Disclaimer: HP is not mine. It's all JKR's….yar.

A/N: Sorry it has taken me a bit to get this chapter out. The muse had left me, and I'm not sure about this chapter. But I think that things covered in it needed to be presented. Pray for my muse to return!

A few hours later…

The dark always seemed so peaceful, so cunning, almost like home to him. The shadows seemed to seep within his soul and flow out of his body- rejoining with the night. He felt perfect, and oh so powerful. Very slowly, he felt the muscles along his back ripple in excitement. Suddenly, in a shower of blood and power, his wings burst forth from his back, stretching to the limits of motion. It was wonderful.

Slowly he opened his eyes and gazed around the room from his vantage point on his throne. The shriveled body of the vampire that had been slain to make him what he was lay crumpled in the middle of the floor. Later, he would have his minions rip the body apart, vampire parts were worth much in Knockturn Alley.

The Potter boy would die, but not quickly. Oh no. His demise would occur as slowly as was possible. He would teach the "good" people of Britain to fear the Dark Lord.

Voldemort turned to look at himself in a mirror that hung on the wall of the great room. His features had changed ever so much. Gone was the image of the snake faced man, now, his features were twisted in the evil purity as was fitting his station. His long dark hair seemed to blow about his shoulders from power. His eyes, while still blazing red, seemed more feral. His nose had taken on a more humanoid form, but his ears were now pointed, like a bat. He smiled at his reflection; his grin showed a mouth full of sharp pointed teeth.

Oh yes, they had never seen anything like this. He could barely contain himself from tasting the fear of the surrounding mortals.

Suddenly, he sensed the heat from a mortal about to enter his domain. Silently, he watched as the tall man entered the room with his head bowed.

"Ahhh, Percy. Come to wish your master well?" The Dark Lord asked facetiously.

Theredhead dropped to one knee and bowed deeply. "Master. What would you wish of me?"

The Dark Lord smiled his horrid smile. "Look upon me, Percy. I will guarantee you have never seen the likes of me before."

The redhead slowly raised his head. After a moment, his expression changed to one of awe. "My Lord." He bowed again.

"Come now, Percy. Step closer… You once said that you would give me anything for power, did you not?"

Percy looked up at the Dark Lord. "Yes, I did, sire."

Voldemort smiled. "Good. Come closer." Percy did as his master asked. The Dark Lord grabbed the man by the shoulders and raised his head as if to strike. "I find myself a bit hungry, and you would make a proper snack indeed."

Harry smiled at the view of the night sky. Something told him that once again, the peace would soon be shattered. Hermione was a good friend, a bit overbearing at times, but a good friend nonetheless. He gazed at the moon and wondered what it was like for Lupin to run through the Forbidden Forest as a wolf. Suddenly, he felt a hand on his shoulder.

He whipped around quickly and found himself face to face with the man who had abandoned him. His eyes snapped into focus. "What do you want?" Harry snarled.

Severus twitched his mouth. "I wanted to inform you that I have returned."

Harry backed away from the elder vampire. "Oh, so you think everything's going to be alright now, huh? You didn't think it important to tell me that you were leaving, you simply up and left me, not that I'm important anyway. So, get away from me. I don't need you. I never needed you. You should have let me die like I wanted."

Severus could hardly believe that his leaving had caused the boy this much distress, but his show is disrespect was not wanted, and not appreciated. "Why should I have let you do what I've wanted to do for a very long time? The choice was taken from me, just as it was taken from you. I dare you Harry Potter; I dare you to cross me. It seems that you forget how difficult I can be when I want to. The only thing I find myself facing is a sniveling childish brat who has no respect for anything!"

Harry glared at Snape. He wanted respect did he? "The only thing I ever wanted was for someone to care. That's it. You have no idea what I've gone through, and if you had even bothered to get to know me, you'd know that there is a big difference between being spoiled and being hurt. No, it didn't matter to you that your Master almost killed me while you were gone! Nothing ever matters to you when it comes to anyone besides Draco. To hell with you, Severus Snape. Maybe I can get Erasmus to finish the job and leave you all to suffer at the hands of Voldemort. See if I care. I hope you rot in hell!"

Harry ran away from the elder vampire and deep into the forbidden forest. Let him play with the perfect Draco. If Harry had anything to do with it, he would never see the wizarding world again.

Severus stared at the boy; watching him run across the grounds. Maybe, after some time, the boy would calm down and think logically. He needed to be taught discipline. But, Severus had Dumbledore to thank for much of the boy's impertinence.

But what has Erasmus done? Severus never imagined the elder vampire would ever try to deliberately hurt his charge. But still, something had happened. And apparently, the Potter boy had still not recovered from whatever it was. If the boy had recovered, the jibe would never have come out in anger. Erasmus hurt the boy more than in a physical manner. He had hurt the boy mentally… but how?

Severus walked back into the castle. He wasn't about to go traipsing around the grounds of Hogwart's at all hours of the night. He walked up to Dumbledore's office, informed the headmaster of the Potter boy's actions and told the headmaster that if he was needed he would be in his chambers. At least Dumbledore could possibly manage to get the boy back into the castle. For once, the Potter boy probably had no anger towards the headmaster for anything. If he got near Potter, he would probably try to kill him. The boy had no idea how much restraint he had shown. Severus even wondered if the boy at times had forgotten that his past too was not so rosy. Harry Potter wasn't the only killer at Hogwart's.

For now, he needed to get back to his chambers and try to figure out what sort of mess Erasmus had brought down upon them all.