Harry nodded slowly.

"Now I want you to come to my office after the sorting ceremony. I need you to tell me everything that happened from the time you boarded the Hoggwarts' train to the time I found you."

"Yes, Headmaster."

Thanks for the reviews.

Next: Chapter 6. "Meetings".

Question: Someone is going to be tortured in chapter 6, can you guess who and by whom?