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Thanks much to excessivelyperky for beta reading this. You're the best.

A/N: Reviews are a good thing.

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Chapter 15

Potter II

It was Snape who suggested Bella and Wormtail kidnap a healer on route to the new encampment, thus further persuading the Dark Lord of his loyalty. It was true the potions he offered would do no harm, but no other potions would work until their effects had worn off.

It had bought them little time, but it was more than they had before. The Boy-Who-Lived had done well, Serverus had to admit. Of course the Potions Master would be hard pressed to tell him that. Snape wondered briefly, as he considered Potter's sleeping form, why the boy had chosen to do a wandless healing as opposed to using his wand on Draco. He examined the book that lay in the boy's lap.

The room was littered with many other books in addition to the one Potter held. Most of them were adorned with little tongues of colored paper, which stuck out from the sides and tops. One in particular caught Snape's eye. It lay open at the foot of the bed where Draco was resting, and was stained with red droplets of what could only be Potter's blood. Snape turned the book to read the cover, it was called, Angelths: Magic, Myth and Mystery. Snape actually owned a copy of the book. It had been gifted to him by Albus, prior to that fateful night on the Astronomy Tower. Snape had not yet had the courage to open the volume. The blood spattered page that Potter had been reading explained how one Angelth could hone in on its twin, thus allowing one Safekeeper to be immediately transported to the other, regardless of whether they were aware of the exact location.

To Potter's credit he had called and informed Albus about what he was going to attempt. Potter had explained that he was being possessed by Voldemort as he talked to Albus via the Angelth without looking into the locket. The boy explained that his scar was bleeding painfully, and he could see everything that was going on at the Death Eater meeting. He told the old man the that Voldemort was allowing the Death Eaters to punish Draco for losing Nagini. And by Voldemort forcing Potter to watch, the Dark Lord was apparently attempting to punish Harry as well.

Snape was both touched and appalled when the Headmaster informed him that the boy's primary concern seemed to have been that he didn't want Snape to be forced to curse Draco.

"How dare the impetuous little simpleton take such a risk for such a triviality," Snape had responded hotly when Albus told him. He briefly put aside just how relieved he had been when Potter showed up and kept him from having to do just that.

"Harry seemed convinced that Voldemort meant the other Death Eaters to kill young Draco," the Headmaster explained.

"I am certain the boy was correct in his assumption, Headmaster," Snape admitted.

"Harry was particularly distressed that you should be forced to participate in such action," Albus had explained via the Angelth, prior to Snape's apparation to Privet Drive.

The Headmaster had vehemently forbidden the boy to go. The old man argued that Potter's role in the defeat of Voldemort was far too important to risk. In the end, Harry had regretfully disobeyed. He insisted that he felt going to save Draco was part of defeating Voldemort. Snape mulled this thought over as he examined Potter's books.

He recognized his old potions text, the one Potter had denied being in possession of during the school year, open near a cauldron and burner in the center of a roll top desk. The boy had apparently brewed a pain killing draught and nerve repairer for Malfoy, Snape realized, and quirked an impressed eyebrow. The potions book too was also adorned with colored bits of paper that stuck out from its side and top. As Snape flipped through the book, he recognized Potter's untidy scrawl along with his own cramped script on the bits of parchment, which stuck to the pages.

The boy had jotted down questions and further clarifications regarding the potions. Snape grudgingly gave the boy credit, for it certainly appeared that he was diligently applying himself to his studies. Snape had been surprised to find this to be the case the night he had stumbled upon Potter training in Arabella Figg's back garden. The older wizard considered the conversation that had ensued between the two about the protection wards. This made it clear the boy had been doing a substantial amount of research.

Severus had argued with Albus, as they had sorted out plans during the school year, that Potter was lazy and would probably lie about all summer until it was time for his training to begin. He recounted the many times he had call to punish the boy for turning up after the summer holidays without having completed his assignments.

"I'm sure my death will force you both to mature somewhat," Albus had said with a mad twinkle in his eye. Severus hated it that Albus had begun joking about this topic. Snape had grown angry. He raised his voice, he hadn't done that in a while, and told Albus that he asked too much of him.

"I have no doubt you will do as you have promised," the Headmaster assured him mildly.

And the old man had been right, just as he had been right about Potter taking his studies seriously. That obviously seemed to be the case at present, the Potions Master thought, as he closed his old potions text with a little thud. He was about to turn back to the boys when he noticed a short stack of books gathering dust in a corner. He sped his approach slightly upon reading the titles: Protecting the Mind by Graydian Crawlenton. The Nature of Prophecy by Sheldon Cambridge, and The Light in the Darkness by Barthol Raynor. Snape hesitated just a moment before removing the aged, yellowing parchment from the top most volume.

Headmaster,

the note began in stern script:

These books have been defiled by young Severus Snape of Slytherin. As this is not the first time this second year student has abused the books in this library, I feel it appropriate that his parents made to pay the replacement copies and the boy be severely punished.

Sincerely,

Elvira Pince

Reference Library Witch

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Severus remembered this incident clearly. He had been extremely embarrassed that the library witch had seen his personal notes. Young Snape had actually had no intention of returning the books once he had began to use them. He was constantly nicking books from the library; old Pince had never caught on. But occasionally a helpful house mate or house elf would return a book he had left out. To make a show of taking the witch's complaint seriously, and to reinforce the show of outward animosity that was being carefully crafted between himself and the young Slytherin, Albus had scolded the boy severely and humiliatingly in her presence. He assured her Severus would be punished and given an evening of detention. Of course this was as fraudulent as all the other detentions Albus gave Severus, which the Headmaster always insisted he serve with him personally.

"I have to take this young man, who is just a bit too fond of the dark arts, in hand personally," the Headmaster would claim when questioned by others.

The detentions were usually served during evenings and on weekends, and for his last three years of school Severus managed to earn detention over the Christmas holidays. These lengthier punishment sessions were a cover for study such as Occlumency, wandless magic and those Dark Arts, Albus claimed the boy was fond of. In fact, the Dark Arts initially frightened young Severus greatly.

"How do you know I won't become truly dark, Headmaster?" the boy, who was small and skinny for his age, would ask.

"Because I will not allow it, dear boy," was the standard answer. "You must understand darkness to fight for light," the Headmaster would assure the twelve year old. "And your prophecy states you are to be the most accomplished spy the Light has ever known."

"What if I fail, Albus?" Every once in a while young Severus would have to voice this doubt.

"You will not fail because you are my Prince," Albus would reassure him, while affectionately tousling his raven hair. "My Half Blood Prince." Severus always smiled at the affectionate address, just as he warmly referred to the Headmaster as Albus.

The bond between the two had already grown strong. This did not always make-up for the Headmaster routinely siding with any chance Gryffindor against Severus, no matter the evidence. Nor did it make the humiliation of public scoldings, which were sure to follow, easier to tolerate. A few times in the early years the Headmaster had actually reduced the child to tears, thus earning Snape the name Snivellus among the Gryffindors.

As time passed, Severus developed a thicker skin, and a well defined sneer. He also came to trust that if Albus was truly displeased with him he would never berate him in the presence of others. He also quickly learned that his sneer made things much worse in such situations. It was a perfect cover for Severus' future duties. Those who believed him a true follower of Voldemort, such as Lucius' father, Abraxas Malfoy, who had sponsored Severus and Lucius in their apprenticeships to the Dark Lord, had little doubt of Snape's loyalty. The young man seemed to have ample incentive, given Dumbledore's abuse of the Slytherin throughout his time at Hogwarts. And those who believed Snape worked for the Light thought the Headmaster's punishments and scoldings had set the young man straight.

The scolding the Headmaster had given Severus in front of Pince had been mild in comparison to some. But when twelve year old Severus had returned to his dorm from detention that evening, which had been a non-verbal magic lesson, on Severus' night table lay brand new copies of the very same books Pince had confiscated. The Headmaster had charmed them to replicate Severus' notations.

In the here and now Snape's stomach tightened at the thought of Potter reading his notes in these particular books. The volume on Occlumency had practically been a diary. Severus noted that two of the three books were free of sticky parchments. The Occlumency book had a single pink tab poking threateningly out of its side. Severus took a moment to sneer angrily at Potter's sleeping form before reading the note.

Too personal. Ask permission? The note inquired. Scourgify?

Tucked beneath the note was a letter Potter had apparently began several times.

Dear Professor Snape,

I found some of your old books...

Professor Snape,

I accidentally...

This first and second attempt had been lined through.

Professor,

On my last night at Hogwarts I went into the restricted section of the library and...

The third attempt had been scratched out more thoroughly, and Snape could see where the boy had written I, we, and then I again with regards to who went into the restricted section. From the amount of dust on the volumes and the lack of notations the boy had apparently given up. Snape closed the book with a ghost of a smirk playing about his mouth and turned back to where the boys lay sleeping

Draco seemed to be resting comfortably, but Potter's color was extremely pale. Just as Snape decided that he might begin brewing the magic replenisher, which he had thought ahead to bring the ingredients for, Potter awoke. When their eyes met the boy's expression went through a process Snape had come to know very well. First there was the dawning realization of having been caught out. Then there was the fear of punishment. Next came the arrogance that indicated any punishment would be of little consequence. Finally came the cunning that would have served the boy well in Slytherin as he tried to formulate a plausible excuse.

Snape decided to speak first before the little dunderhead injured himself.

"Your behavior tonight," Snape began in his patented silkily menacing tone, "was extremely irresponsible, exceedingly idiotic, and recklessly dangerous. Attempt a stunt like that in future and you have my word I shall see to it you are permanently maimed," Snape promised matter-of-factly. "Now kindly begin to pack your things."

Potter opened and closed his mouth a few times before he was able to regain the power of speech.

"Are we going somewhere then, sir?" the boy finally managed.

"That is why you were ordered to pack your things, Potter," the man said impatiently. "Some time this week, boy," Snape said sharply when the young man failed to move.

"Ron and Hermione?" the boy asked as he gained his feet a tad unsteadily, Snape noticed.

"They won't be joining us I'm afraid," Snape managed his customary sneer.

The boy frowned. "No, I meant," Harry began as he moved to obey. "They're staying here now. What shall I tell them?"

"What have you told them thus far?" Snape asked, his eyes narrowing slightly.

"Nothing," Harry said quickly. "Well nothing about the Angelths or you or anything," the boy explained. "Professor Dumbledore told me not to."

"Since you have paid little heed to the other things we have forbidden this summer," Snape returned snidely. "The truth of the matter may prove hard to verify."

"I was only trying to..." Harry began defensively.

Snape held up a hand to forestall the boy's comment. "I have no interest in what you thought you were trying to accomplish, Potter." In reality the man was interested. But he could not hear it just now. He was afraid it would make him...what? Respect the boy? Care for him? Severus shook his head free from such thoughts. He was undeniably grateful that Potter had saved Draco. But this was Harry, wonderful, Potter. Albus' precious pet. Snape had always made such an issue of disliking the boy because of his father, but in reality it was Albus' love for the youngster that caused the greater hurt. That coupled with Albus' outward show of favoritism for the boy's father and the other Marauders when they were in school was enough to make any relationship between Severus and Harry doomed before it started.

"Do your friends know of Draco and the events of last night?" Snape questioned as Potter began to pack his trunk

"No." Harry told him. "We apparated here and I warded the room. They don't know about you or the Angelths either, honest," the boy assured him.

"Continue packing," the man instructed in a flat tone, eyeing the cauldron and the boy's unsteady gate and wondering if the magic replenisher could wait. He also wondered if Weasley and Granger were safe from the countless eager young Death Eaters who might get it into their heads to attempt to breach the wards at Potter's home in search of the boy. Albus' wards would certainly hold, Severus reasoned as he contemplated ordering Potter to sit down.

He made up his mind when he had to catch the boy's arm to keep him from tumbling head first into his trunk. Severus steered the boy to a wooden chair nearest the makeshift potions stand on the desk. He sat the boy down more roughly than there was need. Snape removed a bundle of reddish green leaves from inside his robes and put the cutting board and silver knife in front of Potter.

"Chop these into quarter inch sections," Snape ordered. "Refrain from cutting your fingers as the potion does not require that ingredient."

Potter surprised the Potions Master by giving the leaves a good sniff.

"Yeah," the boy mumbled as though to himself. "Magic replenisher. Good idea."

The two worked together in silence, until Potter shocked Snape even further by reaching into the desk drawer and pulling out a small jar of aphodyll powder.

"Well, well, well, Potter," Snape intoned, with a severely arched eyebrow.

The confidence with which the boy had reached for the ingredient faltered slightly.

"Well erm..." the boy began inarticulately. "The aphodyll will...that is to say I think it'll..." Potter said nervously.

Snape took pity on him.

"Yes, yes," Snape agreed in a tone that sounded a trifle irritated. "It will indeed speed up the brewing time. Add it now." He ordered as he adjusted the flame.

Snape noticed that the boy's hand shook as he added the bluish powder. Whether it was from his magical fatigue or because Snape had made him nervous was unclear.

The Potions Master found he was impressed against his will. This trick was not something Potter had picked up from his potions text. The fact that you could speed up the brewing time of red and green leaf potions by adding blue aphodyll was something Severus had not discovered until he was in his twenties. Snape wanted to ask if it was Granger who had worked out the process, but Potter saved him the trouble.

"Just something I figured out when I was fooling about with some other potions," the boy mumbled apologetically, as though expecting to be berated for having the audacity to make such a discovery. He may well have been right too, as it had put Snape in a bit of a mood.

After downing one and a quarter vials of the foul tasting potion. Harry moved to continue packing.

"Sit," Snape ordered firmly

He caught a mumble as the boy countered with an impertinent, "Roll over," a fleeting scowl of irritation crossed Potter's face. Snape treated him to a sharp glare, but said nothing. Severus was rather adept at packing charms and made short work of putting together the contents of the boy's room and wardrobe.

"Is that all of your things?" Snape asked Potter, who nodded from his place on the chair. The older wizard shrunk the trunk and tossed it to the boy, who caught it deftly and placed it in his pocket.

Leaning over the bed Snape lifted Draco and cradled him easily to his chest, as though he were a much younger and lighter burden. Severus instructed Potter to stand near and grasp his arm. He wound up having to hiss angrily at the boy before he would take hold of the man's arm properly and the three were able to diapparate from Number Four Privet Drive.

Authors Note: The ending of the chapter has been edited slightly from the original.

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