Severus smirked to himself. Why is it that all teenaged boys think that they can pull something over on him, something that invariably he had done himself at one time or another? If only that Potter boy would spend as much time on his studies as he does on his adventures. If that were the case, he easily would have been made first boy a long time ago. But enough was enough. It was time that someone taught that boy to at the very least respect himself enough to do well enough to grant him a decent life. At the rate he was going, he'd spend through his money by the time he was thirty if Voldemort let him live that long.
And he sure as hell was not going to let Potter know his secret. That boy would surely be the death of him…not that death was something easily accomplished for him now, though he surely wish it were simple.
Severus ran the tips of his fingers slowly through the flame of the candle on his desk, silently wishing that he could feel that simple pain, but unfortunately, the only pain that he not felt was pain caused by the letting of blood. Sometimes he truly wished that a ghost had not been the one to find him. Only a ghost would have thought of this particular way of continuing his life. He gently snuffed the flame of the candle with his fingertips, slowly rose from his chair, and made his way to his bedchamber.
He hated what he was more than he hated anyone else. Even those who didn't have an inkling of his true nature sensed something off about him, and it would always be that way. He had no escape anymore, the ghosts had seen to that. Things would have been so much easier if they had only brought Dumbledore instead of Erasmus. Not that Erasmus wasn't a kind fellow, but Erasmus only understood certain details on an elemental level, and that would certainly account for his present situation.
He would have to be much more careful from now on, now that Potter seemed to be unusually interested in him. For what purpose, he really had no idea, it wasn't as if he was particularly friendly to the boy, but somehow he had garnered his interest. Perhaps he could manage to dissuade Potter's interest through these detentions. If he managed to make Potter sick of him, then the boy would probably avoid him for the rest of the school year.
Severus calmly crawled into bed with that thought on his lips and slowly slipped into an almost too quiet, dreamless slumber.
Harry was dreading Potions with every fiber of his being. Snape hadn't even allowed him to explain himself, so he knew that today's lesson was certainly going to be hell for him.
What made things worse was that he even managed to oversleep this morning, thus did not get a chance to tell Hermione and Ron what had happened the night before- and even worse- he was now going to Potions on an empty stomach. Why did Professor Snape have to have Advanced Potions first thing in the morning? He must be absolutely insane!
Harry rushed into Potions right before Snape entered the classroom.
"Potter, I see that as usual you somehow cannot make it to my class like a normal wizard. 10 points from Gryffindor."
Harry sighed to himself. Well, this was certainly the old Snape. Maybe Snape had a bout of stomach upset for a few days and that would account for the previous change in his manner. But no, he was Potions master after all. Snape would never let an upset stomach go on for longer than it took him to take the proper potion. As far as Harry knew, Snape had never even been to the infirmary of his own accord. Suddenly, Harry became aware that the entire class was staring at him as if he had suddenly grown a frog for a head.
"Potter! If you cannot stand to separate yourself from your own idiocy, then I suggest you leave this classroom. Apparently you are not mature enough to handle an Advanced Potions course!"
"I'm sorry, Professor. I seem to be coming down with something."
"Potter, if you insist on lying to me, the least that you could do is come up with something better than that. Get out of my sight! I'll expect you here at 6 this evening to begin your detention- of which for today's antics I believe that another 4 weeks should just about cover it."
Harry quickly gathered his things and left the room as quickly as was possible. He never imagined that Potions would have been this bad! And now, he had managed to not only get on Snape's bad side the night before, but he had managed to royally send the Professor into orbit. Detention was going to be just peachy.
When he finally made his way to the Great Hall, Ron and Hermione were waiting for him at the end of Gryffindor table.
"Harry, what on earth has gotten into you! I can't believe that you were so stupid! To purposefully goof off in Snape's class? I've known you were a few nails short of a barn, but this is really ridiculous!"
"Ron, I know okay? It gets much worse than that."
"Harry, you don't mean to tell me that even after we talked last night you decided to check up on Snape. What...did you do this time?"
"Mione, I was stupid okay. Snape caught me looking through the peephole of his office."
"Of all the... and to think Harry, at one time I thought you had some sense!"
"What am I going to do?"
"Harry, you will have to do what you should have been doing all along. Study for Potions! I know that you and Professor Snape have your differences, but think about this logically. The more quickly that you get in gear, the more quickly that you can finish detention and hope that Snape simply treats you with a sense on indifference rather than sheer unadulterated hatred."
"I know I know... if he doesn't kill me first. Plus, you just don't understand. Snape is weird."
"Um...earth to Harry. Of course Snape is weird. What on earth are you babbling about?"
"Mione and Ron, you gotta promise me. do not go down to Snape's office without someone else with you." For some reason, Ron seemed to take offence to this.
"Uh Harry, like we would anyways."
"Ron, listen. Snape's been drinking a potion from this weird bottle. I have no idea what it is. But before I saw him drink from it, he wasn't acting mean towards me, and then after- he practically killed me."
"Harry, now you are definitely over exaggerating. You have no idea how long Snape has been taking that potion or even what it's for. And newsflash- maybe he got mean because- gasp- you were snooping on him?"
"OK, Hermione. You've made your point. Just promise me you'll try to not be with Snape alone. He could have a Jekyll and Hyde situation at hand." Ron looked puzzled.
"Harry, who is Jekyll and what does a hide have to do with anything." Now Hermione looked about fit to be tied.
"Ron. Jekyll and Hyde are characters in one of the most famous pieces of muggle fiction. You really should do something more with your time besides keeping your head buried in Quidditch journals!"
"Well all, I better get running. I figure that I better get a start on my homework for Defense Against the Dark Arts and Transfiguration. if I don't do it now, it's probably not going to get done. Who knows how long Snape will keep me tonight."
"Harry, just let me know if you need any help. I would be glad to do what I can for you."
"Thanks Mione. Bye Ron."
Later that evening, Harry slowly made his way to the dreaded hall that he needed to walk to get to Snape's office. Never in his life had he been more scared than this moment...Somehow even Voldemort paled in comparison to Snape when it came to Potions homework. There was just something about Snape. At least Voldemort was a wizard and you could sense that. When it came down to it, Voldemort wasn't so much different from Harry himself. But there was always something about Snape that Harry couldn't put his finger on.
As soon as he reached Snape's door, Harry had to fight having a panic attack. Just as he raised his hand to knock on the door, Snape suddenly threw open the door so that Harry stumbled into his domain.
"Well, Potter. At least you have enough sense to not be late for my detention."
"Yes sir."
"During these sessions, you will, no doubt, improve on your general potions making. I am tired of your performance in my class Potter. And it's about time that you grew up."
"What would you like me to do first professor?"
"You, Potter, will help me create a batch of Quicksilver potion. I don't doubt that you have no idea what it is, but you will learn soon enough. Carefully set those herbs to brew in that cauldron. Careful to not burn them."
"Yes Professor."
Severus wandered around his office, picking up bits and pieces that he might need for this potion. His last bit was a bit weak. Perhaps a touch of Potter's blood would work wonders.
"Professor?"
"Yes Harry."
Harry almost swooned. Snape had never simply called him Harry before.
"What is Quicksilver potion?"
"It is an elixir of sorts. Usually good for calming the nerves. But the most interesting attribute is that it only takes effect on certain magical creatures."
"Creatures like the sort that Hagrid is fond of?"
"No, nothing quite that interesting I'm afraid. Among its other properties, Quicksilver potion can be used to stay a werewolf's change or to curb a vampires hunger."
"Sir, the herbs are starting to brown."
"Good! Now add a pinch of thyme, a twig of deadly nightshade, and a drop of your blood."
"My blood?"
"Yes Potter. The blood of a wizard is the most important ingredient of Quicksilver potion."
"Sir, wouldn't your blood be better?"
"Not for this particular batch. This batch is going to be rather strong. And well, since you are the only wizard that has stood up to He-Who-Should-Not-Be-Named and lived, you're blood certainly has some strong properties."
Harry nodded. He was definitely a bit surprised to say the least. And what werewolf or vampire was Snape in contact with that he needed an extra strong dose of this potion?
As soon as he added a drop of his blood to the potion, the potion turned a light silver with purple swirls. Snape sniffed at the air and hurried to Harry's side.
"Well done Potter! You managed to accomplish this potion without too much trouble. Now you must test it."
"I?"
"Yes Potter. How else would you know if the potion worked. the only test besides color with this potion is that if it touches the tongue of a wizard, it should taste a bit like roasted carrots."
Harry noticed that Snape was watching him intently. He had no choice. He took a small spoon that was located next to the cauldron and dipped it into the swirling mixture. He slowly opened his mouth.
"Potter, really. Quicksilver potion is harmless to wizards in small quantities. At the most you'll have a bit of an upset stomach!"
"Ok Professor...If you're sure."
"Potter, as if I would poison you! Here I'll taste it first."
Snape brought the spoon to his lips. Harry heard the sound of the spoon scraping over Snape's teeth.
"See. Nothing."
As Snape was starting to become rather irritated. Harry took his own spoon and took a small sip. Sure enough the potion did taste a bit like carrots.
"I'm sorry Professor."
"Well Potter, I would have thought by now that you would realize that if I had planned to kill you, I would have already done so. But as it were, I'm sure that if He-Who-Should-Not-Be-Named had tried to kill me, I would be a bit wary myself. This detention is to teach you a lesson Potter. Mostly that appearances can be deceiving."
Harry nodded.
"Now get to your house and start on your Potions homework. I will see you tomorrow. Meet me in the Potions classroom."
"Yes Professor."
Harry was shocked. Snape had actually been nice to him...that was a first. Maybe the meanness to an extent was an act. And what on earth was he going to do with that Quicksilver potion. He must remember to ask Hermione about it. If anyone would know anything about that, it would be Hermione.
He did do as Snape asked though and ran to his room, pulled out his Potions homework, and actually started on it. Hopefully, tomorrow's detention session would be as uneventful.
Severus sighed to himself. He must be getting soft in his old age. He was actually starting to appreciate the Potter boy in a small way. At least he wasn't like his father in that he got joy out of the sorrow of others. If he could manage to make something of the boy, at least he would have accomplished what Lily would have wanted.
At this rate, if he continued on this path. Potter would end up spending more time with him than he would originally have liked. But maybe this wasn't such a bad thing. Even if Potter did manage to discover what he was, he had instilled faith in the boy. Maybe having someone like Harry on his side would make his life easier and help dispel prejudices about his kind.
What was he thinking? Severus really was starting to worry about his sanity... not that he had much to begin with. Maybe all these years as a vampire was beginning to takes its toll?
He took the Quicksilver potion out of the cauldron and poured it into a bucket...He ran over to the portrait of his father and tapped around the wall to open the hidden chamber. He removed the vial from the chamber and set it on his desk. He grabbed the stone that the vial set on and pulled it out of the wall revealing a strange looking stone. He gently placed the stone inside the bucket. For reasons he did not know, the bloodstone would only leach its live-giving fluid after it had been soaked in the Quicksilver potion. Severus never questioned Erasmus on that behalf. Erasmus wasn't the sort of being that you would want to keep near you for long. He was certainly something to be afraid of...and at times, Severus feared him more than Voldemort.
Suddenly he sniffed at the air...the scent of rotten wood suddenly filled the room.
"Erasmus."
"Ah yes. Severus. I hear that you are close to telling a boy about our kind."
Severus swore to himself- why did Erasmus have to read his thoughts like that. It was somehow unsettling.
"Master. Please do not wish ill-will on the boy. He is still an innocent."
"But Severus, you know that I only come when I sense death. This boy that you are quickly growing fond of is going to make a choice. not unlike one you made yourself many moons ago. And perhaps another will join our ranks as well."
"Master...please don't ask me to do this."
"Severus. What would you rather live with? Watching a young boy that you are supposed to protect die by his own hand, or save him and teach him to live."
"Master, even I don't know how to live."
"Well, you had better begin. You will have two new recruits to attend to."
"Two?"
"Ah, yes. One has already been marked. The other, in a fit of despair, will grant himself this existence. You must teach them. You must become their only means of support."
"But why?"
"Severus. You know me better than that. What is better than creating vampires? The creation of Wizard vampires of course!"
Erasmus burst into a strange strangled laugh. Severus started to shake a bit. Erasmus' laugh was never good.
"Sire. These boys of which you speak...I can guess at one, but how do I know the other?"
"Severus, my dear boy. It really isn't that difficult. The Potter boy has been a walking time bomb ever since he came to Hogwarts! He will snap any day now. It will be his decision. The other- which you should damn well know- is the boy that Potter hates most in this world."
"You expect me to change both Potter and Malfoy? You've got to be kidding."
"Severus. You'd be doing the Malfoy boy a favor. You will know his moment. It is up to you alone to save them both. You have felt sorry for yourself long enough. I heard you simpering, always whining- 'No one likes me. I'm weird. Everybody hates me!' You would think that after these many years you would lose a bit of this teenage heartbreak nonsense. You will adopt the Potter boy of course- he does not need to go back to the infernal Dursley's. And why you let your own son become a Malfoy is beyond me!"
"Erasmus, you know the answer to that. How can a vampire care for a living warm baby? Wether the baby is partially a vampire already or not!"
"Severus. Draco needs you. His mother is slowly going insane. And with the Elder Malfoy in Azkaban, how can you seriously expect YOUR boy to deal with this on his own. It's about time you became his father! You should be ashamed of yourself! It's about time that Draco learned the truth about his existance. What did you bribe the Malfoy woman with anyway? How did you get her to take your son?"
"She had to give Lucius a son- he didn't care from where. And she did not want to bear a child. She promised to love him as her own...I should have seen past that."
"Severus. It is awful that the boy doesn't even know that you are his father. And the Malfoys certainly haven't done much for his upbringing. Bring him to you Severus. Save him before it's too late!"
This is for those who have been begging for longer chapters! hope you liked it!