Disclaimer: See Chapter 1

Chapter 12: Visitor in the Night

A few days later, Harry was woken from a deep sleep. There was a loud buzzing sound, like an alarm. He got up and made his way drowsily to his bedroom door. As he opened it, he saw Snape going down the stairs in his robe.

"Professor?" Harry said uncertainly.

"Potter, go back into your room and stay put. Tina, turn that blasted thing off." Severus said icily, without missing a step.

"Yes, Master Snape." Tina said, then there was silence.

"What's going on, sir?" Harry said, confused and tired.

Severus turned and glared at Harry. Harry could see the contained fury on his face and shuddered a little.

"Get in your room and stay there. Do not make a sound. Move it now." Severus said sternly.

Harry turned and went back to his room without another word. He didn't know what Snape was mad about and didn't want him taking it out on him. He sat by the door with his ear pressed against it to try and hear what was going on. He heard Tina go into Snape's room. He could hear Snape talking to someone that sounded like Malfoy.

"Severus, our Lord has asked that I bring you to him. He wants those potions he asked for. He wanted them yesterday." Lucius said, sounding bored.

"Our Lord knows it takes three days to brew them correctly. Do not try to scare me, Lucius. It will not work." Severus said coldly.

"He is most annoyed of late. We haven't been able to find were Potter went. He has been taking it out on us. It is his desire to see his most esteemed Potions Master. I have strict orders to come back with you. Are you going to come willingly or not?" Lucius said bitterly.

"You think you could get me there any other way? Have you forgotten what happened last time someone tried to use force? How forgetful we are." Severus said sounding amused.

"Come now, Severus. You wouldn't do anything that bad to your old friend." Lucius said sounding amused.

"Why? Do you see one here?" Severus said sarcastically.

"Now, Severus, you know I had nothing to do with last time. I did try to tell them not to even try, but you know how blind the others are when trying to please our Lord." Lucius said with mock serenity.

Before Snape could answer, Harry heard Tina going back down the stairs.

"Here are the potions, Master Snape." Tina said sounding a little worried.

"Thank you, Tina." Severus said.

"We must hurry, Severus. You know how our Lord hates to wait." Lucius said, sounding annoyed.

"Let's go then. Mustn't keep Him waiting now must we." Severus said coldly.

Harry heard them walk to the door and then heard it shut.

"Be safe." Tina said softly.

Harry sat there for a long time. He was a little worried. Although he wouldn't admit to it. If anything happened to Snape, what was he going to do? He never thought about the dangers that Snape faced by going to Voldemort. He knew what Voldemort did to his followers when he was in a good mood. From the sound of it, he was furious. Harry shuddered to think what he was going to do to Snape now. Even if he couldn't stand him, he was his only living link to the wizarding world and, unfortunately, to his Father. He got up and went back to the bed. He lay down on it, staring at the ceiling waiting Snape to return.

Harry didn't know how much time had passed. It seemed like for ever to him, even though it couldn't have been more then a couple of hours. He jumped off the bed when he heard the front door slam. He went to the door and opened it cautiously. He saw Tina running over to Snape.

"Master Snape, are you all right?" Tina said anxiously.

"I'm fine, Tina." Severus said, sounding tired.

Harry went and stood at the top of the stairs, not sure if he should help or not. It was decided for him when Snape moved towards the stairs and almost fell. Tina ran to help him.

"Master Snape!" Tina yelled, sounding scared.

Harry hurried down the stairs and grabbed Snape's other side to help Tina.

"We must get him up to his room." Tina said quickly.

Harry nodded in acknowledgment. They started towards the stairs.

"I'm fine. I don't need help getting to my rooms." Severus said angrily, but not having as much of an effect when he fell forward as he said it.

"Please quit being so stubborn, Sir. You need help whether you like it or not." Harry said, breathing heavy from the effort of holding Snape up.

As they made their way up the stairs, Harry noticed how bad Snape looked. His robes and hair were covered in dirt and blood. He was shaking and looked like he was about to collapse. Harry realized how tired he must have been before he left. He hadn't seen him rest in days. They made it to the door of Snape's room and Tina lightly touched the handle. The door swung open and they entered. They slowly made their way to the bed and got Snape to lay down. Snape laid back and closed his eyes.

"Stay with Master Snape, Master Potter. I'll be back with his potions." Tina said, then left without waiting for an answer.

Harry, not knowing what to do or say, sat in a chair by the bed nervously. He looked at Snape, trying to figure the man out. What would make any one put themselves through this?

"What is it, Potter?" Severus said, not opening his eyes.

Harry jumped, not expecting to hear Snape say anything. Snape opened his eyes and looked directly at Harry.

"Out with it, Potter." Severus snapped.

"Sorry, Professor. I was just thinking. I didn't mean to disturb you." Harry said quietly.

"Do not lie to me, Potter. Ask whatever it is you that is bothering you." Severus said, glaring at him.

"Well, sir, I was just wondering why you do this? Why do you willingly go to Him and let Him hurt you like this?" Harry said softly, looking at the blanket on the bed.

Severus sighed and closed his eyes. Why did he have to ask that? Not that he was about to get an answer, but now it brought back things he didn't wish to remember.

"That is none of your concern, Potter." Severus said softly.

Tina came back in and busied herself with setting up the potions.

"Master Potter, help me sit Master Snape up." Tina said quickly.

Harry reluctantly got up and went to the other side of the bed. They helped Snape sit up against the headboard. Tina grabbed one of the potions and tried to hold it up for Snape to drink.

"I am not a child, Tina. I can take it on my own." Severus snapped, grabbing the potion.

Snape took all the potions that Tina handed him without question. When he took the last one they tried to help him lay back down.

"I refuse to sleep in this filth. I need a shower." Severus snapped angrily.

"You can have a bath. You can not have a shower on your own." Tina said stubbornly.

"Fine. Help me to the bathroom." Severus snapped back.

Harry was surprised at how Tina was talking to Snape. He never thought that anyone would get away with that. They helped him into to bathroom. Tina insisted on letting them help him remove his robes while the water ran much to Harry's embarrassment. Harry noticed that Snape had bruises littered all over his body. Harry shuddered to think what caused all of them. He looked away not wanting to think about it. Once they were done they left Snape to finish getting undressed and in the tub on his own. Tina insisted that Harry stay outside the door in case Snape needed anything. Harry sat with his back against the wall next to the door, listening in case Snape called for him. About twenty minutes later, Snape opened the door. He was holding on to the wall. Harry jumped up, thankful to see that Snape had dressed himself, and went over to help him back to his bed. Once he was settled, Harry started towards the door. He was stopped as he got to it.

"Potter, thank you for your help." Severus said, sounding irritated.

"Your welcome, Professor." Harry said softly.

Harry opened the door and went out. He stopped as he went to close it.

"You're not as mean as you like to have people think, sir. If you were, Tina wouldn't have got away with everything that she said. Don't worry, I won't tell, sir." Harry said, grinning at Snape.

He quickly shut the door before the slipper that Snape shot at him could get to him. He heard it hit as the door closed. Still grinning to himself, Harry headed back to his bed. He decided that maybe Snape wasn't so bad. He knew that Ron and Hermione would never believe him.

Tina smiled as she went down the stairs. Things were starting to work out. Now to get Severus to see that Harry is not like James. That was going to be harder to do.

The next morning found Harry and Severus eating breakfast. They ate in silence, neither knowing what to say. When Harry finished, he went to get up but was stopped.

"Potter, sit." Severus said still sounding tired.

Harry sat back down slowly. He was a little confused. He hadn't done anything wrong that he knew of, so what could Snape possibly want?

"You are not to tell anyone of what you saw last night. Is that clear?" Severus said with an edge to his voice.

"Yes, sir. They wouldn't believe me anyway." Harry said, smirking at Snape.

"Indeed." Severus said coldly.

"You have to admit, sir. The thought of you being kind to anyone, let alone a house elf, is a little hard to believe. I wouldn't have believed it if I had not seen it myself." Harry said, trying to hide his grin.

"Be that as it is, you are still not to tell anyone." Severus said pointedly.

"Of course, sir." Harry said, trying to keep from laughing.

Severus narrowed his eyes and glared at Harry. Harry stopped laughing and fell silent. They sat there for a few minutes in an awkward silence. Harry decided to ask about having Ron and Hermione stay for awhile with them. Gathering up his nerve, he decided now was as good a time as any.

"Professor?" Harry said quietly.

"Yes, Potter." Severus said off handed.

"Would it be possible for Ron and Hermione to come visit for awhile? We wouldn't get in your way and I won't tell them anything. Not even about you being my Uncle." Harry said quickly before he lost his nerve.

"Why would I want them here? It is bad enough I have to put up with you being here. Isn't that torture enough?" Severus said snidely.

"It hasn't been fun for me either, sir." Harry said angrily.

"That is not going to get you anywhere, Potter. You must learn how to control your temper. I will not tolerate it. When you have calmed yourself we'll discuss this." Severus snapped.

Severus got up and went out of the room leaving a stunned Harry sitting at the table. Harry couldn't figure out what just happened. One minute they were talking just fine and the next Snape left. Just when he thought he had him figured out. Harry got up and went to his room thinking that Snape would probably not let Ron and Hermione come over now.

Harry didn't see Snape again until supper that night. He was led outside to a small table in a garden. Having only been allowed indoors, he was very surprised to see Snape sitting at the table and looking relaxed. He looked more approachable somehow. Harry sat down before saying anything.

"Why are we out here, Sir? I thought I had to stay inside so that no one knew I was here." Harry said sounding confused.

"The wards around the house do extend further then indoors. They are effective around the entire boundaries of the property. You have never shown any desire to go outdoors." Severus said sounding annoyed.

Tina brought their supper out before Harry could reply, which was fine by Harry. He should of known that. Even at Hogwarts, the wards went out around the castle. Trying to ignore Snape, Harry started eating. They ate in silence. It wasn't until they finished eating that either of them spoke again.

"We are leaving early tomorrow. I suggest you get to bed early." Severus said casually.

"Where are we going, sir?" Harry said, not sure why they would be leaving.

"You have been advancing rather better then I thought you would. We are going to test how well you do outside of here. Somewhere that doesn't block out the Dark Lord. You have been able to block me for a short time during lessons. I want to see how you handle being out were anyone else can try. You have to keep your mind clear and your blocks up at all times. For no reason are you to let your guard down. Is that clear, Potter?" Severus said sternly.

"Yes, sir." Harry said feeling a little worried.

"Good. I'll see you in the morning." Severus said. Getting up and going back inside.

Harry got up and headed back inside, too. He went up to his room to read some more of the book from Hermione. If he was going to be tested he had to be prepared. It wasn't until later, while he was lying in bed, that he realized that Snape had avoided his question about Ron and Hermione. He knew that he should have expected that from Snape, but he was still a little annoyed. He also realized that tomorrow was his birthday. Leave it to Snape to test him on his birthday. As if Snape really cares. It took a long time for him to finally fall asleep. He was too nervous about what would happen tomorrow and where Snape was taking him.

Xoxoxoxo

I am so sorry this took so long to get out. I was having computer problems. Then I was busy and didn't have time to write. It takes me about a week to get a good start on them. I only have a few hours after work every night. You will be happy to know that I have the next chapter almost complete. I won't update it right away though. Sorry. Don't hurt me. I want to get another one started before I do.

To all my reviewers. Thanx for sticking with me through this story. I really appreciate it. This is my first fanfic. You have helped me keep it going. Even when I get writers' block I have a reason to keep trying. Thanx.

I hope that Severus and Harry aren't too out of character. They had to be a little. I promise Ron and Hermione will be in the next chapter. I will try to keep them in character as much as I can.

Thanx again for sticking with me.

Rhi